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Packing for this trip is trickier than usual because we are not packing for just one kind of trip. We are combining city time in London and Edinburgh, a Highlands overnight, and several days in Iceland, where weather and wind can change quickly. The goal is to stay warm, dry, comfortable, and flexible without dragging too much luggage around.

The Luggage Plan

Ideally, I wanted each of us to bring only a carry-on suitcase and a backpack. I still like that idea, but warmer layers take up space. Our current plan is to check two medium-sized suitcases, bring two carry-on bags onto the plane, and have each person carry a backpack.

I plan to use compression packing cubes, but bulky sweaters and outerwear do not always compress as much as you hope. One space-saving trick is wearing my coat and boots onto the plane. For Iceland, I am also considering renting parkas instead of packing four bulky coats from home.

Another practical habit: I save hotel laundry bags and pack Ziploc bags in several sizes. They are useful for dirty clothes, wet items, snacks, small cords, and anything that needs to be separated from the rest of the suitcase.

Clothing Layers

• Base layers: I am packing 2-3 thermal tops and leggings. Many travelers love merino wool because it is warm, breathable, and odor-resistant, but I am allergic to merino wool, so I personally look for synthetic thermal layers or other soft, non-itchy performance fabrics.
• Mid-layers: I am planning on two cozy sweaters, either wool or fleece, plus one lighter fleece, vest, or packable insulated layer for flexibility.
• Lightweight warmth: I have an alpaca hoodie from Paka Apparel that keeps me warm while staying lightweight. I pay attention to what I layer underneath because some natural fibers can feel itchy on sensitive skin.
• Outerwear:A waterproof and wind-resistant layer is key. For this trip, I’m planning to bring my Baerskin coat because it kept me toasty in Seattle when it was 40°F and rainy. That gave me confidence it can handle cold, damp travel days. For Iceland excursions, I’m still planning to layer underneath and pay attention to wind and rain, but this is the coat I expect to reach for most.
• Bottoms: I am planning on 2-3 pairs of durable, quick-drying travel pants or hiking pants. I may bring one pair of jeans for city days, but jeans are not ideal for Iceland excursions because they stay wet and cold.
• Waterproof pants: For Iceland, waterproof pants are a must. Waterfalls, wind-driven rain, glacier areas, and wet paths can leave you soaked.

Footwear

• Waterproof walking boots: These are essential for Iceland’s rugged terrain, waterfall paths, muddy areas, and Edinburgh’s wet cobblestones. I’m bringing my new Merrell Moab Speed 2 GORE-TEX^® hikers and will probably wear them for most of the trip. They are comfortable enough for city walking in London and Edinburgh but still practical for wet paths, muddy areas, Iceland excursions, and unpredictable weather.
• Comfort / Casual Shoes:  For downtime, hotel breakfasts, casual evenings, and lighter walking days, I’m bringing one pair of comfortable slip-on shoes. These are the shoes I want for the moments when I’m not in full sightseeing mode but still need to look reasonably pulled together. My slip-on Skechers may be the right choice here because they are easy to wear, comfortable, and practical for travel. I also think they can work for afternoon tea if I pair them with black trousers and a nicer top or sweater. I’m not packing a separate pair of dress shoes just for tea. On a trip with London, Scotland, and Iceland, suitcase space matters, and comfortable feet matter even more.
• Warm socks: I recommend 5-7 pairs of warm, moisture-wicking socks if you will be doing a lot of walking. Wet socks are trip-ruiners, and socks are easy to pack. Again, my go-to socks are from Paka Apparel. I wore their socks in Churchill, Canada, while photographing polar bears, and my feet were very warm; I even slept with them on!

Accessories

• Cold-weather gear: I am packing one or two beanies, a warm scarf or neck gaiter, and touchscreen-compatible gloves. In Iceland, a neck gaiter may be more useful than a loose scarf because of the wind.
• Daypack: A 20L-30L water-resistant daypack is important for daily excursions, extra layers, snacks, camera gear, and anything we need while larger luggage is stored.
• Travel umbrella: A sturdy, wind-resistant travel umbrella can be useful for London and possibly Scotland. I would not rely on an umbrella in Iceland because the wind can make it useless quickly. I’m considering the Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella.
• Ear plugs and white noise: In-town hotels are great for convenience, but they can also come with street noise, hallway noise, or late-night city sounds. I pack ear plugs and a small rechargeable white noise machine because both can make sleeping in hotels much easier. I use the Dreamegg Portable White Noise Machine.
• Small essentials: Sunglasses, a refillable water bottle, a small blister kit, and a crossbody bag or anti-theft purse for city days in London and Edinburgh.

Toiletries and Health

• Skin protection: Moisturizer, lip balm, hand cream, and daytime moisturizer with SPF are useful because wind, brisk air, indoor heating, and long sightseeing days can be rough on your skin.
• Medication and health kit: I am packing personal prescriptions and a small health kit with basic over-the-counter pain relievers, blister pads, and motion-sickness medication.
• Swimsuit and towel: If you are visiting Iceland and plan to go to a geothermal pool, such as the Blue Lagoon, Sky Lagoon, or a local pool, do not forget a swimsuit. A microfiber towel can also be useful.

Laundry and Overnight Bags

Laundry is part of the plan because packing fresh clothes for every day is not realistic. We are building laundry into the Edinburgh stay before heading into the Highlands.

For the two-day Highlands tour, we cannot bring all of our luggage. We will pack just what we need for the overnight in Inverness and leave larger bags stored safely in Edinburgh. This is where compression packing cubes come in. We can easily put what we need into a few cubes and throw them into our backpacks. We use the Gonex Compression Packing Cubes. That means the packing plan has to work before we leave home, not just once we arrive.

Final Packing Takeaway

Packing for a multi-country, shoulder-season trip is not just about outfits. It is about staying warm, dry, comfortable, and organized enough to enjoy the trip even if the weather changes the plan.

Of course, the real test will be the trip itself. I’ll report back on what worked, what didn’t, and what I packed for absolutely no reason.