Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Boots and gear recommendation
Options
-
13-11-2009 4:59pm#1
Comments
-
Hiking boots are well and good, but they won't keep the kids feet warm enough from personal experience. This might sound nuts, but hear me out....If I were you I'd plan a stop at somewhere like Prisma en-route to Rovaniemi. This is like a Hypermarket, and they'll definately have plenty of stock in Nokian branded (and other cheaper) wellies. These aren't the kind of wellie you're used to here, these are tough and durable heavy duty rubber boots. Finnish school-kids and farmers alike will wear their Nokians outdoors right through the winter. For budgeting purposes, consider about €50-60 for adults, and about €35 per pair for kids. In terms of keeping warm, go for two pairs of socks inside a lined pair of Nokian or similar and you're good to go. This will allow for much more insulation than you'll have in a boot, and the kids will have the use of them as they grow, at least for longer than normal boots which need to be pretty close fitting from the outset....
The alternative would be to go for proper snow boots, which can be bought for about €50 a pair here if you're not picky about brand. Having spent a few winters visiting Finland I'd go with the wellies myself, unless I knew I'd have a use for snow boots again (which I do). Wellies will always have a use if you're into the outdoors and have children.
In terms of gloves and the like, two pairs each is the way to go. Personally, I prefer a thinner merino wool liner glove with a nice thick mitten over the top. You dont' need to spend silly money on either - Buy online now. Don't waste your time with waterproof gloves, but maybe for the kids a waterproof mitt might stop the hands getting damp if they're mucking about in the snow. I don't know how old the kids are, but if they're still 'Santa' aged, don't forget to pin the mitts to the sleeves of their jackets, or run a bit of elastic cord across the shoulders and down the middle of the sleeves. If you've two kids, buy three pairs or even four pairs of liner gloves....stick the spares in your own pocket/bag when you go out, just in case they're particularly cold or get wet.
Something nice to pick up in Finland will be a hat for each of the kids too. You'll find Lappish style hats all over the place in winter, but Prisma will again serve you well in this regard. You'll find a Prisma or more in most large towns. Where are you travelling to by air? I presume Helsinki as there are no winter flights into Tampere this year. If you manage to get a day in Helsinki, let me know, and I'll find an address or two - Don't forget to say where in HKI you're planning on staying if so. Alternatively large towns like Kuopio and Varkaus will have similar stores and might be along your route depending on how you travel....
While you're there, pick up some pin-on reflectors for the kids and some arm-band reflectors for yourself - It's a legal requirement etc.
For clothing, consider it to be the same as a you'd need for a walk by the seaside here on a particularly cold and blustery winters day. I know it's inside the arctic circle and all that, but it's not quite icicles on your beard cold. It's a dry cold, and that makes a difference. Your kids will want to run about and play a bit I'm sure, so don't overdress them or they'll overheat. Think along the lines of thermal underwear/leggings/long-johns and vests, with lighter weight skiwear for the days outdoors and tracksuits for the indoors bit. You'll probably be surprised at how warm most indoors locations will be - The Finns are well equipped to keep the buildings warm in winter, something like 22/23C or thereabouts...I'm never too sure, but it's always too warm for me!
Now, depending on where you are and what size kit you need, I might have a few bits and pieces for your own use. Drop me a PM with your phone number and I'll see if I've anything you can use. Have you been to Finland before? It's a super place, but there's a few things to know that make it easier to deal with the people (who are mostly lovely, but sometimes seem a bit odd!)
Gil0 -
-
-
-
-
Advertisement
-
-
-
-
-
-
Advertisement
-
-
Advertisement