Checklist before winter

Short answer: Check that your base layers are intact, that you have enough of them, and that your outer layers still fit. Winter asks for more layers, and the weakest one decides how warm you feel.

The base layer carries the whole system

The base layer sits right against the skin and holds the warmth your body makes. A hole at the elbow or a thin patch on the back is felt through every layer on top, because cold air finds its way in right there. Hold your base layers up to the light. Thin spots and small holes show clearly, and it is better to find them now.

Look at seams and cuffs

Seams and cuffs wear out first. A cuff that has gone loose no longer closes around the wrist, and the cold creeps up the arm. A seam that has opened grows quickly at the next wash. Small repairs can often be done with needle and thread, but a completely slack cuff means it is time for a new piece. See bamboo sweatshirts for men.

Enough of them for a full week

Base layers are washed after every wear and cannot be worn two days in a row. That is why you need several sets. Count how many intact ones you have and compare with an ordinary week. With only three, you end up washing midweek or wearing something that is not clean. Five to seven sets make daily life calm.

Think about the laundry when you count

In winter, clothes dry more slowly, especially indoors. A base layer washed last night may still be damp in the morning. Plan for a couple of extra sets, so something is always ready in the drawer while the rest dries. It also means each piece is washed a little less often. You will find more in the range for men.

Try the outer layers before the cold arrives

An outer layer that will not close over two layers is useless when it gets truly cold. Put your winter jacket on over a base layer and a sweatshirt and zip it all the way. If you can move your arms freely and bend without it pulling across the back, it still fits. If not, it is better to know in October.

The middle layer needs room to move

Between the base layer and the jacket there is usually a sweatshirt or jumper. It should be loose enough to hold air, but not so big that it bunches up under the jacket. Try the whole combination on at once and walk around in it for a few minutes. See also bestsellers for men.

Put winter clothes out in good time

Once the list is done, keep your winter clothes where you can reach them. Summer clothes can be packed further back, so the drawer is not overfull. An overview of what you own also shows what is missing. Adding a single piece calmly is easier than finding everything at once on the first frosty day.

Keep checking through the winter

This list is not something you do only once. Clothes worn every day wear faster in winter, because they are washed more often and worn under more layers. Glance over your base layers when you fold them after washing. A small hole found early can perhaps be mended, while a large one in February simply means you feel cold.

Frequently asked questions

What should you check before winter

That your base layers are intact, that you have enough of them, and that your outer layers still close over several layers.

How many base layers do you need

Enough for a week, so five to seven. They are washed after every wear and cannot be worn two days in a row.

When should you try on winter clothes

Before the cold arrives. An outer layer that will not close over two layers is better discovered in October than in January.