I Traveled to the Second Snowiest City in the World, and This Is What I Packed to Stay Warm and Dry

Being a travel writer, I’ve become accustomed to packing for a variety of terrains and weather conditions. On my most recent trip to Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, to see the hundreds of snow and ice sculptures at the Sapporo Snow Festival, I knew I’d need to upgrade my usual monochromatic travel outfit consisting of black jeans and a matching tee to some serious winter gear. After all, Sapporo is the second snowiest city in the world, according to Accuweather.

With lots of snow in the forecast, I knew the contents of my suitcase were going to look a little different than usual for this particular adventure. And while winter clothes and accessories certainly take up quite a bit more space than, say, a trip to a sunny island, I’ve found that if you have the right pieces, like a cozy pair of earmuffs, you can manage to still fit them all into a carry-on.

From warm Smartwool base layers and water-resistant Lululemon joggers to a heavy-duty Canada Goose parka, I’ve gathered some of my favorite, trusty winter essentials that kept me warm and dry as I braved the cold in one of Japan’s snowiest destinations.

Canada Goose Parka

If there’s one item I’d recommend splurging on, it’s a good winter coat. One brand I’ve long trusted for cold-weather outerwear is Canada Goose. This particular Canada Goose Expedition Parka was designed for scientists working in Antarctica, meaning that it’s fit to combat extreme conditions. And it has so many incredible features. To start, the shell is water-repellent — a must if you’re expecting flurries. Then there’s the oversize down-filled hood, which not only keeps me warm, but the built-in wire really helps to keep its shape and protect me from the elements. And my fellow glass wearers will be able to relate, but the latter is particularly helpful with keeping eyewear free from unwanted droplets.

The parka also sports a soft chin guard, an interior drawcord to lock in heat, a zipper storm flap, and a slew of pockets, many of which are lined for added warmth. To top it all off, it also boasts backpack straps for hands-free carry. And with how well-heated Japanese malls and stores are, this really came in clutch when I took shopping breaks throughout the day. If you’re looking for similar quality but for less, you can even find Canada Goose jackets on sale at Gilt right now, including this Canada Goose Aldridge Parka. For an even more budget-friendly option, check out this $83 winter parka at Amazon.

Merrell Women’s Bravada 2 Thermo Mid Waterproof Snow Boots

The next order of business is to find the right pair of winter boots, and two brands that I’ve always relied on are Sorel and Merrell. The former offers a great mix of classic and stylish options while the latter is beloved by active travelers. And while I find Sorel to be slightly comfier after an extended period, I ended up bringing my Merrell snow boots with me since I had a taller pair and the Vibram outsole truly provides extra confidence when braving slippery situations.

Lo and behold, the taller shaft really came in handy one morning when I woke up to heavy snowfall. As I trudged through several inches of fresh powder to arrive at the Odori site of the Sapporo Snow Festival in the hopes of admiring the snow sculptures ahead of the crowds — which, by the way, ended up being somewhat of a lost cause since the accumulated snow obscured most of the sculptures and staff had not yet cleared off the excess — I was so thankful for my boots. Waterproof and lined in comfy fleece, my feet never felt wet or cold. And while my specific pair is older and no longer sold, the Bravada 2 is similar to what I own. Although a little shorter, it’s also a waterproof boot with insulation and the company’s signature Quantum Grip outsole. 

Lululemon Adapted State High-Rise Fleece Jogger

My go-to airplane outfit consists of joggers, so when my cousin turned me on to this fleece pair from Lululemon, I quickly fell in love. While intended for exercise, I also like wearing these out and about. The high waist has a slimming effect and the fit is just loose enough that I’m comfortable without looking overly baggy or sporty. Unlike some of the other fleece offerings, this style is made with a water-repellent fabric, making it ideal for light rain or snow. These also have a zipper at the cuff, which I’ll release whenever I’m getting too hot.

Uniqlo Heattech Crew Neck Long-Sleeve T-Shirt

I’ve been a loyal Uniqlo Heattech wearer for more than a decade. The brand’s innovative fabric absorbs and retains heat while simultaneously wicking moisture and providing odor control. The shirts and leggings from the original line are also thin enough that I can easily slip them under a slim sweater or pair of jeans, respectively, which also in turn means it takes up less space in my luggage — a win-win if you ask me. I also have a few of the Heattech Ultra Warm pieces in my closet for days that are extra cold. But if you’re a last-minute trip planner like me and need some innerwear in a jiffy, there are some other options available at Amazon, like this top-rated set by Thermajane. 

Smartwool Women’s Merino 250 Base Layer Crew

While this shirt is labeled as a base layer, I actually find that it’s warm enough to stand on its own, especially when paired with the right coat. For the unfamiliar, Smartwool was founded in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and became the first company to ever make performance Merino wool ski socks, so they know their stuff. Merino wool — the key to all of the company’s gear —  naturally regulates body temperature, manages moisture, resists odor, and is soft to the touch. It’s undoubtedly a premium material, hence the price tag, but well worth it in my opinion. 

Jomlun Women’s Outdoor Fleece Snow Pants

I was once in a bind to get some cold-weather pants for a trip to Alaska and turned to good ol’ Amazon for two-day Prime delivery. I had combed through dozens of affordable snow pants and settled on this pair by Jomlun. I like that they have an elastic waistband for extra stretch, and the fleece lining has proven to be both soft and warm. The pants are also waterproof so I never have to worry about snow seeping in. My only two gripes with these are that they’re not entirely windproof and the stitching has already shown some wear, but for the relatively low price, I can’t complain too much.

Duer All-Weather Denim High-Rise Barrel Pant

When I tell you that I have an affinity for black jeans and a tee, what I really mean is that it’s my uniform. So when I came across Duer’s “winter denim,” I was instantly intrigued. The brand has some really interesting styles including its water-resistant Stay Dry Performance Denim, but this all-weather pair takes it one step further. Bonded with a wind and waterproof membrane, it’s meant to keep you warm and dry in all situations. And I must admit they felt quite nice on a 28-degree Fahrenheit day in Sapporo. The membrane is breathable so my legs didn’t feel like they were suffocating, and the cargo-style pocket came in handy for storing my phone. The lining does tend to get a little cold, however, so I’d recommend wearing a base layer underneath on colder days.

Sealskinz Waterproof Cold Weather Reflective Beanie

On days that I’m wearing contacts and want full visibility, I opt for a beanie over a coat hood. I’m also frequently drawn to items with multiple features, and this smartly designed hat hits a lot of marks. The three-layer construction starts with a velvety fleece interior that keeps my head toasty. In the middle is a waterproof yet breathable membrane that shields me from precipitation. Meanwhile, the outside boasts reflective stitching that provides added visibility in low-light settings, which is particularly beneficial when I’m walking around at night.

Bombas Women’s Merino Wool Blend Calf Sock 4-Pack

I can’t quite remember who gave me my first pair of Bombas socks, but I haven’t looked back since. In addition to how soft they are, there’s no annoying toe seam, and the company’s unique honeycomb design provides comfortable arch support. The socks also have a cushioned footbed and actually stay up (there’s nothing worse than bunched-up socks, am I right?). While I’m used to wearing the brand’s cotton socks, there are also some great Merino wool options including these calf socks, my preferred length when I’m wearing boots, but they also have wool ankle socks if you’re not a fan of the extra length. 

Icetrax V3 Tungsten Crampons

No matter how grippy your boot soles are, some icy situations require additional help. Most of Sapporo’s sidewalks are heated to help melt the snow, but not at Odori Park, the main site of the Sapporo Snow Festival. And what happens when you have thousands of visitors constantly walking over the same path? Treacherously slippery packed snow. After watching multiple people fall in the span of a few minutes, I popped into a 7-Eleven (yes, they have everything there in Japan) to pick up some crampons to avoid the same fate. In the past, I’ve found that unprotected coils and spikes tend to dig into shoes and leave an imprint, so I prefer ones with rubber straps to reduce wear and tear. This pair from Icetrax is a great option, offering a secure fit and small, but effective spikes that are easy to walk with even on bare pavement.

Smartwool Merino 250 Glove

I’m admittedly not a fan of gloves. The lack of touch and reduced dexterity is an uncomfortable sensation for me, but when I have to out of necessity, I wear the thinnest ones possible. I’ve tried on dozens and I have yet to find a pair better than these Smartwool gloves. Thin, lightweight, and soft, they’re more like liners but unbelievably warm. They also have touchscreen-compatible tips on the thumbs and index fingers, a must these days in our smartphone-fueled lives. I now keep them in my coat pocket at all times just in case it gets a little too frosty.

Sealskinz Waterproof All-Weather Ultra-Grip Knitted Glove

The exception to the Smartwool gloves is when it’s heavily raining or snowing. Because as much as I appreciate how much freedom they give me, I prioritize staying dry. Enter Sealskinz’ waterproof and windproof gloves. Thankfully, they’re not overly bulky so I still feel dexterous while wearing them. The Merino wool lining also provides great insulation, making them a better fit for lower temperatures than the thin Smartwool gloves. They also sport silicone grips for extra control and are touchscreen-compatible with patches over the index finger and thumbs.

HotHands Hand and Toe Warmers

Whenever I’m headed somewhere cold, I always pack a few of these hand and toe warmers just in case. They don’t really take up that much space and are extremely easy to carry around. Sapporo ended up being a little warmer than expected (hello, climate change) and I found that I was plenty warm in my Heattech and Canada Goose, so I truthfully didn’t end up using these warmers until I popped into Otaru. I was really glad I had a couple of these stowed away in my coat pocket because it felt a lot colder in this small city just outside of Sapporo, perhaps due to its seaside location.

At the time of publishing, the price started at $17. 

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