Clothing for Norway

[shaynemawer]

Hi all, we are going to Norway end of November into December with Oslo, Tromso and Bergen the destinations. Just sorting out clothing for Tromso really as know the weather can be very cold and we are there 7 nights. Now we have sorted 100% merino wool base layer and know its key to layer up. I have a decent down jacket and water proof jacket, what i am struggling with is a decent pair of trousers. I don't wont ski trouser if i can help it, I'd rather have a decent walking type thermal trousers that i can then use for football etc. Anyone have any recommendations please ?.

 

[shaynemawer]

We have a northern lights chase booked, but we get provided the suits etc for that.
Also have a reindeer and Sami visit, so will need warm clothing.
Plus, we have a hire vehicle and if the weather allows and isn't too bad. We will be venturing of at night on our own northern lights chase. So again, clothing for potential cold weather.

 

[shaynemawer]

I was there between Christmas and NY in 2022 in Tromso. It was very cold (and unbelievably dark, even during the day) The suits they provide for the activities are superb though, just wear normal stuff underneath, they keep you really warm. They are big enough to fit a down jacket underneath but you likely won’t need to. They give you good boots too.
Walking about during the day in jeans with a jumper and down jacket was fine. Night time ok too as restaurants and bars etc are all heated. The only time I was properly cold was a northern lights bus tour where we got out and waited for the sky to do its thing.
I’ve done multi day hikes in the past, mountain stuff (Kilimanjaro and Mont Blanc) and didn’t take any of that gear I used up there. In hindsight if I were to do it again I’d take a merino base top and leggings for the NL tour but that’s all I’d change. IMO you definitely don’t need ski pants or over trousers.
Footwear wise I took a pair of Air Force one high goretex, the “winterized” edition with the rugged sole and they were perfect. Again I don’t think you need proper boots.

Take plenty money with you though and some heart medication for when you see the food bills in restaurants

yeah, seen the food prices and not lucking forward to that part. We do have an AirBnb booked for Tromso so at least we will cook a few meals. Its if we go self driving later at night that am more bothered in making sure we have decent clothing as you say, can be very cold waiting.
Footware wise i have a decent pair of Vans with sherpa lining if the weather isnt too bad, but if it is i bought a pair of Animal boots last year that was super cheap £20, there waterproof, have a vibram sole and 200g primaloft. kept my feet toasty last winter. so with a decent pair of socks should do the trick.

 

[shaynemawer]

Seems to be a fine line of what to wear and purchase without over killing it. I'll have merino base layer and got some thin merino wool jumpers etc all ready. Think i'll end up getting some winter lined walking trousers that i can then reuse at football/Cadwell Park when it's cold.

Had looked at the Craghoppers Kiwi Pro II Lined Trousers the other day so there a shout, also seen on Decathlon something like this https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men's...sh100/_/R-p-311858?mc=8558721&c=graphite+grey or https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s...untain/_/R-p-324677?mc=8582600&c=smoked black

During the day don't think i'll be too bad, it's at night if we go for a drive in search of the lights and stop somewhere remote. Guessing it'll be very cold then.

 

[shaynemawer]

wont be doing no hiking, but depending on weather and cloud cover. Will be going for late night drives away from Tromso and into the countryside to help find the northern lights.

 

[shaynemawer]

well, not really spent much after the advice i've got. Ordered my self some merino wool base layers, couple of pairs of merino socks, merino thin jumper and picked up some Peter Storm & Quechua insulated walking trousers. That'll go with the clothes i already have, then at least that way i'll use everything after the holidays.

 

[shaynemawer]

Might have to see what the weather brings, we did leave a few days spare on our itinerary so we maybe able to sneak in a dog sledding trip, Our groups main preference, apart from northern lights hunt trip was the reindeer sledding and Sami experience.