Clothing, accessories to beat the Saskatchewan cold

Avoiding the cold this time of year can be a challenging if not impossible feat, something Saskatchewan residents know well, but the evolution of winter clothing is improving with each year.

Sunshine & Ski has articles of clothing that can cover every inch of your entire body. However, there’s a recommended way to tackle extreme temperatures.

“It’s all about layering,” said Andy Balak of Sunshine & Ski.

He described it as a three-tier approach, starting with a base-layer.

“Onesies, they’re kind of making a comeback. You can pretty much live in those things. They got zippers around the waist so quick and easy access for when you need to go to the bathroom,” he recommended.

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Balak said a fleece can make a suitable middle layer followed by a heavier top layer, something like a Canada Goose jacket. Balak said those are so popular they can barely keep them in stock.

“As soon as they come into the store they’re already out. We have a waiting list even for our next order coming in.”

“Companies are definitely getting smarter as to the type of materials they’re putting in jackets.”

Jackets are standard. But not-so-standard is the heated insole for your feet.

“That just clips onto the boot or onto your shoe. You get about six hours of battery life,” Balak explained.

“They can go in ski boots, a lot of guys on the oilfields they put them in their work boots, police officers walking around all day they like them in their boots too. It’s just a little electric battery pack that heats your boot through the whole day.”

Along the same lines as the insoles, heated mitts or gloves are also popular, especially among those with medical issues.

“People with arthritis or circulation issues in their hands, they buy a pair of these and that usually solves the issue right up.”

Winterizing yourself isn’t always cheap. The heated gloves and insoles can run you anywhere between $200 and $400.

However, Balak said it is worth the price and if you’re willing to shell out a little more to brave the elements, it’ll end up paying off for you in the end.

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