What to Pack for Lapland, Finland: How I Stayed Warm in -20°F

Packing for Finnish Lapland in winter feels like preparing for an Arctic expedition when you’ve never experienced temperatures below 32°F, let alone -20°F.

You’re probably wondering if your regular winter coat will suffice, whether those expensive Merino wool socks are worth it, or if you’ll end up looking like the Michelin Man while still freezing your toes off.

After surviving two weeks in Rovaniemi during peak winter (when even the Finnish locals said it was unusually cold), I learned the hard way which gear works and which expensive “winter essentials” are complete wastes of money.

This comprehensive what to wear in Lapland packing guide is designed for travelers from warmer climates who need real-world advice on staying warm in sub-Arctic conditions—whether you’re planning your first Lapland winter adventure, have a limited budget for gear, or simply want to avoid the painful mistakes I made during my trip to Lapland.

I’ll be completely honest with you: I was freezing cold for the first three days of my trip because I trusted marketing claims over local wisdom and bought the wrong gear.

My expensive Columbia gloves left me with numb fingertips during a reindeer sleigh ride, my “warm” socks did absolutely nothing, and I had no idea heated vests even existed until my travel buddy saved the day.

But here’s the thing—once I learned what actually works (spoiler: 100% wool everything), I was comfortable enough to wander Santa’s Village and multi-hour snowshoeing adventures.

I’m sharing every lesson learned, every mistake made, and every piece of gear that actually kept me warm so you can skip the trial and error and head straight to Arctic comfort.

Footwear

Snow Boots

I got my snow boots at my local Marshalls. Get them where you feel comfortable.

I’d just advise on two things: make sure they are made of sturdy stuff. I tend to be a bit budget-friendly, which is great, but you’ll want to keep your toes, so just make sure.

Second, buy your shoes one or two sizes up from your usual size. This is for two reasons: one, so that you can fit two layers of socks into your shoes, and also so that you have some room in those shoes. I didn’t know how important this was until I visited Rovaniemi.

Every time an excursion gave us shoes, they sized me up two shoe sizes. I asked why, and they said having a bit of room will help keep you warm.

Unfortunately, I had bought shoes in my usual size, so I first had issues getting those socks in. I was also a bit cold sometimes, so please heed this warning to keep your toes toasty.

Warm Wool Socks

I had brought a pair of Merino wool socks from Columbia, and let me tell you, they didn’t do much. I also had a pair that came with my Merino wool base layer and, equally, didn’t keep me warm.

Luckily, I have a cousin who grew up in Norway, and she advised me to visit a local store and purchase 100% wool socks. Do not buy anything with synthetics; it’ll do nothing for you.

Even Merino, with all the hype surrounding it, usually has some part that’s not wool. They’ll usually read something like “80% Merino Wool, 15% Polyester, 4% Nylon, 1% Spandex.”

Do not bother with these. You want the “100% Wool” ones.

Wool socks provide extra insulation by allowing air to circulate, preventing tightness, and ensuring comfort for your feet.

The YUN Women’s Natural Pure 100% Wool Traditional Warm Boot Winter Socks I’ve pictured above aren’t the ones I wore. I got mine from a local shop, but they are 100%, so they should help you stay warm.

I’d also recommend bringing multiple pairs so you can layer them.

Clothing

Merino Wool Base Layer

As for your base layer, which you most certainly need, I bought the Merino.tech Merino Wool Base Layer Women – 320 Black Zip-up Set, based on a recommendation from my travel buddy who grew up in Minnesota.

I went for the 320 as it was the thickest they offered. If you can find a 100% wool version, I would say go for it. However, it may be a bit itchy.

Did it help keep me warm? I certainly think so. Could I have been warmer? Also yes.

Snow Pants

Originally, I drove over to REI, but they only had what they called the shell—the exterior layer that keeps you dry. I suppose this is what I get for living in Southern California, but I knew that wouldn’t help me in cold temperatures.

I instead went on REI’s website and found a pair that would keep me warm, as it had more than just the shell layer.

It was the REI Co-op Powderbound Insulated Snow Pants—Women’s. I chose these because of a review from Gigi, which stated, “I wore them in 12 degrees for many hours and was perfectly warm as I snowshoed.”

Well, Gigi, I’ve now tested them at -20 degrees Fahrenheit, and they still held up.

Now, if Columbia pants fit you better, I recommend something like the Columbia Women’s Bugaboo Omni-Heat Snow Pants, which have the OMNI-HEAT (patented Heat-Reflective garments, an interior lining consisting of a metallic dot pattern designed to retain heat) and OMNI-TECH (proprietary technology provides air-permeable protection that’s waterproof and breathable) elements.

Jeans or Other Thick Pants

Are a base layer and snow pants all you need? No.

I wore my base layer, jeans, as they are the thickest pants I own (again, I live in Southern California), and snow pants.

I recommend bringing whatever pants you feel comfortable in, as well as ones that can be worn under your snow pants with your base layer.

Test this out before you leave, as you don’t want to fly all the way to Finland and find out you can’t put all these layers on.

Note: Avoid cotton pants, as they absorb moisture and can leave you feeling damp and cold.

Sweatshirts

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As a SoCal resident, I don’t own many sweatshirts, so I brought along the few I had. I wore them over my base layer and under my winter coat to ensure I stayed warm.

You can see the Evelyn O’Connell one I wore regularly on my trip in my TikTok video here, which you can get at the House of Fandoms.

Even while at dinner indoors, I was able to wear the base layer and the sweatshirt comfortably, so don’t worry about being too warm in the two layers.

Winter Coat

For my winter coat, I got the Columbia Women’s Apres Arson II Long Down Jacket. It was honestly the best decision as I believe it’s what kept me warmest in Finland.

I chose a longer coat, even though it makes me look a bit short in photos, because I wanted the extra warmth around me. I also wanted the hood to keep my head as warm as possible.

This jacket also features the Omni-Heat thermal reflective and Omni-Tech waterproof/breathable, fully seam-sealed properties I mentioned earlier. It also features down insulation, which was particularly wonderful to have in those sub-freezing temperatures.

It is probably the most expensive thing on this list of what to wear in Lapland, but I believe it is fully worth it for a trip to Rovaniemi!

Wool Gloves

Another item I got at Columbia was a pair of gloves. However, I do not recommend doing this.

I purchased the warmest pair they claimed to have, but it did nothing to keep me warm. I can still recall barely being able to feel my fingertips on our first excursion, the reindeer sleigh ride.

As I mentioned, luckily, I have a cousin who directed me to get 100% wool gloves and socks. I bought these locally, and yes, they looked like grandma made them, but I’ll tell you that I was 100% more comfortable in them than the synthetic pair from Columbia.

I was also told to buy mittens because they keep you warmer as your fingers are allowed to be next to each other and can share heat. This made it difficult to grip anything, so that was the only downside of getting mittens rather than gloves.

Two pairs I’ve located for you that are 100% wool:

• BRUCERIVER Men’s Pure Wool Knitted Gloves with Thinsulate Lining
• Warm Women Knit Mittens 100% Icelandic Wool Fleece Lined by Freyja Canada

Scarf or Balaclava?

I brought a woven scarf that I’ve had since I was a teenager, but we were also given a balaclava during the Dog Sledding excursion, which I wore occasionally.

We were also given a Balaclava on the Snowmobiling excursion, which wound up being a bit of a problem for me as I apparently breathe too heavily and was getting a lot of moisture on it, which then froze, so my face was rather cold.

I mention this so that you are aware of a potential issue with wearing a Balaclava. I also occasionally had this issue with the scarf, but at least that was easier to remove.

As I bought my scarf eons ago, I’m listing two 100% wool options:

• Wool Watch Cap Beanie Wool Scarf Set
• M MCGUIRE GEAR Genuine US Army Military GI 100% Wool Warm Winter Scarf

Wool Hat

I brought with me a hat to match that woven scarf. I recommend any woolen hat that’ll keep your ears warm.

As I bought mine a long time ago, I’m listing two 100% wool options:

• Stylish but more expensive (Winter Double Cuff Beanie for Women 100% Icelandic Wool 2 Ply Knitted)
• Plain but cheaper (Warm Winter Watch Cap 100% Wool Beanie Made in USA to Military Specifications)

Bathing Suit

Now, for the most unlikely-sounding item on this ‘what to wear in Lapland’ guide—a swimsuit!

Finland is known for its saunas, so it’s a must when visiting, especially during winter!

Before I went, many people thought everyone would be naked in the saunas. First of all, we didn’t see anyone else in the saunas we went into. Second, even if there are, I recommend wearing (or not wearing, I guess) whatever makes you feel comfortable.

Tech

Waterproof Phone Case

Because I was afraid of dropping my phone in several feet of snow and having it damaged due to my negligence, I invested in a waterproof phone case.

I don’t regret this, as there were a few times I dropped my phone and knew it’d be perfectly fine because of this case.

However, I didn’t know just how wonky it would make the sound recording. I don’t know why I didn’t consider this. But, I’m bringing this to your attention now, just in case you plan on taking numerous videos and don’t realize this beforehand.

Toiletries

Lotion (Especially if You Have Eczema)

I bring hand lotion everywhere, even when I’m not traveling. You can use it to moisturize, but you can also use it to take off stubborn makeup.

When I visited Finland, my eczema flared up due to being wrapped in layers and layers, so I really needed to keep my skin moist; otherwise, I’d be itchy all day.

While it was a constant battle, I found that applying lotion at night with a specially formulated lotion for eczema helped, making it a must on my packing list for Lapland.

Note: I haven’t used the specific brand above, but it’s very similar to the Aveeno one I usually use.

For Those Who Wear Glasses

This is less of a what to wear and more of a warning to those who wear glasses.

I usually wear my contacts during the day and my glasses at night. On my first night in Rovaniemi, my travel buddy wanted to go looking for the Northern Lights, so we walked to the edge of town.

I slowly started to realize my breath was fogging up my glasses. And not just fogging up; they soon froze! Walking around this way was like trying to see out of a frozen windshield. I had to peer over the top of my glasses to see where I was going, even though my vision was blurry.

So my travel packing tip to those visiting Finnish Lapland who wear glasses is to wear your contacts. If you don’t wear contacts, I’m linking this video just for you! As Matti and Stina are far more qualified to answer this.

Things to Keep You Extra Warm

Hand and Toe Warmers

Everyone was stuffing hand warmers and toe warmers in their hands or boots.

In all honesty, they didn’t do a heck of a lot for me. However, they were working for my travel buddy and several other people I met in Finland, which is why I’m including them.

I might have just been using them wrong or something. Who knows?

I also think it may be, at least for the toe warmers, that my shoe was already rather crowded. This provides another reason to size up, as I previously mentioned.

Heated Vest

Now, to the one item I wish I had bought for myself, but luckily, my travel buddy brought one along that I was able to borrow on some of our hikes—a heated vest.

I had NO idea that heated vests existed until she showed up with one. I wish I had known, as it would have really helped on some of the excursions we went on, where we were outside for longer hours.

For one of the hikes we went on, I ended up wearing it, and I honestly got a bit too warm, which sounds crazy considering how cold it was. Please read below about the dangers of being too warm.

But back to the vest, this Heated Vest Women With 16000mAh Battery Pack Charger Included was a godsend. I highly recommend adding it to your what to wear in Lapland packing list!

Misc Items

Of course, the items listed in this What to Wear in Lapland guide aren’t the only things you’ll need for your trip.

You’ll also need to bring some other basics, such as the following:

• Long Sleeve Shirts
• Pajamas
• Underwear
• Toilettries

And if there’s anything else you usually bring, say makeup, bring that too.

This is just a specific what you NEED to bring to Lapland packing guide, not ONLY bring guide.

Also note that ice restaurants and bars do not provide clothing, so you must arrive appropriately attired!

What to Wear in Lapland FAQs

Should You Rent Winter Clothes?

The last recommendation I’ll make in this ‘What to Wear in Lapland’ guide is renting clothes.

I wasn’t aware of this option before visiting. But upon arrival, many shops in the center of Rovaniemi will advertise that they rent winter clothes.

If you plan to never use these winter clothes again, renting may be the best option for you. This way, you won’t have to invest in clothing.

Note: Some activities on my Rovaniemi itinerary provide you with snowsuits, boots, etc., to wear. If you’re considering renting, check which excursions provide wearables and which don’t.

Can You Be Too Warm?

This may seem an odd statement on this list of what to wear in Lapland, but it’s true! You have to be careful not to get too warm.

A friend mentioned this to me who’d been to Helsinki, but I thought it sounded a bit strange until I had a guide in Rovaniemi tell me this as well.

If you get too warm, you start to sweat. You wouldn’t think this to be much of a problem, but then that sweat may freeze, which can cause a big issue for you. So please be careful to regulate your heat while in Lapland.

Related Finnish Lapland Travel Guides

• How to Build a Rovaniemi Itinerary: Finnish Lapland Winter Guide
• Is the Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos Worth Staying at?
• How to See the Northern Lights in Rovaniemi, Finland
• Arctic Cuisine Dining Guide: Best Lapland Finland Restaurants
• Is Rovaniemi Worth Visiting? 19 of the Best Reasons to Visit in Winter
• My Epic Experience Ice Floating in Rovaniemi: An Honest Review
• How Many Days in Rovaniemi? A Simple Guide for First-Timers
• Where to Stay in Rovaniemi: In a Glass Igloo or the City Center?
• 29 of the Best Things to Do in Rovaniemi Finland this Winter
• The Ultimate Finnish Lapland Winter Guide for First-Time Visitors to the Arctic Circle
• What to Pack for Lapland, Finland: How I Stayed Warm in -20°F

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