Alaska packing list essentials
If you’re planning a trip to Alaska this summer, you probably have one major question: What should go on your Alaska packing list? I had the same question — but every time I Googled it, I got packing lists for cruises. I’ve never been on a cruise, and I might try one someday, but it’s not really my preferred method of travel. During this trip to Alaska, I was flying up and renting a car with one of my best friends for a week. And we didn’t know what to pack.
So I decided to put together my own Alaska packing list (summer) for your land-based Alaska trip. Here are five things you absolutely need.
1. A backpack
Whether you’re driving or flying to Alaska, packing a backpack is a practical choice. Of course, if you’re driving there yourself you can bring whatever kinds of bags you want. If you’re flying, a backpack makes the perfect personal item, even if you’re bringing a larger suitcase as your carry-on.
Even though I briefly considered buying a really nice hiking backpack from REI, in the end I decided to bring my favorite old backpack from college. It was small- to medium-sized and had a pocket on the side that was perfect for my water bottle. I padded the outer section with my homemade DSLR camera cushioning, and filled the rest with snacks I would need while hiking. It was lightweight and got the job done.
2. A rain jacket
I learned from my research that rain is a big part of Alaskan summers. And this is a true essential for your Alaska packing list. I read multiple blogs that stated “You will be miserable if you don’t have a good raincoat.” I was someone who did not have a good rain jacket, so I bought this North Face one from Amazon
. It was the only major purchase I made before my trip, and it 100% paid off. I wore it every day (because it rained every day).
Don’t bother with umbrellas… as I read on another blog, “What good are umbrellas when the rain is coming at you from every direction?”
3. Comfortable shoes
Public service announcement: contrary to popular belief, you do NOT need a fancy pair of hiking boots on your Alaska trip! You are more than welcome to bring a well-broken-in pair that you already have in your possession, fine – but there is no reason to buy a pair before the trip. I know they look cute and make you look official, and I had been eyeing a pair of Timberlands myself — but I am not a big hiker in everyday life and would have had no opportunity to break them in.
Consider this your official “permission” to take your most comfortable pair of sneakers. They will be perfect! And they still look good with a nice pair of hiking socks (see next point).
4. Wool hiking socks
“What in the heck are hiking socks?” I infamously asked my family at BassPro once when I was a teenager. “They’re for hiking,” a young and attractive salesman answered with a smirk. Ten years later, hiking socks became relevant to my life. When you’re hiking, there’s a significant chance that your feet are going to be somewhat wet if it’s raining or you’re sweating. In this situation, you want to try to keep your feet as warm and dry as possible.
Wool is known for its insulating properties, even when wet, so it makes an excellent choice for hiking. I bought these from Amazon.
5. Moisture-wicking materials
You may have heard “Cotton Kills” — for the same reason wool is recommended for hiking socks, cotton is not recommended for active wear. It’s a very poor insulator and won’t keep you warm. I don’t know about you, but once I started paying attention to the labels, I realized almost everything in my closet was 100% cotton. Since I am not a hardcore hiker, I decided that I would try to bring clothing that was 50% cotton or less.
Try to pack clothing made of fleece or wool, or synthetic materials such as polyester or nylon. For bonus points: bring them all and layer to your heart’s content!
Find things to do on your Alaska trip.
What do you think of this Alaska packing list? Do you have packing suggestions of your own? Let me know in the comments!
-Cathy
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Originally Published on July 29, 2017.
Just in case someone else reads this in the future.l.. As someone who grew up in Alaska, summers are changing. Layers are even more key. I would even bring a pair of shorts and a short sleeved tee, bathing suit as there are places to swim, altho granted the water is cold. However, that said, up in the mountains it can be quite cold, and so I would bring hat, buff or scarf and some light wool gloves or mittens, plus the raincoat and a fleece or sweater, should do. Another option might be a down vest. It can get quite chilly in the evenings. But this last summer, I did not bring enough warm weather clothes and it was hotter than I expected. So, layers layers layers! One might say almost to pack for four seasons, just in case. Definitely casual. Very few restaurants have dress codes, jeans and hiking boots/tennis shoes will take you far. I would bring hiking boots for wet weather, especially if you are down near the coast, Two pair of shoes is nice to have, in case one gets wet.
Hey Lynne! I wanted to thank you for stopping by and leaving this comment. (Also, I apologize for the delay — I just got back from a whirlwind trip to London and Budapest where I barely had the chance to sit down 😂)
You have some great points in this comment and I hope anyone who finds this post takes the time to scroll down and read your insights.
Thanks again!
-Cathy