Planning a trip to Athens in America this winter holiday and wondering what to wear in Boston in winter? Look no further! Due to Boston’s immense intellectual knowledge and influence, it was given the said title by William Tudor. Fun fact – United States’ first chocolate factory was opened in Dorchester, Boston by Walter Baker as early as 1765. 

The city is very well known for its educational institutions, work opportunities as well as places of historical and cultural significance. The city famous for Red Sox, might not be as renowned as MA’s neighbor (New York) but if one is visiting the east coast then spare a few days to make the most out of Boston! Read on to know about the best time to visit the place along with packing tips and what to wear in Boston. 

Let's start with the basics!

Where is Boston located?

Boston is officially known as the ‘City of Boston’. It is the capital of the state of Massachusetts (MA), the most populous city in New England. New England is a region comprising six northeastern states in the US. 

Boston in Winter

To those well versed in history, Boston rings many bells as the Boston Tea Party, Boston Massacre, battle of Bunker Hill, and the siege of Boston are key events that the city witnesses concerning American history. Boston sees an annual recreation of the Boston Tea Party on 16th December.

Massachusetts shares its borders with Vermont and New Hampshire in the north, Rhode Island and Connecticut in the south and New York in the west. 

Boston has four main seasons: Spring, summer, fall, and winter. 

• Spring- This season is typically seen in the months from March to May, it gets extended to the first few weeks of June. The range of temperature during this season is from 10 degrees Celsius to 16 degrees Celsius.
• Summer- The summer in the city starts in the second half of June and extends till August. Summers in Boston are warm and sunny with average temperatures of 26 degrees to 27 degrees Celsius.
• Fall – Boston experiences fall in September, October, and November. The average temperature seen during this season is approximately 11 degrees Celsius. 
• Winter – The winter season in Boston starts in December and lasts till the first few weeks of March. It is characterized by cold temperatures and the potential expectation of snow during the months mentioned. Boston winter has a habit of being unexpected even to the Boston public.

Average winter temperatures in Boston

First winter in Boston? Don’t worry, it’s not very extreme. There is a potential for snowfall from December to March. The average temperature in winter reaches 0 degrees Celsius. Boston also experiences a frequent drop in temperatures that may become as cold as – 15 degrees Celsius. January is the coldest month in Boston with an average temperature of – 5.5 degrees Celsius. Due to the proximity to a waterbody, the winter in the city is not very extreme making it a great time for a visit.

Boston in winter activities guide 

Paying a visit to Boston this winter? Make sure you have a gala time! Keep in mind that there are numerous places to see so plan the schedule accordingly. Carry a Boston tourism book or take a guide along for making proper use of your time. 

Travel to Boston in Winter

For the adventurous lot, it is highly recommended that you make the most out of the snow. Go ice skating, snow hiking, skiing, and all kinds of sports. Boston has its very own pond area known as the Boston Common Frog Pond which will let you enjoy all of these snow activities. It has events like ice skating, skating shows and even skating classes for beginners. If you end up visiting the pond during noon, do relax by the splash pool (it could be frozen during peak winter time).

The common pond also offers other activities like the tadpole playground, swan boats, Boston common carousel, and much more.For some indoor past-times to escape the cold weather, visit the Prudential Center which is Boston’s enclosed shopping mall. It is here that you find your good old brands like Barnes and Noble, Ralph Lauren, Lacoste, and much more. The mall timings are from 11 am to 9 pm from Monday to Saturday and from 11 am to 6 pm on Sundays. Newbury Street is one of the places that offers great local shopping and delicious food. 

The Brattle Theatre is also a great place to see. It is located near Harvard Square in Cambridge which comes under the Boston metropolitan area. Interestingly it is the only independent cinema operated in the city of Cambridge. It is run by a non-profit called Brattle Film Foundation and is known to be the frontrunner in classic, cult, and international, independent cinema! 

Boston in Winter

Next in line would be the Skywalk Observatory. It is one of the highest observation areas for tourists and locals to get the best view of the city of Boston. Don’t forget to click that upload-worthy photo from here!  Boston Harbour is where the historical Boston Tea Party took place. It is a natural harbor and estuary in Massachusetts. This place is where The Port of Boston is located. 

The Port of Boston is a major shipping area in the States. There are several tourist attractions when it comes to the Boston waterfront. Plenty of specialized museums, aquariums, an Institute for Contemporary Art, etc. All of these hold great historical importance and are often visited by lovers of American history. Another thing to do in Boston for a lover of history would be The Freedom Trail. This trail covers 16 locations that are very significant to USA’s history. 

The Boston coastline is usually favorable for sailing and racing. Boston frostbite sailing takes place in November. Boston sailing is a great sport for someone interested in yacht racing or even in spectating the racing. You can know more about frostbite sailing near Boston’s Logan Airport. The months from April to October are also famous for whale watching. 

Treat your eyes and your Instagram feeds and please stop by the Boston Opera House. Boston takes pride in having The Citizens Bank Opera House right in the city at 539 Washington Street. Catch a gorgeous Broadway musical, ballet performances, touring Broadway, concerts, and other shows of great cultural importance.

It is also necessary that you indulge in some chocolate eating! Mexico’s stone ground and organic Taza chocolate had its rights reserved but it is now not too far from Boston. Headquartered in Somerville, the Taza chocolate factory should be a stop too! The tours of the factory may be shut down temporarily due to the covid restrictions. Fret not, the shipping is available and free across the states! If you dislike the extra sweet chocolates and prefer the subtle taste of the product, Taza is the correct fit for you. It is a definite healthier alternative that is 100% organic. What else can one ask for?

Boston Winter Packing List

Puffer Jackets and Parkas

For a winter visit to ‘Athens of USA’, it is key to stay warm and comfortable during the entire trip. There are numerous things to be taken care of before getting ready for the actual journey.

Woolen Jacket for Winter

For a winter that reaches low temperatures of -15 degrees Celsius, solid outerwear is necessary. Parkas and puffer jackets are the correct fit for this kind of synthetic insulation requirement.

Kosha’s normal and fleece-lined puffer jackets are snow, water, and wind-resistant. The normal puffer jacket can be worn from 15 degrees Celsius to 5 degrees Celsius. 

The fleece-lined puffer jacket gives additional insulation and can be worn in temperatures of 10 degrees Celsius and below. Both these jackets can be worn in lower temperatures with proper base layers.

You can check out warm jackets for men here | Warm jackets for women here.

Sweaters and Pullovers

One can never go wrong with classic sweaters and sweatshirts or even wool coats. In a city like Boston, if the intention is to be casual whilst being comfortable, definitely go for this kind of winter gear. Kosha’s sweaters are made from merino wool which is an added benefit as it keeps the sweater soft. 

Sweaters and Pullovers for women

The sweaters have ribbed cuffs and bottom hems for extra comfort. Cuffs and hem also make sure that no chilly wind enters through the gaps. The men’s sweaters are reversible and available in dual colors. Depending upon one’s resistance to cold, these can be worn in temperatures from 5 degrees Celsius to 15 degrees Celsius extending up to -5 degrees Celsius if worn with the necessary base layers.

You can check out warm woolen sweaters for men here | Warm woolen sweaters for women here

Sweatshirts are your go-to if you want to have that effortless winter look. They can be worn in a wide range of temperatures- From 25 degrees Celsius to 10 degrees Celsius. This range can further be extended to temperatures as low as -5 degrees Celsius if compatible base layers are worn. Depending on one’s body resistance, Kosha’s sweatshirts have utility and flexibility. For all the environmentally-conscious individuals, (super proud of you) these sweatshirts are made from 100% organic cotton.

Now be warm and comfortable effortlessly while doing your part as a sustainable user, what more does one want? Kosha’s pullovers are made from a highly durable material known as Supima cotton which means supreme quality Pima cotton. These pullovers are versatile and can be used for any occasion be it a casual morning stroll or a Friday night hangout! 

They are suitable to wear in a temperature range of 10 degrees Celsius to 20 degrees Celsius.

You can check out stylish pullovers for men here | Pullovers for women here.

Baselayers 

Inspired by the request of a client visiting NYC, Kosha later came up with its range of Base layers. This winter apparel; being one of the most important, is interestingly not known by most people. 

Woolen Thermals

Baselayers from the innermost layer of winter garments for your body. As a result, they are in constant contact with your skin. They perform the key function of not letting your body heat escape simultaneously while not letting any windy chills enter. 

Due to these reasons, one must buy the perfect base layer for themselves. Made from a combination of merino wool and bamboo, these base layers make a great winter garment.

You can check out Merino wool thermals for men here | Merino wool thermals for women here.

Woolen bottoms - Snow Pants

When in snow, is it natural that one will participate in many snow-related activities like skiing, snow hiking, and maybe even snow fights? It would be wrong to let such an opportunity pass which is why it is key that one prepares by looking into the various kinds of winter pants. Kosha has merino bamboo thermal pants which are durable, anti-odor, and moisture-wicking.

Waterproof Ski Pants

Kosha’s range of ski pants is waterproof making them ideal snow wear. These ski pants are made with breathable nylon material and can be worn from 15 degrees Celsius to 5 degrees Celsius. With proper base layers, these can be worn in a colder climate where the temperature might be as low as -5 degrees Celsius.

You can check out Merino wool thermal bottoms for men here | Merino wool thermal bottoms for women here

You can check out ski pants for men here | Ski pants for women here

Warm accessories

Accessories make for a key part of winter outfits. We often consider them as add-ons or optional winter gears but the accessories have a chief function when it comes to providing insulation. 

All-weather Accessories

The frequently exposed areas of the body like the neck region, hands, ears, etc. should ideally be kept covered for overall warmth. These accessories guarantee just that! Scarves and mufflers make sure that the neck is protected from the chilly winds that Boston is renowned for. 

You can check out Scarves for Men here | Scarves for Women here.

Winter gloves protect the hands from windy cold weather and snow, they also provide grip in most cases.

You can check out gloves for men here | Gloves for women here.

Beanies cover the head and also the ears if worn correctly. It is just an additional benefit that they are the most photogenic of winter gear.

You can check out Beanies for men here | Beanies for women here.

Warm Shoes or Snow Boots

In winter, shoes perform the most important function. Depending upon the purpose of the visit, one has to make sure that the footwear they carry is adequately durable. One has to have shoes or boots made of great quality that provide proper grip, especially in snowy regions. 

For making the most out of visiting Boston in winter, make sure you carry quality footwear. Check these options while you are at it!

You can check out winter boots for men here | Winter boots for women here.

Warm socks 

Next in line after the shoes would be the wool socks when it comes to utility and importance. The kind of socks you carry determines whether you will get a shoe bite, a blister, or even a foot odor! 

Merino Wool Socks

Kosha’s no-blister socks are made of soft material, they ensure an odor-free experience for the user. With additional benefits like cushioned pressure points near the heels and toes, breathable body-mapped mesh, and arch support, these socks make the perfect fit for any requirement!

You can check out winter socks for men here | Winter socks for women here.

Importance of layering in Boston in winter

As the chilly embrace of winter settles over Boston, mastering the art of layering becomes more than just a fashion choice; it's a vital strategy for staying comfortable and protected in the face of plummeting temperatures and unpredictable weather. Layering isn't just about piling on clothes; it's a thoughtful approach that combines functionality and style to ensure you're prepared.

1. Adaptability to Fluctuating Weather

Boston's winter weather can be as varied as its history. One day might bring a biting cold, while the next could surprise you with a milder spell. By layering, you can easily adjust your clothing to accommodate these fluctuations. Adding or removing layers allows you to regulate your body temperature as needed, ensuring comfort throughout the day.

2. Effective Insulation

Layering creates multiple pockets of air between the clothing layers. These pockets act as natural insulators, trapping your body heat and forming a barrier against the cold. This insulation is especially crucial in Boston's winter, where wind chill can make the temperature feel even colder than it is.

3. Moisture Management

As you navigate through Boston's winter streets, your body generates heat and moisture. Proper layering helps manage this moisture by wicking sweat away from your skin and allowing it to evaporate. Moisture-wicking base layers prevent that uncomfortable dampness that can lead to feeling cold and chilled.

4. Protection Against Wind and Precipitation

Layering includes a protective outer shell that shields you from the wind, rain, and snow that Boston's winter often brings. This outer layer acts as a barrier, preventing cold air from penetrating while allowing you to shed layers indoors without compromising your comfort.

Sizing and Fit Considerations

When it comes to winter layering, achieving the right balance between warmth, mobility, and comfort is essential. Choosing clothing that fits well and allows for layering can make a significant difference in your overall experience during cold weather.

Tips for choosing clothing that provides both warmth and mobility

Here are some tips to help you navigate sizing and fit considerations for effective winter layering:

• Choose a Base Layer that Fits Snugly

Your base layer should fit close to your skin without being too tight. A snug fit helps facilitate moisture-wicking and prevents cold air from seeping in. However, ensure that it's not overly restrictive, as this can hamper blood circulation and limit mobility.

• Opt for a Relaxed Fit Middle Layer

When selecting an insulating layer, like a fleece or down jacket, go for a slightly relaxed fit. This allows for better air circulation, which enhances insulation. A too-tight middle layer might compress the insulating material, reducing its effectiveness.

•  Consider Adjustable Features

  Look for clothing with adjustable features like drawstrings, Velcro tabs, or elastic cuffs. These adjustments enable you to customize the fit according to your body shape and the thickness of your layers.

Boston

FAQs

To get more answers to your questions, keep reading the frequently asked questions below:

What shoes to wear in Boston in winter?

Search for waterproof boots with laces that extend past your ankles and thick soles with lots of treads. Keep in mind that you may wish to go up a half size if you intend to pair your boots with thick socks, with Merino wool being highly recommended.

What pants to wear in Boston winter?

You can wear any pair of pants you choose if your coat reaches your calves. If not, you should try lined pants, which are just what they sound like sweatpants inside of pants.

What's winter like in Boston?

Although regions further inland will be colder, winters are often less severe on the coast, with high temperatures averaging above freezing even in January. Pack your bulky coat, cap, and possibly a pair of boots.

What time of year does it snow in Boston?

The first major snowfall in Boston normally occurs between November and December. Typically, the first winter snowfall in Boston occurs in December. Typically, the final snowfall of the season occurs around March. In the past, Boston has experienced around a half-inch of snow on average in October, November, and April. However, those months typically don't have any snow.

What kind of coat is best for Boston weather?

Solid apparel is required for winter when the low-temperature drops to -15 degrees Celsius. The best clothing for this kind of synthetic insulation need is parkas and puffy coats. Normal and fleece-lined puffer jackets from Kosha are resistant to wind, snow, and water.

Conclusion

One should decide on the layers to carry depending upon one's resistance to cold. For someone used to Indian weather conditions, Boston’s winter may come off as extra cold with all the snow. Make sure you carry compatible winter coats and accessories that go well with the purpose of your visit.Base layers are recommended for winter wear.

Kosha’s collection of base layers can be used as the innermost layer and be paired with mid-layers and outer layers during extreme cold. In the case of a comparatively pleasant winter, base layers can be worn as normal, casual outfits. Kosha has base layers in the form of jogging pants, hoodies, pullovers, etc., and other kinds of subtle winter wear.

Have a look at Kosha’s on-the-go collection of base layers that are the perfect fit for that effortless winter look in the streets of Boston. Numerous things should be taken into consideration before planning a trip especially if you are visiting the city for the first time. A free tip would be to plan a proper schedule to get great package deals when it comes to bookings for hotels and airlines.

 According to your time and purpose of visit, carry the necessary winter apparel. Visit Kosha’s website or pay a visit to the Kosha store in Mumbai (Khar West) to get an idea of the wide range of winter products offered.  Check out the website here!