What I Packed for 5 Days in Tromsø in January

If you’re wondering what to pack for Tromsø in winter, this is the packing list I wish I had before my trip.

The packing list I wish I had before my trip.

I had been thinking about writing this packing list for Tromsø in winter (basically from November to February) for quite a long time before actually sitting down to write it.

The reason is simple: before our trip, I spent way too much time worrying about what to pack.

I carefully filled my 10 kg suitcase with cozy hoodies, sweaters, hats, gloves and scarves, convinced I would need every single one of them.Then I arrived in Norway and quickly learned a phrase that Norwegians love:

“Det finnes ikke dårlig vær, bare dårlige klær.”

In English: There is no bad weather, only bad clothing.

And honestly?

They are completely right.

I visited Tromsø in January, experienced temperatures down to -25°C, went whale watching, dog sledding and Northern Lights hunting somewhere near the Finnish border, and quickly learned what was actually worth packing and what stayed in my suitcase. And I write everything about the activities in the article here. 

Nobody is going to notice your cute new sweater.

Not even you.

You’ll be wearing layers and your winter coat pretty much all the time.

And that’s perfectly fine.

Since I live in Norway, I didn’t need an eSIM for this trip. However, if you’re visiting Tromsø from outside Europe, having an eSIM set up before arrival can make things much easier. I personally use Airalo when travelling to destinations where roaming charges apply.

Start with the layers

The most important thing you need is a proper layering system.

Base Layer: Merino Wool

This is the layer that will keep you warm, comfortable and dry.

Merino wool regulates temperature incredibly well and helps prevent sweating, which is exactly what you want in Arctic conditions.

There are plenty of merino wool brands, but both I and most Norwegians seem to trust Devold. You can fint it here for pants and here for the shirt.

You’ll find different thicknesses like 210, 235 and more. I bought the 235 version, which sits somewhere in the middle, and I found it more than warm enough.

One thing I love about merino wool is that it doesn’t need frequent washing. You can wear it multiple times without it smelling, which honestly feels like magic.

Mid Layer: Fleece or Sweater

For your second layer, you just need something warm.

A fleece works perfectly, but any warm sweater will do. I have these from HH.

For pants, I simply wore my hiking pants form Fjällräven as my second layer when needed.

Outer Layer: Water & Wind proof

Your outer layer is what protects you from the elements.

You need:

A good down jacket ideally something waterproof as well. I have mine 3 years already. It similar to that here.

Snow pants (yes, ski pants!)

And this is exactly why I spent so much time wondering whether I should pack ski pants.

The answer?

For the activities I did: absolutely yes.

During whale watching, Northern Lights tours, and spending hours outside in snowy conditions, I practically lived in my ski pants. Most days I wore only my thermal leggings underneath and ski pants on top.

It might sound excessive, but trust me, it wasn’t.

Don’t Forget These

what to pack for tromsø

Merino Wool Socks
A must. I got these from Amazon.

Neck Gaiter or Head Scarf
Also merino wool if possible like these.

Good Gloves
My personal favourite brand is Hestra.
I personally have these from Amazon.

And trust me, you need proper gloves.If you’re choosing between regular gloves and mittens, I would recommend mittens. Keeping your fingers together helps retain much more heat.

Face Covering
I almost left my fleece face covering at home and packed it at the last minute.It ended up being one of the best decisions I made, especially during whale watching when the wind felt absolutely brutal.

What About Shoes?

Honestly, I think people overcomplicate this.

I had heard so many recommendations about insulated winter boots and heavy-duty Arctic footwear that I expected I would need all of that.In reality, a good pair of Salomon hiking shoes combined with quality merino wool socks was completely enough for me. I personally own these.

Now, if you’re someone who gets cold very easily, then insulated winter boots might still be worth it.

But for the average traveller, I don’t think they’re essential.

Things I Packed but Never Wore

I packed:

And honestly?

barely touched any of them.

Most of the time I was either outside doing activities or layering up for the cold.

Looking back, I could have packed much less and still been perfectly comfortable.

If there’s one thing I’d tell anyone visiting Tromsø in winter, it’s this:

Invest in good layers, not more clothes.