Best Cold-Weather Gear for the Game

Your buddy from college calls you up for the first time in a year or two, and he’s got tickets to the game. The game? Like… sports? You haven’t been to a game of any kind in years. Maybe the last time was in middle school when you won some baseball tickets at the end-of-the-year dance, or maybe you’ve never been to one at all.

High School and college football are in full swing now, hockey is getting started and so is basketball. Whether you’re watching the Gophers blow it against a rival in the fourth quarter or commuting from the arena to the parking lot after the Wild get bounced in the 2nd round of the playoffs again, we’ve got all the gear to you need to make the most of your rare sporting adventure.

For the sake of your lukewarm fandom, we’ll stick to neutral colors so you don’t accidentally out yourself as a fan of the rival. For the ladies, I took suggestions from Ashley and Emily on staff here at The House, so shout out to them for the advice! From head to toe, here’s everything you need to stay warm and look your best at the game.

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Noggin

Most of the heat from your body is going to escape from your head, so it’s really important that you keep it toasty warm in a beanie. For guys, you’re going to want the Tailgate Beanie from Neff. Perfect for cooking up some brats or tossing some bean bags outside the stadium in -10° weather, the Tailgate beanie is super comfortable, warm and stylish to boot. However, if you’re going to a Vikings game, take the Neff Bunyan Beanie.

For the ladies, the Oh-Mega Fur Pom Beanie from The North Face is an excellent choice. It’s stylish, warm and the fig color option features a nice maroon that is perfect for Golden Gopher games!

Eyes

Sometimes winter days can be blinding, and if you’re standing in east end-zone of The Bank, you’re going to want a pair of sunglasses to ward off the setting sun.

The Clayton Sunglasses from Smith are perfect for the guy looking for something that pops a little bit. For something a little more subdued, throw on the Oakley Holbrook Mix Sunglasses. Each pair offers a comfortable nose guard and durable lenses that can take a bit of beating should you decide to rush the field.

The Quinn Sunglasses from Spy are a great choice for the ladies, offering the same comfort and protection with a few more color options including a stylish tort framed design that will pair great with just about any outfit.

Core

First things first, you’ll probably want to throw on a t-shirt of some kind. Any t-shirt will do because you’ll want to layer it with a sweatshirt.

For sporting events you can never go wrong with Nike, so I suggest you grab the SB Icon Crew Sweatshirt. The Pennycross Crew Sweatshirt from Oakley is also a great option. Layer with the Burton Bryce Jacket or the Mountain Hardwear Kelvinator Hooded Jacket to trap in as much heat as possible.

For ladies, throw on either the Tekno or Long Jane from The North Face for a stylish solid-hue hoodie that pairs great will any layer. I’d recommend the Marmot Williamsburg Jacket. It features not only an on-trend design but also zips high up and over the chin with a fur-lined hood that keeps icy winds off your face. If you plan on wearing leggings or something lighter, I suggest the Burton Panoramic Snowboard Jacket. It features a longer cut that falls down over the thigh for extra coverage in the winter chill.

Hands

Next to your noggin, your hands are one of the most important parts of your body to keep warm. You’ll certainly feel it if they’re not, so having a reliable pair of gloves or mittens is imperative.

There is a certain blue-collar Midwest ethos that dominates sporting events. For the sake of this, I selected a pair of gloves and mittens that reflect that workman’s attitude. Fleece-lined and made with leather, the Burton Lifty Insulated Gloves are an excellent choice for cold-weather games. Similarly, the Workhouse Leather Mittens from Burton are great as well.

The Love and Snow Mittens from Roxy are a great choice for the ladies, featuring a soft fleece-lining and an elastic cuff to ensure that warmth stays in the mitten at all times. They are more fashion-forward as well, sporting a fun knit design that is perfect for the winter months.

Legs

I often forget how important keeping your legs warm is in frigid temperatures. I may just throw on a pair of jeans without thinking, only to find myself shivering after being outside for a couple minutes.

The remedy for this is to remember thermals. Before you throw on your jeans, toss on a pair of these Baselayer Bottoms from Quiksilver. These will act as the first barrier to heat loss, and will help keep cold pants off your skin. I recommend the Vans Chino Stretch Pants not only because they look amazing, but also because they feature a bit of stretch that is perfect for use with a base layer. If you’re more of a jeans type of guy, the RVCA Daggers Denim Jeans are an excellent choice for game day. Shop more RVCA clothing and styles here!

For ladies, the Prana Ethel Leggings are a stylish option that accentuates your shape, extends down over the feet and features a comfortable nylon blend that retains heat and is super comfortable. Just remember that you may want to wear a long jacket with these!

Feet

Obviously, you’re going to want a warm pair of socks, and there are plenty of great options to choose from here at The House. I personally like the Smartwool Mountaineering Extra Heavy Crew Socks. Wool is great for cold temperatures, and because they’re extra heavy you can count on them retaining heat extremely well. However since we sports are a patriotic bunch, you may make some friends by sporting the Darn Tough Captain Stripe Socks. USA! USA!

Once you’ve got your socks, I recommend the Timberland Icon 6 in. Boots or the CAT Colorado Boots. They’re super comfy, super stylish and they fit the blue collar attitude that dominates sporting events. Both are durable, insulated and sure to keep your toes cozy. I also advise that when you wear your socks and boots, make sure you have some wiggle room. Socks and boots that are too tight can affect circulation in your feet and make them feel colder than necessary.

There is a really great boot for the ladies, as well—the Columbia Bahama Boot. This boot is incredibly comfortable and is made using a strong leather that is perfect for heat retention. Not to mention they look awesome. Pull these over a pair of Smartwool Mountaineering Extra Heavy Crew Socks for women, and you’ll have nice toasty stompers all day long.

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Now that you’re all suited up for the game, you may want to take this with you! Remember, just follow the ball and cheer when everyone else does. You got this!

 

Harris P.