Commuting to work in the winter takes a different kind of strength. It’s colder, wetter, darker — all things that are capable of sucking any remaining joy out of what is already a fairly joyless pursuit. As a two-trains-and-a-walk commuter, I have discovered that arming yourself with the right kit is key to making things more bearable. I’ve rounded up my winter commuter kitlist below.
First: the inclement weather essentials. That means investing in a decent collapsible umbrella that won’t invert or break the minute the wind picks up. Rucksacks are a commuter’s best friend, and opting for a weather-resistant build or a rain cover means there’s no danger of your laptop getting drizzled on.
Next: comfort buys. I’m a caffeine fiend, and a hot coffee makes a morning commute feel significantly more manageable. I swear by the Yeti Rambler with — and this is important — the screw-down commuter cap. I’ve tested those ‘100% leaf-proof’ claims thoroughly; I can chuck this upside-down in my bag and nothing will leak. If you feel the cold, a great rechargeable hand-warmer can be a game-changer, too. I have a LifeSystems one that can also double as a power pack.
Finally: entertainment. I like a Kindle for reading on the train, because there’s no chance I’ll end up doomscrolling. And for the walking part, I’ll choose between over-ears that block out the background noise, or, if it’s cold enough to warrant a hat, some in-ears. Scroll down for a closer look at my commuter essentials, with options at different price points to suit different budgets.
Commuter kitlist
Bearwind
Rechargeable Electric Hand Warmers, 2 pack
Lifesystems
Rechargeable Hand Warmer / power bank, 2 pack
ShedRain
Vortex Compact Travel Umbrella, Auto Open Close
Blunt
Metro folding umbrella
Troubadour
Apex 4.0 Laptop Backpack
Samsonite
Roader Laptop Backpack with Rain Cover
Bose
Quietcomfort Ultra Noise Cancelling Headphones
Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones review
Want to see some other options? Here’s our official best noise-cancelling headphones ranking
- Fantastic, detailed sound with rich bass
- Class-leading noise-stopping power
- Comfortable and premium, with folding design
- Great smart features
- 24-hour battery life is weak
- Some will prefer a more neutral sound
- No USB-C audio input
- No LE Audio support (but it’s promised)
Technics
EAH-AZ100E-K True Wireless Earbuds w/ ANC
Read our full Technics EAH-AZ100 earbuds review
Want to see some other options? Here’s our official best earbuds ranking
Contigo
West Loop Autoseal Travel Mug, 470ml
Yeti
Rambler (355ml) travel mug w/ leakproof Commuter Cap
Sealskinz
Acle touchscreen, water-repellent nano-fleece gloves
lululemon
Warm Revelation Gloves
Read our full Kobo Clara BW review
- New E Ink Carta 1300 screen
- Compact, lightweight and waterproof
- Affordable and repairable
- No cloud file transfer support
- Dated, plastic design
- 6-inch screen can be small for some
