What to pack forAntarctica
in February
36° / 30°F
17 days of rain or snow this month. Sunset around 9:25pm.Typical February, from ten years of weather
17 days
of rain or snow this month
9:25pm
sunset
Type C/F
plugs
0 of 64 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
Warm hat (beanie)
Gloves
Don't have one? Check these out.
Forclaz MT100 Fleece Gloves$5 was $7.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Teca Fleece Gloves$13.50 was $30 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
Quechua Adult MT500 Backpacking Silk Liner Gloves$15 was $24.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Simond Adult MT500 Warm Touchscreen Gloves$25 was $34.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaInsulated puffy (down or synthetic)
Lows around 30°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
Insulated Puffy Parka Jacket - Women's$152 was $379 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Fuego Hooded Down Jacket - Women's$148 was $295 at CotopaxiShop at CotopaxiMerino base layer top
Wear one, dry one. Cotton stays wet all week here.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Wedze Women's BL900 Merino Wool Ski Base Layer Top$60 was $99.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaInsulated winter boots
Don't have one? Check these out.
Quechua Women's SH100 Warm Waterproof Mid Snow Boots$25 was $49.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Quechua Men's NH500 Warm Waterproof Snow Boots$75 was $109 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaWaterproof insulated gloves
Don't have one? Check these out.
Neck gaiter / buff
Don't have one? Check these out.
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 AmericaThermal 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
Quechua SH500 Mid 2-Pair Winter Hiking Warm Socks$15 was $24.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Castelli Scorpion Logo 15 Thermal Sock - Women's$28 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comMerino base layer bottoms
For the mornings and the nights.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Classic All-Season Merino Base Layer Bottom - Women's$100 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Intraknit All-Season Merino Base Layer Bottom - Men's$125 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comBeach and water
Waterproof dry bag 10–20L
Don't have one? Check these out.
Goforth 10.5L Dry Bag$177 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Watershed Goforth 10.5L Dry Bag Safety$177 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.
Power and phone
Power bank 10k–20k mAh
Don't have one? Check these out.
REI members usually get 10% back on full-price gear. Membership is $30, once. How it works
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 Eagle Creek15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Eagle CreekVPN
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.
Multi-port USB-C charger (GaN)
One brick charges the laptop, phone, and camera.
Don't have one? Check these out.
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.comMoney and documents
AirTag / tracker for bags
Don't have one? Check these out.
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
Smith Era ChromaPop Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$113 was $189 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Costa Caleta Net 580G Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$174 was $248 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Zeal Bennet Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$59.60 was $149 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comBags
Carry-on suitcase (hard shell)
Fits the overhead on every airline that matters. Skip the checked-bag line entirely.
Daypack (15–25L)
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 SEG 45See 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.comDry 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.com
Osprey Packs Wildwater 15L Dry Bag Tunnel Vision$24.75 was $45 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Vapor 16 Dry Bag$17.49 was $24.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comChecked suitcase
Don't have one? Check these out.
Coraza Suitcase - Medium Checked$345 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
Framelock Max Large Spinner$252 was $360 at SamsoniteShop at SamsoniteBuy it used: REI Re/Supply sells gear like this for less. See used gear
Checked luggage / rolling duffel
Don't have one? Check these out.
Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT 90L Wheeled Duffel Bag Midnight$349 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
No Matter What 90L Duffel Bag (Discontinued)$96.75 was $129 at Eagle Creek15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Eagle CreekPacking cubes
Don't have one? Check these out.
Laundry bag / travel detergent
Don't have one? Check these out.
Bugs and health
Travel first aid kit
Sleep
Packable blanket
Lows around 30°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
Original Puffy Solid 2-Person Blanket$200 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Rumpl Original Puffy Solid 2-Person Blanket Seascape$200 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Rumpl National Park Original Puffy 1-Person Blanket Grand Canyon National Park$99.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comEye mask + earplugs
Sun is up until 9:25pm. You'll want the mask.
Water and food
Reusable water bottle
Don't have one? Check these out.
Working 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 SonyNice to have
You could skip every one of these
What to wear
Sarong / light cover-up
Doubles as a towel, a scarf, and a cover-up where one's expected.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Gaiters
Don't have one? Check these out.
Waterproof boot spray
Don't have one? Check these out.
Nikwax Fabric & Leather Spray On Footwear Treatment$12.55 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Nikwax Fabric & Leather Proof DUO-Pack Spray$18.85 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comPower and phone
Short cables (USB-C)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Money 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
TSA Cable Lock$17.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Travel Safe 4-Dial TSA Cable Lock$15 at Eagle Creek15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Eagle CreekBags
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.comToiletry bag (hanging)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Bugs and health
Sleep
Travel pillow
Hand warmers
Don't have one? Check these out.
Smartwool Isto Hand Warmer - Women's$35 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comThe 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
Ambato Wide Leg Everyday Pant - Women's$38 was $95 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
GOREWEAR Everyday Track Pant - Women's$72 was $120 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Patagonia Outdoor Everyday Pant - Men's$75 was $125 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comThe basics
Earbuds
Don't have one? Check these out.
Small lock
Don't have one? Check these out.
Kryptoflex Cable Lock$29.95 at Thousand HelmetsShop at Thousand Helmets
3 Dial Travel Sentry Combination Lock$13 at SamsoniteShop at Samsonite
Pacsafe Prosafe 800 Combination Cable Padlock$18.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Prosafe 800 Combination Cable Padlock$18.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comCopy of passport
Pen (customs forms)
Sewing kit / safety pins
Nail clippers
Don't have one? Check these out.
Reusable 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.comTravel-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
Huppy Peppermint Toothpaste Tablets in Tin$12.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comToiletries kit
Don't have one? Check these out.
Pelican DK5 ModPak Toiletry Bag$49.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Toiletry Kit Daylite Hanging$29.95 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.comSocks
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 Bikini Underwear - Women's$34 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Everyday Merino Thong Underwear - Women's$34 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comChargers (phone)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Dual Slim Charger$64.95 at Peak DesignShop at Peak Design
LuminAID Trio Lantern + Phone Charger$79.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Trio Lantern + Phone Charger$79.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Charger Evo Single Compound Grips$10.12 was $10.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comMedications + prescriptions
Take this list with you
Open it again when you are standing over the suitcase.









































