Winter Travel Tips: How to Pack for both Warmth and Convenience

Are you about to head off for a great winter vacation? Maybe you just want to make sure that you get the best result out of your long-awaited ski break. Either way, you need to make sure that you have everything you need to make the most out of your vacation. Here’s how you do that.

Stay Warm

It’s so important that you are able to pack everything you need to stay warm. Sure, thermals might not look cool when you are out and on the go but at the end of the day, they are a great way for you to stay warm without having to pack any bulky clothes. Thermals also mean that you can wear much lighter tops and tights without having to worry about being too cold. This is ideal if you are going around cities during your vacation.  

Wear your Heaviest Items on the Plane

f you are going somewhere icy then you won’t be able to get around taking some big boots and a massive coat. That being said, you do need to worry about luggage space as well. If you want to get around this then it is a very good idea for you to wear the heaviest items on the plane so you don’t have to worry about them putting you over your luggage limit. Planes can get quite cold sometimes, so this isn’t a bad thing. If your coat gets too warm, then you can always put your coat in the overhead compartment when the plane has taken off.

Roll up your Clothes

This is a tried-and-tested method and it will give you a lot of extra room in your bag. Instead of folding your clothes, try and make sure that you roll them instead. When you do this, you will be able to minimise any empty gaps and you can also significantly reduce any creasing as well. If you are having a hard time rolling up awkward clothing items like t-shirts then simply fold in the arms and then fold the t-shirt in half. This will give you a nice and tight roll!

Wear Sunscreen

You might think that taking sunscreen with you is certainly not the way to go when it comes to a winter vacation. That being said, it is important that you wear it. The main reason for this is because even though it is cold, the sun’s rays can still affect your skin. This is even more required if you are going skiing because long days on the slope can easily lead to sunburn and this is the last thing that you want when you are trying to have the vacation of a lifetime. This concept applies if you are going hiking as well. Remember that if you are going hiking then you may have a poor mobile reception, so check in with your friends whenever you have signal to let them know that you are okay. It’s also worth taking out a contract or PAYG SIM card so that you know you are able to get in touch with them if something happens. If you are not sure who can give you the best service then look up the best network review.

Pack Light

When you are planning a big vacation, it can be tempting for you to try and pack your biggest stuff first. You do however need to make sure that you are taking some lighter items with you as well. After all, it’s often layers that help to keep you the warmest and if you want to try and get the best result then you need to make sure that they are thin where possible. If you do, then the air between each layer will act as insulation. Layering up comes with its benefits.

Limit your Colour Palette

When it comes to looking fashionable in colder weather, black is the way to go. If you stick with black or any neutral colours, then you will find it easier to mix and match stylish combinations without using too many pieces of clothing. Dark jeans go with anything and a black coat is ideal as it works with your entire wardrobe.

Boots

You really don’t need to take a ton of heavy shoes with you as they will take up luggage space that you really need for other things. Unless you are traversing tough terrain, one pair of boots will suit you for everything. If you are going to a very outdoorsy location then it may be worth taking a sturdier pair with you, but either way, you don’t really need to take more than 2 pairs. Remember that the inside of your boot is a great storage space for things like socks and underwear so make sure that you use this to your advantage where you can.

The Right Accessories

Accessories often get left behind when it comes to a vacation. At the end of the day though, they really can make all the difference. If you are taking gloves with you then try and choose ones which have a wool lining and a touch screen tip. This will make it much easier for you to use your phone when you are out and on the go, not to mention that it will also stop you from getting frozen fingers. Statement jewellery can jazz up your outfit if you are planning on hitting the city and colourful scarves can really work in your favour as well. They are the best way for you to make the same old boring outfit look different every day. If you want to take a hat with you then make sure that it covers your ears and that it at least partially covers the back of your neck too. It’s also important that your hat doesn’t have any flaps or fluffy pom-poms either. The main reason for this is because it will take up more space in your bag and it might not be worth it.

Clothing

As mentioned above, it’s important that you are careful when choosing your clothes. You need to take layers and you also need to try and have a nice, neutral colour scheme. If you aren’t sure where to start, then you might want to take a t-shirt for indoors and then a long-sleeved top that you can wear over that. A fleece or even a winter sweater can go a long way here, along with a light winter coat. This can be worn over the top as a shell, and it gives you protection from the rain. The best thing about packing clothes like this is that you will have more than enough clothes to help you deal with any weather condition.

Accessories

Accessories are important. You might have your sunscreen sorted, but depending on the room you have left, you might need to take some polarised sunglasses too. Winter sunlight reflects off snow and this can really take its toll on your eyes. The sun is also much lower in the sky in winter as well so it may become a problem when you are driving in the shortened daylight hours. In conditions such as this, it’s really helpful to have some really high-quality sunglasses as this will help you to no end.

Don’t Pack your Favourite Gear

Sure, you might have an oversized wool jacket that you would be happy to take across the world with you, but it weighs a lot and it will probably take up your entire suitcase. You might also be tempted to take some books with you as well, but they take up a lot of room and they can also add to your luggage allowance too. The urge to pack your favourite things can be overwhelming so you have to make sure that you are strict with yourself and that you pack as light as possible. If you are able to do this then you will soon find that you are able to get the best result out of your travel experience and that you are also able to make more logical choices.

So going abroad for a winter vacation can be fun to say the least, but you have to remember that if you don’t pack properly then you may find that the whole thing ends up being more hassle and that you also end up ruining it for yourself too. This is the last thing that you want, but luckily, if you plan ahead, you’ll be able to not only have the best time but also be well under your luggage allowance! If you want to better your experience even more then check the weather before you go and change your packing list accordingly, so you can be prepared. It might also help to ask other people who have been to the destination you’re travelling to as well, as they can advise you on what they took and even if there are any places you can buy clothes from when you are there.