Are you heading to Northern Finland but don’t know what to wear in Lapland during the winter? Figuring out how to stay warm with temperatures below 35C is challenging, but I’ve got you covered with this Finland packing list!

I’ve been to the Arctic (Northern Finland and Northern Norway) and the coldest parts of Canada and the US during the winter. I was even in Jasper, Alberta, when it was the coldest place in the world that day! I’ve made enough packing mistakes, so you don’t have to.

In this guide, I’ll share my very best tips so you can worry less about the temperature and enjoy your holiday.

Finnish Lapland makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a snow globe. Whether you’re chasing the Northern Lights, visiting a Sami reindeer farm, skiing, hiking in a winter wonderland, or any of the endless winter activities in Finland, you’ll be exposed to the Arctic temperatures. That’s where this Finland packing list comes in!

If you need help planning the most epic winter trip to Finnish Lapland, read this post!

First things first—don’t feel the need to buy all-new gear for your trip. Gear is expensive, so try borrowing from friends, using what you already own, or even shopping second-hand. Trust me, you can find quality items without breaking the bank!

Importance of layering

In chilly Arctic temperatures, layering clothing is essential for warmth and comfort. Weather and temperatures can fluctuate, especially if you’re outside then head inside a cozy warming hut. You want to be able to shed or add layers throughout the day. This is an easy way to regulate your body temperature.

The foundation of your layering system starts with wool baselayers—these are essential for trapping heat while wicking away moisture. Next comes the midlayer, typically made from materials like fleece or wool, which adds insulation. Finally, your outer layer is where you add that crucial protection to shield you from the elements. I’ll break down each layer in more detail below!

What to Wear in Lapland

Base layers

It is essential to wear base layers (top and bottom) before any other clothing because they will keep you nice and toasty. Merino Wool is the best fabric option as it is warm, breathable, and moisture-wicking.

If you purchase good-quality wool, it can last for decades. Baselayers should be snug because the fabric needs to be directly on your skin to do its job!

Base layers can be three weights: lightweight, midweight, and heavyweight. Midweight is more versatile, but heavyweight would be the best for a trip to Finnish Lapland. I used what I had, which was a midweight option, and it worked great! For a two-week trip, I packed two sets of base layers.

I have had Smartwool base layers for years, and they’ve held up great. Now, I usually go for Kari Traa base layers because I adore the brand, the quality is incredible, it’s female-founded, and the patterns are so cute.

I’ve heard great things about the Rho collection at Arc’teryx, which is why I added them to this Finland packing list. I would invest in a set, but I already have a few base layers that’ll be in my closet for years.

Canadian links:

• Kari Traa: Baselayer Top & Baselayer Pants
• Smartwool: Thermal Baselayer Top & Thermal Baselayer Bottom
• Arc’teryx: Rho Baselayer Top & Arc’teryx Rho Baselayer Bottom

Midlayers

When it comes to layering for Lapland’s cold temperatures, your base layer is just the start. After that, I always added a midlayer for extra warmth, and the midlayer I picked would depend on how long I’d be outside.

Midlayers are usually made with wool, fleece, or down—materials meant to trap warm air close to your body so you stay warm without overheating. These layers aren’t meant to be snug, like your baselayers, but rather should have some room so that warm air can get trapped within those pockets of air.

You can wear multiple midlayers depending on what you’re doing that day and the temperature. I usually only wore one midlayer, either my Patagonia Retro Pile Fleece or a wool sweater, because my outer layer was really insluated. The grey sweater you see in some of my photos is an old sweater from Kari Traa, and the pink was thrifted from Poshmark.

If you choose to wear a puffy/insulated jacket, I’d choose one without a hood, especially if you’re already wearing a hoodie or jacket with one. Multiple hoods can get annoying.

Canadian links:

• Fjallraven: Ovik Path Knit & Ovik Knit Sweater
• Kari Traa: Sundive Knit & Rothe Midlayer
• Patagonia: Retro Pile Fleece, Microdini Fleece, Nano Puff Jacket & Better Sweater Jacket
• Arc’teryx: Cerium Jacket

My go-to midlayer bottoms are fleece pants or puffy capris—both lightweight yet super cozy and perfect for a bit of extra insulation.

Canadian links:

• The North Face: Fleece Pants
• Kari Traa: Puffy Capri
• Beyond Yoga: Yoga Legging (similar fit)

Outerwear

An outerwear is crucial, as it’s your first line of defense against the cold, wind, snow, and whatever Mother Nature wants to throw at you.

I recommend an insulated parka with down or synthetic fill to keep you warm. Bonus points if it is water resistant, although in dry climates like Finnish Lapland, it’s not necessary.

Canadian links:

• Fjallraven: Nuuk Parka
• The North Face: Arctic Insulated Parka
• Burton: Embark Jacket

When out for long periods or participating in winter activities like skiing or snowmobiling, I wore my Burton snow pants or Fjallraven Keb soft-shell hiking pants as my outermost layer.

When I knew I wouldn’t be out for long, I could get away with something lighter, like casual sweatpants, cargo pants, or leggings (which you’ll see in my photos), as long as I had that trusty base layer underneath.

It wasn’t always the warmest option, but for shorter outings, it kept me comfortable enough. It’s also important to know that I generally run hot, so that might not be an option for someone who always feels cold.

Canadian links:

• Fjallraven: Keb Pant
• Burton: Kimmy Bib

Footwear

I practically lived in my FUBUKI boots during my time in Finnish Lapland, and they were a lifesaver in keeping my toes toasty even when it got down to -35C.

I even hiked around 6 km in them (read about the hike in this post), and they worked great!

I opted for the FUBUKI Niseko Tall Boots to ensure no snow slipped inside, but I’ll admit the FUBUKI Niseko Low boots have a cuter look.

If you’re worried about snow sneaking into your boots, I highly recommend wearing snow pants that go over your boots or using gaiters. Both will help keep the snow out and your feet dry and warm.

I love my Blundstone Thermal boots and brought them with me to Finland as well. They were great for travel days, dinner, or casual wear, but they are not insulated enough to wear when going on adventures outside.

Canadian links:

• FUBUKI: Niseko Boots & Niseko Low Boots
• Kamik: Tundra Boots
• Blundstone: Thermal Boots

Socks

I swear fingers and toes are the hardest to keep warm while on an adventure in the Arctic. Smartwool merino wool socks are insulating yet breathable.

Cotton socks might feel cozy, but they don’t wick sweat, so your feet will get damp and cold—which isn’t what you want in below-freezing temperatures.

Canadian links:

• Smartwool: Snowflake Sock, Mountaineer Sock & Snowed In Sock

Gloves

I wore my Outdoor Research glove liners like a second skin and rarely took them off. The second layer can be any glove you have—I prefer mittens.

Canadian links:

• Hestra: Gloves
• Patagonia: Gloves
• Outdoor Research: Liner

Headwear

If you’re wondering what to wear in Lapland, know that a beanie is absolutely essential when you’re braving Arctic temperatures. Personally, I love beanies with a wool or fleece lining on the inside for that extra cozy, snug feel.

One of my favorites is my Haddock Headwear Beanie and the super cozy North Face beanie.

I wore a neck warmer or scarf almost every day, which helped with warmth and was absolutely essential when skiing, out looking for the Northern Lights, or out for long periods of time.

Canadian links:

• The North Face: Beanie
• Buff: Merino Neck Warmer
• Icebreaker: Beanie

Extras

• Camera bag backpack: I chose to bring my DB Journey because I knew I wouldn’t be hiking much, but I still wanted something practical for carrying my gear and camera.
• Camera equipment: Always bring extra batteries—cold temperatures drain them fast. Pro tip: Keep your batteries inside your mid-layer or parka pockets to keep them warm and extend their battery life.
• Portable charger: This might be helpful if you’re out for a while and the cold drains your phone battery.
• Headlamp and tripod: These are essential for those late-night Northern Lights chases. A good headlamp is a must when you’re out under the stars.

• Hand warmers: Either individual packs or electric ones are lifesavers for long stretches outside (especially when you’re on the hunt for the Northern Lights).
• Bathing suit and sandals: If you plan to enjoy the sauna or a cold dip, remember these.
• SPF lip balm and moisturizers: The cold, dry air can really take a toll on your skin.
• Sunglasses: Essential for sunny days because the light reflects on the snow.

• E-readers, books, cards, or any other entertainment: The nights can be long in winter, and if the clouds are hiding the Northern Lights, you’ll want something cozy to do inside.
• Snacks: It’s always a good idea to bring snacks.
• Universal travel adaptor: Finland has two European pin plugs (Type C or F).
• Portable digital scale: Winter gear and clothing take up much more space than if you were traveling in the summer, so I use this to weigh my luggage before I travel to avoid any airline fees.

I hope this blog post helped you decide on what to wear in Lapland! If you have any questions, comment them below! Happy travels.