Travels North :: Northern / Arctic Directory

Your choices for what you choose to bring on an Arctic trip depends on your style of travel, your budget, the time of year, and your anticipated activities. If you're traveling independently, you'll likely need to bring more than someone on an organized tour.

Some Arctic locations, like Inuvik or Tuktoyaktuk, permit travel with your own vehicle. In addition to cash, traveler's checks and visa/passport information, almost everyone — unless you're staying in hotels and eating in restaurants every night — will need to bring a sleeping bag, water bottles, toiletries, matches, maps, reading material, and a light. Given the variety of weather possibilities, warm layered clothing is essential any time of year.

Summer Arctic Travel Clothing

» Windproof/waterproof shell jacket (with hood)
» Windproof/waterproof shell pants
» Sturdy hiking shoes
» Thick wool and/or fleece insulating sweater or pullover
» Wool and/or fleece pants (cotton kills when wet- no jeans!)
» Wicking synthetic t-shirts
» Quick-dry nylon hiking shorts
» Thermal underwear (polypropylene or similar material)
» Several pairs of thick polypro and/or wool socks
» Heavy wind and waterproof gloves
» UV protective sunglasses

Summer Arctic Travel Outdoor Equipment

» Sleeping Bag, pref. synthetic with -20 temp rating
» Sturdy, easy to use freestanding tent pref. with vestibule & ground sheet
» Light multi-fuel cookstove with wind protection
» Cooking pots and utensils
» Detailed topographical maps
» Swiss Army Knife or Leatherman
» Water purification tablets and/or filtration devices
» Compass with magnetic declination figures
» GPS
» First aid kit
» Light weight backpack for daytrips or full backpack for overnight hiking trips
» Plastic bags or ziplocs to keep things dry
» Insect repellent (Lemongrass and DEET-based)

Spring/Fall/Winter Arctic Travel Clothing

» Windproof/waterproof shell jacket (with hood)
» Windproof/waterproof shell pants
» Arctic parka rated to -40 from -60 Arctic bib insulated pants rated from -40 to -60
» Sturdy hiking shoes
» Duffel pack boots rated to 40-60 below
» Thick wool and/or fleece insulating sweater or pullover
» Wool and/or fleece pants (cotton kills when wet- no jeans!)
» Wicking synthetic t-shirts
» Quick-dry nylon hiking shorts
» Thermal underwear (polypropylene or similar material)
» Several pairs of thick polypro and/or wool socks
» Thin polypro liner socks
» Heavy wind and waterproof gloves
» UV protective sunglasses
» Ski goggles
» Windproof face mask

Spring/Fall/Winter Arctic Travel Outdoor Equipment

» Sleeping Bag, pref. synthetic with -40 to -60 temp rating
» Sturdy expedition tent pref. with vestibule & ground sheet
» Multi-fuel cookstove with wind protection
» Cooking pots and utensils
» Detailed topographical maps
» Swiss Army Knife or Leatherman
» Water purification tablets and/or filtration devices
» Compass with magnetic declination figures
» GPS
» First aid kit
» Light weight backpack for daytrips or expedition backpack for overnight hiking trips
» Plastic bags or ziplocs to keep things dry

Please remember that having good gear and supplies alone will not protect you against the harsh conditions sometimes encountered in the arctic. Learn everything you can about the north and arctic survival, or hire a competent guide.