The perfect suitcase for a winter hot spring trip | Explaining how to protect your belongings from the cold and wet

  • New Trip

Update date: 2025.11.24

When winter comes, one thing I really miss is a trip to a hot spring.
The feeling of happiness as your body warms up while being enveloped in steam is a winter treat in itself.
However, there is one hassle - the unique problem of winter hot spring trips: more luggage and wet clothes .

So this time, I, who have tried many suitcases so far,
We will explain in simple terms how to choose a suitcase that is suitable for a winter hot spring trip .
I will also introduce some points that I found useful on my winter hot spring trip, so I hope you will find it useful.

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1. Why winter hot spring trips are prone to luggage problems

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There are some crucial differences between a winter hot spring trip and a summer or autumn trip.
Knowing the differences will make choosing a suitcase much easier.

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1. Why winter hot spring trips are prone to luggage problems

Knitwear, down jackets, thick socks...
Since the volume of clothes inevitably increases, your suitcase tends to end up fuller than usual.

A case that is too small → It is stuffed too tightly and becomes wrinkled.A case that is too large → It is too empty and the contents fall apart.

When traveling in winter, it is often best to go one size larger than usual .

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2. Wet clothes in hot springs and large baths

When traveling to a hot spring in winter, the problem of getting wet is always an issue.

Towel after bathing

- Wet sauna hat

Damp yukata

Condensed water bottles and plastic bottles

If you put these in with your other clothes, you'll run into the problem of everything being damp when you get home.

👉 Having a suitcase with waterproof pockets and waterproof inner lining will make you much more comfortable.

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3. Winter temperatures affect suitcases

In winter, the temperature in hot spring resorts can drop to around 0°C. This low temperature can have a surprising effect on suitcases.

Cheap ABS is prone to cracking and fissures

The casters become stiff and rolling becomes difficult.

The difference in outside temperature makes the interior more susceptible to moisture

Materials such as PC (polycarbonate) and aluminum frames are particularly reliable.

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2. How to choose the best suitcase for a winter hot spring trip

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A winter trip to a hot spring presents a unique environment with three major drawbacks: getting wet, getting cold, and having to carry more luggage .
Here, we will introduce the key points on how to choose a suitcase that can be used comfortably in such situations.

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1. Focus on the material: The best material to withstand the cold winter temperatures

It is not uncommon for the temperature to drop to around 0°C in hot spring resorts in winter.
In fact, this low temperature has a big impact on the material of the suitcase.

PC (polycarbonate) is flexible ,

Cold-resistant

Shock resistant

Relatively resistant to moisture

These are the characteristics that make it suitable for winter travel.

Winter hot spring trip → PC material or aluminum frame type is safe.

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2. Casters: Stability is important

Hot spring resorts often have suitcase-breaking environments, such as:

Stone pavement

Slopes

Bumpy roads typical of hot spring towns

- Roads wet from rain

On roads like this, the quiet, large casters are overwhelmingly easier to use.

Casters with brakes are especially useful!

When traveling in winter, your hands tend to slip when wearing gloves, so the braking function is very effective.

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3. Capacity: One size larger than usual is best.

Luggage for winter travel is bulky.

· knit

· down

Thick loungewear

Scarf and gloves

Spare innerwear

Only at this time...

A size 5 to 10L larger than usual is comfortable.

1-2 nights → 35-45L / 2-3 nights → 45-60L

This is a good guideline.

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4. Waterproof pockets are a must-have for winter hot spring trips

On a winter trip to a hot spring, you're sure to get wet.

Towel after bathing

-Damp sauna hat

A soft yukata

Cover or gloves wet with snow

The best model for storing these items is one with a waterproof inner pocket.

Since you can isolate only the wet items, you can avoid the problem of all your clothes getting wet.

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5. Ease of access is surprisingly important

When you go on a winter trip to a hot spring, you'll likely be taking your luggage in and out of the lobby and rest areas quite often.
Therefore,

・Front open type

- Two-layer structure for easy organization

is easy to use.

It's easy to use even in a small building.

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3. Three New Trip Suitcases Ideal for Winter Hot Spring Trips

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When traveling to a hot spring in winter, three conditions come into play: you'll get wet, it's cold outside, and the footing is poor .

So this time, we've carefully selected three models that are perfect for winter travel, based on their waterproofness, airtightness, lightness, and convenience .

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1. New Trip 1101 | The ultimate winter travel suitcase: airtight, waterproof, and durable

Recommended for:

Worried about rain, snow, and wet items

I want to keep my belongings safe even when I go on a hot spring trip.

Even if it is a little heavy, "sturdiness" is important

Features

・Aluminum frame construction provides exceptional airtightness → Humidity after bathing and snow from outside are less likely to get in

・Super sturdy with a 1.35-1.5mm thick aluminum frame → Strong even on cobblestones, stairs, and snow

- The casters are quiet, smooth, and strong on snowy roads

- The PC shell is highly impact resistant and scratches are less noticeable

View product details

🧳Compatibility with winter hot springs

The colder it is outside, the greater the temperature difference inside the suitcase → moisture tends to remain, and the high level of airtightness solves this problem, making this the perfect model for winter trips to hot springs .

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2. New Trip 0501 | Front-opening and waterproof pockets make it super convenient for hot spring trips

Recommended for:

I want to make it easier to take out and put away my hot spring set.

I want to organize my luggage smartly when I get there.

I don't want to have to rummage around in the bus lobby

Features

・The front opens so you can take out your belongings from the front → You can quickly take out towels, underwear, books, etc.

- Equipped with a waterproof pocket

→ Store wet towels and spare socks separately

・Available in a wide range of sizes and is popular among women

- Interior structure that makes it easy to organize

View product details

🧳Compatibility with winter hot springs

When traveling to a hot spring, the comfort of your trip will depend greatly on how well you separate your wet belongings and how well you organize your luggage at the inn .

The 0501 excels in both of these areas, making it the most convenient model for on-site use .

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3. New Trip 0702 Plus | Lightweight, waterproof, and great value

Recommended for:

I want to make it lighter

But I want a wet bag pocket

I'm a little worried about walking on snowy roads and stairs.

Features

・Lighter and easier to handle than the 0502 → Easy to pull even when wearing layers in winter

- Comes with a waterproof pocket for peace of mind after a hot spring bath

・PC + ABS for a good balance of light weight and durability

・Cospa is the best class

View product details

🧳Compatibility with winter hot springs

Since you will be carrying more luggage when traveling in winter, lightweight models put less strain on your body and are very easy to handle.

It also comes with a waterproof pocket , so you don't have to worry about wet items.
This is a versatile type with the best overall balance.

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4. Recommended packing tips for a winter hot spring trip

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When traveling to a hot spring in winter, you will encounter four "winter-specific packing stresses" : cold, difficulty in drying, wet items, and bulkiness .

So here we will introduce some tips that will make your trip more comfortable.
We will introduce packing techniques specifically for winter hot springs.

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1. Pack your hot spring kit in a pouch that's easy to access

When traveling to hot springs in winter, people often bathe two or three times a day .
Put face towels, underwear, hair ties, and small pouches all together in one place.
It's extremely convenient to keep it in the front opening or outside pocket .

👉 You can head straight to the hot springs without unpacking your luggage.

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2. The best way to protect your belongings from getting wet is with two waterproof pouches

Winter is a season when wet towels and socks are difficult to dry.
So we prepared two, one for wet items and one for dirty items .

・Waterproofing ① : Wet towel

Waterproofing ② : Underwear and socks damp from hot springs

👉 It prevents moisture from transferring to other luggage and is also great for preventing odors.

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3. It's more comfortable to not compress winter clothes

When down and knitwear are compressed, they wrinkle and lose their heat retention .
This is especially not recommended for winter hot spring trips.

Instead, store items neatly in a divided pouch or mesh pouch .

👉 It's easy to take out and keeps you warm when you wear it.

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4. One pair of shoes plus lightweight sandals is best

The hot spring town has a lot of wet stones, slopes, and gravel,
A combination of non-slip sneakers (to wear) and foldable sandals is a surefire way to go.

Convenient for moving between open-air baths

Strolling around the hot spring town at night is safe

Luggage is not bulky

👉 This alone makes walking so much easier.

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summary

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Winter is a season when your luggage is likely to get wet and your clothes are bulky,

Choosing a suitcase that is waterproof, durable, and has stable casters will make traveling much more comfortable.
Furthermore, with a little ingenuity, such as how to separate wet items and pack winter clothes, you can make getting ready to go home smoother.

I hope this guide will help you make your winter trip more comfortable.

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FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

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Q1. 冬の温泉旅で本当に防水ポケットは必要ですか?

A1:はい。濡れたタオルやサウナハット、湿った下着を他の衣類と分けることで、帰宅後の湿気・ニオイトラブルを大幅に防げます。防水ポケットがあると現地での取り回しも楽になります。

Q2. 雪や雨で濡れたときはスーツケースをどう扱えばいい?

A2:外側は拭いてから屋内へ。濡れがひどければポーチに入れて内部には直接入れないようにします。帰宅後はすぐに全開にして乾かし、湿気対策(乾燥剤など)をしておくと安心です。

Q3. ブレーキ付きキャスターは本当に役立ちますか?

A3:はい。湯上がりで荷物整理をする時や坂道のロビー、バス停で荷物が勝手に動かないため非常に便利です。冬場は手袋をしていることも多いので、特に安心感が増します。

Q4. 冬服は圧縮袋でまとめてもいいですか?

A4:基本はおすすめしません。ダウンやニットは圧縮で保温性や形が損なわれやすく、湿気がこもるとシワやニオイの原因になります。仕切りポーチやメッシュでふんわり収納するのが無難です。

Q5. どのくらいの容量を選べばいいですか?

A5:冬は服がかさばるため、普段の旅行よりワンサイズ上をおすすめします。目安は、1〜2泊なら35〜45L、2〜3泊なら45〜60L程度です。荷物が増えそうなら拡張機能付きモデルも検討を。

Q6. New Trip 1101は冬温泉旅に本当に向いていますか?

A6:はい。アルミフレームによる高い密閉性・PC素材の耐衝撃性・ブレーキ付きキャスターなど、冬の濡れ・寒さ・地面の悪さに対応する要素が揃っています。耐久性を重視する方に特に適しています。