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At this time of the year, most people who live in cold climates are hoping to escape the winter and seek out warm beach destinations. It’s a migration in which I am not familiar. My South Louisiana winters are mild/chilly at best and warm/humid at worst. Instead of yearning for warmer weather, I crave a lovely snow filled winter experience.
This season I decided to have a proper winter holiday, and headed to Quebec, Canada. Packing for a winter vacation can be foreign and confusing if you aren’t used to the cold, so here’s a little guide for what to wear in Montreal in winter.
What to Wear in Montreal in Winter
Written By: Niki Landry
Layering is the key to packing for most destinations. This couldn’t be more true then when going to a cold location. Weather is unpredictable, restaurants and shops tend to turn up the heat, and you need to be prepared to add or remove clothing as necessary.
Keep your layers, from your travel capsule wardrobe, light and warm. You don’t want to overload your luggage or body with heavy burdensome clothing. Sometimes it’s impossible to avoid the marshmallow man look, but at least you will be warm. Stick to synthetic materials for your base layers, and look for waterproof outerwear. The video below might help prepare your winter travel.
Get started on preparing for winter travel with this video!
Read this post for cold weather layering tips!
Simplicity Faux Fur Beanie Hat
Head
When you’re planning what to wear in Montreal in winter, keep in mind that we lose a lot of heat from our heads and it’s important to keep it protected. Warm hats, knit beanies, and a hood go a long way in keeping you warm.
Guard your ears from the wind by wearing hats that pull down over your ears, or wear a pair of earmuffs or warmers. Wearing earbuds while walking around outside can even help to keep the whipping wind at bay.
Halogen Lightweight Cashmere Scarf
In addition to gear for your head and ears, bring along a thick scarf to help protect your face. The cold weather and heated dry interiors can also wreak havoc on your skin.
Bring strong facial moisturizers and a good lip balm. Don’t fear if you forget any of these items, they can be easily found throughout the city.
Looking for fashionable and functional accessories for your cold weather travels? Use one of these stylish winter scarves!
Isotoner Spandex Cold Weather Stretch Gloves
Hands
Your extremities tend to become colder faster than other parts of your body. Warm lined gloves or mittens are a must, and essential for impromptu snowball fights. Just to make your life easier, look for a pair that has tips to work with your phone’s touchscreen. Removing your gloves every time you look up directions is a hassle and will leave you with chilly hands.
Hand Warmers are another addition that can help combat the cold. They are relatively small and easy to pack, and you will be glad you remembered to bring them along. I kept a pair in my pockets and would reach in when my hands became cold.
Also, throw a moisturizing hand lotion into your purse to soothe dry cracked hands.
These are the best warmest gloves for travel according to our readers (and we agree)!
Icebreaker Merino Oasis Long Sleeve Crew and Bottom
Body
Fleece lined leggings or thermal underwear layered under your pants or jeans will keep your bottom warm. Look for a water and wind resistant coat that zips up instead of buttons.
London Fog Chevron Coat with Faux-Fur Trim
The longer the coat the better, and opt for a hood if available. Synthetic insulated jackets are the best option to top off your winter attire.
In terms of what types of fabrics to choose, the video below can help you select smart fabrics or brands that work well in winter so you can layer properly!
Watch this video to find out the right fabrics to layer for winter!
Find out what’s the best packable down jacket for your cold weather travels!
Sorel Tofino II Waterproof Insulated Winter Boot
Boots
One of the biggest things to keep in mind when planning what to wear in Montreal in winter is that the city streets quickly become slippery from melting snow and rain. Bring shoes with traction to avoid slipping, sliding, and falling.
Look for waterproof, insulated, high top boots to combat the cold slush. Make sure your boots are well broken in, and can accommodate thick socks. Also look for lighter boots, it is hard work trudging through snow and my calves were sore by the end of the day.
Ankle boots are a reader and TFG Editor-in-Chief favorite, which offers versatility, protection, and warmth. This video shares tips and insight on choosing the best winter shoes for travel—check it out!
Check out our latest round-up of the best waterproof boots this season!
Halls Cough Suppressant/Oral Anesthetic
After you have piled on the layers to keep your outside protected, consider the inside. To avoid becoming sick during cold and flu season follow a few common sense rules.
Wash your hands, stay hydrated, and bring along some vitamin infused drinks and soothing tea. I also like to keep nasal spray and throat lozenges in my bag for the dry air in hotel rooms.
How to Pack Clothes for Winter
Packing cubes can help organize all the layers you have in mind for winter travels. We designed our own brand of slim packing cubes, with a unique color and numbering system, so it’s easy to remember where you’ve packed everything.
Learn our hacks with packing cubes in the video above!
We put together a five-part YouTube series showing the different methods to use packing cubes for travel. If you use this specific packing strategy, packing cubes can also compress your belongings. This is the secret to traveling carry-on only!
Winter vacations to very cold destinations don’t have to be miserable. If you are well prepared you can enjoy all the city has to offer, and experience a rewarding vacation despite the weather.
What are your tips on what to wear in Montreal in winter? Share in the comments below!
For more North America packing list, please read:
- What to Wear in Boston
- What to Wear in California
- What to Wear in New Orleans
- How to Pack for Toronto
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Author Bio: Niki is an interior designer and artist from Louisiana. In addition to her design work, she writes for local and online publications sharing her experiences and passion for travel. Niki is currently adding stamps to her passport while building her design practice, Niki Landry Designs.
Great tips for my upcoming vacation!
I have read several of your posts on cold weather travels and I wonder if you could give me some tips on what to wear for people allergic to wool? I’m headed to Iceland next month and can’t even wear wool sweaters over shirts. Wool gloves, hats and scarves give me rashes, and the thought of wool thermals or socks are unbearable .
I have the down coat and warm boots but need packable sweaters.
Thanks
Hi Annette, thank you for reaching out. Have a look at this post for our readers recommendations for the best alternates to wool: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/best-alternative-to-merino-wool/ Hope this helps. Have an amazing time in Iceland! ?
Great info! Thanks!
We are going to Montreal, Canada for the first time the last week of November.
By the way, we’re from central Louisiana. 🙂
Hi Morgan, really pleased you enjoyed the article! Have an amazing time on your trip! ?
Is Montreal a fashionable city in winter, or is it more about staying warm?
Hi Claudia, you want to stay warm to be able to have a fantastic trip despite the cold weather.
Take a look at this post for how to layer in cold weather: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/cold-weather-layering/
Hope this helps!
Great advice – thanks
Thanks for the useful information, it really helped!
I haven’t been to Montreal in the winter in years, but I lived in Ottawa where the weather is not much different. Yes, the temperatures can be awful, but like you said with the right layering you can make the most of a winter vacay!
The right layers and fabrics can make or break your trip…chilly!