Travel Clothing 101
The secret to packing smart is to find a few key pieces you can wear virtually anywhere and during any time of day. Look for:
Performance fabrics: Fabrics that are breathable, moisture wicking and easy care make smart choices for traveling. See our fabric comparison, below.
Neutral colors: Luggage space is precious. Ditch the bright colors and pack neutral—brown, black and khaki—especially for pants, shorts and skirts. These colors coordinate well with everything, so you can pack less.
Wrinkle resistance: Look for garments touted as wrinkle-resistant. It doesn't mean wrinkle-free, but it should at least wrinkle less than comparable garments.
Subtle styling: Most of the time, standing out from the local culture simply can't be helped, but the clothing you wear can make you feel less conspicuous. Avoid tight clothing or very short shorts and skirts. This type of clothing might not be acceptable in some cultures or venues.
Sun protection: All fabrics block UV rays to some degree, but sun-protection clothing features an Ultraviolet Protection Factor ("UPF") rating against both UVA and UVB rays. A garment with a UPF of 50 blocks 98% of UV rays. Sun-protection garments are rated from 15 (good) to 50+ (excellent), and this protection never washes off or sweats away. For details, see the REI Expert Advice article, Sun-Protection Clothing.
Insect protection: Bugs can be a real nuisance. Worse, in some areas, West Nile virus and/or Lyme disease are genuine concerns. A few clothing lines, such as the ExOfficio® Insect Shield collection, are treated with permethrin, an insecticide engineered specifically for fabrics, to protect your skin from insects. Effective against ticks, mosquitoes and dozens of other insects, permethrin has been safely used for decades and its use is recommended by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Pockets: Clothing details such as storage pockets can make a big difference, especially when you're packing just a couple of shirts and pants for a trip.
- Shirt pockets: These are ideal for tickets, sunglasses or other small items.
- Pants and skirt pockets: Some incorporate hidden passport or money pockets, which can be more comfortable than wearing a separate money belt under your clothing.
- Zippered pockets: Zip-closed pockets (rather than button-closures) are better for securing items against loss or theft.
Comparing Fabrics
Fabrics that breathe well, wick moisture away from your skin and dry quickly can make travel more comfortable. REI has a wide selection of such garments. Cotton, while OK for casual wear, is generally less suited for traveling than nylon or polyester. Your most common choices:
Nylon and polyester: Most performance fabrics feature one of these synthetics. Some are name brands, such as Supplex® nylon, CoolMax® polyester or Capilene® polyester.
- Pros: Breathable, lightweight, wicks away moisture and dries quickly, resists pilling and abrasion.
- Cons: Slightly less forgiving feel than cotton.
Tencel® and polynosic rayons: Tencel is a brand name for lyocell, a wood-pulp-based fiber that is part of the rayon family. Tencel and polynosic rayons offer similar drape and comfort, plus both offer machine wash/dry convenience. (Note: The other common type of rayon, known as viscose rayon, is typically dry clean only, so look at the care instructions to be sure.)
- Pros: Luxuriously smooth feel, dries quickly and resists wrinkles; Tencel is made using an environmentally friendly process
- Cons: Doesn't wick away moisture as well as polyester or nylon
Silk: Luxuriously soft, it's most often used in underwear.
- Pros: Lightweight, breathable, durable—ideal for warm climates
- Cons: Less durable than other materials
Cotton: This is commonly used for casual, all-around styles.
- Pros: Soft, durable, breathable, versatile styling and easy care
- Cons: Doesn't wick away moisture or dry as fast as nylon or polyester
Cotton/polyester blend: Another common fabrication for casual wear, this blend seeks to offer both comfort and performance.
- Pros: Feels soft against skin, breathable
- Cons: Doesn't wick away moisture or dry as fast as 100% nylon or polyester
Plated fabrics: "Plated" refers to garments with one fabric (e.g., cotton) on the outside face, backed with another fabric type (e.g., polyester) against the skin. This approach is designed to offer the best attributes of both fabrics.
Travel Clothing Review
Below are garments that travelers should consider packing, no matter what type of adventure is on the itinerary.
Travel-Friendly Jackets
Expecting wet weather? Stay dry and comfortable with waterproof/breathable (best) or water-resistant/breathable rainwear (good).
- Waterproof/breathable shells such as Gore-Tex®, eVent® and REI Elements® are your best choice for a range of weather and activities. If you layer your clothing, a single shell can handle both summer breezes and winter storms. However, these jackets are more expensive than other rainwear.
- Water-resistant/breathable shells repel wind and light rain while providing excellent breathability when you're active. They are less bulky and less expensive than other shells, but are not intended for significant rain.
Pants/Shorts/Skirts/Dresses
Shorts, skirts and dresses are the obvious choice when traveling to a warm or tropical destination. But keep in mind that long pants will better protect you from sun, bugs and rain. And, as mentioned above, you might need to wear them for cultural reasons, too.
Convertible pants have legs that easily zip off to turn into shorts. These are a great space-saving option.
Shirts
Always pack along a long-sleeve shirt, even if you're headed to a warm climate. As with long pants, a long-sleeve shirt will protect you from sun, bugs and rain. Some considerations:
- Knit shirts are stretchy, comfortable and available in many styles; woven shirt typically button up the front and have vents to keep cool.
- Look for synthetic or merino wool shirts. Cotton is recommended only for casual activities or warm, dry climates.
- Fitness tops can work well for travel, too, especially in warm climates because they wick moisture to keep you cool.
Fleece Tops and Wool Sweaters
- Fleece tops and vests insulate well and wick away moisture. Just keep in mind that heavier-weight styles are bulky and don't compress well in luggage.
- Wool sweaters keep you warm even when it gets wet, and it doesn't retain odors like synthetic materials. Like fleece, though, wool sweaters can be bulky.
Hats
Bring a hat based on your destination and the expected conditions.
- Rain hats feature a wide brim, waterproof/breathable construction and a chin strap. They also double as good sun protection.
- Sun hats are usually cotton or nylon for breathability and have grommets or mesh for ventilation. Some styles feature a skirt or cape to keep sun off your neck, ears and temples.
- Casual hats include ball caps and trekking hats. Trekking hats have a wider brim and provide better protection from sun and rain.
Underwear and Socks
The same fabric rules apply for underwear and socks: A synthetic fabric, such as REI MTS polyester, will be easier to care for than cotton, while merino wool, such as Smartwool brand products, offers natural breathability and comfort. When choosing socks, consider that synthetics and wool can help prevent blisters by keeping feet drier than cotton socks do.
Shop REI's selection of:
Packing Tips for Clothing
- Get organized: Use lightweight packing cubes to organize your clothing. Available in a variety of sizes, they allow you to keep socks and underwear separate from shirts and toiletries. Many are water-resistant for added protection.
- Be neat: Packing folders keep clothing neat and pressed while traveling. Some folders can hold up to 15 garments.
- Avoid wrinkles: Another way to avoid wrinkles in your pants and dresses is by folding them at the knees. Try this technique: Place the top half of your pants and/or dresses inside your luggage with the bottom half draped outside. When all garments are stacked inside your luggage, fold the bottom of the garments at the knees back into the luggage.
- Smell fresh: Place a scented dryer sheet or incense bag in between a few layers of clothing while you're packing. Doing this will keep your clothes smelling fresh and clean during the entire trip.
Happy travels!
Ratings and Comments
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