Packing (obsessively) for 18 night France trip, starts 7 October

I would say no to both the puffy jacket and the fleece. I'd go with one or the other...whichever is lighter (probably the puffy?).

Do you have a waterproof outer layer? I'd want that.

You're taking more unders and socks than I would but they are both light items and you are not going to be in a situation where they are weighing your bag unless you have one of the airlines that does that.

Looks good! Exciting!

Thanks Pam! I figure the underwear and socks are sufficient to get me to Honfleur, where I’ve located a laundromat, and then just a little sink-washing will do me the rest of the way. I can deploy the rain poncho over the puffy coat if needed.

Puffy coat + any small amount of non-frozen precipitation = your formerly-puffy coat is now just a cold, wet rag clinging to you. Both you and your "coat" will remain that way (cold) until you both get dry. That may take a while.

I don't know where you live, but in my experience, many people who come from warm or dry places fail to understand how various kinds of garments actually keep you warm. If your "warm coat" is not 100% waterproof, or if it's not well protected by something else that is 100% waterproof, it'll quickly get soaked when worn out in the rain for more than just a few minutes. When that gets wet, it won't keep you warm (in fact, it'll make you colder). And it may take a very long time to dry out.

Depends on the puffy coat. Is it waterproof, or just a thin nylon container for fluffy insulation? Also depends on the kind of insulation used (some, like traditional down, pretty much instantly fail after just a few raindrops; synthetics stand up better to some moisture, but how well/how long very much depends on the material).

Personally, I'd lose the puffy coat and go with layers and fleece (fleece will keep you somewhat warm even when wet, though maybe not terribly comfortable). I'd also take a hard look at your "rain poncho". How dry are you going to be with that, after a long day out in the rain? Traveling in the fall (or winter or spring) I wouldn't rely on a "poncho" (rain is often accompanied by wind; a traditional "poncho" quickly fails to keep you dry in rainy, windy conditions because it blows up around you). I'd want a good, waterproof jacket (can be a thin shell, its job is to keep you dry; a fleece layer inside is to keep you warm).

Rain happens. Going to France in October, it's a safe bet you'll need to deal with rain at some point (maybe often). You need to be ready for that. Goes for footwear, too.

Ah. Thanks, David. Maybe I ditch the poncho and go with Gortex jacket. It’s heavier than the poncho, but may be worth it.

Oh, if you have a Goretex jacket, that's the gold-standard and an ideal choice. That jacket my weigh a few ounces more than the puffy jacket, but the Goretex will keep you dry, and it'll take up less space in your bag than anything "puffy." Only advantage that the puffy jacket would have is it could double as a pilow in a pinch.

I live in a famously rainy place; our motto around here is "In Goretex We Trust."  A thin, quality Goretex jacket, over fleece (and layers) is the ticket for comfort and success.

👍👍👍

Ok then, I’ll dress like a Seattle-ite(?). Another thing, my Goretex jacket is bright green, so I’m a little self-conscious about it, but it could also protect me from getting run over (?!)

Oh I missed the rain poncho...BUT I agree with David! Go with the Gortex and bright green will make you blend in with the locals, lol!!

Honestly, I used to hike with a rain poncho long ago and far away when I lived in FL but it is just useless in the West and I think it would be useless in France due to the wind....especially on the Normandy coast. The wind and rain will be a cold combo.

I always pack my Marmot rain jacket and add sweaters under it if needed,

Yeah, some of the color choices for serious outdoor garments can be a little....EXTREEEEEEME. (Shrug). Remember, the jacket is for when it's raining, when its dry out (or for a short dash from the bus to a restaurant), you don't need to be walking around France looking like a day-glow bug. But on dark, rainy nights, it could indeed keep you from getting run over (and if you are, the Search-and-Rescue helicopter will quickly find you in your high-visibility gear).

You are dressing for survival and comfort, not so much for fashion. Its a temporary compromise worth making.

Have fun and bon voyage!

I have found Goretex waterproof windbreaker jackets in more subdued colors, i.e. grey, black and burgundy or blue. I wear a fleece vest under them. I also pack a merino wool turtleneck that can be dressed up or down to wear under the vest. I just tried out this survival combination in Alaska where it was 45 degrees in Denali National Park. I ended up adding a lightweight thermal base layer too. Not sure how cold it will be where you're going.

Thanks, y’all are great, as always. When needed, I will wear my bright green jacket proudly!

You don't need a travel towel if you are staying in hotels that provide towels. So that saves space. You do need a washcloth, or even two, because they are not used in France and won't be in hotels. In homes, people use washing gloves (gants), but they are not usually provided in a hotel.

Thanks, Bets. Good reminder that this isn’t camping.

Some great comedy here today. My travel wardrobe includes mismatched sox and neons. I want someone on the bus to say, “Hey, where’s that funny old guy in the fluorescent orange jacket?” Want to see what the locals are wearing? Head to Barnes & Noble’s magazine section and find some of the travel issues for Europe. We all dress pretty much the same everywhere these days.

You got great advice,from Pam and David and you can double check your current and revised list against dozens of weather-specific packing lists out in the web. Just me, of course, I’d ditch the camera outfit and get a tiny point’n’shoot (and I’m a retired photographer).

Try not to be obsessed so much as objective and ruthless but cut yourself some slack, too. Aanything you forget can be most certainly be obtained in country.

Enjoy your trip.

Your Goretex is fine, and what you need for October.

This is a bunch of bunk (a dress code for museums ??!! 🤣🤣🤣)

Do bring a tie for sit-down restaurants. You will not get in if you do not have a dress shirt and tie on, and maybe even a thin sweater over top, especially if you are elderly. All of these should be coordinating dark colors that don't clash at all, even if you are wearing everything in your pack that night. Also, museums require this form of dress also. Yes, some museums in Paris have a bit of a "dress code."

Thanks, bogiesan and Kim.

Inbsig, just curious, are you a man or woman?

Why 3 pairs of pants, all black? All this concern about staying dry with your jacket, if your cotton pants get wet, you will be cold. And they will be heavy and hard to dry.

Is your puffy jacket insulated with down or synthetic fill? The latter will still be warm even when wet. But nothing beats the warmth of down. Lots of people hike with down; they just need to take care to keep it dry. Only you know your own body. If you get cold easily, pack the puffer. Personally, I am ok with a Goretex shell and a fleece. Secret is to wear a toque when it is really cold (I'm CDN).

Can you really see yourself carrying more than a week's worth of smelly socks and underwear. I wash those items every one or two nights. I never carry dirty clothes in my pack. Those items usually dry over night. If not, 30 seconds with a hair dryer in the morning and my cotton socks are crispy dry. I usually wear one and carry three.

I would add some more tops. I never like looking at my photos and seeing me in the same shirt in almost all of the photos. I am a t-shirt guy, but a couple of collared shirts, even golf shirts, are better for nicer restaurants. Lately, I have been wearing arm sleeves with short sleeve shirts. Google Russell Westbrook and you can see what I mean. I have been wearing them for UV protection and not wanting to slap on sunscreen. I plan to bring them with me to Spain in November. It gives a t-shirt or golf shirt a differnt look and they will give some warmth during cold evenings in Madrid. You can peel them off at any time and put them in your pocket.

Do you carry a smartphone? If so get a sim with data and use Google Translate, and you can ditch the phrase book. You can even download the French translator and use it offline if you don't have data. You can have a reasonable conversation with another person using Google Translate. Just be aware that the whole transcript probably gets recorded by Google.

Thanks, AMann. So good to hear about all the picnicking. I’m really looking forward to the Paris parks, particularly the Jardin Luxembourg, the Jardin des Plantes, and the Parc Monceau.

Oh, I thought of something else with AMann's post about picnics. I love to picnic in Paris parks BUT sometimes the benches are either wet from rain or nasty with bird poop or tree sap. I took along a plastic bag from Trader Joes last spring for my trip. And following the obsessive theme...packed it in a ziplock bag. It worked really well for wet benches and one day the ONLY bench was bird poop covered (in a small pocket part in the Marais which is a favorite place to land after picking up falafel on Rue des Rosiers. The plastic bag was perfect! Even if your jacket covers your behind you probably don't want to soil it with bird poo!

I had a LOT of excellent advice on a thread about the topic from really, really cute oil cloth to a very cool plastic shopping bag from Ross Dress for Less (had Eiffel tower on it, lol!!) and other really good suggestions. I went with this plastic bag for it's being light weight and folding up the smallest.

Thanks for the reminder, Pam. I remember that thread about park seating - in fact, I invoked some E.M. Forster in it. I’ll check my bag collection for something suitable. (Oh, and… yay Andrew!).

"I invoked some E.M. Forster in it. I’ll check my bag collection for something suitable."

I'd forgotten that, lol!

"(Oh, and… yay Andrew!)".

Indeed....

VERY fun post, thanks everyone.

• No mention of shoes so wanted to ask if you've walked miles in bad weather in whatever you're taking along? Great walking shoes are a must. My Swedish H & I wear our hiking boots no matter where we travel in Europe, our feet ache after all the museums & cobblestones. You can take a second pair of lighter weight shoes for evenings out & there's lots of info here - community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/best-travel-shoes. Example - https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/best-travel-shoes/new-men-s-walking-shoe-needed. And switch out some cotton for smart wool socks.
• IF and only if you’re planning on a Michelin star restaurant, you will want to add a tie & long sleeved dress shirt, but I agree with others a few long sleeved shirts with collars are a good idea.
• Maybe take a small TSA compliant amount of toothpaste & mouthwash, it's no fun going shopping after landing with jet lag.
• Intrigued by the idea Paris museums have a dress code, so I looked it up. Footwear are required & no swimsuits! HA https://www.tickets-paris.fr/louvre-museum/rules-and-regulations/
• About that green Gore tex jacket - Is it still waterproof? Here's an interesting link I used try to improve mine. https://www.gore-tex.com/node/19751. I was stopped here in Sweden yesterday by an elderly woman who admired my bright blue Marmot jacket, so agreed don't worry about the color.
• I would take fewer cotton pants & add a pair of black, non-cotton pants that won't get soaked as quickly in a downpour, also nicer for dining.
• When you say puffer jacket, wondered if you meant something like a lightweight Uniqlo jacket, which would be my choice over the fleece.
• Sorry to add to your list, but a wool cap & lightweight gloves take up hardly any room & you may be glad you brought them.

Thanks, Sandancisco, I’m glad you brought up shoes. I’m still debating that a bit, but will take your suggestions under advisement. BTW, I am female, so ties and dress shirts are not in the mix, plus I don’t plan on fine dining. Picnicking is a much stronger possibility. EDIT: not that women can’t wear ties - not saying that - but I don’t.

HA! Sorry, somehow I missed that. Picnics are great, though I do love those little bistros. Well then, I carry OOFOS sandals for hotel rooms, hiking boots & ancient black slip ons if I'm feeling dressy. Add a black or grey cashmere scarf because it weighs nothing. Weirdly, I also hang everything where I can see it a week before a trip, gives me time to scrutinize it before packing. And ENJOY!! Sounds like you're more than adequately prepared.