We will be spending a week or so about 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle in late February of 2025.

looking for clothing and coping recommendations, from the Experts here.

Keep in mind, we'll be flying into the general area, thus clothing needs to be packable.

Advice greatly appreciated!

Bunny Boots for starters.

Is this a top secret mission? Think about heavy clothes like parka insulated snow pants, etc. for times you aren't overly active. Then warm clothes underneath that won't cause you to perspire excessively.
I like quality polyester next to my skin, socks, long john, shirt. Then insulative socks, wool or polyester pants, button up shirt, wool or polyester. Cotton fleece gloves for working with your hands and good mittens when it's below 0.
Bunny boots are probably best for you. I don't like them but they do work. I prefer the green canvas military mukluks. They come up higher on your calf and they breath. You can find them at sportsmans guide.
200 miles north of the circle means you're on the north slope of the Brooks. Likely could see Temps from 50 below to 30 above. Plenty of opportunity for nasty wind. Will you have ability to go inside a heated shelter?
Hey........I bet you're helping film a new episode of Life Below zero!!

LOL! no, nothing that exotic! Going to experience the northern lights.

so, I'm *thinking* we'll only be outside for a relatively few (four to five) hours at a time. But that's a guess.

My sister is going with us...she currently lives in southern Florida.

You don't have to go north of the arctic circle to see northern lights. Are you planning it yourself or paying an outfitter. We had awesome lights this fall in Fairbanks,
Since winter started almost nothing. There are several outfits here that cater to NL viewers. Look up Chena Hot Springs resort.

Bring some pelts to frost scrape.

I will be in Fairbanks next month for a while, and to the ATA Fling , with JR.

I have Stegers Mukluks, and wore them when the temp was -39 here. They were perfect . I first saw ones like these in EnigmaticGwichin's videos . His are home made, but he sold me on them when he described how well they keep feet warm in all the cold all day that he traps in. Only thing, they aren't for slogging about in water. Here's the link for them. I got the Arctic style. The people who make these (made in USA), will help you order just the right size. Needs to be a little larger than your normal foot size, for the insulation that is in them and good socks. Thought you might like to have a look at these , in case someone going with you might have a tough time finding Bunnies. The Bunnies though, are the choice for wet watery places.

https://www.mukluks.com/

Tell your sis that I was born and raised in S. FLA. Didn't see snow til I was in my early 20's and moved out of there with all my belongings in my truck. No one can pay me to ever live east of the divide and especially south, in that stifling humid heat. The only other state I would move to live in would be Alaska. Other than my Montana , that's it . I knew where nautical North was when I was 6 years old. The only thing I miss from FLA are mangoes.

Your sis can dress right and have a blast. If this deep southern Floridian girl can completely acclimatize to far northern life and absolutely love it, she can too .

Fur is wonderful to have in real cold.

I too, have an "order in " request with JR to see the lights . Though I see them here.

I can't wait to take off next month.

You all will have a blast. Save funding for the flight, etc., and don't look back when you go. Sit on the left side window on the flight there, the other side going back. If you fly at night. To possibly see lights .

Milsurp if you want to go the cheapest route. The marshmallow pants and jacket are really warm and packable. I use them but I can only wear it when it's subzero or I sweat to much. Wiggies makes some good gear and of course if you want to look like a real Alaskan Apocalypse design in Fairbanks is top notch. I recommend mitts instead of finger gloves and wear a thin pair of wool finger gloves inside. You will need something to cover your face if it's windy, my wife buys polar fleece and makes neck and face warmers. Super easy and cheap. You will want to layer so start with good thermals, milsurp fleece pants and top, then your outer layer. Fur Alaska trapper hats are the best at keeping your noggin warm, I also wear my Apocalypse design mushers hat under my trappers hat or you could just wear a warm knitted had under it. Doesn't hurt to have a tube of chapstick either.

And here I thought all those Artic clothes got returned and end up in the Bargain Cave at a famous outdoor store
along with all the outfitters over buy and the clients never use them stuff

Not me, N50 ! I keep my stuff and use it.

Almost forgot, Temple told me that Striker coats and bibs are very good . He likes those. I found a nice coat on sale from them, and wear that often.

truly appreciate all the great advice!

and I'll tell Sis what you said, Sharon!

we're actually going to Finnish Lapland, for a Bucket List experience.

please keep the advice/links coming...I'm learning from y'all!

Thanks!

Lapland!!! Thought you were coming up here. Lapland sounds interesting. Be sure and have some Reindeer steaks!

Sharon, it's one thing for a male to wear bibs in cold temps. For women, extra disrobing is needed to rid the body of excess fluids. As well, it's a problem for men if solids need removing while out in the cold! A parka and snow pants have been my preference. Bibs leave a decent amount of material hanging loose when squatting with risks to that material getting wet, or worse!!

I don’t wear bibs. I have all that “covered” , pun intended. I mentioned them as part of Temple’s info he shared with me. Actually, the site he mentioned does have bibs made specifically for ladies. I still don’t wear them.

No worries. Thanks , though.

Dont forget your speedo for the polar bear dip.

^^^^^^
You don't need a speedo for that in Finland.

There used to be quite a Japanese tourist trade out of Fairbanks to view the aurora borealis. Apparently the Japanese think that conceiving a baby under the northern lights grants the baby a lucky life. At least that's what I was told.

appreciate all of the great info!

where's the best place to buy new bunny boots? I see ads for used ones...

links to other reasonable places to buy appropriate clothing (besides those already mentioned) appreciated!

Thanks!

I don't know the best place, but the general consensus is that you want the Bata brand. Your find that there is a place in Fairbanks I believe, that is now making new bunny boots. They look like a great boot, $300.

Striker Ice is good ice fishing gear, is becoming very popular for snowmachining out in the villages. I'm on my third winter with no holes, rips, blown seems or zippers, and I do 200 mile day trips all the time, log firewood by snowmachine, get a moose, ice fish. The insulation keeps you floating if you go through the ice. The Climate line is warmer, heavier duty than the Predator line.

Will that trip include a Lap dance ?

I'll check with my wife. (we will have our own bedroom; so, maybe...)

Also the Climate line of Striker Ice ice fishing gear has removable extra insulation for the both the parka and bibs.

I don't know that you can get new bunny boots, there is a company that is going to make them but is just in the testing stage right now. I believe all you can buy is military surplus. I've never worn them but had some of the black ones years ago. Warmest boots I've ever worn but not good walking boots.

We don't get the cold here that they do up there, but if you can handle wool next to your skin it is hard to beat woolies (wool union suit) for a warm under layer. It got down to -28 here this winter and several days of -20, thats about as cold as it ever gets down here, but I was comfortable in woolies, wool shirt, Filson wool Mackinaw Cruiser and Labonville winter fallers pants. And that was good for hiking, while on the snowmobile I wear a down coat over that, snowmobile gloves and fleece earwarmers under my wool packers hat.

A beard helps keep your face warm, but in really cold weather you will get a lot of ice build up on it from breathing.

I truly appreciate everyone's input!!

Well you have plenty of time to plan and save.

One thing I think of too, are the right suitcases to have your things in. After traveling a lot myself, I've honed down to some pretty good ways of organizing my things.

They have travel zip up small bags that fold in half, with a small coat hanger hook at the top, that hold all my things for easy bathroom use. They are wonderful for not taking up any space in a bathroom. Or a need for a shelf or medicine cabinet. Just hang the hook on top of anything, a door, or a towel hook, and I have my makeup, brushes, creams, shampoo and conditioner, toothbrush , everything, right there organized and tucked neatly in my small bag. That, in turn, Packs neatly in my suitcase. You never need to worry about taking up space again. On a trip such as yours, in a small group setting of travelers, these things are invaluable. Or even traveling alone, for me, this is a perfect setup.



A good safe suitcase would be in order too. Ive never owned a hard case, but got one finally. It is perfect to hold everything I want with nice storage room . It would be a checked bag , the size I have, but so worth it . A hard case also allows you to lock it with TSA combo locks if you want. I roll up my clothes , which makes no wrinkles and compacts better in the compartments.




Finally, I really like the hands-free backpacks. Got one of those with all kinds of pockets for laptop, etc., and special pockets that are on the back, up against you , that are inaccessible from the outside , when you have to have your wallet, money, keys, etc, off your person for the TSA checks.

You probably know a lot of these things , so apologies for the reminders. I just wished someone would have shared with me long ago so I wouldn't have gone so long in learning. It's just when your traveling methods are very compact and organized, you feel so good at living out of them along the way.

Lots of us up here wear FXR clothing. I have the ice pro pants and theyre the warmest ive ever used. Steger mukluks are also very warm in dry conditions but offer no effective waterproofing. Very warm though when paired with wool socks.

Thanks for all the great info...much appreciated!

bump!

what about specific brands of mittens?

Thanks!

Get a set of gauntlets made out of beaver or otter fur

Since I have moved into the senior citizen stage the cold all of a sudden effects like no other time in my life. With that make sure you get quality gear since you live in a warmer climate than the Arctic. If you will be doing a lot of viewing and not active it makes it more difficult to stay warm.
Used Beta bunny boots are okay but I have bought them and had trouble with vapor inside and cold feet before old age.
Layering as recommended previously is my system. Apocalypse parkas and pants for outer wear in my opinion is the best and local here. Your not coming here though.
Does the location you are going have any recommendations of clothing?
After spending every winter for over 50 years in the arctic on a snow machine trapping with the right gear it was the most awesome experience on my bucket list.

Alaska Gear Company is the company making new Bunny Boots. You can view then online.

I did buy a pair of these boots. My feet freeze even in our relatively mild winters here in PA, so I'll use them in deer season when it gets "cold" here. The upcoming trip was the spark to order them, but they'll get other use.

The new bunny boots look like they have a better sole, but I know the old ones are warm. They aren't $400 either

I get it.

but my last pair of pack boots lasted over thirty years. it's true that I don't live in the extreme cold, and I don't hunt near as hard as I used to. these should last me 50 years.

I'm not saying I won't try the new bunny boots, but probably not the year they came out, I'll wait. I like pac boots too, I wear corked ones at work in the winter

When I began para-motoring in the the winter with my trike I immediately knew I would be out of my comfort zone. I have faired well in the cold but I wanted to enjoy my ride and not worry about the cold hampering my experience. I went for heated clothing. Something tight to the skin and not a combination of insulation and heat.
I settled on heated gloves as I would be hanging them out in the cold holding lines a lot and a heated top to keep my core warm. I have come to thoroughly love using it when I know I would be experiencing cold and little excursion. Not cheap but if it is something you think you can use beyond your north slope experience it would be a good investment.
This is the top I have. I would recommend at least two batteries. I have never regretted its purchase. This is quality clothing.
https://www.warmnsafe.com/collectio...s/mens-baselayer-heated-neck-long-sleeve