Summer travel with no insulating layer

I do tend to get cold, and always end up using it at least on the flight. I feel silly once I get to someplace like India, though, and even looking at it then makes me feel hot!! But you do what works for you. In the worst case, you can always buy one.

I've known people who use the strategy of, "If it is colder than I anticipated/packed for, I'll just wear everything in my suitcase." Kinda like what you're saying.

You're still taking the Gore-Tex shell, so that should help with windchill.

And if you are really miserable, you could probably find a store to sell you added layers or a blanket or something.

I am well insulated by fat, so an insulating layer on top, especially in summer, is not on my packing list. That said, last summer in Ireland and Scotland, I was one garment short. I needed something like a lightweight fleece (which I don't travel with because of the bulk). This is garment that is missing from my everyday life at home, too. I used to have an excellent lightweight, soft hooded jacket from Columbia that I put in a donation bin in Paris because it had gotten too big for me. Well, it would fit again, and I haven't found its equal.

I left home my rain coat on this 12 day trip to London. Now that was difficult!

And (dare I say) it seems to have been the right decision. Though I did buy a new sunhat.

I usually don't travel in summer, but I had a situation in Copenhagen in late May where I had no insulating layer or jacket and the temps dropped suddenly. I was freezing and had three shirts—one solid black, one print and one light green. So i wore all three of them (black on the bottom and the print on top, and the light green as the layer).

Surprisingly, it did not look hideous, but it kept me warm, so even if it was, I would not have cared.

I like to pack extra light to enable my favorite travel style of moving cities often, so I don’t pack anything I’m not wearing. But, I don’t like to be cold on the plane.

MAY:
Plane outfit: A micro-thin 32 degree black long sleeve scoop neck top. Black knit pants. Columbia lightweight short rain jacket.

Other clothes: 2 cute shirts, 2 dresses, 1 black leggings.

May’s trip was 11 pounds total - Cotopaxi & purse.

FEBRUARY (southern Spain):
Plane outfit: the same

Other clothes: an extra 32 degree (plum) that I could layer with the black one & a necklace. 3 cute warmer shirts. A mid-weight legging.

February’s trip was 13 pounds total - Cotopaxi & Sherpani tote.

Jean you pack light! Nice

Mardee three shirts at once, shall we call that "The Steve Bannon"? On second thought, let's not ;)

So Hank, you’re going to Britain for this trip, correct? Does the fact that you might be wet when the temperature isn’t all you hoped for, make a difference? Will you be taking rain pants? I always run cold so not taking an extra layer is something I never do.

And speaking of keeping the weight down, are you one of the hardcore folks that drill holes in their toothbrush handles? Picture me winking here. My husband swears this is true for some bikers and hikers but I’ve always been suspicious……

At home I'm working in all weather and I'm comfortable in shorts throughout the year, and it's when the temps hit 30°F and below that I'll get out the trousers. I'll layer up as temps are cooling off in autumn with 1/4 zip pullovers.

When I did travel in the summer I didn't bring insulating layers. Last several years its been late winter or early autumn travel. I'll wear and pack trousers for travel, with t-shirts and light-weight & mediumweight pullovers along with a rain shell.

Does the fact that you might be wet when the temperature isn’t all you hoped for, make a difference?

No. It's doesnt match weather at home.

I hate feeling cold, so I always pack a set of very thin but very warm Heattech long underwear from Uniqlo on very trip.
They weigh nothing, but can be great to add a layer and they double as pj’s too.

Mardee three shirts at once, shall we call that "The Steve Bannon"? On second thought, let's not ;)

Oh Hank, please let’s not! :-0

Heattech long underwear from Uniqlo

Uniqlo has a lot of good stuff

I think it depends on where you're traveling in the summer. Last year we went to Spain and I only took a warmish type scarf (useful in air conditioned planes, churches, etc.).

This year we're traveling to Scandinavia and I'm taking a lined windbreaker (golf style), a long-sleeve lightweight pullover (again, golf style), a rain jacket, and an LLBean Airlight Knit full-zip. These can all be layered if needed. (TBH-I hate taking the rain jacket because I never wear them, but will throw it in on the off-chance)

I won't take a long sleeve shirt because the golf pullover doubles as one, and all the clothes are very travel friendly (won't get wrinkled). I'm thinking the windbreaker will get a lot of use.

*caveat-I was born and raised in AK, so am used to layering in cold weather conditions.

I know this is exceptional, but the very idea of an insulating layer this week in Paris makes me sick!!!

Kim I hope you weather the heat without too much scorching. No fun feeling torched like a human creme brulee.

Global warming I think definitely is playing a part in my recent choices to travel to Europe in summer without insulation. I bet in the '70s or '80s I would not have thought thought the same way the same way.

Omg now that you have mentioned it I am definitely going to feel like a creme brulee !!!!

And yes I imagine you are right - things have changed enough in the past few decades that one's packing approach has probably changed accordingly, sadly.

My new mantra is, “if it’s that bad, I’ll buy something”. Some days I look like a penguin. If you’re biking this trip and layers don’t interfere, pack light.

If I know it will rain everyday, as it did on my last trip to Peru I will take the waterproof rain jacket and rain pants. (We were hiking with a group in the Andes and it was wet and flooding, ugg). I wore a base layer as well under hiking clothes. It was cold at 15,000 feet. We all suffered mild hypothermia. Those were probably our most used items of clothing.

If traveling in Europe I take a wind breaker that is nylon and resists some rain, as well as a fold up umbrella. The wind breaker folds into it's own pocket and fits in the palm of my hand. Patagonia doesn't make that anymore but you can find it used on E-Bay. I freeze on the airplane so wear a silk base layer that is ultra lightweight. I prefer the feeling of silk to merino wool. I wear long sleeves normally to keep the sun off my arms on hot days.

I absolutely hate feeling like the Michelin man. Even in our winter Iceland trips, I have never taken a puffer with me. Just my regular waterproof jacket and a few layers. I pack very light, usually about 18# total including the RS 21" rolling bag. Merino wool shirts make all the difference for me. You can wear them for days and they don't smell, so perfect for our active vacations.

Even for our trip to Greenland this summer, I will be packing the same way I pack for every other trip.