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Backpack
A sturdy 35-40 liter backpack is perfect for cold weather travel. You will have more clothes when it’s cold, but this size works great if you choose lightweight layers that you can mix or match. Take a waterproof backpack, or bring a pack cover to protect your gear.
Tortuga Outbreaker 35: The waterproof X-Pac fabric makes this is a great backpack for cold weather travel. Combine with a waterproof rain jacket, you and your gear stay warm and dry. Don’t need an ugly rain cover.
Eagle Creek Pack-it Cubes: Two of the medium Eagle Creek cubes fit perfecty in the Tortuga Outbreaker. This blog post shows you how to pack it.
Daypack
This is the little bag that you carry around during the day. Keep this one small, it doesn’t need to take up a lot of room. There are some good packable options that fold down small when you’re not using it.
Matador Freefly 16L: This little gem is waterproof and packs down into the palm of your hand.
Clothes
Clothes take up most of the room in your pack, especially when it’s cold. You should avoid cotton, its heavy and won’t keep you warm if it gets wet. Instead focus on lightweight clothes that you can mix and match into a layering system. Choose merino wool, down, or synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon. Check out this video if you want to see these clothes, and how to put them together in a layering system.
Base Layer (3)
It’s good to have a few choices for base layers so you can mix and match as the temperature changes. If its cool, you might only need a t-shirt, but for colder weather, go with a thicker thermal layer.
Patagonia Cool Trail Long Sleeve Shirt
Thermal Underwear (1)
A pair of polyester pants coupled with pair of mid-weight thermal long underwear will keep you warm in most weather conditions.
Patagonia Capilene Midweight Bottoms
Mid Layer (Pick 1)
We have two choices for your cold weather packing list depending on the temperature. For cooler weather (say winter in California) a thin fleece combined with a windbreaker will do the trick. In colder weather, you will want a down or synthetic puffy jacket. They offer the best warmth to weight ratio, and pack down tiny.
Shell (Pick 1)
Check the weather before you go, if its going to be freezing cold and raining, you will need a 100% waterproof rain jacket. If it’s cool and cloudy with a chance of rain, a thin water resistant windbreaker will do the trick.
Button Up Shirt (1-2)
Merino wool is my go-to option for button up shirts. I find almost every wool base layer to be itchy, so I stick to wool when it’s not touching my skin. And you can wear them almost indefinitely without washing, and they won’t stink.
Pants (2)
Avoid jeans if you can, or at least only bring one pair. Synthetic pants work great for travel, they are light and dry quickly. Combine them with a pair thermal underwear and you’ll stay warm in most weather conditions.
Eddie Bauer Horizon Guide Chinos
Socks (3)
Do yourself a favor and get at least one pair of Darn Tough socks to your cold weather packing list. They’re made from merino wool and guaranteed for life.
Electronics
- Eagle Creek 1/4 Cube or Bond Gear Pouch
- Epicka Universal Adapter (Largest with 4 USB-A ports)
- Anker PowerCore 10000 (~2 phone charges)
Toiletries
- Sea to Summit Hanging Toiletry Bag (Ultralight sil-nylon)
- Matador FlatPak Soap Bar Case (Dries out your soap without leaking!)
- Eagle Creek Silicone Travel Tubes
- Small 0.5 oz or Medium 2.0 oz Go Tubbs (Thick creams, pills, vitamins, not leak-proof)
- toothbrush cover works fine, or to save weight try a foldable travel toothbrush
- Tom’s of Maine Sample Toothpaste (refill with larger tube)
- Disposable razors are lightweight and work great for travel
- black plastic combs
- Victorinox Travel Nail Clipper (This nail review article is insane)
- Travel Sized Dental Floss
- Unbreakable Travel Mirror, or the Summit Hanging Toiletry Bag comes with one
- Lush USA or Rocky Mountain Soap Co.
- Crystal Mineral Deodorant Stick (This stuff is amazing and lasts for months)
- Travel Sized sanitizer or Wet Wipes
- Rick Steves First Aid Kit (Preassembled for you in a nice little pouch)
- 40 Blinks by Bucky
- Macks Earplugs work well for sleeping, for airplanes try plugs that regulate pressure.
Miscellaneous
- Original Bic (For filling out customs and immigration documents)
- Vapur Element 1 Liter (Foldable, Refillable)
- Chums Surfshort Wallet (Tied to your belt loop)
- Flex Lock (Lock more than one zipper) and Nite-ize Microlock (to clip zippers together)
- Moleskin Cashiers Notebook are the perfect size (3.5″ x 5.5″)
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