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During the winter months, Toronto’s weather ranges from “freezing” to “oh my god I’m going to die”. Even though the temperature drops well below 0 degrees the city is still bustling with locals and tourists. Follow these tips to learn what to wear in Toronto in winter!
What to Wear in Toronto in Winter
Written by: Kelly Ella Maz
There’s plenty of reasons to visit Toronto in the winter; ice skating at City Hall, Winterlicious dining event and the ice festival in Yorkville to name a few.
In order to make your Canadian vacation even more enjoyable I suggest a few packing strategies to keep you warm, dry and comfortable. Take it from a Canadian; you’re definitely going to want to follow these tips!
Warm Winter Coat
If you’re going to be spending any time outside (which I highly suggest you do, Toronto is beautiful during the winter) you’re going to need a proper, warm winter coat.
Wanna look like a local? Invest in a Canada Goose jacket to stay downright toasty even on the chilliest days. They don’t come cheap, so if looking for an alternative brand be sure to pick one with an insulated fill and a wind resistant shell.
I’d also recommend a jacket with a hood, since a hood is the best way to protect your cheeks from harsh winter winds.
Touch-Screen Gloves
Don’t risk frostbite by removing your gloves every two minutes to text your BFF, just invest in touch-screen gloves so you can text and keep your fingers warm at the same time!
If you’re buying a stretchy fabric design make sure they’re the right size. If they’re too big they won’t fit tight enough around your fingers and the touch-screen ability will be lost.
Waterproof Boots
It may be freezing in Toronto, but it doesn’t stay below 0 degrees every day of the winter season. This means the piles of snow on the sidewalk melt into a messy, dirty slush throughout the season.
This is a death sentence for black leather boots as the salt in the snow (from the roads) will stain them. Ugg boots are also a no-go as the slush will soak through them in a matter of minutes.
Pack a pair of waterproof Hunter boots to keep your feet dry and warm.
Layers
It may be freezing outside, but once you walk from your hotel to the ROM museum you’ll actually be feeling a bit warm.
Wearing multiple layers under your jacket means you can strip down to a sweater, t-shirt or tank top depending on how hot you get indoors. When planning what to wear in Toronto in winter avoid bulk and choose strategic layers.
You can still pack your travel capsule wardrobe in a small suitcase even when you travel in cold weather by using packing cubes to compress your clothing!
Winter Accessories
Gloves, hats and scarves are essential during Toronto winters. They add serious warmth to your outdoor outfits! I’d recommend packing two sets of winter accessories.
The first reason for this is because they can get very wet if it’s snowing out, so a second set will ensure you always have a dry hat to put on. The second reason is that it adds some variety to your travel pictures because you won’t look identical in each day’s shots!
Fleece-Lined Leggings
Whether worn alone or underneath a pair of pants, fleece-lined leggings will give you an extra layer of warmth. Since they’re much thicker than regular leggings they will help keep your legs warm, but they’re still just as versatile as the leggings you’d pack for other destinations.
Dress them up or down, wear them to a bar or on a winter Segway tour. Fleece-lined leggings are an essential item when planning what to wear in Toronto in winter.
What are your tips on what to wear in Toronto in winter? Comment!
For more cold weather packing tips, please read:
- Extreme Cold Weather Gear
- How to Stay Warm in COld Weather (and not look like a snowman)
- How to Pack for Cold Weather Like a Boss
- The Onion Layering Strategy for Outdoor Travel
Suggested Travel Resources:
Hope you found liked this post on what to wear in Toronto in winter. Please share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
Author Bio: Kelly Ella Maz is a writer and full-time traveller. Originally from Canada, she left her home to chase summer around the globe. She’s currently living in Sydney, Australia where she spends her days exploring new cafes and hidden beaches. You can follow her travels at www.kellyellamaz.com.
Hi,
Me and my husband will be travelling to toronto and Montreal this from March 1-15 and will swing to the east coast for another 2 weeks. Can you please give some pointers on the things we should pack.
Thank you
Hi Marilen, have a look at our different articles about packing for America, which you can find here: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/north-america-packing-lists/ Also to get you as much feedback to help you with your packing as possible, I have gone ahead and scheduled your question to appear on TFG’s facebook page. Our readers have the best packing advice, so please keep your eyes out for their replies from Saturday: https://www.facebook.com/TravelFashionGirl/ Hope this helps with your packing. Have an awesome trip!! 🙂
Hi Marilen, here are our reader’s replies in response to your question: https://www.facebook.com/TravelFashionGirl/posts/2252272944796361 Hope this helps! 🙂
I grew up near Toronto and now live in a much colder part of the country. I have never found the need to spend anything close to the price of a Canada Goose jacket! Any winter coat or parka will be fine in Toronto with the addition of a warm hat and mitts. Sorel boots are a good bet there because they are insulated and waterproof. Another good option is Bogs.
Hi Emily, thank you for sharing you travel packing tips for Toronto! 🙂
As a Torontonian… Most of these suggestions are spot-on. The only thing I wouldn’t recommend is bringing Hunter boots; it can get so cold they end up freezing and cracking (not pleasant). Try Sorels or even the lace-up non-slip Uggs, as can get pretty icy and slushy during the winter.
Hunters would be a better fall/spring choice.
Great tip Ali! Thanks for sharing!
Great tips for TO! I always have a scarf in my bag, good for wrapping around my face if the wind starts whipping around!
Thanks Judy 🙂 Sounds like a smart idea
Great post! I can relate since I was from Montreal and then Toronto. Both cold and even colder during winter.
Those are nice options but I would recommend going even more local and less pricey with the jacket. Rudsak is your babe when it comes to good looking winter shield. They produce real down, awesome quality, and much better style options then CG.
While fleece leggings are cool option, thermal wear is your best choice since it is part of the layering and you are not going to sweat like crazy when inside.
There is also an “UGG” like boot produced by PAJAR that is different in style but the same in comfort. Prices do depend on the style but they last for ever. They are not afraid of anything, seriously! I wore mine for 6 years almost every day. At -40C with a wind there is no place for Hunters, even if you put layer on layer because rubber is a bad heat preserver.
Pack a warm, cozy, non scratchy scarf that you can hide behind when it is windy.
Hope that helps and saves you a bit of your hard-earned cash 🙂
http://www.boardthirteen.com
Thanks for the tips!
Thank you so much. My son and I will be there until Dec! Great tips!
Thanks for your comment Danielle! Sounds like a great trip! Glad we could help with your packing! Happy travels!
Totally agree with most of these tips! But Hunter Boots will not be warm enough on super cold days (think -15 or colder) You need a thermal insulator layer which makes Sorels or actual winter boots a better fit for Ontario winters.
Thanks for the feedback!
I apply the concept of layering to my feet….base layer (thin moister wicking sock), first warm sock layer (Medium Merino Wool Sock), next warm sock layer (thick merino wool sock, warm ski sock, fleece sock, something really puffy anc cozy)….then some form of waterproof boot that is a half or whole size larger then what I wear normally so I can cram all those socks in there. If you apply this principle to the Hunter Boots they are doable (at least several women in northern Alberta rock them at -40C, if they can do it…I am sure it is doable in Toronto at a balmy -15C)
What do you think about lamo boots ? There water resistant….
I will be going this December. Trying to figure out what to bring