What to Wear for a Northern Lights Trip (and Stay Warm at –30°C / -22°F)
The sky was on fire in Luleå!
So you’ve booked your aurora adventure. Flights? Check. Camera? Charged. Excitement level? Off the charts. But here’s the deal — the Northern Lights love the kind of weather that can turn your eyelashes into icicles. We’ve been there — repeatedly. Yes, voluntarily. And we know how to dress for our beloved Arctic! But show up unprepared and you’ll spend more time shivering than stargazing.
This guide is your survival kit: what to wear, how to layer, and the gear that actually keeps you warm at –30°C (-22°F) while waiting for the sky to put on a show.
And before you put your down jacket on, check our exhaustive guides: Northern Lights for Dummies and our Ultimate Arctic Travel Guide.
Spoiler alert: You might have the best equipment, all the technology, clear skies, and a strong aurora activity, but northern lights are never guaranteed… and that’s what makes them so magical!
What to wear for a northern lights trip: Quick answer
It wasn’t too cold in the Lofoten Islands in October, but we still layered up!
If you don’t have time to waste and you’re ready for adventure, here’s a brief summary!
Base layer: Merino wool or thermal underwear.
Mid layer: Fleece or insulated down jacket.
Outer shell: Windproof, waterproof parka.
Accessories: Gloves, mittens, beanie, scarf/buff.
Boots: Insulated, waterproof, good grip.
Pro tip: Hand warmers save lives — or at least fingers…
Did you know?
At –30°C (-22°F), your body gets creative. Your nose feels like it’s lined with Velcro as your mucus freezes on contact, and tears don’t roll down your cheeks — they crystallize into little pearls that cling to your eyelashes. It’s so glamorous!
The layering system explained (or how to copy onions)
So happy about our awesome Inuit down jackets on sale bought at a local store in Nuuk, Greenland!
Think onion, not potato. You need multiple thin layers that trap heat, not one bulky jacket that leaves you sweating then freezing.
1. Base layer (The Skin Hugger)
Purpose: Keeps sweat away so you don’t freeze from damp fabric.
Best choice: Merino wool or synthetic thermals - we tend to run hot, so we prefer merino. It’s also the best for shoulder season and winter hikes! An outfit like this goes a long way and is really nice to hang out in once inside, while waiting for the northern lights!.
Skip: Cotton! It stays wet…aka misery. By the way, the same goes for socks!
2. Mid layer (The Insulator — cool movie name, right?)
Purpose: Traps heat.
Options: Fleece, wool sweater, or a lightweight down jacket. Here again, we personally prefer wool over fleece, for sweating reasons. This is my (Eli)’s favorite sweater. Warm and not itchy!
Pro tip: Two lighter mid-layers are better than one thick one — you can adjust as needed.
3. Outer layer (The Shield)
Purpose: Blocks wind and snow.
Look for: Waterproof, windproof, breathable.
Classic choice: A proper Arctic parka like this one, with down if possible (if you’d rather avoid goose, they make synthetic down, or you can look for sustainable brands). Pant-wise, snow/ski pants or thick waterproof hiking pants are a must. Make sure to size up to fit your merino tights or leggings underneath!
Hands, feet, and head — Don’t underestimate the extras
In Svalbard, we got the most amazing merino neck warmers. Absolutely lifesavers! And they look really cool when not upside down, right Jake?
If layers are essential, your extremities are even more important! Below -20ºC (-4°F), you lose a lot of heat really, really fast with whatever part of your body is not covered. I (Eli) learned that the hard way on my first trip to Lapland when I innocently took off my two layers of gloves to take a picture at -30ºC (-22°F). After a minute, I could barely move my hand and had superficial frostbite!
Gloves & Mittens: Thin liners under warm, waterproof mittens or thicker gloves work best. Try touchscreen liner gloves so you can take pics without risking frosbite.
Beanie/Hat: Covers your ears fully. Merino or wool is always a good choice.
Scarf or Buff: A merino neck gaiter doubles as face protection. A thiner fabric will just freeze after a while, if windy!
Boots: Insulated, waterproof, and roomy enough for thick socks. Think –30°C (-22°F) rated. Sorel boots are a safe bet. If you’re hiking, you can also get Gore-Tex boots, but you’d better double up on the socks.
Socks: Merino wool socks are awesome, and will also avoid blisters. You can also double up with thicker wool socks.
October: bikini weather by Arctic standards!
This shot was taken in Alta, Norway, in October — a balmy +5°C (41°F) by Arctic standards. Trust us, waiting outside at 5 degrees is a completely different story than braving –30°C (-22°F) nights.
Accessories that save the night
When the sky looks like this (here in Alta, Norway), you don’t want to have to worry about frostbite!
Hand & toe warmers: Slip them in boots or mittens.
Headlamp with red light: Keeps your hands free and eyes adjusted. Really practical to find your way on a frozen lake or change your camera settings quickly.
Thermos: Hot chocolate, berry tea (very common in Arctic gastronomy) or even soup. It’s warmth in liquid form. So yummy in a freezing night — that’s hygge, right there!
Blanket or sleeping bag: For long aurora waits outside the rental car, if you have one.
Clothing by activity
Standing still (aurora hunting): More layers, thicker boots, mittens.
Snowmobiling/dogsledding: Windproof outer shell + goggles. If it’s really cold, some tours will provide an overall.
Photography: Easy-on/off gloves, insulated mat or pad to kneel on snow.
Penguin Trampoline tip:
Post-aurora shower warning
After hours in subzero cold, your body can’t tell hot from cold properly. Jumping straight into a steaming shower can actually burn your skin before you even realize it. Warm up slowly first — tea, blankets, maybe a sauna session — and save the hot shower for later.
What to wear to watch the northern lights: FAQ
A good woolen hat goes a long way — here in Ilulissat, Greenland
Can I wear jeans to see the Northern Lights?
Nope. Denim gets wet and stays wet. You’ll be colder than a snowman’s handshake.
Do I need special Arctic gear, or can I rent?
Many tour operators rent or provide snowsuits and boots. Handy if you don’t want to invest in heavy-duty kit for one trip.
How cold does it really get?
Depending on location, anywhere from –5°C (23°F) (Iceland in autumn) to –35°C (-31°F) (Lapland or Canada in January). Pack for the worst, hope for the best.
Do I need travel insurance for aurora trips?
Yes. Snow, ice, reindeer crossings — Arctic travel is unpredictable. We use Heymondo travel insurance, which covers outdoor adventures and usually offers 5–15% off.
Any tips on what to wear for northern lights chasing?
We’ve bundled (just like you in your layers) our best advice — from how to dress to photography at –20°C (-4°F) — in comprehensive guide, Northern Lights for Dummies, as well as detailed advice in our Ultimate Arctic Travel Guide.
Here is our playlist to call Lady Aurora:
Watching the Northern Lights is magical, but watching them while freezing isn’t. Layer smart, invest in a few key pieces (especially boots and gloves), and bring those little extras that make cold nights bearable. If you’re anything like us, you’ll fall in love with the Arctic and use your gear over and over again!
When the sky finally erupts in green and purple, you won’t be thinking about your frozen toes — you’ll be too busy staring in awe.
Bundle up, stay patient, and let the Arctic sky do the rest.
The northern lights are all you dream and talk about? Check our dedicated aurora guides:
✨ Northern Lights for Dummies — How to actually see the aurora (without freezing your butt off or waiting 12 nights in vain).
📅 Best Time to See the Northern Lights — Month-by-month, season-by-season, when the sky is most likely to dance.
🌍 Best Places to See the Northern Lights in the World — From Alaska to the Southern lights, the aurora knows no borders (coming soon).
🇪🇺 Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Europe — Iceland, Norway, Lapland and beyond.
📸 Northern Lights Photography Tips — Camera settings, tripods, and how not to end up with 200 blurry green smudges (coming soon).
🌌 What Are the Northern Lights? — The science, the legends, and the cosmic drama behind those glowing ribbons (coming soon).
