How to pack for Alaska in June, July, & August
The Basics
The Basics
The Basics
Layering is key to staying comfortable in Alaska. I stick to two simple, reliable daily combinations: jeans with a t-shirt and flannel, or leggings with a t-shirt and a long hoodie—the latter being my go-to for river fishing days. You’ll rarely need shorts, so I recommend leaving them at home and focusing on versatile layers that can easily be added or removed depending on the weather.
Outerwear
The Basics
The Basics
A high-quality, hooded raincoat is non-negotiable in Alaska—we never let the weather dictate our plans, and it rains often! For those colder days, I rely on a broken-in Carhartt coat; it’s durable, warm, and the perfect piece of gear for rugged Alaskan exploration.
Footwear
The Basics
Accessories
I have a rotation of three kinds of shoes in Alaska. I wear XTRATUFs while on charter boats, beach combing, and whenever it's raining. I have a pair of hiking boots for most days and longer walks, and I wear Crocs around my cabin because I'm constantly going in and out, so I need an easy slip-on comfortable pair of shoes.
Accessories
Your "Suitcase"
Accessories
Hats: I never head out without a hat. Trucker hats and baseball caps are daily staples—they're essential on the river for safety, protecting your face from stray fishing lures and shielding you from low-hanging tree branches while hiking. For those colder Alaskan days, I always keep a beanie in my pack to stay warm.
Sunglasses: Polarized
Hats: I never head out without a hat. Trucker hats and baseball caps are daily staples—they're essential on the river for safety, protecting your face from stray fishing lures and shielding you from low-hanging tree branches while hiking. For those colder Alaskan days, I always keep a beanie in my pack to stay warm.
Sunglasses: Polarized sunglasses are non-negotiable. They aren't just for comfort—they’re a safety essential on the river that can block a flying hook to the face, and help you navigate around underwater rocks in the current.
Your "Suitcase"
Your "Suitcase"
Your "Suitcase"
We take four coolers to Alaska every summer instead of suitcases. Since we keep our clothes at the cabin, we use the space to pack food, which can be pricey in AK. Once we’ve stocked the freezer with our catch, we seal the fish, freeze it solid, and pack it back into the coolers—duct-taping them securely—to bring home as our checked lugg
We take four coolers to Alaska every summer instead of suitcases. Since we keep our clothes at the cabin, we use the space to pack food, which can be pricey in AK. Once we’ve stocked the freezer with our catch, we seal the fish, freeze it solid, and pack it back into the coolers—duct-taping them securely—to bring home as our checked luggage.
If you’re planning a trip, consider bringing one suitcase for your clothes and one cooler for your gear and potential fish; it’s a perfect setup if you aren't planning to haul as much back as we do!
