What temperature do you wear a coat?
Coat season depends on how it feels, not on the calendar. HIRKA's coat weather level starts the moment the feels-like temperature drops below your cardigan limit.
Coat limits by temperature
| Feels like | What to wear | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 10 - 12°C (50 - 54°F) | Cardigan or sweater | No coat needed, close the collar in wind. |
| 2 - 9°C (36 - 48°F) | Coat over a sweater or thermal top | Beanie and thin gloves help. HIRKA calls this coat weather. |
| -7 - 1°C (19 - 34°F) | Heavy coat, scarf, beanie, gloves | Dress in layers. |
| -8°C (18°F) and below | Stay in if you can | Baseline limit, shifts with the local climate. |
Why your coat limit moves
- Cold setting: each step moves the limit by about 0.8°C. "Normal" lifts it from 10°C to about 11.6°C, "Easily chilled" to about 13.2°C.
- Commute: cycling +1.5°C, public transport -1°C, car -2°C.
- Where you live: someone from a cold climate wears a cardigan at 8°C, someone from a hot climate shivers. HIRKA uses the monthly climate normal of your location.
- Wind: the feels-like value already includes it. A windy 5°C is far colder than a calm 5°C.
The stay-in level is triggered regardless of temperature by a thunderstorm, heavy snow, rain of 8 mm per hour or more (5 mm in dry climates), gusts of 70 km/h (43 mph) or more, or extreme heat or cold (baseline limits -8°C and 38°C, adjusted to the local climate).
More: what to wear by temperature, what temperature to wear a cardigan.
Frequently asked questions
At what temperature should I wear a coat?
On HIRKA's baseline scale coat weather starts below 10°C (50°F) feels-like. At the "Normal" cold setting that is about 12°C (54°F), at "Easily chilled" about 13°C (55°F).
Is 5°C coat weather?
Yes. Between 2°C and 9°C (36-48°F) wear a coat over a sweater or thermal top, plus a beanie and thin gloves.
When do I need a heavy coat and scarf?
Below 2°C (36°F) feels-like: heavy coat, scarf, beanie and gloves. At -8°C (18°F) or lower HIRKA says stay in, a limit that shifts with the local climate.
Can I skip the coat and wear a cardigan?
At 10°C feels-like or above, with little wind and a short time outside, yes. On a bike the limit moves up about 1.5°C because of wind.