Cold Weather Kubb Survival Guide

Kubb is a game best played anywhere, anytime. That’s great in theory, but for many parts of the world (say the hotbed of kubb that is the Midwest) that’s a cold proposition. It gets very cold—even downright frigid—for months at a time. No one wants to stop their kubb fun just because Mother Nature decided to dump a foot of snow on them. Winter kubb can be a ton of fun, if you take the right precautions. This guide is meant to prepare you for the cold, snow, or any other thing that winter kubb may throw at you.

Staying warm

Obviously the winter months are more likely to be cold. Humans and cold don’t always get along, but it’s completely possible to power through with the right gear. The following are a few things to keep in mind.

Hat

The right hat is essential. You’ll want something warm that covers your ears. It’s very easy to lose heat from your head, so keep it covered!

Gloves or mittens

A good mix of warmth and waterproofness is key. You’ll want to have some dexterity for picking up (and throwing?) batons. Many players will throw and set up kubbs without a glove. That’s completely reasonable, but you’ll need a place to stash that bare hand between game actions. Bare-handers should also consider hand warmers (below).

Boots

A boot that keeps your toes and feet warm as well as dry is essential. Try dropping a toe warmer in there too. Anyone who’s played a kubb tournament knows there’s a lot of standing around, so you’ll want something comfortable too. It can get rather slippery when conditions are icy, so look for something with a good tread. You can also try adding some traction cleats that fit over your boots.

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Socks

A great way to add warmth to your feet is a great pair of socks. There are plenty of good wool options that will trap in that heat (and maybe add a little extra cushion) inside your boots. If it’s going to be a bit sloppy and your boots aren’t completely waterproof, it’s a good idea to bring a spare pair of socks too. They won’t keep you warm if they’re wet.

A new-ish addition to the sock category is battery powered heated socks. These come in a variety of models, and definitely have a premium price, but could be worth the investment for a dedicated winter kubber. Check out this pair of remote control heated socks with rechargeable batteries. Use the code: PSAICKO4 for 20% off your purchase through the end of 2024.

Coat

A great winter coat will be flexible, waterproof, and of course warm. If you’re concerned about movement, you can also try a lighter coat with more layers underneath. Layers are a great idea because you can change the amount of warmth throughout the day. That sunny afternoon group play might require a few less layers than the cold evening championship match. With layers you’ll be prepared all day!

Snow pants

A little extra warmth, and more importantly a great barrier to moisture, snow pants are an excellent idea.

Hand / toe warmers

Those little bags of magic that keep your hands and/or toes warm could be the difference between comfortable and miserable. It’s always a good idea to bring twice as many as you expect to use. Weather fluctuates, plus your teammate might not be prepared and their cold hands could spell defeat for your team, so it’s nice to have their back (or hand).

There’s a re-usable option here too, with many electronic hand warmers to choose from. Check out this rechargeable two-pack of hand warmers that lasts up to 12 hours—for those extra long matches.

Towel

This one is easy to overlook, but if you’re playing in the snow, the equipment and your hands are going to get soaked. Having a towel can keep your throwing hand dry and make sure that baton releases when you want. 

Take breaks

This is less of an item and more of a reminder. No matter what you’re doing, you should be sure not to over do it. In the cold, this means you should take a break now and then. Pop inside to warm up occasionally. A small rest now-and-then can keep you mentally and physically prepared for the rest of a cold kubb day.

Hydration

It’s easy to forget to keep drinking on a cold day. Even though it’s not blistering hot, you’re still expelling energy and it’s just as important to stay hydrated, even in the cold. 

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