What to pack for Canada in April

13 rain days a month finds every seam. A real shell, not a windbreaker.

Lows around 36°F. Goes under the shell when the wind picks up.

Wear one, dry one. Cotton stays wet all week here.

The layer you'll wear more than any other.

Lows drop to 36°F, so a hat covers exposed skin where wind chill bites hardest.

Wind at 24 km/h cuts through exposed fingers within minutes.

UV index of 6.9 burns skin even under spring clouds.

Water reflects UV rays, and polarized lenses cut the glare on wet pavement.

Check ankles and, if there's a dog, paws and ears every night.

Urban hiking near national parks puts distance between you and help.

Thirteen hours of daylight means your phone dies before the day ends.

Set it up before you land. Signal drops for long stretches outside cities.

A 35 to 45 liter pack fits overhead bins on every airline that matters and skips the checked-bag line.

Day hikes near the park need water, snacks, and layers you can't fit in pockets.

Fits the overhead on every airline that matters. Skip the checked-bag line entirely.

For the passport, the chargers, and the one dry pair of socks.

For the mornings and the nights.

Wet socks in 36°F lows lead to numb toes by afternoon.

Tap water is safe, but carrying your own bottle saves time and money.

One brick charges the laptop, phone, and camera.

Hotel and cafe wifi is shared with everyone else in the building. A VPN keeps your banking and email to yourself.

International travel means bags move through many hands and sorting systems.

Packing cubes compress clothes and let you find items without unpacking everything.

Thirteen rain days in April means wet clothes pile up. Detergent and a bag let you wash every few days.

Lows around 36°F. One blanket that packs small covers the car, the campsite and the beach at sunset.

Ten degrees with wind feels closer to freezing, and layers let you adjust.

Thirteen rain days mean wet boots, and spray keeps seams sealed longer.

Wind dries lips fast, and sun exposure at 6.9 UV makes them crack.

Public transit in cities carries more germs than backcountry air.

One power bank works better with short cables in a daypack.

Crossing into Canada requires your passport in a separate pocket from money.

Checked bags pass through multiple airports and handlers on the way.

Humidity at 69 percent makes a hanging bag keep toiletries dry and accessible.