Going to Russia means immersing yourself in a country with amazing landscapes and sometimes extreme temperatures. Whether you visit Moscow in the middle of winter or Siberia in summer, choosing the right clothing is essential to fully enjoy your trip.
In this article, I guide you step by step to put together the ideal outfit depending on the season and the region visited, with practical tips and equipment recommendations to stay warm (or cool!) in all circumstances.
From the heat of Sochi’s beaches to the freezing wind of the Arctic Ocean and spending the Siberian winter on Baikal lake, I share with you all my tips from my own travel experiences to fully enjoy your adventure without fearing the Russian climate !
1. Why prepare well for a trip to Russia?
Russia is famous for its harsh winters (to put it mildly) and vast snow-covered landscapes. Even if you go in summer, temperatures can vary greatly depending on region and altitude. Let’s be honest, if you are poorly equipped, it can ruin your trip. Appropriate clothing is essential to:
• Stay healthy : Avoid frostbite and extreme cold. Let’s not joke about that, if you want to come back from a trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway with your 10 fingers !
• Make the most of your trip : Walk in Moscow or any Siberian town without discomfort.
2. Climates in Russia : What you need to know before you go
Russia is the largest country in the world and has an great variety of climates, ranging from the polar cold of the Arctic to the mild in european Russia to the very hot temperatures of the southern regions. Here is an overview of the climatic specificities depending on the areas you could visit :
Moscow and Saint Petersburg : moderate cold in winter
Large cities in the European part of Russia experience cold but bearable winters. Temperatures vary between -5°C and -15°C, with frequent snowfall. Winds can make you feel colder, especially in St. Petersburg (in my opinion).
Siberia : extreme temperatures
Siberia is synonymous with freezing cold. During winter, temperatures can drop to -50°C, especially in regions like Yakutsk or Oymyakon (record -72°C!). I had up (down) to -37°C in February in Neriungri (North of the BAM Railway).
Summer is short but can be surprisingly hot, with temperatures sometimes exceeding 30°C. The Taiga has been burning every summer for several years without making headline news in Europe.
Murmansk (Kola Peninsula) : polar nights and Arctic winds
In the Murmansk region, located beyond the Arctic Circle, winter is marked by polar nights, where the sun does not rise for several weeks. The cold is amplified by an icy wind coming from the Arctic. Be prepared with windproof clothing and insulating layers, even the rest of the year: I went there twice, in winter 2015 and autumn 2024, it’s cool no matter the season.
Karelia : lots of rain and a humid climate
Karelia, located in the northwest of Russia, is known for its forests and lakes. If the winters are cold, it is especially in summer and autumn that there is abundant precipitation. Bring waterproof clothing and shoes to explore the region while staying dry. It rained about half the week I was there last autumn.
The Caucasus and its high mountains : unpredictable temperatures
In mountainous areas of the Caucasus such as around Elbrus, Dombai and Krasnaya Polyana (Sochi), temperatures can drop quickly, even in midsummer. If you plan to hike, bring clothing suitable for varying conditions : heat in the valley, cold and strong winds at altitude.
3. The essentials to wear for the Russian winter : onion layering method
N°1 – Base layers : thermal underwears
The first layer should retain body heat. Choose :
• Base layers made from merino wool or insulating synthetic materials.
• Thermal tights to protect your legs.
N°2 – Middle layers : wool or fleece sweaters
This layer acts as an additional barrier against the cold :
• Prefer wool sweaters or breathable fleeces.
• Avoid cotton materials, which absorb moisture which makes you feel cold.
N°3 – The outer layer : softshell jackets and parkas
Invest in a good winter coat, ideally :
• A parka padded with natural down feathers.
• With a hood to protect your head.
• A fur hood trim (synthetic or not) really helps to cut off wind whipping into your face.
4. Essential accessories to protect yourself from the cold
Hat, scarf and gloves : how to choose ?
• Prefer a wool or fleece hat that covers your ears well.
• A thick woolen scarf can protect your neck and face.
• Prefer gloves lined with wool or mittens for better thermal insulation (ski gloves/mittens).
• A buff to hide the nose
• Replace the hat with a local chapka and the scarf with a Russian platok (scarf) made in Pavlovsky Passad, it will make great souvenirs to bring back from Russia !
Shoes suitable for snow and ice
• Choose waterproof boots or ankle boots with a good grip.
• Wear wool socks to keep your feet warm.
• Add aluminum insoles which insulate against the cold coming from the ground.
I had Timberland boots in Siberia, the snow is “dry” since it’s -30°C; Unless you have ice spikes under the soles of your shoes, you will inevitably fall at least once on a frozen sidewalk.
Source : https://transformsiberia.wordpress.com/
Tips for keeping your feet and hands warm
• Avoid shoes that are too tight for better blood circulation.
• The wool socks sold by babushkas on the markets or streets are simply great, just wear them with a good pair of shoes not too tight and I promise your feet will be warm all day long.
• Bring foot warmers to slip into your shoes, just in case.
5. Tips for other seasons : Spring, summer, autumn
What to wear in Russia in summer to stay comfortable?
• Summer can be hot in cities like Moscow, Kazan or in more southern Elista (I had more than 40°C in the steppes of Kalmykia with a scorching wind in August), but also in Siberia (reason why the Yakutian Taigai is on fire every summer). Choose light clothing but keep a windproof jacket.
• Bring comfortable shoes for walking, especially if you visit national parks and mountains (hiking/trail shoes mandatory).
• Take waterproof shoes, a rain jacket or an umbrella if you visit Saint Petersburg even in summer. Every time I go there, it rains half the time …
Clothing in autumn and spring
• These seasons are marked by variable and sometimes rainy temperatures in European Russia.
• Wear clothing in adjustable layers.
• A raincoat or windproof jacket is essential.
• Be careful, autumn arrives quickly in the North of Russia. Above the Arctic Circle, it begins in September. I had felt temperatures of -6°C outside of Murmansk at the beginning of October.
6. What to wear in the Muslim regions of the Caucasus
The North Caucasus, which includes republics like Dagestan, Chechnya, and Ingushetia, is a predominantly Muslim region where cultural norms also influence clothing choices. Here are some tips for respecting local traditions while remaining comfortable during your trip:
Adapt your outfit to local customs
• Women :
Prefer modest clothing that covers the shoulders, arms and legs. A long dress, loose skirt or trousers (pants) combined with a non-tight top will be ideal especially in Chechnya.
Carry a scarf to cover your hair if you visit religious places like mosques. The rest of the time you don’t need it. The North Caucasus is not Iran, absolutely not mandatory.
Personally, I wear scarves all year round, they cut out the wind, the sun, etc., I always have one in my backpack.
• Men :
Choose long trousers (pants) and do not wear shorts. Cover your tattoos.
Outfit suitable for the mountains and the climate
• If you go to mountainous areas like around the Elbrus:
Prepare for rapid temperature changes, even in summer. (See photo: it was 25°C at the bottom of the Elbrus cable car and below zero halfway to the highest station. Pouring down rain in Adygea).
• Pack flexible technical clothing, keeping local standards in mind.
• Hiking in shorts in the Chechen mountains is a no-go!
Important for religious places
• Mosques and mausoleums have strict dress codes. Women must cover their hair and arms, while men must wear long clothing.
• Remove your shoes before entering a mosque.
• In Russian Orthodox churches women must cover their hair with a scarf and wear a long skirt (often provided at the entrance); men must remove their hat.
7. Where to buy your clothes for a trip to Russia?
Of course, the choice of shapes, materials, brands, etc. is very personal depending on your preferences and budget, but I have listed brands that I have tested during my travels and really like. I believe the idea of “buying cheap is buying twice”, so I usually buy better quality but I keep the clothes and gears for many years. I prefer natural materials and made in Europe as much as possible, but once again it’s a very personal choice.
Example: my North Face jacket I have for some 6 years, long-sleeved t-shirt/merino + silk underwear that I wear even in winter in France as I’m quite sensitive to the cold, hiking shoes that I wear all year round etc.
Brands and stores that I recommend
• Décathlon for affordable equipment : there are walking shoes, windproof jackets, hats and gloves with good value for money if you don’t want to spend too much on clothes that you might not wear much after your Russian trip. I’ve had Decathlon ski mittens for years, perfect in Siberia in the middle of winter with under gloves.
• Alpiniste/Bergfreunde (the store might have another name in your country) for technical clothing (thermal underwear, windproof jacket, winter parka) of very good quality: there are regular promotions.
• North Face for a very practical windproof and waterproof 3-season jacket with integrated fleece that can be easily removed.
• Engel for merino underwear made in Germany, without muesling. I find the quality top notch. Ladies, if you have the budget, Oscalito makes ultra feminine wool + silk underwear and jumpers/sweaters, it’s 3 in 1: super comfortable, warm and really pretty if you need to be more dressed up in town . The quality made in Italy is just incredible (I take size 4 = 38 French size).
•.Verjari (it’s a french brand) for waterproof and windproof hats and gloves. I have a hat from this brand that I can’t live without. I was so happy to have it for hiking on the shores of the Barents Sea last October.
• Uniqlo for ultra-light down jackets to wear as a mid-season jacket or to add under a windbreaker. The +: it fits in a small carrying compact pouch. I almost always have mine in my backpack. There are very similar ones at Decathlon, less compact though, my mother has one which she is very happy with.
• Wool jumpers : Scandinavian brands like Bergans (I have one in 450 g/m² merino that I adore), Dale of Norway, Fjällräven or think of Irish jumpers that might be easier to wear back at home : Inis Meain , Aran Woolen Mills etc.
• Synthetic fleece : Columbia has good value for money or Patagonia if you have the budget for it.
• Wool socks : I buy mine from Bleu fôret (French brand) but alpaca, cashmere and other merino wools are great.
• Ski/winter pants : ski pants, even purchased at Decathlon, with a merino base layer do the trick at -35°C. Brands like Fusalp et Rossignol make skinny ski pants much more flattering for women.
• Parka/softshell jacket : Choose a parka with a hood (the fur adds a real wind breaker to keep your face out the cold) mid-length or long, i.e. something that covers the thighs (I found that mine was not not long enough when I was in Siberia in winter) with natural down feathers. You can find very good winter parkas in the West, once again choose a Scandinavian brands if you have the budget.
• For the summer in the Caucasus, ladies, I recommend silk shirts or blouses which really block the heat of the sun or linen : it covering, loose but great even when it’s very hot.
Other tips for buying your clothes
• Search on Vinted, a famous second-hand platform: I found brand new items from big brands at super low prices : windbreaker jacket, merino base layers, winter parka. Search directly for the brands that interest you in the filters.
• Why not buy a good winter coat directly in Russia when you arrive? To get an idea of prices and styles take a look on this website. Mind that it’s not necessarily cheaper than in Europe/the West.
• Famous Western brands like Canada Goose or Fjällräven have a strong “tourist” connotation in Russia. But after all, the main thing is to be warm and in the end, we are tourists.
• Buy wool socks directly at the market or from the babushkas who sell them on the streets, they are very warm.
• Add aluminum insoles in your shoes to block the cold from the ground.
• Consider buying your parka/coat out of season : there are sometimes great sales in the middle of July on parkas from the past collections. The same goes for merino sweaters and base layers.
• Do not necessarily rely on the “minimum temperatures” recommended in the clothing descriptions : a -15°C parka with good merino base layers + a big wool jumper will do the job very well at -30°C because you probably always going to be on the move. You don’t need to buy one of those “extreme cold” coat for 1500€.
My equipment during my autumn trip to the Kola Peninsula (between +5°C and -6°C and windy) + prices
To get an idea of what to take and the prices, here is my everyday outfit in the Kola Peninsula at the beginning of October 2024 when temperatures varied between +5°C and -6°C during the day with wind or rain. : I spent most of my time outside and I never felt cold. Note: I buy a lot out-of-season, when there are discounts and on Vinted.
To give you an idea of prices and where I purchased my equipment :
• North Face Triclimate 3-in-1 jacket bought for around €160 years ago on Amazon and on sale. Équivalent
• Decathlon thermal tights from my wardrobe. Equivalent at 6€50
• Engel wool and silk thermal t-shirt €40 on sale (July sales) on Alpiniste
• Oscalito wool and silk tank top €40 new on Vinted. Equivalent
• Bergans wool jumper €115 on sale (July sales) on Alpiniste. Equivalent
• Thin wool socks from my closet. Equivalent
• Paladium waterproof boots bought last year for €60 new on Vinted. Equivalent
• Verjari waterproof and windproof hat, found new on Vinted for €8. Equivalent
• Fleece gloves that I have had for years. No idea what brand or price, but I would favor waterproof/windproof gloves for a similar trip in the future.
+ my everyday trousers over thermal tights.
In case I had to add layers, I brought my old pair of ski mittens, my ultra light down Uniqlo jacket and aluminum insoles bought on Amazon for some 10€.
8. FAQ : Questions about clothing for a trip to Russia
Do you really need to invest in a specific coat for Russia?
Yes, especially if you are traveling in winter. A suitable coat will make all the difference to your comfort and safety.
Are classic winter shoes enough for Siberia?
Yes and no. It is preferable to choose boots or ankle boots specifically designed for the cold, lined with natural wool if possible and good grip (you probably going to fall anyway). Make sure your shoes are not too tight, that your feet have room in your wool socks. I really advise you to add extra aluminium or wool insoles. No need to buy big après-ski boots like Moon boots or Caribou Sorel.
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