how to prepare for the last stop before the North Pole

A curated Svalbard packing list with links to specific products that have been tried and tested by Atlas & Boots

I was feeling if not cocky then certainly complacent. I had been to the Arctic once or twice and had returned from Antarctica just a few months earlier. Svalbard in comparison would be a cinch I was sure. 

The route map, however, gave me pause. Svalbard is known as ‘the last stop before the North Pole’ and it’s not just a marketing gimmick. It is really bloody north. To put it into context, our trip to Antarctica reached 66°33′ south of the equator. Our trip to Svalbard, however, would travel to 81°17′ north, far further than we’d travelled before. In fact, we would go within 500 miles (800km) of the North Pole – just over half the length of Britain. 

With this in mind, I knew that it was going to get cold. Really bloody cold. Thankfully, I had already done the legwork ahead of our trip to Antarctica, so my Svalbard packing list barely needed thought. To help you pack with similar ease, I share my kit list below.

Svalbard packing list

My Svalbard packing list is based on an 8-day expedition to Svalbard and is broken down into Expedition clothing, Accessories, Onboard clothing, Toiletries, Basics, and Electronics. Where relevant, I’ve included links to exact products that I’ve personally tried and tested. The list has a female skew but most of the linked gear has a male equivalent.

Expedition clothing

Layers are key to staying warm in the polar regions, so make sure you pack base, mid and outer layers. 

Accessories

Onboard clothing

The evening dress code on polar expeditions is completely casual. Think fleeces, jumpers, gilets and hoodies. Trainers and walking boots are perfectly acceptable.

• Casual tops x 2
• Fleece leggings x 2 (CRZ Yoga in two different colours) – these look better in real life and I adore them
• Jeans x 1
• Trainers x 1 (HH Feathering Trainers)
• Ballet flats – optional but I found them useful for nipping down to get a cup of tea (note: you have to wear closed-toed shoes on board)
• + a comfy outfit for the flight

Toiletries

Don’t forgo the sunscreen. Svalbard may be cold and windy but the sun is deceptively strong. 

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Deodrant
• Facewash
• Moisturiser
• Batiste dry shampoo – you’ll be in and…