​​12 Travel Products To Buy Before Your Winter Getaway

Why We Like It: Has a great warmth-to-weight ratio

What You Should Know: It’s only 52 inches on the long end, so it might not cover taller people

We all have that one friend who is always cold. Well, if you bring a blanket to wrap up in, they’ll be warm on your next winter getaway! The Rumpl NanoLoft Puffy Travel Blanket packs down small enough to fit into your hand, so it doesn't take up a ton of space in your pack and is essential for winter travel. You can use it as a ground sheet for sitting on the grass before the snow flies, wrap your upper body and bottom with it to stay cozy while watching an outdoor event, or keep your legs warm so they don’t shake too much in cool weather.

A blanket might seem like one of those supplementary travel products you can cut out of your pack, but it's a perfect fit for those who are always cold! In addition to black, a few unique and saturated colorways are available, so there’s something for everyone. The only drawback is that it isn’t long, so taller users may have issues with coverage.

Why We Like It: They’re great for exploring a new place because they’ll keep your hands warm all day, and you can still use your phone

What You Should Know: They won’t keep you as warm in frigid temperatures

In the modern age, a phone is a tool that is extraordinarily useful while traveling. Whether you are looking for a coffee shop to refuel and do some work or you want to show your grandma a historic church that reminds you of her, a phone can help you do that. Once temperatures fall, using your phone for extended periods can get a little chilly on your hands.

With the Outdoor Research Versaliner Sensor Gloves, going bare-handed is a thing of the past. This model is thick enough to keep your hands warm in cool conditions while exploring a new city or while walking for your morning coffee, and you can still use a touch screen while wearing them–it’s a win-win! Plus, since it includes both a liner and a shell, you can customize your warmth as needed by removing the layer you don't need or adding more.

They only come in black, so that isn’t ideal for folks who like a splash of color, but there are men’s and women’s models in various sizes, so folks with smaller or larger hands can find their perfect fit. We wouldn’t take these up a frozen mountainside, but they'll work just fine for most regular winter travel uses! Especially if you add a hand warmer to that zippered pocket on top.

Why We Like It: They keep your blood flow regulated so that your feet stay warm on cool days

What You Should Know: They aren’t a great standalone sock for warmth in extreme temperatures

Compression socks are a great travel companion. A pair of tight socks can help increase blood flow in your legs, bringing more circulation to your feet, and keeping them warmer. Compression socks won’t keep you as warm in frigid temperatures as thick wool socks, but when used as a base layer or before and after jaunts in the snow, they become excellent for winter travel.

Sockwell’s Circulator Compression Socks are made for long-distance travel to ensure that your legs don’t swell up, and they have a variety of uses in everyday life, too. We dig that there are men’s and women’s versions to ensure a perfect fit, and their Merino wool construction enables them to not smell after a long day’s adventure. Whether looking to replenish after a day of skiing and snowboarding or just want to ensure you stay comfortable on your next flight, these socks from Sockwell are an excellent choice!

Why We Like It: It keeps you warm and comes in a few unique saturated colorways

What You Should Know: Not very durable for rugged adventures

Are you always cold, and do you love to express yourself with vibrant colors like a maple tree in the autumntime? Oh boy, do we have an oddly specific recommendation for you! When it comes to outerwear, you should have a coat that’s as unique as you are, right? That’s where the Cotopaxi Teca Calido Hooded Jacket steps in.

There are men’s and women’s sizing available to satisfy different body shapes, but that isn’t the fun part. Between the different models, we’ve counted 27 different colors represented between 13 colorways. That’s bound to change, but you get the picture; it’s colorful! This makes it the perfect fit for an expressive person like you who loves a winter getaway. If you’re looking for something lighter, check out our Best Travel Jacket for One Bag Travel post. After all, a jacket is one of the top essential travel products for winter travel. Who likes being cold?

Why We Like It: Comfortable and easy slip-on shoes for around the house or between ski runs

What You Should Know: They can pull your socks down

Once cool weather rolls around, boots are essential outside, and slippers become the norm while indoors. But what if we told you that there was something that could do both? The REI Co-op Camp Dreamer Slip-Ons are perfect for those who always have cold feel or are constantly running out for errands no matter the weather.

The soles have a fair amount of grip for daily treks but not enough to take on a steep incline or hike. REI describes these shoes as ‘Like a puffy jacket for feet,’ and they couldn’t be more right. Even on the coolest days, your feet will stay warm and dry. There’s a pull tab on the front to help you pull the shoes on and off, which is helpful. Some users have noted that the back can pull down their socks, though we have yet to see that issue.

Why We Like It: Doesn’t take up a ton of room and is warm enough for most travel uses

What You Should Know: It runs a tad small

Are you the friend in the group who never wears a hat? Maybe you were the person who wore shorts during the winter in college–hey, we all knew one. Whether you take it to that extreme or not, you can lose a ton of body heat through exposedbody partsy in the winter. Enter the Smartwool Thermal Merino Reversible Cuffed Beanie. Not only is it crafted from Merino wool to keep things warm and dry, but it is small enough to slide into a coat pocket or sling without too much resistance.

Merino wool is the perfect material for a winter hat because it keeps you warm when the weather gets harsh but doesn’t overheat once the temperature picks up again. There’s a reversible model, too, just in case you’re the shorts-in-the-winter and the fashionable friend.

Why We Like It: The carabiner makes it easy to bring anywhere

What You Should Know: Wood cutlery isn’t for everyone and requires special care

There’s no better gift than the gift of food. Well, if we’re being honest, food isn’t any good without something to eat it with. Cooler weather means the holidays are around the corner, and no matter what religion you practice or what part of the world you’re from, there’s typically some kind of eating involved.

The To-Go Ware Premium Bamboo Utensil Set ensures that you’re ready to dig into a meal no matter where you are. It has an attached carabiner, so you can keep it on hand at all times by connecting it to their travel backpack, daypack, sling, or belt loop on busier holidays with multiple families (and dinner tables) to visit. In addition to classic cutlery items, this set includes a reusable straw and a set of chopsticks. The case comes in two fun and unique styles, and the utensils are crafted from bamboo with a classic, clean look.

Why We Like It: This jacket is super cozy for snow days inside and keeps you warm when you venture out into the world

What You Should Know: The collar may annoy some wearers

There are two kinds of people when the snow flies–those who stay inside by the fire, and those who venture out into the world to explore the fresh powder. Luckily for you, this jacket is perfect for both of those people. The Kari Traa Rothe Fleece Jacket is super cozy for lounging around the house on a snow day, and it’s warm enough to go outside to shovel the driveway or to take the dog for a walk.

On a winter getaway, you use this with a base layer to explore a new city or take a quick hike. Here at Pack Hacker, we love travel products that can be used for more than one thing, so a jacket for indoor and outdoor use is perfect for winter travel. There are a bunch of colorways to choose from, ranging between Pine and Dream, so there’s something for everyone. Well, so long as you like pine trees and dream often.

Why We Like It: It can be used as a duffel or carried as a backpack and is crafted from recycled materials

What You Should Know: Backpack carry can be uncomfortable when fully packed

Here at Pack Hacker, we know a thing or two about packs. Let’s be honest; it’s literally our first name. If you’re looking for a bag that can do it all, look no further than the REI Co-op Big Haul 40 Recycled Duffel. Use classic duffel mode to get to and from the airport or hotel from the Uber.

If there are a few hours before checking in after arriving, use it in backpack mode to avoid wasting time and to hit the ground running. Plus, it’s crafted from recycled materials, so it’s more sustainable. At 40 liters, it has enough space to fit everything someone might need for a winter getaway, from pool floaties to snow pants. Backpack carry can be a bit uncomfortable if the pack is filled to the max, but considering it’s a duffel bag that can be carried as a backpack, we’re happy with its performance.

Why We Like It:The materials are thin but quite warm and cozy

What You Should Know: The zippers are a bit jangly

Just because winter has rolled around doesn’t mean that fashion has to go out the window. The KUHL Interceptr Full-Zip Jacket is perfect for looking professional and staying warm, too. It’s crafted from heavy fleece material to ensure body heat says inside and has a micro suede collar to ensure sensitive areas are comfortable. The cuffs have small loops that pop out and fit over thumbs to ensure the sleeves stay as far down as possible, and the sleeves are articulated for a better range of motion for more strenuous activities. On top of that, there are a few colorways to choose from–all of which are professional looking enough to wear out to dinner after a long day of exploring. There are two front breast pockets with metal zippers that can be a bit jangly, but there’s a ton of room to stow gear, which is a plus for us.

Why We Like It: A hiking shoe that can move seamlessly from the city to the trail

What You Should Know: It isn’t fully waterproof, so it doesn’t do well trekking through the snow

Winter travel for many people means a beer in one hand and toes in the sand, but for some, a winter getaway means adventuring across new cities with fewer tourists. An adventurer who can handle any weather needs a shoe that can handle any terrain, and the Danner Trail 2650 Hiking Shoes offers that. The sleek design looks normal while crossing the city and the Vibram outsole ensures surefootedness while on a day hike or when things get slippery.

The shoes aren’t waterproof, so they aren’t the best choice for snow-covered destinations, but with the right sock, they can keep feet comfortable and warm all day long. Regarding travel products, a shoe is one of the most critical pieces in the puzzle for ensuring a smooth trip.

Why We Like It: Tailgate season doesn't end when the snow flies, and this is the sturdiest camp chair we have in hand for icy mornings

What You Should Know: It only has one cupholder and doesn’t compress as small as other travel chairs

Tailgate season never ends, so braving the winter cold and snow to support your favorite sports team is worth commending. Whether you’re back at your alma mater for the big game against your cross-state rivals or road-tripping across the country to watch your football team try to reach the top of the table, everyone needs to slow down at some point and take a seat.

The YETI Trailhead Camp Chair is the sturdiest camp-style chair we’ve come across, which is perfect for icy surfaces and bundling up with more blankets than most sane people have inside their homes. There’s just one cupholder, so, unfortunately, you can’t double-fist a beer and hot cocoa simultaneously. The seat material has some stretch, making it comfortable when the game is delayed a few hours because of blizzard conditions. Plus, it breathes well in warm weather, too!