Before packing for an active vacation, there are a few questions you need to ask yourself so that you don’t end up taking too much or too little – we’ve all been there, sitting on our suitcases, willing them to close! I’ve also been there, trying to go for a run in Arctic conditions with just shorts and a t-shirt, just to run back inside again so that I don’t catch hyporthermia.

First of all, decide on what type of exercise you’re planning to do while you’re away and plan it out. During my upcoming vacation to the UK, I know I am going to want to run four or five times, do a couple of body strength workouts at home, and hike when/if the opportunity presents itself. We’re staying near to Hampstead Heath, so the more we can get out there to explore, the better as there are so many pretty trails and beautiful views over London.

It’s also important to consider the weather of the location you’re going to. It sounds obvious, but I’ve been caught out before, assuming that it would be warmer than it actually was and not having the right gear to head outside in. Do some weather stalking on your phone just before you leave so you know what to expect.

Don’t forget to find out whether the place you’re staying has laundry facilities. In the UK, we know that halfway through our trip we’ll have access to a washing machine and a dryer, which makes things so much easier.

And finally… how much luggage can you take? Since we are going on our trip for 9 days, I have decided to take my bigger suitcase and check it, which means I can pack more and have less to carry on the flight.

The UK in November is usually quite wet and windy. Sometimes the sun comes out, but the rays aren’t as strong as they are in DC where I live, so I expect that its going to be chilly. It’s also dark until late in the morning and the sun sets really early so I’ll need some high visibility items. I looked at the weather tonight and some towns in the UK have already had their first fall of snow! With all of that in mind, I’ve decided to wrap up warm, so here’s what I’m going to take:

General workout clothes:

• Tights: Three pairs that I could wear twice and wash mid way through. One pair is thermal, for hiking, and the other two are lighters pairs for running. My favourite running tights for mid-chilly runs are the Sweaty Betty Power leggings. I’m short, so I buy the 7/8 length and they fit perfectly. For super cold runs, I have some very old thermal tights from Lululemon which I love.
• Shorts: One pair for indoor workouts and for outdoors if there is a sudden heat wave (very unlikely in the UK, but you never know). My favourite shorts are Sweaty Betty Power Biker Shorts 6″ (spotting a theme here?)
• Sports bra: Two sports bras, one to wear and one to wash/dry. I recently discovered Maaree sports bras which have changed my running life! They are so supportive and comfortable. They are expensive, but it’s really worth investing in them as they are very well made and last for ages.
• Underwear: 5 extra pairs – one for each workout
• Socks: 3 pairs, one of which were ankle length and wool, so great for hiking or a rainy run. I usually buy Feetures as they work for me and I never get blisters.
• Tops: 1 x super warm top for hiking and running, as it looks really cold. 1 x thinner, long sleeved top and 1 x t-shirt for indoor workouts. I don’t have any favourite tops, so please let me know if you do. I have a couple of old Lululemon ones and a recent purchase from Athleta that I’m looking forward to trying out.

Outerwear: 

• Jackets: I’m packing my fleece-lined North Face jacket as it’s great for running in the cold as well as hiking. I’ve also packed my waterproof and high visibility jacket for safety and for protection from the wind and rain.
• Head band: I don’t like running in hats, so I’ve packed a warm fleecy headband to keep my ears warm. It’s also great for hiking.
• Gloves: One pair of light gloves which are suitable for running and hiking. I have a really old pair from Lululemon, a bit like this. They are about 12 years old, so it’s safe to say that they were a great investment.

Shoes

• The UK is well known for being damp and muddy. I don’t want to ruin my almost new Saucony Kinvaras, so I’m taking my older Speed Endorphins instead. They are good for running and will work for short hikes too and I won’t be really upset if they end up caked in mud. Ideally I’d like to pack my Colombia hiking shoes for muddy country walks, but I don’t think I’ll have enough space in my suitcase, so we’ll have to stick to dry-ish trails.

Accessories:

• A running belt to stash your keys, phones, gels and water if you plan on running long. I have a Flipbelt which holds everything including the kitchen sink.
• Your roadID
• Lights for running in the dark. We have an awesome Tracer vest. We’ve had it for years, so it’s the oldest model, but it’s still working well and is so bright. When I run with my husband, one of us wears the vest, and the other wears the assortment of lights that we have as well as a headlamp.
• Watch and its charger
• Ziplock backs to vacuum pack your dirty clothes in case you aren’t going to be able to wash them before traveling home.
• Washing detergent to rinse clothes out in the sink if needed/put in the washing machine.

Last time we were in the UK I was really glad I took as much as I did as we were very active. I wore everything I took, often more than once, and also made use of the washing machine half way through our trip to refresh my tights, underwear and sports bra.  I’m hoping I’ll do the same this time around as it’ll be a sign of a great active vacation.

I’d love to hear more about how you pack your workout clothes for vacations. Do you have any tips you could share to help others?