Your Alaska Packing List

Not sure what to bring on your upcoming trip? No problem: I have your Alaska packing list right here. Keep reading for the full list, or download a printable PDF checklist without all the commentary.

This packing list is for any trip to Alaska during the summer, no matter how you’re arriving. Cruise travelers, that means this list is for you, too! Also forthcoming: A packing list for winter trips to Alaska.

Clothing to pack for Alaska

In general, Alaska temperatures are trending warmer during the summer, but the weather here remains notoriously hard to predict — I’ve been snowed on in June and July, and enjoyed 50-degree temperatures in January. The following clothing items will set you up to deal with those extremes in relative comfort:

“Normal” clothes:

How many pairs of each type of clothing you bring will depend on how regularly you’ll have access to laundry facilities, how comfortable you are with re-wearing clothes between washes, and how light you want to travel.

When I travel the state — whether on research trips or personal adventures — the only items I tend to carry extras of are short-sleeve shirts (I typically carry three), underwear, and socks.

If you’re going on any outdoors adventures, pack non-cotton (wool or synthetic) clothing you can wear for those experiences. Here’s why cotton is a poor choice for many situations that come up in Alaska. So the jeans/slacks are for in town, but the non-cotton pants would work both in town or outdoors.

• Jeans or slacks. Jeans are perfectly acceptable casual wear just about anywhere in the state outside of a business setting; most nice restaurants won’t even bat an eye if you walk in wearing jeans. If you feel uncomfortable being that casual, opt for slacks instead.
• Non-cotton travel pants. Nylon travel and/or hiking pants are great for almost any weather you encounter. Light wool pants or leggings, or those made of other synthetics, are excellent too.
• Light, short-sleeve shirt(s). Yes, it can get hot enough to wear a t-shirt here. Most buildings don’t have air conditioning, so on hot days you may also need lighter clothes indoors.
• Light, long-sleeve wool shirt. Wool is for winter, right? But a light, long-sleeve wool shirt strikes a great balance between sun coverage and temperature regulation. Lightweight synthetic shirts are also great, but wool tends to stink less.
• Non-cotton sweater. This is an insulating layer that you can pull on over your lighter layers for extra warmth, then remove if you get too hot. I prefer fleece or wool.
• Underwear. Per your comfort level.
• Optional: Lightweight long underwear. Choose close-fitting, non-cotton long underwear that you can put on under your pants for extra warmth.

If you get cold very easily and are heading to a colder part of Alaska, consider adding a pair of medium-weight long underwear (for your legs), and a heavier sweater that you can layer with the others if need be.

Outerwear:

• Waterproof, windproof jacket.
• Light gloves. Try to avoid the stretchy cotton gloves you get in the store. Instead, look for synthetic running gloves that will keep your hands warm on a chilly summer day, but still give you enough dexterity to use a smartphone or manipulate your camera.
• Ball cap or warm, lightweight hat (or both). If you wear glasses, a ball cap is a must for keeping rain off your eyewear and the sun out of your eyes. But when temperatures drop or a breeze kicks up, it’s nice to have a lightweight, warm hat to keep your head and ears warm.
• Optional: Waterproof, windproof pants. While not strictly necessary, these are a nice just-in-case item if you’re going to be spending a lot of time in Southeast Alaska (which tends to be quite wet), hiking through wet brush, or generally being outside without easy access to a place to warm up. These are also a handy item for day cruises.

Footwear:

• Sturdy walking shoes or boots.
• Non-cotton socks. Lightweight wool and synthetic/polyester blends are great for summer use, but wool is my favorite because it stinks less. Light wool can be appropriate, even in warm climates, and I like to have at least one medium-weight pair of socks along, even in the summer.
• Optional: Sturdy sandals for walking or lounging. Good for warm temperatures or if your other footwear is wet.
• Optional: Rubber boots, AKA “Alaska sneakers.” These will make your life much more pleasant if you spend a lot of time on or around the water.

Other gear

• Camera. Trust me, you’ll kick yourself if you don’t bring a camera to capture some memories of your trip. But unless photography is a very serious part of your life, you don’t need a gigantic zoom lens. If you’re carrying a DSLR, a good 200mm zoom lens is enough to get good pictures in many situations — or use a newer smartphone camera. They’re pretty amazing nowadays.
• Water bottle. Please bring (or buy) a reusable water bottle to cut down on single-use plastics. Most Alaska communities with tourist services have fantastic water quality, so you can usually refill your bottle straight from the tap.
• Day pack. You’ll need something to carry your souvenirs, water bottle, snacks, and/or extra layers for when the weather changes. While I’d never discourage anyone from carrying a theft-proof purse or shoulder bag, day packs (i.e., small backpacks) blend in perfectly with Alaska’s casual atmosphere, and they’re easier on your shoulder than carrying a tote bag.
• Sunglasses. Hey, the sun shines 24 hours a day in some parts of Alaska — and it tends to be linger low on the horizon where it can shine right in your eyes. You’ll want those sunglasses.
• Charging cords for portable electronics. This goes without saying, right?
• My travel guidebook, Moon Alaska. It’ll keep you oriented to all the best activities, amenities, meals and lodgings, even when you don’t have Internet access. Yes — I’m totally biased.
• Optional: Sunblock and insect repellent. You’ll definitely need both of these, but they’re also pretty easy to buy in any drugstore, grocery store or general store once you get here.
• Optional: Power bank for portable electronics. You don’t necessarily need this — but since power outlets can be a little harder to come by during some Alaska experiences, it’s worth having one of these along if phone access is important to you.

Image by Barbara Jackson from Pixabay