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I’m a small town, Kansas girl.  Negative 10 degree weather, ice storms, wind storms, tornadoes – I’ve done them all. Boston and its rainstorms and snowstorms? No problem! Or so I thought. Turns out, harbor wind can be just as bad as Kansas wind, and in Boston, I’m not driving everywhere. When it’s fifteen degrees and you’re standing outside or underground waiting for the T, it’s pretty darn cold – just as bad as the ten second dash to the car in negative eight degree weather. Spring and autumn rain can last days and the water doesn’t have anywhere to go. So, in order to save you some of the panic I experienced, I’ve compiled a list of suggested items for you to bring when you arrive in Boston the next couple of weeks.

Winter Coat – I don’t mean a wimpy winter coat, I mean a down, wind resistant parka. It’s amazing how much warmer you will stay by covering the top part of your thighs. This is especially important if you are living off the green line or depending on a bus. Stopping the wind will also go a long way to keeping you warmer while you wait.

Wraps – Call me old fashioned, but I guarantee you, it’s worth it. If your coat doesn’t have a hood, you need a hat. If your coat doesn’t come tight around your neck, you need a thick, non-decorative scarf. An absolute necessity is a pair of thick gloves. If you get mittens, you’ll constantly be taking them off as you fumble for your T pass or Charlie Card.

Snow Boots – Yes, you need them. Insulated boots will not only keep your toes warm, but dry as well. The snow quickly turns to dirty slush or sticks around in snow piles. It’s better to invest in some boots than ruin your nice shoes.

Light Winter Coat – Okay, so this is the sissy winter coat. There are going to be several weeks where it is in the mid 30s and low 40s. It’s the end of fall and the beginning of spring and you don’t want all the warmth that the real winter coat provided throughout the deep cold months. So this is where a pea coat or jacket comes in handy. Unless you’re coming from Arizona or Texas, this is the coat you probably already have.

Rain Jacket – It rains. We don’t get the hurricanes like the South, but we do get some big storms and it can rain for days. A light rain jacket will make your life so much better when you get to class. Personally I hate sitting in class all wet, so a rain jacket helps me stay at least somewhat dry.

Rain Boots – I was a skeptic. I didn’t think I needed boots, despite how I’d seen everybody wearing them. But in the city, everything is covered in asphalt or cement. Sure there are drains, but the hills mean lots of puddles, and some of them cannot be avoided. After spending four hours in class with wet socks too many times, this $20 investment made my life so much happier.

Fleece/Hoodie/Pull Over – Let’s face it, large public buildings are temperature controlled challenged. And on spring days, sometimes you need something light to throw on. Now it seems like this might be trivial, but it really helps when you’re sitting in class shivering.

Now you may be thinking this is overkill on the coats, but I’m not kidding. Boston is a place to where layers are the best thing possible, and chances are you already have at least one of these items. Just don’t forget to pack them. Good luck if this is your first year in Boston. I hope you enjoy the adventure like I did, and maybe this will make you a bit more prepared.

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