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I recently wrote about the start of my “Nordy Forty” 40th-birthday trip, a two-week wintery adventure across Reykjavik, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Rovaniemi (in Finnish Lapland), and Helsinki. In that two weeks we experienced weather ranging from 46°F/8°C in Reykjavik to a brisk -31°F/-35°C in Finnish Lapland. To make this extreme, bucket-list experience actually enjoyable, my husband and I crafted the perfect, carry-on-only winter packing list.
That’s right peoples… Two weeks… Arctic… January… Carry-on only. So let’s break it down and I’ll tell you what we packed and how we wore it to actually enjoy exploring these beautiful, freezing destinations.
Jump to What You’re Here For:
Why an Arctic Vacation
I am not a cold-weather enthusiast. In fact, I actively avoid it as a general rule. When we first started planning my trip, my first reaction was to book us somewhere south of the Equator so my January birthday could finally realize its full, summery potential.
So how, you might be asking, did we end up in the Nordic region instead?
I fully break down my method for destination choosing in this post, using my birthday trip as my example. To summarize, I started by making a list of 4 potential destinations. One of the options was inspired by a random, TripAdvisor save from a million years ago of a gorgeous glass igloo located in snowy, scenic, Finnish Lapland.
I then gathered comparable data points for all of the potential vacation spots. When I sat down to review the numbers, it turned out that flying Icelandair would cover the Nordic hubs while costing approximately half as much as the flights to the other bucket-list-caliber destinations. This financial boom would allow us to spend more time (on our first vacation without the kids… yes please) and would also allow us to hit more destinations.
After comparing all of the data and watching some YouTube videos to get a vibe check, I surprised my husband AND myself by deciding the Nordy Forty was the way to go.
Pic by Matthew Wynn Photography
We knew, however, that our winter packing list would be the make or break of enjoying these wintery wonderlands versus being frozen and miserable for two full weeks. The secret to staying warm, we learned, is in the art of layering.
Which leads to the other critical goal for pulling this off. We needed each and every item we packed to work smarter and not harder. There is no prize won for lugging a giant, heavy suitcase over snowy or icy sidewalks.
Winter Packing List Ingredients
The Base Layer
When it comes to base layers, merino wool is the golden child. It is naturally breathable, thermoregulating, and moisture wicking enough keep you dry and warm even if it gets wet. It is also wrinkle- and odor-resistant so you can pack minimally and not worry about looking disheveled or offending the nostrils. I didn’t think it was itchy at all. Matt found it minimally itchy, but he got used to it quickly.
Merino Wool Base Layer Thermal Sets: Literally every advice piece I saw or heard, including from my former-Vermont-Boy-Scout father, touted the absolute necessity of merino wool base layers. We each took two sets: one from Green Rose, a small business out of Lithuania, and one from Meriwool via good ole Amazon.
Merino Wool Base Layer Gloves: That’s right… a base layer of gloves. These combined with coat pockets or hand warmers were all we needed 80% of the time. When it was cold enough for mittens, these added an extra barrier to trap as much warm air as possible. These also feature touch-screen compatible fingers so needing to use our phones never required bare hands.
Tank Top or T-Shirt: We did not get anything special or fancy, but we both brought one thing that could be used as an under shirt on milder days or for the flights (I get hot).
Wool Socks: We both packed 3 pairs of socks – merino wool-blend socks from United by Blue, merino wool-blend socks from Germany-based Falke (his, hers), and cashmere-blend socks from Falke (his, hers). The lighter cashmere socks were perfect to go under a wool pair on days our toes needed a bit more warmth.
Manly Insights with Matt
I was really nervous about packing only 3 pairs of socks as I need to change cotton socks at home daily. Wool however is a magic material when it comes to combatting stankiness. I could have probably gone three weeks!
Underwear: When you’re looking at a two week trip, the underwear math adds up quickly. With that, we packed strategically and chose pairs that would air dry quickly when hand washed. This includes, you guessed it, merino wool undies.
The Cozy Layer
Pic by Matthew Wynn Photography
This layer is meant to do exactly what it sounds like – add another cozy, warm barrier between you and the elements.
Fleece-Lined, Wind Resistant Leggings: These were my go to for travel and milder-weather days. I also brought a second pair one size up to wear with a merino base layer for colder days.
Jeans: I opted not to pack jeans because they’re bulky and not as wind resistant as the leggings I found. My husband, though, brought one pair as his not-quite-freezing-cold pants. He was able to comfortably wear a base layer underneath for stylish comfort.
Half-Zip: Matt and I both ended up packing half-zips. Mine was a fleece I impulsively picked up during an REI sale. Matt’s was a sweatshirt style. These are a perfect mid-layer as they are easy to layer. In instances you get warm (it happened more than I expected), zip the neck down for a little more airflow.
Merino Wool Sweater: This sweater was warm and beautiful, exactly what I was hoping when I ordered it. I probably wore it about 75% of the trip and it still looked and smelled great when we got home.
Flannel Shirt: Matt and I both have shirts from Vermont Flannel. They’re 100% GOTS certified organic cotton and we love them unceasingly. Matt brought his and said it was the number one thing he would recommend above everything else. He loved how he was able to unbutton it when he got hot without having to fully strip something off. This was also his travel-day shirt of choice to combat colder planes or to fold up and use as a pillow.
The Outer Layer
Pic by Matthew Wynn Photography
You would think your jacket is the most important layer for a winter journey. If you’ve layered well, though, this is just the cherry on top. The other components of your outer layer, however, will be doing the heavy lifting of keeping your hands, feet, and head warm. This will make or break how comfortable you’ll be as the temperatures dip below freezing.
Winter Coat: My husband opted for his old-school ski jacket from The North Face. It features a water-proof outer and down coat inner that zip together. I asked him how long he’s had it and he said, conservatively it’s 15ish years old. So godspeed recreating that look.
After falling down the rabbit hole of reviews, I got the viral Amazon down jacket. I was worried it wouldn’t be up to the job of negative temps, but it was perfect. The hood was my personal favorite. It’s fleece lined and added a cozy extra layer over my hat or babushka.
Lined Ski Pants (His, Hers): On the colder days, these were key to stop the wind cutting to the deep in addition to adding an extra layer of warmth.
Merino Wool Scarf: I hesitate to link the specific scarf I bought because it has a ridiculously bougie price tag, but I also love it and regret nothing. If you want something more economical, there is an option on Amazon for a fraction of the price. My favorite was wearing it in a granny-style babushka to double as my hat too.
Merino Wool Gaiter: This was Matt’s choice for neckwear and face covering. No muss, no fuss, good warmth.
Knit Hat: Matt layered up in the hat department with this beanie under a hat I knit for him. If you’re worried about hat-hair, this guy on Amazon sports a satin lining and did a great job of keeping my head toasty.
Boots (His, Hers): Yep – these are the only shoes you’ll see on this list because we each only rocked one pair for the entire two-week trip.
After hours of research, I purchased the UGG Adirondack III boots. They are light-weight, weather rated for up to -32°F, and have good reviews regarding traction on snow and ice. My feet never got cold so I can wholeheartedly recommend them.
Matt’s shoe of choice is the Outlander Waterproof Boot by Lems. While not technically a snow boot, he never complained of cold feet and was able to keep his footing on the snow and ice. He loved them and claimed they were as comfortable as any pair of sneakers he already had in his closet. He did double up on socks before I had to with my insulated boots, so something to keep in mind.
Mittens (His, Hers): Matt and I both ended up buying Mittens at Stockmann, a department store in central Helsinki. He opted for a pair of The North Face skiing mittens while I went for a pair of leather mittens from Swedish brand Hestra.
Toiletries
Thick Lotion/Cream: That cold air will dry your skin out fast. To combat Mother Nature, I opted for a travel size of a tried-and-true fav, La Roche Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Body Moisturizing Cream. It’s thick, but not greasy. Not a single dry, itchy hand the entire trip.
Aquaphor: This was mission critical for my nose when my skin started getting irritated from Kleenex or the extreme sub-freezing temps in Lapland. A little dab of the ‘phor and I was golden.
Lip Balm: Make sure you have your favorite in your bag for when the cold air starts chapping your lips. I’ve found that European pharmacies carry great options if you find you’re lacking on the go.
& Other Things
These miscellaneous things made the trip just that much easier.
Hand Warmers: We picked up some rechargeable hand warmers from Amazon. They worked great. However… for some reason they can only be charged with a specific kind of cord, which proved very difficult while traveling internationally. Not sure if I would travel overseas with them again, but will definitely keep using them at home.
Swimsuit: You might not think of swimsuits for a trip of such icy proportions, but you would be wrong. Many winter-destination hotels have heated pools and in the Nordic region saunas are a cultural mainstay.
Shower Slides (His, Hers): These were clutch for pool and sauna stops as well as the over-night train bathroom. Both of these pairs linked were a little bulkier than we would have liked, but they got the job done.
Foldable Duffle Bag (Link gets you 10% off): Packing winter gear in a carry on doesn’t leave a lot of wiggle room for souvenirs. A fold up duffle bag gives you flexibility to still shop if that’s your thing. It’s mine, so no judgement.
Bluetooth Camera Remote: This small addition made getting pictures lightyears easier, especially while wearing mittens. Mine came with a tripod I picked up in case we needed a steady stand for long-exposure pictures.
Travel-size Febreeze: For the shirts that aren’t made of magical, stink-proof merino.
Destination-Appropriate Charging Block: Even after 27 years of traveling internationally, I still don’t feel like I have a handle on when to use adapters versus when you need converters so anything related to making US electronics work in another country freaks me out. With that, I have had this World Travel adapter kit from Apple for about 8 years so we used the European plug with our laptop block to start. The other winning move we made was to actually pick up an Apple charger block specifically for European plugs at the Reykjavik airport.
Winter Packing List: Strategic Packing Tip
Use packing cubes or compression bags to push extra bulk out of sweaters and ski pants.
Your Winter Packing List
To make your life as easy, breezy as possible I’ve compiled the above into a one-stop-shop winter packing list. If you have any questions or have any recommendations, please leave a comment or shoot me an email.
Notion Winter Packing List
Save a copy to your Notion space or copy and paste it into your notes app of choice to make customizations and check off items as you pack.
Winter Packing List: Outfit Combos
All of these outfits are assuming you’re going to be walking around. If you’re trying to get inspiration for an outside event where you’ll be standing still, I would look at one of the cooler temps than what you’re actually expecting.
| Temps | His | Hers |
|---|---|---|
| 32° to 42°F/0° to 10°C | T-shirt Wool Socks Flannel Shirt or Sweatshirt half-zip Jeans Winter coat Base layer Gloves | Tank top Wool Socks Fleece half-zip or Merino Sweater Fleece-lined leggings Winter coat Base layer gloves |
| 0° to 31°F/-17° to -1°C | Thermal Undershirt Thermal Pants Base layer socks optional Wool Socks Flannel Shirt or Sweatshirt half-zip Jeans Winter coat Knit hat Gaiter or scarf Base layer Gloves Mittens | Thermal Undershirt Thermal Pants Base layer socks optional Wool Socks Fleece half-zip or Merino Sweater Fleece-lined leggings Winter coat Knit hat Scarf or gaiter Base layer gloves Mittens |
| -31° to -1°F/-35° to -18°C | Thermal Undershirt Thermal Pants x2 Base layer socks Wool Socks Flannel Shirt or Sweatshirt half-zip Lined ski pants Winter coat Knit hat Gaiter or scarf Base layer Gloves Mittens | Thermal Undershirt Thermal Pants Base layer socks Wool Socks Fleece half-zip or Merino Sweater Fleece-lined leggings Lined ski pants Winter coat Knit hat Scarf or gaiter Base layer Gloves Mittens |
Was It Worth It?
So at the end of the day, was all of this worth it?
Without a single ounce of doubt, absolutely, 100% yes.
I have been traveling internationally since I was 13 (thanks for the intro Dad) and this trip was one of the most impactful of my life. The beauty you can experience in Finnish Lapland in winter is worth any amount of effort required just on its own. In addition, the people in these countries live their lives 12-months a year. Being there in the winter is no less exciting or culture-rich. If anything it gives a more authentic look into the Nordic experience.
I hope this list will help you feel hopeful that a wintery destination isn’t impossible to enjoy and will inspire you to mix a few in among the warmer destinations on your bucket list.
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