To those of us living in eternally sunny (and wet) Malaysia, encountering winter on our travel can be a nightmare.
Bitter cold, endless snow, slippery ice and the wind – the biting wind – are just some of the many challenges this frigid season throws at us.
But fear not, for there’s a simple solution – winter clothes WITH layering!
Contrary to what it sounds, layering is actually a bit more complicated than putting on a “winter coat” or a few extra T-shirts.
So, to warm up your winter vacation, here are some winter clothes and layering tips, Malaysia-style!
What is Layering?
Layering refers to wearing multiple layers of cold and wind-resistant clothes to keep yourself warm and toasty, particularly during the chilly seasons of autumn and winter.
How many layers are we talking about?
Usually, two to three layers are recommended for most destinations like urban cities, where there’s easy access to shelter and warmth.
But, if you plan on going to higher altitudes or arctic climates though, you’ll probably need more.
All of this also depends heavily on your cold tolerance.
In tropical Malaysia, a good way to gauge is to turn down the air conditioner in your room – maybe around the low 20s or 10s. If you can’t stand being in there for 30 minutes, you’ll probably need more.
However, what you wear is equally important to how many layers you put on.
How do I do winter layering?
Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need for each layer:
Layer 1: Inner Wear
In winter layering, the first layer will almost always be a piece of inner wear.
These form-fitting “underwear” of sorts are meant to stick to your skin to insulate you against the cold.
And if there’s one thing winter will teach you, it’s that sweat is the enemy of warmth.
Because when you’re sweating on a winter hike up Japan’s Mount Nokogiri, even a gentle breeze can send your body temperature plummeting, making for an uncomfortable or even dangerous experience.
And even if you make it out unscathed, catching influenza with a weakened immune system is the last souvenir you need from a holiday!
So, for layer one, pick inner wear that can allow sweat to wick or move sweat outwards. This helps you keep both your skin and clothes dry, and most importantly – warm.
Polyester inner wear works fine, but outdoorsy travellers should try looking at Merino wool or silk for their superior wicking and anti-odour properties.
Layer 2: Warm Layer
Your next layer will be an insulating layer with a slightly larger fit, like a wool or fleece sweater or a down jacket. Similarly, you can go for fleece/wool pants.
The larger size is meant to create a gap of air between layers that’ll keep you warm, without creating a stuffy, sweaty sauna on your body.
In Malaysia, inner wear lineup usually doesn’t look particularly fashionable, so getting a colourful wool cardigan or a fleece jacket can help you look chic AND warm.
Or at least, not like an obviously freezing Malaysian tourist.
Layer 3: Water/Wind Protection
Your (hopefully) last layer will be your winter “armor”, so to speak. This means a waterproof or windproof jacket or coat. Along with similar pants, of course.
A waterproof finish will help keep you warm from any rain or snow while windproof options like down jackets will help cut down on the wind chill.
Having some pockets to keep your hands warm is also a nice bonus to have.
Accessories
Arguably just as important as your core layers are the accessories you bring to your fight against the cold.
From the top, you have hats, earmuffs, scarfs and gloves to cover any exposed areas that will lose you precious body heat. And, since snow reflects a lot of nasty UV light, you’ll need some sun skincare with sunglasses or sunscreen.
Looking down, you have your toasty socks (wool is great here) to keep your feet warm. Waterproof and slip-proof shoes or boots are also great if you’re hiking around ice and snow.
For particularly deep snow, gaiters (leg covers) can help prevent icky snow from getting into your shoes.
One underrated accessory for us cold-phobic Malaysians are body warmer packs.
Once exposed to air, these little packs can warm any part of your body for up to ten hours – more than enough for any winter excursion.
They’re usually available in retailers like Donki or Daiso and can be inserted between layers or even pockets (make sure to wrap a handkerchief or sock around it so you won’t get scalded).
Tips & Tricks
Add or remove layers as needed: It might take some getting used to for us tropical folk, but frequently adjusting your layers is key to avoid freezing and sweating (and then freezing). Make sure to bring some foldable tote bags to stuff all that extra clothing!
Avoid Cotton (If You’re Active): Cotton is wonderfully absorbent and makes for great summer gear. But once it gets wet with snow or sweat, it becomes a sweat sponge that wets your middle layers, freezing you like a popsicle! Still, for casual or pajama wear, a cotton layer won’t hurt.
If All Else Fails, Add Layers…: Putting on multiples of base layers can help those particularly sensitive to the cold.
…But try and keep it light: Getting some layers made with lighter materials will help you move easier while shaving off that heavy winter luggage. Polyester layers tend to be lighter but getting pre-lined winter wear with fleece attached already works just as well.
Travelling in Japan during winter? You might want to take a look at our Guide to Surviving Winter in Japan (Malaysian-style)!
Where to Shop
Decathlon: French brand that offers a whole range of sports and outdoors-oriented winter gear at reasonable prices. Not the most stylish, but gets the job done. (Website)
Uniqlo: This Japanese fast fashion titan’s Heattech range is an easy recommend, but only for trips without too much walking. Their winter collection is also pretty to look at, but painful for ringgit-savers. (Website)
Universal Traveller: Singaporean retailer offering coats, jackets and travel gear that breach the premium to luxury range. Prepare for some hefty damage to your wallet. (Website)
Bundle Stores: Thrift stores that primarily focus on importing bundles of merchandise from Japan, especially clothes and winter wear. Great for those looking for a deal. Check out our guide to the bundle stores of the Klang Valley for more details.
Donki & Daiso: Though they don’t sell clothing, these Japanese retailers sell body warmer packs and other travel accessories like gloves. (Donki Facebook page) (Daiso Website)
So, you’ve got your winter gear, now what?
Well, how about skiing, skating or snowboarding down some winter sports hotspots? Or, if you’re a Olympics buff, here are seven Winter Olympics cities to visit. You can also browse through our winter guides here.
Links
REI Co-op – Layering Basics
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/layering-basics.html
The Wool Company – Does Merino Wool Have Thermal Properties?
https://www.thewoolcompany.co.nz/blog/does-merino-wool-have-thermal-properties
WISE – Where to Buy Winter Clothes in Malaysia: Best winter wear shops in JB, KL, and online
https://wise.com/my/blog/buy-winter-clothes-in-malaysia
