Are you heading to Alaska for the first time? I just got back from my first trip to Alaska and here’s my Alaska packing list for fall plus a few things I should have left at home.
This Alaska packing list was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
As someone who has lived in the Pacific Northwest her entire life, I didn’t expect to be so flabbergasted on what to pack for Alaska!
I’m used to rain and gloomy weather, and I thought I’d have no problem pulling together my Alaska packing list with minimal effort. Ugh. I can’t believe how unsure I was!
I kept going back and forth on how many layers were really necessary and then I’d throw extra shirts into my suitcase. A big dilemma for me was packing stuff that was warm AND that would photograph well (travel photos mean a lot to me).
And when I got to Anchorage and walked around the downtown area, I ended up frantically buying another knit hat “just in case.”
Now that my trip is over, I wanted to share my honest list of things I’m glad I packed for Alaska (as well as what I wish I would have left at home).
My Alaska Packing List for Fall (with actual essentials)
WoolX Leggings
I brought 3 pairs of wool leggings with me and I’m SO glad that I did. I first tried wool leggings about a year ago and realized they are the best way to stay warm and comfortable when exploring.
I’ve tried several brands, and my favorite by far is WoolX Piper leggings. They are thick and have pockets. I’ve tried other brands, but they feel too thin for me, and many are more like base layers than stand-alone leggings.
Use this link to get $20 off your first Woolx order.
Lululemon Wool Sweater
I bought a light purple sweater from the Lululemon outlet a few years ago and was instantly obsessed with it. It wasn’t until last year that I realized it was a wool blend and that’s why it kept me so warm.
It was great to wear on top of my wool t-shirts and underneath my puffer coat.
Wool T-Shirts
I know I’m sounding like a broken record but I also swear by wool t-shirts. I’ve purchased a few on Amazon and have been satisfied with the quality.
Wool Base Layers
I don’t usually wear jammies when I travel. But I bring wool base layers because they are multi-purpose.
I used mine as loungewear in the evenings and mornings and was able to throw them on under my clothes for outdoor adventures. Here are the top and the bottoms.
Wool Socks
Yes, I also brought wool socks with me. I’ve tried several pairs but these ones are by far my top picks. They are soft and keep my feet warm.
Marine Layer Puffer Coat
I knew I’d be asking people to take photos of me and so I specifically chose a warm coat that would also look cute in photos.
My coat was brightly colored and had an image of a sun on it. It looked great against neutral backgrounds like water and glaciers.
Any puffer coat would work. You just want to make sure it fits underneath a rain jacket. Here’s a cute option.
Rain Jacket
Coming from Seattle, I usually travel with a good rain jacket. This time, I went with a bright fuschia one specifically for photos.
I had to make sure that it would fit over my puffer coat. That way, I’d have a waterproof layer to wear over my coat.
I did use Scotchguard on my raincoat before my trip just to make sure it was truly waterproof.
Columbia Hiking Boots
I really wasn’t sure what footwear to bring to Alaska, but I’m glad I went with my Columbia hiking boots. I broke them in at Olympic National Park first and so they were pretty comfy to wear in Alaska.
No, I didn’t really do much hiking, but they were great for walking around on muddy paths, on slippery boat decks, and all outdoorsy areas.
Waterproof Boots
I also packed along a pair of Vionic waterproof boots. They are super comfortable and look “nice.”
I mainly wore them to my conference, but also wore them to dinner and non-adventurous activities. It was great to have another pair of boots to change into.
Knit Hat and Gloves
I knew I’d be cold, so I brought a pair of water-resistant gloves to keep in my coat pockets. And I brought along a yellow knit beanie because I thought it would “pop” in photos with water in the background.
I actually bought another hat (bright blue) and set of gloves when I arrived just so I’d have spares.
Sunglasses
I didn’t actually wear them as much as I was told I would, but they came in handy on boat trips. Had it been sunny on the day we hiked a glacier, I would have definitely needed them.
Face Sunscreen & Moisturizer
I’m really glad I was able to protect my face from the sun with sunscreen and then prevent dryness with facial moisturizer. Chapstick was also super handy.
Lightweight Day Bag
I actually didn’t pack this but got it as a welcome gift when I arrived and I basically used it everyday.
It was a lightweight nylon backpack that had a chest clip. It was perfect for carrying snacks, my water bottle, medications, battery pack, and my wallet.
What I Didn’t Need to Bring to Alaska
Jeans
I wore a pair of jeans on the airplane (and to wear for a conference I attended) but I didn’t need them for any of the activities that I did. I much preferred to wear my wool leggings for the adventures.
Dress
I also brought along a wool dress thinking I might wear it out to dinner. However, Alaska is such a casual place that I really didn’t feel the need to dress up. I was fine wearing the same clothes I did adventures in.
Scarf
I brought along a super cute (and warm) scarf from Marine Layer that I thought would come in handy. But truthfully, I only used it a handful of times and it was primarily just to use it.
I really didn’t make sense to wear a scarf for most of our adventures.
Alaska Packing List Wrap-Up
I ended up bringing a checked suitcase and I didn’t regret it at all. I was glad to have as many layers as I brought.
Packing primarily wool items was brilliant because I could re-wear everything at least twice without it smelling bad. And it was convenient to have an extra pair of footwear.
I hope this helps you for your trip to Alaska!