What to Wear in Vancouver

Vancouver has a uniform, and you'll recognise it within an hour of landing: a technical rain jacket, leggings or jeans, and trail shoes or clean trainers. Lululemon and Arc'teryx both started here, and it shows. Nobody will look twice if you wear hiking gear to dinner.

That tells you most of what you need. The city is casual, even in good restaurants, and the weather matters far more than fashion.

The rain question

From October to April, bring a proper waterproof jacket with a hood. Umbrellas work downtown but are useless on the seawall in the wind, and locals mostly don't bother. Waterproof shoes, or at least ones that dry fast, save a lot of misery. Even in summer, pack a light shell for the mountains, where the weather changes quickly and it's always cooler at the top of Grouse than at the bottom.

Layers, all year

Summer days are warm, but evenings by the water cool down fast, and ferry decks are windy. A fleece or light sweater is the piece you'll use most. In winter, add a warm mid-layer under the rain jacket rather than a heavy wool coat, which gets soaked.

• A waterproof jacket with a hood
• A fleece or warm sweater
• Comfortable walking shoes, plus trail shoes if you plan to hike
• Swimwear for Kits Pool and the beaches in summer
• Sunglasses and sunscreen for summer and for snow on the mountains
• A small daypack for water, a layer and snacks
• A warm hat and gloves in winter, especially for the ski hills
• A reusable water bottle, since tap water is excellent

If you're hiking on the North Shore, take it seriously. Trails like the Grouse Grind are steep and muddy, and people get lost in the backcountry every year in sneakers and cotton. Sturdy shoes, water and a layer are the minimum, and our day trips guide covers the easier options. For the months when you'll need the rain gear most, see our best time to visit guide.