This Svalbard Polar Night packing list is based on two trips and starts with one lesson: packing for the Arctic is different from packing for your average European city break.
Longyearbyen during the Polar Night – when the sun doesn’t rise above the horizon.
Forget your cardigan in Spain and you might have a chilly evening.
Get your clothing badly wrong in Svalbard and you may discover exactly how quickly your fingers stop cooperating.
I’ve visited Svalbard twice, including during the Polar Night, and one of the biggest things I’ve learned is that you don’t necessarily need an enormous suitcase full of expensive Arctic clothing.
You need the right clothing.
Preferably clothing that doesn’t leave you looking like the Michelin Man — although, frankly, at -20°C dignity becomes considerably less important.
This is my complete Svalbard Polar Night packing list, including what to wear in Longyearbyen, the winter essentials that are genuinely useful and a few things you probably don’t need to drag all the way to 78° North.
This article contains affiliate links. If you buy or book through one of these links, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.
Wear: thermal base layers, fleece or wool, an insulating layer and windproof outerwear.
Bring: warm boots, wool socks, mittens, a face covering, ice grips and a head torch.
Before you buy: check which specialist clothing your booked excursions provide.
Table of Contents
Welcome to 78° North
A useful reminder of just how far north you’ve travelled — London is more than 3,000 km away. Welcome to Longyearbyen.
When Is Polar Night in Svalbard?
There’s a slight distinction between Svalbard’s dark season and the Polar Night.
Visit Svalbard defines the dark season as running from 26 October to 16 February, while the Civil Polar Night lasts from approximately 14 November to 29 January. During the latter, the sun remains at least six degrees below the horizon.
In other words, the sun doesn’t rise.
At all.
Daylight has essentially packed its bags and gone south for the winter.
That doesn’t mean everything is simply black. Moonlight, stars, snow and faint twilight can create beautiful blue and pastel colours, particularly towards the beginning and end of the season.
And then, of course, there are the Northern Lights.
What to Wear in Svalbard During Polar Night
Wrapped up for Polar Night in Svalbard. Looking glamorous becomes substantially less important once you’re standing in the Arctic.
That’s me during Polar Night in Svalbard, looking less like a traveller and more like someone who’s just been informed the heating bill is overdue.
But that’s rather the point.
Svalbard isn’t the place to worry about whether your winter outfit is particularly flattering.
Warm beats fashionable. Every single time.
Visit Svalbard’s winter clothing guidance recommends windproof outerwear, several layers of wool and/or fleece, warm winter boots, wool socks, warm gloves or mittens, a balaclava and a windproof hat.
The trick isn’t simply buying the biggest coat you can find.
It’s layers.
A useful system is:
Thermal base layer → fleece/wool layer → insulating layer → windproof outer layer
This gives you much more flexibility — particularly because Longyearbyen’s buildings can be extremely warm.
You can go from Arctic explorer to tropical greenhouse in approximately thirty seconds.
1. Thermal Base Layers
Start with a proper thermal layer next to your skin.
I’d pack:
2–3 thermal long-sleeved tops
2 pairs of thermal leggings
Merino wool or synthetic thermal underwear
Merino wool is particularly useful because it’s warm and breathable.
Which is convenient because nobody travels to Svalbard because they’re excited about doing laundry.
Avoid relying heavily on cotton for your base layers. Once it becomes damp, it isn’t particularly good at keeping you warm.
Shop thermal base layers on Amazon UK
2. Fleece and Wool Mid-Layers
Next comes insulation.
I’d take a fleece, wool jumper and perhaps a lightweight insulated jacket.
You don’t necessarily need to wear everything simultaneously.
If you’ve put every item you brought on before you’ve even left the hotel, you’ve probably peaked too early.
3. A Proper Windproof Outer Layer
Cold is one thing.
Cold combined with Arctic wind is another.
Winter temperatures can fall below -30°C, and strong wind can make the effective temperature considerably lower.
Your outer layer therefore needs to stop the wind cutting through everything underneath.
I’d want a properly insulated winter jacket or parka with good wind protection and a hood, together with suitable winter trousers.
But don’t immediately spend hundreds of pounds buying specialist expedition clothing.
Check What Your Excursions Provide
Many organised excursions supply specialist clothing and equipment. Visit Svalbard specifically advises checking with your tour operator before buying or bringing everything yourself.
That one question could save you a small fortune.
Ask the operator exactly which thermal clothing, boots and gloves are supplied, and what you need to wear underneath. That can save you buying expensive kit for one outing.
And leave more money for food and beer in Longyearbyen.
Priorities.
For example, this four-hour Polar Night snowmobile excursion travels through Adventdalen towards a pingo and supplies thermal gear for the activity.
Check the Polar Night Snowmobile Adventure on GetYourGuide →
You’ll still need suitable warm layers underneath, so don’t interpret “clothing supplied” as permission to turn up in jeans and a T-shirt.
4. Proper Winter Boots
Cold feet can ruin your day surprisingly quickly.
Your boots should be insulated, comfortable, suitable for snow and ice and large enough to accommodate proper wool socks.
Official advice recommends winter boots with enough space for two pairs of woollen socks.
Don’t buy beautifully warm boots that fit perfectly with ordinary socks and then attempt to ram two pairs of Arctic socks into them.
Your toes still need to move.
And if you’ve bought new boots, wear them before travelling.
Discovering a blister two hours into an Arctic excursion isn’t character building.
It’s just annoying.
5. Wool Socks
I’d pack several pairs of decent wool socks, including some thicker ones.
Merino is particularly useful because it provides insulation without being ridiculously bulky.
Shop merino wool hiking socks on Amazon UK
Which brings me neatly to one of my favourite little Longyearbyen quirks…
6. Pack Indoor Shoes — Or Wear Decent Socks
Longyearbyen’s Miner Monument — a reminder of the coal-mining history that shaped the town. Even the local tradition of removing outdoor shoes has its roots in mining.
In many buildings in Longyearbyen, you’ll be expected to remove your outdoor shoes.
The tradition dates back to the settlement’s coal-mining history. Removing outdoor footwear prevented coal dust from being dragged into homes and buildings, and the custom remains today in hotels, shops, offices and other premises.
So pack lightweight indoor shoes.
Or at least check your socks before leaving your hotel.
This is not the day for the pair with the hole over the big toe.
There’s something particularly undignified about travelling all the way to 78° North only to discover your sock has given up.
7. Gloves AND Mittens
Take both.
Thin gloves are useful when you need some dexterity for a phone or camera.
Proper insulated mittens are generally warmer when you’re standing outside.
I’d take liner gloves, insulated gloves and warm mittens.
And preferably a spare pair.
Losing one glove somewhere in Longyearbyen and owning only the other one isn’t particularly useful.
8. Hat, Neck Warmer and Balaclava
Protect your face as well as your body.
I’d take a warm windproof hat, neck gaiter or buff and a balaclava.
A balaclava may not be the most flattering item you’ve ever worn.
You may look as though you’re either about to cross the Arctic or rob the world’s northernmost bank.
Fortunately, at -20°C nobody cares.
9. Ice Grips / Spikes
Take ice grips.
Seriously.
Visit Svalbard recommends bringing spikes because roads can be icy.
They’re inexpensive, weigh virtually nothing and could prevent you performing an involuntary triple Salchow outside the supermarket.
Make sure they fit your boots before travelling.
Shop ice grips for winter boots on Amazon UK
10. A Head Torch
If you’re visiting during Polar Night, take a head torch.
Yes, Longyearbyen has street lighting.
Move away from it and you’ll quickly appreciate having your own light source. Visit Svalbard also recommends using a headlamp during Polar Night.
A head torch leaves both hands free, which is useful for cameras, adjusting clothing and occasionally wondering why you didn’t book Tenerife instead.
Shop rechargeable head torches on Amazon UK
11. Reflective Gear
This one matters.
Longyearbyen doesn’t have pavements everywhere, so pedestrians sometimes walk along the edge of the road.
Longyearbyen’s community guidance recommends always wearing a reflector or high-visibility clothing when outside during Polar Night.
A reflective band or clip takes up virtually no luggage space.
It’s considerably better to resemble a Christmas decoration than be invisible to traffic.
Pack ice grips for slippery roads, a head torch for dark areas and a reflector or high-visibility band so drivers can see you. Try the ice grips on your boots before you travel.
12. A Small Day Backpack
For wandering around Longyearbyen, I’d carry a small backpack containing spare gloves, an extra layer, water, power bank, camera, snacks, lip balm, head torch and anything else I might need.
You don’t need an enormous expedition backpack to walk around town.
You’re visiting the supermarket, not attempting to conquer Everest.
Shop small travel day backpacks on Amazon UK
13. Power Bank
Cold weather isn’t particularly kind to batteries.
I’d carry a power bank and keep my phone and spare batteries relatively warm where possible.
An inside pocket is useful.
Your phone may occasionally receive better treatment than you do.
Shop travel power banks on Amazon UK
14. Camera Equipment
Svalbard during Polar Night is ridiculously photogenic.
The darkness, illuminated buildings, snow, mountains, moonlight and Northern Lights create completely different photographic conditions from a normal winter destination.
I’d take a camera or decent phone, spare batteries, charger, memory cards, lens cloth and a small tripod.
A tripod is particularly useful for the Northern Lights; Visit Svalbard’s Northern Lights photography advice recommends one, along with warm layers and a headlamp.
And remember condensation when taking freezing-cold camera equipment into a warm building.
Can You See the Northern Lights During Polar Night?
Northern Lights over Longyearbyen during Polar Night. Sometimes you don’t even need to leave town — this display appeared above the snowy mountains while I was in Longyearbyen.
Yes.
And you don’t necessarily need to disappear miles into the wilderness to see them.
I photographed the Northern Lights above right in Longyearbyen, with the town and mountains underneath them.
During Polar Night, darkness isn’t restricted to the evening. That means Svalbard has the wonderfully surreal possibility of seeing the Aurora during hours when almost anywhere else you’d expect daylight.
Visit Svalbard confirms that the Northern Lights may potentially be visible both day and night during Polar Night, although sightings obviously depend on weather and solar activity.
Nobody can guarantee they’ll appear.
Aurora apparently doesn’t care how much your holiday cost.
But when they do appear above Longyearbyen, they’re rather difficult to forget.
15. Hand Warmers
Hand warmers aren’t essential, but they’re tiny and can be very welcome when you’ve been standing outside staring hopefully at the sky.
Five minutes waiting for the Northern Lights is exciting.
Forty-five minutes later, your toes may have developed a different opinion.
Shop hand warmers on Amazon UK
16. Lip Balm and Moisturiser
Cold, wind and dry indoor heating aren’t particularly charitable to your skin.
Take lip balm, moisturiser and hand cream.
They’re tiny and considerably easier than spending the entire holiday complaining about your lips.
17. An Insulated Bottle
An insulated bottle is useful for water or a warm drink.
Don’t assume that because you’re surrounded by pristine-looking Arctic scenery you should start drinking directly from random streams.
Follow your guide’s advice.
Arctic does not automatically mean Evian.
Shop insulated bottles on Amazon UK
18. Normal Clothes
You don’t need to spend the entire holiday dressed as though you’re starring in a documentary about polar exploration.
Longyearbyen has restaurants, cafés, bars and shops.
Take comfortable normal clothing for travelling and evenings.
I wouldn’t fill valuable suitcase space with formal outfits.
Svalbard is pretty relaxed.
My Svalbard Polar Night Packing Checklist
Clothing: thermal tops and leggings; wool/fleece mid-layers; insulated and windproof outerwear; winter trousers; warm boots; wool socks; hat; balaclava; neck warmer; gloves and mittens; indoor shoes or warm socks.
Polar Night essentials: ice grips, head torch, reflective gear, small backpack, insulated bottle, power bank, hand warmers, lip balm and moisturiser.
Photography: camera/phone, spare batteries, charger, memory cards, lens cloth and tripod.
Travel: passport, travel insurance, accommodation and excursion confirmations, payment cards and any medication.
What I Would NOT Pack for Svalbard
Don’t automatically buy an entire expedition wardrobe. Check what your excursion operators provide first.
Don’t take loads of smart clothing. Longyearbyen is relaxed.
Don’t take five pairs of shoes. Proper winter boots and something lightweight for indoors will cover most people’s needs.
And don’t buy everything Amazon suggests after you’ve searched “Arctic” once.
You came for a holiday.
You’re not personally equipping Shackleton.
Is Svalbard During Polar Night Really That Cold?
Yes.
Sometimes extremely.
But don’t let that put you off.
With appropriate clothing and preparation, winter in Svalbard is extraordinary.
There’s something wonderfully surreal about wrapping yourself in numerous layers, opening the door into the Arctic darkness and remembering:
I’m standing at 78° North.
Even if you can barely bend your knees because you’re wearing six layers.
What Two Trips to Svalbard Taught Me
The biggest thing I’ve learned is that preparation matters more than simply packing loads of stuff.
Spend your money on things that actually keep you comfortable: decent base layers, proper socks, warm footwear, wind protection and something to protect your hands, face and head.
Check what excursions provide before buying specialist equipment.
And don’t underestimate the boring little things.
Ice grips, a head torch, spare gloves, lip balm and a reflector aren’t particularly exciting purchases.
But they may turn out to be considerably more useful than the expensive piece of Arctic kit an influencer convinced you couldn’t possibly survive without.
Most importantly, don’t think of the Polar Night as something you have to put up with.
It’s the reason to go.
Longyearbyen in the darkness is strange, beautiful and unlike anywhere else I’ve travelled.
And yes, you’ll probably look ridiculous in your balaclava.
Nobody cares.
You’re in Svalbard.
You can also browse my BorderLass travel guides and Adventure Passport for more ways to plan and record your travels.
Want to experience Polar Night by snowmobile?
The four-hour excursion below heads out from Longyearbyen through Adventdalen into the Arctic Polar Night, with specialist thermal gear provided for the activity.
Check availability for the Polar Night Snowmobile Adventure →
My Svalbard Packing Essentials
Thermal base layers · Merino wool socks · Ice grips · Head torch · Power bank · Hand warmers · Insulated bottle
Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of these links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
