My packing list (with links) for our van life road trip through the swiss and french alps in the middle of winter

When I found cheap flights to Switzerland about a month ago, we didn’t quite think twice before booking our two week trip, and shortly after Callen had booked a van so we could road trip it without worrying about pre-booked lodging or expensive hotel fees. Soon after, it occurred to us just how cold this trip would be, but we’ve been living on the road for over two years now and have dealt with our fair share of harsh winters, so we feel pretty ready to take on the snowy sufferfest :) I began packing a few days ago and after sharing a few instagram stories, people have been asking exactly what we are packing! I figured I’d make a quick list and include as many links as possible. I hope this is helpful for anyone else planning a winter trip to the alps, or just looking to update your winter/snow gear wardrobe!

*After putting this together, I realized how overwhelming this might be as far as expenses go. Please know it took me years to build up my gear/outdoor clothing stash, and a lot of these things were bought used or on sale. I know outdoor gear prices are daunting, and I genuinely believe you can enjoy the outdoors with any gear (I mean, don’t ski in a swimsuit but you know what I mean) and the more you participate in these activities the more you’ll know what works for YOU. This realization has inspired me to write a separate post about how to find outdoor gear at a lower price point, and how I shop for gear/what I look for. I’ll make a note of that and try to write it when I get home!

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ITEMS IN MY CARRY-ON BAG:

- Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 60L: I’m packing everything in this bag. I’ve been using it for years now and love how durable the outside is, how lightweight the bag itself is, and it is the perfect size for a carry-on. It has bag pack straps for easy carrying and a water repellant finish (not waterproof).

- My ski suit: I don’t have a link because this legendary suit was a vintage goodwill find! Callen and I used to love going to Goodwill and quite a few years ago, we happened upon two vintage ski suits that fit us perfectly for $14 each! In Austin Texas! It was probably the best Goodwill find of our lives, we still use those suits for skiing and have yet to find anything better (even from nice ski gear shops). We decided to pack our suits for this trip for full body insulation and snow-proofing. We’re hoping to ski at least a few days, as well as do some hiking/exploring, and with snow every day in the forecast, these suits will pretty much be our Swiss uniform #americanjerryoftheday. Thankfully it packs down pretty well, so I have it flat at the bottom of my duffel and have been shoving everything else on top. I believe Cal plans to wear his on the plane. Lol.

- Arcteryx Rain/Snow Jacket: This jacket was yet another major score — back when Callen worked at REI, he got to shop the garage sale the night before and found this amazing Arctryx snow shell on mega sale. I’ve been using it as a rain and snow jacket for years now and am more impressed each time I put it on. Bonus, it has a Recco device for locating it after an avalanche. Hopefully that never comes in handy for us, but it’s great to know it’s there! That price is not for the faint of heart, but if you’re looking for a lightweight jacket that can handle rain and snow in pretty much any conditions, this one is amazing.

- Patagonia Capilene Thermal One-Piece Suit: I don’t know why Patagonia stopped making this incredible suit (RIP) but if they ever make it again, BUY ONE. This is my go-to base layer for really cold conditions, especially if I’ll be moving around a lot. The material is super warm (as a base layer, not alone) and the material is odor-resistant so it never smells even after multiple days of high-activity use! It wicks sweat super well and dries extremely fast. My favorite feature has to be the zippered butt flap that allows you to pee without taking the suit off :) Bonus, this is what I sleep in for cold nights and will be my pajamas for the swiss trip.

- Patagonia Hiking Leggings: I have been using these lighter weight leggings for a few months now and love them for chilly temps and high activity days. Plus, they have little pockets that fit my phone!

- Patagonia Fleece Leggings: I am bringing two pair of fleece leggings (wearing one on the plane) and looooove these so much for winter. My first pair was an eBay purchase years ago, I got them used as Cap 4 Leggings (I believe manufactured in the 90s) and they have been my primary pants every winter since. On one of my first trips wearing them, I poked a hole in them with a yucca plant (it HURT) and sent them into Patagonia to get them repaired. It was an easy, free process and furthered my love for the company. I have worn them for so many activities and they still look new out of the wash (and I bought them used!). After years of Patagonia not producing fleece leggings, I finally found a similar pair in the store this season and picked them up. They’re not the exact same as my beloved 90s pair, but they are super soft and have a zippered leg pocket, so I’m psyched on them. I highly reccomend a pair of these for good conditions, but they are not water or wind resistant so be sure to layer shell pants for bad weather days.

Patagonia Capeline 3 One Piece Baselayer Suit (Size XS)

Callen’s vintage ski suit, My Patagonia Reclaimed Wool Parka (Size XS, no longer available) + Patagonia Fleece Leggings (XS)

- Patagonia Down Hoodie Pullover: My friends at Wylder Goods gave me this on the way to Alaska last year and it has gotten so much good use! It’s super comfortable with a roomy fit (I normally wear XS and went with S here), and extremely warm. The pull-over style makes it a little more comfortable for relaxing (I’ve even slept in it on some really cold nights) but is a little difficult if you overheat easily or will be doing a lot of activity. This is my belay/chill jacket, but I wouldn’t climb or hike anything hard in it.

- Patagonia Nano Air Jacket: I debated bringing this since I’m also bringing my down pullover, but this jacket is lightweight and perfect for high-activity days! The nano air insulation is synthetic (meaning, not down) so it’ll stay warm even if it gets wet, and this jacket is designed to be highly breathable so you don’t have to take it off when you move around a warm up. It’ll come in handy when skiing and hiking. I also use this when climbing and have been surprised by how durable it is.

- Patagonia Retro Pile Fleece Vest: This was honestly a splurgy fun purchase last fall but it’s become one of my favorite pieces of gear! It layers really well with the Cap 3 base layer on days that are chilly but a jacket feels overkill, and when layered under a jacket it provides much more warmth and without. It’s a pretty bulky item, but I know I’ll be really glad to have it. Fun fact, when Patagonia first released these vests back in the 70s, they sewed them out of overstock toilet seat cover material. Companies have been copying the “pile fleece” style ever since!

- Patagonia Capeline 3 Zip Neck Baselayer Shirt: This is my allllll time favorite shirt. If I had to live in one shirt for the rest of my life, it’d be this one! Perfect for any conditions under about 65 degrees, breathes super well, never smells bad, and keeps me warm when layered under a good shell.

- Smartwool 250 Baselayer Shirt: This shirt serves the same purpose for me as the Cap 3. I love it, but if I had to choose one I’d do the Cap 3 above.

- Patagonia Cotton Long Sleeve: Sometimes you get tired of wearing base layers and just want to wear a normal cotton t shirt like a normal person. This one is super comfy and I like the fit.

- Darn Tough Socks (from REI): My favorite socks for anything but hot weather. I have about 4 pair that I cycle through and can usually get 4-5 days out of a pair before needing to wash them.

- Snow Gloves: I picked these up for skiing and gave been super impressed so far. I used them to shoot an engagement session in Jackson at sunrise when it was 0 degrees.

- Burt’s Bees Face Wipes: I always like to have these on hand, especially when traveling. I don’t use them every single day, but when you’re living in a van and feeling especially dirty, it’s amazing what a nice smelling face wipe (sometimes used all over my body…) can do for morale! I follow it up with this moisturizer and feel squeaky clean ;)

Patagonia Capeline 3 Baselayer Half Zip Shirt (Size XS) + Patagonia Pack Out Tights (Size XS)

- Patagonia Toiletries Bag: After having the same toiletries bag since I was like 16, I finally upgraded to this Pata black hole bag and really love it! It’s the perfect size and the handles are nice for keeping it off the floor in the random campgrounds/rec centers we use for showers.

- Comfy boots: I’m bringing a pair of more rugged hiking/snow boots that I’ll be wearing on the plane, but I like to have a change for the end of the day if my boots are wet or my feet are hurting. I got a pair of used Uggs at a gear shop in Jackson last month and as embarrassingly basic they are, they’re super comfortable and great for van life. I’ll be able to pull them on easily when I have to venture out in the snow at 3am to pee #prayforme

- Other than random things like my beanie, a hair brush, 20 packs of hand warmers, and a bunch of kind bars, that’s it for my carry on pack! It’s stuffed to the brim, but all of these things fit in the 60L pretty easily.

Patagonia Capeline 3 Baselayer Shirt (Size XS) + Patagonia Retro Pile Fleece Vest (Size XS) + Patagonia Cep 4 Fleece Leggings (Size XS) + Darn Tough Hiker Socks

ITEMS IN MY PERSONAL BAG (regular backpack):

- 15” Macbook Pro + charger

- Canon 5D Mark IV + 24-70L 2.8: This is my go-to travel lens and while I’d love to pack my 35L as well, we’re traveling light and this lens will suit 99% of the photos we want to take! Callen is bringing his Canon EOS R an our 70-200 2.8L plus a doubler (that will get is to 400mm) to get some zoomies of the mountains!

- Extra snacks

- Headphones

- Hydroflask: I never go anywhere without it! If you’re still using single-use plastic water bottles, please apologize to the ocean and get yourself a reusable water bottle asap :)

WHAT I’M WEARING ON THE PLANE:

- My O.G. Pair of Patagonia fleece leggings (see above)

- Patagonia Fjord Flannel: I’ve worn this probably 9/10 days of the winter. Super comfy, warm, and the perfect layer

- Patagonia Reclaimed Wool Parka (2014): This is my all-time favorite piece of clothing. I get asked about it allll the time but unfortunately it was a Limited Edition 40th anniversary piece that they sold in the fall of 2014 and it’s extremely difficult to find (even used). This link is from a time they had one on the Worn Wear site, but I’d keep eyes peeled on eBay, Worn Wear, and Poshmark if you really want one! Here is a nice alternative on the Pata line up.

- Kodiak Surrey II Boots (From REI): I’ve had these for a few years now and love them for snow or cold weather! They are comfortable for hiking up to 4 miles an we likely won’t do more than that this trip so they’ll be great for everything we do! A lot of our adventure brides have had these boots and loved them.

I hope that was helpful! Once we get home, I’ll have to write a follow up post (or maybe just add a note to this one) about what was actually helpful! Who knows, maybe the ski suit is total overkill ;) Let me know in the comments if you think I missed anything, or if you have specific items you ALWAYS pack when traveling!