Winter Packing Tips for Traveling to Fairbanks Alaska
Having a solid winter packing list for sub-zero temperatures is essential for a great experience. People who travel to Alaska in negative-degree weather often have one goal in mind: witnessing the Northern Lights. This usually means spending a lot of time outdoors, where it can get very cold. Here are some basic tips to help you create your winter travel list so you can stay comfortable outside in sub-zero temperatures.
Misc Tips for negative-degree
Your winter packing list is so important, because you need to stay warm while chasing aurora! One of the things you will need in negative-degree temps is hand and foot warmers, the best ones are the electric ones, but disposables are good too.
Layer up! Keep on adding layers to stay warm
Boots should be 1-2 size larger than you normally would get. You need the extra room because if the boots are too tight your feet can not stay warm. They need the extra room to stay warm
If your head is warm and your feet are warm, you will be warmer
Your Winter Packing Guide
Best Fabrics To add to your Winter Packing List
- Merino Wool
- Alpaca
- Silk
- Down
- Fleece
Base Layers
Tips for choosing a base layer – it needs to be fitted but not too tight. It helps keep you from getting cold but does not necessarily keep you warm. You want any sweat-wicking material.
You want 2 kinds of base layers, thin base layers which is your first layer, then you want a mid base layer. A mid base layer is thicker. I usually have one set of thin base layers and at a set of mid base layers ( I usually have two mid base tops)
I primarily buy Smart Wool at REI. It has been my personal favorite overall, but there are other good brands too.
- tops
- bottoms
- socks
- lightweight/thermal / wool
Mid-layer
You will want 1 – 2 of these items. I like fleece, wool or alpaca sweaters
- Light / Medium jacket or something that will
- Sweater – wool or alpaca are my favorite
- Warm comfortable pants, wool or apache are my favorite ones to have
Top Layer
You only need one of these. You want the warmest parka you can find. I also advise for everyone to have snow pants that fit loose for all the layering under the outer layer.
- Subzero jacket for at least -40 – wind/ waterproof
- Thick and longer, the better
- Snow pants should be easy to put on over your clothes
Sub Zero boots (a size or two too big) -40 or lower
Ice cleats or spikes will be needed for specific places. If you do not have any, LMK, and I can see about getting you some.
The right boots will make a huge difference in keeping warm. Here are some good brands
- Stanleton’s
- Baffin
- Muklucks
- Insulated boots for -40 degree
Socks and tips
- Longer the better
- Silk socks under wool or alpaca socks
- Wool or Alpaca
- Count on double or tripling for warmth
- Heated socks
- Some people like to double or triple socks when you are outside
Another tip is planning, put some foot warmers or hand warmers in your boots 1/2 hour before we head out.
Hands
Multiple of the following, but not everything
- Mittens
- Waterproof gloves – multiple pair
- Alpaca / wool gloves
- Heated glove liners or gloves
- thin glove liners
Head
Multiple of the following, but not everything
- Balaclava – or full mask – mostly needed for snow machine and dog sledding
- Beanies and hats (fleece-lined beanies do a great job)
- Large scarves
- Neck warmers/gator
- Ear coverings
Pants
- Fleece lined leggings
- Medium pants for over base layers and under snow pants
- Snow pants – one size bigger, waterproof (thin or puffy)
Casual clothes
Pajamas & slippers or house shoes to be comfy in
Causal shoes for shopping or museums
Casual sweats and clothes for around the house and going to indoor visits
Need to rent gear
Check out https://alaskaelement.com
Down below I have links to my favorite items
Alpaca Socks
https://rstyle.me/+Elwkiqfd4FBadLuTM3Fl7Q
Alpaca gloves
https://rstyle.me/+iXAvKOLcrNfGYkqvgcfGJA
Heated Glove Liners for Men & Women, Thin
https://rstyle.me/+aKrCOUnWasC04v7wzvlHWg
Smart Wool Pants
https://rstyle.me/+jV2ULsDfwNLWLiNFLSC3Ag
Smart Wool Shirt
https://rstyle.me/+R3Vxci-v8ILX58I5Lc8cDw
Zippo Heatbank 9s Rechargeable Hand Warmer
https://rstyle.me/+4QVdxvFMAcQDOlKacsXyFA
Hand Warmers Rechargeable, Electric Heated Gloves
https://rstyle.me/+GfRW5-avp9gtXkmyvCRAVg
Camera gear
L- Bracket for camera
https://rstyle.me/+W_86Pvsmvf4H_1jE0qEPHw
Memory Card Wallet – SD Card Storage – Slim and Foldable
https://rstyle.me/+fXKz7trCPns3e5NBHfP0Dg
Winter Packing Tips for Traveling to Fairbanks Alaska
Having a solid winter packing list for sub-zero temperatures is essential for a great experience. People who travel to Alaska in negative-degree weather often have one goal in mind: witnessing the Northern Lights. This usually means spending a lot of time outdoors, where it can get very cold. Here are some basic tips to help you create your winter travel list so you can stay comfortable outside in sub-zero temperatures.
Misc Tips for negative-degree
Your winter packing list is so important, because you need to stay warm while chasing aurora! One of the things you will need in negative-degree temps is hand and foot warmers, the best ones are the electric ones, but disposables are good too.
Layer up! Keep on adding layers to stay warm
Boots should be 1-2 size larger than you normally would get. You need the extra room because if the boots are too tight your feet can not stay warm. They need the extra room to stay warm
If your head is warm and your feet are warm, you will be warmer
Your Winter Packing Guide
Best Fabrics To add to your Winter Packing List
- Merino Wool
- Alpaca
- Silk
- Down
- Fleece
Base Layers
Tips for choosing a base layer – it needs to be fitted but not too tight. It helps keep you from getting cold but does not necessarily keep you warm. You want any sweat-wicking material.
You want 2 kinds of base layers, thin base layers which is your first layer, then you want a mid base layer. A mid base layer is thicker. I usually have one set of thin base layers and at a set of mid base layers ( I usually have two mid base tops)
I primarily buy Smart Wool at REI. It has been my personal favorite overall, but there are other good brands too.
- tops
- bottoms
- socks
- lightweight/thermal / wool
Mid-layer
You will want 1 – 2 of these items. I like fleece, wool or alpaca sweaters
- Light / Medium jacket or something that will
- Sweater – wool or alpaca are my favorite
- Warm comfortable pants, wool or apache are my favorite ones to have
Top Layer
You only need one of these. You want the warmest parka you can find. I also advise for everyone to have snow pants that fit loose for all the layering under the outer layer.
- Subzero jacket for at least -40 – wind/ waterproof
- Thick and longer, the better
- Snow pants should be easy to put on over your clothes
Sub Zero boots (a size or two too big) -40 or lower
Ice cleats or spikes will be needed for specific places. If you do not have any, LMK, and I can see about getting you some.
The right boots will make a huge difference in keeping warm. Here are some good brands
- Stanleton’s
- Baffin
- Muklucks
- Insulated boots for -40 degree
Socks and tips
- Longer the better
- Silk socks under wool or alpaca socks
- Wool or Alpaca
- Count on double or tripling for warmth
- Heated socks
- Some people like to double or triple socks when you are outside
Another tip is planning, put some foot warmers or hand warmers in your boots 1/2 hour before we head out.
Hands
Multiple of the following, but not everything
- Mittens
- Waterproof gloves – multiple pair
- Alpaca / wool gloves
- Heated glove liners or gloves
- thin glove liners
Head
Multiple of the following, but not everything
- Balaclava – or full mask – mostly needed for snow machine and dog sledding
- Beanies and hats (fleece-lined beanies do a great job)
- Large scarves
- Neck warmers/gator
- Ear coverings
Pants
- Fleece lined leggings
- Medium pants for over base layers and under snow pants
- Snow pants – one size bigger, waterproof (thin or puffy)
Casual clothes
Pajamas & slippers or house shoes to be comfy in
Causal shoes for shopping or museums
Casual sweats and clothes for around the house and going to indoor visits
Need to rent gear
Check out https://alaskaelement.com
Down below I have links to my favorite items
Alpaca Socks
https://rstyle.me/+Elwkiqfd4FBadLuTM3Fl7Q
Alpaca gloves
https://rstyle.me/+iXAvKOLcrNfGYkqvgcfGJA
Heated Glove Liners for Men & Women, Thin
https://rstyle.me/+aKrCOUnWasC04v7wzvlHWg
Smart Wool Pants
https://rstyle.me/+jV2ULsDfwNLWLiNFLSC3Ag
Smart Wool Shirt
https://rstyle.me/+R3Vxci-v8ILX58I5Lc8cDw
Zippo Heatbank 9s Rechargeable Hand Warmer
https://rstyle.me/+4QVdxvFMAcQDOlKacsXyFA
Hand Warmers Rechargeable, Electric Heated Gloves
https://rstyle.me/+GfRW5-avp9gtXkmyvCRAVg
Camera gear
L- Bracket for camera
https://rstyle.me/+W_86Pvsmvf4H_1jE0qEPHw
Memory Card Wallet – SD Card Storage – Slim and Foldable
https://rstyle.me/+fXKz7trCPns3e5NBHfP0Dg
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