After months of anticipation, our departure quickly approached. I soon realized that, as Texans, we probably didn’t have the proper clothing for this trip. Let’s be honest; we don’t have winter in Texas! Our vacations as a couple mostly consisted of beaches and summer heat, where you wore as little clothing as possible to prevent yourself from having a heat stroke. I had read about the necessary clothing items for Banff and set out to hunt down these items. My personal go-to shop for outdoor gear is REI. They offer a great selection, great customer service, and have an amazing return policy.
There are several things that I would consider to be crucial for this trip.
A few of my favorite things
Rain jacket
Be sure your jacket has a hood and is big enough to be added over the top of the layers you may have on beneath. I found a North Face rain jacket that worked great. However, I have since upgraded to a Patagonia rain jacket, which I love.
A good pair of hiking shoes or sneakers with a grip
The trails can be slick between the mud and rocks. I had a pair of Brooks running shoes with a pretty good grip on the sole and a pair of Adidas with a slicker sole. I opted to wear the Brooks on the trails and the Adidas around town. I have since purchased several pairs of hiking boots that I have worn out, and my two favorite brands are Danner and Altra. Both offer different things, so do your research and decide what is best for you.
Gloves and hats
These weren’t worn the whole time, but several mornings, we had freezing temperatures, and these were a lifesaver.
LAYERS!!!
I packed everything from tank tops to thermal base layers, fleece, and hoodies. Every day, I dressed in layers and began pealing those off throughout the day, only to put them back on in the evening.
Comfortable pants
Jeans are okay, but if you plan on hiking, they’re not the most comfortable. Do yourself a favor and invest in at least one pair of hiking pants.
Backpack/hiking day pack & water bottle
We purchased an Osprey day pack and loved it. I highly recommend a backpack with a waist belt and chest straps; this will distribute the weight of your backpack more evenly and prevent your shoulders from being overly stressed.
You may also consider packing an airtight container to store snacks while hiking. They make a bear box, but they can be pricey and bulky.
Bring a refillable water bottle. Stations to refill your bottle are often available, but bottled water may not always be available for purchase.
Trekking poles
If you don’t own these, don’t worry; you can rent them from local outfitters.
Bear Spray
We found a great place in downtown Banff that made renting trekking poles and bear spray a breeze.
Now that we were fully equipped for the Canadian Rockies weather, we were ready!