Packing light for cooler weather

I would pack one more short sleeve shirt and have a LS one ready to go in case the forecast says it will be cooler. I have only been in June and it was a heatwave, lol. We were prepared for cool and got warm.

IF you purchase sweaters just buy a suitcase at the end of your trip in Dublin. The sweaters, while beautiful, are so heavy you might want to evaluate if you'll wear them, depending on where you live! Even for myself, living in Idaho, I knew they would be too hot for me!

I just pull my waterproof pants on over whatever pants I'm wearing for the day. I'd not take something specific to wear under them. Mine go over my jeans although I didn't know what I was doing when I bought them and did not get the kind with zippers in the legs so have to take off my shoes to get them on.

When we did our Ireland tour it was in June. There had been a heatwave in May but we were chilly and frequently wet. My go-to is a silk long sleeve tee (Qunice) that I can wear under any and all shirts, and then I’d add one short sleeve shirt. I used to bring silk long underwear bottoms but now I bring some kind of leggings (my favorite are Zella) that I can either wear under pants or, in a pinch, as pants with a top that will cover my tush. I went with this plan even last year during our month-long May trip and was so thankful. The silk top and leggings all wash easily.

Your puffer vest is something I wished I’d had during last year’s travels. I could have bought one in Spain but kept thinking the weather would turn - it didn’t. One thing I am now experimenting with is a longer jacket - too many wet thighs. In the past I’ve taken those throw away cheap ponchos but I think this year I’m going to go with the Quince Weatherproof Long rain shell jacket. We had enough rain this week to check out and make sure it is waterproof.

Have a great trip and I’d stick with the small suitcase

Merino ( note spelling) has been a lifesaver for us when traveling in locations with much different weather. Look at REI, Smartwool and LL Bean for Merino clothing at different price points. These brands have meeino house brands which are less expensive. We have been in the arctic regions on the same trip as warm regions and Merino saved us from packing bulky clothing for the cooler areas.

Since you're from Ithaca I doubt you'll find the weather in Ireland to be much of a challenge in May. Definitely skip the wool leggings. Depending on how much time you think you'll be outside without a chance to dry off get a pair of lightweight packable rain pants. But I've never needed them when wearing quick dry hiking pants. I would think your EMS/REI travel pants are probably similar to my Columbia/Prana hiking pants. I'd probably opt for another merino T-shirt and another button up overshirt. If you get a packable SPF/sun shirt like the ones at REI and EMS that should be lightweight, packable and quick dry. Check out REI outlet, Sierra.com, LL Bean, Lands End and Eddie Bauer to find reasonably priced items.

Edit to add: I usually pack a packable 30 liter duffel bag in case of souvenirs. It would probably be perfect if you ended up buying a couple of Irish wool sweaters. Just be aware that there is a huge difference in the quality and thickness of sweaters. You definitely pay for what you get. Some "Irish" sweaters are actually machine made, some are poly/wool blend, some are cotton.

Just go ahead and check a larger bag. If it's on wheels it will be a minor difference from pulling a carryon around. Find some way to strap them together to help manage. The advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

First, as you get close, I would check the weather to make sure they’re not experiencing a heat wave. I take more shirts than 3, more like 5 but I get tired of wearing the same shirt day after day. For Ireland I took a lighter weight merino sweater and several long sleeve Patagonia capilene shirts to layer along with a puffy vest. I also took two pair of waterproof shoes and rain pants and glad I did because in July of 2023, it rained hard, not the “soft rain” that’s more common. If you don’t have room to stuff in the rain pants, hiking pants that have a DWR finish will probably work if you have a longer raincoat. People that had on jeans were miserable the day our tour visited the falconry in the rain. As for buying Irish Sweaters, some of the shops we found ship free with purchase because they’re such a big tourist item.

I am also traveling to Ireland in May. I would not hesitate to check a larger suitcase if it will help you be better prepared. Getting to and from the train stations should be about the same effort, assuming your suitcase has wheels.

Looking at your packing list, I would not be warm enough. I prefer a full down/puffer jacket to a vest as is offers more coverage.

I would want a warmer pair of pants, like jeans, or definitely long johns/leggings to wear under your lighter pants.

I did purchase a pair of cheap rain pants for my trip:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08W1MV593/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1

For shirts, I would do a final check of the weather the day before you leave. If the weather is trending warm, add in a couple of short sleave shirts. If the weather is looking cooler, I would take mostly long sleeve shirts.

If you can’t count on laundry, I would want at least 4 long sleeve and 2 short sleeve shirts. Again, adjusting if needed based on your final check of the weather.

I would also want an ear warmer. Something like this

https://www.rei.com/product/784558/smartwool-merino-250-reversible-headband

Or a scarf you can wrap around your head if it’s windy.

I would not take a second pair of shoes.

Your entire ensemble sounds fine. If you want to go light less bulky, drop the fleece. We were hiking 6 days inn to inn in Ireland last September. Out in the weather every day with no recourse to shelter when hiking. We were on the wild western way, Inishmor and Connemara. Wore long sleeve over short sleeve under rain jacket for wind and rain. Rain pants also, if needed. Many times, did not need jacket. Buff to keep neck warm. Hiking pants. Non waterproof low hiking shoes. This is, in fact, my traditional dress for almost anywhere I go anywhere in the world, March to November, no snow.

I think your tops are fine. If you need to wash one of the merino wool shirts, between the other merino shirt and the over shirt you will be fine. If you are short on room or weight, I'd leave the fleece at home. Personally, I'd switch one pair of pants out for a light pair of jeans, unless you are actually hiking all the time. If you are not hiking, which you don't say you are, I'd leave the hiking boots at home and just wear good athletic shoes. If they get wet, they dry in no time, unlike boots (waterproof or not).

This being said, I am thinking of taking/wearing 2-3 3/4 sleeve Merino wool tees and maybe 1 short sleeve tee to rainy Paris in April...so possibly 4 tops. I might take a fleece vest, but will take a blazer and knee length rain coat. I will take one pair of walking sneakers, but do ponder taking two...but I don't think I want to take up the space. Shoes, for me, are easy to purchase if I need to do so. IMO. So perhaps I'm being slightly spartan on your list.

Thanks, everyone, for all of this helpful information. Of course, some of it is conflicting information, which I guess just proves there’s no one size fits all when it comes to how and what to pack. :) I’ll continue to think about the various suggestions and return later if I have additional ideas or questions!

When your hands or feet get cold, wear a toque on your head.

You might want a base layer that will wick the moisture. Marino is warm but a silk layer underneath can keep you dry and warmer if you get cold easily.