Updated for Winter 2026!

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 doing solo backpacking in the Sierras, I have always opted for the smallest and lightest weight version of almost any product I pack. It was intentional for me always make conscious decision about each piece of clothing, lotion, or electronic. After traveling I always took stock that I had actually used every thing I had brought with me, so that I knew if there was something which could be eliminated for next time. Packing light became a goal, a purpose, and a credo. But, this is far more difficult and more critical in the wintertime. You have to think about the warmth to weight ratio of every piece of clothing 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. If you plan on being outside for extended periods, you can 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. These are great for packing, because despite their warmth, they are super thin and take very little room in your bag.

Next up is your mid layer – This can be a collared shirt or a pull-over, or on very cold days, both. Think in terms of a pull-over crew you’d be comfortable wearing to work or to a casual dinner. You can pack a nice sweater for a special evening but always remember the warmth to weight ratio and try to stay away from anything too bulky. For your collared shirts, pack a few in several different colors.

• For women: Both Land’s End and LL Bean make excellent wrinkle-free button down shirts.
• For men: I especially like Underarmour collared tech shirts for men – always look sharp with crew, V, or boat neck pullovers and are generally completely interchangeable.

Last: 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.

Avoid Bulky Items

This seems like a no-brainer, but I am always surprised by what people pack. Besides just taking up more room in your suitcase, bulky clothes don‘t always 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 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. If you are a sweatshirt fan, you’ll likely want one hoodie, but 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. On one trip to Basel, a lovely medieval town with a vibrant commercial sector, but with many cobblestones, I had to walk from the train station to my hotel. It‘s a drag to pull a roller bag through a snowy coble street. And in many European cities, including Venice, Sicily, Brugge, or even the Trastavere district of Rome, you’ll always need to walk a few blocks over cobbles to get a cab or a bus.

Small bags or backpacks are not only better for cobblestones, but are great when getting on or off extra tall metro or tube cars. You can carry your whole bag and still have a hand free. And as an added benefit a backpack 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 can 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 amazing waterproof gear, preferred by sailors and skiiers across Europe. 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 may want 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 if you can, 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:

• Your favorite sturdy walking shoes
• A good pair of comfy waterproof boots.

Obviously, if you are traveling for a special event, you’ll need to add your dress shoes. If you’re a guy you can wear them under your jeans on the plane.

Accessorize

Don’t forget your accessories. Especially when 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. A thinner scarf you can wrap a few times around packs better than a huge bulky scarf. Look to Londoners who really know how to wear a scarf. Avoid a hat tassel for best packability.

Final Thoughts

Packing light for winter travel can feel intimidating at first, but it’s one of those skills that truly improves with practice. Each trip teaches you what you actually wore, what stayed buried in your bag, and what you wished you’d packed instead. Over time, you’ll start to trust your layering strategy, refine your essentials, and realize that less really does mean more—more mobility, more comfort, and fewer headaches along the way. Stick with it, experiment, and don’t be afraid to edit ruthlessly; before long, traveling light in winter will feel not just possible, but second nature.