Hello! Welcome to everyone coming to Korea for winter travel~ ❄️Ultimate Korea Winter Packing List 2025: What to Pack for Cold Weather (Tips from a Korean)
But honestly… Korean winter looks pretty on the outside, but it’s bone-chillingly cold. The wind is strong, the air is extremely dry, and the wind chill easily drops below -15°C. As a Korean who goes on winter trips every year, I’ve picked out only the hidden items and tips that foreigners often don’t know about but are really essential!
Essential Packing List for Foreigners Coming to Korea in Winter (Straight from a Korean’s Honest Perspective)
1. Clothing – Layering is life
Korean winter has a standard wind chill of -15°C + strong gusts, so without proper layering you’ll freeze instantly.
- Heat-tech inner layers (functional underwear) 3–5 pieces → Uniqlo Heattech is highly recommended. You can buy it in Korea, but bringing some from home gives you peace of mind.
- Fleece-lined leggings or thermal pants 2–3 pairs → Must-wear under jeans or trousers. Frozen legs = trip ruined.
- Long padded coat (knee-length) 1 piece → Short padded jackets barely block the wind. That’s why almost everyone in Korea wears long ones.
- Thick socks + thermal socks 5+ pairs → Cold feet ruin everything.
- Scarf/neck warmer + gloves + beanie set → The best defense against wind.
Here are some typical Korean street scenes with long padded coats (almost all in black or dark tones!):
![WHY] Fashion meets function: Why Koreans can't let go of the long ...](https://khealingculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/49efff99-0f8f-4939-9cc4-764ea92ee54a.jpg)
![WHY] Fashion meets function: Why Koreans can't let go of the long ...](https://khealingculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/9fcff99b-4279-46ae-ad60-5f8b021b7920.jpg)
Quick side note: Why are Korean long padded coats almost always black or dark? Because when you eat Korean food like kimchi jjigae or tteokbokki, red sauce splatters everywhere… and on a white coat it’s a disaster ㅋㅋㅋ That’s why Korea became the “black padded coat republic”!
2. Survival Items – Things Koreans always keep in their pockets
These are must-haves. You can buy them locally, but bringing a few makes the first day much easier.
- Hand warmers (hot packs) 20+ pieces → Small ones for hands/pockets/shoes, large ones for stomach/back. Life-saver in -15°C.
- Portable mini humidifier (small travel size) → Korean winter air is insanely dry. Nosebleeds and cracked skin are everyday things. Especially for people with thinner skin (many Westerners), this is a must!
- Lip balm + hand cream (small travel size) → Chapped lips and hands happen daily.
- Power bank (20,000mAh or higher) → Cold weather drains batteries twice as fast.
Daiso store in Korea has tons of winter items like hand warmers – super cheap and convenient!
What To Wear In The Korean Winter – Lingo in Transit
Some popular portable mini humidifiers – small, lightweight, and perfect for travel:
Best Portable Humidifier for 2023 – CNET
3. Shoes & Indoor Items
- Waterproof & insulated boots or walkers 1 pair (main) → Essential for snow/slush.
- Lightweight indoor slippers 1 pair → Super convenient for guesthouses/jjimjilbang (Korean spas).
4. Final Packing & Departure Checklist
- Wear your bulkiest padded coat, boots, and neck warmer on the plane/train to the airport/terminal (best space-saving trick!)
- Keep extra socks & underwear (2–3 sets) in your carry-on – just in case!
- Install Naver Map + Papago apps in advance (Google Maps is unreliable in Korea)
We’ve covered the main physical items for winter travel, but please make sure to prepare all documents (passport, visa/K-ETA, etc.) thoroughly! For actual items, don’t stress too much – Korea has Daiso (everything store) and convenience stores everywhere, so you can buy almost anything cheaply once you arrive.
And remember: this guide is for winter travel! Korea has four distinct seasons, so wrong season = wrong clothes/items = big trouble. These days, due to climate change, winter is generally considered from November to March – pack warm accordingly!
Next time, I’ll introduce some popular Korean travel destinations. There are already tons of YouTube videos and blogs, but I’ll share a few real Korean-favorite courses that locals love and are highly satisfied with.
This guide, Ultimate Korea Winter Packing List 2025: What to Pack for Cold Weather (Tips from a Korean), will help you stay warm and enjoy every moment of your trip!
Happy travels! ❄️
See you soon and have an amazing winter in Korea! ❄️✨
If you’re curious about other posts, feel free to check them out!