Boots, snow pants and insulated jackets: come winter, it’s the standard-issue uniform of Canadians at play.

Luckily, bulking up isn’t the only way to keep warm. Layers are still key, but gone are the days of monochromatic one-piece snowsuits and puffy, shapeless ski wear. Hello technical fabrics, performance wear, and smart design. 

If you’re venturing outdoors, here are six winter accessories that balance practicality and warmth without neglecting style. 

Merino Buff Headwear

Merino Buffs Lightweight Heavyweight Midweight

Available in three weights (light, heavy and now mid), there's a Merino BUFF® Headwear for every winterscape, from sub-zero mornings to mild afternoons, and active outdoor workouts to bundle-up snow activities. Go lightweight (125g/m²) for spring skiing, mid-weight (250g/m²) for snowshoeing and heavyweight (600g/m²) for extended cold-weather play. Bonus: most of the these Buff styles have cozy hats in matching colours.

Merino BUFF® Headwear is sourced from certified Australian farms that do not practice Mulesing. 

 

Tall socks

There's something so classically Oh Canada about tall wool socks. If you're lounging fireside or sipping a shot-ski in the mountain village, Roots Cottage Knee Socks - you know the ones: grey-knit with a cream toe, heel and upper, accented with a red stripe - are a steal at $12. But being made of acrylic, you'll want something more technical for hitting the slopes...

Fox River SocksFox River

For wick-away warmth in the alpine, a performance sock with a Merino wool-nylon-spandex blend is best. Reinforced heels and toes, slight compression, and flat seams ensure that fits-like-a-glove feel. We especially like Fox River - a company that's made socks since 1900 - for its spandex arch support and loud prints. 

Knit hood

knit hood buff

We love this hooded scarf that leaves no loose ends untied. Ears and back of neck are kept covered and hair stays dry when the flurries start. Slouchy in all the right places, it's easy to wear and really, just plain cute. Trapped Oyster Grey Knitted Hood (pictured left, above) is a cozy Merino-alpaca-cotton-polyacrylic blend, while the Kiam style (centre, right) is 100% acrylic and available in grape and grey

 

Merino-lined underwear

merino lined underwear boxers

Okay, so perhaps you won’t be publicly scoring any fashion points with these Merino-lined boxers, but you’ll know you’re sporting some cozy couture. Do wool underpants sound, err, itchy? Not the case. These boxers are made with Helly Hansen warm fibre and Lifa® Stay Dry technology. Note: fit runs one size small, so order up. 

 

Wool-lined thermal tights

Northface Womens Wool Baselayer tights

There’s a reason Canadian women love living in athletic tights: they’re easy to wear and four-way stretch means all-day comfort. Up the mountain, leggings make perfect sense.

Northface’s Womens Wool Baselayer Tights are Merino wool-lined, meaning they’ll keep you cozy in the alpine but won’t leave you feeling under-dressed if you need to peel off your snow pants for après.

 

Smartphone-friendly gloves

Glider Gloves smartphone friendly

Whether you’re shredding some pow-pow when your ski buddy calls from the lodge, or a terrible song pops into your headphones, peeling off your gloves every time you want to use your smartphone is the worst. There has got to be a better way you think. Enter Glider Gloves. These fully-responsive mitts use copper-based conductive yarn, allowing you to interface with your smartphone while still bundled up.

Which winter accessories do you swear by? 
Let us know: comment below!

Buff logo

This slope style article was brought to you by our friends at Buff. On the slopes or off the trails, Buff® Headwear has you covered with cozy Merino Wool, Polar Fleece or the brand new ThermoNet® family featuring Primaloft®. After a day in the snow choose from our knitted collection of colourful neckwarmers and toques. Check out our gift guide and find the perfect Buff® style for you. buyabuff.com/GIFT-GUIDE

           

Winter adventure on Canadian Traveller: