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What to pack for New York City in August
Typical August, built from ten years of weather
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Typical for your dates
Highs 82°F, lows 68°F, rain 12 of 31 days
hotwethumid
Sunset lands around 7:50pm. Wind averages 11 mph. No border paperwork on this one.
0 of 49 packed
Packing for
58 things on this list are on sale today
Essentials
11 items
12 rain days a month finds every seam. A real shell, not a windbreaker.
UV index of 8.6 burns exposed skin in under 15 minutes.
Water reflects UV rays and glare off buildings intensifies the August sun.
August humidity and proximity to water bring mosquitoes into the city.
Check ankles and, if there's a dog, paws and ears every night.
Blisters form quickly on urban walks in August heat.
Phone batteries drain faster in 82°F heat and constant use outdoors.
Overhead bins fill fast on summer routes and checked bags mean slower exits.
Walking neighborhoods all day requires a pack that doesn't weigh shoulders down.
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.
Before you go
2 to sort
Recommended
14 items
Anything heavier than linen is a mistake at 82°F.
Heat and humidity at 74 percent make sweat cling to skin all day.
UV hits 8.6 here. Long sleeves beat reapplying sunscreen every hour.
The coast is close and August water temperature reaches comfortable swimming range.
Urban sidewalks stay dry between the 12 rain days, but wet feet need quick drainage.
Thirteen hours of daylight leaves scalp and face exposed for most waking hours.
Cold water at 3pm is worth the weight.
Treat the clothes once and it lasts weeks.
Refill stations are everywhere, but tap water safety means no worry about bottles.
One brick charges the laptop, phone, and camera.
Crowds at airports and stations make bags easy targets.
Moisture and heat make wrinkled clothes look worse after a few days.
Humidity at 74 percent and proximity to water mean phones get splashed.
Laundry dries in hours in August heat, cutting luggage weight in half.
Nice to have
8 items you could skip
Highs of 82°F and 13.8 hours of daylight mean bare legs most days.
Rain hits 12 times this month and leather darkens when damp.
Lips crack faster in coastal wind and sun combined.
Crowds and public transit mean hands touch surfaces all day.
Bug bites itch worse when skin is already hot and sweaty.
Charging ports get used multiple times daily in the heat.
TSA locks protect checked bags on domestic flights.
Humidity makes toiletries leak and sweat mixes with sunscreen residue.
Basics
16 things you probably own already