What to Wear to a Hockey Game: The Cold Rink, Then Dinner

Short answer: a waffle long sleeve, a knit 1/4 zip, a warm jacket, joggers, thick socks and a toque. Warm enough for metal bleachers at 6am. Clean enough for a table after the third period.

Why rinks feel colder than outside

The air is cold, the seats are metal or concrete, and you sit still for an hour. Cold comes up through your feet and your seat before it gets to your jacket. Dress from the bottom up. Socks and pants matter as much as the coat.

The outfit

Base: Northshore Waffle Long Sleeve, $55. Waffle knit traps warm air against you. Thin enough that you won't sweat walking in from the lot.

Middle: Northern Bull Knit 1/4 Zip, $90. This is the piece that carries the outfit. Zip it to the collar in the stands. Drop it halfway at dinner and it reads like a sweater, not gym gear. The moose gets comments in the lobby. Same knit in the women's line.

Jacket: Quilted Bomber, $110. Flannel lined, ribbed collar and cuffs, so wind off the ice stops at the neck. Keep it on all three periods. Hang it on your chair at the restaurant. Want more length over a cold bench? The After Hours Sherpa Coat, $130, runs mid thigh with a stand collar, in the women's line. More options in Jackets.

Toque: Fleck Toque, $32. Your head and neck lose heat fastest in a cold rink. Wear it until the puck drops, then decide.

Pants: Hybrid Jogger, $80. Tapered, so it still looks put together at dinner. Want real warmth on the bench? Take the Cargo Sweatpant in Athletic Grey, $85.

Socks: Mid Calf Socks, 2 Pack, $18. Mid calf covers the gap between pant and boot. On a bleacher, that gap is where the cold gets in.

Rink moments

• The 6am game. Everything above. Keep the toque on.
• The parking lot after. Zip the 1/4 zip to the top before you walk out. The lot is colder than the rink.
• Dinner. Jacket on the chair, toque in the pocket, 1/4 zip half open. Done.

The honest catch

The Hybrid Jogger is a light pant. For a full game in a really cold barn it will not keep your legs warm on its own. Take the Cargo Sweatpant, or put a thin layer underneath.

Tips from the stands

• Bring a folded blanket or a seat cushion. The bench is the coldest thing in the building.
• Wear boots, not sneakers. Concrete pulls heat straight out of a thin sole.
• Layer so you take one piece off at dinner, not three.

Going straight from the rink to the lodge? We broke that down in what to wear après ski. Still deciding on the shell, read the sherpa jacket guide.

Build the rink fit in Winter Essentials. Free shipping in Canada on orders over $100.

Questions

What should I wear to a hockey game to stay warm?

Layers: a base layer, a sweater or 1/4 zip, a warm jacket, a toque, thick socks and boots. Rinks feel colder than outside because you sit still on cold seats.

Can I wear a hoodie to a hockey game?

Yes. A hoodie works as your middle layer. For a cold barn, put a jacket over it.

Should I wear a toque at a hockey rink?

Yes, at least until you warm up. Take it off once you settle in.

What should I wear to a hockey game and dinner after?

A knit 1/4 zip over a long sleeve, clean joggers and a jacket you can hang on your chair. Warm in the stands, fine at the table.

Is it cold at an indoor hockey game?

Usually, yes. Rinks stay cool to keep the ice hard, and the seats near the glass are the coldest in the building.