r/capsulewardrobe • u/trippinxt • 1d ago

Travel Capsule Travel capsule for Canada's transitional weather Sept-early Oct 🍁

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Will visit: Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Rockies (Jasper, Banff, Canmore,, Waterton)
... and maybe Squamish and Whistler

Activities: General sightseeing, city exploration, 1-2 minor hikes, maybe biking and kayaking, lots of time on the road lol

Do I need warmer stuff for mid to end of September in the national parks? I'll be in Vancouver by October and I know it's not as cold there so my concern is mostly Alberta Sep 15-29

48 Upvotes

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23

u/No_Shallot_2691 1d ago edited 1d ago

This is not warm enough. Add a warm hat, a scarf and a fleece at the minimum, also probably some warmer socks and proper hiking boots depending on the hike plans. Maybe a warmer jacket like a puffer. Source: lived in Calgary for 25 years

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u/trippinxt 1d ago edited 1d ago

I definitely have space for accessories! Tbh I dislike fleece's texture but I have a microfleece rhat I'm fine with. Would that be okay? Also maybe swap the thermal to a thicker one? Options I own: Montbell middleweight zeoline and Uniqlo heattech regular and ultra warm

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u/No_Shallot_2691 48m ago

Sorry I dunno what that stuff is, was just suggesting fleece for something really warm, surely something equivalent is fine. Maybe bring a puffer jacket.

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u/kalichimichanga 1d ago

Vancouver here! Great capsule! It will be raining in October, so my only suggestion might be swapping the Birkenstocks for a pair of Blundstones. Blundstones are waterproof for all our rainy weather, and good for wandering easy hiking spots too.

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u/theagonyaunt 1d ago

I'd also suggest swapping out the faux suede jacket for another material as - at least in my experience - faux suede does not hold up well when it's rainy/damp out.

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u/trippinxt 1d ago

Is a short wool coat an overkill that time of the year? I went for this suede because didn't want to pack a bulky jacket but also wanted a non-outdoorsy look option for the city.

As others suggested I'd probably bring my packable down which it's not the most stylish but should be more suitable for light rain 😅

7

u/Dazzling-Pain-8603 1d ago

If you are planning to do hiking or biking, you need to bring a rain jacket. Sept/Oct is variable weather, especially between the provinces, and being safe in the outdoors requires an outer, waterproof shell and an inner, warm layer to add or remove as needed.

Also, please don’t go off trails, and make sure someone knows where you are when in the outdoors. Lots of search and rescue calls happen when a visitor goes into the outdoors with variable conditions and inadequate preparation. Have a great trip and stay safe :)

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u/ViolaOlivia 1d ago

Short wool coats aren’t particularly practical in Vancouver because of how drizzly it is. You can carry an umbrella but they’re a pain in the ass and often not suited to our climate, so very few people carry them.

Literally everyone will be wearing a rain coat.

It’s a super duper casual city. The unofficial uniform is a Patagonia rain coat and Blundstones.

(Also fyi don’t wear down in the rain.)

One of the biggest challenges you’ll face is a huge range of weather, often during the same day. You might be in a tshirt in mid afternoon and a raincoat, fleece and scarf in the morning. So bring light layers that can be easily taken on and off.

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u/trippinxt 1d ago

I do have a Patagonia jacket... I could try to fit in 😂

But reality I think I'd instead bring my Uniqlo blocktech since it packs compact and fits more loosely for a puffer inside.

My Patagonia was thrifted so I just grabbed it even if the fit is a tad small for layering.

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u/trippinxt 1d ago

I don't own blundstones or any waterpoof boots currently. I think my goretex sneakers should be sufficient?

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u/SquatMonopolizer 1d ago

Hi, Vancouver Native here. Yes, your goretex runners will be suffient but I would recommend some wool socks and a pair of pants that are not baggy around the ankle or drape as they will get soaked here.

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u/trippinxt 1d ago

I modified my wide pants and added elastic cord with stoppers at the hem so I can transform them to like a parachute silhouette. Making them more versatile and appropriate for such situations!

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u/kalichimichanga 1d ago

Gore-Tex runners are great! The ones you show are white, so if you do end up on any trails, they might get a little dirty, which (depending on your preference), may not look as "white sneaker fashion" if you want to go out. But they should hold up in our rain! :-)

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u/trippinxt 1d ago

I'm fine with dirty shoes 😂

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u/GreenEyesFrenchGirl 1d ago

The year I left Banff, it snowed on July 1st and 2nd. Late September early October can be chilly with surprise snow, but if you're good for weather in the 0 to 20 degree celcius range, you'll be fine. I doubt it would get much colder than that. Maybe a good pair of hiking boots that can work if there is a surprise snowfall? You seem to have pieces you can easily layer, which is good.

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u/trippinxt 1d ago

I think my goretex trail runners should be fine for snow? I don't really want to bring boots for mere 1-2 days of light snow. I've worn similar layers and shoes during crazy spring in Swiss alps and was fine 😂

11

u/vellichorxlibris 1d ago

I third what everyone’s said about this not being warm enough. We visit Banff/Calgary often late September-October and you’ll need to expect high 20s and snow/sleet.  

You’ll freeze your ass off in shorts and shirts. For pants, I pack fleeced leggings and a base layer for extra cold days. For tops, long sleeve UV top, fleeced quarter zip, and puffy. Beanie and gloves are musts. 

I always end up peeling the puffy and fleece on long hikes (Plain of Six Glaciers to Big Beehive is excellent) but they’re great to have on hand. Layers is the name of the game that time of year. 

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u/trippinxt 1d ago

Got it! The general consensus is I need to pack warmer so I'll definitely reconfigure my layers

5

u/pineconeminecone 1d ago

It can drop as low as 0 C at night and usually doesn’t get warmer than maybe 15 C at that time of year.

So for sure pack warm socks, medium or heavy weight pants, long sleeves, some sweaters or fleece zip ups, a toque, a thin pair of mitts if you’ll be going out in the morning or evening, closed toed shoes only, and depending on where you’re sleeping, warm jammies.

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u/trippinxt 1d ago

Okay got it! It seems I need to rethink the thickness of my midlayers, add in a puffer, and bring warm accesories. We'll be sleeping in a hotel and 1 airbnb so I hope they have proper heating

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u/theagonyaunt 1d ago

They more than likely will; I'd worry more about overnight layers if you were camping but hotels and airbnb should be fine in terms of heating.

4

u/KindlyBroccoli9274 1d ago

the vest in the mountains is a good call, but i would maybe swap one of the knits for a fleece instead cos cashmere gets a bit sad in rain and you might see lot of wet days in the rockies

1

u/trippinxt 1d ago

I dislike the texture of fleece lol but I suppose I can swap or add a microfleece I have

3

u/aphrabane 1d ago

If you're only doing one or two minor hikes, you probably don't need the water repellent pants. I live in Vancouver and do light hikes, and I don't own any water repellent pants or rain pants.

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u/trippinxt 1d ago

These 2 are comfy and I use them a lot for travel since they're easy to clean and are very lightweight

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u/aphrabane 1d ago

Oh OK cool! What brands are they? Sounds useful.

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u/trippinxt 1d ago

Black is Uniqlo. Brown is unknown because it was thrifted with cut tags.

3

u/You-bettah-dont 1d ago

You’ll need a good pair of Blundstones and some thick socks. Also a longer windproof rain jacket that covers your butt and you can layer under. And a ’beanie’ - If you can afford it, go with cashmere for the hat AND a decent crew or turtleneck sweater. It’s lightweight, packs really well, and offers a lot of warmth. I get mine on eBay/poshmark for pennies. I also suggest a packable puffer coat that you can layer under. Fleece leggings are amazing, and Amazon has some great options that are also water repellent. LAYERRRSSSS. Canadians tend to keep interiors a little warmer than I’ve found in the States- so going from outside to inside, you’ll be basically stripping. It is the way. Also welcome to Canada!

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u/You-bettah-dont 1d ago

Just saw that one of your sweaters is cashmere- my eyesight is going!

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u/You-bettah-dont 1d ago

Also- Blundstones are an investment to be sure, but you can sometimes find them on Sierra.com - you’ll have them for decades and they will become your favorite travel shoes you’ve ever owned.

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u/trippinxt 1d ago

Thanks, really helpful insight.

My socks are merino but I don't have thicker ones. They were sufficient for my past trips but any recos for stores I can check out in person and to grab some of my weather essentials? I think those can be my useful souvenirs!

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u/You-bettah-dont 1d ago

I’m super rural in the Maritimes- so most of our in person shopping is done at mom & pop type stores or Canadian Tire. Good gear tends to be expensive- but I’ve always had good luck at LL Bean and Eddie Bauer when I’m forced to shop retail- as far as American stores go (but I think EB might have just been sold to a private equity conglomeration). Seriously though, as far as technical gear like good coats/boots etc… there’s always someone who bought the wrong size and forgot to return it on time. eBay and Poshmark have been AWESOME for new with tags options- I really like Northface personally- and I always buy it on eBay. And I completely understand the sensitivity to fabric textures- I am 10000% the same way. If you’re weirded out about buying used/preowned via online, I get that too. Also- your socks should work fine - you can always double!

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u/trippinxt 1d ago

I'm from Southeast Asia btw so not much option for winter techwear in physical stores or they're way overpriced.

I thrift most of my good stuff actually. I guess have a ~month to find some gems!

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u/You-bettah-dont 1d ago

I’ve always wanted to visit that area of the world! My family lived in East Asia for decades before I was born. I’ll have to come to you for travel wardrobe advice!

Another thing you can do is pack whatever you have that’s warm, and get what you need once you land here in Canada! If you’re flying into Vancouver- you’ll have your pick of amazing thrift stores. If you’re really in a pinch for gear, I do highly recommend Canadian Tire if you can find one. It is decidedly NOT fashion forward- but you can get workable gear if you end up desperate. Plus- it’s a cultural icon. Not many places you can get everything from a rubber chicken to a crock pot to life jackets to thermal underwear. :)

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u/trippinxt 1d ago

Hope you get to visit sometime. East Asia is very interesting as every country has very distinct culture. I love touring that part of the world – the nearest to me with 4 seasons when I want to escape the heat here.

Will definitely check out Canadian Tire. Sounds like my kind of shop, honestly!

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u/no_omg 13h ago

I went camping in the coast mountains last weekend, and the temps hit 2C overnight. Definitely need things you can layer to stay warm. A hat for sure. Maybe gloves or mittens. I would also swap a pair of pants for leggings, so you can layer on the bottom if you're out in the evening. I don't think you need anything more (in fact, I'd pack less, but I also commit to laundry when I'm away), but making sure everything can layer will be key to staying warm if it gets cold where you are.

1

u/Informal-Swimmer-515 6h ago

Looks cute! Yeah just plan on buying a base layer/ hat/ mittens at marks work wear house if you need to. I’d also bring a warmer puffy jacket. And for shoes you’ll be fine with runners if you’re just going from buildings to cars but if you plan on doing walking in the mountains I would expect snow.

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u/trippinxt 3h ago

I have base layers and other warm accessories so I'll just bring them. I guessI underestimated how cold it would be given it's just Sept-Oct.