Winter can be one of the most challenging seasons to pack for. With bulky coats, sweaters, and boots, it's easy to end up with an overstuffed suitcase. However, packing light for winter is possible with a bit of planning and creativity. We'll share some tips to help you pack efficiently for your winter travels, so you can focus on having fun instead of lugging around a heavy suitcase.
MERINO LAYERS
Merino long sleeve shirts and t-shirts are longtime favourites in our travel bag because they've got great warmth for their weight, and because they're odour resistant – which means they don't need much washing. Another bonus is that when you do need to wash them, they're quicker drying than cotton. In our opinion, Merino beats Polypropylene as the ideal travel companion because not only is Merino perfect for exercise (it's temperature regulating and wicks away moisture), but it also looks tidy enough to wear around town.
PUFFER JACKET
Like merino, a decent puffer jacket is a winter travel essential. Feather down is the ultimate winner in terms of warmth-to-weight ratio and has supreme compressibility, which means they take up barely any room in your pack. However, the only downfall of feather down is that it loses its ability to insulate when wet, and is more time-consuming to dry properly. That's why synthetic down made out of recycled polyester is a popular choice for travellers, as it is still warm and compressible, but performs better in the wet. This leads us to our next must-pack item...
Waterproof rain jacket
Only fools travel during winter without a decent rain jacket. Even if you are lucky enough to avoid getting wet, a rain jacket will still come in handy to fight off wind chill, and retain your body heat when it's freezing. If you're hesitant to pack a rain jacket because you're worried you'll look like Paddington Bear, then never fear because Kathmandu has rain jackets that combine functionality with style.
Accessories
A beanie/balaclava, a scarf/neck gaiter and a pair of gloves are must-haves for winter travel. These accessories take up little room but have a big impact. They keep you warm and cosy by protecting key areas of heat loss like your head, neck and hands.
PACKING CUBES
If you’re aiming to pack small for winter, packing cubes are a given. They help you to stay organised and can help compress bulky items while allowing you to maximise available space. They’re also helpful for separating smelly or wet stuff when you’re in the thick of your adventures.
Once you’ve chosen some hard-working travel garments that tick the layering box, it’s time to check yourself.
If you pack by loading everything straight into your bag, you miss this opportunity to assess what you’re taking – and it’s easy to let unnecessary stuff slip in. Lay out everything you want to bring and put similar items together. You’ll soon see glaring excesses. Four shirts? Maybe you can get away with three.
The final and most important tip: realise that you will probably forget something, and although it'll be inconvenient at the time, it's not the end of the world. Just make sure you make a note of what you forgot, to ensure it's on the list for next time!