When you're at work, you might want to save this article for later, as I'm going to discuss my underwear. It could be quite awkward if your boss happens to glance over your shoulder and sees you reading an article about some random guy on the internet waxing eloquent about woolen undergarments. Nevertheless, that's precisely what we're addressing here. In fact, I considered it absolutely necessary to talk about my underwear.
Let's build up the suspense by first debunking a few myths. Woolen underwear is indeed crafted from wool, but not the coarse type that makes your neck itch. Furthermore, calling it "underwear" is a bit of a misnomer. It's worn beneath your regular clothing as an additional layer that greatly reduces heat loss. Underneath that, you wear your actual underwear. Now that we've clarified all of this, allow me to briefly explain why woolen underwear is a must-have if you plan to visit Norway between October and June.
I purchased my very first set about seven years ago. Autumn had just begun, and my craving for outdoor adventures was insatiable. My plan was to beat the first snowfall and embark on a mountain trek near Hovden (which, by the way, is a fantastic ski area if you're interested). It was a radiant day in early October. The cold air nipped at me as I took deep breaths through my nose. My backpack sat comfortably, neither too light nor too heavy. My shoes were well broken-in and kept warm by my woolen socks (yes, more wool). The temperature hovered around freezing, evidenced by the thin layer of frost giving the autumn foliage a whitish glow. After the first half-hour of hiking, I stood still for a moment and uttered a few euphoric words, something along the lines of "beautiful" and "happy." What I eventually muttered was, "Hmm, it's a bit chilly." You see, I was wearing a very thin hiking pants. Usually, you warm up as you walk, but when it's freezing and the wind is brisk, as it was that day, the thin fabric offers little protection against the cold. There was no alternative but to sit down in the middle of a vast open valley, take off my shoes, lower my pants, and clumsily wriggle into my woolen underwear in a Mr. Bean-like fashion. I had been overly optimistic regarding the temperature. The beauty of woolen underwear is that it warms you up immediately. There are few materials that insulate as effectively as wool. Anyway, with renewed determination and warm legs, I continued my journey—a five-hour hike to a small cabin at an elevation above 1,200 meters.
Upon arrival, I just managed to have an ice-cold beer just before the sun disappeared behind a mountain ridge. The thermometer attached to the cabin read -7 degrees Celsius. Still warm from the long hike and sporting my somewhat unfashionable 1990s Dale of Norway (woolen) sweater, I felt like a king. And warm, indeed. That night, the temperature would drop to -11 degrees, making me thoroughly appreciate the wood-burning stove I had lit upon arrival.
The moral of this story is surprisingly simple: invest in a set of woolen underwear. Whether you're camping, skiing, or hunting for the Northern Lights in Tromsø, you'll derive immense pleasure from warm legs and an equally toasty upper body. If I managed to convince you, or the prospect of very low temperatures during your visit to Norway managed to convince you, have a look here!
A quick disclaimer: I'm writing about splendid weather in October. While it happens frequently, it's by no means guaranteed. The rain can pour down in torrents. So, always travel well-prepared ('Yes, dad').