Packing a carry-on is an art form that requires careful maneuvering any time of the year. But if you’re packing for cold weather, fitting everything in your suitcase becomes infinitely more difficult. Throw in a pair of jeans, a winter coat, and one singular knit sweater, and suddenly your bag is bursting at the seams. While you don’t want to have to check a bag in order to pack everything you need, you also don’t want to be freezing and under-prepared when you get to your destination. The perfect winter packing list can be tricky to figure out, but these tips can help. Whether you’re going home for the holidays or taking off on a winter getaway, here’s how to pack for cold weather without sacrificing warmth or style.
1. Wear your bulkiest items in transit.
Wearing your winter coat and lug-sole boots to the airport is a lot easier than trying to shove them in your suitcase. To save space while packing, pick out your bulkiest items and incorporate them into your travel outfit instead. You don’t necessarily need to wear them the whole time, so plan to dress in layers you can take off if you get too warm. Hot tip: A knit sweater or puffer coat can easily stand in for a travel pillow in a pinch!
2. Pack lightweight layers.
If you’re headed somewhere cold, packing enough warm clothes is obviously important. But instead of reaching for your thickest sweaters, prioritize thin, lightweight layers when putting together your winter packing list. Bring plenty of base layers such as long-sleeve T-shirts, bodysuits, knee-high socks, or tights you can wear under other clothing. To layer on top, opt for materials that are warm but not bulky, such as faux leather, velvet, cashmere, and corduroy. With enough layers, you won’t even miss that chunky-knit sweater.
5. Use space-saving bags to compress bulky items.
You can try to roll your clothes as tightly as possible, but if you really want to pack efficiently, you need some of these compression bags. You simply place your clothes inside, seal them up, and squeeze out the air (no vacuum needed) to compress your items down to a fraction of their usual size. I use these almost every time I travel, but they’re especially helpful when packing bulky items like sweaters or jeans.
4. Bring a down coat and leave your wool one at home.
If you do need to pack a coat in your suitcase, the material you choose matters. Coats made of thick materials like wool, sherpa, or faux fur will be a huge pain to pack because they don’t compress down easily. Instead, bring along a coat that’s insulated with down (or an alternative synthetic material). Because these coats are more lightweight and designed to trap air inside, you can typically roll or fold them down into a more compact shape without too much effort.
5. Don’t forget cold-weather accessories.
Just because you’re packing light doesn’t mean you have to freeze when you get to your destination. Accessories like hats, scarves, and gloves or mittens can go a long way in keeping you warm if you’re limited on layers. Since these items are relatively small, feel free to pack a couple of options so you can switch up your look, even if you’re wearing the same coat the whole time.
6. Re-think what’s really “essential.”
We all have those items we couldn’t imagine leaving home without, but when you’re packing for cold weather and space is at a premium, it might be time to rethink your essentials. For example, could you make do with the hotel-provided shampoo and conditioner instead of packing your own toiletries? Do you really need to bring a curling iron and a straightener? You could even apply this thinking to clothes. If you’re heading home for the holidays, could you raid a family member’s closet or scrounge up an outfit from the clothes left in your childhood bedroom? Think hard about what you can leave out—it’ll make that much more room for the things you actually need.
