5 Travel Essentials for an Arctic Circle Expedition

Cold weather and I are not birds of a feather; however, this didn’t stop me from heading out on an Arctic Circle expedition in January to see the Northern Lights. I traveled to Tromsø, Norway, roughly 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle. It's a gorgeous icy city, and surrounding areas offer a variety of winter activities, such as dog sledding and whale watching.

I couldn’t rely on past travel experience to help guide what I’d pack in my suitcase — the most snow I had encountered in the past was a Christmas trip to Connecticut. I was warned that the weather would have lows of 3 degrees Fahrenheit — but it ended up being even colder. Thankfully, I arrived equipped with winter must-haves that made the frigid weather bearable, like wool clothes, layers of thermal underwear, jackets, snow boots, gloves, scarves, and a hat. There were a few specific items that made the icy conditions a lot easier to manage — and they could be worn on the flight or easily packed in a carry-on bag. Here, I’ve rounded up the five winter essentials I would pack again. And, just in case you were wondering: I did see the otherworldly green hue of the Northern Lights.

Luoliil Voe Thermal Neck Gaiter

After asking a friend who visited Iceland the one thing she wished she had packed beforehand, she said without hesitation something warm to cover her face. In this exceptionally bitter cold weather, a scarf casually draped across my face would not be enough. This neck gaiter came in handy during unexpected flurries and any activity that involved movement or air blowing in my face. It has a fleece interior that provides warmth, and the spandex in the fabric helped it stay in place and keep the icy air away from my skin. 

Ocoopa UT3 Rechargeable Hand Warmers

Hand warmers are super important if you’re planning on doing outdoor activities in chilly weather conditions. I initially considered buying disposable hand warmers, but instead, I opted for these pocket-sized rechargeable hand warmers that easily fit inside gloves and mittens. I liked that they were a more sustainable option and that they last longer since they’re battery-powered. Plus, if I decide to go on another chilly adventure, I’ll save money by not purchasing more disposable hand warmer packs. I liked that they warmed up quickly in about five seconds; they have a reported top temperature of 126 degrees Fahrenheit, so they’re guaranteed to keep your hands toasty. I used them for about 30 minutes each time, and I found that it takes around three hours to fully charge. 

Trendoux Touch Screen Winter Gloves

During outdoor activities north of Tromsø, I opted for mittens. However, I quickly found that they were impractical when I wanted to take pictures and videos while strolling through the city. I made the rookie mistake of removing my hand from my mitten in -22-degree Fahrenheit weather to take a video of the stunning landscape and deep blue skyline while dog sledding: despite only being in the open air for a few seconds, I thought my hand would fall off. 

Lucky for me (and my hands), I also brought a pair of these warm touchscreen-friendly gloves that became my go-to for the rest of the trip. I easily pressed record for videos and snapped photos of everything while ensuring my fingers remained intact. Despite being lined with wool, they’re lightweight and aren’t bulky, so you can stay warm and comfortable.

Tacvasen Waterproof Winter Jacket

A relatively loose, padded waterproof puffer jacket was of the utmost importance when traveling to Tromsø. I liked this coat because I could comfortably fit my thick woolen sweater and thermal layers underneath. This padded jacket has extra features for keeping your head and neck warm, including a lined hood and stand-up collar. During winter activities such as reindeer sledding, I was given a jumpsuit by the group leaders to wear on top of this coat. But even wearing just the coat alone while exploring the city, I found that this coat kept me comfortably warm.

Kamik Alborg Snow Boots

Feeling confident when walking on snow and ice isn’t as easy as you think, which is why I was happy to have these boots that helped me feel sturdy and secure with each step I took. The stylish Kamik Alborg Snow Boots (which come in men’s and women’s sizes) are crafted from waterproof genuine nubuck leather — which is what helped keep my feet warm and dry — and the soles are made of rubber — which is how I stayed stable in icy conditions. Even though the interior is insulated, I would still suggest wearing at least two pairs of thick, wool socks in below-zero temperatures. With this in mind, consider buying one size bigger than usual to accommodate.

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