Packing for winter travel is so much harder than for summer trips. Obviously, your clothes take up so much more space. But also because you never know what kind of weather will hit the airports. Bad weather can cause delays, changes to your trip plans, or worse. Is it possible to pack for winter travel and be prepared for anything and everything while still fitting into carry-on luggage requirements?
Because I started out backpacking in the Sierras, I have always opted for the smallest and lightest weight version of almost any product I pack. This is especially critical in the wintertime. For clothes, you need to think about the warmth to weight ratio of everything you put in your bag.
I’ve compiled a few tips to keep your packing for winter travel uncomplicated, your suitcase light, and your mind at peace knowing you have what you need for any travel complication. Also check out How to stay Healthy when Traveling. If you’re still thinking about where to go this winter, check out my recommendations for European winter destinations.
Clothing Color Tones
It’s always a good idea, but especially in the winter, to pack all of your outfits in the same color tones. This way you can mix and match items regardless of the weather. If the weather changes unexpectedly, you’ll be able to pull an impromptu outfit together using pieces already in your luggage, and extend your wardrobe if the weather stays warmer or cooler than you had planned. For me, grays and black tones are a super easy way to do this, but you could opt for other color families if you did some good planning.
Layer Clothes
Pack clothing which is easy to layer. No doubt you’ve heard this before, but if you don’t do this regularly, it might be difficult to get started. Start your layering with a wicking warmth layer – ultra thin merino wool as a base layer is an excellent choice. You should have at least 2 to mix and match. Next up is your mid layer – think in terms of a pull over crew you’d be comfortable wearing to work or to a casual dinner. You’ll want a warmth layer you can take on or off as the weather changes – micro puff down jackets or vests work great and pack super small.
You can pack a nice sweater for a special evening but always remember the warmth to weight ratio. Collared shirts in several colors, I especially like Underarmour collared tech shirts for men – almost always look sharp with crew, V, or boat neck pullovers. They are generally completely interchangeable.
Avoid Bulky Items
This seems like a no-brainer, but I am always surprised. Besides just taking up more room in your suitcase, bulky clothes often won‘t look very good when you try to layer them with other pieces. Besides, there are so many great tech fabrics which really feel great and wear even better. And I’m not just talking about Micro-puff jackets which tuck into their own pouch; pants, shorts and skirts all come in wrinkle-free and thin but warm options. Another bulky no-no: hoodies. While you’ll likely want one hoodie, beware hoodie overload – it just bulks up the suitcase.
Use only a Carry-on … when Possible
I’m a big fan of backpacks in colder weather. If you have to walk from the train station to your hotel, it‘s a drag to pull a roller bag through a snowy street. They are much easier to maneuver with when wearing many layers of clothes. Also great when getting on or off extra tall metro or tube cars (think Basil). You can carry your whole bag and still have a hand free. And as an added benefit they will keep your back warm :).
I’ve used this Osprey Sirrus 24 L backpack for several international trips and it holds a ton of stuff. Not only does it have good zip pockets, but with its extra support straps and hip belt, it wears nicely. You can then supplement your backpack with a carry-on travel duffle. Try something like the LongChamp Le Pliage line. I love the expandable shoulder bag.
Always Stay Dry
One of your layers should be a water repellent layer to protect you from snow and rain. The rain shell should be large enough to fit over several other layers, including your warmth layer. If you’ve read my previous posts, you know I’m a fan of Helly Hanson jackets. I’ve toured the HH facilities in Oslo and think they have the best waterproof gear. Another lightweight and quick drying option at a very reasonable price point is the Fisoul Lightweight Rain Jacket, which was reader ranked as one of the top waterproof travel jackets by Travel and Leisure readers recently.
Use Packing Cubes
In order to get everything to fit into your backpack and a small second carryon, you’ll need to compress your clothes. I’ve found packing cubes to be the best way to conserve space for your winter travel. Packing Cubes come in a variety of sizes and shapes. To fit into a backpack, I really like the Slim Packing Cubes for best compression. You need to load up you cubes with the zip half closed, load and zip some more, until the cube is tightly packed.
Limit Shoes
Limit yourself to two pair of shoes, and wear the larger pair on the plane. In the summer when you can add a cute sandal, go ahead and splurge. But in the winter, really try to limit yourself to just 2. My recommendation for your two pair of shoes would be (1) your favorite sturdy walking shoes and (2) a good pair of comfy waterproof boots.
Accesorize
Don’t forget your accessories. Especially wen you are traveling with like-toned clothes which allow you to better layer with fewer items, accessorizing is key. You’ll want to pack a scarf, gloves and hat. For packability, a neck warmer is best. A thinner scarf you can wrap a few times around packs better than a huge bulky scarf. But, you can always pin a bulkier scarf to your coat to keep it out of your baggage if you really love the feel of that bigger fluffy scarf. Avoid a hat tassel for best packability. Try Turtle Fur…. Soft and warm but still lightweight and thin in your suitcase.
