Winter in the NorthEast...must haves?

We survived our Christmas trip north last year with breathable layers for the whole body.

I like to have my neck well covered in cold weather, so turtlenecks and/or a high neck half-zip pullover in addition to a scarf were musts.

Long johns or tights for under jeans, especially when walking the dogs.

Layers really are the best. You can even layer in boots, or have liners that can be removed.

Snow boots! I live in Central NYS and swear by my winter boots, not only for keeping my feet warm but for going out into the nasty, slushy stuff.

A good base layer is a must for you and good warm socks. There can be significant temp and snow level swings between NYC and Boston so you kind of have to be prepared for anything.
You definitely need a boot that will keep you warm but also dry. It’s typically more humid here even in the winter so our snow gets wet and heavy. I wear flannel lined duck boots from LL Bean. They are my go-to shoe when it’s wet out.
For the dogs I would get them sweaters especially if they are short haired. We also have a waterproof coat for snowy cold days. It’s like a horse coat but for dogs. I can’t remember the brand name but it looks like canine styles brand when I Google it. I would definitely get them boots. Between ice and ice melt you don’t want any of that cutting their feet. The brand we have is ruff wear, and when the snow is really deep we put baby socks on first.

We do a lot of layers for us. I’m usually a base layer like cuddle duds (the active wear not the thermal) or North Face, then a thin sweater or sweatshirt, a light weight down vest and a thin down jacket. A scarf or a hat for either really cold or really windy days. And my favorite gloves are a pair of fleece lined running gloves from LL Bean but if I’m out clearing snow they aren’t great because they do absorb water. I have a different pair of mittens for those days.

Boston girl chiming in! Fleece lined leggings are my favorite, along with 1/4 zip pullovers. Scarves and mittens, or gloves with the flap for your fingers are a must. Wool socks will stay insulated and warm even if they get wet. A good pair of boots, be sure they are waterproof as our snow can be wet/slushy. I also love a good fleece-lined hat, the bigger the Pom Pom the better 🤣

I will echo that December usually isn’t brutally cold, that doesn’t normally appear until January/February but you never know.

Let us know if you’re up for a Boston “Pea” get together when you’re here, I will never turn down dinner in the North End 🍝!

Socks with fluffy insulation. A shovel. Once we lived in an apartment and had to shovel out our car out with cardboard from a box. And then when we came home for work, of course someone used that spot and we had to shovel out another one.

I’d recommend some ice cleats for your boots. If the sidewalks are icy it’s pretty treacherous dog walking. I used to wipe out all the time walking the dog when it’s icy, but I got some ice cleats and it’s sooooo much better!

Yes. 

A simple $25 pair of Yaktrax (from Amazon, Dicks, etc.) are essential if you want to walk with any degree of confidence on those icy days!

I feel like Northeast winters are pretty similar to Ohio winters gear-wise.
Lucky you to be in Boston and NYC around Christmas! That sounds idyllic! I would just bundle up and walk around checking out the decorations every day!

down vest ... more thin layers are sometimes better than a big heavy layer.
eddie bauer has good sales.

down coats are great when just cold and sunny.

I’ll also add that I’m always warmer when my butt is covered. So I like my coats to be long enough to cover my butt. I’ve even seen longer length vests online this fall that would be a good option. Unless it’s really cold I wear ear muffs instead of a hat. Otherwise my hair gets all sweaty and gross.

I love love love the longer down vests,  which I wear as inside vest.. I have 3 or 4 from years past (I haven’t looked for any this year).  Some from Land’s End. And some from Duluth Trading.  I think he fit of the Duluth is better but it is a bit longer than the Land’s End ones.  I prefer the length of the Land’s End.