7 Best Travel-Friendly Winter Wear, Recommended By An Expert – 2024

Keep yourself warm during winters with apparel that are comfortable and portable.

Reviewed by Raluca Oita, Fashion Designer Raluca Oita Raluca OitaFashion Designer facebook_iconinsta_icon
Written by Baishali Bhattacharya, MA (English) Baishali Bhattacharya MA (English) linkedin_icon
Edited by Srijani Roy Chowdhury, MA (Journalism & Mass Communication), Certified Style & Image Consultant Srijani Roy Chowdhury MA (Journalism & Mass Communication), Certified Style & Image Consultant linkedin_icon Experience: 3 years
Fact-checked by Srijita De, MA (English & Literature), Certified Style & Image Consultant Srijita De MA (English & Literature), Certified Style & Image Consultant linkedin_icon Experience: 2 years
Last Updated on

Traveling is fun, but it can be challenging in cold winters as you need special apparel that is functional and practical. Hence, the best travel-friendly winter wear should be a good investment as it allows you to travel comfortably without carrying a pile of winter clothes. These winter apparels keep you warm and allow you to carry essentials that come in handy during your travel. The puffy jackets can be no match to the winter apparel. They may be made of polyester, nylon, or cotton materials. Unlike regular jackets, they are not bulky and keep you comfortable. Have a look at our curated list of bestselling travel-friendly winter wear by trusted brands that can keep you super cozy and comfortable. Keep scrolling!

Top PicksCheck Price
Best Comfort:Max & Mia Ladies' The Essential Travel CardiganPrice on Amazon
Best Stylish:Ecoinway Scarf Wrap ShawlPrice on Amazon
Best Hooded:UGG Women's Franca Travel CardiganPrice on Amazon
Best Versatile:Barefoot Dreams Boucle Hooded CardiganPrice on Amazon
Best Oversized:Catalonia Oversized Hoodie Blanket SweatshirtPrice on Amazon
Best Utility Pockets:SCOTTeVEST Women's SweatshirtPrice on Amazon
Best Wrinkle-Resistance:SCOTTeVEST Women's Lucy Travel CardiganPrice on Amazon

7 Best Travel-Friendly Winter Wear To Buy

1. Best Comfort:Max & Mia Ladies’ The Essential Travel Cardigan

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4.5

This super-soft, travel-friendly cardigan from Max & Mia is made of 75% nylon and 25% rayon. The long sleeves and side pockets ensure that your hands remain warm even during chilly flights. This cardigan is the perfect layering piece you can wear this season. It will keep you warm under your jackets, and you can even wear it while lounging around the house. It comes in four different color options and sizes from small to XXL.

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Pros
  • Soft material
  • Side pockets
  • Stretchy
  • Comfortable
  • Budget-friendly

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Cons
  • Hand wash only
  • Thin material
protip_icon Quick Tip
Cardigans must not be washed after every use. Wash them occasionally in lukewarm or cold water and dry under the sun.

2. Best Stylish:Ecoinway Scarf Wrap Shawl

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4.5

Gift your loved ones a warm, cozy yet stylish scarf wrap shawl this holiday season. This poncho style sweater is made of 80% polyester and 20% cotton fabric and is lightweight, easy to drape and style, and reversible. The deep pockets take care of all your important items like keys, ID cards, credit cards, wallets, etc. This unisex shawl wrap poncho is free size and can be worn with any style of clothes, boots, or jewelry. This is the ideal fashion accessory that offers a touch of practicality and warmth. And, has thus been a constant trusted choice of many buyers, so you surely can give it a shot too!

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Pros
  • Easy to buckle
  • Easy to drape
  • Reversible
  • Deep pockets

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Cons
  • Expensive
protip_icon Quick Tip
Hang your dry wrap shawl in the sun before using it to kill any bacteria.

3. Best Hooded:UGG Women’s Franca Travel Cardigan

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4.4

If you are looking for a hooded cardigan that is loose yet luxe, the Women’s Franca Travel Cardigan is an ideal choice. It is made of 70% recycled polyester fibers and 30% polyester, which makes it cozy and soft and also gives it a textured look. The cardigan is perfect for travel as it has an oversized hood to protect you from the chilly air from the AC vents in a plane, while the welt pockets keep your hands warm and comfy. The excellent product has also garnered numerous rave reviews on Amazon for its good quality and comfortable fit.

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Pros
  • Easy to wear
  • Packable
  • Machine washable
  • Soft material

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Cons
  • Expensive

4. Best Versatile:Barefoot Dreams Boucle Hooded Cardigan

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4.2
Barefoot Dreams Boucle Hooded Cardigan Image: Barefoot Dreams

This long cardigan from Barefoot Dreams with a hood and pockets makes for an excellent all-weather layering piece. The boucle fabric is not just super soft and comfy, but it also makes the cardigan durable and suitable for regular use. Its weather-resistant fabric is made of 85% nylon and 15% polyester, which is breathable and designed to resist snags and tears. The cardigan is easy to mix and match as you can pair it up with leggings or jeans. This lightweight yet heavy-duty, stylish, and versatile cardigan can undoubtedly be a great addition to your travel gear or even an ideal gifting option to your loved one.

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Pros
  • Comfortable
  • Soft
  • Durable
  • Easy care
  • Non-restrictive
  • Breathable
  • Lightweight

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Cons
  • Expensive
protip_icon Quick Tip
Always store the cardigans with muslin cloth wrapped moth balls to avoid insect attacks.

5. Best Oversized:Catalonia Oversized Hoodie Blanket Sweatshirt

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4.7

The Catalonia Oversized Sweatshirt is the perfect travel companion for all your outdoor camping adventures or a cozy night-in at home. This creatively designed hoodie blanket can be converted into a pillow or lumbar support. It is reversible with a smooth microfleece on the front and a sherpa lining on the other side.

The comfortable, giant yet trendy hoodie keeps you warm from head to toe. It has a large front pocket that keeps your hands warm and is big enough to carry a phone, snacks, or remote. This large, roomy ‘one size fits all’ sweatshirt is suitable for all and can easily become your go-to, trusted choice too. The elastic cuffs keep the sleeves in place and allow you to use your hands. This winter wear is machine washable and easy to clean.

Item Weight: 115 pounds

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Pros
  • Soft
  • Comfortable
  • Reversible
  • Convertible
  • Large front pocket
  • One size fits all
  • Machine washable

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Cons

None

6. Best Utility Pockets:SCOTTeVEST Women’s Sweatshirt

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4.2
SCOTTeVEST Women’s Sweatshirt Image: Scotteves

Are you looking for a sweatshirt that will help organize your travel essentials and make you look incredibly fashionable at the same time? The SCOTTeVest women’s Chloe glow travel hoodie is the right choice. It is made of cotton, poly, and spandex blend and is machine washable. The 18 pockets hold all your travel essentials, and the concealed pockets enable safe and secure traveling. The well-designed, chiropractor-approved travel hoodie is moisture-wicking and quick-drying, making it ideal for winter wear. The reviewers have tested and approved the product for having deep pockets and a long hood and feel that it is worth the price.

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Pros
  • Functional pockets
  • Machine washable
  • Zipper closures
  • Space-saving
  • Comfortable
  • Moisture-wicking
  • Extendable and detachable key holder
  • Hidden thumbholes
  • Hidden pockets
  • Reversible cuffs

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Cons
  • May run small

7. Best Wrinkle-Resistance:SCOTTeVEST Women’s Lucy Travel Cardigan

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3.3
SCOTTeVEST Women’s Lucy Travel Cardigan Image: Scotteves

If a stylish yet functional cardigan is what you have on mind, this one from SCOTTeVest is your best bet. It is made of 61.4% polyester and 38.6% cotton, which increases wrinkle resistance. This cardigan comes with four utility pockets to keep all your necessities intact while traveling. It includes a cowl that can double up as a loose headscarf. Style it as you wish – keep it open for the Gen Z look or close it using a fashionable belt. It is the perfect combination of comfort and functionality.

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Pros
  • Machine washable
  • Zipper pockets
  • Lightweight
  • Comfortable
  • Includes a cowl
  • 2-year warranty

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Cons
  • May pull and tug

Before you decide on your favorite travel-friendly winter wear and make the purchase, have you wondered why you should invest in these?  Check out the section below to learn about some benefits of these winter wear.

Why You Should Pack Travel-Friendly Winter Wear

  • Stay Cozy On Flights: Traveling by air can give one the chills, especially when the AC vent blows out cold air right on your head. Here’s where your hooded travel jacket can save the day! Moreover, if you begin to feel warm, you can just take it off and fold it to make a portable lumbar support pillow and rest your back. You can even pass through the TSA at the airport without having to remove your sweater! Cool, isn’t it?
  • Layer Up For Warmth And Comfort: Layers work magic where a single piece fails to impress.  Wearing just a jacket may not be as efficient as wearing layers of warm clothes. A good travel cardigan under your hoodie works wonders in keeping you warm. And when you are a little sweaty from the trek or hike that you took, all you need to do is take off that one layer, and you are good to go!
  • Style Up: A puffy jacket can make you look like a tent, and you sure don’t want to be looking like one when you are traveling. A lightweight, wrinkle-free travel sweater or sweatshirt is way more fashionable. You can even accessorize with a belt to give your body a flattering fit.

We hope our guide and suggested list of winter wear will be the perfect travel partner that will keep you warm and cozy.

Raluca Oita, a fashion designer with a bachelor’s degree from Westminster University, London, says, “Fortunately, winter wear can be both practical and fashionable if you know how to put together the right outfit. Accessorizing can be a key component of this. Don’t forget to add warmth and style to your outfit with scarves, hats, and gloves, and consider investing in a few high-quality pieces that you can wear multiple seasons.”

Infographic: Layering Essentials To Pack For Winter Travel

Discover the key to staying warm and comfortable during your winter travels with our guide to layering essentials. From thermal tops that provide insulation to moisture-wicking socks that offer warmth without bulk, you can stay cozy and stylish on your winter adventures. Check out the infographic below to understand how to style travel-friendly layering pieces.

Layering

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

The Bottom Line

Traveling in cold winter can be fun if you have proper warm winter wear. Unfortunately, those regular jackets are bulky and not travel-friendly. Instead of multiple winter apparel, you’ll need travel-friendly winter wear that can be easily packed and does not occupy much space. Invest in winter essentials like puffy jackets, which will keep you warm and comfortable and handy during travels. You can even style them with accessories like a belt to look chic. While the UGG Women’s Franca Travel Cardigan is perfect for those looking for a cozy yet fashionable travel clothing with an oversized hood, the SCOTTeVEST Women’s Lucy Travel Cardigan features four utility pockets for carrying essentials without the need for additional bags. These are lightweight, comfortable, as well as machine washable. Choose one that meets your needs.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

Author Baishali Bhattacharya has browsed online to check the user feedback. She carefully picked the list of the best travel-friendly winter wear. The winter wears listed above is made of breathable material. They are machine washable, look stylish, and keep you cozy on flights. Furthermore, these jackets come with pockets to carry essential things with ease and comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I dress for winter travel?

Winter travel attire needs to be practical but interesting. Make sure to carry a basic cardigan, a sweatshirt, a puffy jacket, and, possibly, a coat so that you can style them differently or layer them as the weather demands.

How should I dress for the airport in winter?

Being comfortable is key for the airport look in winter. You can pair jogger pants with a stylish cardigan to complete the look. If you’re still cold, layer a coat on top.

What should I pack for a 3-day winter trip?

• Pants
• Base layers
• Long-sleeve tees
• Cardigans
• Puffy jacket
• Sweatshirts
• Shoes
• Socks

What kind of pants is good for cold weather travel?

Warmer and thicker pants made of denim, corduroy, or wool are excellent choices for winter clothing since they keep you warm while traveling.

What pants are warmer than jeans?

Sweatpants are usually warmer than jeans.

Why do my legs feel cold in leggings?

If the leggings are made of very thin material, your legs may feel cold.


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Raluca Oita
Raluca OitaFashion Designer
Raluca Oita is a fashion designer with an experience of over 8 years. She has a bachelor’s degree from Westminster University, London. After graduating, she started working as a fashion designer for various brands. It was during this time that she realized that there was a lack of high-quality sewing patterns available on the market, so she co-founded Georgette Patterns, a sewing patterns boutique, to bridge the gap between high fashion and dressmaking.

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Baishali Bhattacharya
Baishali BhattacharyaBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Baishali is a beauty and lifestyle writer and holds a master's degree in English from Assam University. She specializes in makeup and fashion and is also a certified Style and Image Consultant. Prior to this, she was a part of a digital marketing company in Kolkata where she wrote stories on travel, beauty, and home décor.

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Srijani Roy Chowdhury
Srijani Roy Chowdhury Associate Commerce Editor
Srijani is an associate commerce editor with a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal. She is certified in makeup techniques and is also a certified style and image consultant.

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Srijita De
Srijita DeCommerce Writer
Srijita De is a makeup and fashion enthusiast with a passion for empowering readers through practical tips and tricks to present their best selves with confidence. Armed with a postgraduate degree in English and Literature from the University of Calcutta, she has honed her writing skills and developed an in-depth understanding of the beauty and fashion world.

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