Winter may seem like a wonderful break from the weather back home, but make sure to pack these four accessories so your experience will be more chill and less frozen on your next trip.
With the upcoming holidays and tons of vacation leave for those who worked the whole year, December can mean indulging in travel somewhere fun and chill. This is the perfect time for those who may want to experience winter outside the country—be it a romantic destination or a white Christmas away from home.
Since winter means you can’t pack light, here are some must-haves in your luggage
Thermal innerwear
While we may not love the weather in the Philippines and assume that the cold wouldn’t bother us, first-time travelers during the winter season have to come prepared.
Sometimes, fatigue can make the weather feel worse. For those who love to get their 20,000 steps in every day while on vacation, there’s a higher chance of fatigue and sleep changes happening during the trip. The less energy the body has, the slower metabolism occurs—and the less heat your body generates.
It’s best to come ready with extra layers to warm you up. Thermal wear can do wonders, providing heat even without doubling up too much on clothing. You can even choose the extent of warmth you need and the innerwear option.
Luckily, brands like Uniqlo are currently holding the last leg of their Thank You Festival 2025 sale. Heattech wear is at its lowest price, so you may want to grab a few before heading off to your next trip.
Take advantage of the last day of Uniqlo’s 2025 Thank You Festival sale.
Shoe options
When people think of winter, it’s easy to picture chunky, insulated boots for walking. While a good pair of winter boots go a long way, it’s good to consider budget, frequency of usage, and travel plans.
Unless your winter trip involves hiking and trekking vast snow plains—think Iceland’s expanse beyond its Reykjavik capital or snowboarding in Hokkaido—you may want to consider options that are already in your closet. Waterproof shoes with a good outsole grip work wonders when paired with thermal socks.
For winter trips with minimal snow and slip, leather shoes may actually do the trick. Leather provides good enough insulation, especially if you have other thermal apparel on.
Pro-tip: always bring at least two pairs on a trip, unless you’re looking to buy that other pair on vacation.
Thick scarves
If you want a versatile accessory that you can use for the entirety of a winter trip, it would have to be thick scarves.
During your outside stroll, scarves not only protect your neck from the cold—you can also use them as makeshift beanies or hoodies in case your jacket does not have one. This protects your neck and ears from the cold.
When inside your hotel or rest space, thick scarves provide an easy warm layer if you need to make that quick trip to the konbini at night without having to dress up in full gear.
Have more space in your bag? Bring two or three of these and mix and match with your daily outfit. If you usually zip your jacket, try a scarf to brighten your outfit and look different in photos.
Masks
The pandemic may be over, but you may actually make good use of those leftover masks, especially those with cute designs to match your OOTDs. In countries where the cold air has more bite when the wind blows, masks can actually help you feel less cold. Keep them handy in your bag or pocket, especially beyond sunset.
So even when you’re out for a nightly stroll and the chilly wind gets stronger, just whip out that mask and continue walking on. There’s no need to quickly stop inside a store to warm up.
While we may not love the weather in the Philippines and assume that the cold wouldn’t bother us, first-time travelers during the winter season have to come prepared.
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