The Thinnest, Warmest Winter Clothes for Packing

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

Caroline joined Boston-based SmarterTravel in 2011 after living in Ireland, London, and Manhattan. She's traveled to all seven continents, jumped out of planes, and bungeed off bridges in the pursuit of a good story. She loves exploring off-the-beaten path destinations, anything outdoorsy, and all things adventure.

Her stories have also appeared online at USA Today, Business Insider, Huffington Post, Yahoo, Boston.com, TripAdvisor, Buzzfeed, Jetsetter, Oyster, Airfarewatchdog, and others.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "Earplugs. A good pair has saved my sleep and sanity many times!"

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro.

Travel Motto: "Don't be boring."

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Aisle (when the first class private suite isn't available)."

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Packing for cold weather is a highly scientific art form. You need winter clothes that are breathable, moisture-wicking, and warming—but also lightweight and highly packable.

Warm Winter Clothes That Pack Thin

Here are essential foundation pieces for your winter travel wardrobe: warm, sleek, and easy to pack.

Outdoor Research Melody Leggings

Outdoor Research’s Melody leggings adapt perfectly to your needs, whether layered under winter wear for added warmth or worn solo. Thanks to their innovative ActiveTemp technology, these leggings automatically regulate your temperature across changing conditions.

The thoughtfully designed wide, contoured waistband stays put without digging in, making them ideal for those long-haul flights. With quick-drying, UPF 30-rated fabric and convenient drop-in pockets, these stretchy, soft leggings are ready for any adventure you have in mind.

Icebreaker Merino Hike Sock

Warm socks are key to winter comfort, but if you try to wear bulky ski socks with your regular boots, you’re basically asking for blisters. Icebreaker’s Merino Hike+ Crew Socks offer the perfect solution, delivering impressive warmth in a lightweight package through their premium Merino wool design.

Better yet, merino’s natural odor-resistant properties mean you can wear these socks multiple times between washes, making them ideal for light-packing travelers.

Turtle Fur Comfort Luxe Quantum Balaclava

If you’ve ever had to end your ski day early due to freezing temperatures, you know how important the right gear is. Stay comfortable for longer by protecting every inch of your skin—including your face—with Turtle Fur’s Comfort Luxe Quantum Balaclava.

This balaclava offers full-face coverage in a remarkably soft buttery fabric that traps warm air for optimal insulation without bulk. Its versatile design features a hinged face panel that can be worn up for complete protection or folded down as a neck warmer, all while fitting seamlessly under your helmet. Think of it as your secret weapon against winter’s worst.

Coastal Crew Nantucket Deckhand Q-Zip

The elusive trifecta of warmth, comfort, and style comes together perfectly in Coastal Crew’s Nantucket Deckhand Q-Zip. This versatile layer pairs an ultralight blend of bamboo, cotton, and spandex with a refined dress shirt collar lining for a polished look that works everywhere.

Whether layered over a casual tee or a crisp dress shirt, it’s equally at home in the boardroom or on weekend getaways.

Fisher’s Finery Silk Pajama Set

Silk isn’t just about luxury—it’s nature’s perfect insulator, offering exceptional warmth while maintaining breathability. Fishers Finery’s Silk Pajama Set elevates your nightly routine to a five-star experience with its 100 percent pure Mulberry silk construction. These travel-friendly pajamas pack down surprisingly small while regulating your temperature and wicking away moisture for the perfect night’s sleep.

Don’t let the elegant fabric intimidate you—these pajamas are completely machine washable (simply pop them in the included mesh wash bag).

Tasc Recess Quarter Zip

Tasc’s Recess Quarter-Zip Pullover redefines the meaning of an essential layer, seamlessly transitioning from high-intensity workouts to casual coffee runs. While it may look like your favorite cozy staple, it packs all the technical features of premium athletic wear.

The pullover is thin enough that it can easily be layered under a heavier sweater or jacket on days when you need some extra warmth, and the stylish design pairs effortlessly with leggings or casual wear.

Orvis Cashmere Crew Sweater

For the best warmth-to-weight ratio, nothing surpasses cashmere—especially Orvis’ premium version, which is sourced from Inner Mongolia and is the warmest and softest version of the material available.

Find this luxury cashmere in Orvis’ Cashmere Crewneck Sweater, a perfectly packable top that will keep you warm without overheating. With its timeless style and superior construction, this sweater will last you through a lifetime of winter trips.

Royal Robbins Backcountry Pro Winter Leggings

One way to keep warm on a frigid day is by wearing fleece-lined leggings under your clothes, like Royal Robbins’ Backcountry Pro Winter Leggings.

These look like normal leggings, but they have a nice, cozy fleece lining hidden on the inside, making them feel like pajamas. Thanks to a water—and wind-resistant exterior, they’re way warmer than jeans.

Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket

With Patagonia’s Nano Puff Jacket, you don’t have to choose between warmth and style. This jacket has a sleek silhouette while maintaining the benefits of a traditional puffer jacket. Plenty of pockets will keep your valuables close by and secure.

The Nano Puff is made from water-resistant fabric and packed with compressible recycled polyester insulation. When not in use, the jacket packs into its tiny carrying case.

Champion Duofold Clothing

Champion’s Duofold clothing line is an inexpensive, high-performing collection for men and women. Its fabric is designed to trap your body heat while wicking away moisture, creating a thermal layer between the clothes and your skin to keep you warm without adding bulk. Duofold can outfit you from top to bottomT with shirts and long johns.

Under Armour’s UA Storm Fleece Gloves

Keep your hands warm but nimble with a thin glove that lets you easily grasp things with your fingers, like Under Armour’s Storm Fleece Gloves (available in men’s and women’s sizes). These water-repellent gloves provide a layer of insulation from the cold and the wet winter weather, plus feature suede tips on the thumb and index finger so you can use your phone without removing the gloves.

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