Cool Accessories for the Upcoming New York Winter

The official start of the winter season is a few weeks away. While it's a bit early to pinpoint exactly how harsh this year's winter will be, one thing is for sure. Winter can be brutal in New York.

Some meteorologists are predicting an El Nino event before the end of the year. If this happens, you’ll need to stock up on your winter accessories. To help you get prepared, we've listed 10 accessories you might find helpful this winter.

1.    Snow Boots

Snow boots always come in handy during the winter. They provide grip on slippery surfaces so that you walk around without falling. Look for boots that can handle a lot of snow.

Sometimes it gets really snowy in New York. For example, the 2016 winter season had snow two feet deep in Central Park. You need tall boots to handle such an amount of snow.

Also, your boots should be comfortable and designed for the winter. Keep in mind that snow boots for men differ from those designed for women. They tend to be larger and sturdier. More importantly, they’re designed to fit men’s feet.

2.    Thick Socks and Gloves

The best way to survive a harsh winter is to buy accessories for parts of your body not always covered by clothes. That means buying gloves for your hands, socks for your feet, and a hat for your head.

When buying socks, consider the material. Socks made out of thick merino wool provide the ultimate warmth during the cold seasons. However, they’re not as durable as nylon socks.

When it comes to gloves, you can’t go wrong wither wool or leather. Woolen gloves come in many more colors than their leather counterparts, which is great for variety.

3.    An Electric Snow Shovel

Although shoveling snow away is a menial task, you can make the work easier this winter by purchasing an electric snow shovel. As the name suggests, an electric snow shovel uses electrical power to clear snow.

These tools come in two types. You can buy a corded or cordless electric snow shovel. Buy a tool without a cord for convenience. It also provides the ability to clear snow farther away from your house.

4.    A Balaclava

Balaclavas are back in fashion and for good reasons. They cover the back and sides of your head and your neck. If you put on a pair of sunglasses and a facemask, you can bid goodbye to feeling cold in any part of your head.

Balaclavas are generally affordable. But the true cost of this headgear depends on its material and manufacturer. Buy woolen balaclavas to provide maximum warmth this winter. Also, choose a color that will make you look good in it.

If a balaclava looks a bit weird to you, however, go with the classic option: a beanie.

5.    A Thick Scarf

Scarves are an excellent winter accessory for two reasons. First, they keep you warm. Secondly, you can use them as fashion statements. If you're not much into fashion, buy a scarf with a neutral color like grey or navy blue. If you want your scarf to stand out, though, pick a bold color.

Considering you’re buying a scarf to keep you cold, check the material used. Merino wool and cashmere are the best options here. Cashmere can be expensive while certain woolen fabrics can be irritating. Dig around to find the best scarf.

6.    Ear Warmers

You probably won't need ear warmers if you buy a balaclava. But if you're a person of style, ear warmers are an excellent addition to your winter collection. They keep your ears warm. And they make you stand out.

Ear warmers are best worn alongside a beanie or a winter hat. However, research around to find if you can do it with just one item. If you find a beanie that covers your ears properly, you don't need to spend money on ear warmers.

7.    A cross-body Bag

Warm layers of clothes come at a cost. They hinder your ability to carry backpacks. The best bag for carrying items during winter is a cross-body bag with lots of pockets.

Cross-body bags leave your hands free, which helps you reach essential items in the bag easily. You can also keep your hands in your pocket for extra warmth.