How to Pack Light for a Multi-temperature Trip

Here at Scenic and Savvy we are all about traveling smart. And packing light is an essential part of smart, efficient travel. But how do you pack light when going on a multi-temperature trip? Planning ahead is key.

On our overseas travels we pack everything we need into just our backpacks. With limited space, we have to carefully plan out which items to bring and which we can do without. (If you’re not entirely sold on using a backpack for your travels, read our article Travel overseas with just a backpack? Yes, really!)

In the guide below I break down what I packed for an early May trip to Norway. It shows how I put my packing tips into practice even for a trip with a wide variety of temperatures.

Packing light for multiple temperatures

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Packing for a 6-day trip to Norway in early May meant packing for all kinds of weather and a variety of activities.

Our trip included:

• touring the city of Bergen in 70-degree weather
• cruising on a frigidly windy boat ride through the fjords
• biking along the coast
• hiking down a mountain that started with snow up to our waists and ended with dry ground at our feet in mild 45-degree temps
• two rainy days walking the capital city of Oslo

Knowing we would encounter a wide range of temperatures made packing a challenge, but planning ahead was key. During our trip, I felt prepared for every situation and activity – and best of all, my backpack was light and super easy to carry to and from our three different Norwegian overnight stops.

Before I explain how you can pack everything you need in a backpack, here are the specific types of backpacks Ryan and I use for our travels:

I use the Osprey Porter 46L Travel Backpack

Ryan uses the Rick Steves’ Convertible Carry On (can be converted into a suitcase, but Ryan uses it as a backpack)

What I packed for 6 nights in Norway

TOPS

• 2 long-sleeve T-shirts (one was moisture-wicking)
• 1 thin sweater turtleneck
• 1 pullover sweatshirt
• 2 zip-up sweaters (one was hooded)

I brought a total of six tops along on our trip. Some thin, some thick, since I knew I would wear multiple layers at a time depending on the temperature and activity for the day. I opted not to bring a bulky winter jacket and instead layered a lot underneath a windbreaker, sometimes layering three tops at a time under my jacket! I also made sure that any shirt could be matched with any bottom I brought along.

PANTS

• Beige hiking pants (able to be rolled and buttoned up into capris… I didn’t think I would actually use that feature – but our first day in Bergen was sunny and hot, so it definitely came in handy.)
• Columbia black pants (These stretchy nylon Omni-Shield pants are perfect for hiking, but they can also be dressed up a bit for going out. You don’t find that combination often, which is why these quickly became my favorite traveling pants!)
• Black exercise leggings

I only brought three pairs of pants along. One was a pair of leggings, so they could be worn alone or as a separate warm layer underneath another pair of pants. Worked like a charm!

SHOES

• 1 pair of hiking shoes
• 1 pair of walking shoes
• 1 pair of black slightly dressier shoes

Shoes are tricky. I always want to bring more than I should. My hiking shoes are big and heavy, but I knew I needed them for the steep mountain hike we had planned. They are so bulky, though, I really dislike wearing them for anything other than hiking. So I brought along a flatter pair of Skecher walking shoes for general walking and biking. Then I managed to fit in one small pair of comfortable black shoes. These were perfect for dressing up my black pants for dinner while afterward still being comfortable enough for an evening stroll on cobblestone streets.

WARM ACCESSORIES

• Windbreaker
• Scarf
• Winter hat
• Gloves
• Wool socks

Technically, the windbreaker was the only outerwear jacket I brought along. It was easy to fit into my pack, plus I knew I had plenty of other tops to layer underneath during the really cold temps. I could add or discard a layer as needed. This method worked perfectly seeing as we encountered so many different temperatures.

OTHER

• phone and charger
• laptop and charger
• camera and case
• sunglasses
• small backpack to use as a day pack
• journal
• makeup
• toiletries
• one pair of pajamas
• socks, undergarments, etc.

I checked ahead of time and found out I would have access to a hair dryer at each of our three lodgings, including the fjord-side cottage in the tiny village of Flam. So I left my hair dryer at home along with my flat iron and curling iron.

I considered bringing an umbrella since there was a chance of rain every day of our trip. Then I figured I would just buy one in Norway if necessary. Turns out I managed by just wearing my hood.

Packing light sometimes means making sacrifices.

The shoes I brought along were not my favorite. At home I use a flat iron or curling iron daily. I have cuter sweaters than the ones I brought – but they are either too bulky or didn’t match my other clothing. In the end, I was extremely happy with what I brought, how I planned ahead, and managed to pack light.

If you are overwhelmed by the idea of only using a backpack for your trip or if you just need some helpful packing tips, check out our article, “Travel overseas with just a backpack? Yes, really!”

Is there one clothing item or accessory you couldn’t vacation without and you’d make room for it no matter what? Leave a comment. We’d love to hear from you.