What to Pack for Seattle in 2023 (Any Time of the Year) (2024)

Seattle tops my list of favorite cities in the world. Obsessed with good beer, coffee,music, and epic outdooradventures, it’s a city that captured my heart with its effortless cool in the year that I lived there. Unlike New Yorkor San Francisco, Seattle isn’t obviously hip, which adds to the appeal.

However, thereisone downside toSeattle: therain. While itdoes rain often in Seattle, the summer months are the exception. From June to August, the weather is typically a sunny, 70-80 degrees with 14-15 hours of daylight. Throw atemperate rainforestor mountain full of wildflowers in there, and the Seattle areaispretty much the perfect place to be in the summertime.

That said, there’s still a lot to enjoy about Seattle at any time of the year. So whether you’re heading toWashington state in January or June, here’s what to pack for Seattle.

Whatto Pack for Seattle

For any trip to Seattle, be sure to pack:

• Rain jacket
• Outdoor adventure gear
• One outfit for a concert/show

Rain Jacket or Shell

Seattle locals don’t really use umbrellas. I know, I know. “But it’s the rainiestcity in America!”Actually it’s not.“How do they survive without umbrellas?” With rain jackets, duh.

Seattle’s rain is usually a light drizzle, not a torrential downpour, so rain jackets are typically just fine for keeping you dry. Plus, they’re muchmore practicalthan an umbrella onany of thehikes within an hour or two of Seattle.

If you don’t have a good rain jacket,Seattle happens to behome to REI. Use it as an excuse to swing by theflagship REI storeand check it out.

Outdoor Adventure Gear

Given the number of The North Face and Patagonia jackets in downtown Seattle, itsometimes seems like half of the cityis ready to jump on a trail at any given time. And you should be too. From the coast to the Cascades, there’s so much wilderness to explore in and around Seattle. Make time to do something outdoors (even if it’s just a morning walk at Alki beach or Discovery Park) while you’re in Seattle and bring:

• Trail runners (water resistantor waterproof)
• Hiking poles(if you use them)
• Daypack (the waterproof sailcloth of the Outbreaker Daypack makes it perfect for Seattle)
• Water bottle
• Warm clothes and wool socks for winter hikes

Hiking is great while traveling because it doesn’t require a lot of bulky gear. However, if you’d prefer to explore the wilderness surrounding Seattle by rock climbing, biking, kayaking, skiing, snowboarding, or camping, there are plenty of places to rent equipment. REI is a great first stop for most gear. For cyclists, theCascade Bicycle Clubis your best resource.

One Outfit for Going to a Show

If you’re a music lover—grunge or otherwise—Seattlewill have more than enough going on to keep you entertained. After all, music heavyweights from Kurt Cobain to Macklemore have called the city home.

Seattle is also hometo (in my opinion) the best local radio station in the nation,KEXP, whichalso does a great job ofhighlighting concerts and music events in Seattle. If you’re around in July, I hear that theCapitol Hill Block Partyis a blast.

With all the dance parties, shows, and concerts happening in Seattle, be sure to bring one going out (to see a show) outfit. Ripped jeans and slouchy sweaters are more than encouraged.

What to Pack for Seattle in September Through May

From September through May, Seattle sees the most rain. October is when things begin to really cool down and May is about the time that relentless grey overcast begins to let up. During this time of year, be sure to bring:

• Rainproof boots
• Down jacket
• Warm layers
• A book to cozy up with in one ofSeattle’s many coffeeshopsorbreweries

Rainproof Boots

Apair of rainproof boots — or boots that will hold up well in the rain — is the best footwear to bring. A few of my favorites include:

• Toms (Women’s, Men’s): The soles aren’t slick, and they’re comfortable for walking around.
• Tretorn: I wore their fleece linedrubber boots every day for 6 months in Seattle, but the low boots are more practical for travel.
• Hunter (Women’s, Men’s): Another solid line of rubber boots for men and women with a low, Chelsea boot option.

Go for a leather or rubber upper, not suede.

What to Wear in Seattle Winters: Down Jacket & Warm Layers

Seattle doesn’t get quite as cold as the New York or other parts of the northern half of the country during the winter, but you’ll still want to bring warm layers like:

• Down jacket (waterproof or resistant if possible)
• 1-2 sweaters
• Beanie
• Scarf
• Wool socks

Generally, a pair of skinny jeans, slouchy sweater, and boots will always work if you’re unsure about what to wear in Seattle.

A Good Book

When the sun sets at 4:30, and you just can’t take the weather outside anymore, there’s no shortage of cafes or breweries in Seattle to hunker downin while readinga good book. Check outElliott Bay Bookstore, a seriously awesomepitstop ifyou don’t have anything good to read at the moment or just love books.

What to Pack for Seattle in Winter

On a 3-day trip to Seattle in December, this is what my packing list looked like:

Clothing

• Rainproof boots
• Sneakers
• Down jacket
• Rain jacket (My down jacket isn’t very waterproof. I ended up not using this.)
• Jeans
• Yoga pants
• 2 t-shirts
• Sweater
• Infinity scarf
• Hat
• Underwear
• Socks

Other Items

• Book
• Toiletries(shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, lotion, deodorant, eyeliner, chapstick)
• Phone and charger
• Laptop and charger
• Water bottle
• Headphones
• Wallet, ID, etc.

Everything fit in my Tortuga Travel Backpack. I also had a small crossbody purse for my phone, wallet, keys, and chapstick.

What to Pack for Seattle in June, July, and August

Summer in Seattle is probably the city’s best kept secret. If you’ll be here in June, July, or August, ditch the sweaters and rainproof boots and instead bring:

• Sandals
• Warm-weather clothing
• Sunglasses
• Bug spray
• Swimsuit
• Camping gear

Shoes for Seattle: Sandals & Sneakers

With nice weather and minimal rain, a pair of sandals and a pair of sneakers are the best shoe combo for a trip to Seattle in June, July, or August. Even if you plan on sticking within the city limits, I’d still recommend bringingsneakers that you can hike in since Seattle parks, likeDiscovery Park, have great trails.

What to Wear in Seattle in June, July, and August

Summers in Seattle are warm enough for you to wear shorts and cute dresses during the day, butyou’ll still want to have a sweater or light jacket for evenings. If traveling here during the summer, make sure to bring the following:

• Dress, skirt, or pants
• Pair of shorts or capris
• Tank top
• T-Shirt
• Sunglasses
• Sweater or light jacket

If you plan on doing any hikes this time of year, you should also make sure to bring (or buy) sunscreen and bug spray. Also note that camping spots at high altitudes can drop into the 40s at night.

Swimsuit

On those rare, really warm days in Seattle, locals will hang out at Madison Park Beach, Madrona Park, or several otherswimming beachesand take a dip in Lake Washington. Bring a swimsuit — just in case! — and join them.

Camping Gear

As I mentioned earlier, you can rent tents, sleeping bags, and other camping gear in Seattle if you’d rather not pack all of that stuff. However, if you plan on spending time in the Washington wilderness and are on a budget bring your camping equipment and enjoy that piney mountain air.

Seattle Packing List for Summer

Last year, this is what my packing list looked like on a 10-day trip to Seattle in July. I was there for theSeattle to Portland bike ride, so I’ve left out my bike, bike gear, and tent.

Clothing

• Sandals
• Sneakers
• Pants
• Yoga capris
• Mini skirt
• 2 t-shirts
• 1 tank top
• Rain jacket
• Sweater
• Infinity scarf and hat (necessary while camping but not in the city)
• Underwear
• Socks
• Bathing suit

Other Items

• Book
• Toiletries (same as above)
• Phone and charger
• Laptop and charger
• Water bottle
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray