How should I dress in Toronto/Montreal/Canada in December?

Question

I have never been Canada. I will be in Toronto & Montreal in December. I live in Houston and it is pretty hot here usually. I will need to buy some winter clothes for my trip. What should I pack? Planning to go around in town during daytime and go out at night.
Long Johns?

Answer 1

no long johns necessary in December, but regular long pants, and bring long sleeve shirts and bring a sweatshirt, or wool sweater if you can get one there and some kind of jacket to last until you get a winter coat here. You can always buy a sweatshirt here too, even at the airport, but its good to have one with you on the airplane. It may be best to get a winter coat here, because we have more selection and more suitable ones for our climate. Get a coat where the zipper zips right up the collar, so it can keep the cold wind out from blowing on your neck and down into your coat. You can get a warm toque (hat) and scarf at any dollar store or department store, but if the weather is mild, any hat may help retain your body heat and keep you warm. Blue jeans are actually not warm compared to other pants, and you will not need "snow pants" either, unless you're going skiing, snowboarding or skidoing all day long. Corduroy pants are warm and much more comfortable than long-johns. If you're going around places in the city, its best to have just one sweatshirt or sweater on, plus your coat which you can open up when you're indoors so that you won't sweat too much. Also, some lightweight coats keep warm as well as, or even better than heavy ones ! I've found that natural insulation coats (down, feather, wool...) keep me very very comfortably warm in the cold and don't make me sweat too much when I'm indoors, but I tried a man-made high-tech insulated coat that makes me feel luke-warm in any cold weather, even up to - 35 Celsius, but sweat like a furnace boiler when I go indoors (shopping mall etc). Natural material insulators are better. Also, "arctic fleece" (polyester) things keep you warm, but a strong cold wind goes right through.

Its not good to wear suede shoes or "running shoes" with cloth uppers, because if there is snow, it will stick to your shoes and melt and make your feet very cold and wet.
If you're visiting for a short time, you can get inexpensive snow boots at a Canadian location of Walmart or Sears or Zellers. IF we get snow, the city government puts salt on the streets and sidewalks, and it will damage your good shoes, so, its good to have some shoes you could "sacrifice" or you'll have to get rubber overshoes (not too popular anymore), or just get some basic winter boots. Leather is the best because it "breathes" and your feet won't sweat too much. Waterproof vinyl or rubber boots can make your feet sweat, and that will conduct your body heat away and make your feet cold. There are some silicone sprays availbale "Tana" brand or any, that will help protect your leather shoes or boots from moisture penetration and salt damage. Within the city, many people just wear shoes most of the time, and only wear boots if there is a lot of snow.

You can always check the weather here on the weather website, http://www.theweathernetwork.com

Welcome to Canada !:)

Answer 2

Temperature In Montreal In December

Answer 3

Warmly. Good winter jacket, mitts or & gloves Toque or suitable hat to keep your ears warm, boots, warm socks. & a scarf. This past week Toronto was warm enough but over night that can change. Montreal was cold & storm. Manitoba tonight we're going down to 25 below with a wind. Long johns definitely if you must go out. Only life threatening occurance would get outside this door. Still winter is beautiful & will definitely be a change for you. Welcome & enjoy.

Answer 4

Toronto is only -1oC today with no snow. I don't know for the rest of the month of December.
I suggest a really warm winter coat. Yes, with long johns. You need warm socks, gloves, mittens, scarf, and warm hat. you will also need some warm sweater and warm pants and upper underwear.
Luckily though we haven't seen snow yet up to now. We are still waiting for it. Those clothes suggestions are just for the really cold days, in case it gets really cold. Sometimes temperature drops all of a sudden.
Welcome to Canada!!!!

Answer 5

No, no long johns unless you plan some major outdoor stuff like skiing or toboganning! But for going around the city, you will definitely need a very warm coat, scarf, hat (we call them "tuques" - pronounced tooooks), and warm gloves or mittens. Today it is freeeeezing cold! If you're coming anytime soon be prepared for blustery weather.

Also, warm footwear is a great idea.

Answer 6

Gloves and boots rated for -20 below, warm coat, hat, scarf, sweaters, warm socks, Long john yes! Be ready for anything we are having a cool winter with lots of snow.

Answer 7

I don't think that it's been said in other posts that you should make sure your shoes have good traction. I'd take good traction on icy streets over a coat, any day!

It could be not snowing/cold in December but even rainy, so a travel umbrella isn't a bad idea.

Answer 8

ok all you need(im from canada)is a good winter jacket,3 or 4 jeans a worm shoe like a boot hat,scarf,mittsand a sweater

Answer 9

It is windy and freezing cold. A heavy winter jacket, gloves, hat and a scarf are necessary. Also, have chapstick for your chapped lips. If you have a heavy wool jacket you will probably only need long john bottoms. Try to leave as little of your skin exposed as possible.

Answer 10

Actually it's not that bad in December. You might need two laers of pants, warm socks, boots, a jacket with lining, sweater. Yeah, it's cold. Luckily not unbearable yet.