State Guide

Introduction

Planning a Trip

For International Travelers

Shopping

In Depth

Active Pursuits

Cruises

Suggested Itineraries

Content Partners

Travel Guides

Alaska Tourism: Clothing Considerations

Home > Travel Guides > North America & Caribbean > USA > Alaska > Planning a Trip > When to Go > Clothing Considerations

Clothing Considerations

hide display ads

Alaska Travel & Vacation Deals

Sponsored Links

Luxury Alaska Cruise

Explore Alaska In True Luxury With Regent Seven Seas Cruises
www.RSSC.com

Alaska Travel Packages

Call for Great Travel Packages! Plane Tickets, Cruises and Hotels.
myglobalprofile.com/b-easy-travel

Alaska travel packages

Best price guarantee on all tours. Book now and save $300.
www.goaheadtours.com/Alaska

You'll find little use for a tie or any formal attire anywhere in Alaska, but you do need to prepare for broad swings in weather.

Summer -- You're not going to the North Pole, and you don't need a down parka or winter boots weighing down your luggage. But you do need to be ready for a variety of weather, from sunny, 80°F (27°C) days to windy, rainy 50°F (10°C) outings on the water. The way Alaskans prepare for such a range is with layers. The content of the layers depends on what you'll be doing, but everyone should bring at least this: warm-weather clothes, heavy long-sleeved shirts and pants, a wool sweater or fleece equivalent, a jacket, and a waterproof raincoat and rain pants. Gloves and wool hats are a good idea, too, especially for boating trips. If you'll be camping, add synthetic thermal long underwear and wool socks and make your jacket thick synthetic fleece. Combining these items, you'll be ready for any summer conditions. For hiking, bring sturdy shoes or cross trainers.

Winter -- You can be warm and comfortable no matter how cold it is. Once you know how to dress, winter is not a time of suffering, and the world of snow opens up to you. First, what not to wear: People don't wear heavy Arctic gear in town, even in the Arctic. To make the dash from car to heated building, all you need is a greatcoat, sweater, hat, gloves, and wool socks. For outdoor pursuits, what to wear depends on how active you will be. The key to warmth and safety during vigorous outdoor activities is to wear layers of breathable clothing that will stay warm when wet, such as wool or synthetics. With the following layers, you can be ready for temperatures well below zero (at which point you won't want to ski or skate anyway): synthetic thermal long underwear, synthetic fleece pants and coat, wool sweater, wind-resistant pants and jacket, wool socks and hat, warm boots with liners or covers, and lined mittens. Remove layers for warmer temperatures. For more sedentary outdoor activities, such as watching the aurora or riding a snowmobile or dog sled, you need warmer clothing. Likewise, drives on rural highways in winter require warm clothing in case of breakdowns. On guided trips or at cold weather resorts they'll tell you what to bring or provide or rent it to you. A full cold weather outfit includes synthetic thermal long underwear, the stoutest Sorel-style or Air Force bunny boots, insulated snow pants, a heavy down or fur parka with a hood, thick, insulated mittens (not gloves), a wool hat, a face-insulating mask, and ski goggles or quality sunglasses. You don't want any skin showing while riding a snowmobile or standing in a strong wind in below-zero (Fahrenheit) temperatures. Such a get-up costs more than $500. You can buy what you need in Anchorage at Army Navy Store, at 320 W. 4th Ave. (tel. 888/836-3535 or 907/279-2401; www.army-navy-store.com); or in Fairbanks at Big Ray's Store, at 507 2nd Ave. (tel. 800/478-3458 or 907/452-3458; www.bigrays.com).

hide display ads

State Guide

Alaska Tourism: Clothing Considerations

Clothing Considerations

Alaska Travel & Vacation Deals

Alaska Travel Deals