How to Pack for Cold Weather

Focus on packing warm, thin clothes that can be layered. The trick is to keep your body warm and avoid overpacking.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Gloves
• Fleece Jackets
• Gloves
• Hats
• Long Underwear
• Scarves
• Socks
• Gloves
• Cold Medicines
• Lip Balm
• Sunscreen
• Foot Warmers
• Waistpacks
• Hats

1. Pack a variety of warm accessories: several pairs of socks, a hat, gloves or mittens and a scarf or neck gaiter.

2. Take a few thin, long-sleeved shirts, turtlenecks and thermals for layering. Avoid packing bulky sweaters and jackets; opt for light sweaters instead.

3. Include one pair of long underwear.

4. Pack one warm fleece jacket or lined windbreaker.

5. Take a fanny pack, which can house lip balm, hand-warmer pads and an extra pair of socks for day trips.

6. Keep sunglasses and sunblock handy at all times, especially when visiting snowy areas.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that we lose most of our body heat through the head, hands and feet. Keep these areas covered at all times.
• When purchasing long-sleeved T-shirts, buy tight-weave pieces to ensure adequate insulation.
• If you're traveling to a cold, rainy climate, pack plastic bags for wet clothing.
• If fingers, toes or nose become white or numb, seek medical attention immediately. This could be a sign of frostbite.

on 11/22/2005 When it's really cold and you're alternating between outdoor and indoor sight-seeing, dress in layers. Make sure that the top two layers zip or unbutton all the way down. This way, when you're inside and you get warm, you can just open the top layers (instead of having to pull them off over your head and carry them around). I find that a down vest and a zippered fleece make the best top layers. Avoid heavy thermals and opt for silk long underwear instead. They'll keep you warm outside and you won't be sweating inside. Leave your baseball cap at home and use a wool hat. It fits more easily in your pocket, and it covers your ears. Don't wear a heavy turtleneck. You'll be very uncomfortable indoors. Use a scarf to cover your neck and face. When inside, it drapes unobtrusively over your shoulders. When going outside, put it on backwards, criss-cross the ends, and bring them forward over your shoulders. The middle of the scarf is in the front, and it can easily be used to cover your face when the wind kicks up. Dress your kids in the same manner. Don't use a bulky coat as the outside layer, or you'll end up carrying it up and down the Empire State Building! Carry an extra pair of gloves for your child if there's snow on the ground.

on 11/22/2005 When you get cold, your body pulls blood from the fingers, toes, and other extremities to keep vital organs warm. Concentrate on keeping warm from your waist to your head, and your body will keep blood flowing to the fingers and toes. When you go to sleep, don't sleep in anything you have been wearing during the day. When you sweat during the day, it is absorbed by your clothes, and this moisture will only make you colder at night.