Canada Packing List (20 Items You Might Forget to Bring)

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As a born-and-raised local who has been to every province, I know firsthand how much goes into packing for Canada. Not only are there four very distinct seasons to accommodate, but there are also various climates and a whole range of places to visit in Canada. 

To help you pack, I’ve put together this article with the essential items you’ll need for any Canada trip. I’ve also listed out seasonal winter items you’ll need as well as a basic rundown of how the climate differs across the country.

20 Travel Essentials for Canada

🖨️ Get a free, printable version of this packing list here

Hydrating SPF

One thing that I don’t think a lot of people think of when they’re planning a trip to Canada is how much drier it is here than many other destinations. Humidity in Canada is relatively low (in general), and if you’re not used to this, then you’ll feel it in your skin.

CeraVe Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen with SPF 30 is a one-two-punch when it comes to lotion. It has SPF 30 to combat the sun, but it’s also super hydrating. Whether it’s a winter or summer vacay, bring this to Canada and you’ll thank yourself later.

Car Charger / USB Adapter

There are some seriously awesome road trips in Canada, and keeping your stuff charged on the go is vital.

The Anker USB-C Car Charger is an easy way to keep your devices charged by using your vehicle. Plus, it has two USB-C and one USB-A ports; meaning you can charge up to three devices at once.

Personal Alarm

Canada is a super safe country and I don’t actually think you’ll have to use an alarm on your trip (definitely research neighborhoods before you go though). Instead, I recommend carrying a personal alarm or a whistle if you do any backcountry camping or hiking.

Canada has a lot of wildlife, and if you see a bear (or the ilk), then sounding an alarm like this She’s Birdie Personal Safety Alarm is a good way to scare them off. 

Travel Umbrella

Unless you’re traveling Canada in winter (when it just dumps snow), you never really know when the rain will hit. Unless you’re in Vancouver or Vancouver Island – then you can just expect it to rain a lot.

Rain tends to happen the most in April and May, but summer thunderstorms and autumn bursts are common, too.

The Repel Umbrella is a great travel umbrella. It weighs less than 1lb, folds down small, and is engineered to withstand winds of up to 85 mph.

Water Bottle

Anywhere you’ll likely go in Canada as a tourist, the tap water is safe to drink. And so to save some money and the environment, I recommend filling up on the go with a reusable water bottle.

The Dopper Water Bottle is a handy dandy model that can be used as a carafe or as a cup. Perfect whether you’re in the city or camping in the backcountry.

Collapsible Hiking Poles

Hiking in Canada? Unless you’re in the prairies, you can expect some steep terrain. Anytime I hike in the Rocky Mountains, for example, I bring hiking poles to aid the elevation gain.

TREKOLOGY Trek-Z Cork Grip Trekking Poles are perfect for travel as they collapse small and are made from durable materials. 

Day Bag

A day bag is an essential travel item across the board, but which kind you should buy depends on what things you do in Canada. 

For outdoor adventures, a backpack like the Osprey Daylite Daypack is a good choice. It’s large enough to double as a carry-on but is still nice and light.

However, if you plan on sticking to the cities, then you’ll likely want something a bit smaller. The Osprey Daylite Crossbody Shoulder Bag is a good city choice, but they have a whole Daylite collection if that’s not quite your speed, either.

Foldable Tote

Plastic shopping bags are effectively banned in Canada, and you won’t find them at most shopping outlets. So, whether you’re grocery shopping or picking up some souvenirs, you can either bring your own tote bag or buy a grocery-store-branded one on-site (I recommend bringing your own, unless grocery chic is your style).

The Nanobag Ultra-Lightweight Standard Tote Bag is a basic black bag, but it packs down super small so you can always have it ready to go in your day bag.

Portable Power Bank

You know, I actually don’t remember the last time I didn’t travel with a portable power bank. Phone batteries are pretty good these days, but I always use my phone way more when I’m on the go, and making sure I don’t run out of juice is paramount.

This Portable Charger Power Bank is a great option. It’s small and won’t take up much space in your day bag, plus it’s compatible with every type of smartphone.

Mosquito Repellent

Traveling Canada in the summertime? Then be prepared for the absolute onslaught of mosquitoes. Seriously, though we might not have the mosquito diseases that many other places have (though West Nile has been reported here) they’ll still drive you crazy, buzzing around and biting you.

Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Balm is a good natural option to keep the mosquitoes at bay. It works by masking your scent with its aroma of botanicals.

Compression Packing Cubes

Give yourself the gift of souvenirs and save space in your bag with packing cubes. Packing cubes are great for luggage organization, but these ones from Well Traveled compress so you can optimize space, too.

I’ve used my Well Traveled packing cubes for 3+ years now and they haven’t frayed, ripped, and the zippers are as good as new.

Action Camera

There are tons of cool things to do in Canada to bring out your adventurous side. So, for those of you who need more than a smartphone for photos, pack along an action cam.

I’ve had my GoPro for years now and it’s never let me down. The GoPro Hero 13 Black is the latest model of the series and comes with attachments for wherever adventure calls.

Checklist of Other Canada Essentials to Pack

• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Toiletries
• Razors
• Bear Spray (you can’t bring this on a plane or across borders, but check the local regulations when you arrive.)
• Sunglasses
• Phone charger
• Small lock for hostels
• Laptop
• Device chargers
• Passport
• Hand sanitizer
• E-reader
• Ibuprofen
• Vaccinations
• Beach towel
• Contact lens solution
• Feminine hygiene products
• Noise-cancelling headphones

Clothing, Shoes, & Accessories to Pack for Canada

Okay, those are my essential items. Now, here are some of my clothing recommendations for Canada:

Walking Shoes

Investing in a good pair of walking shoes is definitely worth it in Canada. Whether you’re in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, or elsewhere, Canada’s cities are highly walkable and you’ll likely do a lot of it.

These Skechers Go Walk Flex Hands Free Slip-Ins are highly rated for their durability and comfort. Plus, they’re lace-free slip-ins so you can take your shoes off when you enter Canadian households (I’m looking at you, Americans!)

Hiking Boots

Hiking in the great Canadian outdoors? Hiking boots are worth the buy. Especially in the mountains and in Western British Columbia, hiking terrain can be steep and you’ll need extra traction.

These Columbia Ridge Plus Waterproof Hiking Boots are great in many seasons. They’re highly durable, weather sealed, and have great grip.

Swimsuit

Winter or summer, you’ll need a swimsuit for your Canada trip. Not only do we have the longest coastline in the world if you want to take a dip in the salty ocean, but visiting Canada’s many lakes is very much engrained in the culture.

Water too cold? No worries, bring your swimsuit and pay a visit to one of Canada’s many Nordic spas. In my opinion, outdoor spas are at their best in the wintertime.

This BMJL Women’s High Waisted Bikini is a great choice for women. For men, try these SILKWORLD Men’s Swim Trunks on for size.

Other Clothing, Shoes, & Accessories to Pack for Canada

So what clothing, shoes, and accessories should you pack for Canada? Here is a quick clothing checklist for Canada: 

• 2-3 pairs of pants
• 2-3 pairs of shorts (June-September only)
• 1 pair of active shorts
• 1-2 sweaters or cardigan
• 2 pairs of leggings
• 3-5 tops or T-shirts
• 3 sundresses
• 1 dressier outfit
• 1-2 bathing suits 
• 1 swim coverup
• 1 ball cap or sunhat
• 5-7 pairs of socks (1-2 pairs of hiking socks)
• 5-7 pairs of underwear
• 3-4 bras 
• 1 sports bra
• 1 pair of flip flops
• 1 pair of outdoor sandals
• Headphones

Winter Items to Pack for Canada

Winter in Canada is very different from spring, summer, and fall in Canada. While the coasts stay generally temperate (though you’ll still have to bundle up), everywhere else requires heavy duty winter wear.

Here are recommendations for winter items or clothing you might need in Canada:

Heavy Winter Coat

If you’re visiting Canada between November and March, you’ll need a heavy winter coat. Of course, the climate varies by destination in Canada (it’s a little more temperate in the Maritimes and Vancouver), but overall, it gets cold.

THE NORTH FACE Women’s Arctic Bomber is a tried-and-true brand. It’s down-filled, waterproof, and has a cute design to boot.

Toque (Beanie)

Don’t forget your toque if you’re coming to Canada! Also known as a beanie (although no Canadian will answer to calling it that), this snuggly winter hat is essential for covering your ears and keeping the frost bite away.

This DANISH ENDURANCE Merino Wool Beanie is a good option for added warmth. The merino wool is super warm and not itchy.

Gloves

Don’t skimp out on gloves in winter. Your appendages are usually the first to feel the cold, and after experiencing decades of winters in Canada, I can tell you that not all gloves are worth the spend.

These Carhartt Men’s A511 Waterproof Glove don’t mess around when it comes to keeping your hands warm. They have ultrasoft insulation and are waterproof (a must).

Hand Warmers

Even the best gloves on the market still aren’t enough for a day outside in the cold. To not play around, stow some hand warmers in your day bag (you can also put these in your boots to keep your feet warm).

Activate these HotHands Hand Warmers by removing them from the package and shaking. Then, put them in your gloves to keep them warm for up to 10 hours.

Winter Boots

You’ll need winter boots of some kind when traveling around Canada in the cold. Normal shoes simply will not do. In fact, I stow away all my sneakers for the season.

These Columbia Women’s Minx Slip Iii Mid Calf Boot are a great option. They go up high on your leg to keep your whole calf warm, have a strong grip, and have a reflective lining.

However, if you’re only going to be visiting Canada’s cities in the winter, you might want something more subtle. These CLIFFS BY WHITE MOUNTAIN Ankle Booties are more fashionable for cities, but will still keep your feet toasty warm.

Other Seasonal Items to Pack for Canada

So what seasonal items should you pack for Canada? Here is a quick checklist for Canada: 

• Wool socks 
• Thermal underwear
• Insulated leggings
• Crampons / ice spikes (for hiking)
• Warm scarf
• Balaclava / neck gaiter
• Snow Pants

Canada Packing Tips

Layer Up

When in Canada, do as the Canadians do and wear layers. You can always take off a layer if you get too hot, but it sucks being too cold knowing you could have prepared better.

In the summer, you can get away with tank tops and shorts, but I’d still bring a light sweater for late-summer nights when the temperature dips.

Pack for the Season

Canada is absolutely not one-size-fits-all when it comes to climate and temperature. I recommend reading my guide to when to visit Canada for a full run-down of how climates differ here, but you’ll need to research the province/city you’re visiting and the time of year.

For example, wintertime snow is more rare in coastal places like Vancouver and Vancouver Island, where it doesn’t dip too far below freezing. However, my home city of Winnipeg is literally nicknamed “Winterpeg” for how blisteringly cold it gets at the same time of year. 

Meanwhile, Toronto doesn’t get as cold as Winnipeg, but the humidity makes it feel even worse, and will chill you to your bones. Needless to say, you’ll have to pack a little differently.

Furthermore, Canada isn’t icy all year round. It gets swelteringly hot in many places in July and August, and bringing a winter parka will just look… wrong.

Stay Wildlife-Aware

If you’re not just sticking to Canada’s cities, then I recommend factoring in wildlife to your packing list. 

Bear spray is a good idea in the mountains and in *some* national parks, but you’ll have to pick this up when you’re actually in the country (and definitely check local regulations before you go). Or, you may want to pack a whistle/bells to alert them of you being there.

Meanwhile, in the Alberta Badlands, there are critters like rattlesnakes and scorpions. In this scenario, ditch the open-toed sandals and opt for close-toed shoes.

Basically, do a search for what wildlife you should expect in your chosen destination and pack accordingly.

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🖨️ Get a free, printable version of this packing list here

Thanks for reading my guide to packing for Canada! Up next, check out my list of Canada travel tips – I think it’ll help you prepare for your trip. Have fun in my home country!