FAQs about Kit & Clothing

FAQs about Kit & Clothing

Detailed answers on the kit we provide and what to bring: layering, base/mid/insulating layers, outerwear, footwear, socks, gloves, hats and miscellaneous items.

Frequently asked kit & clothing-related questions for a multi-day safari. We supply extreme-climate thermal snowsuits and snow boots for our multiday tours (and they can be hired for shorter tours), although some people prefer to use their own. We have a limited amount of items like headtorches and goggles which can be borrowed on prior request, so let us know ahead of time if you will need them.

  • Extreme-climate thermal snowsuits and snow boots provided on multiday tours
  • Layer up: thin base, mid and insulating layers — NO cotton/jeans
  • We issue snowmobile suits (robust against the dogs) rather than down
  • Choose snowboots several sizes too large for sock layers and circulation
  • Bring 2–3 pairs of thin inner 'magic' gloves for handling the dogs
  • Headtorches, goggles and fur hats can be borrowed on prior request

Top tips for staying warm

1) Eat a good breakfast in the morning to keep your energy levels up but allow sufficient time for blood to circulate back around your body, away from your stomach. 2) If you need to pee — don't hold it because you don't want to deal with the hassle of your clothing layers. Get rid of it and you will soon feel warmer! 3) Work hard to keep your body temperature stable by keeping yourself thinly enough clothed to not be perspiring.

When sweat cools here, it freezes — and moisture next to your skin pulls heat away from your body 70% faster than air. As soon as you start to feel too hot, regulate your body temperature, first by adjusting your head, neck and wrist layers and then by removing a layer of clothing.

Layering: base, mid and insulating layers

Layering is key: wear multiple thin layers of wool or synthetic rather than one thick layer, and no cotton on your body at any point — i.e. NO JEANS.

Start with one or two sets of thermal underwear — relatively tight, thin, and moisture-wicking (ideally merino wool, with one top having a zipped or high neck). Mid layers (e.g. Polartec 100 microfleeces, powerstretch or heavier merino) continue to move moisture and trap warm air. Carry at least one thicker insulating layer (Polartec 200/300 fleece, woollen jumper, or Thinsulate/primaloft); synthetics dry faster and have a higher warmth-to-weight ratio. A fleece, powerstretch, down or primaloft gillet is also recommended for freedom of arm movement.

Outerwear & legwear

We issue snowmobile suits rather than down clothing because of the long periods of inactivity followed by short, intense periods of activity common when driving a sled, and because their outer fabrics stand up to wear and tear from the dogs better. In warmer temperatures a breathable waterproof shell (e.g. eVent) is ideal; when stopping for breaks you'll want an additional down or primaloft insulating layer. Since you need this thicker outer layer constantly in colder months, we tend to issue the snowsuits season-round.

For legs, bring two pairs of bottoms of different thicknesses (e.g. one thermal and one powerstretch) to wear under the sallopettes we issue. Jeans (cotton) are NOT OK.

Footwear & socks

On longer trips we provide snowboots for the mushing itself, but bring winter crocs or hut booties for outside safari time (Finnish people don't wear shoes indoors). Choose your boots from us several sizes too large, wide and high enough for your foot with several sock layers. Keep the insides dry — water transfers heat up to 25 times faster than air.

Bring three pairs of winter sock combinations (thinner and thicker), keeping one as a spare for wet feet and one for evenings in the huts, plus a pair of slippers/crocs for the huts. If you have unusually large or small feet (or there are children in the group), please let us know your sizes ahead of time.

Hands, head, neck & face

The choice between gloves and mitts on a not-so-cold day is personal, but when it gets colder we recommend everyone swap to mitts, so have both to hand. You'll also need 2–3 pairs of thin inner ('magic') gloves so you can harness and unclip dogs from the teams. Don't overlook your wrists — make sure mid-layers and gloves cover them well.

Alternate between two thicknesses of hat: a lightweight thermal or woollen one covering your ears and crown, and a thicker, more windproof one (fur trapper-style hats work well and can be borrowed from us). Carry a balaclava or merino/polar buff to cover your face on extreme days. We never allow folk to drive our sleighs unless they are wearing a good hat.

Miscellaneous & optional items

We suggest bringing a lightweight travel towel; a headtorch with spare lithium batteries; one small personal/group first-aid kit (continuous-use medications, heat packs, oil-based antiseptic/moisturising cream, lip balm, throat lozenges, Imodium, painkillers, plasters, sun protection from January onwards); and minimal toiletries.

Optional: a point-and-press camera is often more practical than a big one in extreme cold. You won't be able to use a selfie-stick whilst sledging, and go-pros must be securely attached to your body, not the sleigh. Other items: spare prescription glasses, a Swiss-army-style pen-knife, a small sewing kit, and a drinks bottle that can take hot water.

Parking & plug-in

We have a reasonably big yard with designated areas for staff parking; please park efficiently as yours might not be the only tour of the day and we also get large buses and delivery trucks. We have meters you can connect your car to if you have your own cable and are either on a longer tour (over 20km) or when it is extremely cold (below -30C). The plug-in units have timers and run for a maximum of 2 hours. Since the heating posts are on timers, it is not possible for those with camper vans to stay overnight.