What to pack forSvalbard
in August
41° / 36°F
16 days of rain this month. Sunset around null.Typical August, from ten years of weather
16 days
of rain this month
sunset
Type C/F
plugs
0 of 63 packed
Before you go
None of these fit in a bag. Sort them first and the packing gets easy.
Passport valid past your dates
Svalbard wants 3 months left on a passport past August. 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 Svalbard, 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.
The essentials
Tick the box when it is in the bag
What to wear
Insulated 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
Repleto Down Long Jacket - Women's$100 was $200 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
Repleto Down Jacket - Women's$74 was $185 at CotopaxiShop at CotopaxiMerino base layer top
Wear one, dry one. Cotton stays wet all week here.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Rain shell (hardshell jacket)
16 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 MH100 Waterproof Hiking Rain Jacket$40 was $49.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Quechua Men's Raincut Fullzip Waterproof Rain Jacket$15 was $29.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Rain Pro 3 Layer Shell - Men's$499 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comGloves
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
Forclaz Adult MT500 Touchscreen Stretch Backpacking Gloves$20 was $29.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Simond Adult MT500 Warm Touchscreen Gloves$25 was $34.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaWarm hat (beanie)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Lightweight Merino Wool Beanie$32 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Wedze Rider 500 Reversible Knit Beanie$12 was $17.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaMerino 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.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
Quechua NH100 Mid Winter Hiking Socks$10 was $19.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Women's Revolution$32.95 at SockwellShop at SockwellNeck 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 AmericaBeach and water
Waterproof dry bag 10–20L
Don't have one? Check these out.
Herschel Supply Dry Bag Backpack 32L Vermillion$130 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Watershed Goforth 10.5L Dry Bag Safety$177 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
ALPS Mountaineering Vapor 16 Dry Bag$17.49 was $24.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comSnorkel set
Don't have one? Check these out.
Power and phone
Plug adapter, Type C or F
Svalbard 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.
Buy it used: REI Re/Supply sells gear like this for less. See used gear
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.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.
Money and documents
AirTag / tracker for bags
Don't have one? Check these out.
Sun and heat
Polarized sunglasses
Don't have one? Check these out.
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
Zeal Isabelle Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$67.03 was $149 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Knockaround Junipers Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$17.50 was $35 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comReef-safe sunscreen
Some islands fine you for the regular stuff.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Bugs and health
Travel first aid kit
DEET or picaridin repellent
Don't have one? Check these out.
Adventure Medical Ben's 30 Deet Tick & Insect Repellent Pump$1.92 was $2.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Ben's 30 Deet Tick & Insect Repellent$1.92 was $2.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comPermethrin-treated clothing spray
Treat the clothes once and it lasts weeks.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Bags
Daypack (15–25L)
Don't have one? Check these out.
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.comCarry-on suitcase (hard shell)
Fits the overhead on every airline that matters. Skip the checked-bag line entirely.
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
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.comLaundry bag / travel detergent
Don't have one? Check these out.
Packing cubes
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 SonySleep
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
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 . You'll want the mask.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Water 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
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.
Waterproof 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.comPower and phone
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
USB-C CableSee price at Peak DesignShop at Peak DesignLanguage app
A few phrases go a long way. Ten minutes a day before you leave is plenty.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Money and documents
Luggage locks (TSA)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Bugs and health
Sunburn-safe insect bite relief
Don't have one? Check these out.
Bags
Toiletry bag (hanging)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Sleep
Travel pillow
Don't have one? Check these out.
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
Quechua Men's NH100 Hiking Pants$20 was $29.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Ambato Everyday Pant - Men's$57 was $95 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
GOREWEAR Everyday Track Pant - Women's$72 was $120 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comThe basics
Sewing kit / safety pins
Nail clippers
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
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.com
TSA Cable Lock$17.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comEarbuds
Don't have one? Check these out.
Pen (customs forms)
Copy of passport
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.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
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 CreekUnderwear
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 AmericaSocks
Don't have one? Check these out.
Medications + prescriptions
Chargers (phone)
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.comReusable shopping bag
Don't have one? Check these out.
Take this list with you
Open it again when you are standing over the suitcase.












































