Packing for a winter trip? It’s tempting to throw in all of
your warmest clothes, but if you find yourself having to sit on your suitcase
to close it, you may want to take a look at the tips below to pack light, but
warm.
Bring Lots of Layers
Layering your clothing is the key to dealing with
temperature fluctuations in winter. Start with a lightweight base layer next to
your skin, then layer up from there, with your heaviest and most wind-resistant
layers on the outside. Not only will it protect you from the elements when you
reach your destination, it will allow you to remove layers to adjust to warmer
temperatures (like the inside of a car or an airport) along the way.
Wear Your Heaviest Items
Bulky boots, a thick sweater, your winter jacket—all of them
can soak up valuable space in your bag. Whenever possible, wear them at the
start of your trip, especially if you’re flying. If wearing them isn’t
possible, try to put them along the edges of your suitcase so they leave
valuable room elsewhere.
Pick One: Fold or Roll
Do you fold your clothes and place them neatly in the
suitcase or roll them and stuff them in? Fold if you have a structured suitcase
or if you’re taking a lot of wrinkle-prone fabrics (linen, rayon, silk) or
tailored garments. Roll if you’re using an unstructured case, like a duffle
bag, if you’re bringing lots of clothes that won’t wrinkle, or if you need to
get seven days of clothing in a weekend-size bag.
When in Doubt … Leave it Out
Remember, you want to pack what you’re most likely to need,
not the worst-case scenario. Think about what you can get by without—or items
you can pick up along the way, if necessary—rather than trying to bring
everything you think you could use.
Pack the Car, Too
Don’t forget to pack a few essentials in your vehicle, too.
Even if you’re only driving to the airport, having the right gear in an
emergency can make the difference. At the least, you’ll want a first aid kit, a
warning light or flares, a tire gauge, a flashlight, jumper cables, and a
bottle of water.