It’s no secret that traveling can be challenging. Make reservations, organize gear, search for must-eats, must-dos, and must-drinks, and pack! You may feel overwhelmed by the process.
When your plane touches down in PDX, it’s totally worth it. Its famously retro carpets and gift shops boasting locally made products start the fun even before you leave the airport!
You’ll need every ounce of your carry-on backpack as you explore Portland’s five quadrants. Let us make your Portland trip planning a smooth experience, whether you want to experience Voodoo Donuts under the neon lights, find a neighborhood co-op, or dive into your next favorite nano-brewery.
Our Portland packing or Minimalist packing list will help you know what to wear in the City of Roses, including some tips for traveling.
The Ultimate Portland Packing List
Take Care of Your Luggage
You don’t want to be dragging a heavy, outdated suitcase behind you as you hop from the McMenamins pools to a divey Ethiopian lunch, and then snap a photo of the White Stag sign.
You’re better off with a well-designed travel backpack, which allows you to maximize convenience and mobility. It opens like a suitcase but carries like a rucksack, so we recommend stuffing your gear into the best travel Backpack.
When it comes to practicality and traveling, packing a second small backpack is the smartest thing to do. If you are planning to stop at Powell’s books, a packable daypack will be convenient for souvenirs.
Your activities can be made more enjoyable with a daypack when you’re away from your hip community hostel or Airbnb.
Don’t forget to bring your favorite electronics
If you don’t tell your friends about your adventures in the Pacific Northwest, how will they know?
- It’s Charger time
- Phone or camera
- Laptop or tablet
- Phone
- Are you traveling from abroad to Portland? Don’t forget to bring:
- The adapters
- Converters
Must-Pack Clothing for Portland
Your itinerary should be adjusted based on the length of time you’ll be in Portland, the weather forecast, and how you plan to fill your time. Packing light for a week is easy, but if you’re going for longer, you might want to roll a little tighter.
Men’s Portland Packing List
- 3-4 pairs of travel shorts or pants
- 3 to 4 shirts
- 1 dressier shirt for an evening out
- 1 thin jacket
- 1-2 sets of athletic attire
- 1 set of pyjamas or loungewear
- 3–5 sets of briefs
- 3 to 5 sets of socks
- two pairs of versatile shoes (wear one, pack one)
Portland Packing List for Women
- 3 to 4 pairs of pants, skirts, or shorts (depending on the season)
- 3 to 4 shirts
- 1–2 gowns (1 nicer dress for going out)
- 1 thin jacket
- 1-2 sets of athletic attire
- 2 bras (1 athletic, 1 every day)
- 3 to 4 sets of socks
- 3–5 sets of briefs
- 1 outfit of pyjamas or loungewear
- two pairs of versatile shoes (wear one, pack one)
- Want to spend some time outdoors?
- Suit up one more
- Add 1 set of trekking shorts or pants.
- Add one pair of supportive shoes (hiking boots or trainers)
- Sunscreen Insect repellent
- a tent, mat, backpack, or some other sort of camping gear (you can rent at REI)
- Put on a hat
- Want to bar-hop?
- Include 1 pair of stylish shoes.
- Include one finer outfit
- Add one plaid shirt.
- Add
Other Portland Packing Necessities
- A raincoat or extra layer—after all, this is a temperate rainforest!
- Toiletries Towel and washcloth
- Condoms
- put on makeup (only the essentials)
- Reusable water bottle (and coffee cup, if you search for “so wear in Portland”).
- Sunglasses
- Ideally, your bicycle. Alternatively, consider renting one! It’s ideal for navigating corners and bridges
If you forget something, you can probably find it at a local store or a chain that is popular with the public. In fact, Next Adventure’s clearance section is so amazing that you might want to unintentionally “forget” your outdoor gear.
What to Wear in Portland
These are the PDX costume must-dos for everyone, whether you’ve lived here for a while or are just trying to blend in at the Portland Jazz Festival.
Outdoor Relaxed
You can guarantee that most wear in Portland are either preparing to embark on or have recently returned from an outdoor vacation based on their attire.
Some areas of the city make walking through them feel like you’re in a runway show for Patagonia, the REI Co-Op, Prana, and Colombia, all staples from your neighborhood REI.
By the shoes they wear, you can always differentiate a real Portlander from a visitor (most locals opt for shoes that work in the rain as well as the sun).
To avoid receiving a hasty “outsider” label, bring your sweat-wicking layers and hike-friendly blouses and bottoms.
Revisit the 1990s
The phrase “the dream is alive” from the Portlandia theme song wasn’t a lie. You can absolutely harken back to white-washed jeans, denim overalls, and — if you’re feeling crazy — shoulder pads thanks to Portlanders’ love of all things plaid, muted, and grunge.
Your Stumptown pour-over to-go cup and a cigarette are the only things that are still lacking.
Don’t overthink things
In Portland, which calls itself a “strange place,” everything goes.
Wearing what you feel good about and acting confidently is the greatest approach to rocking your style. Make Portland’s fashion culture your own if you want to truly fit in, whether you’re eating Potato Champion, falling in love with Cascade Hops, or drinking yerba mate directly from the gourd.
Plus: Bring a lot of green
You’ll be glad you brought your ponderosa and moss green clothing to join the throngs of supporters in Providence Park if your trip coincides with a Timbers game.
Depending on the kind of Portland activities you want to go on, you might not need everything on our complete packing list for Portland. Leave your heels at home if you want to spend most of your time climbing up the gorge or lazing about in the rose garden.
On the other hand, if you like playing Pacman at Ground Kontrol or waiting in lengthy lines for breakfast at Sweedeedee, leave your hiking trousers at home.
Whatever the case, don’t forget to pack a fully charged camera as well as an open mind to the unexpected.
Keep Portland strange! Prepare yourself for the sights, sounds, and — occasionally unpleasant — scents of Oregon’s Rip City.
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