5 Tips for Dressing for Cold Weather Football Games

Cheering at a live football game can be a thrilling experience, but cold weather can quickly put a damper on any fan's enthusiasm. Toward the end of the football season, temperatures can dip well below freezing. Unless fans dress properly for the game, they won't be able to survive all four quarters. Those who are concerned about making a fashion statement at the game may be more comfortable watching in a cozy sports bar.

 

1. Keep Extremities Warm

When the body's temperature drops, the body focuses on keeping the torso warm. This means that less blood flows to the extremities: the hands, feet, and head. These areas need extra attention in order to prevent frostbite.

Hands

Mittens are better than gloves for keeping the hands warm because gloves separate the fingers. Although lined ski gloves are not as warm as mittens, they may be a better choice for fans who want the flexibility of using all 10 digits. It is a good idea to keep a packet of hand warmers in your pocket just in case the gloves or mittens just aren't getting the job done.

Feet

Hiking boots are the best choice for foot warmth. Fans should wear at least two layers of socks. Wool is the best fabric for trapping heat, but it can be itchy. Fans who find wool annoying can wear a thinner, softer sock underneath the wool sock or opt for a brand such as SmartWool that is not itchy.

Head

A winter hat, as opposed to a baseball cap, is essential for keeping warm, since most of the body's heat exits through the head. The material should be thick enough to retain heat, and the hat should be long enough to comfortably cover the ears.

 

2. Wear Layers

Throughout the course of the game, a fan can expect to experience a variety of temperatures. At the beginning, the sun may be shining. By the end, the temperature may have dropped 15 degrees. A fan needs to layer clothing in order to be prepared. Thermal long underwear is a good inner layer for both top and bottom. Over that, the fan should wear a long-sleeved T-shirt, a sweater or sweatshirt, and then a heavy coat. On the bottom, over a layer of thermal underwear, running tights, or leggings, the fan should wear heavy pants.

 

3. Prioritize the Inner Layer

Most fans focus on the outer layer, wearing warm coats and jackets. While a heavy coat is important, the inner layer insulates the body and actually does more to trap heat, so do not neglect wearing something warm against your body. The bottom layer does not have to be bulky, depending on the type of fabric chosen.

 

4. Choose Warm Fabrics

The type of fabric you choose can make a big difference, especially for the bottom clothing layer. Avoid cotton fabrics because they are notoriously bad at trapping heat. There are better alternatives for a first layer.

Fabric	Advantages	Disadvantages
Wool	Naturally wicks away moisture Retains heat extremely well	Can be itchy and expensive
Polypropylene	Wicks away moisture Fairly inexpensive	Doesn't trap heat as well as wool Works best when wearer is active
Silk	Very comfortable Thin Works best when wearer is stationary	Expensive

Denim is a common choice for cold weather, but it is actually not the best fabric for cold weather. Denim is a cotton material, so it holds moisture and does not trap heat. Plus, if it gets soaked by snow or rain, it takes a long time to dry. Fans should consider wearing corduroys instead.

 

5. Supplement Clothing with Warm Drinks

A fan can easily get dehydrated in the cold weather. It is best to come to a game with a good supply of water. If the stadium allows it, a fan should also bring a thermos of hot cocoa, tea, or coffee. This can work wonders in maintaining a toasty body temperature.

 

How to Buy Warm Clothing on Nordtrom

It doesn't have to cost a fortune to prepare for a football game. Using the reliable sellers on Nordstrom coupon code 20% off, you can get affordable clothing so you can save your money for good seats at the game. To get started, locate the eBay search box and type in "ski gloves" or "hiking boots." Narrow the search results by specifying brand, size, or color, and look at both the new and used inventory if you want to find the best deals.