What to Pack for a Trip to Alaska

Rain gear, hiking pants that are actually cute, waterproof boots, and a crossbody bag that fits everything.

As a travel journalist, one of the questions I’m frequently asked is: “How do you decide where you go?” Sometimes, an assignment requires me to travel. More frequently, an invitation or my own interests spur the trip; when I’m on the ground, it’s my job to find a story (or even a few) to pitch to editors when I’m back. It can also be a bit of a mix of factors, as was the case for a recent trip to Alaska.

A couple of weeks ago, I flew to Anchorage for a Travel + Leisure assignment—or three assignments, rather. In August, I got it in my head that I really wanted to see the bears feeding on salmon in Katmai National Park and Preserve (story coming soon). I did some initial research, pitched a few angles, and worked with the Alaska tourism board to plan the trip. While there, I also explored Kenai Fjords National Park and took the scenic route aboard the Alaska Railroad—in total, I spent four full days in Alaska and two full days in the air.

Katmai National Park and Preserve, cruising through Kenai Fjords National Park, views on the Alaska Railroad

Due to the nature of an Alaska trip—outdoorsy, rainy, variable temperatures—I had to be extra thoughtful with my packing process. I did not want to cold, wet, or overdressed, and I also wanted to pack as light as possible. And, I have to say, I think I nailed it with the below packing list.

Outerwear

Whenever I’m building out a packing list, I tend to center it around a few core pieces. For this trip, it was this the Halfdays Mary Rain Jacket (and the matching Bastille Train Pant). I always appreciate a brand that is able to marry function and fashion, and the slightly oversized, boxy silhouette of the jacket feels a bit more elevated than a typical raincoat. It also worked perfectly as my everyday jacket and was roomy enough to layer as necessary. As my boat approached glaciers in Kenai Fjords National Park, I was thankful for the extra bit of warmth this fleece North Face vest provided beneath the jacket.

I spent one of my mornings in Alaska kayaking around Resurrection Bay. The pre-trip email from the guide had one request: wear waterproof gear. Instead of the Halfdays jacket, which I wanted to keep fresh for my adventures the rest of the day, I wore this packable yellow Stio jacket (similar, cheaper version here).

Tops and light layers

I swear by sticking to a specific color palette when traveling. It’s the easiest way to mix and match, and it helps me narrow down what I want to pack to what I need to pack. For Alaska, I stuck to mostly blues—this breathable, smocked longsleeve from Halfdays (which I wore on my excursion to Katmai), a North Face halfzip, and a Lululemon tech fabric shirt.

Bottoms

I immediately knew leggings weren’t going to cut it for this trip. Not only are they not waterproof, but they’re not exactly warm, either. I did pack one pair, though—my favorite Spacedye leggings from Beyond Yoga—which I then wore underneath the Halfdays Bastille Trail Pant when hiking and under these $36 Amazon waterproof pants when kayaking and cruising.

Shoes, bags, and accessories

I was initially concerned about footwear for this trip. I didn’t necessarily need my heavy hiking boots, but my sneakers aren’t waterproof. But then, I was introdueced to Seavees. The Ballard Boot was my saving grace. Not only are the boots waterproof, but the low-top makes them more packable than your typical pair. I wore them right out of the box without any issues—even when walking 15,000 steps in Katmai. For my travel days, I went with a simple pair of New Balances.

The other MVP of my Alaska trip was the Away Featherlight Crossbody bag. It carried my waterbottle, book, two cameras, snacks, a power bank, phone, wallet, and even an extra layer. While in transit, I also used my Calpak Laptop Duffel Backpack (the roomiest backpack you’ll ever use) and, of course, my Away Bigger Carry-On suitcase.

Two last things to round out the Alaska packing list: a nautical-inspired bucket hat and my new favorite pajama set (under $30, washable, and super soft).