It is Christmas time! What better time to go over our packing lists than now?! Think of this as a packing guide and also an “our favorite things” guide for the holiday. I have outlined exactly how we packed for our road trip through the Canadian Rockies below.

Anyone who has traveled to Banff or Jasper will tell you how unpredictable the weather can be. We were prepared for just about anything, and experienced just about everything. From snowy hillsides to brilliant sunshine and every form of precipitation in between - this is how we kept dry and warm on the trail.

First step: Proper Packing Gear. We rented a car for this trip, so we did bring a large checked bag in addition to my roller carry-on bag. Typically we like to travel with just carry-on items, but we got a little lazy here. We also needed a variety of items, so no shame!

This is my absolute favorite bag of all time. The Away Bigger Carry-On is with me on every single trip we’ve taken since Europe. It works for week-long trips, weekend getaways, and anything in between. The Bigger Carry-On size fits in the overhead bin on almost all domestic carriers. Air Canada was a bit special in that their overhead bins are TINY, so we did check it on this vacation. Just be sure to remove the battery pack when you board or before checking it! You will never use another piece of luggage again after testing this sucker out.
This Samsonite bag was Luke’s first piece of luggage that we put on our wedding registry, and it has withstood years of beatings from airlines. The hard shell case is great at protecting all your goodies inside and we confidently brought home glass bottles of beer in here from our most recent trip to Maine!
This Timbuk2 Launch Pack was my hiking bag of choice (go REI clearance rack!) and I love it. The interior and exterior are easy to wipe clean and drawstring closing under the clip top providing easy access on the trail.
Luke borrowed this Camelbak Fourteener 20 from a friend, and now it is on our Christmas list. The water reservoir was priceless for our long hikes and we never were concerned about having enough. The outside stretch pocket allowed for our more obscure-sized items to fit easily and the many straps ensured maximum comfort for a long day of use. They don’t have the design at their main store anymore, but the link above is to their newer version.
These compression bags are so worth it. We packed three bulky sweatshirts into the large size and all of Luke’s underwear and socks into the smaller one. The larger size fits perfectly into the top corner of the Away bag!
We knew we needed a cooler for the road on this trip, and I am a huge fan of Scout Bags. This cooler was gifted to me and we use it weekly for bringing beverages to our friends’ houses, packing snacks for breweries, and on long car rides. It packs flat, so it can easily fit in your carry-on!
My favorite toiletry bag is this one from Kate Spade and I will 100% buy another one when this one bites the dust (which may be in another decade, it is sturdy!). The bag has a little strap to hang off a hook or doorknob, clearing precious counter space in the bathroom.
It can be such a pain to travel with liquids. While we did check our larger toiletries, I like to have some contact solution and lotions with me on long flights. Instead of always buying travel sized products, I bring some from my main stash in these washable clear containers from Target instead!

What to wear… what to wear… We used every single “outdoorsy” item of clothing we packed and almost no “fashion” item of clothing. I was so comfortable in my hiking pants and tops that when I had to put on something “nice” for dinner, I scoffed at my real bras. Below are our fave hiking clothes.

These hiking/travel pants from Costco are amazing. I grabbed a pair to test out around town and then immediately went and bought another. So good. I have them in olive green and navy.
And these drawstring pants from Eddie Bauer were also amazing travel and hiking pants. The stretchy waist makes all the difference, guys! They are breathable and quick to dry as well, the perfect outdoor pant.
I loveeeeeee my Merrell hiking boots. Love. Them. I splurged on these with a little birthday gift card help (thanks, mom and dad!) and want to wear them everywhere I go. They are waterproof, lightweight, and provide just enough support without being too cumbersome. The blue laces are also a nice fashion bonus…
Luke was the first to get these lightweight shirts from Patagonia, and I quickly jumped on board. These shirts are perfect for hot days and provide some protection from the sun. Definitely great for layering on cold days as well - a must have.
Get these socks ASAP. They are padded in just the right places and the wool keeps your feet dry and warm. When hiking - merino wool socks are a MUST. Please splurge on a good pair of socks.
My chaco sandals are always in my travel bag. They are sturdy enough to wear on light hikes and provide some respite from shoes after a long day. I really embraced the hiker in me and rocked these with my socks after a long day. I even wore this look to dinner! Not sorry.
Yes, I do have a favorite travel underwear. In fact, I have multiple pairs of these breathable undies and my family loves to laugh at me for buying them. But who is comfy and wedgy-free all day? This girl. Plus, they are quick to dry and can easily be washed in the sink and worn again just a few hours later, bone dry. No need to pack 10 pairs for 10 days anymore!
My puffy coat was a lifesaver. It packs up small into the pocket and was easy to store in my backpack once the day warmed up. I was nervous about having enough room for a warm jacket and this was a perfect fit for this trip. Unfortunately, I bought it at an Eddie Bauer outlet store and cannot for the life of me find it online. This jacket is similar, although a bit larger.

Here is everything I was able to pack into my Away carry-on, backpack and with a little bit of space in the large shell bag:

3 pairs of hiking pants
3 long sleeve shirts
2 short sleeve shirts (workout shirts, not cotton tees)
2 “dinner” shirts
3 sports bras
6 pairs of underwear
3 pairs of hiking socks
3 pairs of ankle socks for regular shoes
2 regular bras
2 pairs leggings
1 pair of jeans
2 sweatshirts
1 knit hat
1 baseball hat
1 buff (to keep your neck warm, but also to wick away sweat)
1 flannel shirt for layering
1 raincoat
1 puffy coat
Hiking Boots
Chaco Sandals
Fashion Sandals
Slip-on Tennis Shoes for travel days
1 bathing suit
Sunglasses

A typical day included the following layers: hiking socks, hiking pants, sports bra, long sleeve shirt, flannel shirt, pull-over sweatshirt, puffy coat, knit hat. Throughout the day I would shed layers down to the thin, long sleeve shirt and trade out the knit hat for a baseball hat. Add and remove as needed to regulate your temperature. Below is my ever-changing outfit from just a single day of our trip!

Hiking Essentials in the Day Pack: I prepared for all scenarios and packed my first aid kit like my life depended on it. Which, really, it could have! See below for our favorite gear to make your hike more enjoyable. In addition to this gear, we always had some items from above - knit hat, rain jacket, extra pair of socks, baseball hat, sunglasses, and a packable outer layer (puffy coat) always in our packs. It also helps to bring a few gallon ziploc bags to keep things dry (or to keep your wet things contained).

Always have a first-aid kit with you when you venture out into the wilderness. Whether that means a local trail in your town, or in the Canadian Rockies. We love the small first aid kits from REI and supplemented with a few additional items: tiny scissors, lip balm, anti-histamines, bug bite pens, hand sanitizer, and sunscreen.
These moleskin packs are essential. Maybe my most cherished item we brought. While my hiking boots are fantastic, these prevent any blisters from forming and I wrapped my big toes everyday in this stuff. Be sure to have scissors handy to cut out pieces - this is one long sheet.
We always have headlamps on hand while camping, and they can be great for hiking in early morning hours before sunrise or in a scenario where you get stuck on the trail later than anticipated.
This 48oz nalgene from REI is skinny enough to fit in a standard backpack opening and large enough to keep you hydrated for many hours. Ours is now covered in stickers - so it can even be a scrapbook of your adventures!
Small, microfiber towels are super handy if you get caught in a rainstorm, fall into some mud, or need to dry off a bench somewhere. We always keep these in our packs and they dry incredibly fast!
So listen. Everyone is going to get stuck hiking and have to pee at least once in their life. If you are a female - you are likely gonna have to squat in the woods. I don’t mind squatting in the woods, but I do want a square of toilet paper to keep my fresh for the rest of the day. Enter these biodegradable toilet paper rolls from Coleman. Also great for blowing your nose!
While we did not come across a ton of bugs on this trip, when we hiked through a few marshy areas, we were grateful for these wipes. As you know, traveling via airplane with aerosol cans can be a disaster and I prefer to keep my liquids to a minimum. Enter these bug wipes! One wipe was enough for both Luke and I to share and they are lightweight and easy to throw in your pack.
Finally, we like to bring our hammock along sometimes for relaxation at our turnaround point. While this is more of a luxury item, it can be fun to sit off the ground sometimes and rest your feet!