Not sure what to pack for a winter trip?
Coming from a tropical country like the Philippines, where it’s generally warm all year-round, deciding what to pack for trips to colder destinations can feel both daunting and exciting. We don’t normally get to experience below zero-degree temperatures, or the comfortably cooler climates of spring and autumn in other countries.
There’s a tendency for first-time winter travelers to overpack, often bringing bulky overcoats that take up lots of space in suitcases. Layering up and investing in the right pieces can keep you warm while still helping you travel light.
Over the years, we’ve invested in basic pieces from UNIQLO that we use daily and that are easy to layer up with clothes meant for cooler temps. A lot of these UNIQLO essentials have kept us warm on trips to Sagada up north, as well as Queenstown in New Zealand, Sapporo in Japan, Seoul in late Autumn, Sapa in Vietnam and Europe, among others.
I recently got invited to UNIQLO’s flagship store in Makati to take part in a mini-stamp rally to learn more about how Filipino travelers can build their winter essentials.
To “check in” for the event, we browsed through the UNIQLO Travel Essentials page, which makes it easy for anyone to plan what to wear and build the right layers for their journey. This page, set up on a large screen in the store, is also accessible through the UNIQLO website and app.
The page can actually help travelers build an outfit around their actual trip. Users just need to input their destination and month of travel to discover the recommended layers depending on the temperature during their travel dates.
For instance, if you check the weather in Baguio for November, it’s predicted to reach lows of 5C° to 10C° Light Cold, with a real chill in the air. For this type of weather, it’s recommended to add pieces for insulation that you can pack away during the day.
Meanwhile, for Sapporo in Japan in February, it’s Deep Winter, with -5C° to 0C° Severe Cold temperatures, so the recommendation is to “Layer up for a proper chill” with pieces designed for maximum warmth.
Travelers can browse through suggested tops and bottoms and personalize their combination further with outerwear and accessories. Once the outfit comes together, the page shows the warmth level provided by the selected pieces against the weather at the chosen destination, along with the total price of the items selected.
You can save your outfits through a link and refer back to it as a convenient guide when you’re ready to shop or pack.
How to layer for the cold
According to UNIQLO, the principle of cold-weather dressing boils down to smart layers, not bulky ones. Rather than relying on a single heavy piece, UNIQLO’s winter pieces allow different layers to work together, beginning with warmth closest to the body and building outward according to the destination and conditions. Here are some handy tips for picking the right layers.
1) Find the right Heattech
HEATTECH is a base layer that forms that essential foundation of an outfit. This thin material, worn as undershirts or leggings under pants, has different warmth levels that travelers can adjust based on the destination’s climate. I usually use the regular HEATTECH under another polo or shirt, but if you get cold easily, HEATTECH Extra Warm Cashmere Blend provides approximately 1.5 times more warmth than regular HEATTECH. For colder conditions, HEATTECH Ultra Warm provides approximately 2.25 times more warmth than regular HEATTECH, with options such as Crew Neck T-Shirts, Leggings, and Tights helping create warmth from top to bottom.
2) Stay cozy with fleece
Over the HEATTECH base, Fleece serves as the middle layer, adding softness and insulating warmth while bringing texture and style to the outfit. The Fleece Full-Zip Jacket offers warm, puffy fleece in a clean silhouette, while the Fluffy Yarn Fleece Full-Zip Jacket uses long-pile fleece for an ultra-soft, warm feel. For changing outdoor conditions, the Windproof Fleece Full-Zip Hoodie adds a windproof film and water-repellent finish to help block cold air and light rain.
3) Keep it lightweight & packable with PUFFTECH
As the final outer layer, the PUFFTECH Parka completes the cold-weather ensemble with lightweight insulation that traps air for warmth without unnecessary bulk.
Its water-repellent finish offers added protection against light rain, while the packable design makes it a practical companion for travel. I used to think the parkas wouldn’t be as warm as overcoats, but they’re extremely effective in keeping you warm. I love how they can fold into a compact package, so you can easily bring them in your daypacks and layer up when temperatures dip at night. If you want something versatile for not-so-cold weather, PUFFTECH vests can convert normal outfits to cold weather ones in minutes.
4) Warm up with warm-lined pants
If you’re traveling to really cold destinations, you can pair these layers with warm bottoms to complete a comfortable cold-weather outfit. Warm Lined Pants feature a brushed lining for lasting warmth and comfort, while Warm Stretch Pants pair a brushed interior with stretch for easier movement. For colder destinations, HEATTECH leggings can still be worn underneath for additional warmth.
5) Stay warm with winter accessories
Finally, warm accessories help complete the outfit from head to toe, while giving travelers another way to make their winter look their own. Gloves, hats, scarves, and more can add some color to your basic outfit.
The great thing about UNIQLO’s pieces is that they’re easy to mix, layer and adjust depending on the weather, destination, and personal style of the traveler. All the pieces are lightweight and comfortable as well, so you can focus on the travel experience instead of being burdened by bulky or uncomfortable clothes.
Thanks to UNIQLO Philippines for inviting TRAVEL UP to experience the new winter collection. UNIQLO is holding a special “Winter Travel Booth” at the SMX Convention Center Manila as part of the Travel Sale Fair from October 23 to October 25, 2025.