Winter Packing List: How To Avoid Freezing To Death
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I went to Fairbanks, Alaska, in the heart of winter, and lived to tell the tale. You can beat the scary Alaska cold by simply being prepared with this winter packing list. It’s not quite as dramatic as I made it out to be, but the fact is most people are scared of Alaska in the winter. Especially the Alaska interior, where the temperatures dip below 0 degrees most nights, and you have to plug in your car (Yup, that’s really a thing).
During my ten days in Fairbanks, the coldest it dropped to was -25 F, and that happened to be one of the nights when we were out Aurora chasing – brrrrr. During our time in the interior, we also had about 20 inches of snow in total! So, we really had to be prepared for anything!
While I traveled around Fairbanks, there were only a few times where I was truly cold… the kind of cold where it was hard to ignore. And yes, I did spend the majority of my time doing outdoor activities – because it’s Alaska, and you are meant to be outside in Alaska having adventures! Most of the time it was simply about making sure you had the right gear on so that you weren’t too cold or too hot.
Before I took off for Alaska, I got a few new items to test out to see if they could survive the Alaska cold. Some were great, and some not so great.
Here’s what I took with me and what I suggest you put on your winter packing list to stay warm while being active.
Table of Contents
Winter Gear Essentials to Pack for Alaska and Other Cold Regions
This isn’t a winter packing list of EVERYTHING you need to bring. It’s a list of essential winter gear that you’ll want to bring in addition to all of the normal stuff you’d pack. I’m pretty sure I don’t have to remind you to bring underwear, shirts, jeans, and toiletries!
In addition – these are all products and brands I use in my own winter travels. I will only recommend brands and items I have on my own winter packing list!
Suitcases and Packing Accessories for Winter Climates
It has to start with the vehicle – the suitcase. Winter gear is inevitably bulkier, and I always find that I have to use my biggest suitcase for packing winter gear. For my Alaska winter trip, I rolled out and tried a brand-new suitcase from my favorite brand, Eagle Creek.
Read about things to do in Anchorage in Winter or Summer
I like the Cargo Hauler Rolling Duffle it’s perfect for carrying a lot of winter travel clothes. It’s durable, and you can pack a ton in it. It comes in 120L and 90L.
I don’t like or need many bells and whistles in a bag. They just add weight and take up space. I just want a big open compartment I can organize with packing cubes and keep things light. I was even able to fit my tripod in this monster bag on wheels!
Normally, when I travel for winter, the gear is too bulky to get away with packing it in a carry-on bag. I normally have to take my largest suitcase in order to fit all of the coats, layers, and boots for winter travel.
Perfect for packing the bulky gear of winter or adventure travel. This item can be rolled, carried, or carried as a backpack. It's weather resistant and durable. And of course it has the Eagle Creek No Matter What Warranty - that's what makes this brand my favorite suitcase brand!
Suitcase Organization – Packing Cubes
I use
Compression is a must for bulky winter gear! Remove excess air from garments using these Compression Sacks to save up to 80% of your packing volume. I use them for my puffy coats and sweaters to save winter packing space!
12 pack - multiple sizes
This compression packing cube set is a must for being able to organize your suitcase for a trip. The zippers are sturdy and durable which is key for a compression cube. I have been amazed at how many things I could compress thanks to the strong zippers.
Alaska in the winter means northern lights. I had to bring a bunch of camera equipment for this trip, too. I used my great photography backpack by Peak Design. The Everyday Backpack from Peak is a great multi-use photo backpack that can be organized in SO MANY different ways. Even after putting my camera, lenses, and laptop in it – there’s plenty of room for extra layers for the cold weather. Plus, it’s weatherproof – let it snow, and know that your gear is protected!
The Everyday Backpack is built around access, organization, expansion, and protection. I like it because in addition to safely carrying camera gear, it also can fit in extras like a rain coat, laptop, and snacks. Extra space is so important! The water bottle pockets can fit a variety of size bottles and it will also fit the Peak Design travel tripod easily! It has lots of handles which is great for travel and I love the 2 side openings making it easy to use in the field. Finally - I love the fact that it's weatherproof - I don't need to carry an extra rain cover. I used it in the Galapagos in the rain and everything stayed dry.
In addition, I always had my Peak Design Sling with me for the many times when I didn’t want to carry my larger backpack and only wanted to take my camera and lens – plus a few essentials like batteries, money, etc. You can easily adjust the strap to be any length and even use it as a fanny pack! I basically use the Sling as an unassuming purse and a camera bag. I love both of these Peak bags and take them on every trip!
The perfect companion for minimalist, on-the-go carry of everyday or photo gear. My favorite thing about this sling is that it doesn't necessarily look like a camera bag - which is perfect for traveling. It looks more like a purse and can carry a camera, as well as other things you may need while touring around a city. The Sling’s padded cross-body strap features a quick-adjuster that you can loosen when accessing gear and tighten when actively hiking, biking, or walking.
Cold Weather Clothing Essentials
The most important thing is making sure you don’t overheat when you are active in the winter. To avoid that, it’s good to have high-quality winter gear. Wicking, breathing fabric is essential, or else you will end up very cold if your sweat is trapped next to your skin. That actually happened to me on one of our hikes, and I was miserable. I just dressed too warm and ended up overheating, and I didn’t make that mistake again!
If you are going to be doing active winter travel, then the rule you can try to follow is that you should feel a little cold before you start the activity. That way, when your body warms up, you should be dressed just right. Start cold!
If you are going to be more docile, like watching for northern lights in Alaska, then you will want to bundle up more. You can’t rely on your body heat to warm you in that situation. When I do aurora chasing, I’m normally using all 3 of my warmest layers!
How to Layer to Stay Warm
For any kind of cold weather travel, layers are key to any winter packing list.
- The base layer (underwear layer) wicks sweat off your skin
- The middle layer (insulating layer) retains body heat to protect you from the cold
- The outer layer (shell layer) shields you from wind, rain, and snow.
You don’t have to wear all three layers all the time – but you better bring them all with you so you can be prepared for anything.
Winter Base Layer
Keeping your skin (base layer) warm and dry is the main goal when dressing for extreme winter travel. I use a variety of brands made of natural fiber/wool base layers. Ideally, your winter packing list should be filled with natural fibers such as merino wool or alpaca.
Wool is nature’s ultimate travel companion. Lightweight and highly breathable, wool keeps you cool when it’s warm and warm when it’s cool, all while naturally wicking moisture away. Whether on a plane, train, veranda, or hiking trail, wool adapts to your body temperature, helping you feel fresh and comfortable wherever you roam. I love Smartwool base layers because they are not only odor-free and totally warm, but they are also fashionable.
If it’s not extremely cold, you might want to wear a short-sleeved shirt instead as your base layer. I normally wear a Merino wool hiking shirt if I want something short-sleeved.
I wear this crew everywhere. I wear it as a baselayer for snowshoeing, and often I just wear it alone because I love the design. Comfortable against your skine - it'll make the perfect baselayer for cold temps!
These are the best base layer pants I have! You'll conquer the cold with more confidence than ever. I use these for snowshoeing, sleeping, and sometimes I just lounge around in them because they are so darn comfortable!
Another natural fiber brand I love is Paka. They use alpaca wool from Peru and this has all the same qualities as merino wool. It's actually warmer than merino! I love this company for their sustainability, responsible packaging, and how you can trace each item back to the exact Alpaca it came from!
Winter Middle Layer
Middle layers can be a variety of things as long as they help you trap the heat yet are breathable: wool, fleece, down, or synthetic. The flipside of fleece, though, is that wind blows right through, which can steal warmth. That’s why you need to have an outer layer with you if you’re going with a fleece middle layer.
If it’s really cold, I will use my Fjallraven puffy jacket as a middle layer, and I’ll use a wind jacket as a top layer over it. However, if I’m doing something active, then I’ll use it as a top layer because being active outdoors will keep you warm in general… so you normally don’t need a top layer! Some of my other mid-layer favorites are my favorite Smartwool Smartloft jacket or other Smartwool half zips – I have a variety of them!
A great puffy jacket for staying warm when the temperatures dip. It's lightweight, but very insultating! I use this for camping and hiking trips in the evening. Made from 100% recycled polyester free-fiber insulation provides down-like puffiness and loft—and continues to insulate even when damp!
The ultimate cold-weather jacket and perfect for a mid-layer in cold environments or an outer layer for autumn temps. It uses a recycled wool insulation to offer lightweight, packable warmth wherever you go. A DWR finish helps protect you from the elements, with a stretchy and soft Merino-blend fleece on the inside. So you’re free to move through any chilly adventure in total comfort.
A super warm Alpaca crew sweater makes a perfect midlayer for cold conditions. Plus, it's pretty enough to wear on it's own too! Made from Alpaca from the Andes in Peru. PAKA is a sustainable brand - another plus!
This Outdoor Research fleece is is a great midlayer for colder weather. Wicking, quick-drying and breathable! I love the kangaroo pocket!
Another alternative for a winter mid-layer is the great new line of heated clothing… that’s right, this is clothing that runs on batteries! Thanks to advances in conductive thread heating technology – we can now have a variety of heated clothing! I’ve been testing products from Gobi Heat recently. Battery life is around 10 hours, and you can use various heat settings. The items are washable, and the battery is easily rechargeable at night. This Gobi Heat Sahara Jacket would be a great mid-layer for Alaska!
Great for a layer under your favorite winter coat.
From Gobi Heat - 10 hrs of Heat | 3 Heat Zones | with Battery & Charger | Machine Washable | All Day Warmth
Find out where to go in Alaska for fall color
Winter Outer Layer
This is your first defense against the cold and can take many forms depending on just how cold it is. If it’s not extremely cold – maybe you just need something that breaks the wind or a lighter-weight puffy jacket. However – if you are talking about Fairbanks in the winter or Antarctica – you’ll want a parka. Parkas are heavy jackets that provide extreme warmth and wind protection. They are longer and typically go over your butt. Plus, parkas normally also have a pretty substantial hood. As of late, I’ve been using the OR Stormcraft Parka – I love it so far.
The ultimate down parka for the coldest weather. I love this coat with 700+ fill to keep you toasty warm. It's made of Gortex which means it's waterproof and windproof. However, the best thing about this coat is all of the pockets! I also like how you an cinch it as the waster for a little more flattering look. The arm cuffs fit snuggly so no cold air is sneaking in!
I’ve also used and like the North Face Down Parka. It’s similar to the OR parka, but it has a furry hood. All hoods are not the same – that fur-lined hood isn’t for fashion – it has an important purpose! I actually like the hoods with fur, as they keep your face so much warmer. Hoods with fur decrease the amount of heat lost, thus keeping your face and you warmer. Plus – when wearing a fur hood, each time you exhale, the moisture in your breath forms ice on the fur. And since ice is a better conductor of heat than air, your fur trim, which is far from keeping you warm, becomes a very efficient conductor of heat away from your face. I can totally geek out about this stuff… and if you’d like to learn more – then why not learn from the experts – the Inuit? Learn why they have been using fur trim for years!
The North FaceWomen's Jump Down Parka provides winter protection from the top of your head to your knees. This cold-weather coat features waterproof DryVent fabric and 550-fill down insulation. Not once was I cold in Alaska in this parka!
For your bottom half, your outer layer should be something that protects you from the wind for sure. I normally wear a base layer on my legs and then layer my top layer over that. Of course, you can go in traditional ski pants that are insulated. Or you can go with a 3-season pant. They will normally have great wind/rain/snow protection, but they aren’t insulated. Those types of pants are great for when you are planning to be active outside, such as when you are snowshoeing.
Snowshoeing 101: Why Do It, What to Wear, Where to Go
A great outer layer for extreme cold environments. Seam-sealed 2-layer DryVent™ fabric provides waterproof/breathable protection from the elements
These 3 season pants are super for snowshoeing. Just put a base layer underneath them and you are good to go for active winter activities. They are water & wind resistant, made of a durable abrasion resistant stretchy fabric. I also love the ability to cinch the waste.
Layers for Keeping Your Hands and Feet Warm
Layers are also imperative for your fingers and toes. All of the same rules apply – natural fibers like Alpaca or Merino wool are best, and you also want to protect from wind and rain/snow.
This is also an area where heat technology has really improved. You can now purchase heated socks and gloves. No more using those ‘manual’ foot warmers… now you just have a rechargeable battery that keeps your fingers and toes warm!
Winter Socks
I normally use a wool sock such as Smartwool or Point6 brands. For the winter, I pack longer, heavier wool socks and still layer them. I used a thin-wicking base layer sock and then my Point6 Merino wool socks. One great resource I like is the Smartwool Sock Finder – it’ll help you find the right sock for your activity of choice.
The cozy merino wool cushioning next to the skin insulates the foot from hot spots. These ski socks are great for any kind of outdoor winter activities.
2 Pack
If you have a bigger budget – then here’s the ultimate winter sock! That battery-operated heated technology has made its way to socks, too! I’ve been using the Gobi Heat heated socks, and they are wonderful! No more using those foot warmers… now you just have a rechargeable battery – that is about the same size as a foot warmer! These socks have three settings – and honestly, if you are hiking or snowshoeing – I recommend the low setting, or else it’s too hot!
Out of all of the heated products out there - I find the socks work the best.
They use a steel fiber heating technology and dual slim 2,400 mAh Lithium Polymer batteries allow for extended heat during longer day trips. They warm up within 30 seconds so feel more comfortable immediately!
10 hours of Heat | Battery and Charger Included
Winter Gloves and Mittens
Keeping my hands warm is always my biggest challenge because I so often work with my camera or phone and need my fingers out touching things!
I like to use wool liner gloves, and an insulated windproof mitten. I prefer to have outer gloves with zipper access on the glove so that I can easily get my fingers out to work with my camera without having to take off my whole mitten.I also love my winter gloves to have a wrist strap so I can easily take my glove off and not drop it.
I use these Soft Merino Wool Gloves as liners in cold environments. They are touch screen compatible so you don't have to take you gloves off to use your phone.
Waterproof, Windproof, Leather Palm, Touchscreen Compatible, Insulated
Once again, if you’d like to invest in warmth, then there are battery operated heated options to use for your hands. You can find heated gloves, mittens, and liners. However, my absolute favorite winter packing list item is my GTech heated hand muff warmer!
Compression socks for travel – the what, why, and how
This is it...I finally found the best solution for keeping my hands warm in extreme cold environments like Antarctica or aurora chasing...this muff is the best! I use it primarily for doing photography in the winter - it's better than any other gloves I've tried before. The inside is lined with warm fur and the heat settings are incredible. It also has a little zip pocket where you can keep your phone and camera batteries warm. The muff's battery life is good for staying out for hours waiting for aurora!
These warm mittens will stay warm for hours thanks to it's battery! These heated gloves are great for the frigid temps of Alaska or Antarctica. They are fully waterproof.
These are one smart glove...hence the hefty price tag. They can measure the current heat of your hands in your glove like a thermostat and then deliver just the right amount of heat to keep you warm! Heat turns on when you’re cold and off when you’re not. Set your heated gloves to a comfortable setting using a paired smartphone app and automatically the heating system maintains a steady and comfortable balance point.
Discover the essential hiking gear to pack for any hike
Winter Boots for Outdoor Adventures
This boot was my first experience with the Oboz brand. Since then, I have bought many pairs of OBOZ boots for hiking! The insulation definitely kept me warm – and when I used them for snowshoeing, they were practically hot! What I loved about them was the high-quality insole that provided incredible support. The insole was even thermal. I’ve had enough foot and knee injuries to know it’s imperative to have good footbed support. I wore these boots non-stop in Alaska winter because they were as comfortable as my tennis shoes. I was happy to be introduced to the brand; they made a believer out of me!
Sooo - comfortable and warm! These are my go-to winter insultated boot. I use them for snowshoeing and everyday around town stuff when it's really cold. O Fit Thermal insoles provide stability and support while reducing heat loss to keep your feet happy!
Warm boots are great – however, if you are going to Alaska in the winter – this is the one thing I can’t live without – winter traction for my boots. I use shoe spikes that easily fit onto any boot or shoe. These provided some great security when walking on icy sidewalks and lakes – or simply walking in parking lots. I also used them for ice fishing, and they were perfect for ensuring I didn’t fall on my ass! You will use these every day in Alaska!
These are a must for winter travel - they will provide you peace of mind as you get around in the winter on icy trails, lakes, and even parking lots.
Winter Packing List Hats and Neck Gaiters
So much heat escapes from your head that it’s imperative to have a good winter hat when traveling for your Alaska winter vacation. I use a few different styles. For everyday stuff – I love my Turtle Fur hats. They normally have soft fleece liners that are soft and warm against your ears. And if I’m preparing for the deep freeze, my go-to hat is always my bulky hat from Nepal with earflaps. If they are good enough for the Himalayas, they are good enough for Alaska in the winter!
Beanies that pack a punch! Merino wool manages moisture, retains heat, and is fully-lined with fleece, meaning it feels soft against your skin - no itch!
- 100% Wool Hand Wash Only
- 100 % New Zealand Wool Fleece Lining. (Itch free)
- ❤ Fair Trade and handmade in Nepal. Hand knit one at a time, not mass produced so there may be minor differences in color and imperfections.
My neck is always cold – but when you are doing active winter activities – a scarf is just too bulky. That’s where neck gaiters come in! These fleece-lined neck gaiters are a Godsend to keep you toasty warm. They are soft and can be used as a less bulky way to keep your neck warm than a scarf. Plus, they can double as a mask or even a hat if need be.
Turtle Fur is known for their neck gaters. They have lots of styles and fabrics. The winter fleece lined is my favorite for cold weather. It's so soft and cozy!
Have a friend going hiking? Check out these great gifts for travelers.
Extreme Cold Weather Gear Packing List Add Ons
There’s cold-weather gear, and then there’s extreme cold-weather gear. When you are dealing with temperatures of -25 or days that don’t even go above 0, then you need another level of gear.
However, one great thing I’ve noticed with winter tour companies in places like Alaska is that they are starting to provide the appropriate extreme weather gear for you because they understand that the normal person might not have the means to get all of this gear for just one trip. And they want to make sure you are warm because a warm person is a happy person. So be sure to always ask if they provide gear before you go out and buy yours!
Balaclava
My favorite extreme winter weather item was my Seirus Magnemask Balaclava. This was more than a balaclava because it also had a full face mask (secured with magnets) with great ventilation for breathing and heavy activity.
You can easily pull down the mask part and tuck it away if you don’t want to use it. This mask kept me completely toasty warm, but I could still easily talk and breathe.
OMG - I love this for really cold weather! The mask is secured by a magnet and it's easy to pull...
Hand and Foot Warmers
And to bring one last level of warmth to my gear, I used hand and foot warmers religiously.
Hand warmers and foot warmers are essential items in extreme winter weather. They come in disposable packs, reusable packs, or electric hand warmers. I would simply throw a hand warmer in my gloves, and my fingers would never be cold! Plus, hand warmers are also essential for keeping batteries (phone and camera) warm in cold environments.
I used the foot warmers more sparingly, mainly for Aurora-watching. Actually, it was more like Aurora waiting. Standing and waiting in the cold meant my toes would get cold, even in my awesome Oboz boots.
However, not all hand/foot warmers are made equally. The easiest and cheapest to get your hands on are the standard one-time-use warmers. Open them up from their packaging, and they stay warm for about four hours or so. But that’s it – you can’t reuse them.
I recently came across these sorts of reusable ones from Ignik that are worth trying. Each warmer provides up to 10 hours of heat; a reusable AirBarrier Pouch minimizes air permeability, and you can save unused warmer heat for up to 72 hours for intermittent use! Plus – these warmers are 98 percent biodegradable (contents can be composted after use).
Electric Pocket-Sized Handwarmers with 3 heat settings will keep your hands toasty warm in the cold temps. These are ultra light and thin and will easily fit in your pockets. In addition they heat up really fast, and will last for aproximately 4 to 8 hrs.
Snow Goggles
My other winter packing list essential item is a pair of goggles. They are great for protecting you from the wind, bright sun, and cold. I borrowed a friend’s old pair to see if I would like them, and I loved them. When I used the goggles in combination with the Magnamask, my face never got cold, and I didn’t have to worry about my glasses fogging up!
I’ve started using goggles from Outdoor Master. They provide very economical goggles that are perfect for the winter activities I love. Plus, they have many that fit over your regular glasses!
Outdoor Master has a great variety of snow goggles that are great for skiing, snow shoeing, and snow mobiling. Many have interchangeable lenses for different conditions, and they have over-the-glasses goggles too. But the best part - they are a reasonable price - Outdoor Master goggles are a great value!
Extreme Cold Weather Gear for Photographers
When I go to Alaska in the winter, one of my main goals is to photograph the Northern Lights. However, the coldest part of any day is the middle of the night – and that’s when you are out photographing aurora! I already told you about my photo backpack that I use for pretty much any type of travel, but here are the items I specifically pack to protect my photo equipment and my hands from the cold!
I used LensCoat lens covers for my lenses. Made of Neoprene, these innovative lens covers protect the lenses from the cold and make them easier to hold on to when it’s freezing! You can also get tripod leg covers, which are recommended for cold weather; no one wants to grab onto a below-freezing tripod leg!
LensCoat® lens covers offers your valuable equipment some protection from scrapes and bumps, preserving its resale value. It also help break up the shape of your lens, making it less noticeable to wildlife.
LegCoat® Wraps are made from soft neoprene are designed to wrap around the upper leg of your tripod and are easily affixed with a Velcro closure. The Wraps backing is designed to tightly grip to your tripod legs so they will not slide. The covers act as a thermal barrier making the tripod more comfortable to handle in hot or cold conditions.
However – I think the best overall protection from snow for your gear is the LensCoat Raincoat. This waterproof fabric easily covers your entire camera and lens setup but leaves the back open so that you can get to all of the buttons, etc.
I also recommend using a Cotton Carrier harness to carry your gear so that you can remain hands-free. This is perfect for snowshoeing or snowmobiling.
I don't go on a trip without this harness! It allows me to be hands free when hiking and snowshoeing. I've also used it while horseback riding. It has saved my neck and back and it a secure, healthy way to carry my camera!
10% off coupon code for readers - OTTSWORLD
Packing for extreme winter adventures like those in Alaska can seem daunting, but with the right gear and preparation, it’s an opportunity to embrace the cold and fully enjoy the unique beauty of the season. From base layers to outerwear and from specialized accessories to practical extras, each item on this list ensures you stay warm, comfortable, and ready for whatever winter throws your way. Whether you’re chasing the northern lights, trekking through snowy wilderness, or exploring charming towns, having the right gear is key to making your trip unforgettable. Use this guide as your blueprint, and you’ll be well-equipped to face the elements and create memories that last a lifetime. Stay warm and adventure on!
To see all of these items in the same place, just visit the Ottsworld Amazon store!
You’ll find these products as well as all of the gear I recommend and use for travel.
Wow Alaska is always my dream place to visit for. with lots of adventurous things mentioning in here, i really want to do.
There’s tons of exciting adventures you can have in Alaska in the summer or winter!
We are going to alaska in October. No idea what to expect. Anyway, Thank you so much for the tips!
Thank you for this list. Super handy!
Glad you found it helpful! I hope you had a fabulous trip!