While taking a day trip, a road trip, or a vacation is preferable during the warmer months of the year, taking some time away during the winter is often necessary. Whether you enjoy the outdoor recreation, like skiing and snowboarding, that comes with winter or the solitude of spending time in a cabin in the snowy mountains, there are different sets of cold weather essentials you must think about when packing for winter weather travel.

The USA is a large country, but many of us experience cold, freezing temperatures throughout the winter months. With the season comes different types of clothing, safety gear, and essentials altogether. The Only In Your State staff is spread out across the country and has some input into what to pack during the winter. Here is a comprehensive list of cold-weather essentials to consider taking on your winter getaway.

Winter Travel Essentials

Traveling during the winter is not for the faint of heart, but can be a rewarding way to enjoy the cold and the snow. From sports gear that can only be used in winter to items like chapstick, moisturizer, and a day pack to carry your gear, take a look at some of our favorite winter travel essentials:

Winter Sports Gear

Winter brings with it the opportunity to enjoy sports and other recreational activities you just can’t experience any other time of the year. REI Co-op is perhaps one of the best stores to procure outdoor winter sports gear. If you’re in the market for a new snowboard, a set of downhill skis, cross-country skis, snowshoes, or ice skates, there’s no better place than REI.

If you’re traveling by car to your winter destination, you may also want to consider purchasing a roof rack to carry your gear. The Thule Motion XT XL Roof Box, for example, is easy to mount on top of your car’s roof, and it can hold between five and seven pairs of skis.

Chapstick

One thing that many of us often forget on our cold weather packing list is chapstick. We suggest the 100% Natural Lip Balm by Poppy & Pout. Made with beeswax, vitamin E, and organic coconut oil, this cruelty-free lip balm will help prevent chapped lips that happen so often in the cold months.

Moisturizer

Moisturizer is another essential to add to your winter packing list. To prevent dry skin, you’ll want to pick out a face and body moisturizer, like Raw Elements Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30 and a hand cream, like Burt’s Bees Shea Butter Hand Repair Cream or L’Occitane, Shea Butter Hand Cream.

Of course, we need something to carry some of our gear on our cold-weather trips, especially when we hit the slopes. REI has a wide range of day bags that are sturdy, roomy, and well-made. Check out the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Travel Day Pack made of durable nylon or the MYSTERY RANCH 2-Day Assault Pack with an adjustable harness and several pockets to organize what you need to carry.

Travel Outfits Winter: What To Pack For A Snow Trip

One of the most important ways we can stay warm during the winter months is through our choice of clothes. Layering is the name of the game this time of year and offers us the best chance to avoid hypothermia and frostbite. And don’t forget the footwear – a good pair of winter boots and wool socks can do wonders for our soles. Here are some of the items you should add to your snow trip packing list:

Base Layers

From base layers like long underwear and fleece-lined leggings to outer layers like water-resistant pants, a down jacket, or a heavy coat, we can stay as toasty warm as possible.

• Sweaters: A good sweater is not only warm but can be fashionable as well. Take a look at some of the choices on L.L.Bean, a leader in outdoor clothing. Offering sweaters for both women and men, there are some wonderful options to choose from.
• Lined Leggings/Long Underwear: Base layers like long silk underwear pants or fleece base layer pants can work wonders when worn underneath snow pants.
• Wool Base Layers: Light and breathable, Merino wool base layers are some of the warmest and most comfortable around. Best of all, they are thin enough, so if you’re short on packing space, they’re the way to go.

Staff Pick: Sr. Content Editor Megan Shute and her husband love the wool sweaters from Quince, "These wool pieces are not only affordable, but retain heat well, are breathable, and easy-to-pack! There’s nothing better for winter adventures!"

Outerwear

Once you’ve layered up with leggings or long underwear, long-sleeve Merino wool t-shirts and tights, and sweaters, it’s time to throw on your outerwear. Choosing a good jacket, snow pants, hats or beanies, scarves, and gloves should not be taken lightly. Here are some options for you to consider:

• Hats/Gloves/Scarf: Covering your neck and head is important as these are the areas of the body that lose heat the fastest. And a pair of gloves or mittens will help prevent your fingers from getting frostbite.
• Packable Down Jacket: Down jackets provide the ultimate in warmth, and one that is packable will save space while you travel.
• Water-Resistant Pants: What’s worse than feeling cold during the winter? How about cold and wet? Prevent being both cold and wet with a pair of water-resistant pants.
• A wool sweater is also a great item to bring along.

Staff Pick: Social Media Manager Kristen Taylor loves tech gloves that make staying warm while using your phone a breeze. These REI Co-Op ones are fantastic, but if you want to splurge, you will love Vessi gloves.

How To Keep Your Feet Warm

Don’t forget to choose a good pair of boots as well as some warm socks for your time out in the snow this winter. Here are some of our picks:

• Weatherproof Boots: A pair of durable weatherproof boots is one of the top cold-weather must-haves. Sorel makes excellent boots for all weather conditions, and we love Teva brand boots, too.
• Thermal Insoles: Putting a pair of thermal insoles inside your weatherproof boots will help keep your feet a bit warmer in below-freezing temperatures.
• Wool Socks: Of course, a pair of wool socks should also be added to your winter vacation packing list. Not only do they provide cushioning, but they help regulate the temperature in your feet.

Staff Pick: Social Media Coordinator Madison Silveira and her sister live in snowy Utah love these walking cleats that you can add to your shoes for icy roads and sidewalks!

Travel Hacks For Winter & Cold Weather Must-Haves

Packing can be a bit challenging in the winter. After all, everything has a bit more bulk than our summer travel essentials. We love a good travel hack and hope you find our packing tips helpful.

How To Pack Winter Clothes In A Carry On

Winter clothing is normally thicker and heavier than our spring and summer clothes. So, what are some of the things we can do to make packing our cold-weather essentials easier? Here are some ideas to help you pack light:

• Osprey Ozone 2-Wheel Carry-On Luggage: This is a preferred brand for those who travel often. This Osprey is durable and has two wheels, a laptop sleeve, and a Travel Sentry Luggage ID to protect your bag from getting lost.
• On travel days, wear your heaviest clothes, like your winter coat, to minimize what goes into your bag. If you’re intent on using a carry-on bag only while traveling during the winter, it’s best to keep your jacket and other bulky items on your person. Everything else, like your toiletries, a pair of shoes, and all your warm layers, can go in your carry-on luggage, especially if you have compression bags or compression packing cubes, which are massive space savers.

Make sure your clothing items are as soft, lightweight, and travel-friendly as possible. For a carry-on, it’s best to roll like items together.

Winter Road Trip Essentials

Road trips require a bit more preparation than flying somewhere. It’s always a good idea to bring your car to a mechanic to get checked out before going on a long road trip. Make sure your car isn’t due for an oil change, and have your tires and brakes checked. Double-checking the terms of your car insurance is also a good idea. During the winter, there are also several road trip essentials to keep in mind. Here are some road trip travel tips to consider:

• Thermal Blankets: On the off chance you’re traveling somewhere and get trapped in a storm, a thermal blanket can be a lifesaver.
• Hand & Foot Warmers: Singe-use hand warmers and foot warmers are absolute cold weather essentials, especially for all the time you spend outdoors in the winter.
• Ice Scraper: When you travel by car during the winter, you may encounter a snowstorm depending on where you’re traveling. It’s imperative to have an ice scraper in your car for times your windshield and windows get snow or a layer of ice. One with a brush on the other end comes in handy and can be used to brush away the bits of ice and snow you scrape off.
• Snow Shovel: In the event there’s a snowstorm, having a snow shovel in your vehicle can also be quite helpful, especially if you have to dig it out of a snow bank.
• Tire Chains: To gain more traction in a snowy, icy situation, tire chains are a must-have in the winter. And, luckily, they are quite easy to place over your vehicle’s tires.

Staff Pick: Operations Manager Andrea Limke thinks these are the absolute best windshield wipers for winter weather.

If you had no idea what to pack for a snow trip before, we hope that this list of cold-weather essentials helps. It can certainly be a bit overwhelming to prepare for winter travel, but once you have it down, you’ll be able to enjoy the snowy season without the stress and worry. We would also love to know any of your recommendations from your winter travel packing list!

Where are you planning on going for your next winter trip? Check out one of these winter wonderlands in the USA – perhaps a road trip to Leavenworth, Washington, or Asheville, North Carolina, is in order? The country is your oyster this winter!