Packing List for North America: How to Travel Light in Hot & Cold

As you may have heard me gushing all over social media - I am off to North America very soon (two days - aah!).
It's my first time there so I am incredibly excited - if you couldn't tell. For a peek into my itinerary and where I'm heading, head to this post here.

As I am going in early March, it's a bit of a tricky one packing-wise. I love to travel as light as possible and usually do so with no problem at all.
However, I will be going there still on the tail-end of winter, and while some of the places will be relatively nice and warm (Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Florida), I am also heading to places where it could still be potentially snowing! (Chicago, Ottowa, Quebec City, New York).

So how do you pack lightly for both summer and winter for an entire month away?

This will be my 15th trip overseas in just the last few years, so I'm pretty sure by now I am a packing master.

Let's begin with a few tips before I dive into my packing list:

✽ Layering is key
Try to choose really versatile pieces to bring that you can mix and match and layer if need be. Most of my clothing tends to be darker and complimentary colour-wise.

✽ Wear your bulkiest items on the flight
Wear your jeans, boots and jacket, even if it's not cold. Bring a pair of light cosy pants and fluffy socks to change into on the plane.

✽ Merino for the win
Clothing made from merino wool is super-lightweight, keeps you warm in cold weather and cool in hot weather and you can wear it for days on end and it still won’t smell. Winner!

✽ Bring your own washing powder
Fill a small snap-lock bag with washing powder, which is enough to last a few weeks.
This allows you to rewash your shirts and underwear whenever needed which means you can bring less with you.

✽ Take minimal toiletries
99% of places will have the basics so save space by only bringing the minimum.
I bring everything in miniature form, enough to last a week or two and will repurchase once I've run out over there.

✽ Roll 'em
Roll your clothes instead of folding them. As well as saving space, you'll avoid wrinkles.

That's enough tips for now and I'm sure you have probably heard it all before anyway - on to the list.

Here is everything I have packed for four weeks away in potentially all seasons:

Shoes:

1 pair black leather boots (A necessity for the cold - will wear on the plane).
1 pair Nike sneakers (Comfortable every day walking shoes).
1 pair jandals/flip flops (For the warmer days and hostels).
1 pair sandals (Again for warmer weather and can be dressed up if need be).

Clothing:

Bottoms:

2 denim skirts (one black, one blue - wear with tights and boots if cold)
1 pair denim shorts
1 pair black stockings/tights (not pictured - in undergarment bag)
2 pairs denim jeans (one blue, one black)
1 black comfy pants (used on long-haul flights and as pyjama bottoms)

Tops:

5 shirts (one for sleeping)
2 singlets (one for layering if cold)
1 long sleeve merino top (for layering - not pictured; in wash)
1 checkered button-up long-sleeve shirt
1 nice jumper
1 zip-up sweatshirt

Coat & Jacket

1 light zip-up coat (will wear on plane)
1 waterproof rain jacket (also has a removable merino shell lining)

Extras:

1 bikini top and bottom
1 pair light boardshorts
Underwear for five days
Incl. 2 pairs merino socks

Accessories:

1 backpack (Used as carry on bag with laptop in it)
1 beanie/woolly hat
1 pair fingerless gloves
1 scarf (will also take as carry on)
1 pair sunglasses
1 small umbrella
Basic jewellery - a few of my bracelets I collect from my travels and one necklace
1 smaller everyday bag (I use a small leather side satchel)

Toiletries:

Very basic makeup - light foundation, powder, mascara, eyeliner, concealer, 1 lipstick
Chapstick
Small comb
Cotton pads (for cleansing water)
Small moisturiser
Mini facewash
Mini cleansing water
Mini shampoo & conditioner
Floss
Toothbrush and small paste
Small packet makeup wipes
Hand sanitizer
Razor
Small soap
Packet of tissues
Deodorant (roll-on)
Panadol
Plasters
Small tube antibacterial cream
Any prescription medication

Electronics:

Cell phone - Samsung Galaxy S7 (not pictured, took the photo)
Laptop (small and light Samsung notebook)
Camera - Sony RX 100 iv
2 SD cards - SanDisk Extreme Pro 64gb
1 spare camera battery
Headphones (flight necessity)
Portable charger (so handy for travel)
GoPro - Hero4
Any required cables/chargers
Universal travel adaptor (not pictured)

Extra Stuff!:

Canvas bag (for shopping/groceries/beach)
Earplugs and eyemask
Boost multivitamin tablets
Sweetener tablets (for my coffee)
Seasickness bands 
Hair ties 
Small lock
Small tin with USB stick, mini sewing kit, safety pins and bottle opener
Ziplock bags (for storing toiletries, dirty laundry etc.)
Washing powder
Notebook and pen
Packing cubes (not pictured but such a great way to organise and save space)

And of course the obvious...

Travel Essentials:

Passport
Approved ESTA before you go
Wallet - including some American Dollars
Cash Passport (a handy preloaded card used like a Mastercard without the fees)
Travel insurance
Travel documents - locked and loaded online, a copy given to relatives or friends

And for those wondering, what's specifically in my

Carry On:

Eyemask and earplugs
Laptop
Headphones
Blow up neck pillow
Sunglasses
Passport
Wallet
Facewipes
Gum
Cellphone (loaded with books on my Kindle app)
Tissues
Portable charger
Comb
Hand sanitizer
Chapstick

And that is everything that I am packing! It all fits nicely into my lightweight suitcase with plenty of space left if I decide to do any shopping over there.

The clothing is stored into three packing cubes on the left (undergarments/ swimwear, tops and bottoms). Shoes (in the green plastic bag), toiletries, electronics and extras are on the right.

I'm all set for my next adventure! Feel free to follow along on all of my social media channels (Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter) to keep up with my travels.

Let me know if there's anything else you would pack too in the comments below.
See you in my next post which will be from Los Angeles!

Happy Travels,

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