Temperate adventure packing list

Temperate weather is the easiest to pack for, but it’s also the trickiest, because it changes during the day. A cool morning turns into a warm afternoon, and a sunny hike turns into drizzle. The answer is layers you can add and take off, and the right shoes.

I pack for two kinds of days: city days, like walking around Japan in spring, and hiking days, like Seattle in the fall. Most trips have both.

City days

For a city trip like Japan in spring, I keep it simple: a nice coat, a t-shirt or long-sleeve cotton shirt, jeans, and my Doc Marten boots. That’s just my default! A light knit, a midi skirt or dress with tights, and a trench coat work just as well.

Shoes matter most. You’ll easily walk 20,000+ steps a day in Japan. I’m personally very comfortable walking all day in my Doc Martens, they’re my most comfortable pair, but I know a lot of people swear by Onitsuka Tigers or any comfy sneakers. Whatever you bring, break them in before the trip.

For rain, a folding umbrella is perfect. When it’s mild but wet in the city, you don’t need a rain shell. Toss a compact umbrella in your bag.

Hiking days

When I’m hiking somewhere like Seattle in the fall, I wear a lighter version of my Arctic setup:

• Hanwag Alaska GTX boots
• Fjällräven Keb trousers (no base layer underneath)
• A cotton t-shirt
• The Fjällräven Keb fleece hoodie
• The Bergtagen GTX shell, but only if it rains
• Kirkland merino wool socks

That’s really it, nothing too crazy. If you’re new to hiking, my beginner’s guide to hiking covers the 5 things to always bring.

Japan-specific tips

• Bring a small trash bag. There are almost no public trash cans in Japan, so you carry your trash with you until you find one (usually at a convenience store).
• Bring a coin purse. You’ll collect a lot of coins.
• Wear shoes that are easy to take off. You’ll take them off at temples, some restaurants, and fitting rooms.