Packing for Four Seasons: Our Round-the-World Clothing Lists

I have a confession to make; we have a problem with over packing. There are so many unknowns that could happen on a trip that sometimes it is best to be ready for everything, right? From sutures in our travel first aid kit to that one extra pair of nice pants… just in case. We think we are packing pretty light on most trips, but then most of the time we don’t even use or wear half the stuff we brought. Obviously, we’re not packing light. But with our upcoming 2-year around-the-world adventure that will have us experience all four seasons we might need to change the way we pack. Of course, having everything you own in just one bag is going to be a real challenge.

Packing for Warm Weather

Most of our vacations take us to places that have warm weather. Packing is so much easier when you know you will be wearing shorts, t-shirts, and sandals 95% of the time. Shorts and short sleeved shirts really don’t take up very much room in a bag and we never have to bring a big bulky warm jacket. Still, we always end up filling all the extra room in our bags with more shorts and short sleeved shirts than we need. For warm weather vacations we could probably get away with fitting everything we need in a small carry-on bag, but we don’t.

Packing for Cold Weather

During the winter we love taking ski trips. Of course, packing for cold weather trips always involve a lot more clothing than packing for warm weather.  Besides our skis, ski poles, ski boots, hats, goggles, gloves, ski pants, and ski jackets we also need to bring warm clothes to wear. This leaves us with a mountain of clothing and gear and is always a challenge. But, we need to stay warm and not get frostbite, right?

On our around-the-world trip we will be in Europe during the winter. We have discussed the possibility of going skiing in the French Alps but will probably need to rent gear as there is no way we will be hauling around our ski gear around the world. I really don’t think we will be using our skis much in Thailand! But the question on what cold weather clothing do we bring is a continuous topic.

What We Will Pack For Four Seasons

So how are we going to pack for 2-years and four seasons? Layers! Our bags will have limited space and so what we do bring needs to be multi-functional. A ski jacket is warm, but not very practical. But bringing a warm fleece or light down jacket and a lightweight waterproof shell is a smart combination. It can be very versatile for any type of weather, excluding a trip to Antarctica. We have also discovered the awesomeness of merino wool. Lightweight, warm, wicks moisture, and looks pretty snazzy when it is in the form of a sweater.

Here is our list of clothing that we will be bringing (subject to change):

Jason

• 2 pairs of cotton shorts
• 1 pair of quick dry shorts
• 1 pair of cotton jeans
• 2 pair of cotton pants
• 1 pair pajama bottoms
• 1 swimsuit
• 4 cotton T-shirts
• 2 merino wool sweaters
• 2 quick dry button up shirts
• 7 pairs of underwear
• 5 pairs of merino wool socks
• 1 pair of hiking shoes
• 1 pair of sandals
• 1 pair of comfortable leather shoes
• 1 fleece jacket
• 1 lightweight waterproof shell
• Warm stocking hat
• Warm lightweight gloves
• Sun hat
• 1 belt

 

Kerri

• 2 pairs of quick dry shorts
• 2 skirts
• 1 pair of capris
• 2 pairs of slacks
• 1 pair of pajamas
• 1 bathing suit and sarong
• 2 sweaters
• 3 short sleeve button down shirts
• 3 long sleeve button down shirts
• 2 quick dry camisoles
• 2 merino wool sweaters
• 7 pairs of quick dry underwear
• 2 sports bras and 2 underwire bras
• 5 pairs of smart wool socks
• 1 Sun hat
• 1 Warm stocking hat
• 1 pair of warm lightweight gloves
• Panty hose
• 2 scarfs (winter and summer)
• Light weight down jacket
• Light weight waterproof shell
• 1 pair hiking shoes
• 1 pair of walking shoes
• 1 pair of sandals
• 1 belt

 

Sydney

• 2 pairs of shorts
• 2 pairs of jeans
• 2 dresses
• 1 pair of capris
• 1 skirt
• 3 short sleeve shirts
• 3 long sleeve shirts
• 2 sweaters
• 1 light weight pajama and 1 heavy weight pajama
• 7 pairs of underwear
• 5 pairs of socks
• 1 swimsuit
• 1 heavy down jacket
• 1 waterproof shell
• 1 warm stocking cap
• 1 pair of warm gloves
• 2 scarves (summer and winter)
• 1 sunhat
• Sandals
• Walking shoes
• Hiking shoes

As you can tell from our lists, what we each consider “minimal” is quite different.  Kerri was teasing me about not bringing enough clothing and I was teasing her for planning to bring too much. My theory is if you decide you really need something else, you can always buy it on the road. Kerri’s is “don’t leave home without it.”

So, what do you all think? Are we packing too much, too little, bringing the wrong stuff, right stuff, or are we clueless?

UPDATE: After a year on the road and leaving a trail of clothing across the world, here is an UPDATED list.