Shopping checklist
Tap a quantity once you've bought it. Your ticks are saved in this browser, so you can close the page and come back.
Where to shop in Singapore
The biggest, best-stocked store for each group in your checklist, and exactly what to pick up there for each of you.
Check before you go. These addresses come from what I knew as of mid-2026, and I couldn't check them live. Stores move and stock changes, so tap Open in Google Maps to confirm the address and opening hours, and call ahead for kids' winter sizes.
- 1Decathlon trip, with your son
Do this first, since kids' winter stock is the hardest to find. Bring him along to try the snowsuit and snow boots on over a base layer, fleece and wool socks.
- 2Orchard Road trip
Uniqlo's flagship and Don Don Donki are in the same building, Orchard Central, next to Somerset MRT. Add The North Face, a running shop and a large Watsons or Guardian on Orchard while you're there.
If you can't find it in Singapore
Where to buy each checklist item in Norway, and the latest point in the trip you can buy it. Almost everything is needed from day 1 in Lofoten, so treat this as a backup plan, not the main plan.
- Leknes, VestvågøySat 7 to Mon 9 NovSmall backup
Vestvågøy's main town, with a few clothing and sports shops and supermarkets. Arrive Saturday: most shops close Sunday. - TromsøTue 10 to Thu 12 NovBest chance
The biggest choice on your route, on weekdays. Last proper shopping before Hamna. - HamnaFri 13 to Tue 17 NovAssume no shops
Plan to have everything before you arrive. - BergenWed 18 to Fri 20 NovGood for city items
Lots of shops in the centre. Fine for rain gear and sneakers. - OsloSat 21 to Mon 23 NovToo late
Your last stop, so there's nothing left to buy for the trip.
Dates assume the stops run back to back from 7 November. Most Norwegian shops close on Sundays (8, 15 and 22 Nov), and some small supermarkets open with limited hours.
Stores you'll see in Norway
- XXL, Intersport, Sport 1Sports chains. Outdoor clothing, merino, boots, kids' snowsuits, gloves and ice grips. Brands include The North Face, Devold, Ulvang, Aclima, Viking and Reima.
- LindexWomen's and kids' clothing. Good for kids' wool base layers, snowsuits, rain sets, balaclavas and mittens.
- H&M, KappAhl, CubusBudget basics and kids' clothing, including thermal layers and winter accessories.
- Clas Ohlson, BiltemaEveryday goods. Ice grips, hand and toe warmers, and travel clotheslines.
- Euro Sko, SkoringenShoe chains, including kids' winter boots and sneakers.
- Rema 1000, Kiwi, Coop, MenySupermarkets. Wool detergent and some winter basics. Often the only shops near smaller places.
- Helly Hansen, Bergans, NorrønaNorwegian premium outdoor brands. Excellent, but expensive.
- Before you goStore locations and hours change, so search Google Maps for each city, especially Leknes. Prices are usually noticeably higher than Singapore. Look for Tax Free signs, since visitors can often get part of the VAT back on larger purchases.
What to wear in each city
Outfits for each stop, listed from the layer next to your skin outwards. Pick a city, then check the forecast that morning and add or remove the down jacket as needed.
Why each item
What each item does on this trip, and why the quantities are what they are.
Notes
What to keep in mind while shopping and on the trip.
Route and weather
- 1Vestvågøy, Lofoten, 3 daysAround 0 to 5°C with strong wind and sleet or snow. This is day 1, so the snow gear has to be ready before you fly.
- 2Tromsø, 3 daysAround -5 to 2°C, colder at night, with snow and icy pavements. Daylight is only a few hours.
- 3Hamna, 5 daysArctic conditions like Tromsø, and possibly remote with few shops. Expect long, cold aurora nights.
- 4Bergen, 3 daysAround 2 to 8°C with rain most days. The rain gear earns its place here.
- 5Oslo, 3 daysAround -2 to 5°C, often grey, with frosty or icy mornings and a chance of early snow. City days, so HEATTECH, the down jacket and sneakers do most of the work. Keep the ice grips handy.
These are typical November averages. Check the forecast (yr.no is what Norwegians use) about a week before you leave.
Buying in Singapore
- Shop soon. Uniqlo and Decathlon SG winter stock sells out, especially kids' sizes.
- Buy the snow essentials before you fly: the toddler snowsuit, snow boots, kids' merino and ice grips. You need them from day 1 in Lofoten.
- Decathlon SG stock and model names vary. Check their website first, and order online early if the store doesn't have it.
- Bergen and Oslo come at the end, so you can't count on shopping there for anything you need earlier.
Backup shopping in Norway
- Tromsø (days 4 to 6) is your top-up stop. It's the last big town before Hamna. See the Buy in Norway tab for where to find each item.
- Sports shops like XXL and Intersport carry snowsuits, kids' wool and ice grips. Norwegian kids' wool brands Janus and Devold are widely available, just pricier than Singapore.
How to layer in the Arctic
For outdoor days and aurora nights in Tromsø and Hamna, from skin outwards:
For Bergen, Oslo and flights, swap merino for HEATTECH and skip the down if it's mild.
Laundry and drying
- The quantities assume you won't find a washing machine for the whole 17 days. If you do find one, use it and you'll have plenty spare.
- Hand-wash small things in the sink with travel wool wash: socks, merino tops, and your son's base layers. Roll them in a towel to squeeze the water out, then hang them in a heated room. Merino usually dries overnight.
- Keep a bag for worn clothes so clean and used items stay separate in your luggage.
- Merino can be worn several days without smelling. Hang it to air overnight rather than stuffing it back in the bag.
- For wet boots, take the insoles out and stuff them with newspaper overnight.
Looking after your son
- In a carrier or stroller he isn't moving, so he gets cold much faster than you. Check the back of his neck: it should feel warm, not cold or sweaty.
- A carrier cover or stroller footmuff is worth bringing.
- Take a layer off him indoors. Sweating inside and then going out is how kids get chilled.
- When shopping, try the snowsuit and boots on him with a base layer, fleece and wool socks underneath.
- Norwegians wear small reflectors on jackets in the dark season. They're cheap in Norway and help drivers see you all.
Skin care in the cold
- Put water-based creams on at night or indoors. Before going out, use water-free cold cream on your son's cheeks, nose and chin.
- Cold cream helps with windburn, but it doesn't prevent frostbite. Keep his face covered and check his cheeks on long, cold nights.
- You can skip sunscreen. UV is close to zero in Norway in November.
- Keep lip balm, hand cream and his creams in your carry-on liquids bag (100 ml containers max), since plane air is very dry.
- Bathe him every other day rather than daily, and moisturise straight after.
- If he has eczema, cold dry air can make it flare. Check with his paediatrician before you go.
Diapers on the trip
- His usual brand is fine. There's no special cold-weather diaper.
- Bring about 35 and buy more in Norway, or bring the full amount (about 90) if you have space. Pampers and Libero are in every supermarket.
- Stock up in Tromsø for the 5 days in Hamna.
- Change him indoors or in the car when you can. Pull-ups are easier if he's used to them.
- Keep a small pack of wipes in an inside pocket so they don't freeze.
Aurora nights
- Pack disposable hand and toe warmers for the adults (they're in the checklist under Don Don Donki / Daiso / Watsons). Don't put them directly against your son's skin.
- Wear liner gloves under your waterproof gloves so you can use your phone or camera without bare hands.
- Wear the over-trousers if you'll sit or kneel on snow.