- sheillalynndiamse
- Dec 5, 2021
- 6 min read
Updated: Dec 6, 2021
It isn’t officially winter yet in Canada, but it already feels like it.
A week ago, temperature was below zero. The first major snow in November greeted Brian and me just right after we ended our 14-day quarantine. I was delighted and worried - are my winter clothes enough to help me survive the cold weather?
Nov. 27, 2021. My first glimpse of snow.
We were supposed to travel last October. I was looking forward to autumn since it will also be our chance to acclimatize to the cold weather. But COVID-19 happened - my whole family and I contracted the virus, and we had to move our flight to November.
Nov. 14, 2021. Arrival at Toronto Pearson Int'l Airport
Cold as low as -15 degrees isn’t a joke for someone who has lived in a tropical country 37 years of her life, enjoyed going to the beach and soaking under the sun.
My last beach trip.
April 2019, Coron, Palawan.
After 14 days of quarantine, we went out for a walk since the weather looked great. But it was deceiving! Even with 3 layers of clothing - a thermal top, fleece, hoodie, and a winter jacket - it was chilly cold!
And just when we were about to leave our airbnb accommodation, we experienced our first snow - must be the "cold" welcome I was anticipating, and a peek to what we should be expecting.
Nov. 28, 2021. My first encounter with heavy snow.
Imagine the excitement and fear - YES, FEAR - because unlike Elsa, the cold actually bothers me. The only time I encountered snow was in 2017 when I traveled to South Korea with a college friend while the lowest temperature I experienced was in Japan at -3 degrees in autumn of 2016.
First snow (flakes) experience. Feb. 2017, trip to South Korea.
But since we made the big move to Canada, this tropical girl has to embrace the great winter cold.
Here are a few tips on how I am surviving Canada's cold weather, so far.
Disclaimer: This isn't a paid post. (How I wish soon it will be!) I'm just a loyal Uniqlo shopper. I'm sharing these tips because I've tried all these clothes myself and they worked for me.
Tip #1 - Layer up.
This is the most common advice I received from friends and relatives who have also migrated to Canada. The one thing I noticed about the weather here - it is quite unpredictable, somewhat moody (just like me when it is almost that time of the month)! It can be snowy and chilly today, and then sunny and windy tomorrow.
Establishments and houses have heater, and you’ll feel warmer once you go inside. Dressing up in multiple layers helps you adjust to the temperature because you can easily take one layer off when it feels less cold.
My go-to layering includes -
Heattech top
For those planning your winter trip to the North America or migrating as an international student, your best one-stop shop is Uniqlo. I can never get enough of their heattech products! The Japanese brand boasts of innovative fabric that generates heat from your moisture.
You can wear it as is or as your base layer.
The inside fabric is fluffy and soft on the skin.
My favorite is the ultra warm high neck shirt. It has a fitted feel and keeps you 2.25 times warmer than the regular heattech.
I bought mine for only CAD14.75 (Php 590) - a big discount compared to its original price CAD29.90 (Php 1,200).
Shopping trick: scour the store's side aisles. Discounted items are usually placed at the end of each row.
Fleece
Comfortable and soft on the skin. I wear fleece on top of a heattech top especially when it's chilly and windy, or it's below 0 degrees oustide.
Uniqlo's fleece combines the heat retention of heattech and softness of fleece.
The neck can also be styled in various ways.
I also wear fleece for bedtime because it gets colder especially at night.
Ultra light down jacket
Compact, light, and warm. The ultra light down jacket is for me by far the best jacket for traveling.
It is space-saver and does not compromise the extra layer of warmth it provides.
I was able to buy mine for CAD $25 (or Php1,000) because it went on sale! The frequent trips to Uniqlo paid off!
Sweater
Living in the city in the Philippines is not typically sweater weather, unles you are from the Northern part (Baguio, Sagada). So I only have a few of these, but they come very handy here in Canada. I prefer the oversized hoodie so you won’t feel too choked up by the 2 layers.
Tip #2 - Invest in a warm winter coat.
Winter coats are not often sold in Manila, but when you find one and it’s at a reasonable price, buy at least one or two. The best coats are those with furred hoodies as they block the snow and protect your ears from the strong, cold wind.
Uniqlo has coats priced at $250 (or Php10,000). They aren’t cheap, but they’re definitely worth the buy! It’ll keep you warm especially when it’s snowing.
The one I'm wearing is the Ultra Warm Hybrid Down full-length coat - has a triple layer construction and features a streamlined fit - which was given by Brian's sister-in-law.
Ultra Warm Hybrid Down Long Coat in olive green
You can also check thrift stores like Value Village that sell winter coats at least half of its original price. Size up one or two for easier movement especially when you have 2-3 layers of clothing on.
Tip #3 - Choose fleece or pile-lined pants.
This spells the big difference . Wearing 3 leggings cannot even compare to the warmth a fleece or pile-lined pants (warmer with a heattech leggings under).
Uniqlo's heatteach pile-lined sweat pants has bio-warming and insulating features. It has soft and cozy pile lining that will keep you warm and feeling comfy whether you wear it inside or outside.
Tip #4 - Winter or snow boots - a must-have!
I brought with me a pair of rain boots which I haven’t worn in 4 years. And the biggest mistake I did was wear it outside when the temperature was at 1 degrees! I wore a pair of wool socks thinking that would suffice. But it turned out - that was not enough to keep me warm.
I wore it when we went to Service Canada at Scarborough Town Center to get our SIN or social insurance number. I did not anticipate we would be queuing outside, in the cold, for almost an hour! I was freezing and I felt the cold entering my sole.
Lesson learned the hard way - your sole needs protection, too! Always choose comfort, functionality, and warmth over feeling cute and being fashionable.
I knew that if the snow continued, I had to buy a pair of winter boots - the kind that is lined with fleece or fur. The next day, I searched online and found on Facebook marketplace a seller of a brand new gray Sorel boots who lives just 10 mins away from our place.
There are other brands you can choose from like UGG and Timberland. It all depends on your budget. You don't necessarily have to buy a brand new pair. You can find good buys from thrift stores and online marketplace - just be sure to compare the original price against the seller's offer, and the condition of the boots if they're secondhand.
Tip #5 - Buy that winter accessory!
I’ve been traveling around Asia, and it’s only in Japan and South Korea that I experienced temperature below zero degrees.
I managed to survive the cold by wearing toque or beanie, gloves, and neck warmers. But I didn't have to do it everyday.
Trip to Japan in 2016.
But in Canada, they serve a purpose. These accessories keep you warm at the right places, and help you survive the cold every time you go out.
The wind at times feels like it's slapping your ears and it will definitely hurt. A warm hat, toque or beanie that can be pulled over your ears and forehead, or a woolen headband will protect your ears.
You’ll also be needing gloves to keep your hands from feeling numb especially if you’ll be queuing and get exposed to the chilly wind.
Fleece neck warmers you can pull up and over your cheeks are essential too to keep you warmer on the cold days.
Winter's coming, but don't fret.
There are many ways to keep warm during the cold months (which can last until early April). The key is to choose wisely the clothes you will buy and wear, depending on the temperature and weather condition.
Image courtesy: Jennifer Austria Magalong
To stay warm and fuzzy, treat yourself to your favorite latte or hot chocolate...
Spiced Pumpikin Latte from Starbucks
... or wrap your loved one tightly in a warm embrace.
How do you manage the cold weather? Any other tips you want to share? Comment below, or tag me on my social media accounts.
Do you have any question or want to share your journey in applying for a study or work permit in Canada? Send me a message!
Let's build together an online community focused on supporting, helping, and lifting up each other as we navigate our new lives in a foreign land we will call, and make, our second home.
