Packing lists

What to pack for the Swiss Alps in July

July is peak hiking season in the Swiss Alps. The valley towns are warm and green, the lakes are warm enough for a swim, and the high trails are finally clear of snow. But the mountains make their own weather: afternoon thunderstorms are common, and a summit station at 10,000 feet can be close to freezing on a sunny day.

So the list is built for a day that starts warm in the valley and ends in the cold at the top of a cable car. Pack a waterproof shell, a warm midlayer and sturdy shoes, and carry them every day. The towns are relaxed, and clean hiking clothes go almost anywhere.

Checked

The weather

Daytime high
75°F
24°C in the valleys and lakeside towns.
Overnight low
55°F
13°C in the valleys. Much colder higher up.
On the summits
~32°F
0°C at 10,000 ft, with wind and sometimes snow.
Wet days
~13
Mostly afternoon thunderstorms. Start hikes early.

The capsule

A week, one traveler, Evergreen palette. Forest green and white for the trails, with camel for the towns. 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.

Evergreen palette · 11 pieces · 27 outfits

Layers

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

Tops

  • Merino long-sleeveMerino long-sleeve
  • Cotton teeCotton tee
  • Long-sleeve teeLong-sleeve tee

Bottoms

  • Hiking pantsHiking pants
  • ChinosChinos
  • Dark jeansDark jeans

Shoes

  • Hiking bootsHiking boots
  • Leather sneakersLeather sneakers

Three days from this capsule

Alpine trail hike
Cable car to the summit
Lakeside village dinner

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, for the summits
  • Two base layer tops
  • Three or four T-shirts
  • Hiking pants or shorts
  • Jeans or pants for town
  • Swimsuit for the lakes
  • Wool hiking socks

Shoes

  • Broken-in hiking boots or trail shoes
  • Comfortable shoes for towns and trains

Mountains

  • Packable daypack
  • High-SPF sunscreen and SPF lip balm
  • Sunglasses and a hat
  • Beanie and light gloves for the summits
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Trekking poles, if you use them

Documents and tech

  • Passport
  • Rail pass or train tickets
  • Travel insurance that covers hiking and mountain rescue
  • Card for tap-to-pay, plus some Swiss francs
  • Swiss Type J plug adapter (230V)
  • Power bank

Toiletries

  • Blister bandages
  • Insect repellent for the lakes
  • Any prescriptions, in your carry-on

Gear worth the space

  • A waterproof shell

    Light, packable and windproof. It goes in your daypack every day, whatever the forecast in the valley says.

  • Broken-in hiking shoes

    The trails are well marked but rocky and steep. Grip and ankle support matter more than weight.

  • A packable down jacket

    It squashes into a corner of your bag and is exactly what you need on a cold, windy summit.

  • A daypack with a rain cover

    Enough room for layers, lunch and water, and a cover for the afternoon storms.

Warm in the valley, about 32°F at the summit. Packlier packs the layers for your days in between.

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.