Packing lists

What to pack for Banff in July

July is peak summer in Banff. The lakes turn their famous turquoise, the hiking trails are clear of snow, and the days are long and warm. But this is the high Rockies: mornings are cool, afternoon storms build over the peaks, and the weather at a lake at 6,000 feet can be very different from the town.

So the list is built on layers for mountain weather. Pack a waterproof jacket and a warm layer for every outing, sturdy shoes for the trails, and something casual for the town. Banff is relaxed, and outdoor clothes are welcome almost everywhere.

Checked

The weather

Daytime high
72°F
22°C in the town. Cooler at the lakes and passes.
Overnight low
45°F
7°C. Early mornings are cold.
Wet days
~11
Mostly afternoon showers and storms.
Daylight
16 h
Sunset around 10pm.

The capsule

A week, one traveler, Harbor palette. Navy, ivory and rust layers for the trails, lakes and town. A capsule is a few clothes in one palette (a base color, a neutral and an accent) that all go together. The full list below adds what sits outside it.

Harbor palette · 10 pieces · 18 outfits

Layers

  • Waterproof shellWaterproof shell
  • Fleece jacketFleece jacket
  • Packable pufferPackable puffer

Tops

  • Merino base layerMerino base layer
  • Long-sleeve teeLong-sleeve tee
  • Cotton teeCotton tee

Bottoms

  • Hiking pantsHiking pants
  • Dark jeansDark jeans

Shoes

  • Hiking bootsHiking boots
  • Leather sneakersLeather sneakers

Three days from this capsule

Early start at Moraine Lake
Afternoon storm on the trail
Dinner in Banff town

Shown for one traveler. Packlier packs a capsule like this for each person on the trip.

The full list

Clothes

  • Waterproof shell with a hood
  • Fleece or insulated midlayer
  • Packable down jacket
  • Two base layer tops
  • Three or four T-shirts
  • Hiking pants and shorts
  • Jeans for town
  • Swimsuit for the hot springs
  • Beanie and light gloves for early starts

Shoes

  • Broken-in hiking boots or trail shoes
  • Comfortable shoes for town

Mountain kit

  • Bear spray, bought or rented locally
  • Packable daypack
  • Sunscreen and sunglasses
  • Insect repellent
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Binoculars
  • Sun hat

Documents and tech

  • Passport; or an electronic travel authorization if you need one
  • Parks Canada pass
  • Lake shuttle reservations
  • Travel insurance details
  • Type A/B plug adapter if not from North America (120V)
  • Offline maps; the parkways have no signal
  • Power bank

Toiletries

  • Lip balm with SPF
  • Blister bandages
  • Any prescriptions, in your carry-on

Gear worth the space

  • A waterproof shell

    Mountain storms build quickly. A light shell is the difference between finishing a hike and turning back.

  • A packable down jacket

    For sunrise at the lakes and cold summits, and small enough to live in your daypack.

  • Broken-in hiking boots

    The trails are rocky and steep, and some cross snow patches well into July.

  • Bear spray and a holster

    Keep it on your hip, not in your pack, so you can reach it in a second.

Turquoise lakes, cold sunrises and afternoon storms. Packlier packs your July for the mountains, not just the town.

Tell it where, when, why, which bag and which palette, and it packs the capsule, checks it against the bag and adds everything that is not clothing. Launching this year on Android, with iOS to follow.

One email at launch, nothing else.