23 Best Tips for How to Survive A Chicago Winter (By a Local)

I was born in Chicago and have collected many Chicago winter hacks over the years. Because while I grew up in Chicago, my blood is Pakistani. I always say, I’m just not built for the cold! Yet, I have managed to survive a Chicago winter time and time again.

I love to call Chicago home, but part of being from here is knowing how Chicagoans prepare for winter to actually survive winter in Chicago without losing our minds.

To be honest with you, in recent years my greatest Chicago winter hack has simply been to escape. But, that’s of course not always an option so I’m rounding up my top tips for surviving winter in Chicago (or anywhere cold, for that matter) for anyone who needs it.

By the way, if you’re planning a Chicago trip check out my 33 Chicago travel mistakes to avoid!

How to Survive a Chicago Winter

1. Stock up on Chicago Winter Essentials & Invest in Great Winter Gear

Fashion takes a major back seat to function during winters in Chicago. Not to say you can’t still be chic and styling during a Chicago winter, but it’s not the first priority. No, the first priority is WARMTH. You do not survive a Chicago winter without investing in some real winter gear.

A Serious Coat

Most of us have several coats to get us through the different variations of Chicago winter temperature. I have this teddy coat to help me transition from fall to winter.

Then I have this fleece-lined, lighter weight rain coat that easily got me through winter in Europe but definitely won’t cut it in Chicago.

Then, there’s the serious coat. The one that doesn’t mess around. I’ve had several over the years. The most popular are the ones by Canada Goose. A more affordable option is something like this Michael Kors coat or this Orolay one.

Boots and Socks

Just as important is what’s on your feet . Look for winter boots that do triple or quadruple duty: they’re warm, waterproof, slip resistant and nice to look at. You’ll likely want different lengths and styles — heeled, ankle, calf, thigh, snow… Something like this.

Don’t forget about the socks

One winter, I thought I could make do with my regular socks, maybe even doubling them up. That didn’t serve me very well on my hour-long commute and I quickly switched to these merino wool socks to help my toes stay warm and not fall off.

Gloves

Or mittens, whichever your preference. You’ll need them. I love the ones that have the touch screen option so I can navigate my phone (albeit, clunkily) without having to expose my fragile fingers to the biting cold. Some ideas:

Hats

Cover your head and your ears!

2. Dress in layers

Alright, so we’ve covered the outerwear. But there’s more. To survive a winter in Chicago it’s important to dress in layers. Stock up on some thermal underwear or my personal favorite, fleece-lined leggings to throw on under your jeans.

3. Tighten the grip on hand warmers

For a jolt of extra warmth and happiness, tuck these into your mittens, pockets, or boots.

4. Salt the streets, sidewalks and driveways

We Chicagoans swear by salt. We sprinkle it around like our lives depend on it because well, kind of. If you’re curious about the science behind it, you can read more here.

All I know is that salting our walkways and streets makes them less slippery and decreases our chance of breaking our necks or getting into an accident. We keep several giant bags of salt by our front door every winter.

5. Seek reprieve in the Pedway System

In the Loop for work? You can seek some reprieve from the harsh winter conditions by burrowing into the underground pedway system. Consult this map to help guide you.

6. Get regular movement

It can be tempting to go into lounging couch potato mode as the temperatures drop and the sun sets earlier. But regular movement helps keep moods elevated, or at least stable.

If you’re like me, you prefer to leave the house as little as possible during winter in Chicago — hello, hibernation mode. Set yourself up for success by setting up some sort of home gym or investing in work out equipment you know you’ll actually use.

I love this foldable in-home treadmill designed for smaller spaces. Walking is the easiest way to get in some exercise and has SO many benefits.

I also love following free yoga videos on Youtube, using my basic yoga equipment.

 Finally, I keep hearing about P.Volve. If you’re looking to get into pilates and body sculpting this could be a great entry point for you.

7. Download the Snow Plow Tracking App

Keep a pulse on what streets are accessible and when throughout the city with this tracking app. Planning your travels throughout the city this way is ure to save you a lot of headaches.

8. Invest in a SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) light therapy lamp

I finally bit the bullet and went for this a couple years ago and I loved it. Here is the one I purchased after some thorough researching. I loved having it on in the mornings while I journaled and enjoyed my coffee.

9. Increase vitamin D consumption

Year-round, but especially during winter, it’s also important to ensure adequate consumption of vitamin D. In addition to my daily supplement, I also aim to increase intake of natural sources of vitamin D, especially salmon.

10. Continue sun protection

We might not see the sun as much during winter in Chicago, but we know she’s still there. It can feel weird to apply sunscreen on cloudy or dark days, but I never miss a chance to keep my skin protected from the hidden threat!

This one is my current favorite. 

11. Moisturize

Winter in Chicago can be super drying for the skin and lips, so moisturizing regularly is key. Lately, I’ve been loving this Versed lotion with gentle retinol in it.

I’m also eager to try this luxurious and clean in-shower moisturizer and this tried and true lip mask.

12. Run a humidifier

Chicago winters can be just as drying internally, because we have the heater on constantly. In addition to hydrating by drinking plenty of water, I recommend setting up a humidifier to keep some moisture in the air.

13. Carry pocket tissues

Your nose will run, it’s inevitable when you’re out in the cold. Be prepared with these pocket-packs of tissues.

14. Become best friends with hand sanitizer

Winter season is cold and flu season. While I’m sure we’ve all learned the importance of regular hand-washing and sanitizing year-round, it’s especially key in winter. I love these for their sleek design, pleasant fragrances and hydrating properties:

 15. Cook warming foods

Wintertime means hot, nourishing meals simmering in the slow cooker! These warming meals are perfect for cozy nights in. If you’re looking for meal ideas, try this recipe book by one of my favorite cookbook authors.

16. Cozy up under a warm blanket / electric blanket

A giant fluffy throw or a heated electric blanket are key to keeping you cozy and keeping your heating bill from being too over-the-top.

17. Enjoy hot chocolate

Chicago has some great options for quality hot chocolate. One of my personal favorites is Mindy’s Hot Chocolate in Wicker Park!

You can choose from a variety of hot chocolate options and they’ll top it off with one of their giant house-made marshmallows. Definitely worth a visit.

18. Brew hot beverages at home

Another way to survive, and maybe even enjoy, winter in Chicago is by getting creative with hot beverages at home. Try new latte recipes on your Nespresso or create your very own hot chocolate bar.

19. Take advantage of the season’s festivities

One delightful thing about winter in Chicago is the opportunity to bask in the festive season. Chicago has a couple great Christmas markets, options for ice-skating and beautiful light decorations around the city.

20. Allot extra time to get anywhere

This is a top Chicago winter survival tip. If you have somewhere important to be, allow yourself plenty of time to get there on time.

You might need to shovel the driveway around your car, clean snow or ice off your car, or simply deal with traffic slowdowns based on the weather and the progress of the city snow plows.

21. Take a trip to somewhere warm

Like I said, my ultimate favorite Chicago winter hack is to well, run away! If you can swing it, getting away even for a weekend during the peak of Chicago winter (Jan / Feb) can do wonders for your spirit.

California is a great warm winter getaway, check out my guide to the best solo things to do in Los Angeles.

22. Rise and shine alarm

One of the toughest things about a Chicago winter is the limited daylight. It can be tough to wake up and get your day started strong in the mornings when the sun doesn’t rise until 7:30, especially for my fellow early birds.

Try a rise and shine alarm clock to help jumpstart your day. I love these because they mimic a natural sunrise at your preferred time to ease your brain awake naturally and healthily.

23. Relax in cute loungewear

If you’re spending a lot of time indoors, one way to amp up the cozy and cheerful vibes is with cute loungewear sets that help you feel your best.

FAQ for How to Survive Winter in Chicago

How to Dress for Work in Chicago Winter?

What happens to the function over fashion rule when you’re physically going into the workplace? How to dress for work in Chicago winter season is similar to what I suggested at the very top for how to dress for Chicago winters, period. I still recommend layers, the boots, the coat.

But what many of us do is keep a pair of work shoes at the office, and have a separate heavy duty pair of shoes to carry us through the commute. Once you’re at work, simply swap your shoes.

Dressing in layers is also helpful, because you can simply reduce layers while indoors and pack them back on again before you venture out. Personally, I always find corporate offices to be frigidly cold, so the more layers the better!

You might also consider keeping some sort of hair product at work to combat hat hair.

How Bad Are Chicago Winters?

Chicago winters are often bone-chillingly cold. The cold here, hurts. Average lows for Chicago winter temperature are often below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, and it’s not uncommon to have periods where temperatures drop into single digits or below zero.

To add to this, the wind off of Lake Michigan makes Chicago winters feel even colder. And, there’s often a decent amount of snow to slush through as well.

How Long Are Chicago Winters?

Too long! Winter seems to start mid-November and go all the way through early March. January and February are the toughest winter months to make it through in Chicago.

The Wrap Up : How to Survive A Chicago Winter

There you have it! First-hand survival tips from a local after living in Chicago winter all these years. While we love summer months in Chicago, this list gives you a glimpse into how Chicagoans prepare for winter and how to deal with Chicago winter.

After all, once you survive winter in Chicago you get to enjoy the city in all its spring, summer and fall glory again!