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Whether you like it or not, winter is here and that equates to: cold. And if you want to stay comfortable (and stylish) when you're outdoors, you have to be prepared. That means equipping yourself with the proper cold weather gear or accessories that will make you forget the temperature. So the best items to keep you warm when you're outside are heat insulating, moisture-wicking, or heat generating. If you're not sure where to start or what to look for, we've got you covered.
What to Look for in Cold Weather Gear
When you're outside in the cold, it's essential to cover up your extremities – hats, gloves, boots. Keep an eye out for materials that insulate your heat (like polyester, sheepskin, or merino wool), while providing moisture-wicking capabilities. Try to avoid cotton, which absorbs sweat, takes a long time to dry, and can leave you feeling even colder.
So if you find yourself outside this winter, don't stress. Just start scrolling down and pick up these items that will keep you warm and dry. The cold never felt so good.
The Best Cold Weather Essentials
Thermajane Long Johns Thermal Underwear
With over 35,000 5-star Amazon reviews, this pair of thermal underwear is a popular pick. That's because they're soft, stretchy, and moisture-wicking, which makes them a solid choice when it comes to base layers. You can wear them under your clothes for extra warmth or wear them to bed when you want a toasty night of sleep.
- Size Options: XX-Small to 3X-Large
- Color Options: 15
- Style Options: Scoopneck, V-neck, Crewneck
- One Reviewer says: "Wore this set under almost all of my outfits while in rainy, snowy, cold England for 2 weeks! Kept me so warm and even dry when my jeans got soaked in the rain. True to size & very comfy."
Amazon Essentials Women's Full-Zip Fleece Jacket
Available in tons of colors and sizes, this Amazon Essentials full-zip jacket has something for everyone. Made of soft, heat-insulating fleece, it's a great option for a middle layer in the winter or wearing over a t-shirt in the fall.
- Size Options: X-Small to 6X-Large
- Color Options: 19
- One Reviewer says: "So, I live where it's cold in the Winter and pretty much live in leggings and fleece jackets. I have always been a NorthFace or Columbia girl. But wow! This jacket is just as nice at half (or more than half) the price!"
OCOOPA Hand Warmers Rechargeable, 1-Pack
If your hands are always cold, no matter what kind of gloves or mittens you wear, then you need these rechargeable hand warmers. You get two in a pack and feature three temperature setting. They easily fit in your hand or pocket, and you'll get up to 8 hours of warmth on a single charge via USB-C.
- Color Options: 4
- One Reviewer says: "These hand warmers are great! The charge lasts a decent amount of time, and the 3 heat settings are nice to be able to turn it up or down for comfort. Definitely recommend for spending time in the cold outside."
UGG Women's Sheepskin Insole
Sheepskin is naturally breathable, moisture-wicking, and temperature-regulating, which makes these UGG insoles a cold weather essential. Just slip them into your shoes -- reviewers rave that they can make your shoes feel like new again.
- Size Options: 5 to 12
- Color Options: 2
- One Reviewer says: "I used these in my blundstone rain boots to "winterize" them and oh my goodness they are amazing. They are warm, sturdy, and jus the right thickness. They basically turn my blundstones into winter boots. The plushness of the material really improves the comfort. My only suggestion is to use them in shoes that are too big, these will not fit into your shoes that already "fit perfectly" unless you are replacing an existing thicker insole."
NovForth Winter Neck Warmer
Keep your neck toasty and protected with this popular neck warmer. It features a ribbed design on the outside and a faux fur on the inside, so it's moisture-wicking and super soft.
- Color Options: 15
- One Reviewer says: "fits my neck without strangling me. It's fuzzy on the inside and keep my neck comfortable in below zero temps. It's stretchy enough to pull up over my nose when it really got nasty outside."
FURTALK Womens Winter Knitted Beanie Hat
This knitted hat is made of soft acrylic that will keep in warmth and wick away sweat. And there's a stylish pom pom on the top that can even be removed if you're in the mood for a different look.
- Color Options: 12
- One Reviewer says: "I'm from California and not used to the cold and I needed a beanie that would keep me warm in 18 degree weather in Canada, and it was perfect! Kept me warm the entire time. It wasn’t too big or too small and I think I have an average size head. The poofy ball is removable which is the best part about this beanie because si you can wash it with no fears."
DG Hill Winter Thermal Socks, 2-Pack
Lined with a cozy, brushed fleece interior, these thermal socks will keep you warm and dry all winter long. They come in a few sizes and colors, plus the option of a two or a four-pack, and they're machine washable.
- Size Options: Small to Large
- Color Options: 14
- One Reviewer says: "I have always had a problem with cold feet. I can’t enjoy outdoor, cold weather sports because my feet always freeze and become painful. I bought these socks to wear in my snow boots while touring a city enjoying 20-40°F weather. My feet were never cold once. In fact, they were quite toasty. I didn’t have a problem where my feet sweat and then ice up either. Just a really nice constant warmth."
Columbia Women's Ice Maiden II Snow Boot
Make sure your feet are warm and toasty with this pair of Columbia snow boots. They feature a waterproof leather upper, a grippy outsole, and a faux fur collar to make sure your natural heat stays in the boot. According to the brand, they're rated -25F/-32C for cold, heavy snow days and reviewers rave that they handle inclement weather like a champ.
- Size Options: 5 to 12, including wide options
- Color Options: 10
- One Reviewer says: "Great waterproof winter boots. Easy to get on, lots of compliments, wore them for hours out in awful winter weather, 22 degrees F, my feet didn't get cold or wet. My coat soaked through, my mittens got wet, even my sweatshirt was wet, but my boots didn't let me down in any way!"
Achiou Winter Gloves
These winter gloves are made of an acrylic fiber with a super soft and warm lining, that retains heat (according to the brand) and you can even use your phone or tablet with them on.
- Size Options: X-Small to XX-Large
- Color Options: 17
- One Reviewer says: "This is all your hands need in this cold."
Columbia Women's Suttle Mountain Long Insulated Jacket
Designed with interior panels to retain your body heat, this synthetic down jacket is perfect for the cold outdoors. The faux fur trim on the hood is removable, and the longer length will keep your butt warm.
- Size Options: X-Small to 3X-Large
- Color Options: 13
- One Reviewer says: "I am cold all the time. I need a hoodie if it gets below 65F. I live in the Midwest, and we get a lot of snow, and we can go for weeks with temperatures of 20-30 below. I needed a coat warm enough for shoveling in obnoxious weather. This is the coat I needed! I have worn it out in wind chills of 30 below, and I've been fine."
HotHands Hand Warmers, 40-Pack
This 40-pack of disposable hand warmers means you always have a little bit of heat on hand. Leave them in your pockets, bag, car, or wherever you're going. Just shake to activate and you'll have up to 30 minutes of warmth. Then dispose when you're done.
Swiss Safe XL Mylar Blankets, 4-Pack
As a runner, I'm always thrilled to see mylar blankets at the finish line of a cold weather race. That's because they're designed to retain 90% of your heat, keeping you warm and dry in extreme conditions. This four-pack is so handy -- leave one in your bag or car for whenever you might need a toasty boost.
- Available Packs: 4-pack, 10-pack, 25-pack
CamelBak Horizon,12oz Camp Mug
Keep your hot liquids hot and ready to warm you up with this CamelBack camp mug. It's double-walled for insulation, spill-resistant when it's closed, and dishwasher-safe.
- Color Options: 11
SAVIOR HEAT Heated Glove Liners
With a full charge, these heated gloves can give you up to 6 hours of warmth. There are three temperature settings, and you can even use your devices when you're wearing them.
- Size Options: X-Small to 2X-Large
Lasko Ellipse Ceramic Tower Heater
If you're indoors and need a boost of heat, then I recommend this ceramic tower heater. It keeps my home toasty warm, has a small size that makes it super easy to move from room to room, and even comes with a child lock (essential if you have a kid who loves pressing buttons).
- Size Options: 3
How to Dress in the Cold
Layer, layer, layer! By layering your clothes, you can add more items or remove items based on your comfort level. And for the maximum amount of warmth, you'll need three layers: a base layer against your skin (preferably a synthetic fabric or merino wool), a fleece or puffy jacket to retain your body heat, and a waterproof (or water-resistant, if need be) outer layer that keeps out the wind and rain.
How We Choose
The E! Insider Shop editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews, and use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think our readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not E!. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
Work in a cold office? These essentials will keep you warm.
—Originally published Jan. 30, 2024, at 2:41 p.m. PT