What to Wear Dog Sledding: Layers Under the Thermal Suit

What the kennel provides on arrival

When you arrive at the husky kennel in Tromso, the operator hands you a complete thermal suit designed for Arctic conditions, along with winter boots, woolen socks, a woolen hat, and woolen mittens. These items are sized to fit you at the door, so arrive a few minutes early to ensure a proper fit before your 4-hour adventure begins. The thermal suit is the foundation of your protection against sub-zero temperatures, and the boots are engineered for grip on snow and ice. You do not need to bring your own winter gear for these essentials.

The woolen accessories prevent heat loss from your extremities and head, where your body loses warmth fastest in Arctic conditions. Woolen socks wick moisture away from your feet even if they become damp, keeping you warmer than cotton alternatives. The hat covers your ears completely, and the mittens extend up your wrists to seal out wind. Check that all items fit snugly without restricting movement, as you will be holding reins and controlling a team of huskies for the duration of the tour.

Base and mid layers you must bring yourself

The thermal suit provided by the kennel works best over your own layering system. Wear a moisture-wicking base layer against your skin, made from synthetic material or merino wool. This bottom layer should cover your torso, arms, and legs. Over this, add a mid-layer fleece or wool sweater for insulation. These layers trap warm air and pull sweat away from your body, preventing the chill that comes when moisture sits against your skin during and after the husky sledding experience.

Most visitors wear thermal leggings or wool-blend long underwear under regular trousers, then pull on the thermal suit over everything. Your arms also benefit from a long-sleeved thermal or wool shirt under the suit. Avoid creating bulk that restricts movement in the shoulders and hips, as you need full range of motion to control the sled and communicate with the dogs. Bring at least one complete spare base and mid-layer set in your bag, in case you get wet or want to change after the tour.

Why cotton and jeans fail in Arctic cold

Cotton absorbs sweat and moisture, then holds it against your skin like a wet cloth. In Arctic temperatures, this turns cotton into a heat thief that pulls warmth from your body faster than dry fabric. Jeans have the same problem: they are heavy when wet and provide almost no insulation. Once cotton gets damp from exertion, wind, or snow, it dries slowly and stays cold throughout your time outdoors. For a 4-hour husky sledding tour in Tromso, cotton and denim are a genuine safety risk, not just uncomfortable.

Synthetic materials like polyester and nylon dry quickly and wick moisture away from skin. Wool, including merino wool, stays warm even when damp because wool fibres retain heat. If you arrive in cotton clothing, ask the kennel staff if they have spare thermal layers to lend before you start the sledding adventure. Planning ahead by wearing the right fabrics underneath the thermal suit means you stay dry, warm, and focused on the dogs and the Arctic landscape instead of shivering.

How to dress in Tromso for husky sledding

Start with thermal underwear as your base, add a fleece or wool mid-layer, then step into the thermal suit provided at the kennel. Tuck your base and mid-layers inside the suit to avoid gaps where cold air enters. Pull the suit up to your chest and secure it properly. Wear the woolen socks inside the winter boots, then fasten the boots snugly around your ankles and calves. Put on the woolen hat so it covers your forehead, ears, and the back of your neck completely. Slip on the woolen mittens last, making sure they reach past your wrist and overlap the suit cuff.

Your face is exposed to wind and cold during mushing, so tuck your chin into your collar when the wind picks up. The thermal suit should feel roomy enough to allow arm movement for holding reins, but snug enough that wind does not whistle through gaps. If any part of your gear feels loose or uncomfortable, tell the guide before you mount the sled. They can adjust the fit or provide alternatives. Layering correctly is what separates a memorable Arctic experience from a miserable one.

Buffs, sunglasses and face protection

A wool buff or neck gaiter is not mentioned in the tour inclusions, so bring your own if you want extra face and neck protection. A buff can be pulled up over your nose and mouth to warm the air you breathe and shield your face from wind-driven snow. Sunglasses or goggles protect your eyes from glare bouncing off white snow and ice. The Arctic sun, even in winter, reflects intensely, and prolonged squinting causes headaches and eye strain. Dark or amber-tinted lenses reduce glare; polarized sunglasses are even better.

Contact lens wearers can mush huskies without problems, though some people find that the cold and wind dry out their eyes. If you wear contacts, bring rewetting drops in an inside pocket where they stay warm. Glasses can fog up when you move from cold to warmer air, so consider leaving them for the tour unless you need them to see the trail clearly. A sports strap keeps glasses secure if you choose to wear them. If you use a buff or balaclava, make sure it does not interfere with your peripheral vision or your ability to communicate with the guide and dogs.

Keeping your phone battery alive in the cold

Phone batteries drain fast in Arctic temperatures, sometimes losing 50 per cent of their charge in under an hour. Keep your phone in an inside pocket, close to your body heat, rather than in an outside pocket or backpack. An insulated phone case or a small neoprene pouch provides extra protection. Bring a portable power bank stored in the same inside pocket, and avoid taking photos constantly, as using your phone in the cold makes the battery drain even faster.

Turn off location services, reduce screen brightness, and close background apps before you start the tour. Wait until you return to the kennel to review and upload your husky sledding photos. If you must take photos during the tour, do so quickly with gloved hands, then return the phone to your warm pocket immediately. Batteries regain some charge as they warm up again, so do not assume your phone is permanently dead if it shuts down in the cold. Keep your phone off until you are back inside the warm kennel building.

Where to store your bag and personal clothes

Ask the kennel staff where you can safely leave your backpack, jacket, and any personal items while you are out mushing. Most Arctic tour operators provide a secure storage area or locker room where visitors can leave belongings during the 4-hour adventure. Store anything you do not need for the husky sledding tour here, including your phone charger, keys, and any electronics or valuables. Do not carry bulky items on the sled, as they shift your weight and unbalance the dogs' pulling.

Leave the kennel with only essentials: your body in the provided thermal gear, your feet in the provided boots, and your hands in the provided mittens. If you wear glasses, keep them secure in a strap or case in the thermal suit pocket. Any camera or camera bag should be compact and attached to your body so your hands remain free to control the reins. When you return, change out of wet gear immediately, dry your boots, and retrieve your personal items from storage. Ask the staff to confirm where everything is stored when you first arrive, so there is no confusion after your tour.

Before you book