The MBTA ferry is one of the best commutes in Boston — and one of the coldest. The crossing from Hingham, Hull, or the Harbor Islands puts you on open water for 30 to 45 minutes, exposed to whatever the harbor is doing that morning. In July that might be a pleasant breeze. In October it's a wind chill that makes the Red Line look appealing. In February it's something else entirely.
Ferry commuters learn fast. The people who ride the boat every day dress differently from the people who ride it once. They know that Boston Harbor consistently feels colder than the forecast, that the wind on the open deck is a different animal from the wind on the street, and that a layer you didn't bring is a layer you'll wish you had.
The Morning Crossing: Always Colder Than You Think
The morning ferry from Hingham or Hull departs early — before the sun has had time to warm the harbor. Even in summer, a 6:30am crossing can feel 15 degrees colder than the forecast. The water is cold, the air over it is cold, and the wind on the open deck amplifies both.
The smart move is a heavyweight pullover hoodie over a long sleeve tee for the crossing, with the option to shed the hoodie once you're off the boat and into the city. The long sleeve tee is the layer that makes the system work — warm enough for the crossing, light enough for the office.
The Evening Return: Wind and Fatigue
The evening crossing is different. You're tired, the wind has usually picked up through the afternoon, and the harbor is at its choppiest. The temperature has dropped from the afternoon high and the sun is lower. This is when the people who didn't bring a layer regret it.
A zip hoodie is the ideal evening ferry layer — easy to pull on at the dock, adjustable on the crossing, and light enough to carry in a bag if you don't need it. The zip hoodie's versatility is exactly what a commute that moves between the city and the water demands.
Shoulder Season: October on the Ferry
October ferry crossings are where the casual commuter gets caught out. The air temperature is still reasonable on shore — low 60s, sometimes high 50s — but on the open deck of the ferry, with 15 knots of apparent wind from boat speed and the harbor breeze combined, it feels like November. A heavyweight hoodie keeps you warm on the water in September and October — and the ferry crossing is exactly the condition it was built for.
Add a fleece-lined beanie for October and November crossings. The open deck of the ferry is one of the most exposed environments in the city, and harbor cold finds every gap in your layers — starting at the top.
The Ferry Commuter Kit by Season
Summer (June–August): Heavyweight tee + zip hoodie in your bag + cotton chino cap for the sun off the water.
Shoulder season (September–October): Long sleeve tee + heavyweight pullover hoodie for the crossing + zip hoodie as backup.
Cold season (November–April): Long sleeve tee + heavyweight pullover + SuperHeavy as mid-layer under a jacket + fleece-lined beanie. No exceptions.
Where to Find Us
Seaport Brand is based at Boston Fish Pier — a short walk from the ferry terminal at the Seaport. If you're a regular on the Hingham or Hull ferry, you've probably walked past us. Stop in before your next crossing and we'll set you up with the right layer for the ride home. Find us here.
Shop Ferry Commuter Essentials
- Navy Blue Heavyweight Pullover Hoodie — $85
- Black SuperHeavy Hoodie — $95
- Blue Zip Hoodie — $75
- Indigo Zip Hoodie — $75
- Navy Blue Heavyweight Long Sleeve T-Shirt — $60
- Cream Heavyweight Short-Sleeve T-Shirt — $55
- Seaport Beanie with Fleece Lining — $30
- Navy Cotton Chino Baseball Cap — $25