5 Tips To Survive Winter For Travellers From Tropical Countries

1. Layering is key

A heavy jacket is not sufficient to keep the cold away, especially if the temperature is below zero degrees. Layering is important, and you can avoid bringing tons of big jackets as well. The first layer is known as the base which is important in retaining the heat from your body. Your body should always stay dry to keep warm, so never attempt to put on a cotton fabric as the base since it retains moisture. An affordable yet effective thermal wear will be the heattech range from Uniqlo that uses Japanese technology. They have recently introduced an extra warm series which is better than the original heattech range.

Next, is the middle layer that which is the insulating layer. Thick wool or fleece jackets are good middle layers to put on to retain the heat.

The final layer is known as the shell layer that protects you against the weather. You should get something that is weather-proof, especially if the destination is snowing - snow is wet. Having windproof features are also extremely important as it can protect you against the chill of the cold. Gore-Tex material jackets are well-known for their waterproof features, but they are very expensive. North Face has a wide range of jackets, and you may get them below USD 200 during a sale. If you are a US size 8 or below, you can consider the young boys range for sizes L or XL.

2. Good boots keeps the chill and moisture off your feet

Many winter-accessories shops sell snow boots at a low price, but those are not exactly the best boots to put on for a snowy climate. Gore-Tex uses material, as mentioned, that is the best waterproof option which may cost a little more, but will last a long time.. However, the last thing is to keep your feet from getting wet when it is freezing because you would feel even colder (not uncomfortable). The thickness of the sole is also important, you want to avoid getting boots with thin soles because the chill is going to penetrate through that thin sole easily. Snowy grounds are extremely slippery, so be sure to get a pair that are anti-slip. Hiking shoes typically have an anti-slip sole with good grips. Unfortunately, shoes with these features are usually expensive, but instead of going for Gore-Tex, there are many similar water-resistance materials at slightly lower prices. You may find them at Timberland or North Face. You can save on others, but a pair of good shoes matter to ensure that you enjoy the vacation. If you are from a tropical country, you may want to avoid getting those woolly type of thick winter boots - they would be unnecessary after your vacation. If you get a good pair of high-cut hiking boots, they still come in handy after your trip.

3. Bring along heat packs

Heat packs are extremely useful in warming you up in cold places in times of need. As you are from a tropical country, you will not be able to visualize how cold that place would be especially when you are sweating while packing your luggage at home! There are various types of heat packs, such as the hand warmers, feet warmers, and even body warmers. If you are worried about the cold, consider bringing all 3 types along. The hand warmers are usually small, and fits into your pocket. Hold on to them tightly in your hands and it does warm you up. Feet warmers are inserted into your shoes, and come in handy especially if you are walking on heavy snow. If your socks are not thermal or thick enough, the cold can penetrate to your feet. Having cold feet does not feel good, so slot in those feet warmers to keep them warm. The body warmers are usually larger, and you can paste them onto your base layer - never paste a heat pack on your skin directly as it can burn you and cause rashes. Heat-packs are a savior to warm you up within minutes.

There are a wide variety of heat packs on the market, but avoid buying the ones below 1 USD because they lose heat pretty easily or they do not get warm enough.

4. Cover up the neck, ears, mouth, and your head!

Our neck and head are often exposed to the chill, so it is equally important to keep them wrapped up to avoid losing heat from your body. Depending on the temperature, a thick scarf is important to wrap around your neck. Winter beanies or hats are also good for protecting the head, though it may feel uncomfortable wearing them for a long time. However, if your jacket comes with a hood, you probably do not need one. Ear muffs may be a good options if your ears get cold easily. If you are expecting a snow storm, get a hood that is able to cover your lower face too - that would avoid your cheek and lips from drying out. These are small accessories, and you can pack them easily into your luggage or store them away in your cabinet when you are back.

5. Hot flask for warm water

If you bring along a plastic water bottle you will most likely find yourself drinking cold water the very next minute. A hot flask does not only keep your water warm but it is also a life-saver when you are shivering in the cold. Take a sip of the hot water to keep warm, and it remains useful even when you head home.