What to pack forRussia
in October
46° / 36°F
15 days of rain this month. Sunset around 5:15pm.Typical October, from ten years of weather
15 days
of rain this month
5:15pm
sunset
Type C/F
plugs
0 of 70 packed
Before you go
None of these fit in a bag. Sort them first and the packing gets easy.
Apply for your Tourist visa
Russia requires a Tourist visa before arrival. It is an online application and cannot be sorted at the border.
Passport valid past your dates
Russia wants 6 months left on a passport past October. Check the expiry date now.
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 Russia, 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.
Trail app
Download your trails before you lose signal.
Vaccinations / travel clinic
CDC lists Hepatitis A for Russia. Talk to a travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks out.
International driving permit
Rental desks here ask for an International Driving Permit alongside your license. AAA issues them same day.
The essentials
Tick the box when it is in the bag
What to wear
Waterproof insulated gloves
Don't have one? Check these out.
GOREWEAR GORE-TEX Insulated Gloves$68.73 was $100 at REIShop at REI
Boulder Gear Board Insulated Gloves$41.73 was $55 at REIShop at REI
Sealskinz Men's Kelling Waterproof Insulated Gloves$54.77 was $100 at REIShop at REI
The North Face Montana Ski Glove - Men's$45.50 was $65 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comFleece or midlayer
The layer you'll wear more than any other.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Bacano Fleece Jacket - Women's$87.50 was $175 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
Tempa Fleece Hooded Jacket - Women's$75 was $125 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
Emma Midlayer Fleece Jacket - Women's$110 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
The North Face Cedar Trail Grid Fleece 1/4-Zip Jacket - Men's$56 was $70 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comWarm hat (beanie)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Chaos Indiana Wool Beanie$29.73 was $39.99 at REIShop at REI
Smartwool Cable Knit Colorblock Pom Beanie$29.73 was $40 at REIShop at REI
Lightweight Merino Wool Beanie$32 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Simond Adult MT500 Merino Wool Beanie$17 was $24.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaGloves
Don't have one? Check these out.
Teca Fleece Gloves$15 was $30 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
Forclaz MT100 Fleece Gloves$5 was $7.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Quechua Adult MT500 Backpacking Silk Liner Gloves$15 was $24.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Forclaz Adult MT500 Touchscreen Stretch Backpacking Gloves$20 was $29.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaRain shell (hardshell jacket)
15 rain days a month finds every seam. A real shell, not a windbreaker.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Storm Splitter Rain Shell$135 at Howler BrothersShop at Howler Brothers
Quechua Women's NH500 Waterproof Hiking Rain Jacket$50 was $69.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Quechua Men's Raincut Fullzip Waterproof Rain Jacket$15 was $29.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Fineline Stretch Rain Shell - Women's$189 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comMerino 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
Wedze Women's BL900 Merino Wool Ski Base Layer Top$60 was $99.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Terramar Men's 3.0 Merino Bi-Layer Long-Sleeve Crew Base Layer Top$29.73 was $45 at REIShop at REIInsulated puffy (down or synthetic)
Lows around 36°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$118 was $295 at CotopaxiShop at CotopaxiInsulated winter boots
Don't have one? Check these out.
Helly Hansen Women's Beloved 2.0 Insulated Winter Boots$67.73 was $150 at REIShop at REI
Quechua Women's SH100 Warm Waterproof Mid Snow Boots$25 was $49.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Bogs Women's Arcata Waterproof Snow Boots$110 was $160 at REIShop at REI
Quechua Men's NH500 Warm Waterproof Snow Boots$75 was $109 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaNeck 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
Buff x National Parks Coolnet UV Neck Gaiter Great Smoky$24.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comREI 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 SH500 Mid 2-Pair Winter Hiking Warm Socks$15 was $24.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Women's Revolution$32.95 at SockwellShop at SockwellMerino 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 Men'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 REIModest cover layer
For temples, mosques, and churches that check at the door.
Water and food
Filter water bottle
Tap water isn't safe here. A filter bottle beats buying plastic twice a day.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickGrayl GeoPress Water Filter and Purifier Bottle$99.95 at REIShop at REI
LifeStraw Go Series Insulated Stainless-Steel Water Filter Bottle$59.95 at REIShop at REI
HydraPak Breakaway+ Water Filter Bottle$50 at REIShop at REI
Go Series Water Filter 1L Bottle$49.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comMoney and documents
AirTag / tracker for bags
Don't have one? Check these out.
Power and phone
Plug adapter, Type C or F
Russia 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.comPower 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 MagGo Power Bank (10,000 mAh, Slim)$80 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
Headlamp
Dark by 5:15pm. Every campsite chore after that is a two-hands job.
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
Peak Design 65W Dual Slim Charger$64.95 at REIShop at REI
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.
Bags
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.com
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.com
Osprey Wildwater Dry Bag 35$48.73 was $65 at REIShop at REICarry-on suitcase (hard shell)
Fits the overhead on every airline that matters. Skip the checked-bag line entirely.
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
Pacsafe Go Carry-On 44L Backpack Jet$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.
Packing cubes
Don't have one? Check these out.
Laundry bag / travel detergent
Don't have one? Check these out.
Checked suitcase
Checked luggage / rolling duffel
Don't have one? Check these out.
Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel 85$221 was $295 at REIShop at REI
Big Agnes Stagecoach Duffel 45 L Rolling Wheeled Luggage$300 at REIShop at REI
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 CreekBugs and health
Tick remover
Check ankles and, if there's a dog, paws and ears every night.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Travel first aid kit
Oral rehydration salts
Don't have one? Check these out.
SaltStick Fastchews Chewable Electrolyte Tablets Mixed Berry$19.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
SaltStick Fastchews Chewable Electrolyte Tablets Coconut Pineapple$19.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Tailwind Nutrition Recovery Drink Mix - 1 Serving Salted Caramel$3.25 at REIShop at REI
Unsweetened Hydration Sport Drink Mix$33 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comAnti-diarrheal + probiotics
Don't have one? Check these out.
Sun and heat
Polarized sunglasses
Don't have one? Check these out.
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 Isabelle Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$67.03 was $149 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Zeal Bennet Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$59.60 was $149 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 REISleep
Packable blanket
Lows around 36°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.comNice to have
You could skip every one of these
What to wear
Waterproof boot spray
Don't have one? Check these out.
Nikwax Fabric & Leather Waterproofing Spray for Footwear$12.95 at REIShop at REI
Nubuck & Suede Proof 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 Proof DUO-Pack Spray$18.85 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Money and documents
Passport holder
Don't have one? Check these out.
Luggage locks (TSA)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Power and phone
Language app
A few phrases go a long way. Ten minutes a day before you leave is plenty.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Short cables (USB-C)
Don't have one? Check these out.
USB-C to C Cable, Paracord wrapped, 3 ft PD enabled$27.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Anker 2-in-1 USB-C to USB-C Cable (4 ft., 140W, Braided)$26 at REIShop at REI
USB-C CableSee price at Peak DesignShop at Peak Design
SuperFlex USB-C Cable, Dual Right Angle - 4in$25 at MomentShop at MomentBags
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 Spicy$34.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
REI Co-op Lightweight Compression Stuff Sack$23.95 at REIShop at REIToiletry bag (hanging)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Bugs and health
Sleep
Travel pillow
The 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
Ambato Everyday Pant - Men's$57 was $95 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
Ambato Wide Leg Everyday Pant - Women's$38 was $95 at CotopaxiShop at CotopaxiThe basics
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
Classic Lounge Shirt - Women's$22.73 was $64.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Sundays Lounge Shirt - Men's$27.98 was $69.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comChargers (phone)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Medications + prescriptions
Socks
Don't have one? Check these out.
Underwear
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.com
Simond Trek 500 Merino Wool Backpacking Underwear Women's$29.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
REI Co-op Women's Merino Bikini Underwear$27.95 at REIShop at REIToiletries kit
Don't have one? Check these out.
Pelican DK5 ModPak Toiletry Bag$49.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Osprey Packs Toiletry Kit Daylite Hanging Night Shift$29.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Pack-It Hanging Toiletry Bag$40 at Eagle Creek15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Eagle Creek
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.comCopy 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
Shokz OpenFit Air Open-Ear Wireless Earbuds$120 at REIShop at REI
JBL Tune Flex 2 Bluetooth In-Ear True Wireless Noise-Canceling Earbuds$110 at REIShop at REISmall lock
Don't have one? Check these out.
Nail clippers
Don't have one? Check these out.
Sewing kit / safety pins
Take this list with you
Open it again when you are standing over the suitcase.