Cheryl Nelson is an award-winning TV Host, Meteorologist, CBM, and Lifestyle and Travel Expert. She has been featured on Travel & Leisure, Fox News, CNBC, KTLA, The Washington Post. and many other media outlets. As the founder of the website PreparewithCher.com, she offers tips on a variety of topics, including travel preparedness.
I interviewed her and she gave me some fabulous winter packing tips that you will love.
Watch Cheryl Nelson talk about traveling in winter and her tips to travel light.
Click on the video player below.
I have included a summary of the winter packing tips she offered below:
Cheryl wanted to be a broadcast meteorologist since she was 9 years old as she loved everything to do with the weather. She is also passionate about travel and has visited all 50 states and 35 different countries. Putting both of her passions together, she offers tips to others with similar interests.
Winter is a physical sport, especially for those of us who are older
I asked Cheryl what she recommends bringing along on trips to travel as lightly as possible.
She suggests packing clothing that can be layered and is lightweight. Leave your boxy sweaters and sweatshirts at home. Thermal clothing is light and has odor-reducing qualities. You can wear it multiple times without offending anyone.
Wear your heavy boots and carry your coat on the plane so they don’t take up room in your suitcase. Fleece items and packable down jackets are light and easy to squish into small bags or containers. She also recommends Merino wool and silk clothing items that are also lightweight and will keep you warm.
Reuse as many clothing items as you can by mixing and matching different layers from your capsule wardrobe. If you travel to various locations, change them up so you don’t have the exact same outfit on when you shoot photos and put them on Instagram.
What Cheryl recommends leaving at home when you’re traveling during winter
In addition to nixing bulky sweaters and sweatshirts, don’t bring too many shoes because they will fill up your suitcase. Take only 1-2 extra pairs of comfortable walking shoes with you in addition to the boots you wear on the plane. You can always buy a pair wherever you are if you need them. Pack your socks or underwear in your shoes to save space.
I’ve stumbled upon a cool website about socks that I want to share with you. It’s called Discover ‘The Thread’—Your Ultimate Guide to All Things Socks! I recently partnered with Chrissy’s Socks to explore their blog, “The Thread,” and it’s a treasure trove of sock wisdom! From the history of socks to the latest fashion trends, they’ve got it all covered. Here’s What Caught My Eye and what is most relevant to this post about packing: Best Socks for Travel.
Bring only one neutral purse with you that you can wear with everything.
If you are a skier or participate in other sports, leave your equipment at home, and rent it at your destination instead. Some venues even rent snow pants which will save you tons of space.
It’s always a good idea to pack hand warmers, leg warmers, and a few scarves if you are traveling in cold climates.
How to pack and organize clothing items while traveling
Cheryl loves packing cubes because you can separate items such as pants, tops, etc., so they are easy to find. That way you aren’t digging through your suitcase like a cat in a litter box.
Another way to pack is to roll your clothes. This also makes it easier to find things. Use compression bags to save space if you bring sweaters or other bulky items. They work with a vacuum seal to remove air from the bag to save space.
I mentioned that it’s a good idea to bring easy-to-dry underwear so they don’t stay wet after you rinse them out. Synthetic panties will dry out in minutes, unlike cotton ones.
Cheryl suggests that you wash new clothing before you wear them as they often have chemicals in them that you could be sensitive to. She likes to use Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin Free and Clear. It’s gentle and you can bring some along when you are traveling in small bottles so you can wash out items in the sink.
What to bring if you are traveling in winter from a cold climate to a warm one
As a meteorologist, Cheryl always checks the weather forecast before traveling to a warm destination because it might turn cold. Always bring a rain jacket and umbrella just in case. Dress in layers so you can peel them off during the day if it gets warm.
Bring sunscreen and sunglasses wherever you travel because you can get sunburned any time of year including in the snow. You may also want to pack a swimsuit and flip-flops so you don’t walk around barefoot.
What to wear to look chic while traveling during the winter
A scarf can dress up any outfit and can be either thick or thin. Pack several in different colors and patterns. Cheryl also enjoys wearing boot cuffs. They can make it look like you are wearing different shoes without having to bring extra pairs.
Black, white, and neutral colors always look chic. Faux fur, faux leather gloves, and boots will give you an edge. Real fur is not acceptable in places like Los Angeles unless you want to get egged, so avoid bringing it. (my suggestion).
A large pair of fun earrings can also be stylish.
Please visit Cheryl’s website PreparewithCher.com for outstanding tips on how to deal with weather, natural disasters, and family preparedness.
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