What to Pack for a Trip to Northern Norway in Winter

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Last updated on: September 18, 2018 This post was written by Akatuki Williams

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Traveling to Norway at any time of year could inspire a detailed packing list – layers are necessary year-round, as is gear for any of the various outdoor adventures that Norway has to offer.

But this list is focused on what you'll want to take to head north of the Arctic Circle in the winter months.

It doesn't get as cold in the Norwegian Arctic as it does in neighboring Finland (thanks to the warmer currents coming in off the Atlantic), but you'll still want to prepare for temperatures below freezing.

The essentials

Thermal base layer

Whether you're going on a dogsledding trip, sleeping in an ice hotel, or just planning to walk around outside in cities like Alta or Tromsø, you'll want to have a warm base layer close to your skin.

Wool is usually the go-to material for base layers (merino wool is especially great), but if you're like me and are allergic to wool on your bare skin, then I recommend getting a set of Terramar Hottotties. I have their and a pair of their , and wore them almost every day in Norway. (They also make , which are another great non-wool alternative.)

I especially love the turtleneck – it fits great, is nice and long, and did not get smelly at all even after I wore it daily for almost a week. I paired my turtleneck with a North Face fleece (the is my current favorite) for a super warm base layer.

Waterproof top layer

You'll want good outerwear, too. I have a pair of that I LOVE, and also have a long, that is a great winter go-to. All of this over my base layers kept me nice and warm.

Warm boots

I went to Norway prepared with two different pairs of boots – one for just walking around, and one for doing serious outdoor activities. My walking around boots are , while I love for outdoor activities since they have better support. Both do a good job of keeping your feet warm.

*A note on boots: You may want to buy at least a half-size bigger than you normally wear to accommodate for thick socks AND to make sure your toes have room to move. The tighter your boots are, the faster circulation to your feet gets cut off – and the sooner your feet will get cold.

Serious socks

Another thing to ensure warm feet is to have a good pair of socks. I got some for this trip, which are true to their name – SO warm! These socks are super thick and super soft on the inside. My toes never once felt cold, and I highly recommend these for any winter activity.

Things that will come in handy

Hand warmers

You can pick up some for fairly cheap. I promise you'll appreciate them on those snowmobile trips, or when you're standing outside at night looking for the Northern Lights. (Though if you want to cut down on waste, you can also get now!)

Yaktrax

Because Norway's Arctic cities are mainly found along the coast, this means that they can often be really icy. Tromsø heats some of its sidewalks to shed them of snow and ice, but that doesn't mean you won't find slippery patches (I may or may not have fallen in Tromsø three times while crossing the street…). To combat this, you may want to throw a set of in your bag. These attach to the bottom of your shoes to help you get better traction on snow and ice.

A guidebook

Fellow blogger Kristin Repsher has written a really great . If you'd like to read more about the destinations, weather, customs, accommodation, and more, this guide is worth investing in. She also has a whole section on Northern Lights photography.

Travel insurance

Even though it’s not a tangible item, I also always recommend packing a good policy. That way everything from lost luggage to a bad accident is covered – because you just never know! I recommend for basic (and really affordable) travel insurance.

Complete Packing List

Here’s a look at what was in my bag for my trip to Northern Norway:

In my main suitcase

1 pair of jeans (part of my go-to flying outfit)
1 pair of sweater leggings
2 pairs of regular, thicker leggings
1 pair of
1 sweater
1 hooded sweatshirt for layering
1
1
2 shirts for layering
Plenty of warm socks (including my )
Pajamas
Underwear/bras (including my favorite quick-dry )
Warm
Heavy-duty
North Face Aeliana winter coat
Gloves/hat/earmuffs/a chunky knit infinity scarf
Toiletries

In my carry-on

My carry-on these days is photography focused – the , which has a dedicated compartment with separators for camera lenses and gear. It also has an upper section in which to pack other things, like my Kindle and purse.

In this bag:

Macbook Air 13″
with
My
My (essential for being outside at night, like when taking Northern Lights photos)
Various chargers
Electrical
A for making charging easier
Headphones
My purse with wallet, passport, etc.

And what about for men?

It's true that my packing list is geared towards women, but my packing guidelines for men are pretty much the same: Warm, waterproof layers are where it's at!

Here's a look at some of the things my husband, Elliot, packs when we go to cold-weather destinations together: