Is there something about winter that brings out the wanderlust in people? Considering 79% of Americans have considered long-distance travel during the winter months, there is something to that idea.
Even if your winter travel plans don’t include a long-distance trip, you should still take extra precautions with your winter packing list. You don’t want to forget any travel essentials that could help beat the cold.
What should you pack to prepare for a winter trip? While that depends partially on where you plan to go, there are 10 items you want to include for any winter vacation.
Winter Travel Essentials
You know your normal travel packing list will include the essentials like toiletries, plenty of clothes, and travel-friendly payment options. When it comes to winter travel though, there are some more essentials you need to add to the list.
Cold Weather Clothes
The most important thing to consider for winter packing involves the clothes to beat the winter chills. You know travel requires the basic essentials for clothing.
These basic essentials require a little more in options for colder weather. There are several cold weather options you need to keep in mind.
1. Warm Outer Clothing
When traveling during the winter months, outer layering is important. You need to prepare for different temperature controls. You’ll likely spend time walking around outside as well as going in and out of buildings.
You should include a warm coat and lighter jacket options on your packing list. You can also layer with warm layers such as a mens weave vest or sweater.
2. Bottom Layers
You will also want some layering options to go under pants or skirts. This will help you stay warm without adding too much bulk.
Leggings are a good option for thin layers. Thermal underwear is another good option for layering if you’re wearing pants.
3. Warm Socks
If your feet get cold, the rest of you will soon follow. That’s why it’s important to prepare with warm sock options for winter travels.
If possible, opt for wool socks or socks made out of other warm materials. If not, you might consider taking extra socks so you can layer for extra warmth.
4. Warm and Comfortable Shoes
You probably already know that comfortable shoes are a must for traveling, especially if you’re walking a lot. During the winter, you also want to make sure your shoes can help keep your feet warm.
Look for shoes that are weatherproof and waterproof. Also, look for shoes that have good insulation.
5. Gloves
If you’re spending any time outdoors, gloves are a must during the winter months. The trick is finding gloves that will still give you the use of your hands.
Choose thin gloves that leave room for your hands to breathe. You want to makes sure they’ll still keep you warm though. Also, look for waterproof gloves, especially in areas with lots of snow.
6. A Warm Hat
You lose more body heat through your head than any other part of your body. During the winter you can combat this problem with a warm hat.
You want a hat that can cover your ears and the back of your neck as well as your head. A beanie is a good option for a winter hat.
Non-Clothing Essentials
Your wardrobe is not the only area where you need to plan for cold weather. Winter weather can dehydrate you. It can also wreak havoc on your skin.
You can combat these issues with some non-clothing winter essentials. These are the things that help keep your body healthy during winter travel.
7. Moisturizers
Winter air can dry out your skin and lips. You need to make sure you have moisturizer options to keep this from turning into a real problem.
You should pack a couple of chapstick containers to keep your lips moisturized and keep you stocked in case you lose a container. You should also pack a small bottle of lotion to carry with you for those areas that dry out easily. You might also want to consider bringing face moisturizer with you.
8. Sunscreen
Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean the sun disappeared. Even if it’s cloudy outside, the sun can cause damage to your skin.
Make sure you pack a good sunscreen that can protect your skin even in the winter months. You want a sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays.
9. Thermos and Water Bottle
The dry air of winter can lead to dehydration if you’re not careful. You need to stay hydrated throughout the day. You also might want the option for hot drinks to combat the cold.
To give yourself options for hydration, you should bring a water bottle and a thermos. The water bottle will make sure you have water available at all times. The thermos will give you options to take heated drinks with you wherever you go.
10. On-the-Go Bag
Since winter travel requires so many options for layering, moisturizing, and hydrating, this leaves you carrying a lot of stuff around with you during the day. You will probably want a bag to hold all these things.
A good on-the-go bag will ensure you keep up with all the things you need to take care of yourself through the day. You can also store any phones, chargers, cameras, and money in the bag. Plus, if you have enough room you can store any souvenirs you pick up along the way.
Other Winter Packing Considerations
Keep in mind that winter packing requires a little more equipment than you might usually travel with. Make sure you plan for this extra baggage when it comes to making your travel arrangements.
And, while it’s not necessarily an essential, you might want to consider bringing cold medicine or extra vitamin C when you travel in the winter. This ensures you have them on hand in case you need the extra boost or someone gets sick during travel.
Travel Tips All Year Round
There are plenty of travel opportunities all year long. If you want to take advantage of these opportunities, you want to make sure you’re prepared with the travel essentials. No matter when you travel, you can find more great tips on our travel tips page.
