The Wool Sweater That Goes Under A Parka For Dog Sledding

A training run with a husky team through the Canadian snow, from harnessing the dogs to a windy open field.

September 22, 2026
By Selina Steiger

A warm layer you can move in, under a jacket that stops the wind, with a hat, gloves and insulated boots. For that layer, one fine wool sweater is enough on most days, so you stay warm on the runners and dry while you work around the team.

A snowy adventure awaits! Exposed to the weather, I find myself on the trail, this time in my yak wool sweater!

I usually have to wear multiple layers of clothing underneath my jacket, which leaves me either sweaty and itchy after our training session or frozen because, in some mysterious way, the cold still finds a way to creep in. But not today.

My yak wool sweater does a fantastic job substituting for the layers of clothing I usually wear. Not only do I feel warm and comfortable, but I also feel extremely lightweight.

There is no restriction when I move around, and I can easily grab the snack bag out of the sled, untangle ganglines, and secure necklines without breaking into a sweaty mess. I don’t feel trapped or stiff at all!

And this is where the saying more doesn’t always mean better fits to a tee. What two pullovers struggle to do, my yak wool sweater easily does on its own. I feel great, and so does my team!

A woman in a black beanie and a Teal sweater under an open tan parka, sitting on a dog sled in the snow while three huskies crowd around her

A black and white husky with one brown eye and one blue eye, sitting in a harness on a snowy field

Can You Wear A Wool Sweater In Freezing Temperatures?

Yes, as the layer that does the warming. Wool holds warmth while you stand still on the runners and lets it go once you are working, so one sweater covers both.

I am in awe of how easily my huskies adapt to the cold. Like yak, these animals are made for frigid temperatures, withstanding even the coldest winter days without freezing to death.

And here I am, being so fortunate as to wear a sweater made from yak, one of the highest-performing wools in the world! The yak wool fibers on my skin feel almost therapeutic.

Soft like cashmere, my sweater makes me feel relaxed and in control. The cold doesn’t bother me, and I can easily maintain my body temperature.

My sweater continues to support and show resilience to the weather throughout our run. I never realized what I had been missing out on until now.

Rays of sunshine dancing on my dogs’ winter coats, nature around me, a touch of yak wool on my skin. Can this day get any more perfect?

A hand in a Teal knit sleeve resting on the back of a harnessed husky in the snow

What Should You Wear Under A Parka For Dog Sledding?

A wool sweater over a thin base layer. It replaces the stack of synthetic layers that leaves you damp halfway through a run, and it moves with you when you kick off the runners.

My adventurous hours spent dog sledding through a mystical winter wonderland bring out the beauty of nature through something as simple as a sweater. Withstanding the cold while enjoying the snowy landscape has me floating on cloud nine. This entire experience has been a pleasant one.

My yak wool sweater proved its worth in quality, and I could not be happier with how well it went. Not only have I benefited from it personally, but my good mood has also affected my team, resulting in happy dogs and a fun training session ahead.

What we wear changes the way we feel, and if this means training harder and longer because I’m wearing my yak wool sweater, say no more.

A woman in a black beanie and a Teal sweater crouching in the snow beside harnessed huskies, bare trees behind them

A herder in a pale wool sweater standing on green pasture with a yak herd grazing behind

A Run Across The Open Field

My lead dog picks up speed, and I hold onto the handrails of my sled as we head around a bend. We make our way past a lonely row of trees and then out onto an open field. The sun is out, but the wind has picked up. Crunching paws on frozen ground, my yak wool sweater on my skin, it feels timeless, almost like we’re flying.

I stopped the sled and looked around. There was nothing but peace and quiet all around. It was a perfect day out on the trail in my yak wool sweater.

Thank you for keeping me warm and comfortable while I’m outside on my snowy adventures.

A stack of three folded sweaters, teal, navy and burgundy, held up against snow-covered trees

The Winter Crew Neck in Beige worn with blue jeans, against a white studio background

Which Of Our Sweaters Goes Under A Winter Jacket?

The All-Season Crew Neck, the sweater in these photographs, knit light enough to wear most of the year. When the thermometer drops well below freezing, our Winter Sweaters, in 100% yak wool, are the warmer choice.

No Itch

As fine as Grade A cashmere, so it can sit next to your skin through a long, cold day.

Moves With You

A fine knit with give. It stretches as you lean into a turn on the sled.

Stays Fresh

Resists odor well enough that the same sweater is ready for tomorrow’s run.

Breathable

Moves heat and moisture out as you push the sled up a hill, which means you reach the top still dry.

Layers Neatly

A smooth, flat knit. A parka zips over it without bunching.

Easy Care

Machine washable, like the rest of the All-Season line, so snow grime and dog hair come out in a regular wash.

Wool For Dog Sledding FAQ

Do You Need Waterproof Clothes For Dog Sledding?

A windproof, water-resistant jacket and snow pants are worth having, since the team kicks up snow and open ground gets windy. Under them, an All-Season Crew Neck does the warming, and wool keeps working if snow melts into it.

Is Wool Good For Winter Sports?

Yes. Winter sports mix hard work with long stops, and wool keeps you warm through the stops. Yak wool is 40% warmer than sheep’s wool, so a single fine layer carries more of the warmth.

What Do You Wear On Your Head And Hands For Dog Sledding?

A wool beanie that sits under a hood, and gloves thin enough to work a gangline in. Our All-Season Beanie is knit from khullu, which holds its warmth against the scalp, where most of a cold day is felt.

Every good wardrobe starts with owning less and owning better.

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