Thinking of traveling to a country during their fall or winter season? You may call yourself a light packer with no regard for your clothing, let this trip be an exception. If you want to make the most out of your wintry vacation, you should be ready to stuff your suitcase with a bulk of winter clothing.
If it’s your first time traveling to a country with frigid temperatures, you might want to check out these 7 most common packing mistakes you can’t afford to make.
1. Not researching on your destination’s season and climate
It might be chilly and snowy in most parts of the globe in the remaining weeks of the year, but it could be sunny in other countries. That’s why it pays to do your research about their seasons and climates.
Take Australia for example. Before booking your Parramatta hotel for your trip to Australia this holiday season and dreaming of a White Christmas, remember this: bringing winter clothing is the biggest mistake you’ll ever make – it’s summer in the southern hemisphere and Santa is wearing beach trunks.
2. Packing the wrong materials
Cotton may be comfortable, lightweight, and breathable, but it’s a terrible choice for winter clothing. It absorbs moisture and sweat, making you cold and keep you freezing. Warmer materials like merino wool, Thinsulate, cashmere, and fleece are your best bets.
3. Thinking that bulky clothes can solve everything
Remember that bulky fabrics alone won’t necessarily make you feel warmer. It’s important to pick the right cold-weather fabrics and strategically later them to stay warm while looking great.
Wanna know the secret trick to rocking skinny jeans and boots in freezing temperatures? It’s the thermals underneath. Next to bringing warm layers, bring thermal leggings and long-sleeved thermal tops.
4. Not packing layers
One layer of clothing isn’t gonna cut it when the temperatures are extremely low and winds are high. Ideally, your cold-weather outfit should have three parts: a base layer for preventing moisture, an insulating layer for trapping warmth, and an outer layer for protecting yourself against wind and water.
5. Wearing the wrong shoes
Your sneakers aren’t going to cut it. Pack winter-appropriate shoes: something that’s waterproof, insulated, resistant to salt, and comfortable to walk in.
Avoid knit shoes and stick to leather or faux leather. If you’re going to extremely cold destinations, pack tall boots and don’t mind the extra luggage space. Boots offer more warmth covering your ankles. They also allow you to discreetly wear high socks underneath your jeans for extra warmth.
6. Packing something too warm and bulky for the activity
Yes, it’s autumn but do you know how cold will it really get? If it’s not going to be freezing, your thermal clothing can work against you. You may feel overheated especially if you’re going to be walking a lot or stay in a warm hotel room.
Another great advantage of wearing layers over wearing one bulky clothing is when it’s getting warmer. You can easily lose some layers when needed to stay comfortable.
7. Abandoning warm accessories
Your winter accessories may be light and small but they offer extra protection. Pack hats, thermal beanies, earmuffs, gloves, scarves, long, warm socks. It’s better to get your hair messy with the hat than forgoing it, exposing your ears to frostbite, and catching a cold.
8. Leaving behind sunglasses
Just because it’s cold and dull doesn’t mean the sun isn’t shining – it’s there and it can shine brightly on freezing days.
9. Not investing in the mobility of the gloves
Gloves are totally “handy” when it’s freezing (pun intended) but they’re not going to keep your hands warm if you take them on and off to use your phone. If you tend to use your phone all the time, for messaging or taking photos, opt for a pair that’s touchscreen compatible.
10.Leaving medicines at home
It’s not enough that you’re armed with the right clothing. If you’re not used to extremely cold temperatures, it’s easy to get sick during your trip. Be prepared – pack the necessary medication for cold, allergies, cough, flu, fever, head and body aches, and upset stomach.
Author Bio: Carmina Natividad is one of the seasoned writers for Holiday Inn Parramatta Hotel, a modern hotel located in the heart of Western Sydney, delivering top-class Parramatta accommodation. She has always been passionate about traveling, taking photos, and writing travel tips and tricks.
