Ruskovilla Product Catalogue 2025-2026

Up here in Northern Finland winter can be very harsh and unpredictable. Temperatures may at times drop as low as -35°C. With the wrong clothing, this can quickly turn into a painful experience, leaving you cold, disappointed, and unable to enjoy winter at all. For those of us living in the North, this is not an option. We must stay well prepared throughout the six long months of winter if we don’t want to suffer. Luckily, there are ways to avoid freezing – and it all starts with the right base layers. In this article, we’ll explore why certain layers are indispensable for anyone venturing into the chilly Northern wilderness.

WHY CLOTHES ARE NOT JUST CLOTHES Through my work and life as a Nature Guide in Northern Finland, I see many different styles of winter dressing. Most of the time, the main problem is that people simply don’t know what a real winter feels like, and therefore lack understanding of what works and what doesn’t. The sensation of being in -20°C or colder is hard to imagine, and the instinctive reaction is: “I’m cold, so I’ll put on more clothes.” Well, yes and no. Adding layers isn’t wrong, but in a wintery environment it’s not just about how many layers you wear, but what kind of layers – especially when you’re active. And all of this starts with one crucial factor: the correct base layers. WHY BASE LAYERS MATTER THE MOST Base layers are the first layers – the ones closest to your skin after your underwear. Their primary purpose is to regulate body temperature and manage moisture by wicking sweat away from the body. When I lead snowshoeing or skiing tours in winter, I’m constantly alternating between moving and stopping. One moment I’m overheated, and the next I cool down quickly when taking a break. The problem here is sweat. As sweat evaporates from our skin, it takes heat with it. This cooling effect is welcome when you’re hot, but in winter it can make your body temperature drop dangerously fast. If your clothing doesn’t wick away moisture properly, it stays damp and conducts heat away from your body, making you feel even colder. The only way to

stay warm is to stay dry. Wet skin or damp clothing accelerates heat loss far more than dry fabric does. In short, we want moisture-wicking fabrics that minimise evaporative cooling. And for me, there is only one material that does this best: itch-free merino wool! WHY QUALITY MATTERS Wool is known for its incredible insulating properties. The unique structure of wool fibres traps air, creating a natural barrier that keeps your body warm even in the harshest conditions. Unlike synthetic materials, which can lose their insulating ability when wet, wool retains warmth even when damp. Wool also has natural antimicrobial properties that resist odours, meaning less smelly clothes and less washing. Merino wool, in particular, comes from certain breeds of sheep that produce superfine fibres – much finer than any other type of wool. Often when garments feel itchy, it’s because the fibres are coarse and ridged. The rule of thumb: the finer the micron, the softer the fibre, and the better it feels on your skin. That’s exactly what we want. Not only do I pay attention to the quality of my tours, but also to the clothing and equipment I use. I want things to last. And I want to be a role model, showing others that it’s possible to be responsible and to care for nature while enjoying the outdoors sustainably. I was lucky enough to discover a small family business here in Finland that shares these exact values: Ruskovilla – where high quality meets local production and sustainability. A rare find nowadays.

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