Seattle Packing List: What to Pack for All Seasons

So you bought your plane ticket, have a great hotel picked out and now you’re getting ready to throw clothes into an empty suitcase. A trip to the Emerald City is on the horizon and you don’t know what to wear? This post has the ultimate Seattle packing list for your trip.

Growing up in Seattle, I never really realized how unique our weather was compared to other parts of the country. It wasn’t until I moved to Chicago for college that I realized that the four seasons were actually different. Here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, the two seasons that really exist are rain and not rain lol 😉 So if you need some tips on what to put on your Seattle packing list, this is the post for you! It has everything from Seattle style to seasonal guides on what to pack.

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SEATTLE STYLE

In terms of style, Seattle is a very casual city. Most locals believe in comfort and function, as the archetypical Seattlite is an outdoorsy, coffee-loving techie. You’ll see lots of athleisure, comfy hoodies, and running shoes. Locals tend to dress down in every aspect. Business casual here often means jeans, a sweatshirt, and sneakers. Most clubs and bars don’t have a dress code either (although do your research beforehand) – I’ve never had to wear heels when going out, which is amazing! 

Influenced by the city’s beautiful green surroundings, Seattle locals favor both sustainability and practicality. Thrifting and upcycling clothing are super popular, so you’ll see more vintage styles come to life in the city. With so many folks being hikers and bikers, typical hiking gear has become normalized into everyday wear. 

At the same time, Seattle is super progressive and values individuality. With its long history of counterculture and alternative lifestyles, the city embraces self-expression. So, although the majority of Seattle folks dress more relaxed, you should feel empowered to wear whatever fits your personal preference! 

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SEATTLE WEATHER

Understanding Seattle’s climate will be super informative for planning out a packing list. First, you should know that Seattle only has two seasons: dry and wet. The summer makes up the dry season, usually starting at the end of June to the middle of September, while the wet season is the rest of the year. So depending on when you visit Seattle, you may or may not need rain gear!

As the wet season makes up the majority of the year, most people’s impression of Seattle is that it is one of the rainiest cities in the United States. While it may be true that Seattle does have a lot of rainy days (~150 days each year), New York City actually gets more inches of annual rainfall! This is because many of Seattle’s rainy days are just a light drizzle, rather than a torrential downpour. Because of this, it’s common for Seattleites to brace against the wetness without umbrellas.

Because Seattle’s weather will impact what you should wear, this post has different packing lists for every season to make sure you’re prepared!

SUMMER SEATTLE PACKING LIST

Seattle summers are absolutely gorgeous and the best time of year to visit. For a short time, the clouds finally give way to blue skies and sunny days. The summer months usually span from the end of June to the middle of September. You can expect dry heat and mildly warm days, with an average high of 75°F and an average low of 55°F.  Within recent years, Seattle has seen a few heat waves bringing abnormally hot days with temperatures above 85°F.

These warmer months are the perfect time to enjoy all the outdoor activities the Pacific Northwest offers. One of the most popular summer activities is hiking, especially as Washington is home to some beautiful national parks. If you’re planning anything from a short hike around the Seattle area or a day trip to Olympic National Park, you should be prepared with hiking gear!  

Besides packing hiking gear (if that’s your ish), your Seattle summertime packing list shouldn’t be too different than what you might pack elsewhere! Summers in Seattle don’t typically see too much rain either, so I would only pack a raincoat if you see a lot of rain in the forecast. 

WINTER SEATTLE PACKING LIST

Seattle winters are the coldest and wettest season: perfect for cozying up in a coffee shop or exploring many of the city’s museums. From December to February, Seattle experiences its coldest winter months. You can expect temperate winter days, with an average high of 47°F and an average low of 38°F. Although Seattle doesn’t receive as much snow as many other parts of the United States, the city still averages around 6.3 inches each year. So, you most likely won’t need a thick parka – a solid puffer jacket should do!

If you’re a skier or snowboarder, Washington has some fantastic mountains for snow sports! If you plan on trekking out to one of these mountains, you may want to pack ski gear. Check out this ski packing list for all the essentials you’ll need for your ski trip. In addition, there are some pretty cool winter hikes you can do. If that’s on your agenda, make sure you pack adequate winter hiking gear. 

Seattle winters are mostly chilly and rainy, but not too extreme. Your Seattle winter packing list should include a lot of extra layers, rain gear, and a thick jacket. 

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SPRING AND FALL SEATTLE PACKING LIST

Seattle’s spring and fall seasons are very similar: rainy, temperate, and unpredictable weather. Spring typically spans from March to mid-June, with an average high of 60°F and an average low of 45°F. Fall is a bit shorter, spanning from late September to November with an average high of 59°F and an average low of 50°F. 

Although these two seasons aren’t too cold, you will have your fair share of rainy days. So, make sure to have some solid rain gear: waterproof shoes / waterproof boots and a good rain jacket. As I previously stated, locals don’t really use umbrellas since the rain tends to be more of a drizzle. However, if you’re so inclined, feel free to bring a small travel umbrella! Also, hiking around Washington really never stops because of the weather, so make sure to pack water-resistant hiking gear if that’s on your agenda. 

This post was all about the best Seattle packing list.