What to pack forAntarctica
in April
28° / 21°F
21 days of rain or snow this month. Sunset around 5:50pm.Typical April, from ten years of weather
21 days
of rain or snow this month
5:50pm
sunset
Type C/F
plugs
0 of 65 packed
Before you go
None of these fit in a bag. Sort them first and the packing gets easy.
Travel insurance
Most home health plans stop at the border. A quote takes two minutes.
eSIM
An eSIM works the moment the phone is switched on in Antarctica, with no SIM counter to find.
Copies of your documents
Photograph your passport, cards, and insurance. Email them to yourself. Ten seconds now saves a very bad afternoon.
Vaccinations / travel clinic
CDC lists Hepatitis A, Typhoid for Antarctica. Talk to a travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks out.
The essentials
Tick the box when it is in the bag
What to wear
Insulated winter boots
Don't have one? Check these out.
The North Face Women's Shellista IV Luxe Waterproof Snow Boots$95.73 was $179 at REIShop at REI
Quechua Women's SH100 Warm Waterproof Mid Snow Boots$25 was $49.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Helly Hansen Women's Beloved 2.0 Insulated Winter Boots$67.73 was $150 at REIShop at REI
Quechua Men's NH500 Warm Waterproof Snow Boots$75 was $109 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaWarm hat (beanie)
Merino base layer top
Wear one, dry one. Cotton stays wet all week here.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Arc'teryx Women's Satoro Merino Wool Crew Neck Long-Sleeve Base Layer Top$95.73 was $120 at REIShop at REI
REI Co-op Women's Merino 185 Long-Sleeve Crew Base Layer Top$84.95 at REIShop at REI
Arc'teryx Women's Lana Merino Wool Crew Base Layer Top$63.93 was $90 at REIShop at REI
Terramar Men's 3.0 Merino Bi-Layer Long-Sleeve Crew Base Layer Top$29.73 was $45 at REIShop at REIGloves
Don't have one? Check these out.
Craft ADV Lumen Fleece Gloves$29.73 was $39.99 at REIShop at REI
Forclaz Adult MT500 Touchscreen Stretch Backpacking Gloves$20 was $29.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Quechua Adult MT500 Backpacking Silk Liner Gloves$15 was $24.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Teca Fleece Gloves$15 was $30 at CotopaxiShop at CotopaxiHeavy insulated parka
Highs below freezing. A puffy alone won't do it.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Helly Hansen Winter Bliss Down Parka - Women's$213 was $425 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Calidez Down Parka - Men's$200 was $400 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
Outdoor Research Super Alpine Down Parka - Women's$335 was $479 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Alivio Down Parka - Women's$175 was $350 at CotopaxiShop at CotopaxiInsulated puffy (down or synthetic)
Lows around 21°F. Goes under the shell when the wind picks up.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickSimond Men's Xplore Hooded Down Jacket$119 at DecathlonShop at Decathlon
Hybrid WINDSTOPPER Lightweight Puffy Jacket - Men's$196 was $280 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Fuego Down Jacket - Men's$108 was $270 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
Fuego Hooded Down Jacket - Women's$148 was $295 at CotopaxiShop at CotopaxiWaterproof insulated gloves
Don't have one? Check these out.
GOREWEAR GORE-TEX Insulated Gloves$68.73 was $100 at REIShop at REI
Sealskinz Tivetshall Waterproof Insulated Gauntlet Gloves$54.73 was $100 at REIShop at REI
The North Face Montana Ski Glove - Men's$45.50 was $65 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Boulder Gear Board Insulated Gloves$41.73 was $55 at REIShop at REIMerino base layer bottoms
For the mornings and the nights.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Intraknit All-Season Merino Base Layer Bottom - Men's$125 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Classic All-Season Merino Base Layer Bottom - Women's$100 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
tasc Performance Women's Elevation Merino Base Layer Bottoms$44.73 was $79 at REIShop at REI
Arc'teryx Women's Satoro Merino Wool Base Layer Bottoms$95.73 was $120 at REIShop at REINeck gaiter / buff
Don't have one? Check these out.
REI Co-op Merino Wool Neck Gaiter$26.95 at REIShop at REI
Turtle Fur Micro Fur Fleece Totally Tubular Neck Gaiter$29.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Simond Trek 500 Merino Wool Multi-Position Hiking Neck Gaiter$17 was $24.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Smartwool Thermal Merino Neck Gaiter$25 at REIShop at REIREI members usually get 10% back on full-price gear. Membership is $30, once. How it works
Thermal socks
Don't have one? Check these out.
Quechua SH500 Merino Wool Winter Mid Socks$20 was $29.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Woolrich Men's Merino Wool Hiking Crew Socks$12.73 was $16 at REIShop at REI
Quechua NH100 Mid Winter Hiking Socks$10 was $19.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Women's Revolution$32.95 at SockwellShop at SockwellBeach and water
Waterproof dry bag 10–20L
Don't have one? Check these out.
Osprey Wildwater Dry Bag 35$48.73 was $65 at REIShop at REI
Watershed Goforth 10.5L Dry Bag Safety$177 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Herschel Supply Dry Bag Backpack 32L Vermillion$130 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Osprey Packs Wildwater 15L Dry Bag Tunnel Vision$24.75 was $45 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comSnorkel set
Don't have one? Check these out.
Money and documents
AirTag / tracker for bags
Don't have one? Check these out.
Power and phone
Headlamp
Dark by 5:50pm. Every campsite chore after that is a two-hands job.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Power bank 10k–20k mAh
Don't have one? Check these out.
Goal Zero Venture 75 Power Bank$120 at REIShop at REI
BioLite Charge 80 PD Power Bank$99.95 at REIShop at REI
Anker Zolo Power Bank (20,000 mAh, 22.5W, Built-In USB-C Cable)$40 at REIShop at REI
Anker Power Bank (30W, Fusion, Built-In USB-C Cable)$40 at REIShop at REIBuy it used: REI Re/Supply sells gear like this for less. See used gear
Plug adapter, Type C or F
Antarctica uses Type C or F sockets. An adapter with USB-C ports charges several things from one outlet.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickGlobal Travel AdapterSee price at Matador15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Matador
Matador Global Travel Adapter Forget-Me-Not$38.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Global Travel Adapter USB 30W$40 at Eagle Creek15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Eagle Creek
Global Travel Adapter Micro$25 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comMulti-port USB-C charger (GaN)
One brick charges the laptop, phone, and camera.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Peak Design 65W Dual Slim Charger$64.95 at REIShop at REI
Dual Slim Charger$64.95 at Peak DesignShop at Peak Design
Charger Evo Lock-On Grips$27.19 was $33.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Lizard Skins Charger Evo Lock-On Grips Electric$24.58 was $33.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comVPN
Hotel and cafe wifi is shared with everyone else in the building. A VPN keeps your banking and email to yourself.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Bugs and health
Travel first aid kit
Sun and heat
Reef-safe sunscreen
Some islands fine you for the regular stuff.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Polarized sunglasses
Don't have one? Check these out.
Ray-Ban Wayfarer Oval Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$171 was $244 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Costa Caleta Net 580G Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$174 was $248 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Smith Era ChromaPop Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$113 was $189 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Knockaround Junipers Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$17.50 was $35 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comBags
Carry-on backpack (35–45L)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickMatador 45L Global Travel PackSee price at Matador15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Matador
Matador GloberiderSee price at Matador15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Matador
Go Carry-On 44L Backpack$180 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Osprey Packs Archeon 30L Backpack$132 was $265 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comDaypack (15–25L)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Dry bags
For the passport, the chargers, and the one dry pair of socks.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Tuff Sack 5-55L Dry Bag$79.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comOsprey Wildwater Dry Bag 35$48.73 was $65 at REIShop at REI
Vapor 16 Dry Bag$17.49 was $24.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Osprey Packs Wildwater 15L Dry Bag Tunnel Vision$24.75 was $45 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comCarry-on suitcase (hard shell)
Fits the overhead on every airline that matters. Skip the checked-bag line entirely.
Checked luggage / rolling duffel
Don't have one? Check these out.
Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel 85$221 was $295 at REIShop at REI
Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT 90L Wheeled Duffel Bag Midnight$349 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Big Agnes Stagecoach Duffel 45 L Rolling Wheeled Luggage$300 at REIShop at REI
Virtuosa Wheeled Duffel$119 was $170 at SamsoniteShop at SamsoniteLaundry bag / travel detergent
Don't have one? Check these out.
Packing cubes
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickMatador Packing Cube SetSee price at Matador15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Matador
Matador Gear Cube Set Juniper$54.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
3 Piece Compression Packing Cubes$50 at SamsoniteShop at Samsonite
Compression Packing Cube$29.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comChecked suitcase
Sleep
Packable blanket
Lows around 21°F. One blanket that packs small covers the car, the campsite and the beach at sunset.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickOriginal Puffy Blanket - Seascape$99.95 at rumplShop at rumpl
Rumpl Original Puffy Solid 2-Person Blanket Seascape$200 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comOriginal Puffy Solid 2-Person Blanket$200 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Original Puffy 1-Person Blanket - Bandana$99.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comWorking on the road
Noise-cancelling headphones
Don't have one? Check these out.
Sony WH-1000XM4C Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones Black (M4 2nd Gen)$300 at SonyShop at Sony
Skullcandy Sesh ANC Active Headphones$70.93 was $95 at REIShop at REI
Skullcandy Icon ANC Headphones$74.93 was $99.95 at REIShop at REI
JBL Live 770NC Bluetooth Over-Ear Noise-Cancelling Headphones$220 at REIShop at REIWater and food
Reusable water bottle
Don't have one? Check these out.
Nice to have
You could skip every one of these
What to wear
Gaiters
Don't have one? Check these out.
Ferrosi Trail Gaiters$59.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Kahtoola RENAgaiter Low Gaiters Black L/XL$54.95 at REIShop at REI
Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain Low Gaiters II Pewter$38.50 was $55 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Kahtoola INSTAgaiter Low Gaiters Green L/XL$44.95 at REIShop at REIWaterproof boot spray
Don't have one? Check these out.
Nikwax Fabric & Leather Proof DUO-Pack Spray$18.85 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Fabric & Leather Spray On Footwear Treatment$12.55 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Nikwax Nubuck & Suede Waterproofing Spray for Footwear$12.95 at REIShop at REI
Nikwax Fabric & Leather Waterproofing Spray for Footwear$12.95 at REIShop at REISarong / light cover-up
Doubles as a towel, a scarf, and a cover-up where one's expected.
Don't have one? Check these out.
O'Neill Women's Saltwater Essentials Teddy Printed Mini Cover-Up Dress$43.93 was $64 at REIShop at REI
O'Neill Women's Belizin Long-Sleeve Cover-Up Tunic$39.93 was $58 at REIShop at REI
Roxy Women's Golden Glow Cover-Up Dress$24.93 was $50 at REIShop at REI
Helly Hansen Women's Shine Solen Cover-Up Dress$69.87 was $100 at REIShop at REIMoney and documents
Passport holder
Don't have one? Check these out.
Luggage locks (TSA)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Matador BetaLockSee price at Matador15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Matador
Knack TSA-Approved Lock$16 at Knack BagsShop at Knack Bags
Pacsafe ProSafe 1000 TSA Combination Luggage Lock$17.95 at REIShop at REI
Travel Safe 4-Dial TSA Cable Lock$15 at Eagle Creek15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Eagle CreekPower and phone
Short cables (USB-C)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Bugs and health
Bags
Toiletry bag (hanging)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Compression sacks
Don't have one? Check these out.
Compression Stuff Sack$37.46 was $49.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil 8L Compression Sack Atoll$39.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Sea To Summit Lightweight 8L Compression Sack Surf$34.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Pack-It Compression Sack Set$25 at Eagle Creek15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Eagle CreekSleep
Travel pillow
Don't have one? Check these out.
Hand warmers
Don't have one? Check these out.
Smartwool Isto Hand Warmer - Women's$35 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Zippo HeatBank 6+ Pro Hand Warmer and Power Bank$34.93 was $50.95 at REIShop at REI
Zippo HeatBank 9s Rechargeable Hand Warmer and Power Bank$34.93 was $50.95 at REIShop at REI
Ignik Hand Warmers - Multipack$17.95 at REIShop at REIThe basics
You own most of these. We are just making sure they make it in.
What to wear
Everyday pants
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickWild Rye Emmett Overalls$123 at Wild RyeShop at Wild Rye
GOREWEAR Everyday Track Pant - Women's$72 was $120 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Forclaz Men's Travel 100 Cargo Pants$45 was $59.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Ambato Wide Leg Everyday Pant - Women's$38 was $95 at CotopaxiShop at CotopaxiThe basics
Toiletries kit
Don't have one? Check these out.
Pelican DK5 ModPak Toiletry Bag$49.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Pack-It Hanging Toiletry Bag$40 at Eagle Creek15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Eagle Creek
Osprey Packs Toiletry Kit Daylite Hanging Night Shift$29.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Toiletry Kit Daylite Hanging$29.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Travel-size toothpaste + brush
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickMatador Toothbrush Caps 2-PackSee price at Matador15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Matador
Matador Refillable Toothpaste TubesSee price at Matador15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Matador
Peppermint Toothpaste Tablets in Tin$12.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Huppy Peppermint Toothpaste Tablets in Tin$12.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comChargers (phone)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Trio Lantern + Phone Charger$79.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Solar String Color + Phone Charger$68.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Dual Slim Charger$64.95 at Peak DesignShop at Peak Design
Charger Evo Single Compound Grips$10.12 was $10.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comMedications + prescriptions
Socks
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickSockwell Men's Ranger Merino Socks$25.95 at SockwellShop at Sockwell
Kiprun Run 500 Thin No-Show Socks 2-Pack$9.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Sockwell Women's Undercover Socks$17.95 at SockwellShop at Sockwell
Womens Featherweight Fancy 3-Pack$98.85 at SockwellShop at SockwellUnderwear
Don't have one? Check these out.
Everyday Merino Thong Underwear - Women's$34 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Everyday Merino Bikini Underwear - Women's$34 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Simond Trek 500 Merino Wool Backpacking Underwear Women's$29.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
REI Co-op Women's Merino Hipster Underwear$29.95 at REIShop at REIReusable shopping bag
Don't have one? Check these out.
Sleepwear
Don't have one? Check these out.
Pendleton Pajama Set - Women's$74.63 was $99.50 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Scotch Plaid Flannel Pajamas - Men's$89.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Sundays Lounge Shirt - Men's$27.98 was $69.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Classic Lounge Shirt - Women's$22.73 was $64.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comNail clippers
Don't have one? Check these out.
Sewing kit / safety pins
Copy of passport
Pen (customs forms)
Earbuds
Don't have one? Check these out.
Shokz OpenDots ONE Open-Ear True Wireless Earbuds$170 at REIShop at REI
Soundcore by Anker Liberty 5 Active Noise-Canceling Wireless Earbuds$130 at REIShop at REI
Soundcore by Anker AeroFit 2 Open-Ear Wireless Earbuds$100 at REIShop at REI
JBL Vibe Beam 2 Bluetooth In-Ear True Wireless Noise-Canceling Earbuds$64.95 at REIShop at REISmall lock
Don't have one? Check these out.
Take this list with you
Open it again when you are standing over the suitcase.