When we moved to London a couple years ago, we started flying more super budget airlines, including during winter. But since we didn’t want to pay for luggage, that meant we had to figure out a way to pack super light – in backpacks – even with winter clothing. I’m happy to report that we’ve done that multiple times for 2 winters now for the whole fam and feel pretty confident with it now!
Here’s my exact outfit formula for minimal winter packing. I’m also linking our full kids winter packing list and our family visual packing list for kids to start packing themselves!
Wool Base Layers
Wool base layers are the number one item of clothing that I ALWAYS take when traveling in cold weather (or even cool weather, for that matter). Our whole family uses them as pajamas and for layering – they’re warm, temperature regulating, great for layering, and can be worn several times without washing since merino wool is antimicrobial and doesn’t hold smells easily. Plus, it keeps regular clothing cleaner and means they don’t need as frequent washes, either. The best!
These are my personal favorite base layers, and they’re also our favorite base layers for the family. More about all our favorite base layers (as well as some more affordable options in THIS POST.
Favorite Travel Pants for Women
These have long been my favorite travel pants for women – they have a super comfy, wide, stretchy waistband that’s great for moving around. They have pockets. They dry in a flash when washing on the go. They’re versatile and dress up or down. Basically they’re the best!
I love layering them over base layers when it’s cold, under rain trousers if it’s wet, or wearing the lined version in winter for extra warmth.
More about why I love them in THIS POST.
Warm Sweater
I always like to take a warm sweater, preferably wool or some sort of wool blend. This is because they’re warm and, again, can be reworn easily and don’t need frequent washing. My VERY favorite sweater to take along is THIS chunky cardigan in the camel color – I wear it with absolutely everything. I love throwing it on top of a shirt or dress, and it layers well under coats. It’s warm but not stiff and super comfy for travel days. Love that it’s a bit slouchy without feeling overwhelming. It’s basically perfect! (I own it in navy, too, but prefer taking the camel color when traveling because it goes better with my navy travel pants.
Warm Socks
Wool socks are a must in winter for me, especially for traveling. They can also be worn a couple of times without washing, air out well, and are warm and comfy. Plus they dry fast!!
I love these socks and the fact that they’re a wonderful small business. That said, they can be a bit tighter and stiffer, although they are really warm and comfy. However, I actually super love these wool blend socks – they’re super soft and comfy and stretchy but also really warm and VERY affordable. They’re almost always the ones I reach for to wear with my favorite boots (more about them below).
Favorite Chelsea Boots
These are my very favorite boots for winter, traveling or not. They’re pretty much all I wear from October until May living in London, haha. They’re super comfy, and while they’re not technically advertised as waterproof, they’ve always been fully so for me and have kept my feet bone dry in wet and even snow. They have great grip, go with everything, and are my favorite shoes to travel with in winter that are cute and comfy but still functional.
Rain Trousers
This is optional but something I find really helpful if it’s at all wet. It’s so tricky when traveling (especially when it’s cold) and you get wet because then a) you’re freezing and b) it takes foreeeever to dry out. So even if it’s a bit misty or rainy, I love throwing on rain pants for travel especially to keep my clothes totally dry and keep myself (and especially my kiddos) warm. Plus, rain pants take up almost zero room or weight, so they’re really easy to travel with.
I really like THIS PAIR and THIS PAIR and own and love both. The second are a bit more waterproof in my experience, but the first pack down even smaller.
Warm Waterproof Coat
Finally, a warm and waterproof coat is a must for winter travel. I usually wear this onto the plane/train/car with me so I don’t need to pack it down and just use it as a blanket when en route. Having it waterproof means it won’t get soaked and damp in the case of wet weather (the worst) and keeps you way warmer, too.
I LOVE this super warm, long, waterproof coat (my kids call it my blanket coat lol) and I think it’s a great women’s coat for Europe in winter. That said, if you don’t run very cold, you could absolutely do a lighter weight insulated jacket (this is my favorite one) and then layer a waterproof rain jacket on top (THIS and THIS are my favorites – the first is super waterproof and has a few nice extras like pit zips, extra large hood, etc. The second is slightly lighter weight but also really waterproof and very packable, and also super affordable).
IF YOU LIKED THIS LIST OF THE BEST WINTER PACKING FORMULA FOR WOMEN, YOU MIGHT LIKE THESE POSTS TOO:
- Useful Travel Gifts Under $10
- What I Packed for a 1-Week Fall Trip to Europe
- Best Travel Outfits with Olive Pants
