What To (Actually) Pack During Summer in the Pacific Northwest

When preparing for a trip, I always like to make a packing list so I know that I am not going to forget anything. However, preparing for our trip to the Pacific Northwest during the summer had me stressed. We were going to be gone for two weeks and I did not want to overpack, but needed to plan for both the city and nature, plus various types of weather.

For our trip to the Pacific Northwest, being from the Southeast in Jacksonville, FL (literally the opposite side of the country), I was very unsure how to pack. In my mind, it was going to be freezing, but then that was not the case when I checked the weather ahead of time. On top of trying to wrap my brain around that, we were going to be doing a variety of activities, with various altitudes and landscapes. It was just a lot to prepare for when packing.

what to actually pack for a trip to the pacific northwest

So, in hopes to save you the trouble and headache, here is a list and advice about what to actually pack when visiting the Pacific Northwest in the summertime.

Table of Contents

Clothes to Pack for Summertime in the Pacific Northwest

Base Layers: Although in summertime it still gets hot in the PNW, if you go hiking or to a higher altitude, there is still snow and it will be cold. Having base layers is a must because they will keep you cold despite the snow and wind. I really love the brand SmartWool which is made of 100% Merino Wool. Their products are lightweight, not scratchy, comfortable and worth the money. (Click here for my favorite products).
Hiking Pants: The Pacific Northwest is known for having beautiful nature and landscapes, so you cannot visit without going on some epic hikes. I love the brand Prana and am loyal, because I have tried so many other brands, but they just don’t compare to the style and comfort. (Click here for my favorite Halle style Prana pants).
Light, Compact Jacket: Layers are a must in this area of the country. Weather, altitude and location can impact the temperature, wind chill, and humidity in the matter of miles, so you have to prepare for this with layers. A light, yet compact jacket is versatile and useful for these changes. I found a great Lulu Lemon dupe on Amazon – click here to check it out.
Hiking Boots: An invaluable must-have for an outdoor adventure in the PNW. I recommend high tops for ankle support and insoles for extra arch support. My husband and I are Keen lovers and mine have served me well over the years. Click here for the ones I use.
Sports Bra: A necessary item for all the women out there. If you are being active then they are a must. It can be hard to find a good sports bra that lasts and is affordable, but I found a pretty good one on Amazon, so if you are in need, click here to check it out.
Breathable, Quick-Dry Underwear: One of the worst things in the world is when you sweat and your underwear gets gross and takes forever to dry. I got these breathable, quick-dry ones from Amazon and they are amazing. They are so breathable with 100% cotton and so comfortable that they are now some of my favorites. You need to try them – click here to purchase!
Hiking Socks: Although some people will say hiking specific clothing is unnecessary, if you have used both, you know difference. Hiking socks are thicker and created to specifically support your foot for hiking and keep you from getting blisters. I LOVE the Darn Tough brand and they have some REALLY cute styles for both men and women. You have to check out the Animal Haus line, they are adorable! And if you put a woodland animal on anything, I am sold. You don’t need many pairs, so don’t get hung up on the price. If you are unsure, just get one pair and try them out, you won’t regret it.

Day Hiking Supplies to Pack for the Pacific Northwest

Hiking Pack: Confession, I was truly against spending the money on a hiking specific backpack. I just couldn’t understand why it was so different than a regular one. But, if you read my note above, I should’ve known better. Hiking Packs are built with less weight, are more breathable and often have space for a Hydration bladder (which is a definite must get). The packs come in various sizes, so you can get one that feels best on your body size. For example, I am really short, so I needed one that was smaller that did not get in my way and went with the Osprey Tempest 20L. However, my husband who is over a foot taller than me went with the Osprey Talon 26L.
Hiking Boot Insoles: Here’s is a little anecdote for you. Two days walking all over Seattle, a long day hike in Mount Rainier, and I was straight hobbling. I was getting sharp pains on my feet and despite icing, stretching and rest, it still would not completely go away. So, on the way to our next destination, we stopped to get some insoles. We researched and found that SuperFeet is the best brand. When I tell you it was a game changer, I am not exaggerating. They give your foot more support which in turn supports your ankle. They also often have technology that helps distribute the impact when you take a step. I purchased ones from REI and think they are great, get the same ones here.
Long-Sleeve Hiking Shirt: This is another item that I bought in-between stops because I wished I had one before. Light-weight and with a hood, it will not only protect you from the sun, but keep you cooler and provide another good layer. You can get them at most sports and outdoors stores, but I like the REI brand. If you are looking for something more affordable, you can find equivalent styles on Amazon.
Water: And more than you think you need. I highly recommend using a hydration bladder. It makes it easier to carry around a large quantity of water and easier to sip on during hikes. However, I also recommend bringing a water bottle that you can carry around if you are exploring the city or not hiking.
Food: If you plan to be out in the National Parks of the Pacific Northwest, make sure you have packed food for your travels. Being active and hiking will take a lot of energy, yes, but there are also not many places you can stop to get food once you are out of town. Some of our go-to hiking snacks are Chomps (a cleaner jerky stick), tuna packets, trail mix, apples and dried fruit. I try to make sure we have a protein and fiber.
Sun-Protectant Shirt: I discovered sun-protectant shirts several years ago and love them. I am very conscious of keeping my skin safe from the sun, but really hate having to put sunscreen all over my body. I much prefer just trying to cover up and sun shirts are perfect for this purpose. I have a tank top, but find I use my long sleeve the most.

Basics to Pack for Pacific Northwest Travel

Sneakers: White sneakers are the thing to wear right now and honestly, they go with any outfit, so I am here for it. Any brand goes, so I suggest trying to find a pair that is comfortable and then you will have no need for any other shoe. Especially when traveling, shoes can take up so much space, so I try to consolidate. The Pacific Northwest is very walkable, so you need shoes that will not leave your feet dying at the end of the day.
Tennis Shoes: I also love to bring a long a good pair of tennis shoes that are maybe not as fashionable, but still cute and support your feet. Even if you do not go into the National Parks, there are many trails and local parks, so you will still want to get outdoors. I love my New Balance Cloudfoams.
Sunglasses: And make sure they are ones you don’t mind losing or scratching. For some reason I cannot seem to keep track of sunglasses when I travel, or heck anytime really, so they are something I never spend a lot on or get a nice pair of.
Shorts: Before traveling to the PNW, I had imagined it being really cold, even in the summer. I was wrong. It does indeed get hot and humid. Maybe not like Florida, but you will still want shorts. So, pack some athletic ones (my Nike shorts have served me well) and some nicer ones.
Tank-Tops & T-Shirts: Another summer necessity is t-shirts and tank-tops, because again, it can get hot during the day. Target has some really great basic tank tops in a variety of colors that are my go-to tops for summer and travel. They are versatile, comfortable and flattering – check them out!
Socks: Both hiking if you plan to adventure outdoors and regular socks for sneakers. Plus a fuzzy pair for the hotel!
Swimsuit: The water is still cold for my liking since I grew up in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, but you will see many people out in the water swimming or doing water sports.
Yoga Pants: There are some amazon yoga pants that are great Lulu Lemon dupes (check them out here) and I love to bring them on my travels. They are great for travel days whether you are flying or driving, because they are comfortable and can be warm or cool, plus style really well.

public market center sign in seattle washington — Seattle, Washington

What’s in my hiking backpack?

Rain Jacket: As we all know, the Pacific Northwest is known for being rainy. Fun fact: I found this out reading twilight as a middle schooler (#teamedward). Anyway, because of this carrying a rain jacket when hiking is a must. I have used the North Face Rain Jacket for years and it is great and compact.
Backpack Rain Cover: A rain jacket is useful on and off the trail, but a backpack rain cover is a must for hiking in the PNW and those random showers you might get. You do not want all of your stuff getting wet or ruined. You can get cheap ones from Amazon and you really don’t need anything fancy – click here for the ones we used.
Hydration Bladder: YOU NEED THIS! I was so hesitant to get one because I was unsure about cleaning it and worried about it getting moldy. Also, since it is more water than a water bottle, I worried it would be too heavy to comfortably carry. However, I am sold now – get one and you will be too. Since the weight is on your back it is not as heavy and we got this cleaning kit from Amazon which worked really well. The only downside is that when it is full, it does take up space in your backpack, so you have to take that into account when packing for your hike.
Snacks: Always a must, make sure to pack nourishing foods that will save well.
Sunscreen: It get’s sunny and if you are hiking to a higher altitude, the suns rays will get more intense. My husband got very burnt because he forgot about this, so don’t make his mistake. I have been using Elta MD for years and love both their regular face/body sunscreen and their tinted sunscreen that I use everyday on my face and neck.
National Park Pass: There are quite a few National Parks in the Pacific Northwest (we visited Mount Rainier, Olympic and North Cascades) and buying an annual pass is easier, faster, and more cost affective than buying a pass at each park. Get one here!
Cellphone Tri-Pod: We are big picture people, picture or it didn’t happen right? So we always bring along a cellphone tri-pod so that we can take pictures of the two of us on the trail. We have no shame in asking people to take our picture, but that’s not always an option. I suggest a tri-pod with bendable legs so that you can balance it on a tree limb, rock or other structure. Click here for the one we use.
Bluetooth Photo Clicker: Along with a tri-pod we also love our Bluetooth photo clicker that we can use to take pictures instead of a self timer. If you have an apple watch, you can use it to take pictures, but we don’t have them. I also like that with a Bluetooth clicker you don’t have to be looking at it, you can just click it. The tri-pod we got had a clicker with it.
DSLR Camera: Cellphones can take a picture as good as most cameras now. However, there is something special about using an actual camera and if you want to print or edit your photos, the quality of a DSLR camera is unmet.
Bug Spray: If you want a story about the bugs we experienced, read my North Cascades article. But suffice it to say, you will want bug spray. Trust me.

What’s in my carry-on?

Fanny Pack/Purse: When packing for a flight, I don’t use a purse, I plan for a roller suitcase, carry on and backpack. However, when I get to my destination, I don’t want to walk around with a backpack as we explore a city. So, I always pack a purse or fanny pack to change over to once I arrive.
Books: I am a bookworm at heart and love to read. I don’t leave home without a book, even if we are going on a trip where I know I will not have time to read. However, if we are flying you will probably be spending some time waiting on a flight or between flights, so a good book should never be far away. Even if that means an audiobook.
Water Bottle: Although a hydration bladder is great for hiking, you still want to pack a water bottle for when you are not hiking. Two trusty water bottles we always bring are from amazon – a tumbler with straw lid and a close top similar to this one.
Headphones: For both movies and audiobooks on the plane.
Extra-Long Phone Charger: Sometimes in hotels or accommodations, outlets can be located in weird places and either hard to get to or far away from where you would use your phone. So, plan accordingly and bring an extra-long charger. You also don’t want your phone to run out of battery in a place you are unfamiliar with, so it always goes in the carry-on.
Blow-drying Brush: With long hair, I am always searching for a way to make styling my hair easier and faster. I discovered the blow-drying brush about a year ago and love it. It allows you to blow dry and style your hair at the same time. When I use it, I can skip the step of having to straighten my hair afterwards. It’s also so easy to use and more compact than a hair dryer and styling equipment when traveling.

north cascades national park — North Cascades National Park

Things I will not leave home without

Octopus Hair Clip: Oh man, my favorite accessory in the world is the octopus clip. It is the only clip that will hold all of my hair securely. I go through one every few months, because I end up overusing it and it breaks. I never leave home without it. It doesn’t leave a crease in your hair like a ponytail holder, so I use it for when I shower, workout or just want an up-do. It is versatile and just, just get one.
Leave-in Conditioner: For climate change, for taking care of your hair, for brushing through your hair more easily, for so many reasons. Never leave home without it. I like the Innersense brand, because it is a cleaner product.
Dry-Shampoo: Personally, I go as long as possible without washing my hair. I like to wash it good, style it well and try to make it last, especially when traveling and short on time and conveniences. Dry-shampoo can help with the oily look my hair gets, but I do try to wash my hair the day I use it so it does not stay on my skin for too long.
Wet Brush: A couple of years ago, I felt that I was loosing so much hair whenever I brushed it and started looking into how to better take care of my hair. By and large, a wet brush was recommended to brush out your hair.
Tinted Sunscreen: Honestly, bae. Elta MD tinted sunscreen is something I will never leave home without on a daily basis. I love that it is tinted and use it instead of a foundation or base make up. It is light, does not feel greasy, and has helped me get into the habit of wearing sunscreen everyday. I get the 45 spf, because we have to take care of our skin people, and living in Florida, the sunshine state, I am even more careful.
Brimmed Hat: Again, take care of your skin. I wanted a brimmed hat for ages, but could not find one until… we made a spontaneous detour to White Sands National Park and I found the hat of my dreams. I never leave home without it and always get complements on it when I wear it out. Unfortunately, I have yet to find it online.
Silicone Rings: I never wear my actual wedding rings when I travel because one, I don’t want to lose them, and two, I don’t want them to get damaged or gross. My husband does the same and funny story, we started this on our honeymoon to Costa Rica and my husband now wears his silicone ring all the time instead of his nice wedding ring… men.
Make-Up Basics: I keep my make-up minimal on the daily and when traveling I do the same routine. Tinted sunscreen, concealer, powder, eyebrow pencil, mascara and chapstick. That’s all you need!

*Disclaimer: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links meaning, at no additional cost to you, if you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission.

I hope this article helped you prepare for your trip. If you are looking for more resources to help you plan, check out the National Parks listed below for a travel guide for each we have visited. Also, let me know if I missed anything on the list down in the comments.

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