Packing for autumn: You checklist for the season of unpredictable weather

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Go for variety and layers

Unsurprisingly, variety is key when you’re packing for autumn.

That means having warmer clothing for cooler weather alongside more summery stuff for those hot days.

You’ll also want clothes that you can layer easily so you can take stuff off when it gets hot and put them back on when it cools down. Leave anything thick and bulky at home.

A good example of what to bring might be a light jumper or jacket to go over a t-shirt or long sleeved top.

And for bottoms, I like trousers made from a breathable, thermo-regulating fabric like linen or a pair of loose-fitting jeans made from a thinner denim.

I love the Linen Shop at M&S* because you can pick up items year-round and everything’s reasonably priced.

The other key thing to work out is how many of each item you pack – more on that below.

Think about waterproofing

Weather can be really temperamental in autumn, with bright, sunny days switching to thunder and rain with little notice.

Waterproofing, then, should be pretty high up on the list of considerations.

Having an umbrella is always handy, but you should look for one with a vented canopy that will allow wind to pass through it.

I’ve had my Ergonauts travel umbrella* since 2021 and would 100% recommend it.

But for destinations that are notoriously windy, say Norway, you’ll be much better off with a waterproof jacket.

I have one from Columbia* at the moment but there are lots of more affordable options out there.

My guide on where to buy outdoor gear provides a list of recommended retailers for cheap and good quality kit.

Unless you’re doing something active (see below), normal trousers would suffice. But you’ll definitely want shoes that are weather-proof.

I usually just wear waterproof walking shoes but I also have waterproof boots for smarter occasions.

For an all-rounder, Timberland* is a good brand to go for.

They have seriously sturdy footwear that will last for years and many of them are waterproof and stylish enough for restaurants.

Don’t forget waterproofing for your bag, especially if you’re choosing a waterproof jacket over an umbrella.

I swear by my Osprey Ultralight dry stuff pack as it’s lightweight, foldable and waterproof but if you don’t want to change up your existing bag, waterproof bag covers* are available for less than £10.

Pack the right toiletries

You’re probably not in the habit of updating your toiletries for the changing seasons but it’s worth doing.

While the temperature difference might not be as extreme as coming into a heated room from a snow storm, the wind and the rain can still play havoc with your skin.

Packing a richer moisturiser, especially for your hands, can be useful.

You’ll also want a decent lip balm.

Sunscreen will still be important but you might not need as high SPF as summer.

And then there’s insect repellent. In warmer climates, and sometimes cooler ones, mosquitoes and other biting insects will still be around when temperatures drop.

Prepare for cold and flu season

Like it or not, autumn marks the start of the cold and flu season.

You can’t stop people sneezing or coughing around you so it might be useful to pack a mask for crowded spaces.

On some flights, I’ll wear my mask during the boarding process and then take it off once everyone has boarded.

If everyone around me is coughing and sneezing during the flight, I’ll keep it on – it’s happened in the past.

More generally, it’s good to have throat lozenges (I love the ones from Ricola*; the lemon mint* one is my favourite and it’s sugar free), tissues, headache tablets and hand sanitiser ready.

Gearing up for active trips

Most of my trips in autumn are active. The cooler weather coupled with decent daylight hours really lends itself to getting outdoors.

Like city breaks, layering is important – but you need to think more about the function of each layer here.

Your base layer should be breathable and moisture-wicking to keep you comfortable throughout the day.

For cooler temperatures in the morning and evening, you’ll want a lightweight fleece to pull on and take off.

Then over the top of everything, you’ll want a waterproof and windproof jacket with a hood that will keep out the elements.

If you’re going hiking, a good pair of boots might serve you better than walking shoes.

The terrain is more likely to be muddy and slippery at this time of the year, which means a greater chance of spraining your ankle – boots will offer more support than shoes here.

Make sure you double check the lugs. You’ll want decent ones to tackle muddy terrain.

Don’t forget proper walking socks to cushion your feet and a couple of plasters just in case. Compeed’s blister plasters* are the best I’ve tried.

One other thing: autumn means shorter daylight hours.

If you’re doing a longer hike, it’s good to have a head torch* charged and ready. Obviously if your hike isn’t strenuous, the torch on your phone will be good enough.

How much to pack

Alright, let’s talk about how much to pack for a trip in autumn.

It can depend on where you go and what you’re doing of course but for a week-long trip I’d usually pack…

• One to two pairs of trousers/jeans
• Four to seven tops, mixing short and long sleeve options
• One to two lightweight jumpers or fleece tops
• One lightweight jacket, ideally waterproof and windproof
• One to two smart outfits, if needed
• One to two pairs of shoes
• Seven pairs of socks and underwear

I’ve given a range here so you can decide on how light or heavy you want to go.

Tips for packing light

Unlike packing for summer, where everything is pretty lightweight, autumn’s cooler temperatures call for thicker, warmer clothing.

That’s not very helpful if you’re trying to pack light.

There are two things you can do. 

Pick the right fabric

A great way to pack light is to pick clothes made from odour-resistant fabrics like merino wool, bamboo and linen.

You can comfortably get two or three wears out of these if you’re not doing something active like hiking, which means you don’t need to pack as many items.

You could go for polyester and other synthetic fabrics that are quick-drying and often lighter but you’ll probably want to do some laundry mid-trip.

This is because synthetic fabrics tend to cling on to smells and bacteria so they definitely won’t be as fresh on day two.

Pick neutral colours

The other thing to do is to pack clothes in neutral colours.

This way you can mix and match everything easily so it’ll feel like you’ve packed more outfits than you actually have.

My autumn packing list

Below is my packing list for trips in autumn.

Don’t worry too much about packing for every conceivable scenario – if you’ve got your layer-friendly clothes sorted, alongside a waterproof jacket, you’ll be pretty set whatever the weather.

I also have an all-weather packing list that’s a little bit more comprehensive, as well as a separate packing list for cruising that’s geared for life on the water.

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