One thing that’s true about Chicago during the fall time is how unpredictable the weather is! Summer recently finished and now we are in this transitional season so that means we might have warm days, cool days, rainy days and possibly worse, snow. In order to make the most of your time here, that means preparing for the weather and having the proper accessories for it. Here are five of the best call accessories that you should pack with you before your trip to Chicago, Illinois:

Fall Weather Accessories for Your Trip to Chicago

Packable, Thin Rain Jacket

The weather in Chicago’s unpredictable so you have to be prepared. Packing a light jacket will allow you to layer up or down depending on what the weather is; you will stay comfortable longer if you wear layered outfits instead of something super thick or bare bones. The more compact the jacket can be, the better because then you could cram it in your backpack or your purse and only pull it out when needed.

Collapsible Umbrella

Similar to a light jacket, packing a collapsible umbrella will save you when it rains. Although it doesn’t rain all day long, those few hours of downfall can be pretty tough to walk through. I used to avoid carrying umbrellas because they all felt so bulky, but investing in a compact umbrella will allow you to have something small that will help when it rains. I usually have camera gear and other electronics on me so I can’t afford to get soaking wet so I need to find the middle ground between being comfortable and being prepared.

Protective Rain Cover for Camera

Do you remember those rainy days that I keep referring to? They happen more frequently than we may like to believe. Having a protective rain cover for your camera, at least in your bag, will allow you to still get all of your photography needs to be met without damaging any of your gear. There are a few different types of protective rain covers for your camera so the one you pick is completely dependent on your style of photography and comfort. Whether you have insurance on your camera or not, no one wants to deal with a damage claim.

Waterproof Case for Phone

I already recommend a waterproof case for your phone during the summertime with all of the activities that happen in the water, but I also recommend it for the fall. Depending on if you have a bulky case, or possibly a thinner one that’s more efficient than you can use your phone and snap photos in inclement weather. The only downside about something like this is the water waterproofing of the case may mess with the microphone abilities which can be annoying if you’re recording videos from your phone.

Waterproofing bag for Backpack

Last, but certainly, not least is the need for a waterproofing bag or a waterproof backpack. Even if you are comfortable walking in the rain, all of our gear may not be able to sit in a damp backpack for very long; making sure that your backpack is waterproof or waterproofing it yourself will allow you to have that extra security at your gear inside is safe from the weather.

What Accessories Do You Pack During Fall Travel?

Are there any specific accessories that you packed during the rainy season? I’d love to hear about it! As someone who travels with most of my items on my back as well as my camera gear, I get a little bit worried about any of it getting ruined while traveling. The general theme here is properly waterproofing everything so that the items are safe no matter what the weather throws at you while you’re apple picking or exploring pumpkin patches. I’d love to hear about how you keep your gear safe so I can better be prepared in the future.