Packing for cold weather is mostly about layers, dry feet and hands, and a bag you can actually carry. NHS guidance says that to avoid frostbite you should wear several loose layers of clothing with a waterproof outer layer, a hat and scarf, gloves or mittens, and thick socks and boots. The same guidance says you should eat and drink regularly if you are in cold conditions for long periods.
Key facts
- Frostbite can happen when skin is exposed to temperatures of 0C (32F) or below.
- The body parts most often affected are the fingers, toes, nose and ears.
- To help avoid frostbite, wear several loose layers with a waterproof outer layer, a hat and scarf, gloves or mittens, and thick socks and boots.
- Hypothermia is a dangerous drop in body temperature below 35C and is a medical emergency that needs to be treated in hospital.
- Eat and drink regularly if you are in cold conditions for long periods.
- Check your airline's baggage rules before you fly. The sources here do not give airline baggage limits.
Who this affects
Anyone travelling to a cold destination, or to a place where temperatures can fall to 0C (32F) or below. NHS guidance says you can get frostbite if your skin is exposed to temperatures of 0C (32F) or below. The parts of the body most often affected are the fingers, toes, nose and ears.
It also matters if you will be outside for long periods, if you may get wet, or if you are travelling with children or older people. NHS guidance on hypothermia says you can get hypothermia if you do not wear enough clothes in cold weather, stay out in the cold too long, fall into cold water, have wet clothes and get cold, or live in a cold house. Older people living alone are particularly at risk.
What to pack, step by step
- Start with loose layers. NHS guidance for avoiding frostbite says to wear several loose layers of clothing. Loose layers trap air and are easier to add or remove than one thick item.
- Add a waterproof outer layer. The same guidance says the outer layer should be waterproof. This matters if you may be in rain, snow or wet conditions.
- Protect your head, neck and face. NHS guidance says to wear a hat and scarf to protect your head, neck and face.
- Protect your hands. NHS guidance says to wear gloves or mittens to protect your hands and fingers.
- Protect your feet. NHS guidance says to wear thick socks and boots to protect your feet and toes.
- Plan to eat and drink regularly. NHS guidance says it is important to eat and drink regularly if you are in cold conditions for long periods.
- Check your airline's baggage rules. The sources here do not give airline baggage limits, so check your airline's own page before you pack.
Costs and timing
The sources here do not give prices for cold-weather clothing, footwear or bags, and they do not give airline baggage fees or size limits. Treat any cost figure you see elsewhere as unconfirmed unless it comes from the airline or the seller.
On timing, the practical point from NHS guidance is that cold-weather protection is about what you wear while you are out in the cold, not only what you pack. If you are in cold conditions for long periods, eat and drink regularly. If you are travelling with children, older people or anyone who may struggle to stay warm, plan the layers before you leave.
Exceptions and higher-risk situations
Some situations need more care than a standard cold-weather trip.
- Wet clothes. NHS guidance on hypothermia lists wet clothes and getting cold as a cause of hypothermia.
- Falling into cold water. NHS guidance lists falling into cold water as a cause of hypothermia.
- Long periods outdoors. NHS guidance says staying out in the cold too long is a cause of hypothermia.
- Not enough clothing. NHS guidance says you can get hypothermia if you do not wear enough clothes in cold weather.
- Older people living alone. NHS guidance says older people living alone are particularly at risk of hypothermia.
- Babies. NHS guidance says a baby with hypothermia may be cold to touch, floppy, unusually quiet and sleepy, and may refuse to feed.
Hypothermia is a medical emergency. NHS guidance says to go to A&E or call 999 if you think you or your child have hypothermia. Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance. Bring any medicines you take with you.
For frostbite, NHS guidance says to call 999 or go to A&E if you have been exposed to very cold temperatures and have hard, frozen skin, swelling and loss of feeling in the affected area, blisters filled with blood or a clear or milky fluid, or you are constantly shivering, have slurred speech, slow breathing and are tired and confused.
What is not yet confirmed
The sources here do not confirm airline baggage limits, cabin bag sizes, checked bag weights or fees. They also do not confirm any specific cold-weather clothing brand, price or technical rating. For those details, use the airline's own page and the seller's own product information.
The NHS frostbite page shows it was last reviewed on 09 June 2025 and is next due for review on 09 June 2028. The NHS hypothermia page shows it was last reviewed on 09 June 2023 and is next due for review on 09 June 2026. Check the NHS pages for the current version before you travel.
Before you go
- Check the NHS frostbite and hypothermia pages for the latest advice.
- Check your airline's baggage rules on the airline's own site.
- Pack loose layers, a waterproof outer layer, a hat, a scarf, gloves or mittens, thick socks and boots.
- Plan to eat and drink regularly if you will be in cold conditions for long periods.
- If you have a health condition, ask a doctor, pharmacist or travel clinic about your own situation, ideally weeks before travelling.
What should I wear to avoid frostbite?
NHS guidance says to help avoid frostbite you should wear several loose layers of clothing with a waterproof outer layer, a hat and scarf to protect your head, neck and face, gloves or mittens to protect your hands and fingers, and thick socks and boots to protect your feet and toes. It also says to eat and drink regularly if you are in cold conditions for long periods.
At what temperature can I get frostbite?
NHS guidance says you can get frostbite if your skin is exposed to temperatures of 0C (32F) or below. The parts of the body most often affected are the fingers, toes, nose and ears.
What are the signs of hypothermia?
NHS guidance lists shivering, pale, cold and dry skin, slurred speech, slow breathing, and tiredness or confusion. It says skin and lips may turn blue or grey, and on black or brown skin this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet.
What should I do if I think someone has hypothermia?
NHS guidance says to move the person indoors or somewhere sheltered as quickly as possible, remove any wet clothing, wrap them in a blanket, sleeping bag or dry towel with their head covered, give them a warm non-alcoholic drink and some sugary food like chocolate if they are fully awake, keep them awake by talking to them until help arrives, and make sure someone stays with them. It says not to use a hot bath, hot water bottle or heat lamp, not to rub their arms, legs, feet or hands, and not to give them alcohol.
Does this guide cover airline baggage limits?
No. The sources here do not give airline baggage limits, cabin bag sizes, checked bag weights or fees. Check your airline's own page for those rules before you pack.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Ask a doctor, pharmacist or travel clinic about your own situation, ideally weeks before travelling.
Sources
- NHS — Frostbite (checked October 16, 2026)
- NHS — Hypothermia (checked October 16, 2026)
About the author
Bookskies Editorial TeamBookskies uses AI for drafts and translations. This organizational byline does not identify a named expert or certify a human review. Check the guide’s sources and documented review status before relying on time-sensitive claims.