Svalbard packing list: how to prepare for the last stop before the North Pole

A curated Svalbard packing list with links to specific products that have been tried and tested by Atlas & Boots

I was feeling if not cocky then certainly complacent. I had been to the Arctic once or twice and had returned from Antarctica just a few months earlier. Svalbard in comparison would be a cinch I was sure. 

The route map, however, gave me pause. Svalbard is known as ‘the last stop before the North Pole’ and it’s not just a marketing gimmick. It is really bloody north. To put it into context, our trip to Antarctica reached 66°33′ south of the equator. Our trip to Svalbard, however, would travel to 81°17′ north, far further than we’d travelled before. In fact, we would go within 500 miles (800km) of the North Pole – just over half the length of Britain. 

With this in mind, I knew that it was going to get cold. Really bloody cold. Thankfully, I had already done the legwork ahead of our trip to Antarctica, so my Svalbard packing list barely needed thought. To help you pack with similar ease, I share my kit list below.

Svalbard packing list

My Svalbard packing list is based on an 8-day expedition to Svalbard and is broken down into Expedition clothing, Accessories, Onboard clothing, Toiletries, Basics, and Electronics. Where relevant, I’ve included links to exact products that I’ve personally tried and tested. The list has a female skew but most of the linked gear has a male equivalent.

Expedition clothing

Layers are key to staying warm in the polar regions, so make sure you pack base, mid and outer layers. 

• Base layer tops x 2 (HH 1/2 zip, HH Crew) – I adore these
• Midlayer tops x 2 (HH Daybreaker, HH Insulator)
• Outer layers x 2 (HH Down Jacket, HH Sailing Jacket)
• Base layer bottoms x 2 (HH Lifa Merino Pants in two different colours; Peter loves Smartwool base layers)
• Midlayer bottoms x 1 (HH Daybreaker Fleece Pants)
• Waterproof bottoms x1 (HH Aden Rain Pants)

Accessories

• Warm hat x 1 (HH Ridgeline Beanie)
• Buff x 1 (HH Neck)
• Liner gloves x 1 (HH Fleece Touch Glove Liner)
• Waterproof gloves x 1 (HH Mountain Glove)
• Liner socks x 2 (Smartwool Liner Socks)
• Thick socks x 2 (Smartwool – Maximum Cushion)
• Hand warmers x 8 (Little Hotties)
• Dry bag x 1 (Bloc Dry Sack)
• Swimsuit x 1 – for the Polar Plunge
• Sunglasses x 1
• Water bottle x 1 (Ion8 Leak Proof Slim Water Bottle)
• Hairclip x 1
• Bra x 4 – let’s face it, we all just wear our favourite anyway!
• Knickers x 12 – if you think you may get your period, I recommend Wuka period pants
• Nightwear
• Daypack x 1 (Osprey Tempest Pro 18)
• Suitcase x 1 per person (Osprey Rolling Transporter 60)

Onboard clothing

The evening dress code on polar expeditions is completely casual. Think fleeces, jumpers, gilets and hoodies. Trainers and walking boots are perfectly acceptable.

• Casual tops x 2
• Fleece leggings x 2 (CRZ Yoga in two different colours) – these look better in real life and I adore them
• Jeans x 1
• Trainers x 1 (HH Feathering Trainers)
• Ballet flats – optional but I found them useful for nipping down to get a cup of tea (note: you have to wear closed-toed shoes on board)
• + a comfy outfit for the flight

Toiletries

Don’t forgo the sunscreen. Svalbard may be cold and windy but the sun is deceptively strong. 

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Deodrant
• Facewash
• Moisturiser
• Batiste dry shampoo – you’ll be in and out of your cabin on some pretty full-on days, so may appreciate dry shampoo for sprucing up weather-beaten hair
• Makeup, vaseline, bobby pins, safety pins
• Sunscreen

Basics

• Passport
• Insurance
• Headphones
• Keys
• USD
• Credit/debit cards
• Wet wipes
• Hand sanitiser
• Pen
• Facemasks
• Earplugs
• Eyemask
• Seasickness pills – when it comes to seasickness, prevention is better than the cure so if you tend to get seasick, take medication before you begin to feel ill (with advice from a medical professional of course). There will be an onboard doctor who can supply medication too. 
• Any relevant medication

Electronics

• Phone and charger
• Phone lanyard – this is useful for keeping your phone secure so it doesn’t fall overboard on the Zodiac cruises (sadly, I didn’t pack one but this Takyu Lanyard is well-reviewed)
• Laptop and charger
• Kindle and charger
• Adaptor (Ceptics)
• Camera and accessories – including a GoPro for the Polar Plunge
• SIM card – we recommend using an eSIM

Svalbard packing list: what to leave at home

• Hair dryer – your cabin will more than likely have one
• Heavy-duty walking boots – your expedition company with likely supply waterproof boots for shore excursions, so do check before you pack these
• Formal wear – evenings are completely casual affairs

If you have any questions about what to pack for Svalbard, then feel free to message us over at Instagram. Good luck and stay cosy.

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Lead image: Werner Kruse