Travel Clothing 101

How to Choose Travel Clothing

Travel clothing

The plane ticket has been purchased, the lodging has been reserved, and the itinerary has been finalized. One question remains: "What should I wear?"

Packing clothing for a big trip can be overwhelming for some, but packing smart can alleviate unnecessary stress. When traveling, especially to another country, I pack lightweight clothing that works for every kind of adventure—from city touring to wilderness exploring. Here's how to shop.

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. Keep these travel clothing considerations in mind:

Performance fabrics: Fabrics that are breathable, moisture wicking and easy care make smart choices for traveling. See our detailed fabric comparison, below

Neutral colors: The clothing you pack should function well in multiple locations—from city to trails. I 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: Many travel garments are labeled as wrinkle-resistant. Most of the time, however, this means a garment is less likely to wrinkle when compared to another. It doesn't necessarily mean it stays wrinkle-free, so take this feature with a grain of salt.

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. For instance, I once wasn't allowed inside a church in Florence, Italy, because I was wearing shorts that were considered a smidge too short (above the knee).

Sun protection: All fabrics block UV rays to some degree, but sun-protection clothing features an Ultraviolet Protection Factor ("UPF") rating. UPF indicates protection against both UVA and UVB rays. A garment with a UPF of 50 allows only 1/50th of the UV radiation that falls on the fabric to pass through. In other words, the fabric 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. Anyone who wears UPF-rated garments enhances their overall protection against UV-related health risks. Read our Expert Advice article on sun-protection clothing.

Insect protection: Bugs can be a real nuisance. A few clothing lines, such as the ExOfficio® BUZZ OFF™ 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

Materials that breathe well, wick moisture away from your skin and dry quickly will make your outdoor activities 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. Here's a look at your most common fabric 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, I've listed clothing articles every traveler should consider packing, no matter what type of adventure is on the itinerary.

* Travel-Friendly Jackets
* Pants/Shorts/Skirts/Dresses
* Shirts

* Fleece Tops and Wool Sweaters
* Hats
* Underwear and Socks

Travel-Friendly Jackets

Travel friendly jacket

Heading to a potentially damp region? 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 the best choice for a wide range of weather conditions and activities. Their combination of breathability and rain protection means you can buy a single shell for everything from summer breezes to winter storms. However, these jackets are more expensive than other types of rainwear, and they do have their limits, performance-wise.
* Water-resistant/breathable shells repel light wind and precipitation while providing excellent breathability to keep you cool when your body heats up. They tend to be less bulky and less expensive than other shells. However, they are not waterproof enough to withstand extended periods of rain.

Pants/Shorts/Skirts/Dresses

Travel friendly shorts

Shorts, skirts and dresses are the obvious choice when traveling to a warm or tropical destination. Inclement weather could happen anywhere, so bring a pair of pants, too. Wearing pants will also protect you from the sun and insects. And, as discussed above, you might need to wear them for cultural reasons.

Convertible pants have legs that zip off to turn into shorts. These are a great space-saving option and they're versatile enough for nearly any situation or climate.
Shirts

Travel friendly shirt

Always pack along a long-sleeve shirt, even if you're headed to a warm climate. Besides keeping you warm when it's cold, a long-sleeve shirt will protect you from intense sun or biting insects in a tropical environment. Some shopping considerations:

* Knit shirts are available in crew, V-neck, polo and other styles. They are available in both cotton and high-performance fabrics. Cotton shirts are recommended only for casual activities because they lack the technical features to keep you comfortable during more vigorous pursuits.
* Woven shirts typically button up the front. They are also available in cotton and high-performance fabrics. Some long-sleeve woven shirts have features such as mesh vents and roll-up tabs for short sleeves. These shirts often lack the stretch properties found in knit fabrics.
* Fitness tops include short-sleeve shirts and tank tops in high-performance fabrics. Designed for aerobic activities, these shirts work well for travel, too, especially in warm climates because they wick moisture to keep you cool.
* Performance underwear includes long-sleeve, high-performance polyester crewneck and zip-neck shirts. They make an excellent base layer for cold climates and are good for warm climates when it cools down at night.

Hats

Travel friendly hat

Lots of choices here! 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 constructed with cotton or nylon for breathability and feature 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.


Travel friendly packing

* Get organized: Lightweight travel packing cubes are a great way to keep your clothing organized. Available in a variety of sizes, packing cubes allow you to keep socks and underwear separate from shirts and toiletries. Many are made with a water-resistant fabric 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 legs and/or bottom of the dress 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 reduce "airplane smell" and will keep your clothes smelling fresh and clean during the entire trip.