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What Should I Wear? |
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If you've done a little homework,
you've probably seen or heard this advice a thousand times: dress
in layers. From spring to early fall in Alaska, be prepared for
temperatures in the 50 – 70 degree range, always with the
possibility of a little rain and wind thrown in there. Your best
bet is to dress in layers and bring a backpack—you'll stay
warm and dry when it's chilly or wet, and you can peel off layers
and stow them as the weather changes. For more packing advice, also
see our Alaska Vacation Packing List |
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The inner layer is what we think of as long underwear, such as Capilene from Patagonia, or any other thin material that absorbs moisture from your skin. On a hot day, you can also wear this alone instead of a cotton shirt—it'll dry much more quickly. The only drawback is that some of these materials also absorb odor, so you might consider buying new stuff before coming up. |
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The middle insulating layer could be expedition-weight long underwear, a fleece jacket, or even a sweater. Synthetic materials usually have the edge over wool or cotton because of their lightness and warmth. |
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The outer layer is the one you really need to get right. You want a shell that's waterproof and breathable to stay warm when it's windy and dry when it's rainy. Gore-Tex is probably the most popular material that fills this bill. A jacket with a hood offers a convenient way to preserve heat. |
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Rain or shine, don't worry too much about the weather. Many day tours—flightseeing, cruises, bus tours—offer access to shelter. And while you may spend 2 – 3 hours outdoors hiking, fishing, or rafting, you can generally expect that your tour operator will provide any specialized gear you need. |
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Footwear: We advise against old-fashioned heavy hiking boots. They're heavy, stiff, and can cause blisters. Instead, get yourself a comfortable pair of lightweight hikers with good traction—two pairs, actually, in case one gets wet. Some are made with Gore-Tex, so they're both waterproof and breathable. |
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Sun Protection: Bring a lightweight, brimmed hat for sun and rain, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Interestingly, the intensity of the sun in Alaska on a peak summer day is probably equivalent to a spring day in the Lower 48, because of the lower angle of the sun in the subarctic regions. But due to the long summer days, there are twice as many hours of daylight, so you definitely want to protect your skin. |
| Related articles: Alaska
Vacation Packing List |
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