What to Wear On Your Alaska Vacation

If you’re traveling to Alaska between Spring and early Fall, be ready for cold, rain, and wind. The weather forecast can only predict so much about what to wear on a given day. You may dress in winter jackets and get drenched in the rain, or you might dress with lighter layers only for it to get windy and chilly. No amount of beauty can compensate for the discomfort when you’re cold and wet. That’s why you need to plan your attire.

Naturally, if you’re planning to go fishing or rafting, you’d have to pack exclusive gear for those sports. But it’s best to be prepared for anything because the skies in Alaska have a mind of their own. Let’s learn the best strategy to pack for a vacation in Alaska.

Backpack

It might come off as odd to mention a backpack in the list but this is the most important thing you’ll wear throughout your trip. You need a backpack to store some clothing essentials for your trip. You can’t drag your luggage bag everywhere, so it’s better to have a lightweight, spacious bag to keep things like a muffler, gloves, a sweater, or a cap.

Inner Layer

This should ideally be a full-body suit that’s made from a breathable, absorbent fabric that absorbs moisture and keeps your body dry. This can pass as a cotton undershirt that you often wear under winter clothes. However, it’s best not to carry the same old inner layer to your trip. The fabric has the tendency to absorb your body odor that’s hard to wash out. Keeping it in between clothes in your luggage bag might also make other clothes smell bad too. Buy a new one before your trip to keep your clothes smelling fresh.

Insulation

The insulating layer depends on how cold the weather is. If you’re planning to go for a hike, a lightweight underwear will do. If it’s colder, a fleece jacket or sweater will serve the purpose. However, if you’re going to be on foot for long tours, it’s best to wear synthetic winter wear instead of cotton or wool. This ensures that you’re not carrying a lot of weight in terms of clothes. The size of these clothes shouldn’t be as snug as the inner layer because that might get uncomfortable to wear; make sure it’s half a size larger.

Outer Layer

The outer layer is not something you need to wear before leaving the house (or wherever you’re staying.) It can be anything from a windbreaker to a raincoat that you can carry in your backpack. Make sure there’s one waterproof clothing in your bag because you don’t want to get wet in the first thirty minutes of pounding rain. Wet days can get miserable to survive if you don’t have appropriate clothing with you so don’t skip this. If you’re planning for water sports like kayaking, keep a pair of nylon pants with zip-off legs. This way, you can turn them into shorts and dry your legs.

Now that we’re on the subject of water, don’t miss out on all the fun that the vast sea in Alaska offers. Lost on Land Found at Sea is a group of sea-lovers who bring Alaskan crabs and tales from their sea adventures to your dinner table. If you’re interested in nautical clothing, fishing apparel or accessories, check out our page for Alaskan fishing gear and more.