Hello Reader,

We love winter. We crave snow and cold weather and yearn for hot mulled cider and a crackling fire. We love frolicking in the snow just as much as some folks love laying on a beach, but we've learned to pack carefully to prepare for the cold.

Here are our favorite, field-tested essentials for winter travel:

• Travel-Friendly Winter Boots: A waterproof, thermal-insulting boot with flexible soles comfortable enough to walk in all day and can be stuffed into a suitcase is an absolute must-have, but not easy to find. I found 2! My favorites are the Xero Mika boot for every day, and I also love the Tracker winter boots, which are more rugged and fit for hiking in the snow. For men, Jeremy loves his Xero Denver Boots, which are super insulated and comfortable enough to hike or walk long distances in.
• ​Merino Wool Base Layer: Soft, lightweight, not-itchy-at-all merino wool is the ideal winter fabric. It stays warm even when wet and it's naturally antibacterial, perfect for wearing every day without needing a wash! A wool base layer is basically long underwear except made of soft, super-luxurious wool instead of cheap polyester. We buy ours from Smartwool, which has high-quality, long-lasting wool base layers (and plus sizes!).​
• Packable Down Jacket: A lightweight, travel-friendly packable down jacket will keep you warm even on frigid days, but without all the bulk of a big heavy jacket! They squish down into a tiny ball and weigh almost nothing. We love REI's down jackets - they're budget-friendly and made to last. Here's their women's jacket and men's jacket.

Stocking up on cold weather essentials for yourself or for a loved one? Our winter packing guide has everything you will need to stay toasty on your next winter adventure. We also pulled everything together into a handy shoppable Amazon list.

We'll be in touch a few more times with our favorite gift suggestions for everyone on your list. If you'd rather opt out from hearing about our shopping suggestions while still staying subscribed to our monthly newsletters, feel free to click here.​

We'll be in touch soon! Happy shopping,