The three layers
Air between layers keeps you warm. So three thin layers work better than one thick one.
| Layer | What it does | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Next to your skin | Keeps you dry | A thermal top and leggings in wool or a sports fabric |
| 2. The middle | Keeps you warm | A wool sweater, a fleece or a thin puffer vest |
| 3. The top | Stops wind, rain and snow | A puffer jacket or a coat that keeps water out |
When you go inside, take off the top layer. If you are still warm, take off the middle one. This is why layers beat one big coat.
Fabrics
- Wool. Warm, even when a little damp. Good for sweaters, socks and thermals.
- Fleece. Warm, light and dries fast.
- Down. The soft filling in puffer jackets. Very warm and very light. It must stay dry.
- Cotton. Not good next to your skin in the cold. It holds water and makes you colder.
Hands, head and feet
These get cold first. Do not forget them.
- A warm hat that covers your ears
- Gloves
- A scarf
- Wool socks. Bring more pairs than you think you need.
- Boots that keep water out and do not slip
A packing list for one week
- One warm coat or puffer jacket. Wear it on the plane.
- Two sweaters or one sweater and one fleece
- Two thermal tops and one pair of thermal leggings
- Three or four tops
- Two pairs of pants. Jeans are fine for the city.
- Five pairs of wool socks
- Hat, gloves and scarf
- Boots, and one lighter pair of shoes for inside
How to fit it in a small bag
- Wear the big items. Wear your coat and boots on the travel day.
- Roll, do not fold. Rolled sweaters take less space.
- Pick colors that go together. Then every top works with every pair of pants, and you need fewer clothes.
- Plan to wear things twice. Sweaters and pants do not need washing after one day.
Outfits that work
- A day walking in the city. Thermal top, sweater, coat, jeans, wool socks and boots.
- A day in the snow. Thermal top and leggings, fleece, a jacket and pants that keep water out, and warm boots.
- Dinner inside. A nice sweater with pants. Leave the coat at the door.
- The travel day. Soft pants, a T-shirt, a sweater and your coat. Planes and airports can be warm or cold.
Before you pack
Check the weather where you are going, for each day. Look at the lowest temperature, the wind and the rain or snow. Wind makes the air feel much colder.
It also helps to see all your warm clothes at once. A digital closet shows every sweater and coat you own on your phone. Then you can pick what to pack without pulling everything out.
