We have no commercial agreements with Kathmandu but their amazing jacket range that folds into its own pocket is fantastic for travelling. Check out some of their Pack & Go clothing here.

Towels take up a lot of room, and are quite often pointless. And if you’re really caught short you can always buy one too. However, if bringing your towel along means you’re going to enjoy your trip more, than consider a chamois towel – it’s light and you can pick them up for around $15 – fantastic to dry yourself in the rain or if you’re short of a towel somewhere.

Keep your feet warm and dry with waterproof walking shoes, preferably boots. If you’re heading somewhere where there’ll be snow make sure there’s good traction because you’ll be doing a lot of walking.

Avoid the thick heavy socks which will take up room. Merino wool socks are the best – they’re warm and they dry quickly.

A winning winter adventures combination is your thermal long sleeved tops with jumpers to layer. You can even pack a couple of short sleeved tops as your base layer depending on how cold it’ll be. The thinner the tops the better and once again, go for wool wherever you can.

Mix it up and use varies scarves, hats and gloves to accessorise your outfit. Nobody will notice you’ve worn the same top for three days in a row. It’s a win-win.

Always wear thermal under clothing under your jeans. They are mostly made from two-ply fabric of either a wool layer or an artificial fibre, which uses trapped body heat to insulate against cold air. A quick reminder, to ensure maximum effectiveness, base layers should be fitted and not loose. If there are gaps between the fabric and your skin, the cold is more likely to sneak in.

You really cannot afford getting cold on your trip. So, make sure you have a thigh or knee length waterproof winter coat. It might sound like a large item to pack. However, if you follow our simple guide, you’ll be ready to go:

• • Fully zip the coat;
  • Lay flat and fold in sleeve;
  • Fold the coat in half;
  • Tightly roll the coat from bottom to top.
  • And secure with rubber bands and place in suitcase.

Don’t get caught in the rain on vacation. Pack one of these ultra-compact travel umbrellas and you’ll be ready for any kind of weather.

Packing your swimwear might sound a little out of place on this list but not if you’re planning on visiting any thermal baths.