From Pakistan to Estonia: A Cold Reality Check

To give you some perspective:

• Pakistan is the 36th largest country in the world.
• Estonia? 136th.
  You could fit 16 Estonias inside Pakistan and still have space for snacks.

When I moved from a city like Lahore — bursting with people and sunshine — to Estonia, I thought:
“Where are the people? And why does my face hurt when I walk outside?”

Turns out, that’s just winter.

So… How Cold Is Estonia Really?

Estonians like to claim they have all four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

I respectfully disagree.

Estonia has only two seasons:

1. Cold
2. And freaky cold

The first is cute. Manageable. Like a pet.
The second? It’s an unrelenting pack of arctic wolves chewing through your layers and laughing at your optimism.

Your teeth hurt. Your throat hurts. Even smiling hurts.

And if you’re coming from a warm country, trust me: even Estonia’s summer will feel like your winter.

The Good News: Estonians Know Cold

Estonia has centuries of experience with brutal winters — and it shows.

Everything here is designed to survive cold:

• Houses are insulated like bunkers.
• Public transport is heated.
• And winter clothing? It’s a science.

So let me teach you the basics of how to dress for winter in Estonia, with a little help from my shy Estonian friend (he’ll demonstrate, I’ll narrate).

How to Dress for Winter in Estonia (Without Dying)

🧊 1. The Base Layer – Your Moisture Shield

This layer sits directly on your skin. Its job is to:

• Wick away sweat
• Prevent moisture from freezing
• Act as your first layer of insulation

Think: thermal underwear, but make it essential.

🧣 2. The Middle Layer – Your Insulation

This is the thick, warm bit — often a fleece or wool sweater. Its job:

• Trap body heat
• Add fluff and warmth between you and the freeze

This is the layer that hugs your soul.

🧥 3. The Outer Shell – Your Weather Armor

This top layer protects you from:

• Wind
• Snow
• Rain
  It doesn’t provide warmth itself, but it locks out the enemy.

🧤 Bonus: Accessories Matter

Don’t forget:

• A proper hat (preferably wool or fleece-lined)
• An actual scarf (not a fashion statement — a neck heater)
• Thick, waterproof gloves (frozen fingers are a rite of passage)

Even your eyelashes might freeze, but at least the rest of you will survive.

What About “Normal Cold”?

Yes, Estonia has a few weeks of what I call “puppy cold” — the kind you can handle with:

• A decent jacket
• Light gloves
• Hat and scarf combo

For the rest of the year? Layer up like your life depends on it. Because in Estonia… it kind of does.

Two Things You Must Know Before Buying Winter Clothes

❄️ 1. Buy Winter Clothes in Estonia

Don’t waste money buying gear in a warm country. Here’s why:

• You’ll buy the wrong thing.
• It won’t survive a real Estonian winter.
• It’ll be more expensive and less effective.

Estonia makes winter gear for Estonian winter. Period.

🧾 2. Don’t Cheap Out

Yes, good winter clothes are expensive. But:

• They last for years, even decades
• A proper coat can literally save your life
• Your comfort, health, and ability to function outside depend on it

So skip the budget jackets. This is not the time to be brave.

Final Thoughts: Life in Estonia Starts With Surviving Winter

Life in Estonia for foreigners begins the moment you realize you’re cold in places you didn’t know had nerves.

But once you learn the rules, it’s not so bad. In fact, you might even fall in love with the snow, the silence, the coziness of it all.

Winter in Estonia is a test — but it’s one you can pass.

Just don’t try to do it in sneakers and a denim jacket.