Wondering what to pack for a fall trip? I was born and raised in a four-season climate (fall is by far my favorite season), so I know what to wear in fall like the back of my hand. No matter if you need to know what to pack for a fall trip to Maine, New England, Japan or anywhere else with classic fall weather, here’s a complete autumn packing list with what to pack for fall vacation.
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What Weather To Expect On A Fall Trip
First, it’s vital you know what weather to expect on a fall trip. Fall weather and, therefore, what you pack for fall weather, depends heavily on when in fall you’re traveling. If you’re traveling at the beginning of fall (September in the Northern Hemisphere), there’s a chance you’ll experience warm weather in the 70s (Fahrenheit) or even 80s. On the other hand, if you’re traveling at the end of fall (November, respectively), there’s a chance you could experience cold weather in the 20s or 30s. On average, though, your quintessential autumn temperatures will usually fall (pun intended) somewhere in the 50s.
Because the temperature can vary a lot in fall, it is really important to check the forecast for your trip before you pack. I always use my Day-By-Day Packing List for every trip because it keeps the forecast in mind when I’m packing. There’s a whole category on the packing list to fill out specifically for the forecast, which is super helpful in transition seasons. You can download it for free here.
Now, let’s get into my packing list for every fall trip.
Sweaters + Flannels
There’s a reason why fall weather is nicknamed “sweater weather.” Sweaters and flannels are always my go-to for fall trip packing because they are practical in terms of warmth, typically don’t require much outerwear midday (again, depending on the forecast) and they photograph well in fall travel photos. (Click here for my best fall photo ideas blog post.) If you’re craving a classic cozy fall trip, sweaters and flannels are the way to go. Otherwise, sweatshirts serve the same purpose too. If you’re going to be hiking on your fall trip, I recommend bringing quarter zips or other athletic zip-ups.
Base Layers
Next, base layers are important for your fall trip because (again, depending on the forecast) even if the mornings and evenings are chilly, you may get warm midday. I always wear a cotton T-shirt or long sleeve under my sweater in fall so that I can delayer and relayer throughout the day as the temperature naturally changes.
Long Pants
Unless your forecasted temperatures are unusually warm for your destination (80s or above), long pants like jeans, leggings or trousers are going to be your best bet for bottoms on your fall trip. If you want to dress up with a skirt or dress, pack tights or leggings to cover your legs as well. I rarely where shorts past late-September.
Close-Toed Shoes
You’ll also probably want to wear close-toed shoes on your fall trip. In early fall, you can usually still get away with sandals. However, once you hit October when fall colors are most vibrant, close-toed shoes are a given. You don’t need any winter boots, just close-toed shoes. Pack socks, too. Although, you won’t need extra warm wool socks necessarily.
Light Coat
Next, later in the fall, particularly in late October and November, it is in your best interest to pack a coat. Your coat doesn’t need to be a long thick parka by any means. Usually, I wear a leather jacket or a short puffer coat. For hiking trips, I love my packable down jacket from Columbia.
Mittens
Hands are always my first extremity to get cold. In late fall, I pull my mittens out of storage. Once the temperatures hit around 45 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, I find that I’m more comfortable outside wearing gloves or mittens. You probably won’t need a scarf, but mittens are convenient.
Hat Or Ear Warmers
My next extremities to get cold are my ears. In late fall, if the temperatures are forecasted to be below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, I would pack a hat or ear warmer to keep my ears cozy, especially if I’m spending a significant amount of time outdoors. Hats aren’t a total necessity in fall, but, you may find yourself to be more comfortable with a hat or ear warmer toward the end of the season. Warmth aside, felt wide brim hats look amazing in fall photos as well.
Heated Apparel
This next fall essential is optional as well: heated apparel. If you’re going to be spending the majority of your trip outdoors, it may be worth packing your heated vest, heated sweatshirt, heated socks or hand warmers if you already own them. While I definitely don’t think it’s worth going out of your way to buy heated apparel for a fall trip, you might be more cozy with heated apparel if you’re going to be outside in temperatures of 40 degrees or colder — and already have it in your closest. I have this heated sweatshirt from Milwaukee, and it works really well. Keep your airline’s regulations for traveling with lithium batteries in mind if you’re flying, though.
Vacuum Seal Bags
Finally, if you’re attempting to pack carry-on only or pack as light as possible, remember that bulky clothes like knit sweaters, thick sweatshirts and coats take up a lot more space in your suitcase than hot weather clothes. Vacuum seal storage bags like these can help minimize the space your cold weather essentials take up by vacuuming out all of the extra air held inside the clothing. I also have a whole blog post about how to pack bulky clothes here for you to read next.
More Fall Trip Packing Tips + Guides
How To Pack Heavy Clothes For Travel
13 Travel Essentials For Cold Weather
Fall Photo Ideas Instagram Will Love
Wisconsin Fall Foliage: Where, When & How To See It
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