Part of our mantra here at 50 Degrees North, is the Norwegian saying that it’s not the weather that is the problem, it’s your clothing. If it is cold outside, be prepared. Many of the outdoor experiences we offer, from polar cruising to dogsled tours and log cabin holidays in the deep snows of winter, require warm and comfortable clothing. Fortunately, a lot of our winter tours actually include warm outer jackets and shoes for you which is a huge relief. Be sure to check with us when you book.
However, if you are planning on purchasing shoes before you go or during your trip, here are a few suggestions about what to get, how to maximise their warmth and where to look for your boots.
A quick hint about wearing your boots: Warmth depends in part on having a layer of air around your feet which can be heated up. You should therefore consider buying a size or two larger than you would normally, as you will need space to be wearing a pair of medium-thickness socks plus a thick pair of woollen socks for use in the Scandinavian winter and should still have room to move and be comfortable. Be sure to have these socks ready when trying on.
North Face’s Nuptse, Sorel winter boots, Karrimor Snow Fur WeatherTite Hiking Boot and Olang’s Canadian Snow Boots are all recommended boots that can be bought online. I have a pair of Sorel boots that I wear in Scandinavia which I love, however, they are bulky to travel with. Recently, I also used heavy duty gumboots in the snow but found these got cold quite quickly in Norwegian conditions.
If you are hoping to buy some Winter boots in Scandinavia on your arrival, hopefully you arrive during the sales period. Scandinavia, like most countries, have post Christmas sales and end of season sales. These can drastically alter the price you will have to spend.
Scandinavia has some great winter outdoor brands and buying when you arrive means you can indulge in some of their ‘tried and tested’ gear. Helly Hansen has great outdoor gear, particularly ski gear which we use when we visit Norway and they are our clothing sponsor. Alternatively, for other Scandinavian Brands, browse the Scandinavian Outdoor Group website. This website allows you to quickly click on brands such as Norrona, 66 Degrees North and Bergens. When it comes to boots however, you may end up buying an international brand.
Some places to peruse in Scandinavia for Outdoor Gear:
Sweden:
Naturkompaniet (Nature’s companion) is a good place to start, selling lots of brands. There are many of these stores in Stockholm and Kiruna – check their store locations. Their website is in Swedish but their location page is easy to follow.
Fjällräven Center Kungsgatan 26 Stockholm, 111 35 Tel: +46 (0)8 404 3100 info@fjallraven.se, www.fjallraven.se
Norway:
Outdoor shops are scattered throughout Oslo and are generally brand specific. You can head to the town centre, near Oslo City and you find a variety of the big brand local shops there. There is also a big Helly Hansen near the Train station. Intersport has lots of winter gear and these stores are in most major centres of Oslo.
Finland:
Partioaitta is the most common outdoor gear shop found in Finland and there are several stores in Helsinki centre as well as in any major shopping malls. Their website is only in Finnish but you can check here for Helsinki locations.
Happy Shopping!