Traveling to Norway for the first time, many ask me what to wear in Norway. Yes, Norway has become a very popular tourist attraction since Anthony Bourdain featured the country, the culture and the cuisine on his extremely popular TV series a few years ago. So what should you pack?

You can always tell the person that is an experienced traveler. They seem to have little luggage, fly through airports knowing every terminal, always look fresh and have a piece of clothing for every occasion.

The inexperienced seem to have loads of luggage and nothing to wear.

Choosing what to wear when traveling is a very different exercise than planning out 2 weeks of outfits, though. A lot of luggage is the most obvious sign of the inexperienced traveler. 

The trick with what to wear in Norway is choosing clothing that will keep you dry as well as keeping you warm. It might be freezing on the outside of your snow gear, but you don’t want to be swimming in your own sweat.

As such, natural fibers are a big must. Cotton and wool are always the best and will help your body regulate itself better under all those layers you need to stay warm.

So let’s get right down to it... 

How do we decide what to wear in Norway?

Actually, it’s pretty easy. We concern ourselves with the weather and type of climate. Norway is cold, even during the summer months, there is a lot of snow, and when there is a lot of snow, everyone needs to think about protecting their skin and eyes. There is also a lot of rain.

1. The basics to start with.

Even in the summer you are going to need long sleeves and a good jacket to keep you warm. Boots are always a must when traveling in any country, whether you are there for just shopping or you plan to summit snowy mountains. Boots with softer soles are highly recommended because the cold weather can cause them to harden. Boots are always the best type of shoes to take on any trip to an extreme climate such as northern Norway. Boots protect your feet from being hurt, and they keep your feet warm.

In the southern parts of Norway and city areas such as Oslo, you can be a little more flexible and bring closed, waterproof shoes. Most people with city destinations will need something they can wear for a casual setting, and something a bit more fashionable for dinner and nights out.

2. For when it gets even colder.

You will never forgive yourself if you don’t bring thermal underwear if you're traveling to Norway during the winter months. It is easy enough to see who is wearing thermal underwear in winter -- they are the ones having a great time outdoors. Again, think about clothes you can wear under and over. Jackets that can be turned inside out are another great way to add a piece to your wardrobe without adding weight to your luggage. It is also good to know that several thin layers of clothing will keep you warmer than one thick sweater.

3. Protect against the sun.

UV rays can be just as damaging to our skin, eyes and brain even when the skies look dim. Sunglasses and sunscreen are minimum requirements for Norway. You should also be wary of heat-stroke, caused by UV rays. It always pays to pack a protective hat as well.