Are you going on a trip in the cold? So read this post and discover what to pack in your winter suitcase, from the best clothes to shoes and accessories. Also see how to pack your suitcase so that it doesn't become too heavy.
Packing your suitcase is not one of the easiest tasks. To decide which pieces to take, you need to consider where you are going, the number of days on the trip, what you are going to do at your destination and several other factors.
It’s a math that, let’s be honest, involves a lot of “What if I need this part that I haven’t used in 3 years?” and "Are 7 t-shirts enough?”.
Packing a winter suitcase, however, is even more complicated. You need to make sure you are taking items that will withstand the low temperature, so that you don't freeze or get sick. Typically, this means a larger amount of clothing than for a summer trip, and bulkier items. “Will the suitcase close?” is a question that often comes up when deciding what to take for a trip in the cold.
Another difficulty in putting together a suitcase for this type of climate is that in Brazil we are not used to harsh winters. Even the warmest coats sold here are not made to withstand negative temperatures or snow, and we Brazilians often nem know what to use to withstand this level of cold.
These two problems – what to take for a trip in the cold and how to pack it so that it doesn't get heavy – make packing a winter suitcase a complicated task. Luckily, throughout my travels I learned what to pack for cold temperatures, and I'll teach you how to do the same.
In this post, I will teach you how to assemble your winter suitcase, with tips on what to bring (including a complete list) and how to organize all the pieces.
What to pack in your winter suitcase
The main concept you need to understand when talking about clothes for a harsher winter is dress in layers. The normal thing is to use a second skin, a lighter coat and then a heavy coat.
The advantages of this method are that in addition to being warmer, you can take off your heavy coat if you enter closed spaces with the heating on. In other words, it is suitable both for when you are outside exposed to the cold, and for attractions such as museums or restaurants.
Because we don't have much knowledge on the subject, it's normal to think that we just have to buy um super warm coat to protect us against low temperatures, but that alone is not enough. On mine trip to New York in winter, for example, I wore a thermal blouse, a knitting thicker and a super heavy coat, and that's the only way I was able to withstand the -13ºC.
Here are some examples of what to wear in each layer:
1st Layer – Second skin (thermal clothing)
These clothes tend to be thin and light, but with technology that warms the body.
The advantages of using this type of piece are numerous: because they are thin, you don't look like a ball all wrapped up, for example, which helps it look better in photos. As they are light, they don't add much weight to your suitcase, so you can carry some variations without adding too much weight. Plus, they also get hot, lol!
For the top, a long-sleeved t-shirt is ideal, and serves as a base for all other coats. For the bottom, thermal pants are the best option. As they are thin, these pants can be worn underneath even other tight pieces, such as leggings or jeans.
In Brazil it is easy to find in sports stores, such as Decatlhon. If you are abroad, I also recommend pieces from Uniqlo's HEATTECH line, which are cheap and quality. Amazon also has great options!
2nd Layer – Lighter jackets
After the second skin, the ideal is to wear a warmer piece, such as a woolen blouse or a closed jacket.. Choose something that still allows you good mobility, and that you will feel comfortable wearing if you take off your heavier coat (which will be the next layer). If you have a piece of fleeces, for example, which is that fabric that looks like a plush, this is the time to use it.
I usually use one Knitting hand or machine wool, a thicker sweatshirt or even a long-sleeved blouse with heavier fabric. In the case of the bottom, you can even wear jeans or leggings if you don't feel too cold, or wool pants if you want to be even warmer.
3rd Layer – Heavy coat
The heavier coat is exactly what it sounds like – an even warmer coat that you wear on top of all your other layers. This is what you will remove if you enter a heated environment, and it will ensure that you are truly protected against the cold.
Which Taking a coat is a choice that depends more on your style and the weather conditions of your destination. I recommend buying this piece abroad, as Brazilian models are not usually as hot. Here are some of the best options:
“Gummy” coat
This option came back into fashion after the launch of The North Face jackets. This “gummies” coat is usually made from a super light material, such as nylon, and is filled with synthetic materials or even feathers, to keep the body super warm.
I really like this option because it usually has a hood and most models are also water-repellent, so they can withstand light rain. The best thing is that because it is very light and thin, some coats of this type can be folded and stored in your own pocket or in a small bag. I take mine on every trip and have used it to go hiking and walk around cities.
My model is this one from Uniqlo which is also seamless, preventing wind from entering. The North Face also has great models.
Wool overcoat
This option is a little more stowed, and I consider it ideal for those who are traveling to big cities and intend to visit many closed attractions.
It's not suitable for trails, rain or snow, and as it doesn't have a hood, you also need a hat to go with it.. Even so, it's my favorite option when I want to take beautiful photos, as it has a less casual look than gum jackets. A black wool coat, for example, is a classic that goes with any piece you wear as a second layer, and with wool pants, jeans and leggings.
I bought one from Guess in Orlando and used it on my trip to New York, on days that were drier and didn't threaten to snow. When I went out, I only completed the look with a scarf and a hat.
If you are looking in Europe, Mango has great options, and in the United States you can find it for a good price in outlets or even on Amazon.
Warm and waterproof jacket
For more extreme conditions, such as snow, the ideal is that the jacket, in addition to being warm, is also waterproof, that is, it does not get soaked throughout the day. As these are colder temperatures, I also recommend buying one with a slightly longer length and one that has a hood, to protect your head.
Be careful when looking for this model, as most waterproof jackets do not usually have the function of actually keeping warm.. What you're looking for is something made to protect you from rain and snow, but with enough padding to also keep you warm.
A good option is the Triclimate model from The North Face.
Accessories
You can even wear all three layers the way I suggested here, but without the right accessories you may still get cold. The essential items for a trip in colder climates are:
- Scarf
- Hat
- Gloves
- Thermal socks
My recommendation is that you invest in neutral pieces in your clothes, as you won't be carrying several heavy coats, and use accessories to vary your looks. You can take, for example, two colored scarves and alternate them.
Also be aware that there are currently gloves that allow touch on your cell phone, so you don't need to remove them to take photos, for example. Socks should also be longer (no sockets!) to keep the shin area warm.
Shoes
For really cold weather, you won't be able to wear running shoes because your toes will freeze, and if it's raining or snowing, your shoes will get soaked. It's best to invest in leather shoes with a lining inside, to keep you warmer, or waterproof boots if you're going to face snow or go hiking. In the second case, don't forget the wool socks!
Ski clothes
In the case of a ski trip, you can keep the first and second layer, the latter preferably with a very warm fabric such as fleece or wool.
How will you spend the day in the snow, the third layer accurate be waterproof, so you don't get soaked. Once again, be careful not to buy a coat that only repels water, as there is not enough. In this case, it is also important to wear waterproof gloves and pants, and give preference to those made especially for skiing.
What to pack in your winter suitcase – Complete list
I put together this list with what I consider to be the minimum to carry in a winter suitcase. If you are checking in luggage, you can add more items as needed.
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Second skin t-shirt (1st layer) | 2 |
| Second skin pants (1st layer) | 1 |
| Lighter coat (2nd layer) | 2 |
| Jeans or fleece pants (2nd layer) | 2 |
| Gum coat (3rd layer) | 1 |
| Wool overcoat or snow coat (3rd layer) | 1 |
| Hat | 1 |
| Scarf | 1 |
| Gloves | 1 |
| Waterproof shoe with lining | 1 |
| Wool socks | 3 |
| Underwear | 1 per day |
| Warm pajamas (shirt, coat, pants, socks) | 1 |
| Sunscreen | 1 |
| Facial moisturizer | 1 |
| Sunglasses | 1 |
| Lip balm | 1 |
Some considerations:
- Don't just take a pair of jeans or just a pair of wool pants to use as a second layer., because if it rains or snows you won't have anything to use the next day.
- Is it possible to only take one shoe for the cold?, in this case, choose one that is waterproof and also has a warm lining, so that it warms your foot and does not leave it soaked.
- As the gummy coat is small and light, I recommend taking it with you on every trip. The second heavy coat will depend on your destination.
- If you are going to do any activity such as hiking, the ideal is to wear a jacket that is also windproof.. You can buy one of the third type (warm and waterproof) that also has this function, or use the short one and a windproof and waterproof jacket on top. This type of coat does not heat up, it only protects against rain and wind.
- The cold dries out your skin, so it's best to bring a moisturizer and lip balm. It is also recommended to use sunscreen, especially in the snow, where it reflects the sun and can cause burns. Sunglasses help for the same reason.
- In this list I only included winter items. Don't forget to take the rest of your travel essentials, electronics, documents, etc. You can check a more complete list in the post about what to pack in your suitcase.
- If you're going on a ski trip, don't forget to bring a third waterproof layer, with a jacket, pants and gloves!
How to pack your winter suitcase
In addition to how to pack the items in your suitcase, it is also important to think about how many items to take and how they will be used during the trip.
The key to putting together a small winter suitcase, even one that weighs 10kg and can only be carried as a carry-on suitcase, is to choose neutral pieces that match each other. As I commented in the post about how to pack your suitcase, this way you can make countless combinations with just a few items.
In the case of cold weather, my suggestion is that the heaviest coat be black, so it will match over any other pieces. If you want to “change your look”, invest in colorful accessories such as scarves and hats, and try using different second layers to take photos indoors.
To pack all the bags, my suggestion is to place the pieces from each layer in a packing cube specific, as well as separate bags for shoes and another for accessories. I already showed how to use packing cubes and how they are a miracle for organizing your suitcase in this post.
Now, some storage tips and quantities according to the type of luggage:
How to pack a winter backpack
Ideally, your backpack should be as light as possible, but with enough parts to keep you warm during your trip. Therefore, I would adapt the list above only for the third layer part, and look for a coat that is warm, waterproof and windproof. This way you will only need one heavier piece.
Another tip is to use the heaviest items when going out with your backpack, don't put your coat and boots inside, for example. If necessary, use these pieces even on the plane, to avoid carrying weight.
Other than that, here are some tips for packing any backpack: heavier items near the back, shoes (if you are going to take any other shoes) at the bottom and lighter items at the top. Here in this post I've already shown you the best way to pack a travel backpack.
If you're going to be carrying your backpack in the snow, it's also a good idea to buy a rain cover to prevent it from getting soaked.
Hand winter suitcase
The carry-on suitcase already has a little more space than a backpack, so you can carry the entire list up there plus your electronics and other hygiene items.. You can also easily add a second shoe, be it a more tidy boot (but which must also have a warm lining) or a simply waterproof or lined boot, so you can vary it over the days.
As you will have space and you will still be carrying a smaller backpack or purse, I suggest using the heavier coat and also taking the puffer jacket, so you have two options and it can vary. It is super light and most of the time it barely takes up space in your suitcase. The Uniqlo one has a little pouch that I hang on my handbag!
You can also take advantage of the space to add another scarf and one or two lighter coats, to vary the looks as I mentioned above.
As this suitcase is not very big, the organization to be done is to separate the layers into their specific packing cubes and fit them so that the suitcase closes. It's also worth taking a look at this video if your second layer pieces are bulky.
Checked suitcase with winter clothes
Here the number of items is not very important, as you have more than enough space to carry the entire list up there and also add some items, such as more clothes from the second layer, another shoe and more accessories.
In organization, however, it is worth taking some care: Place heavier items at the bottom of the suitcase, such as shoes or bulky coats (Watch this video to learn how to fold them). Lighter items, such as scarves and second-skin clothing, can be organized in packing cubes and placed on top of the rest. Also remember to leave your pajamas separate, as well as hygiene items that you may need as soon as you arrive at your accommodation.
You may not even need to take your heavier coat on the plane, but I suggest you do it anyway. It may be that your suitcase doesn't arrive or is delayed for a few days, and if that's the case, it's best to have a third layer on so you don't get cold at your destination.. If you are going to carry a backpack or carry-on suitcase, also include a outfit complete with items from the first and second tier, just in case.
Care for a winter suitcase
In addition to worrying about what to take and how to pack it, it is also important to consider that your suitcase may not reach your destination. So, as I mentioned, it's a good idea to take some warm clothes and your heavier coat with you on the plane.
If this happens, the ideal is to contact the airline. As this process tends to take a long time, it is best to have specialized assistance during your trip. Um Safety will contact the company and help locate your suitcase more quickly, in addition to compensating you if you incur any costs to replace the items you needed while your luggage was lost.
Another reason to have insurance is that, as you will face low temperatures, your immunity may be compromised, and you may become ill. Looks unbelievable, but this has happened to me even with air conditioning in the summer. To ensure that you will be treated quickly and efficiently by a medical team, take out travel insurance. The best plans already cover all expenses in advance, so you don't need to pay a penny right away.
Ready to assemble your winter suitcase?
And there you have it, all the tips for packing a suitcase for traveling in the cold!
Do you have any questions? Do you think there was an item missing? Tell me in the comments!
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