How to Pack for a 5-Day Business Trip and Never Check a Bag: 2026 Edition

Observations from Managing Partner Jen Prosek in the Leading in Volatile Times Newsletter.

And some specific advice if you’re headed to Davos 2026.

Last year, after my annual pilgrimage to The World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, I wrote a post about how to pack for a weeklong business trip and never check a bag.  That post was perhaps my most popular, so I thought I would update it providing tips on both packing and what to pack (My Davos Look Book).

First, let’s level-set. My trip to the World Economic Forum includes one day of skiing, four days of meetings and three nights of events.  All without checking a bag!

Here’s my general advice with Davos-specific guidance thrown in:

• Make sure you have two carry-on bags that meet your airline’s size requirements (I lug around one suitcase with one large duffel bag on top.)  Use roll-away bags with softer tops so you can smush them into the overhead compartment. And plan ahead. If you check out the airline’s fleet ahead of time, you can usually see what you and your bags are going to be up against when it comes to storage space.
• Consider paying for a greeter who will whisk you through lines when you arrive and carry your overloaded bags. I hired one and he saved me from several time-consuming mistakes – not to mention shoulder and back pain. Greeters are typically $250, a huge return on investment. A quick ChatGPT search will pull up a myriad of greeting services for a number of different prices.  Among them SkyVip Services; Ace Airports and Royal Airport Concierge.
• Make dry cleaning plastic your best friend. Roll all of your important garments within plastic to keep them wrinkle-free and avoid any need for irons or steam machines. I had one dress, one suit jacket, two pairs of black pants, jeans, two sweaters, three blouses, and one sparkly, fun night-time dress. YUP—all in a carry-on.
• Check the country policy on liquids for your make up. Don’t take ANYTHING that is not essential. Buy smaller versions of your favorite creams and a small container of good conditioner. Also map out how easy it is to find a drug store. If there is one across the street, forget lugging the liquids; just buy it there.
• Don’t forget your tech essentials.  Portable charger, Swiss/European outlet adapter etc.  Most people need to trek at least .5 to one full mile from their hotel or apartment to the Congress center or hotels in Davos, so expect your phone to die! Chargers are a must.
• When you are done at Davos, the ultimate pro tip is to ship all your dirty duds and things you don’t need home. DHL may take a couple of weeks, but it’s inexpensive and easy.  Make sure to have your packing slips prepared before you go.  The hotel Belvedere shipped my clothes home last year with ease.

Now for some lookbook advice:

• To do Davos right, you need one pair of fabulous boots that are stylish enough to wear with a dress and sturdy enough not to fall on ice and snow.  Oh, and they should be comfortable enough to wait in a 20-minute security line.  In my view, there is no need to wear heels or dress shoes to Davos.  Veterans don’t.  Fab boots will be the only shoes you will need. You can go conservative or opt for a bit of furry flair. There are many great options from Moncler and Prada that would definitely fit the fabulous bill. We have covered the shoes. Oh, and don’t forget to pack your warmest socks; if you attended last year’s Prosek party at WEF, the socks we gifted might be your warmest bet!

• If you are skiing prior to the event, I recommend you rent the ENTIRE KIT including jacket snowpants, boots, skis and poles. There are tons of outfitters who will rent you everything from stem to stern!  The other option, if money is no object, is to buy your skiwear on the mountain and ship it home, but renting is very affordable.  Note: St Moritz is only 1.5 hours from the World Economic Forum.  Most attendees “Hit Mortiz” before meetings. There is obviously a myriad of other options a bit farther (my favorite being Zermatt, but it’s a long drive), and of course you can ski at Cloisters or Davos itself.
• Pack at least one suit jacket that can be worn with skirts, pants or even jeans. Then pack one thin skirt or thin dress and 1-2 pairs of pants. THIN cashmere dresses are perfect for Davos. Max Mara and Ralph Lauren have terrific options. Make sure everything is thin because you want maximum packing space.  Perhaps add a scarf or two– they give every outfit a new look, weigh nothing and don’t take up space.

• If you are bringing sweaters, make them thin ones. One thick sweater can take up half of your bag. And layering is key! Thermal tights, a warm base layer crew neck—these discreet pieces will be your best friend if you skew cold.
• Wear a versatile coat that looks good with everything and isn’t too precious.  The good news in Davos is that puffer jackets are highly acceptable. And the more fur on your collar, the merrier!  Moncler has a ton of them.

• Take one thin signature item that is VERY DIFFERENT from your normal attire to make an impression at a key event.  Last year, I wore a sparkly top from St. John on top of my thin black pants to Anthony Scaramucci’s wine party to add some nighttime razzle dazzle.
• If you work out, consider bringing your oldest pair of sneakers and very thin workout clothes and either ditch the sneakers after the trip or ship them home with your dirty duds via DHL.

And with that, you should be able to tackle Davos—or wherever this winter takes you—like a pro. Not a checked bag in sight!

Follow Jen’s Leading in Volatile Times Newsletter on LinkedIn.