The Ultimate Winter Travel Packing Checklist

The holiday season is upon us once more--quite possibly the most anticipated time of the year. If you’re like others who are planning to travel this winter season, it’s crucial that you know what to put into your suitcase. If you don’t, no need to fret—we can help you out with that. Here’s a list of what you’ll need to pack.

Cold weather essentials

• Underwear (base layer)

When packing for winter, start with your underwear. You’re going to wear them no matter what, right? Bring thermal underwear made of high-quality wool such as Merino because it is a great insulator. You can also bring leggings or tights.

For your upper body, bring tank tops, camisoles and long-sleeved shirts preferably made of wool as well. Not only do they provide more warmth, but they can also be worn on their own when the weather is not too cold.

• Mid layer

This layer is what people are going to see when you’re indoors and you’ve taken off the other layers of winter clothing, so you can go all out in terms of style and colour. You can bring a tunic, sweater, sweatshirt, zip-up hoodie or tunic. One or two would be sufficient, but you can bring three or more if your suitcase space allows it. Bring colours that go well together so they’re easy to mix and match.

• Outermost layer

This tends to be the bulkiest and heaviest layer, and consists of thick jackets that are insulated and designed for cold weather. The materials used for this kind of winter clothing include fleece, wool, cotton and polyester blend, and other synthetic fabrics. You can still be stylish with this layer, but remember that functionality should be your top priority. So, pick the jacket that’s warmest and most comfortable.

• Optional layer

Depending on where you’re going, this layer may not even be necessary. However, if you think there might be a bit of rain at your destination, bring something like a waterproof coat to keep your other layers dry and warm.

• Pants

Jeans are awesome for cold weather, so pack at least one pair. You can also bring thermal pants made of fleece or a polyester and spandex blend. Other options include khaki or corduroy.

• Required accessories
  
  You should always cover every part of your body, so remember to bring the following:
  
  

1. Gloves - Warm up and protect your hands with gloves. For easier packing, pick gloves that are made of lightweight fabric but still offer plenty of protection and warmth.
   
2. Footwear - The best kind of footwear for winter are insulated waterproof boots. They keep your feet warm and prevent water and snow from getting to your feet as well.
   
   
3. Mobile heating pad - This is an excellent portable solution for cold whether. Wear them to keep your core warm.
   
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4. Hats - Covering your head is critical to staying warm. Bring hats lined with fleece or synthetic fur, hats with earflaps or knitted beanies.
   
   
5. Scarves - To keep your neck warm, bring one or two scarves made of cotton, wool or cashmere.

Electronic gadgets

Now that you’ve taken care of the basics, it’s time to think about the electronics that you’ll bring which can include:

• Smartphone - Bring a smartphone with a high-quality camera so that you have something to take pictures whenever you’re out and seeing the sights.
  
  
• Camera - Bring a high-end DSLR camera with a waterproof case if you want professional-looking photos.
  
  
• Power bank - This is a must when travelling. A power bank will be your best friend during extended times outdoors when you don’t have easy access to wall sockets.
  
  
• Plugs, adapters, and chargers - Bring different kinds of adapters and plugs so that you’re prepared no matter what. In addition, never forget the chargers of all the gadgets you’re going to bring, or else they’ll be useless once their batteries run out.

Miscellaneous items

• Sunglasses - Just because the weather is cold, doesn’t mean there’s no sun. Bring a pair of polarised sunglasses for your trip. They’ll protect your eyes and improve visibility by reducing reflectiveness, which is great if you plan on doing some driving.
  
  
• Lip balm or chapstick - The cold weather can dry out your lips pretty fast and make it peel, which is why you should you include lip balm or chapstick into your winter holiday packing list.
  
  
• Lotion and sunscreen - Even in winter, the sun’s UV rays can damage your skin and leave it dry. To remedy this, bring sunscreen and a lotion with a moisturising agent like aloe vera. You can also bring aloe vera gel.
  

For an enjoyable and hassle-free vacation, try to pack all the items above. You’ll thank yourself later. It’s also important that you pack ahead of time (a week prior to your trip is ideal) so that you don’t feel any pressure the night before the trip and end up forgetting certain items.