r/AskMaine • u/Westerberg_High • 3d ago
Help me pack š
Hi, Mainers. Iām visiting for the first time from hot, humid NC. Iāll be driving from Boston to Acadia and back down over the course of a week, starting tomorrow, September 5. (I know. Traffic is going to be awful. It is what it is.)
Everyone has told me to pack for multiple seasons so my bag is exploding. When it comes to layers, I have a windbreaker, an actual raincoat, a fleece, a light jacket, and a thick wool sweater. Bottoms range from long pants to shorts to leggings. Is the thick wool sweater overkill? I do get chilly, and I know the coast is colder.
Also, weāre doing a two-hour afternoon sail in the Portland area later in the week. I truly have no clue what to wear for that. SOS and thank you in advance for your insights!
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u/kimby_cbfh 3d ago
I think that sounds like good planning/packing. The sail could be bitterly cold if the wind is up, so youāll absolutely want the windbreaker over something warm for that, so keep the wool sweater if you have room. Also some good warm socks, and do you have more than one pair of shoes? Sneakers are good for a lot of stuff, but a pair of waterproof boots might come in handy if it rains (or on the sail).
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u/Westerberg_High 3d ago
Thank you so much. I have one pair of trail sneakers and some sandals packed. Iām not sure I even own waterproof shoes. Maybe Iāll try to shove a pair of Chucks in there in case itās cold and my shoes are soaked.
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u/kimby_cbfh 3d ago
Yeah, even if you donāt have something waterproof, a second pair of dry, closed-toe shoes could be handy if you get the main pair soaked. I hate having wet feet!
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u/Biodiversity1001 3d ago
It has been down below 50 at night. Being on the water can be cold.
I would recommend a warm hat if you have one, shouldn't take up a lot of space. I know my ears get cold in the wind.
If you have a smallish fleece blanket you can roll it up and tie with something, esp if you are going to be in shorts, nice to cover your legs if you get cold.
A plus for you, supposed to be sunny 70's Sat and Sun, but wind can make it seems chilly at those temps
Have a safe and happy trip!
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u/Much-Refrigerator-28 2d ago
Or buy a toque as a souvenir? Or go to LL Bean and get one with earflaps - very Maine!
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u/Biodiversity1001 1d ago
Was not sunny 70's in my neck of the woods. The wind was cranking out of the North. When I went to the store at 10 am, I went back in the house and grabbed a fleece lined hoody, although I was wearing shorts and sandals. Prefer them over hats myself, but hats don't take a lot of packing space.
LLBean. Everything I ever bought there was over priced and several things had recalls, including a baby back pack. WInd up flashlights broke after a few uses. AND check the catalog, everything there is imported nowadays. Screw LL Bean.
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u/PlanktonPlane5789 3d ago
The sail will most assuredly not be bitterly cold. The ocean warms up and it stays surprisingly warm out there into mid October. I was just out on the boat this evening out past Ram's Island Ledge Lighthouse in a T-shirt and shorts and it was about perfect. I'd be surprised if anyone needed more than a long sleeve T-shirt to feel comfortable and it's supposed to be in the high 70s all week except for Wednesday.
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u/BeemHume 3d ago
thats pretty bad advice and a great example of experiential bias. It does not "stay surprisingly warm out there into mid October". Def bring the thicc wool sweater and the shell layer. Often ~5-10 degrees cooler on the water and if a chop kicks up and you get splashed you will be cold if you are not protected. You def want more than a long sleeve t shirt bc if cotton gets wet it does not keep you warm anymore.
Most Mainers wear either one hoodie, or one hoodie + one hoodie. I'm not suggesting this, I am just saying that is what the Mainers do. They just add hoodies.
source: am charter captain take tourists out almost eryday in summer
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u/PlanktonPlane5789 3d ago
I've been boating in Casco Bay for 20 years and this is my experience. Could it be a particularly cold day? Sure. Chances are it's fine.
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u/Much-Refrigerator-28 2d ago
Yeah, but this is a Southerner asking, and they don't have their entire wardrobe handy.
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u/thatijustdonthave 3d ago
North carolinian living in Maine. It's like October in North Carolina weather here and not really humid. Bring a rain jacket, hoodie, shorts, pants, and short sleeves.
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u/Typical-Obligation94 3d ago
The temp span for the coming weeks are highs of about 75 lows of 55 with low humidity. Not sure where your comfort level is but prepare for colder than what you expect.
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u/SatisfactionClassic6 3d ago
Itās been raining a lot lately so definitely a hat under the raincoat and warm socks. Seems like you have the rest covered! Have fun!!!
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u/Imaginary_Fox_6846 3d ago
Hi
Youāve packed well
Iāve been out on Casco Bay out of Portland in 90 degree weather and worn a winter down jacket out on the boat and been comfortable. Itās getting cold at night and warm to hot during the day. Enjoy yourself. Google Momos Cheesecake and go
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u/Top_Tea_2707 3d ago
It's going to feel so good compared to what you are currently experiencing. I was in Raleigh in August and I was absolutely floored by the heat / humidity combo.
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u/Westerberg_High 3d ago
We are MELTING down here.
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u/Top_Tea_2707 3d ago
There is nothing better than sleeping with the windows open on a cool fall night. Hope you are staying somewhere you have that experience.
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u/Aggressive_Ad_5454 3d ago
Yes, the sweater is overkill. It's not friggin' March up here, it's September. (You're not going to try to climb Katahdin, you're going to Mount Desert Island, which has a moderate coastal climate).
If your windbreaker is waterproof, you can layer it over your jacket.
Leggings plus shorts should do the trick.
If you get cold you can always buy a souvenir hoodie with, I dunno, lobsters on it.
Weather for MDI here. https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-68.211&lat=44.387
Welcome!
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u/Senior-Hamster3961 3d ago
Think layers. In Maine, the saying is, "If you don't like the weather, wait a minute." Especially by the water, it can be foggy and cool, then minutes later sunny and warm. If you're driving and have room, I don't think you are overdoing it, especially if you are going out on the water. Warm socks and an extra pair of shoes was good advice. I wear Smartwool socks year-round. I also like a light polar fleece cap. But it can also be warm and humid, so definitely think layers to add or shed.
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u/Sunny-Damn 3d ago
Youāre not overpacked, the wool sweater and raincoat/windbreaker will be a lifesaver when youāre on the water.
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u/notathrowaway1267 2d ago
Yesterday next to the water in Portland I ranged from a tshirt to a long sleeve and fleece. I would maybe even bring a winter hat in case it's chilly on your boat ride.
I feel your pain. We packed about 1.5x what we normally have for a long weekend compared to only summer or only winter. I also run chilly.
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u/Westerberg_High 2d ago
This makes me feel better. Iāve never been more bewildered packing for a trip.
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u/Turbulent-Today830 2d ago
Expect to enlighten w/true āhospitalityā.
Im from Maine and now live in Ashevilleā¦ thereās no such thing as hospitality in the south..
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u/Much-Refrigerator-28 2d ago
So long as you have "summer" clothing you are good. Temps in September can still be high because the water is still quite warm. Swimsuit? Otherwise you have a good selection to work with as it can be anything and everything from below freezing to 80s and dry to rainy to snow!
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u/Different_Ad7655 3d ago
Well you've definitely overpacked LOL. You're not going on a month Safari in extreme weather. can get cool at night and a good multi-purpose rain jacket windbreaker maybe with a liner and certainly a hood like you can buy it TJ for Maxx for 40 bucks is all you need and the rest of your normal very minimal clothing. I travel to Europe in October well into November for a month and let me say I take one little tiny carry-on bag with me and I am in Northern Central Europe. It's easy to overpack but I've learned my lesson a long time ago. In New England you must have layers, something long sleeve, and there's so much good technical wear out there these days from under armor or somebody like them and that's all you need. Rinse wash wear, I have travel down to the science
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u/Westerberg_High 3d ago
I hear you. I only have a carry-on, hence why things are tight. Everyone I talk to says to bring everything from summer to rain to cold. Itās a lot to shove in.
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u/Different_Ad7655 3d ago
Well trust me LOL as a native New Englander and a snow guy for 40 years of winter service and a world traveler. Less is more and take advantage of all of the wonderful sports clothing that's available these days that is rinse and where, high performance and lightweight. Seems contradictory but I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. Long pants, under armor series long shirt, the good jacket I talked about with the hood, good shoes hikers or whatever you're going to do and not much more and it should all fit in that carry-on bag. That's the way to do it for sure carry on only, God forbid you need something else, there are plenty of outlet stores to get exactly what you need to fill the gap should that happen. Keep it light
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u/Calliope719 3d ago
Do you have light tops as well? Tanks, tees, etc? It can be 45 degrees in the morning and 80 by the afternoon so plan to be able to strip off layers as the day goes on.
For the sail- it'll be chilly. Your wool sweater with the windbreaker over it would be great. Wool stays warm even if it gets damp. Wear rubber soled shoes with lots of grip.
Also, pack a hat. A nice wool beanie if you have one. A light scarf as well, if your sweater doesn't cover your neck.