23 Must-Have Clothing Essentials to Pack for Winter Travel

It’s finally cold outside and you’re getting excited about your next winter vacation. Are you going to a place where you’ll be outside all most of the day and need to dress in layers? If so, then this winter trip packing list for women is for you.

I want to help you get outfitted for any winter adventure. This list will keep you feeling warm and cozy this winter whether you are heading to Alaska (like I did in September 2021), ticking off a winter destination, or spending the weekend at a mountain cabin.

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Clothes to Pack for Winter Travel

This is my favorite time of year because I get to wear all of my clothes, play in the snow with the kids, and just enjoy life! I hope these clothes will help you do the same just about anywhere!

Layering is Key

Let’s talk about what to wear when you’re cold outside. Every winter outdoor capsule wardrobe has lots of layers. Layering is key to any winter packing list. Layers also prevent bulky items from taking up space in your carry on.

Take that idea a few steps further and buy quality layering pieces that fit well (think fitted) so they layer perfectly over each other, without adding extra bulk.

Note: Now that I’m in my mid-forties, mother nature is constantly playing with my internal thermostat (pre-menopause). So I’m hot AND cold-natured off and on all the time. Layering helps here too. You’ll see that many of my pictures here below will have me without a jacket despite the cold weather.

Neutrals – Mix & Match

I also go with a lot of neutrals so I can mix and match them easily. This is how I packed for my trip to Anchorage, Alaska in September when the temperatures were between 30-58˚F. It’s also what I’ll pack on my upcoming trip to Colorado.

Travel Tip: Use compression packing cubes to pack bulky items like sweaters or puffy coats. This will save you space in your luggage for other things, or to bring back more souvenirs from your trip!

Opt for Sustainable Outdoor Brands

The brands featured on this essentials guide offer sustainable outdoor clothing with a focus on quality and durability. I like to go with natural fabrics like wool blends or performance materials because they wick away moisture and dry faster than cotton.

Brands like Patagonia and United by Blue used recycled and organic materials as much as possible. United by Blue also removes one pound of trash from US waterways with every purchase made. I want to be comfortable, stay warm, look good, and do good all at the same time this winter!

Outerwear for Winter Travel

A good jacket is your first line of defense against the elements and needs to be waterproof with an insulated lining. I don’t recommend bringing just one big, puffy coat for your outer layer unless you’re going somewhere seriously cold and there’s no rain in the forecast. (Down puffers don’t keep you warm when they get wet.) I think it’s best to have multiple layers so you can strip down when it gets warm, or switch up your look with different jackets!

For my Alaska trip, I packed both my Mishmi Takin Qaras waterproof jacket and my United by Blue Bison Ultralight puffer jacket. This combination worked really well for me. On really cold days, I added my scarf, gloves, and hat (true travel essentials when you are spending any time outside in the cold.

Waterproof Jacket

The Qaras is a super comfortable fleece-lined, soft-shell jacket with an attached hood. I wear it during the day and it keeps me really warm. The fabric is windproof and waterproof but it’s considered water-resistant because the seams aren’t taped. I really like that the fabric is flexible and is different than everyone else wearing a North Face jacket (no offense if you have one hanging in your closet. I have an NF parka in my closet.)

Packable Puffer Jacket

The Bison Utralight puffer is lighter than any of the other cold-weather jackets I own and can be compactly stored in its pocket pouch. It is made with 50% wool insulation and 50% bison fiber which is warmer than down and is rated down to -10˚F. I love this jacket. It’s always on my travel packing list for cold weather.

Pants

Dark-colored pants are my favorite for cold weather. They look dressy enough to wear casually, but they also hide dirt and stains better than khakis (and I like the slimming effect). For my trip to Alaska, I kept it simple with these 9″ rise Kontour Flex Denim jeans from Kuhl, a more technical Activate XT Pant from Jack Wolfskin, lighter Wind Shield Pants from Patagonia, and leggings.

Kuhl’s Kontour Flex jeans is mid-high rise jean with a good amount of stretch in the fabric making them better for activities like hiking, but they are also nice enough to wear in a casual setting or just walking around the city.

For colder days, I liked a more insulating, technical layer like my Chilly Track XT Pant. The fabric is breathable while being wind and water-resistant too. But this XT pant is designed to be worn all day in colder temperatures. It’s perfect for a range of cold-weather fun activities.

You can’t go wrong with leggings when dressing for the outdoors! They’re super warm and you can easily dress them up with a sweater. I packed my prAna leggings for Alaska planning to wear them with my Patagonia Wind Shield Pants on colder days. But it was so warm in Alaska when I was there, I often wore them separately. If you want to pack dedicated base layers, I highly recommend Smartwool Merino wool layers for softness, patterns, and price.

My Patagonia Wind Shield pants are great in any season but are designed for the active person in winter. These lightweight soft-shell pants provide wind and water resistance while still wicking moisture away from your body during active outdoor fun . I wore them cycling the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail in light rain and 45˚F. They move with you and are really comfortable.

Layered Tops

I like to pack one or two layers that can act as either a top or base layer depending on the weather. During cold weather, I usually stick with technical fabrics and wool that retain heat while moisture-wicking and are anti-microbial so you don’t have to wash it as often (saving valuable space in your luggage).

I bring long sleeve shirts as well as regular t-shirts and undershirts to have plenty of layering options.

Base Layers

For Alaska, I packed my Kuhl Petra Turtleneck that doubles as a top or base layer for colder days. This turtleneck isn’t wool but a cotton/poly blend that is super comfortable and has a great structure to it. It looks great with everything and serves as a nice base layer when needed.

If you want to pack dedicated base layers, I highly recommend Smartwool Merino wool layers for softness, patterns, and price.

Mid-Layer Tops

I usually pack two fleeces and for Alaska I brought my thinner Patagonia R1 Air-Tech Zip Neck (1/4 zip tech fleece) because keeps me pretty warm and packs down easily. It’s made with 100% recycled polyester material and packs down pretty smaller to fit in a day pack. On colder days, I pair this with my JWP Vest or a tee-shirt for the base.

The other fleece I brought was my Los Gatos 1/4 zip from Patagonia. I have a thing for textures and quarter-zip pullovers. This is just so comfortable I could live in it all day, every day. It also looks way nicer than a sweatshirt, although sometimes I think the beige color I bought makes me look a bit like a teddy bear.

As an added layer of warmth, I also packed by JWP Vest from Jack Wolfskin at the last minute. It is a great cold-weather travel essential because it pairs well with base layers and technical fleeces, plus can be packed compactly in its own carry sack.

Normally, I also pack one sweater. They are great for layering because they insulate well. I love this Lambswool Sweater from Uniqlo and found them to be the warmest. I can wear them from day to night. I love the range of colors and you can’t beat the price (under $30.)

Swimsuit

If you are heading to cold weather destinations like Finland or Iceland, the sauna will be a welcome respite from the cold so pack your swimsuit. I love the swimsuits from Title Nine because in warmer weather they work well for surfing, paddle boarding, and just lounging around at the lake or beach.

Shoes

Rain boots are a necessity in Alaska and these XtraTuf Buoy Ankle Deck Boots are one of my best shoe purchases this year. They keep your feet nice and dry (no matter the weather forecast). They are a staple among Alaskans as the company is based there, so these were a no-brainer to pack and wear in Alaska. If it’s not raining, they’re perfect for walking and exploring the countryside. They’re also nonslip so you won’t have any issues walking along wet rocks or paths.

A solid pair of waterproof hikers are essential for winter hiking, exploring, and everyday life. I wore my Salewa Alp Trainer 2 Hikers when hiking Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park back in September. They’ve been great all year long on bike rides, hikes, and are even comfortable enough to run errands around town.

I added my Reebok sneakers to my suitcase – I rarely travel without a pair of athletic shoes although I rarely make it to the gym when I travel. These aren’t waterproof, so I found they stayed in my suitcase for most of my trip.

I highly recommend you make sure your shoes are waterproof to protect yourself against winter rain and snow. Keeping your feet warm is key to enjoying your trip. In hindsight, I should have packed these leather X-SCAPE NBK from DeckerxLabs for more casual outfits.

Wool Socks

I can’t stress how important wool socks are enough. A good pair of wool socks will help prevent injury, and help you feel more cozy in your boots. Plus thanks to anti-microbial properties in wool, wool socks fight odor and bacteria.

Smartwool Socks are a favorite of ours because they come in a range of colors and styles, and don’t slip down your heel inside your boots. Last year we got these for the whole family as an early Christmas gift to ourselves – well worth it! A new favorite these days is GoWith Alpaca Socks made with merino wool and alpaca blend. I didn’t have them for Alaska, but tried them for the first time after I returned. They have similar properties to Smartwool and work great as a mid-weight sock option.

Accessories

I wear a hat, scarf, and gloves when it’s cold out. Both my waterproof jacket and puffer have hoods, so most my hats aren’t water-resistant or waterproof. My go-to lately is this Parks Project woven beanie I got at REI. But I’m currently eyeing this reversible EcoKnit beanie at United by Blue for my holiday stocking.

For gloves, these Istoner Stretch Fleece gloves with Smart Tech touch is what I’ve been using for years. Although stocking up on some discounted touch screen gloves in neutral colors would be great for traveling.

For scarves, I usually grab what’s at the top of the pile, but this recycled scarf from United by Blue is a one that caught my eye this season. I love the brand.

Bags

When I travel, my goal is to bring my Away carry-on and a backpack. But it’s harder with bulkier winter clothes. Compression bags really help with that, but on my Alaska trip I checked my larger suitcase and a backpack. It was a 12-day trip and knew I needed lot of room for souvenirs.

One of my best gear purchases has been my water-resistant Peak Designs Everyday Tote Bag. It’s perfect for lugging around camera gear or keeping your hands free while exploring on foot. I used it all last year when we were exploring close to home and this year when I was able to travel again. It was perfect for transit and for the longer days wandering around without worrying about any damage from the elements to camera equipment. For shorter trips around town, my PacSafe crossbody worked perfectly.

This is the clothing I use and love. The only thing you need now is a cup of cocoa and a cozy fire. Happy shopping!

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Ready to Start Planning Your Trip? Use These Helpful Links to Book Your Trip!

AIRFARE
- Find low fares with airfarewatchdog, Skyscanner, and WayAway.com.
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- Book your plane ticket with Expedia or Kayak
- Book your Airport Parking Reservations and save money.
ROAD TRIP/CAR RENTAL
- Take the scenic route and rent an RV from RVShare
- Get packed for an epic road trip and don’t forget the Road Trip Games to Play in the Car Need more space? Get a rental car thru Discovercars.com.
LODGING
- From hotels to private homes, find the perfect accommodation with Hotels.com or booking.com.
- For camping and RV campgrounds, find the ideal location with Campspot.
PACKING
- Travel in style with a suitcase, carry-on, backpack, or handbag from Away and Eagle Creek.
- For packing cubes, we love these from Eagle Creek and these reusable silicon bags for a 3-1-1 bag from Stasher.
TRAVEL PLANNING
- Looking to start travel hacking and want a place to keep track of it all? There’s the free TravelFreely site.
- For budgeting help, get our road trip budgeting tips here.
ATTRACTIONS/ACTIVITIES
- Save on tickets to attractions, sightseeing tours, and more with
  - Tiqets for cultural events, museums, Broadway shows, etc.
  - CityPASS for multi-day attraction passes at up to 55% off in select cities
  - Get Your Guide and Viator for guided tours/excursions, day trips, and activitties
  - Groupon for discounted local attractions and event tickets
  - Undercover Tourister for discounted theme park tickets
- Find guided outdoor activities led by local guides at 57Hours.
- Find information on local trails with the AllTrails App.
LEARN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
- We use and recommend Rosetta Stone to learn a new language. We bought the $179 lifetime option with unlimited access to ALL 25 of their languages.
Need something else to plan your perfect trip? Visit my travel resources page for more trusted partners.

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23 Must-Have Clothing Essentials to Pack for Winter Travel