A couple packing questions for Alaska

[BluesTraveler]

This is such a newbie question, but how much do folks dress for dinner? Alaska as a whole seems like a pretty casual trip, and I'm packing mostly hiking pants and athletic-style tops. Will I want a true outfit for dinners? Will I need to wrestle my boys into collared shirts? We have 4 dinners total with the group.

Also - how critical is a rain jacket? We live in the sunny south and actually do not even own rain jackets. I'll get them if we need them but thought I'd check first.

 

[sayhello]

When I did the Alaska trip, dinner was pretty casual. People cleaned up a bit, but definitely nothing fancy. The trip has changed a bit since then, but I really can't imagine it changing *that* much.

Personally, I wouldn't go without a light rain jacket. You might luck out and not get any rain or it might rain off & on the whole time (although it would be more likely to just get a day or two). Rain is fairly common in Alaska. If you don't mind getting wet or wearing a Disney rain poncho (sometimes the Guides have them) then maybe, but I'm miserable if I'm wet.

Sayhello

 

[meryll83]

What's the temperature like at this time of year? T-shirt weather, or more layers needed?

 

[85glht]

We did this trip last year. The temperature varies quite a bit. Dress in layers. As far as dress code.... Nothing fancy. Only one restaurant that I did wear a polo shirt was at the Alyeska hotel, adults dinner.

 

[sayhello]

What's the temperature like at this time of year? T-shirt weather, or more layers needed?

What 85glht said. It can really vary. Personally, I consider 70's Tshirt weather, and I've worn everything from T-shirt to long sleeves & a jacket in the same day in Alaska. Layers is absolutely your best bet.

Sayhello

 

[AquamarineSteph]

We did the trip last August, and it was cold and rainy on several days. I'd definitely plan to take rain gear + layers so that you can add/subtract depending on the temperature that day.

 

[BluesTraveler]

Thanks very much. I've gone ahead and ordered lightweight rain gear for all of us.

 

[anonymousegirl]

for dinners, I like to change, especially if I encountered bad weather earlier that day. I bring a pair of black loose trousers and a couple of pretty tops and alternate them.

 

[meryll83]

Do you ever need anything as warm as a full winter ski-type jacket, e.g. with a fleecy layer and an outer shell?

 

[BluesTraveler]

I took those in separate layers - a warm fleece jacket and a sturdy wind/rain jacket to layer over, and there were definitely times I wore both, but more often I wore one or the other. If you took such a jacket, you should make sure the 2 pieces zip apart so you have options.

 

[sayhello]

I took those in separate layers - a warm fleece jacket and a sturdy wind/rain jacket to layer over, and there were definitely times I wore both, but more often I wore one or the other. If you took such a jacket, you should make sure the 2 pieces zip apart so you have options.

I totally agree with this. This is what I did, too. I mistakenly took a full-on warm jacket with me on my first Alaskan trip (which was a cruise). It was in *May* and I never touched the jacket. The layers, I only wore together once, when viewing the glaciers. On my Alaska ABD, I don't think I ever wore them together (although I bought a light fleece vest which I wore under the wind/rain jacket. But again, that was only when we went up on Byron glacier.)

Sayhello

 

[meryll83]

How about footwear? Will trainers work, or does it depend what excursions we do?

 

[BluesTraveler]

I was in running shoes most of the time, and my feet definitely got wet. DH had waterproof Merrill hiking shoes, and he was more comfortable. But it does depend on what your activities are.