I'm a lifelong Californian that just moved to New Jersey, what do I need to survive my first real winter? (I know I'll need boots/waterproof shoes so if you have not too chunky boot recs I'd love those!)

Question

Lucy Propper · Answer

Layering. Layers/sweaters of various natural fibers, especially merino wool, instead of winter coat: For a while i thought i hated winter. I love winter, i was just dressing wrong. Base layer, mid layer, outer layer. you can do cotton sure, but i love going full wool. Wool under layers, a thin merino. Hat, socks, Uggs too! whatever. merino cashmere or otherwise. gloves, mittens, scarves. head. to. toe. Merino especially. I loooove wool. Sheep are amazing

Ali · Answer

Get a humidifier: With the cold air outside and the heat blasting inside, your skin, hair, nose, and throat will get dry, plus you might get headaches and exhaustion. A humidifier can practically eradicate all of these problems. I have yet to find a humidifier that is TRULY easy to clean but it’s worth the effort for northeastern winters. I also have a travel humidifier with me on winter trips.

Paige · Answer

Ugg Adirondack Boot XXV: These have been my winter boots for 4/5 years (Buffalo, New Yorker). I was very skeptical that they’d be tough enough and warm enough, but Wirecutter recommended and I have been really pleased with them for playing outside with my kids or running errands on miserable days

ALI D. · Answer

Mental health prep: Fellow Californian here! Perhaps you won't hit a depressive/anxiety ridden wall mid-winter, but I sure did my first couple winters in New York. In addition to leaning into hygge rituals (TEA! SOUPS! PILATES!) some supplements helped ease the darkness that descended upon me. I took St. John's Wort as an anti-depressant for years, but now I take Rhodiola Rosea every morning (mood and stress) and I'll take ashwaganda/l-theanine if the darkness is particularly thicc. And magnesium biglycinate at night for body relaxation. Oh and get a SAD light!

Not a doc, so do your own research of course, or don't listen to me at all! It's gonna be great! Good luck💖

Carmen · Answer

a cheap plastic sled: and in that same vein, snow pants. bring back the feeling of snow days as an adult.

Valia · Answer

Prepare your car for the storm: The day before a snow storm, make sure to pull up your window shield wipers and maybe use an anti freeze liquid so even after you clean the snow, the ice doesn’t stick on your windows and side mirrors. If you live by a river, be prepared for possible flooding afterwards! The snow has to go somewhere.

Marygrace · Answer

Candles, lots of them: Light them in the morning when it's still dark out and enjoy them while you have your coffee. Makes you feel nice and cozy before you have to go out into the cold.

Nicole Anderson · Answer

Uniqlo Cashmere beanie: Soft, warm and reasonably priced.

Sarah · Answer

Foldover Mittens: I’ve survived 15 New York winters, and I swear by fold-over mittens. Your fingers stay warmer when they are united in the mitten, and the fold is much easier to maneuver than taking gloves off and on constantly. These shearling ones come in multiple colors.

Jamie · Answer

Don’t Drive the First Day it Snows: Doesn’t matter how good you are at driving, everyone else forgets how to drive the morning after the first snowfall. Stay cozy inside instead of slip sliding, or being slip slid into :)

Jamie · Answer

Patagonia Puffy: A lighter weight one is good for transitional seasons, outdoor activities where you’re generating body heat, and to wear under a real parka (waterproof mandatory) on true frigid days. I’ve had my Patagonia since high school (I’m 28) and it’s going strong. Also they repair their own products for free if you ever get some escaping down. Don’t forget to wash and dry (with tennis balls) seasonally to keep the down lofty! Pro tip: if you buy from REI and end up not loving the model you chose, you can return something in decent condition forever.

Jamie · Answer

Sorel Boots: Genuinely any model that looks cute to you and is waterproof with insulation. I’m from Minnesota so I KNOW. They will last and are decently cute! Do NOT be fooled by the Duck Boot stans—wasted money on those for my feet to be cold and uncomfy when I should have trusted my lifelong commitment to Sorels.

Casson · Answer

All wheel drive or snow tires: If this winter is anything like last year’s, and you live in area requiring cars, best to check out some ways to make it easier to drive in the cold/snow/sleet/icy conditions. And remind yourself of the ways to brake if you hit a patch of black ice.

Katherine · Answer

UGG Adirondacks: These boots have gotten me through almost 20 winters in NYC! I haven’t tried the very latest version, but the shearling is warm and breathable, and my favorite thing about them is that the sole feels somewhat like a real shoe. A lot of snow boots feel clunky, but these are more like hiking boots, nimble for navigating snow and slushy sidewalks.

Daniel Day-Louis-Dreyfus · Answer

Smartwool: I’ve had maybe 20 East Coast winters, and Smartwool was game changer in my household from 2025-2026. Specifically, the all-season merino base layer bottoms. They keep you so warm without adding bulk to your outfits. The solid black/navy/green/greys tend to be priced higher, but I’ve gotten deals on the busy patterns via Backcountry (no one’s going to see them under your 👖, right?)

Chiara · Answer

Ororo Heated Vest: Definitely not a must-have, but a very-nice-to-have! Keeps your core so nice and toasty. I’m a little anemic and generally whiny about being cold, and this has changed the winter game for me tbh

Maya Bernstein-Schalet · Answer

thrifted vintage turtlenecks: the quality is just so much better than the ones now. look for lands end, ll bean, patagonia. here my grandpa in his 💌

Julia · Answer

Sock liners: If you get cold toes and plan on being outside for long periods of time sock liners are great. When I was moving from California to Eastern Europe a Minnesotan friend clued me in to these. I got the most simple ones I could find.

even*cleveland · Answer

Payette Pant: Love these for ordinary wear around the house, quick walks outside, and to layer under snowpants for when it is really, really cold.

even*cleveland · Answer

Boda Women's BUGrip - Hazel | Webshop: Transformative winter footwear; can now proceed down icy steps and streets with inimitable confidence.

sunset strip mall · Answer

fuzzy clothes for at-home coziness: fuzzy socks and sweaters especially! sets a vibe like you are already treating yourself. add tea + slippers + a nice candle for ultimate nice vibes

sunset strip mall · Answer

"Wintering" by Katherine May: as a fragile Angeleno, this book's philosophy has brought me a lot of peace during the brutal berlin winters, where the sun basically doesn't rise for like four months: there's something amazing about how winter forces you to take care of yourself like a real verb, like it's hard (because it's often really, really hard). praise for saunas, sun lamps, polar bear plunges, freezing walks, companionship ... lots of great recs in here for getting thru the cold seasons.

sunset strip mall · Answer

UNIQLO heatteach shirts: i'm from la but have lived in VERY cold places for a long time. these are a winter staple; i have like 4 or 5 and wear these under everything from like dec-feb

clownmommy · Answer

Hand warmers everywhere: Hand warmers in the car hand warmers in every jacket pocket hand warmers in your boots hand warmers for the rest of your life!!!!

a small way to make being out and about/clearing off your car/running errands/outdoor activities a little bit more tolerable for a very little amount of money. i was born and raised in The Perpetual Land of Winter (buffalo ny) so i was a hand warmer addict for about 22 straight years until i moved away

Lulu Lefferts · Answer

Smekker High Waist Base Layer Pants - Peacock: These long underwear bring me so much joy. They are cute for wearing under ripped jeans on cooler days and great for true warmth on really cold days.