What advice would you give to someone (me) who has never experience anything below 50 F, and is about to take on their first winter in Chicago?

26 comments

1. Get some warm clothes. A scarf, hat and good socks.

2. Long underwear. Layers. Hat/scarf. And cover your ears.

   Don’t complain about the cold. You can mention it sure… but don’t complain. We all know it’s cold… I don’t need to hear somebody bitch about it.

3. Layer, layer, layer. Get long underwear if you can, that will really help, along with thick wool socks. A down jacket can make a really good middle layer, but make sure your outer shell is windbreaking. Wear a nice beanie and or ear mitts, and don’t skimp on the warm gloves. A scarf might help you as well.

4. Layers are key. Wear lots of layers and water proof footwear if possible. While they do put salt out, watch out for ice and take small steps when walking outdoors. Make sure you have a hat or ear muff to cover your ears, gloves/ mittens and a scarf. Also if you hear gun fire call the cops and go the opposite direction and take cover.

5. Invest in: quality socks, sturdy shoes a hefty overcoat, woolen beanie cap, scarf and gloves. But overall, layers. For example your coat doesn’t have to be as big as a sleeping bag if you have an undershirt, a Long sleeve shirt and a hoodie or sweater underneath. Also long johns are lovely. The technology for long underwear has gotten so good, you could skip a layer. Still, hat gloves and scarf are necessary. Gotta cover your face, head and extremities. Good luck. Chicago is COLD.

6. It’s not bad weather, you’re just not dressed for it.

7. Weatherproof shoes and warm socks if you have to be outside. Get a decent coat. Make sure you can layer a heavier sweater or sweatshirt under it. Hat, gloves, scarf. Layers for your clothes. Fleece or flannel lined pants can be helpful. I keep a big extremely warm sweater at my desk at work for if it’s super cold.

8. Layers. Last thing you want is one super-heavy layer that makes you sweat a lot. Unzip it and you’ll go from sweaty to cold and wet in minutes. T-shirt, flannel or sweater, then a coat is a good setup. And also consider long johns or flannel-lined jeans.

   Snow on the road reduces your car’s traction, changing its performance when starting, stopping, and turning. If you’re driving in the snow, take an opportunity to step on the brakes if nobody’s behind you, to see what you have for traction.

9. WFH, have everything delivered until spring

10. Everyone has already mentioned layers, but I’d like to add a long down coat can do wonders. You can get one that covers a lot of your lower half and it really helps block the wind and feels like wearing a blanket. Bonus if it has an attached hood.

11. Keep in mind, it’s not just the temperature but the *wind*. The high winds can really make it bitterly cold.

    So whatever you have as your outer layer, be sure it is wind proof.

12. 😰 what a nightmare

13. If you’re driving a car, look into getting winter tires. As someone who grew up in Florida and now lives in Minnesota, I can’t imagine driving on snowy days without them.

14. Long down jacket, gloves, hat or secure hood on your jacket, warm boots (that you can pair with thermal socks). Be forewarned that it can get windy AF.

15. Beyond the more obvious things like having warm clothes and layering, be aware that you’re going to be a lot more uncomfortable in the cold than people used to it, and dress accordingly. Just because the guy who lived in a cold climate most his life is wearing shorts and a light jacket, don’t think you’ll be comfortable in the same.

16. When it’s below 0, don’t be surprised if taking a deep breath makes you cough.

17. Don’t go outside with wet hair.

18. I’ll bring up something the others have not.

    If the temperature is ever below 30 degrees and expect to be outside for a long period of time and you start sweating in the layers you wear do not take them off. That sweat can freeze causing you to inadvertently begin losing body heat faster.

19. You’ll adjust. What is frigid in November is t shirt weather in April.

20. You could buy a heated jacket that’s what some construction workers use who work out outside all day.

21. One word..

    Layers.

22. Get good gloves that have the fingertips that allow you to use touch screens (like your phone).

    Keep the head covered. Especially your ears when it’s bitter cold. Very cold ears can give you an earache or headache. Losing heat from your head or feet makes you feel much colder.

    Costco sells boxes of disposable hand warmers. Little packets that heat up for a couple of hours that you can keep in your pockets.

    Chapstick and aquaphor because the wind and weather can do a number on the skin.

    Coats have weather ratings like “below 30 degrees” etc. Always layer, but it doesn’t hurt to invest in one heavy duty coat. (North Face, Patagonia, etc. Worth it, but doesn’t have to be name brand.)

23. Remember Game of Thrones that whole wall of ice and frozen wasteland beyond? George RR Martin based that on his winters in Chicago at Northwestern.

24. Keep in mind what you will be doing outside! Layering and having a preferred face covering is key, but if you’re gonna be running, walking, or doing physical labor, it’s very easy to over-dress and overheat. That’s why layers are crucial: Have things you can take off and put on to keep you comfy.

25. General Advice:

    – Don’t ask an American. Ask a Canadian. We adopted the cold. They were born into it, molded by it.
    – Use layers; don’t just throw a large puffy coat over a t-shirt, or you’re going to have a bad time if it starts warming up and your options are to bake or to freeze.

    Clothing – I don’t know your budget, but the minimum that I would have in your situation is:
    – A good set of Gore-Tex or similar coat and snow pants
    – at least 2-3 hoodies, one of which has extra insulation
    – A fleece lined hat with ear flaps or a good water proof hat and a good scarf
    – Optional: A thin pair of gloves for the fall
    – A well insulated and waterproof pair of gloves for the winter.
    – Long underwear – thick flannel
    – A good pair of calf-height insulated waterproof boots.
    – Thick flannel socks.

    I have gotten away with a fleece lined waterproof coat plus the extra insulated hoodie when I was in college. It’s actually nice because I could leave for class when it was below zero and just take off layers as needed as it warmed up.

    Car – I’m assuming you drive
    – In Chicago, you will want winter tires.
    – You should get snow chains as well; just leave them in your trunk.
    – Also get some sand. Home Depot for a $3 bag of children’s sandbox sand will be enough.
    – Drive like you have an egg on the accelerator and the brake. Your four wheel drive and anti-lock brakes won’t save you if you’re driving like it’s any other day.
    – Get an ice scraper and a snow brush.
    – Bake in an extra 10-15 minutes in case you go out to your car and the windows are frosted over so that you can warm it up first.

    House
    – Get a snow shovel and a large ice pick. Note that some communities have regulations about how long you have after the snow to clear the sidewalk in front of your house.
    – Get some salt and a spreader. If the snow melts and refreezes, it can help you break it up a bit.

26. Do NOT just get 1 really heavy coat. The upper midwest is going to be colder than you’re used to but temperatures vary greatly from day to night. And wind can really take a toll too. Your best bet is to dress in several layers of thinner but still warm clothes and remove a layer as needed. Warm gloves and socks are a necessity. Should any article of clothing get wet remove it immediately; it’s better to be dry and cold than wet and cold, even if it means exposing skin to the cold air.

    And beware of black ice, especially if driving. Black ice is a thin but very slippery layer of ice that is hard to see due to its thinness, especially at night. Very easy to fall down or lose control of a vehicle. If driving, go slower and allow much more distance between you and all other vehicles, so as to increase your stopping time. If driving be sure to invest in a good ice scraper as your windshield and windows will be frozen over frequently.