I thought I packed pretty intelligently for a September week in Edinburgh.
Merino wool. Layers. Rain gear. Puffy jacket. Comfortable shoes. All the things you’re supposed to bring to Scotland.
Then I actually got there.
Over six days, I walked 54 miles through Edinburgh, up hills, down cobblestone streets, through sudden rain and wind, and in and out of buildings that were often much warmer than I expected.
By the end of the trip, I had a very different idea of what I actually needed.
What Earned Its Place
Matador Refraction Daypack
This was the perfect sightseeing bag. It was small and lightweight but still had enough room for an extra jacket, scarf, beanie, minimal toiletries, wallet, and whatever cards, stationery, artwork, or other souvenirs I picked up along the way.
Nano reusable bag
Tiny when packed and incredibly useful. Shops in the UK generally don’t hand out free bags, so having one tucked into my daypack meant I was always prepared when I inevitably bought something.
Maximum-cushion Hokas
After 54 miles, my feet still hurt. There was probably no avoiding that. But my Hokas made that amount of walking possible.
Darn Tough cushioned socks
These did exactly what I needed them to do from a cushioning standpoint. My feet were sore after walking so many miles, but I finished the trip without a single blister.
That said, they taught me an important lesson: cushioned doesn’t necessarily mean ideal for all-day city walking. Because they’re wool, my feet often felt too hot in them. They worked, but they weren’t necessarily the best choice for the conditions.
L.L.Bean fleece zip-up hoodie
The MVP of my wardrobe. I wore it constantly. It was warm without being excessively hot, easy to remove, and the combination of exterior zip pockets and interior pockets was incredibly practical.
Columbia rain jacket / windbreaker
I didn’t need a heavily insulated coat, but I absolutely needed protection from Edinburgh’s wind. Worn over my L.L.Bean fleece, this was the ideal combination. The adjustable cuffs were particularly useful.
Lightweight cashmere scarf
Exactly enough warmth without the bulk of a traditional winter scarf. It packed down easily and was simple to pull out whenever the wind picked up.
Smartwool merino wool beanie
Warm, lightweight, and easy to stuff into my daypack whenever I didn’t need it.
Phone crossbody strap
One of those little things that became indispensable. I was constantly pulling out my phone for Google Maps and Citymapper. Wearing it meant I didn’t have to dig through my bag or worry about dropping it while navigating unfamiliar streets.
A very small water bottle
I didn’t need to carry a giant bottle of water around Edinburgh. An approximately 8-ounce bottle was plenty for me on cool days and saved both weight and space.
What Stayed in the Suitcase
This is where I got Scotland wrong.
I packed for the temperature on the weather app rather than for what it would actually feel like while walking miles every day and constantly moving between outdoors and overheated indoor spaces.
I didn’t wear my long-sleeve merino shirts.
I didn’t need my fleece-lined leggings.
The fur neck warmer was completely unnecessary. So were the gloves.
My puffy jacket and puffy vest never came out of the suitcase. I also brought more wool socks than I needed.
The biggest surprise was how warm I felt for most of the trip. Walking Edinburgh’s hills generates plenty of heat on its own, and shops, restaurants, museums, tearooms, and other indoor spaces could feel downright hot.
I had prepared for being cold. I should have prepared for constantly taking layers off.
There were also a few things that simply weren’t worth carrying across the Atlantic. I barely use my iPad when I travel, and it’s heavy. A travel blanket and neck pillow take up too much valuable space for how little I use them.
What I Wish I’d Packed Instead
More short-sleeve shirts.
That was probably my biggest wardrobe mistake.
I would have been much happier with additional short-sleeve merino shirts and regular cotton T-shirts. They’re breathable indoors and easy to layer when the temperature drops outside.
I also wish I’d brought cotton cardigans. Something lightweight that I could easily put on, take off, and stuff into my daypack would have been much more useful than insulated outerwear.
And instead of bringing so many pairs of Darn Tough wool socks, I wish I’d brought more of my Balega cushioned athletic socks.
The Darn Tough socks performed beautifully in one very important respect: 54 miles and no blisters. But my feet frequently felt hot. My Balegas give me the cushioning I need while being more breathable, which would have been better suited to the amount of walking I was doing.
Most importantly, I should have packed my summer pajamas.
I sleep hot, and a warm, stuffy bedroom was far more of a problem than Edinburgh’s nighttime temperatures outside. From now on, the summer pajamas come with me regardless of the season.
What I’ll Do Next Time
My packing formula for a cool-weather European city is now much simpler:
If it’s colder, I’ll add my cashmere scarf and Smartwool beanie.
Unless temperatures are expected to drop below roughly 40°F, I’m probably leaving the puffy jacket and vest at home.
For socks, I’ll prioritize breathability and cushioning over warmth. Darn Tough is still a great option when I actually need wool and warmth, but for long days walking around a city in moderate temperatures, I’ll reach for my Balegas instead.
I’ll also impose a packing limit on myself: for a trip of about a week, my clothes should fit into one medium packing cube and one small packing cube.
I’ll bring fewer “just in case” items and more of the things that proved themselves after miles of actual use.
And I’ll think differently about footwear. The question isn’t simply, Are these comfortable shoes?
Would I want to walk eight or nine miles in these today, and then do it again tomorrow?
Because Scotland taught me that the best packing list isn’t the one that prepares you for every conceivable situation.
It’s the one where almost everything you carried actually gets used.