Key takeaways
- Mild coast (Vancouver, Victoria): rain-proof outer layer, waterproof boots, light accessories
- Cold (Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Halifax): insulated coat and boots, hat, mittens, scarf, one set of base layers
- Very cold (Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Saskatoon and the North): add more base layers, socks and a face cover
- Children need snow pants, two pairs of mittens and new sizes most years
- Prices change weekly, so add the prices you find to get your own total
How the calculator builds your list
The list follows the layering advice from Health Canada: wear clothing right for the weather, choose wool or synthetic fabrics, dress in layers, and finish with a wind-resistant outer layer. It then adjusts for your climate:
| Per person | Mild coast | Cold | Very cold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coat (adult) / coat and snow pants (child) | 1 waterproof | 1 insulated | 1 heavy, long |
| Boots | 1 waterproof | 1 insulated | 1 insulated, very cold |
| Hat, mittens and scarf set | 1 (children 2) | 1 (children 2) | 1 (children 2), with face cover |
| Base layer sets | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Pairs of wool socks | 2 | 3 | 4 |
If you already own sweaters and warm layers, the calculator removes one base layer set per person. Children get a second set of mittens and a hat because one is always wet or lost.
Adding prices
Prices for winter clothes change every week with sales, and vary a lot by store type. Look up the items on two or three store websites or flyers, then type the price of the option you plan to buy. The calculator multiplies each price by the number of items and adds them up. Items without a price are listed so you can see what is still missing.
If you have a mix, such as some items free from a clothing bank, leave those prices blank or enter only what you will actually pay. The calculator only adds items with a price, and shows how many item types are still unpriced. You can change your city type to see how the list grows for colder places.
Not sure where to shop? Our what to buy for winter guide explains store types from free clothing banks to premium outdoor brands.
Worked example
A family of two adults and one child moves to Toronto (cold) and owns no warm layers. The list is:
- 2 adult coats and 2 pairs of adult boots
- 1 child coat and snow pants, and 1 pair of child boots
- 4 hat, mittens and scarf sets (1 per adult, 2 for the child)
- 3 base layer sets
- 9 pairs of wool socks
If they find an adult coat for $120, adult boots for $90, a child set for $70, child boots for $40, accessory sets for $25, base layer sets for $30 and socks for $8, the total is 2 × 120 + 2 × 90 + 70 + 40 + 4 × 25 + 3 × 30 + 9 × 8 = $792 before tax. These example prices are only to show the math.
Ways to lower the total
- Get free items first from settlement agencies, community clothing banks and school programs.
- Buy children’s gear second-hand: they will outgrow it in a year or two.
- Spend more on boots and coats, less on accessories.
- Buy base layers and extra socks later, once you know how cold your days feel.
- Shop end-of-season sales in February and March for next winter.
Add the total to your newcomer budget, and read the first winter guide for heating and safety tips.