Travel Light / Layers, Seattle

Luggage and bags: Medium Sized luggage (depending on the length of stay) since you'll be layering and needing mulitple types of clothes for each different type of weather.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: I'm pretty sure the idea of 'layering' came from the northwest. Even during the summer we have a "Marine" layer in the morning usually. Which means it stays cold until the clouds burn off. Wear short sleeves under your fleece jacket (vest) and a light weight hooded rain jacket, jeans and tennis shoes. This is typical NW wear.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: anything you'd usually bring. If you forget anything there are plenty of drug stores downtown.

Photo Equipment: You'll definitly need your photo equipment...we have great scenery here.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: Don't bother with an umbrella...the wind can kick up pretty good downtown. Your better off with a hooded jacket.

Miscellaneous: Sunglasses are needed even during the winter. The overcast can create an intense white glare.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: I swear by nylon, polyester, and fleece for travel. They are easy to layer, to pack, to wash, and they don't soak and hold water the way cotton does. This worked great for us on our Seattle trip. I was glad every day that I brought my hiking Marmot rainjacket because it works so great in warm and chilly weather for both rain and wind and is so compact to pack in my daybag.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: My hair stuck out like crazy in Seattle no matter which motel we stayed at or how much conditioner I used until one night I washed my hair in the sink. I don't know why, but sink water consistently made my hair normal. Its a mystery.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: Seattle is the picnic dream of my life. Lots of farmers markets and bakeries and take out places plus excellent parks everywhere. We were very glad I brought a mini cooler and swiss army knife. I also brought picnic plates, bowls, cups and utensils which we did use, but which weren't necessary.

Miscellaneous: The parks are loaded with poison oak. I have zero reaction to Eastern poison ivy, but my skin boils in pain from the poison oak in the Pacific Northwest. Bring the Technu.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Hey, wear lots of flannel shirts and grrrunge clothing.... Just KIDDING!!!!!

Wear layers for dampness if cool weather bothers you (I like it), light water/damp-proof jacket, and a hat for when it trickles on your head.

Photo Equipment: Seattle and the PNW is serious camera country. Bring a UV and polarize filters for glare on Elliott Bay & Puget Sound, and all the film or batteries and lenses you can muster. You should bring some type of decent telephoto lense(s) to get good pictures of Seattle at night from Alki point. Be prepared to keep it all dry as well.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: Leave the umbrella at home.
You'll look like a tourist, and if a gale comes up off the sound / Elliott bay as you're walking through the downtown "canyons" it will be trashed quickly.

Miscellaneous: Keep lots of change in your pockets for walking around downtown.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Seattle is hilly- comfortable shoes are a must

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: If hiking in the mountains be prepared to find snow, sleet, etc. no matter the temp. at the foot of the hill.

Miscellaneous: Seattle cools off quite a bit in the evening- bring a jacket

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Seattle, regardless of the season, is never what you believe the weather should be.

It is not unheard of to see temperatures in August in the 50's.

Bring a jacket, regardless of the season, even summer. Umbrellas and waterproof shoes are important as well.

On the other hand, the coldest winter day would be fall for a Northeasterner. It is never too cold here.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: If you need gear when arriving in town go to the REI flagship store located near downtown.

REI is a cooperative with quality products at good prices.

Luggage and bags: Suitcase, if you are staying in a hotel like I did.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Look, it's Seattle and it does not rain there every day but if you stay for a week you will probably see some rain so bring some stuff that won't rot if it gets wet and something to keep you dry if the sky is not.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: We like to joke about the seasons here -- 'Ha, can't tell if it's July or January in Seattle!' -- but be warned that the weather is actually quite varied and prone to change without warning. Even if it's hot, it's smart to have a light jacket on hand, and even if it's cloudy in the morning and you can't see across the street, dress in layers -- foggy mornings have a frustrating habit of clearing up and getting nice just when you're sure they won't. Seattle's glorious when it's sunny, but being stuck in long pants and a sweater as it warms up can really detract from the fun.

The picture is of a typically grey day in Seattle.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Bring a rain hat with a strap to fasten it on and a rain jacket (light weight as you can layer clothes underneath depending on outside temperature). I live here and always carry a crushable rain hat and very light weight rain jacket in my car/backpack/purse.