What to Wear for a Northern Lights Tour in Lapland: A Packing List

Lapland in winter is cold. Not "put on a thick coat" cold, real Arctic cold. On a Northern Lights tour you will stand outside for long periods, sometimes in temperatures between −10 °C and −30 °C. Dressing the right way is not about fashion. It is about comfort, safety, and enjoying the aurora instead of shivering in the van.

The good news: you do not need to spend a fortune on specialist gear. Polar Lapland provides warm overalls, boots, and mittens on every aurora tour. With a few smart layers underneath, you will stay warm and comfortable all night.

The layering system: keep it simple

Arctic clothing works in layers. Each layer has one job. Do not try to replace three layers with one thick coat, it will not work.

1. Base layer (moisture wicking)

The base layer sits next to your skin. Its job is to move sweat away so you stay dry. Wet skin gets cold fast in Arctic air.

• Choose merino wool or synthetic thermal underwear.
• Long sleeves and long leggings, full coverage.
• Avoid cotton. Cotton absorbs sweat and stays wet. In the cold, that means you freeze.

2. Mid layer (insulation)

The mid layer traps warm air close to your body. You can add or remove this layer depending on how cold it feels.

• Fleece sweater or wool pullover.
• Fleece trousers or warm leggings over your base layer.
• A thin down vest is a good extra if temperatures drop below −20 °C.

3. Outer layer (wind and water protection)

The outer layer blocks wind, snow, and freezing air. On our tours, we provide this layer for you.

• Polar Lapland supplies a thick, insulated thermal overall on every aurora tour.
• It is windproof, water-resistant, and rated for Lapland winter temperatures.
• You pull it on over your base and mid layers. Simple.

Your packing checklist: head to toe

Use this list when you pack for Rovaniemi. Tick each item off before you leave.

Head and neck

• Wool or fleece beanie that covers your ears.
• Buff, neck gaiter, or balaclava to protect your cheeks and nose from wind.
• Thin liner gloves for operating your phone or camera.

Hands

• We provide thick, insulated mittens for every guest.
• Bring your own thin liner gloves underneath for handling cameras and phones.
• Mittens keep fingers warmer than gloves because your fingers share heat.

Feet

• Two pairs of merino wool socks, thin pair first, thicker pair on top.
• We provide winter boots rated to −30 °C on every tour.
• Do not wear cotton socks. They hold moisture and your feet will get cold.

Body

• Merino wool or synthetic thermal underwear (top and bottom).
• Fleece or wool mid-layer sweater.
• Fleece trousers or warm leggings.
• Our thermal overall goes on top.

Extras

• Chemical hand and toe warmers, cheap, small, and very effective below −20 °C.
• A small backpack to carry extra layers, camera, and warmers.
• Lip balm and moisturizer, Arctic air is extremely dry.

What NOT to wear

Avoid these common mistakes. They will make you cold.

• Cotton: t-shirts, jeans, cotton socks. Cotton keeps moisture next to your skin. In Arctic temperatures, that moisture freezes.
• One thick coat instead of layers: A single heavy coat traps sweat and does not let you adjust if the temperature changes.
• Tight shoes or boots: Tight footwear reduces blood flow. Your feet need room to move and stay warm.
• Fashion scarves: They let wind in and do not wick moisture. Use a buff or balaclava instead.
• Thin city gloves: Regular winter gloves are not warm enough for standing still at −20 °C for hours. Use our mittens.

What Polar Lapland provides on every tour

We know most travelers do not own Arctic gear. That is why we include the most important items on every Northern Lights tour:

• Thermal overalls, thick, insulated, windproof, and sized for every guest.
• Winter boots, rated to −30 °C, with thick soles for standing on snow and ice.
• Warm mittens, insulated and water-resistant.
• Hand and toe warmers, available on request if you need extra heat.

All you need to bring is your own base layers and a warm hat. If you do not have merino wool thermals, a good synthetic sports base layer from any outdoor shop works well.

How cold does it actually get in Rovaniemi?

Rovaniemi winter temperatures range from about −5 °C in early November to −25 °C or lower in January and February. Wind chill can make it feel colder. But with the right layers, especially the thermal overalls we provide, these temperatures are completely manageable.

Remember: you are not hiking. You are standing still, looking up at the sky. That means you generate almost no body heat. Layers matter more here than on a ski slope.

A few practical tips from our guides

• Put your layers on 30 minutes before the tour starts. Do not wait until you are outside.
• Keep your phone close to your body, battery life drops fast in the cold.
• Move your toes and fingers every few minutes to keep blood flowing.
• If you feel cold, tell your guide immediately. Do not try to be tough.
• Drink warm fluids before the tour. A warm body starts from the inside.

Ready for your Northern Lights tour?

Dressing right is half the battle. The other half is choosing a tour that knows where to find the aurora, and guarantees you see it, or your money back.

Browse our Northern Lights tours and book your chase. We will bring the warm clothes. You bring the wonder.