UPDATED MAR 2020. I never understood why anyone would want to go on a winter holiday. It seemed like such a horrible punishment. I had always lived in tropical locations so the idea of cold was very foreign to me, which I think added to my dislike. This year, I have been pushing myself outside of my toasty warm comfort zone to experience actual cold winters. I was wrong – winter trips are cool! Once I learned how to pack, it was a lot of fun so I’m sharing my tips here in this Northern Norway packing guide. I’m sure you will find these tips and products helpful for any winter trip though.
A Practical Northern Norway Packing Guide For A Winter Vacation
Disclaimer:
Disclaimer
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Travel Backpack
The backpack I use for all of my trips is a 60L Patagonia Duffel backpack.
It is a decent size and also waterproof so if you have to walk in any snow, your things will stay dry.
Day Backpack
For day adventures, you are going to need something more travel-friendly that is big enough to carry your essential gear and have a little room for a water bottle or souvenirs.
This one is waterproof which is a plus for a winter trip.
Boots
My winter boots are these Baffin Chloe Boots
and they are ah-mazing!
They keep my feet warm the whole time I’m outside walking through the snow and are comfortable for long stretches of time out on my feet exploring.
I love that they are easy to slip on and off so that when I wanted to race outside to capture the Northern Lights, I didn’t have to waste time with shoelaces.
Whatever boots you get, look for a sturdy base, waterproofing, and warmth.
Socks
Investing in a good pair of wool socks
will make a world of difference to your feet.
Wool keeps insulating when wet, meaning that it can keep your feet warmer for longer even if your feet get sweaty or wet from the snow.
Thermals
That first layer of thermals makes a huge difference.
The main reason you need the thermal layer is to have a wicking layer that can wick away sweat to keep your skin dryer which will ultimately keep you warmer.
For active days look for:
- Merino wool
(if you are investing in new gear, get this) or - Quick-dry polyester gym clothes type material (if you are on a budget, get this)
For less active days, look for fleece-lined thermals like these
.
Either way, avoid cotton.
Sweaters
Pack sweaters to serve as your warm layer.
Wool is best for this layer. If you’re on a budget, you can get by with a basic sweater if you are layering well – this is what I did and used basic knit sweaters from a department store.
For me, the base layer and jacket were the most important for me to keep warm.
If you plan to do a few winter trips, or just hate being cold, I recommend investing in wool though.
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Jacket
When it comes to your top chest layer, you’re looking for waterproofing and warmth.
I like to use one that allows me to mobility to move around easily for adventures and also for leaning and bending if needed to take photos.
Jeans
Lately, I have been loving the Levis 721 High Rise Skinny Jeans because they keep me warm and the fit is so comfortable.
On extra cold or windy days, I put a pair of gym leggings underneath. But, on most days I was warm enough with just jeans and thermals.
If you plan to do any skiing, snowboarding or adventures like that, you would definitely need to have waterproof pants like these
. If not, you can get by with jeans or whatever pants you have at home.
Hand warmers
You will not regret picking up a packet of Hand Warmers.
One of these in each glove can make an outdoor experience much more comfortable.
I also used these to help my GoPro and camera batteries last a little longer since they drain quicker in the cold. Don’t put them directly on the battery, just nearby to keep them warm.
Gloves
When I was out taking photos, I used a set of lightweight gloves
that allowed me to use the screen on my phone as well as the functions on my camera.
A pair of lightweight gloves in addition to a hand warmer worked perfectly to keep my hands warm but still allow me to do what I wanted to do.
I also used a pair of waterproof mittens for more heavy-duty warmth during activities like making a snowman sledding and for long periods outside.
Beanie
A good beanie is also a great investment for your trip. Again, you want to get wool if you can.
Neckwarmer
I haven’t used one of these but if you will be out in the snow for long periods or are especially sensitive to cold, it would be a good idea to have a neck warmer or scarf.
Camera gear
The camera I use is Sony Alpha a6000.
This is my favorite camera for travel. It’s compact which makes it easy to carry around but powerful enough to take great photos.
Side note: Pack a few large ziplock bags to protect your camera. Before you go from the cold outdoor temperature to the toasty indoors, put your camera inside the ziplock bag and make sure to seal it well. This way it can adjust to the change in temperature slowly and this will help protect your camera against condensation in its inner workings.
Action camera
I used my GoPro on this trip and used it mostly for selfies and making videos of activities like walking through a snowstorm and sledding down the snowy hills.
If you plan to ski, snowboard, or anything like that, you’ll definitely need one.
Tripod
If you are going to be taking photos of the Northern Lights, then you will definitely need a tripod.
I use a Manfrotto tripod and love it because it is always sturdy yet lightweight enough to pack, even with carry on luggage only.
Katie Show Blog Travel Journal
Of course, you need to document all of your fun adventures in Norway. What better than with your very own Katie Show Blog Travel Journal.
Other guides to help you plan your trip to Norway
Northern Lights In Norway – Skip The Tours For An EPIC Cabin Experience
Visit Nordkapp In Norway – How To Plan A Trip To The Top Of The World
I hope this Northern Norway packing guide can help you get ready for your next winter trip!
If you found this useful, return the favor by sharing it or following me on Instagram!
How about Microspikes for walking on ice?
Ohh that’s a great idea, thanks for sharing! I didn’t use any but I am sure that they would be helpful to others.
Thanks for advice, Katie! You managed to introduce a couple of new methods on so popular topic as winter travel to Norway.
Hi Agness, Yay! So happy to help and thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for these tips! I would love to try some more cold weather trips! We get plenty of cold weather in NYC, so when I have vacation I always want to go somewhere warm. I’m allergic to wool, so dressing for cold weather can be hard for me. But I really like some of these suggestions, like the boots and the handwarmers!
Hi Stella, That must be tricky being allergic to wool. Is there anything else you use and would recommend for anyone else allergic? Thanks so much for reading!
Norway is a dream destination. the Northern lights and enticing magnet. Hope to get there some day and this post would be of immense value. One needs to be prepared to combat the cold and you have provided some great pointers.
Thanks Sandy! Yes facing the cold is like a battle you have to prepare for right?! I hope you get to visit Norway one day too and I hope you like it as much as I did 🙂
You really got me excited for a winter get away- I mean yes you won’t be at the beach, but you can still feel good! I would be packing a beanie and some handwarmers for sure. I didn’t know about woolen socks either, but I see the logic in that.
Hi Danni, exactly! Winter trips can be a lot of fun as long as you are prepared for them 🙂
I love your tip about the ziplock bag! I haven’t heard of that before. But I really want to see the northern lights one day and so this will come in handy!
Thanks Shoba, I’m happy to help pass on tips 🙂 I hope you get to see the lights one day!
Hi Katie , we are Aussies going over in January, we will head to London first and think that we will wait to buy stuff then as Australia just doesn’t cater for the cold – can you suggest a good winter coat and boot store in London as we will shop on Boxing Day and hopefully pick stuff up in the sales.
Hi Joanne, Awesome! I’d recommend getting your boots beforehand so you can break them in before the holiday – even if it’s the off-season in Aus, you should be able to get some online. The Baffin ‘Chloe’ boots are my favorite and you can get them on Amazon. For coats, I don’t know a specific store in London, but you should be able to look around and pick one up pretty easily. Most of the jackets I have, I got from H&M. I just filmed a vlog on packing for a winter trip with layering suggestions & it’ll go up on my YouTube channel this Friday so keep an eye out for that, I think it will be helpful.