5 Things to Buy to Prepare For Winter in Syracuse
If you’re not from a place where it snows, you should know that Syracuse winters can be harsh, and there are a few things you’ll need to buy to make it through. Be sure to invest in some nice, quality winter gear. They aren’t always the cheapest, but definitely worth the money. Winter lasts for at least 4 months here, so you’ll get great use out of them. Her is my master shopping list for surviving the winter months in Syracuse:
1) UGGS/Bean Boots/Timberlands
Nothing is worse than having cold and wet feet, but it’s inevitably going to happen over the next several months if you don’t have proper footgear. If you buy UGGS, which will keep your feet toasty, make sure you spray them with waterproof spray or they’ll get ruined when the roads get salted. Timberlands and Bean Boots are great for keeping your feet dry, because come February the roads look like God dumped ten million slushies all over Syracuse. But make sure to wear warm socks if they’re not lined — you don’t want your toes to get too cold.
2) A North Face Jacket
There’s a reason why every other person you pass during the winter months here is wearing a North Face jacket. It’s because they WORK! My favorite jackets by them are the ones that make you look like a puffy marshmallow, because they keep you the warmest! No wind gets in and they keep you nice and warm. And if a North Face isn’t your thing, make sure to get a jacket that is fully-lined and designed for below-freezing weather.
3) A Snowbrush (if you have a car)
This might be one of the most important items, because without it you might not be going anywhere for a while. It’s not just the snow you have to brush off though. You’ll also have to scrape off ice, which isn’t a quick task. I suggest brushing off the driver’s side of your car, turning the car on to warm it up and then scraping the ice off. Having the heat blasting in the car will help to get the ice off quicker.
4) A Shovel
You might need to buy this even before the snowbrush, or else you won’t even be getting out of your parking spot. It’s 2016, so I’m sure they have some that you can easily put in the trunk of your car. You won’t even need to go to the gym on shovel days, because it is one killer arm workout!
5) Hats/Gloves/Scarves
I’m sorry I have to say this, but putting your hood up and your hands in your pockets isn’t going to keep you warm this winter. The wind is what makes winter so unbearable, especially when you have to do things like stand out in the cold to clean your car. One pair of really nice gloves is all you need. A thin, but warm, pair is best so you can still make use out of your hands.
Having these 5 things will save you from frostbite, dangerous situations and being miserable this winter. It’s second nature to us Syracuse natives like me, but if you’re not from here then consider this your survival guide to a happy season. And if you need someone to shop for all these items with, I’m your girl!
–Kelly Myers is a graduate student studying television, radio and film
