What to wear in Alaska (Clothes: layers in cold weather!) ⛰ Alaska cruise outfits packing list tips

Hi there!

Thinking about what to wear in Alaska means thinking about what clothes to wear in cold weather!

I don’t like to be cold, and as a result, I try to prepare so I don’t get cold in cold weather! I tend to want to have extra clothes for cold weather, rather than have regrets and be cold!

I would rather be hot than cold. So, you can keep this in mind.

In addition to Alaska’s glacier days and port days, I’ve done a fair amount of traveling in cold weather (outside of Alaska) that includes fall weather and winter weather.

And having prepared for hiking in cold weather, I have become quite familiar with the science of layering that’s well-known in the hiking community.

Even if you won’t be actually hiking, it can be helpful to think about how to dress in layers in this way to give you ideas on what you want to wear in Alaska.

Dressing in layers in an intentional way can maximize comfort.

The 3 general types of clothing layers are the base layer, the middle insulating layer, and the outer weather-elements-protecting shell layer. You don’t NEED all layers all the time, but this is to get you started in how to think about layers for Alaska!

So as you consider what it is you want to wear during your Alaska cruise, you can think about if you have packed clothes that will fulfill the purposes of each of these layers.

Glacier sea days (“scenic cruising days”) in particular can be cold. Not only that, it can be really windy if the cruise ship is not moving all that slowly, and cold air + wind = even more cold!

No matter the time of year that you are going to Alaska, the coldest day(s) will likely be any day that you go to a glacier.

So in deciding how much cold weather preparation you need to do, you’ll want to take a closer look at the weather forecast for your glacier day.

And although anything can happen, there’s a good chance it will rain at some point when you are in Alaska, so it’s a good idea to prepare for rain too!

 

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I make outfit suggestions below for what to wear in Alaska, and these suggestions are Amazon finds where you can read through the reviews. I am an Amazon Associate, and I may earn a commission.

 

 

1. Moisture-wicking base layer

Choose a moisture-wicking base layer for closest to your skin so it will dry your sweat more easily. Merino wool is a moisture-wicking material.

• Thermal tops and bottoms
• Athletic shirts (short-sleeve and long-sleeve)
• Merino wool socks

 

The main purpose for your base layer, whether short sleeve or long sleeve, is to wear something that will be more breathable and moisture-wicking, so the layer of clothing closest to your skin (and sweat!) will dry more easily.

You want the layer that’s closest to your skin to be able to better get rid of moisture… aka sweat!

Merino wool is an ideal material for base layers because of its moisture-wicking nature.

Athletic shirts also have moisture-wicking properties, since they are designed with sweating in mind. These can be the best kinds of shirts even on days that it’s not cold when you know you’ll be out and about and active!

 

• Base layers for women:
  • Merino wool thermal base layer top
  • Leggings
  • Base layer top and bottom set (These are people who bought this for Alaska: read the reviews)
• Base layers for men:
  • underarmour coldgear leggings

 

Cotton is considered among the worst kind of base layer to wear, because your sweat can easily soak through your cotton t-shirt and it doesn’t dry very easily when you are wearing clothes on top of it.

And if you are wet when it’s cold, it can make you feel even colder.

If you will be moving a lot (like walking or hiking), then you’ll want to highly consider the type of material that’s closest to your skin.

If it’s going to be cold, base layers serve as an extra layer of warmth too. It’s amazing what a good base layer can do in keeping you warm in cold weather!

 

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2. Middle insulating layers

You want to pack extra clothing that will provide insulation to keep you warm for your coldest days in Alaska.

• Fleece jackets and puffer jackets
• Fleece-lined pants

 

The main purpose in the middle layers you wear is for it to be an insulating layer. Ideally, you want to wear clothes that will better retain your body heat.

This middle layer can include long sleeve shirts, sweatshirts, and jackets.

Fleece jackets and puffer jackets can be good for Alaska cruises.

 

Insulating layers for women:

• Columbia fleece jacket
• North Face insulated puffer jacket
• Travel-friendly packable puffer jacket (There are people who bought this for Alaska: Read the reviews)
• Insulating layer you can wear on its own: fleece leggings (You can filter the reviews for Alaska)

 

Insulating layers for men:

• Columbia fleece jacket
• North Face insulated puffer jacket
• Travel-friendly packable puffer jacket

 

My middle layers

Since I was traveling for a couple of months before my Alaska cruises in the fall, I didn’t feel like lugging around my big thick winter jacket in hot summer weather. It was literally 99 degrees on the July day I started traveling. I couldn’t bring myself to bring my winter jacket when it was so hot!

So I didn’t take my winter jacket on my Alaska cruises in September and October, and I am so glad I had a puffer jacket! I definitely made use of it.

I am confident I would have been cold otherwise! I actually bought the puffer jacket when I got to Alaska in Anchorage at the Walmart there. It was the end of August when I bought it. I was on Alaska cruises for 3 weeks in September and 10 days in October.

At various times, sometimes with or without the puffer jacket, I also wore a sweatshirt or light jacket as well.

 

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3. Outer protection layer

Wear an outer shell to protect against the rain!

• Rain jacket or poncho
• Rain pants

 

It’s a very good idea to be prepared for rain in Alaska. Most Alaska cruises spend the most amount of time in Southeast Alaska, and Southeast Alaska is known for getting lots of rain!

A rain poncho can be nice in the case that you are wearing a backpack, so you can waterproof the backpack too!

 

Tongass National Forest covers much of Southeast Alaska, and it’s known as the “largest intact temperate rainforest in the world,” according to the US Forest Service! It’s also the largest national forest in the US. All the more reason to be sure to step foot in Tongass National Forest when you go to Alaska! See my post about hiking in Alaska and look for the West Glacier Trail and Indian River trailhead for a rainforest experience. The Mendenhall Glacier is also in the national forest.

 

Outer protection shell layer for women:

• Columbia rain jacket (Columbia is a top outdoor clothing brand)
• Off-brand rain jacket
• Travel-friendly packable rain jacket
• Hiking pants that are water resistant and lightweight (These can make for good general walking pants even if you have no plans to go hiking!)

 

Outer protection shell layer for men:

• Underarmour coldgear soft shell that’s water resistant (You may be fine with this without other outer layers if your cruise is in summer for light rain and warmth when needed)
• Hiking pants that are water resistant and lightweight (These can make for good general walking pants!)

 

Outer protection shell layer for all:

• Travel-friendly poncho (Read the review for Alaska)

 

 

My outer layers

During my cruise I’ve worn a travel-friendly packable long rain jacket thing that went past my knees on scenic cruising days, a rain jacket that I had bought when I went  when I went

I’ve worn a few different types of outer layers in Alaska.

I have worn a travel-friendly packable long rain jacket poncho thing that went past my knees on scenic cruising days.

When I went hiking on a rainy day in Juneau, I wore a rain jacket and pants set that I had originally bought before I went hiking Mount Fuji in Japan.

I’ve also worn cheapo disposable ponchos at various times. One disposable poncho was one that I got at the Goldbelt Tram in Juneau, and other times it has been a $2 poncho that I bought at Walmart.

Cheap disposable ponchos are not a good choice for windy sea days because the cheap plastic means it goes flying all over the place. (Yes, experience. 😂😅) But it’s better than having nothing. Higher quality ponchos will stay in place better.

 

 

Keep the rest of your body warm!

• Headwear: winter hats, headbands, beanies, trapper hats
• Neck: scarf, balaclava, neck gaiter
• Hands: fingerless gloves, mittens
  • Early season and late season: Wear fingerless gloves so you can take pictures while keeping your hands warm on cold windy glacier days! Your phone’s touch screen won’t work with your gloves on, which means you leave your hands exposed when taking pictures in the cold!

I also loved having hothands hand warmers on cold and windy days. For me, this is a must for early season and late season cruises!

I placed it near my core to keep me warmer! It can be a good way to warm up your fingers quickly too in the case that you leave your fingers exposed to the cold wind too long from taking too many pictures on your scenic cruising glacier day. 😆

 

 

Keep your feet dry!

• Waterproof Merrell hiking shoes
  • waterproof shoes for women
  • waterproof shoes for men
  • Merrell is a top outdoor shoe brand

 

HAPPY PACKING YOUR CLOTHES FOR ALASKA!