Packing For Ever-Changing Weather

Hello! It’s Florida! Or Hawaii! Or NYC! It just doesn’t matter where you are heading, you always run the risk of having changing weather patterns before and during your vacation. Last June, we were in London for four days with hot, humid and completely sunny weather. The locals were shocked by the weather, while we just thought it was normal.

I have learned through very painful, sometimes shivering experience that you need to make sure you have packed everything you might need for any eventuality. I’ve heard the “I can always just buy a sweatshirt…” line many, many times, but it doesn’t always work out the way you want. First of all, spending upwards of $100 on an ugly sweatshirt I will never wear again isn’t in my travel budget. Second, are you positive you will be able to find said sweatshirt, swimsuit or mittens at your chosen location?

We can’t leave our physical comfort to chance. We need to take control of our vacation so we can get the absolute most out of our precious vacation time.

We need to pack for every conceivable eventuality. Mother Nature, I’m coming for you! 

Keeping It Down To One Bag

I’m not a terrible overpacker. Yeah, I’m kind of an overpacker…just not terrible!!! For whatever reason, my thing is tops—I like to have several options when I travel, so while I won’t overpack on bottoms, I tend to have extra tops to mix and match. Even with my indulgences, I keep it to one bag:

Keeps it manageable for you

The most important thing is that you are able to handle your luggage yourself with no help. Even if you think you will have help and support, there will probably be times when you need to manage your bags entirely on your own, so you need to be ready. I make sure, for example, that I will be able to lift my luggage in and out of the car on my own. That way, I know I can maneuver it when we get to the hotel room.

Minimizes your extra packing

Keeping yourself down to one, maximum 50 pound bag will naturally decrease your desire to overpack. Particularly if you feel confident that you will be doing some shopping at your destination, you need to leave some room in that suitcase. 

It’s more than enough

Let’s be honest, Boo Boo. One big bag with 50 pounds of your most important and favorite outfits is more than enough for a week or ten days of vacation. Frankly, if you’re going for longer than that, you are going to need to find some laundry facilities anyways. So keep your packing to that seven- to ten-day range and you’ll easily fit in one bag.

Layering Is Your Key To Success

So, what is the secret to doing a Disney day when it starts at 50 degrees, skyrockets to 85 then drops back in the low 50’s? Layering, that’s what. Whether it’s Alaska in the summer or Boston in the winter, laying your clothes will support you at every temperature.

Light Bottom Layers

I live in sunny, warm Las Vegas, NV, but even I have a good base layer in my drawer for when we visit Utah or go hiking during the cooler months. I strongly recommend you invest in a very light, thin base layer that you can use when necessary.

Packing tips for layers

Let’s talk about how we make sure we are covered in any weather, while still making that 50 pound limit!

• Get things that can be minimized – My base layer is black. It will match absolutely anything I put on top of it. I don’t really wear white, because I always worry about it staining, which would be a problem if I need to wear it more than once in a week without laundry facilities. The base layer—top and bottom—also roll up almost the size of underwear, so packing is a breeze!
• Keep all layers thin – On a cold winter day in Disney, I might have on a total of four layers to make sure I’m comfortable. To make that possible, it’s important that each layer is relatively thin. You don’t want to have that uncomfortable, bulky feeling that comes from heavy layers. 

What about bottoms?

You are absolutely right, and nothing is worse than feeling your thighs absolutely freezing beneath a pair of jeans. I’ve found that, as long as I’m not wearing skinny jeans, the bottom base layer is pretty easy. While I have an actual bottom base layer that packs quite well, I’ve opted for some of my leggings and running pants as a bottom layer! In addition to keeping me warm, they are quite breathable, and can do double-duty if I decide to do some walking or hiking on the trip.

Shorts Or Pants, Pat?

When you’re expecting a large variation in temperature, it is logical to wonder whether shorts or pants are the best choice. For Sweet Husband, the answer is almost always shorts—but he’s got that natural base layer on his legs that I lack!

• Shorts are small – It’s easier to pack shorts, because they are—quite literally—half the size of your pants. It is almost always a good idea to have at least one pair of shorts in that suitcase of yours, just in case it gets warm. If nothing else, they are comfy to wear hanging around the hotel room in the evenings.
• Wear your heaviest pants – For packing purposes, you should wear your heaviest pants—and your clunkiest shoes—on the flight so you can avoid packing them. Those thick, bulky pants will come in handy if you are expecting some periods of really cold weather, and will keep you warm on that cold plane, too.
• Thin pants and/or capris are great – My absolute favorite thing to pack is capris or thin pants. Not only is it always possible for me to layer under a pair of thin pants, but the lightweight—and sometimes few inches of skin—make it much more comfortable during that transitional weather.

How about jackets?

Even in Florida in the middle of summer, I always have a light jacket. Even if you are coming to Vegas this summer, in the 115 degree heat, I recommend you bring a light jacket. There is no doubt about it, you can still get chilled with the tons of air conditioning that gets pumped out in the summer in these hot spots.

For warmth

If I’m going somewhere cold, I’ll have a light jacket with a heavier jacket to go over it, so that I will stay warm and comfortable. If I don’t expect to be cold at all, I’ll still grab a thin track jacket in case the weather changes or the air conditioning is just too high.

For inclement weather

We were hiking deep in The Narrows in Zion National Park one fall weekend. All of a sudden…snow. We hadn’t expected it, but we were at least somewhat prepared for it. We donned the hats and gloves, even the scarves, and just kept on walking. 

What If It Rains? 

While we don’t get much more than wind here in the desert, visiting the south during the summer I get hit with quite a bit of rain. To which, I say: So what?

Let it rain! If you’ve been following along, you know we are prepared for it! While I can’t stand the ponchos during the summer—too humid and warm inside—I am a big fan of pulling out the umbrella, putting on a baseball hat, and continuing my vacation. 

I highly recommend getting a rain jacket that folds up into a small little pouch, too. I keep one in my backpack, so I’m always ready just in case.

What About Your Carry-On Bag?

You know how much I love my carry-on bag!!! Using it for changing or inclement weather is just as important as using it for unexpected layovers and overnights in an airport. Some of your inclement weather gear might not be as easy to replace, so you absolutely need to keep it in that carry-on with you. My base layer, for example, is small and compact and always travels in the carry-on, since I might not be able to find that easily at my destination. The same is true for my hat and gloves, and even my trusted umbrella gets preferential placement in the carryon.

No Matter What

You have been looking forward to this trip for so long, we can’t let a little weather derail all of your plans. I never want to have to leave somewhere because I wasn’t prepared for the weather.

So, do I have a few extras in my bags just in case? I sure do.

And I’ve never regretted it. 

Plus, I can still pick up my suitcase all by myself!

THANK YOU FOR READING THIS FAR!!!

Thank you for reading all about changing weather packing tips!

Hey, since you’re here! You may as well check out some other tips, like visiting Disney in 2024, here, or visiting national parks, here! Or, check out our other topics here! Either way, I appreciate you!

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