The Weather, Clothing and Light Packing

Two light layers generally are warmer than one heavy which is harder to pack. We don't vary much. We always have a long sleeve and light wool sweater in addition to a good rain jacket/wind breaker so we can add layers as needed or remove. Light weight long underwear under a light weight pants works well without having to add a heavier pair of pants.

You may not need that much 'heavy' stuff - especially for Ireland. As mentioned above, layers work best. A T-shirt, then a long sleeve button up and a light sweater and/or jacket will probably do you for almost anywhere that time of year. I would be sure the jacket is waterproof and wind resistant, though. A hood is also better than an umbrella in my experience (though I usually take the umbrella even though my jacket has a hood). As for pants, I've found that cotton blend pants (Dockers types) will take me through almost anything. I don't use long underwear, but will take 1 pair of panty hose to add in REALLY cold weather. Hubby uses the long underwear, though because he is very cold sensitive. Jeans are good, too, but they do weigh more and take longer to dry.

From British Columbia, so I have some tolerance to cold. Thanks for the info

I'd also go for lighter layers, one of which is a water proof rain shell. Ireland, and Amsterdam can get rain anytime (I haven't been to Brugges, it may also be prone to rainy days). August-September is a good time to be in the mountains. Weather can change quickly, however, wear the number of layers you need, then shed them when it warms up.

While you may not get away with a t-shirt( especially in the evenings), packing according to Rick's Packing List should still be okay, although I'd bring both a lightweight sweater and fleece jacket( or equivalent). I've travelled to Prague, Switzerland, Amsterdam, and Germany during the time period you intend to travel and was perfectly comfortable with the above referenced arrangement. During the day it can be quite warm in all those locations. I've been to the top of Jungfrau ( around 11,000' ) in Switzerland late September, and although it was covered in snow and 2 Celcius( about 35 F ), I wore a longsleeve shirt, lightweight wool sweater, and windproof fleece jacket and was fine. I've also travelled in November ( Wales, England, France) and still used the referenced packing list, with one change..I brought a lined Fall weather jacket ( not a heavy winter coat) as well as the aforementioned sweater and again was quite comfortable... Oh, and I always carry a lightweight rain jacket as well whenever I travel ( LL Bean Stowaway rain jacket)
Long story short....for the most part it will be warm during the day, and you'll possibly need a sweater or jacket on in the evenings...

We were in Switzerland around Oct1-3 last trip - I had made sure to take a heavier-type hoodie and had my husband take his jacket with the zip out fleece vest - not needed AT ALL - I was surprised by the warmth up in Murren, but we were lucky enough to have some beautiful sunny days - someone hosting us took us on a hike outside of Bern - I could have stripped down to a tank to, I was so warm, but they were all zipped up in jackets, so I guess it's what your tolerence is for coolish weather...

Hello, we frequent Mountain Equipment Co-op here in Toronto quite a bit, and I recently noticed that they have thin long sleeve shirts with a Merino wool in them that tends to breath well, as well as being warm without the itching. They wash up great too. They also have light, waterproof outer-shell jackets that are very versatile. Some of these items are on discount right now as they are moving into their summer line. Just a thought, I know they have MEC out in BC. Might want to have a look. Happy Travels, Enjoy.