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Pack Light Guide

Traveling to 22 countries all over the world in less than 10 months will teach you a thing or two about what is & what is not essential to bring with you. After experiencing this with a 50 pound backpack stuffed with clothes, I have definitely formed an opinion on the topic of overpacking .

Let's just say that I vowed to never travel that way ever again.

Instead, for my own sanity, I learned the art of packing light & converted to #TeamCarryOnOnly.

If you're a frequent flyer, a digital nomad, a backpacker, a van-lifer, or just don't want to deal with the hassle, stress, & inconvenience of extra baggage, this pack light guide is here to help you figure out what you need, what you don't, & how you can start adventuring easier from your next trip forward.

Why pack light?

Simply put, packing light makes any adventure easier.

And by easier, I mean packing light saves time & money, is more convenient, & is much less frustrating than overpacking all the 'what-ifs' & 'just-in-case-I-have-tea-with-the-Queen' items.

It's easier on your body since you won't be lugging around an unnecessarily heavy bag
It takes less time to pack (& unpack) and wash your clothes
You'll save money on checked bag fees
You can carry it on a flight & don't risk the airline losing it
Since it doesn't need to be checked, you can skip baggage claim and get right to the adventure
You never have to leave your bag behind since it's light enough to sight-see with
You can spend more of your trip making memories & less time focusing on your baggage

So what do you say? Are you ready to join #TeamCarryOnOnly so you can pack light & adventure easy?

The first step would be to build your travel capsule wardrobe to keep your packed bag to a fashionable, functional, & comfortable minimum.

What is a capsule wardrobe?

According to the Cambridge Dictionary , a capsule wardrobe is "a small collection of clothes that can be put together in different ways and includes everything you would normally need to wear."

A capsule wardrobe is the easiest way to pack tons of outfit combinations & still be able to pack light.

SPLICE clothing makes it easy to build your capsule wardrobe, by offering pre-built capsules . Packing reversible clothing means you can more than double your outfit options. You can start your capsule wardrobe with SPLICE clothing & then build on it with other items of clothing or accessories to make it your own.

Although different destinations may call for different clothing, a travel capsule wardrobe is like your starting point for what you could pack for anywhere. The items in your capsule are your go-to basics so you don't have to toil over what to pack before every trip.

To create your travel capsule wardrobe , you should choose clothing, shoes, & accessories that are all in the same color families & can easily be mixed and matched and layered to create a variety of looks.

Your travel capsule wardrobe should include things like:

one basic tee you can dress up or down & wear with nearly anything
one pair of pants that are comfy & cute
something to keep you warm on the plane or if it gets chilly
something that makes you feel confident

Create your travel capsule wardrobe in the combination that would work best for your travel style. SPLICE clothing has combinations such as:

tee + joggers = The Lounge Capsule
tee + joggers + snap-up shirt = The Weekender Capsule
tee + joggers + sweatshirt + snap-up shirt = The Layover Capsule
tunic +joggers + sweatshirt + snap-up shirt = The Globetrot Capsule
tee + joggers + poncho + dress = The One-the-Go Capsule
tee + joggers + dress + poncho + snap-up shirt = The In-Flight Capsule
tee + joggers + tunic + dress + sweatshirt + poncho + snap-up shirt = The Around the World Capsule

Your travel capsule wardrobe is basically your adventure uniform, so create one that you love & that will work for nearly all of your adventures. It will cut down on the amount of time it takes you to put together outfits & pack for your trips, so it's important that the items in your capsule are clothes you could see yourself always wearing while traveling.

There are a few more things to keep in mind when picking out your travel capsule wardrobe & other clothing you'll pack in your carry-on.

How to pick clothes for packing light?

ACTIVITIES - Take into consideration what sorts of activities you typically partake in when you travel. If you enjoy a lot of active activities, you should include more activewear or clothing that is functional for those types of activities.

FABRIC - Be mindful of fabrics when picking your travel wardrobe. Choose clothing with wrinkle-resistant, moisture-wicking, quick-drying, & lightweight fabrics if possible. Polyester, bamboo, nylon, lyocell, modal, & wool are typically good fabrics to choose in travel wear. Read the tag or the care label inside the garment to find out the content of the fabric. Definitely don't pack clothes that are dry-clean only.

POCKETS - Pockets are great for securing your most important items such as your passport, cash, credit cards, keys, documents, etc. Having clothing with hidden and/or zippered pockets is definitely beneficial, especially when traveling with all your stuff in tow.

COMFORT - Comfort is paramount when traveling, so pick clothes that don't make you uncomfortable after wearing them for a long time. Look for soft materials with no seams or stitching in weird places, items that aren't super hot or heavy, & make sure you purchase clothes in the right size that fit comfortably.

PURPOSE - Clothes that are functional & serve a definite purpose are they only clothes you should be packing. Don't pack items that you aren't sure why you're packing them. Pack items you know you'll get use out of. Because in most cases, if you didn't pack something that you absolutely need, you can probably still buy it at your destination.

Now that you know how to build the perfect travel capsule wardrobe and pick the right clothes to pack light for any adventure, it's time to get to packing!

How to pack light for any any trip:

The more prepared you are, the easier it will be to pack light. Here is what I would suggest:

Do your research

This includes researching:

the airline requirements & policies for carry-on luggage if you're flying
the weather of your destination(s)
the culture(s) of your destination(s)
what activities you plan to do while traveling

Knowing all of this will help you decide what you can leave behind & what are non-negotiables.

Gather your packing equipment

It's important to have your bag ready before you start getting your clothes together, because it gives you parameters. Make a point to only pack what can fit into that bag or suitcase.

What type of luggage you use is totally your preference. Some people love using a backpack so they can sling it on their back and be hands-free. Some people would rather go easy on their back & use a rolling suitcase. Choose your preferred carrying vessel wisely.

No matter what big bag you pack in, I always recommend using packing cubes as they are a great way to keep your things organized. You can organize by clothing type (tops in one cube, bottoms in another, & undergarments and socks in another) or by outfits (which is a great way to pack a travel capsule wardrobe ).

If you'd like, bring a small bag to keep dirty clothes separate from clean clothes. I always did this so when it came time to wash those dirty clothes, especially if I was bringing it to a laundromat, it was easy to just grab and go & keep them all together in one place.

If you don't want to carry all your things with you day to day, bring a small daypack or purse you can use for daily outings or excursions when you leave the bulk of your belongings behind. Throw your wallet, your keys, sunglasses, phone, jacket, etc. into it while you explore. If you're flying and the airline allows you to have a personal item, your daypack or purse can be that. It's also useful for carrying-on large electronics such as laptops or tablets.

Lastly, bring a bag or something to store your toiletries in such as your toothpaste, soaps, make-up, etc. I like to keep these separate so they are easy to remove when going through airport security if they're liquids & so I can just grab it out of my bag after arriving in a destination & keep it in the bathroom the whole time for easy access to whatever I need.

Gather what you plan to pack

This includes your travel capsule wardrobe , any other clothing items you have deemed necessary for this trip, your accessories like shoes, glasses, hats, scarves, jewelry (limit all of these things!), your toiletries, your electronics, any medications, airplane entertainment, & whatever else you plan to pack.

Remember that some things, if needed, can probably be purchased where you are traveling to if you aren't able to fit it in your bag or if you forget it.

Some things you don't need to bring are:

physical books (I know page turning in real life is different than electronically, but they're just too bulky)
more than 3 pairs of shoes (try to limit it to 3 pairs that all have a definite purpose and will match with your wardrobe items)
full-sized toiletries (buy small travel sizes or transfer some from your big bottles to travel-sized containers - most liquids can not be carried on a plane if they are more than 3 oz.)

So if you have any of that laid out, put it back right now & leave it at home. And remember this famous quote:

“When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money” – Susan Heller

Packing Methods & Tips

Give yourself plenty of time to pack before take off. If you decide to pack last minute, chances are you won't have enough time to cut back on what you don't really need & will end up taking 'what-if' and 'just-in-case' items and then lugging them around your whole trip, maybe not even using them. But if you give yourself ample time to prepare a well-packed bag, it'll be easy to pack light.

Here are a few different pack light methodologies & how to do them.

Army Roll Method

Bundle Packing Method

Washing Your Clothes

One caveat to packing light is that depending on the length of your trip, you might need to wash your clothes as you go. This is probably the worst part of traveling long-term. Whether you have to wash on the road or you come back from a trip with a mountain of dirty clothes to get through, it always sucks. By packing light, you may have to wash a little more often, but its less you need to wash each time. It would take me over an over to hand wash all the clothes I packed when I traveled around the world, & that is way too much time spent not adventuring.

In many places, you can find laundromats who will wash your clothes for you or maybe the hotel you're staying at has a laundry facility. If neither of these are the case, you can always hand wash in the bathroom sink. This is why it is important to choose quick-drying fabrics in case you need to hang dry your clothing after washing. So make sure to choose clothing that is easy to wash and care for. For more information on how to wash your clothes while traveling, check out this post . Packing lighter travel-friendly clothing makes washing them a much smaller load to bear.

Join #TeamCarryOnOnly

So did I convince you that packing lighter will make any adventure easier ?

Take it from me, you don't need to spend months on end with 50 pounds of luggage to find out for yourself. Join #TeamCarryOnOnly and start implementing this advice and using the tools to pack light, so you never waste your time and energy overpacking again.

At SPLICE clothing , our goal is to make adventures easier for women travelers and one way we do that is by designing reversible clothing to help them pack light. If you're ready to start building your perfect travel capsule wardrobe , check out our capsules or if you just need to add one or two new versatile pieces to your closet or suitcase, check out our whole collection !

If there is anything else we can do to help you pack light, or if there is any questions we can answer, please contact us ! Feel free to send us your feedback and suggestions as well!

Traveling & Packing Light

“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” ― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

The Complete Guide To Traveling Anywhere With Only A Carry On Bag Or Less

Hey! Welcome to this ridiculously in-depth guide about how to pack a suitcase!

I’m James Eagleman, a full-time traveler. Overpacking is by far the most common travel mistake I see. Here I will be providing you with your briefing on packing light and traveling light.

“The time has come to lay that baggage down and leave behind all the struggling and striving.” ― Sue Augustine

For some this guide may be a simple refresher course, for others, it will provide some useful hints and tips, and for a few, it might just be a life-changer.

This guide is descriptive, not prescriptive – I realize it’s not for everyone. You can take or leave any of the advice you read here. This is just my story of how I live my life.

I divided the guide into chapters, and each section has a list of actionable steps to help you travel light.

I hope you enjoy it.

James Eagleman, 2022

Traveling Light

It’s when we travel lightest that we most become ourselves. Underneath all your possessions you find your true self.

Nobody likes carrying heavy bags, paying checking fees, and worrying about airlines losing luggage. It’s a drag…

But we are addicted to Stuff.

And the airlines know we’re hooked. Baggage checking fees are a tax on our attachment to possessions. They’re a penalty for lack of fore-planning and imagination. Airlines lure us in with cheap flights then hit us with “extras” at every opportunity.

It’s when we travel lightest that we most become ourselves. Underneath all your possessions you find your true self. – James Eagleman

But you won’t hear me complaining…

As a species, we’re able to travel more easily now than ever before.

The early humans took the best part of 100,000 years to travel out of Africa and populate the globe. They journeyed across Asia to North America and finally down to the southern tip of South America. 4000 generations of mothers, fathers, daughters, and sons lived and died their way westwards. Our family took a long journey, right?

Today you can fly direct from South Africa to Brazil in less than 10 hours. And all the while watching Netflix and moaning about your lack of legroom.

From this perspective, modern travel is miraculous. It ought to be thrilling… do you want to risk spoiling your awesome adventure by packing too heavy?

If your answer is no, then you’re going to need to learn to pack and travel light my friend.

5 Steps To Becoming A Lightweight Traveler

1. awaken the adventurer within.

The process of becoming a light traveler starts long before you pack a bag. It starts within yourself, with approaching travel in a spirit of adventure.

I don’t care if you are going on a dull business trip for the 100th time. If you’re flying through the sky at 550 miles per hour, there is something magical happening. Never forget that.

Light travelers don’t pack for every eventuality because that’s impossible. And finding yourself far from home without “that thing you left behind” is part of the adventure.

Embrace “what’s the worst that could happen?” thinking. Lay down your fears and feel the freedom that follows. Trust me everything will be okay, even if you run out of clean underwear.

2. (Tomorrow May Rain So) Follow The Sun

Traveling light is a whole lot easier in warmer weather. The more pleasant the climate, the fewer clothes you will need to protect you from the climate.

If you can avoid going to cold and wet places you won’t need to pack bulky sweaters, jackets, and boots. If you do go to wintry climates, make sure you wear your heavy boots and jacket on the plane.

Before you think about packing research the climate of your destinations. Think about what you’ll do there and the altitude you’ll be at. I like using timeanddate.com to research climate and they have a fantastic sunrise and sunset calculator .

3. Accept the Costs

There can be costs to traveling light. I don’t deny it, but there can be savings too.

The costs are worth it and it balances out. The things you buy can be more expensive but you own fewer things. And anyway like Tyler Durden said:

“The things you own end up owning you.” – Chuck Palahniuk

Carry less stuff and get your freedom back.

4. Think Like A Traveler Not A Tourist

Is there a difference? I think so.

Travelers think differently than tourists and packing heavy is a rookie mistake.

Tourists with huge bags are easy to spot and vulnerable to scams and thieves. You can be a target right from the moment you land. Unscrupulous taxi drivers often take visitors on an expensive detour.

And of course, you need that taxi because your bags are too huge for public transport!

With large luggage, you are less nimble and less able to escape sketchy situations.

5. Trade Things For Experiences

Light travelers carry fewer things. But they have more experiences.

For example, when was the last time you walked from the airport to your hotel?

It’s only about 7 km from Malta International Airport to the center of Valletta. That’s about a 90-minute walk and it’s a pleasant journey especially as you get closer to Valletta center. Of course, if it’s too hot you’d be better to take a taxi but by traveling light your options open up.

In fact, many airports are less than 2 hours walk to the center.

I always check the map and the street view and consider walking from the airport to the center. I can do that because my bag isn’t heavy.

And speaking of bags…

When you travel light your carry-on bag is your best friend.

Checking bags slows you down, puts your valuables at risk, and costs you time and money. Carry-on only is the way to go. You’ll save money and keep your valuables safe. It’s a no-brainer.

“It seemed like there was definitely a relationship between how much stuff a person carried and the amount of fun that they were having. The more stuff, the less fun.” – Tom Bihn Bag Designer & Maker

You can check a detailed list of airline carry-on size restrictions here. To prepare yourself for international travel get a carry on bag no greater than:

21 inches (53.5 cm), width of 14 inches (35.5 cm) and depth of 8 inches (20.3 cm)

Bags of this size and under will permit carry-on travel on most airlines.

Keep an eye on weight restrictions too. But if you follow this guide you won’t ever need to worry about going above carry-on weight limits .

7 Steps To Carry On Enlightenment

1. remember the 1st law of minimalist travel.

The amount of crap you pack expands to fit the available space in your bag.

Or to put it another way. If you have a big bag… you will end up filling it with a lot of crap.

“The amount of crap you pack expands to fit the available space in your bag” – James Eagleman

Just because a bag has a certain capacity, it doesn’t mean that you need to fill that capacity.

2. See Through The Illusion

We overfill our bags because we are too attached to our things.

You don’t need so many things but you are under the illusion that you need them.

You don’t need them.

This post is all about seeing through the illusion and showing you the road to a lighter life.

To beat your overpacking habit you first have to recognize that you have a problem ))

3. Acknowledge The Possibility of Traveling With Carry-On Only

You can break free from overpacking.

Accept that while it might not be easy it is possible. Many people travel the world with all their possessions in only a single carry-on bag. How do they do it? If they can do it so can you. You just need to figure out how.

4. Follow the One Bag Path

The road to carry on enlightenment is through the cunning use of a smaller bag.

If you dive in and buy a smaller carry-on bag and you will just need to make it work.

“Ahh but what about all my stuff!!” I hear you cry.

Don’t worry. By the time you’ve read this guide will have mastered the art of traveling and packing light. Chapters 3-5 deal with packing, not-packing, and planning.

But before that, you must…

5. Choose The Right Bag

The weight of your bag is important!

Rolling luggage is great if you are doing it home-taxi-airplane-taxi-hotel style. Walking longer distances away from the smooth floors of airport lobbies is rarely fun.

The best travel backpacks are lighter and more secure than rolling suitcases. Some ultralight travelers even go without a bag altogether.

If you choose a backpack don’t choose a top-loading backpack. Your travel bag or suitcase should open completely to allow access to everything.

Make sure you can easily identify your bag. Even though you are traveling carry-on it could be stolen or switched. In-flight theft is a thing .

6. If the shoe doesn’t fit… wear it!

When you keep your bag small you will need to wear your heavy items.

Wear your big jacket when boarding. Wear anything heavy when boarding. In fact, if you are serious you could buy a travel jacket that has lots of pockets to carry items. Scottvesttravel jackets are ideal for this sort of thing. Remember. Wearing is not carrying.

7. The personal item

I tend to not use the personal item allowance because not all airlines have the same guidelines. I don’t need the extra allowance and who wants to carry two bags anyway?

Don’t rely on the personal item allowance to carry more stuff. You can get into trouble with airlines that have less generous allowances.

CHAPTER 3

The 80/20 Rule

You might be familiar with the Pareto Principle also known as the 80—20 rule. If not, it roughly goes like this — for many events roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.

So for example… 80% of the profits come from 20% of the customers

Or… 80% of the crops come from 20% of the seeds sown.

There are hundreds of examples. The Pareto Principle is a rule of thumb it’s not supposed to be exact. I think the 80/20 rule applies to packing too — 20% of what you pack meets 80% of your needs.

As light travelers, we try to only pack the 20% of things to meet most of our needs. This means our haul can be up to 80% lighter. Wheyhey!

To meet the rest of our needs we improvise like Macgyver on a weekend in Paris.

Yes, you don’t have 7 pairs of underwear labeled Sunday through to Saturday…

But you did pack your travel soap and a universal sink plug.

How To Pack Only The 20%

1. use a packing list.

The internet is full of packing list templates for many different types of adventures.

2. Assemble a Travel Clothes Wardrobe

In this section, I’m going to talk a lot about clothes, because clothes take up the most space. So this is where you can make the biggest improvements to your packing method.

It can take a long time to assemble a travel clothes wardrobe. But you don’t need to do it all at once. If you start to think about travel when doing your regular clothes shopping it can pay off over time.

Good travel clothes should be quick drying . This allows you to wash it overnight and wear it again the next day. Doing some handwashing while traveling is one of the best ways to reduce your weight.

Try to c hoose neutral colors for your travel clothes. This way you can mix and match to create more outfits that work together.

Use layers. It’s better to have more pieces of clothes for the same weight. For example, the t-shirt, shirt, and light sweater combo is better than a heavy sweater. It gives you more options.

Versatility. Items of clothing that can perform double duties are a great idea. For example, shorts that also double as swimming shorts.

Trilogy theory. 3 shirts, 3 pairs of socks, 3 pairs of underwear. 2 pairs of pants and 1 pair of shorts.

Bendy Bras. Sources tell me that bras without underwires can be rolled up.

Downsize your underwear. This tip might not be everyone but some people are big pants people and some people wear skimpy thongs. Skimpy things are the correct packing light choice if not always the correct fashion choice.

3. Invest In Wool

Wool. Wool has been engineered by nature for keeping sheep clean and warm. It’s durable, has a great insulation to weight ratio, and doesn’t wrinkle or get stinky. Wool and Prince make some awesome travel shirts for guys made from superfine merino wool.

Woolen clothes are more expensive than cotton, but they save you money in the long run.

If you buy wool clothing, you don’t need a lot of clothes. You can carry your entire wardrobe on your back.

Wool clothes are expensive, but they never stink even after weeks of wear. You can just hand wash them when you feel like it. And they dry quickly. You can hand wash a shirt, put it right on immediately and it will be completely dry within about 15 minutes.

I’m not talking sweaters either. You can buy woolen shirts and suits that look like business attire but behave differently.

Superfine merino wool is not itchy. It’s more comfortable to wear than cotton. It has fantastic wicking properties. It keeps you cool when it’s hot and hot when it’s cool.

By all means. If you want to spend your life pulling a wardrobe behind you or running a laundrette, then go right ahead. I buy wool.

3. Choose Travel Shoes Wisely

More specifics about wool and travel clothes in Chapter 3

4. Travel Gear

Travel Computing. Take a tablet rather than a laptop. I work while traveling and I found that the best travel laptop in my case was a Microsoft Surface Pro. It has the power of a laptop but the size and weight of a large tablet. Avoid the inferior keyword cover and use a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse.

Pack a Foldable Day Pack. Unless you’ve gone ultra-light your travel bag will probably be too big to use once you are at your destination.

Compact umbrella or waterproof poncho. If I am in hot climates I find a heavy jacket unnecessary. I like to walk in the rain and an umbrella or waterproof poncho helps with this.

Sunglasses . Need I say more? Sunnies are essential for trips to bright sunny places. But don’t worry you can wear them on your head and they don’t take up any of your carry-on allowance.

Travel coffee maker. I’ve written elsewhere how travelinglight.com runs on rich black coffee. I make sure to find room in my backpack for a travel coffee maker.

Sleep mask. A sleep mask can really help for sleeping on the plane, jetlag or sleeping in unfamiliar rooms. It’s an essential piece of kit for your travel and lightweight too!

Earplugs. Like a sleep mask earplugs help for sleeping during travel and in strange places. Gram for gram one of the best items you can pack in your carry on.

Fir st aid kit . This one depends on where you are traveling to and what you will be doing. A first aid kit can be a handy thing to pack if you are going to be doing a lot of hikng

A Lightweight Travel Adapter. You want to be able to charge those gadgets. Typically a travel adapter is quite chunky but this one is nice and small and light.

Money belt or neck wallet. RFID blocking wallet. Passport wallet.

Keep your cash and cards in different places. Keep emergency cash.

5. Travel Laundry

Doing laundry on the road is an essential part of traveling light. If you are used to doing all your laundry with a washing machine it might seem like washing clothes on the road will be a hassle.

Yes it is annoying but so is lugging around a heavy bag packed full of clothes.

In reality, to hand wash a few items will only take a few minutes and the benefits are huge.

Pack a travel sink plug. This will help because not all hotels have sink plugs.

You could also pack some travel detergent like Dr. Beckmann Travel Wash though I often just wash my clothes with shampoo.

A clothesline can help to dry things and it doesn’t take up much room.

To dry clothes fast roll them up in a towel and stand on them. I often hand wash a polo shirt, roll it in a towel, stamp on it and put it straight on slightly damp.

After about 30 mins it will be fully dry just from your body heat.

Leave It Behind

11 steps to becoming a zen carry on master, 1. use a not-packing list.

Here are some things that you might have thought about taking but probably don’t need. Do yourself a favor and leave them at home.

2. Know Your Restricted Items

Bottles can’t be more than 100ml. All your 100ml bottles need to fit in a single sealable one liter plastic bag. Nothing sharp. No scissors.

3. The Post Landing Repack

Use airport lockers. In short stays I sometimes take an airport locker and dump things that I know I won’t need.If I’m not working I pack my computer and some clothes into an airport locker.

4. Don’t Pack “What If” Items

“What if” rarely happens and when it does you will deal with it.

5. Use Local Shops

There are few wildernesses left on the planet. Most places sell toothpaste and toilet roll.

6. Air dry your way to freedom

Use a tiny microfiber towel. Buy a large towel locally and leave it behind when you leave.

7. Burn Your Books

Books are heavy. Don’t carry books.

If you are a serious reader take a kindle or even better buy audiobook editions and listen to your books

I like to take walks to explore a new area while listening to audiobooks.

I sometimes use this cable to listen to an audiobook on my phone and music on my ipod shuffle at the same time.

Download the kindle app to your phone or laptop.

Take photographs of sections of guidebooks. Apps like evernote allow you to concert photos of books to searchable text.

8. Make Your Children Carry Your Stuff Like Tiny Slaves

Okay… maybe not YOUR STUFF but at least get them to carry some of their own stuff. If you are traveling with kids get them to carry something . Don’t make your kids the luggage, teach them to help.

9. Screw The Duct Tape

Not for the kids mouths…If you’ve seen The Martian you’ll know that simple duct tape can save your ass if you get stuck on mars. Are you going to mars?

If yes then sure take it. But if you are staying on earth then you probably don’t need it.

Duct tape can be used to make quick repairs to shoes, clothes, make rope and If your shows are so f*cked they’re held together with ductape I’m sorry but it’s time to go buy some new shoes.

10. Forget the Frisbee

Some travel bloggers recommend packing a frisbee since it’s a great way to break the ice and meet new people. Frisbes also make a half-decent cutting board, plate or fan. And with the right technique you could use one to kill an assailant in a pinch.

Sorry Frisbee! You are great n’all but that still doesn’t earn you place in my carry on! It’s not you. It’s me! I travel light!

It’s not that I think frisbees are a bad idea. I like the idea of tossing a frisbee in the park as a way to break the ice. I just don’t think you need to pack one and lug it around with you. Just buy one locally or a bat and ball or whatever.

11. Anything where “there’s an app for that”

If “there’s an app for that” then it probably shouldn’t be in your carry-on bag. Not so long ago electronic devices were huge.

Now our magical smart phones can replaces so many devices.

Unless you are a serious photography leave the DSLR behind your phone takes awesome photos now.

Packing Smart

Now that you know what to take…

And you know what not to take…

It’s time to go deep.

Mankind has long pondered the big philosophical ideas. What is the meaning of life? Who am I? Why is there something rather than nothing? What is true happiness? How do I pack a suitcase?

“How do I pack a suitcase” remains one of the most discussed ideas online.

As if there wasn’t enough written about it here are my tips of putting your stuff into your bag.

7 Packing Origami Ideas To Organize Your Load Out Of Existence

1. compress your clothes..

There are a few different schools of thought when it comes to clothes compression. My fear with compression is that it just allows you to fit more stuff that you don’t need in your bag. Anyway, here they come, use them wisely.

Roll your clothes . This is a classic travel tip smart granddads were doing this in the seventies.

Packing cubes. The pro travelers favorite. Compression packing cubes can gain you an extra few inches worth of space.

Z ip lock bags. The cheapos packing cube.

Vacuum compression bags . These can suck all the air out that sweater and get reduce the size of it but it won’t do anything to help with your weight. In fact, the danger is you will simply pack more vacuum-packed sweaters that previously.

Rubber bands. Yes just regular rubber bands. It might not be very sophisticated but rubber bands are a simple, lightweight method to compress items in your carry-on.

Stuff sacks . A sack that you stuff things into. Can be very helpful with dirty clothes.

Garment folders. These can help with delicate items where you want to avoid creasing. They probably will have a flat iron where you are going though.

2. Use The Inside Of Your Shoes

You can put all sort of things inside your shoes not only feet!

Pack your underwear inside your shoes.

These travel adapters fit snugly inside my walking shoes.

Roll your socks into little balls and squeeze them in there.

That half-eaten cheese sandwich from the airplane… that could fit inside your shoe!

The possibilities are endless! You get the idea ))

3. Pack It On Your Person

You can fill your jacket pockets with items. You can put things in your pockets.

I mainly use this method for heavy items like hiking boots or jackets.

4. Distribute Your Weight

If you have a rolling suitcase put the heavier things at the bottom. This will stop your case from being top-heavy and tipping over.

If you have a backpack put the heaviest items in the center closest to your back. This with put more of the weight onto your hips.

5. Pack It In The Post

Travel caching. Before putting your things into your bag. Fold them nice and neat and put them into a cardboard box. Write the name of the hotel you are staying at on the cardboard box. Take the cardboard box to your local post office and ask them to send the box to the hotel you are staying at.

Note. Contact your hotel to check they will accept the package. I have found airbnb hosts can sometimes also accommodate.

Be sure to keep your most valuable valuables in your possession. Don’t mail that Rolex to the Airbnb guy.

Memories Are Your Best Souvenirs

Is it possible to pack too light?

For physical possessions, I suggest making do with as few things as you can comfortably manage without. It’s not that complicated really. If you use it…. you need it. If you don’t use it… you don’t need it.

But I believe there are some things that are always worth carrying.

The things in this chapter are very lightweight but perhaps the most important.

Carry as much of them as you can manage!

5 Things That Are Worth Carrying

1. memories.

Why do we travel? Just to get from A to B?

From your first baby steps to your last steps — life is made up of all the little moments.

All life is a journey of some type. Even if you are just on a boring business trip or some other travel that you can’t be bothered with. The dullest trip is always part of a bigger journey. The journey from your first day at school to graduation. The trip from first date to marriage. From new start to becoming the boss.

From your first baby steps to your last steps — life is made up of all the little moments.

Even on the most mundane trip, there is the possibility that a special moment in your life will happen.

Be ready for it. You will want to pick up that moment and carry it with you forever.

Pack it in your heart and take it with you.

2. Peace of Mind

Did you know that the animals with the most predators sleep the least?

They’ve got the most to worry about right?

Our waking minds exist to worry and help us avoid danger.

Consciousness itself is a kind of threat detection system, to help us avoid predators and stay safe.

And when we travel to unusual places we feel more fear than usual. Anxiety can grow and spoil our experience of travel.

It doesn’t help that the news makes the world seem like such a dangerous place with terrorists waiting around every corner.

But here’s the thing… most of the things we worry about NEVER HAPPEN!

Take this nugget of wisdom. Pack it carefully somewhere where you won’t forget it. And carry it with you always.

3. A Friendly Smile

A smile is our species way of telling people that we don’t want any trouble and we are no threat.

If you don’t smile. People can be intimidated and scared of you. It’s just human nature.

It can really ruin a good trip if people are threatened and wary of you. They become defensive and closed.

People say that Queen Elizebeth thinks the whole world smells like fresh paint… because everywhere she goes has been freshly painted.

If you walk around with a scowl, you’ll find a world full of surly defensive people. The world has been painted black because King Grumpypants is coming.

Pack your smile with you. For the best travel adventures wear it every day to show the world that you come in peace. And wherever you go the people there will smile back at you!

4. Small Talk

I’m an introvert and social situations can be stressful and tiring for me.

It’s easy for me to shrink into my shell and spend too much alone time because this is where I am most comfortable.

This might seem like a strange choice to mention for people whose small talk comes naturally and easily.

For me, it’s hard work. Small talk is something I need to carry with me and remember to use.

Why is it necessary?

Because travel can be isolating. You can be away from friends and family and normal social contact.

And social contact is essential to human health and happiness.

All introverts need to remember to pack their small talk so they can make social connections while traveling.

Because social connections lead to…

5. Friendships

Travel is a great way to invite interesting experiences into your life.

And shared experiences bring people together and can end up in life-long friendships.

As I get older I find I make more acquaintances and fewer friends.

If you do meet a friend on the road make sure you take that friendship with you. Pack it on in your bag and don’t forget it.

Real solid friendships are a rare thing.

Thanks for reading our guide to traveling light and packing light. I hope this book has given you some ideas and helped you with your travel plans!

Now it would make me most happy if you take the core message with you and leave the rest of this post behind!

Bon voyage!

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The best lightweight travel clothing and gear

Traveling light is essential for those who want to avoid fees of checked luggage, to be able to easily transit around with less weight to carry, and for responsible travelers that are aware of how the weight of their suitcase can increase their carbon footprint. We recently wrote a step-by-step guide on “ How to pack light in a carry-on bag only ” and now we are excited to share the best lightweight travel clothing and gear to accompany you on your adventures.

🦊 Sincere fox informs:

* This article was sponsored by our partner Western Rise , our favorite lightweight travel clothing brand, with technologically advanced pieces that are responsibly sourced and carbon neutral. 🍃 Yeah, besides helping you travel better and smarter, we love connecting you to environmentally friendly brands.

** This post contains affiliate links, which means that when you buy a product/service after clicking on our links, LMTM earns a commission that helps us maintain free content for all traveling foxes in the world, including yourself ✌🏽🦊 .

In this article, you will find:

Lightweight clothing for hot weather, lightweight, warm clothing for cold weather, lightweight travel pants, lightweight travel luggage, travel towel, small travel jewelry case, small travel umbrella, lightweight travel clothing.

Finding good and stylish lightweight travel clothes can be challenging because, besides these characteristics, we also want durable and versatile pieces. Below, you find out what types of material and fabric technologies are recommended when packing light.

If you are going on a summer vacation in the U.S. or are about to experience the hot weather that destinations like Maldives offer all year long, you need clothes that, besides being lightweight, are moisture-wicking. When choosing which shirts and shorts you will pack, look for fabrics such as nylon and polyester for activewear and beachwear, lightweight cotton or merino wool for versatile clothing, and maybe linen for a more elegant look. Fabrics with odor-resistant technologies and sun protection are a big plus!

🦊 Fox tip: Light-colored clothes absorb less heat and help you keepinging cooler.

Our top Western Rise picks : These are our favorite Western Rise lightweight clothing for hot weather. All of them were tested by my partner Matthew during our trip to the Great Sand Dunes National Park in the U.S.

The StrongCore Merino Tee is a lightweight shirt that you can wear on a hike in the woods, a hot day walk in the city, or in a casual meeting at night. Its high-end technology makes it soft, breathable, and anti-odor.

Made of an ultra-lightweight polyester fabric, the Movement Short is EXTREMELY comfortable. You can wear it to run at the beach, for hiking or even swimming. Its material is water and stain-resistant and has a light, airy feel.

When packing for low temperatures, the challenge is to find low-volume and lightweight, warm clothing that is also breathable. Fleece is a lightweight, easy-drying, and comfortable option. Other fabrics, such as merino wool and polyester, are temperature-regulating as well. Are you looking for a lightweight jacket? Go with down winter jackets. Note that waterproof clothes are also helpful in the case of snow.

Sustainability infos & tips🍃:

Some companies have been using a more sustainable sourced fleece, often called bio fleece .
When buying down jackets, purchase only from companies that are Responsible Down Standard certified.

🦊 Fox tip: If you are going to moderate or intense cold weather, make sure you know how to layer winter clothes when you travel and avoid bulky items. Also, bear in mind that a minimalist style to mix-and-match pieces is also key when it comes to packing for winter destinations.

Our top Western Rise pick :

The AirLoft Vest is made of a 4-way stretch fabric that is water-resistant and temperature-regulating. This ultimate men’s travel vest will keep you stylish and warm in mildly to moderately cold temperatures.

Leave your heavy and bulky jeans at home! Lightweight travel pants are usually made of a nylon-elastane or nylon-spandex blend in order to also be comfortable and durable. Male travelers love Western Rise pants because they are light, low volume, and versatile, so you can wear them for both casual and formal occasions.

Our top Western Rise picks :

The Evolution Pant 2.0 is the ultimate lightweight travel pants for men. It is made of a patented fabric that is breathable, stretchable, lightweight, stain and water resistant. You can wear it on a coffee date or to explore the Canyonlands National Park .

And here is Matthew’s Western Rise favorite pants. The AT Pant is half the weight of a pair of jeans and five times more durable. Its stylish and versatile look allows you to go to work or on a hike in the Arches National Park .

Check out our article about the best men’s travel pants !

Lightweight travel gear

Now that you have found some great lightweight travel clothes, it is time to find lightweight travel gear that will help you out in your mission of balancing out your load. Here are some examples:

An essential gear for those who want to travel light is a lightweight suitcase. Nylon and polyester materials are the best options if you are looking for a soft shell case. In case you prefer a hard shell, polypropylene is both lightweight and durable. Check out the Samsonite Freeform Spinner luggage, which comes in carry-on, medium, and large sizes.

If there is one item that every traveler in 2023 should already have, it is a microfiber towel. But if you are still looking for a lightweight travel towel, the 4Monster Camping Towel is a great option. It is as absorbent, quick-dry, and compact as you need.

No more tangled necklaces and bracelets. Now, you can carry your essential jewelry in a small travel case. We were used to finding only hard cases, but now you can go with soft ones that are lightweight and take up less space in your suitcase. The Bagsmart Travel Jewelry Organizer is very functional and comes in two different sizes.

It is one of those items that you often don’t wanna pack and later regret not doing so! But your problems are now solved since some lightweight and small travel umbrellas are available in the market. I have had one for about seven years now, but if I were to buy a new one, the Knirps US.050 Ultra Light Slim would be it because it covers a bigger diameter (90cm).

Most people relate lightweight travel clothing to activewear, but nowadays, you can count on Western Rise – our favorite lightweight travel clothing brand that offers stylish products with a minimalist concept that are responsibly sourced and carbon neutral.

The best clothing for traveling light are those with low volume and are lightweight. Western Rise products are made of high-technology fabrics that are breathable, lightweight, and easy to pack. Check it out.

You can buy lightweight travel clothing at the Western Rise store in Telluride (Colorado) or online .

Our readers can enjoy a fantastic 15% discount at Western Rise (valid anytime!). Don’t miss out on this exclusive offer, and elevate your capsule suitcase with high-quality, versatile, and technological clothing.

* Western Rise does not allow double discounting, so our promo code is only applicable when there aren’t larger website sales, such as Black Friday going on.

Is there any other lightweight travel clothing or gear that you would like us to add here? Leave a comment below.🤗

How to pack light in a carry-on bag
Best travel clothing for men
How to build a minimalist wardrobe for men
Outdoor clothing outfit ideas for men
The best travel pants for men
Winter travel clothes and outfits

8 responsible tourism tips

Hiking clothes: essential items and outfits to inspire you, cancel reply, accommodation.

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The Best Wrinkle-resistant Clothing for Travel of 2024

No iron? No problem. These uncreasable clothes are ideal for packing.

Best Button-down

Columbia women's boundless trek layering long sleeve shirt.

This stretchy, moisture-wicking, endlessly versatile button-down can be worn as-is, layered over another shirt, or used as a swimsuit cover-up.

It's technically a hiking shirt but can also work for travel days and most casual outings.

Columbia's Boundless Trek Shirt is the perfect button-down for travel — I was glad to have it with me on my last trip. It's made of a stretchy, wrinkle-resistant blend of polyester and elastane. Beyond that, the fabric draws sweat away from your body, repels stains, and even offers UPF 50 protection from the sun.

It's technically a hiking shirt, but I think it's ideal for travel days, sightseeing, shopping, and other casual outings as well. Thanks to the long length and relaxed fit, I was able to wear it both as-is and layer it over tanks and tees. You could even use it as a swimsuit cover-up. I also appreciate that there's a front chest pocket and a hidden internal pocket that fits an ID, credit card, or room key.

The Details: XS to 2X | Polyester, recycled nylon, elastane

Best Long-sleeve Shirt

Athleta ascent seamless top.

The Ascent Seamless Top is ultra-soft, lightweight, and breathable, with a close-to-body fit that makes it a great base layer.

It's 42 percent wool so it may be best for cooler temperatures.

Athleta's Ascent Seamless Top is just the thing for travel. This long-sleeve shirt is woven from a blend of nylon, merino wool, and spandex. The fabric is wrinkle-resistant, lightweight, and oh-so-soft, while the close-to-body fit makes for a great base layer.

Since the wool content adds warmth, it might be best for cooler weather — but merino wool is a temperature-regulating material , so you probably won't overheat. The mesh-like back panels and pointelle strip down the front offer breathability, too. Wool is also naturally antimicrobial, meaning it repels odor-causing bacteria.

The Details: XXS to XL | Nylon, merino wool, spandex

Best T-shirt

J.crew stretch linen-blend crewneck t-shirt.

This classic tee can be dressed up or down, worn as a base layer, and rocked with jeans, pleated shorts, athleisure wear — you name it.

It's a slim fit and runs slightly small, so consider ordering a size up.

Everyone's idea of the perfect T-shirt is different, but if you ask us, this one from J.Crew checks all the boxes. You get the lightweight, easy-breezy feel of linen (which, yes, is known for wrinkling) with the flexible crease resistance of polyester and elastane.

This crewneck tee can be worn with just about anything — we're talking jeans, trousers, shorts, or athleisure. You can rock the T-shirt on its own and dress it up or down by layering it under a flannel or blazer. Just a heads up, it runs a little small, and since it's a slim fit, you may want to order a size up from what you normally wear.

The Details: XXS to 3X | Linen, polyester, elastane

Best Versatile Top

Everlane the supima micro-rib scoop-neck tee.

The sleeve length, neckline, and silhouette make it easy to pair with laid-back, professional, and dressier attire.

Even though it's ribbed, the material is somewhat thin.

With elbow-length sleeves, a sophisticated scoop neck, and a slim (but not too tight) fit, this is the ideal in-between shirt for travel. The versatile design can be worn in transitional weather and dressed up with professional attire or down with jeans or linen shorts. You can also layer it under a blazer, cardigan, or button-down.

This shirt is primarily Supima cotton, a supremely breathable and naturally moisture-resistant fiber, with a small amount of elastane woven in for stretch and wrinkle resistance. Even though it's ribbed, the fabric is a bit thin. It's not sheer, though, and long-staple cotton like Supima is much more durable than regular cotton.

The Details: XS to 2X | Supima cotton, elastane

Best Blouse

Timeson chiffon v neck sleeveless blouse.

This crease-resistant, packable blouse works for professional ensembles and casual outfits alike.

It may arrive slightly wrinkled from the packaging but will relax after washing.

We're also big fans of this blouse. The fabric promises reliable wrinkle resistance, so you can fold it, roll it, or compress it into a packing cube without worrying about creases. It's also very accessibly priced and comes in nearly 30 colors and prints, ranging from neutrals to florals to bolder hues.

The sleeveless, slightly flowy design can be tucked into dress pants and layered under a blazer or cardigan. You could also wear it with jeans, either untucked or with a French tuck (just in the front).

The Details: S to 2X | Polyester

Best Sweater

Banana republic fern linen-blend raglan sweater.

Banana Republic

Banana Republic's low-maintenance yet luxurious Fern Sweater is breathable, lightweight, and packable with a modern silhouette.

The boxy cut may be hard to tuck into lower-rise pants.

Our favorite packable, low-maintenance travel sweater comes from Banana Republic. You'll get the lightweight breathability of linen, plus the wrinkle resistance of viscose rayon . The material is super soft and drapey with a luxurious feel.

This sweater has a classic crewneck, raglan-style shoulders, a relaxed fit, and a boxier cut. We love the modern silhouette, but bear in mind tucking it into low-rise pants might be tricky.

The Details: XXS to 2X | Linen, viscose rayon

Best Tank Top

L.l.bean women's bean's layering tank.

ï»¿L.L.Bean

This tank makes an excellent undershirt or sleeveless top for warm weather, and you can count on the stretchy material to resist wrinkling in your suitcase.

It's on the longer side and falls past the hip.

This tank from L.L.Bean is the best of both worlds. It's 95 percent cotton, so you can bet it's breathable, moisture-wicking, soft, and gentle against the skin. Since cotton is known to wrinkle in the wash, the remaining 5 percent is spandex. The result? A stretchy sleeveless top you can roll as tightly as you want when packing your suitcase.

The cut is on the longer side for easy tucking and a little extra cover when wearing it with form-fitting bottoms, like yoga pants or bike shorts. Since this tank top is so reasonably priced, you might consider getting it in multiple colors.

The Details: XS to 3X | Cotton, spandex

Unbound Merino Travel Dress

It never needs ironing, repels funky smells, dries quickly, and can be worn in multiple seasons.

The brand suggests laying flat to dry rather than tossing it in the dryer.

Unbound Merino's aptly named Travel Dress is woven mostly from merino wool, with small amounts of nylon and spandex for durability, stretch, and extra wrinkle resistance that never needs ironing. I own one myself and can attest to these qualities. The sturdy yet soft and flexible material also repels odors and dries quickly.

Since it doesn't harbor funky smells, I've worn this dress multiple times while traveling without having to wash it — meaning I could pack fewer items. The sleeveless, midi style is great for warm locales, but you can also layer it under a sweater, blazer, or jean jacket.

The Details: XS to XL | Merino wool, nylon, spandex

Best T-shirt Dress

Cozy earth brushed bamboo midi dress.

This short-sleeve dress makes outfit planning easy while resisting creases and keeping you comfy all day.

The fabric is on the heavier side, but it's still plenty breathable.

I love traveling with this T-shirt dress from Cozy Earth. The short sleeves, crew neckline, and midi length are just right for casual outings, while the knee-high side slits give me a full range of movement. Plus, as a one-and-done ensemble, packing and outfit planning for trips are much easier.

This wrinkle-resistant dress is woven from bamboo-derived viscose, acrylic, and spandex. The fabric is on the heavier side, but I find this helps prevent creases. I also appreciate that it's totally opaque yet still plenty breathable.

The Details: XS to 3X | Bamboo viscose, acrylic, spandex

lululemon Utilitech Relaxed Mid-Rise Trouser 7/8 Length

With a jogger feel and a tailored-trouser look, these pants are incredibly stretchy and wrinkle-proof.

There are no belt loops, and the 7/8 cut is supposed to fall around the ankle but may be full-length for shorter people.

Lululemon's Utilitech Trousers are made of an exceptionally stretchy fabric that's not just resistant to creases but is actually entirely wrinkle-proof. But on account of the twill texture, pleats, back darts, and welt pockets, they look just like tailored dress pants to the untrained eye.

With a mid-rise waist, a slightly relaxed fit, and straight-meets-wide legs, these travel pants have a modern look without being too trendy. We also like that there's a hidden card slot in one of the front pockets.

The Details: 0 to 14 | Elastomultiester, cotton, elastane

Best Shorts

Spanx stretch twill shorts 6".

These pull-on shorts are super comfy yet functional, with pockets, belt loops, and a built-in tummy shaper.

The color may transfer onto lighter materials before the first wash.

These shorts from Spanx are a wise choice for travel. The fabric is more than 50 percent cotton for softness and breathability, while rayon, polyester, and elastane provide stretchiness and crease resistance. In true Spanx fashion, there's a built-in tummy shaper that helps smooth your midsection.

With no zippers or buttons, the pull-on style is convenient and incredibly comfy. Meanwhile, the belt loops and front and back pockets deliver functionality where you need it. The garment dye is supposed to fade over time for a worn-in look, but it might transfer onto other fabrics or materials before the first wash.

The Details: XS to 3X | Cotton, rayon, polyester, elastane

Reformation Maria Knit Skirt

Reformation

The Maria Knit Skirt is light, breathable, and stretchy, with an adjustable rise and a side slit for freedom of movement.

It's only available in black but is still notably versatile.

This skirt is made primarily of Tencel lyocell with a bit of spandex woven in. Sourced from wood pulp, lyocell is breathable, lightweight, and, most importantly, resistant to wrinkles. The jersey-knit fabric is soft, airy, and comfortable — everything you want in travel clothes.

Though it only comes in black, the Maria Skirt is undeniably versatile. The ultra-stretchy, tube-style design can be worn high-waisted, mid-rise, or low rise, giving you flexibility when curating outfits. We also like that there's a side slit to allow movement with the maxi length.

The Details: XS to XL | Tencel lyocell, spandex

Best Joggers

Vuori performance jogger.

These editor-approved pants are light, stretchy, crease-resistant, and remarkably comfortable.

It's an ankle-length cut and runs large, so think about ordering a size down.

When it comes to comfy clothes for travel days, padding around your rental, lounging on vacation, or even working out, Vuori's Performance Joggers are hard to beat. Made of the brand's DreamKnit fabric, these Travel + Leisure editor-tested and -approved pants are stretchy, lightweight, remarkably soft, and wildly comfortable. More to the point, the polyester-elastane blend is wrinkle-resistant.

These best-selling joggers are ankle-length, but there's also a full-length version . We should note that the relaxed fit runs a bit large, so think about ordering a size down from what you usually wear unless you prefer a slouchier look.

The Details: XS to 2X | Recycled polyester, elastane

Best Jumpsuit

Patagonia women's fleetwith jumpsuit.

Beyond being wrinkle-resistant, the Fleetwith Jumpsuit is quick-drying, moisture-wicking, and stretchy with five functional pockets.

A jumpsuit might not be ideal to wear on travel days.

We love jumpsuits for travel because they're a whole outfit in a single piece of clothing — except maybe on a plane when you want to be able to easily go to the bathroom. This one from Patagonia offers next-level convenience with a fabric that can be tightly rolled or compactly folded without sustaining creases.

The polyester-spandex blend is moisture-resistant and quick-drying, while the stretchy quality and side slits on the pant hems allow you to move freely. Other standout features include front and back pockets, a hidden zippered pocket, and a drawcord waist for an adjustable fit.

The Details: XXS to 2X | Polyester, spandex

Best Blazer

Quince stretch crepe open blazer.

Promising never to wrinkle while keeping odors at bay, this travel-friendly blazer can be worn with professional, dressy, and casual outfits.

Meant to be worn open, it doesn't button or clasp in the middle.

Blazers are great to have on trips, easily dressing up and adding warmth to any outfit. Plus, they're appropriate to wear both inside and outdoors. We're particularly fond of this one from Quince, which promises never to wrinkle while the antibacterial material keeps odors at bay.

The smooth fabric has a drapey quality that lends to a polished yet laid-back appearance. It's meant to be worn open so the shawl collar and pointed front hems fall just right. This blazer is versatile enough to wear with tailored pants, pleated shorts, jeans, or even athleisure wear — think yoga pants and chunky sneakers.

The Details: XS to XL | Polyester, recycled polyester

Best Jacket

Aday up in the air jacket.

This wrinkle-free jacket has eye-catching details while still being versatile, practical, and extremely comfortable.

Consider sizing up if you plan to layer it over more than a thin shirt.

Aday is a stellar place to shop for wrinkle-resistant, packable travel clothes. We can't get enough of the Up In The Air Jacket, a biker-inspired coat with a dramatically oversized collar, an asymmetrical front-zip closure, and a subtle sheen.

Crafted from recycled polyester and elastane, the scuba material is thick and sturdy yet lightweight and breathable. It's also resistant to pilling, sweat-wicking, quick-drying, and (notably) wrinkle-free.

The Details: XS to XL | Recycled polyester, elastane

Tips for Buying Wrinkle-resistant Clothing for Travel

Choose the right materials.

When buying wrinkle-resistant clothing for travel, pay close attention to the material makeup. The most crease-resistant fabrics are synthetic or semi-synthetic, like polyester, rayon, viscose, and Tencel lyocell. Stretchy fibers, such as spandex and elastane, can also help with smoothness and packability.

Cotton and linen tend to be the most wrinkle-prone, but these naturally breathable textiles can be blended with other fibers to make them wrinkle-resistant. Wool and cashmere can be good options, too, particularly in jersey fabrics or knitted weaves.

Do a test run before packing

A clothing item claiming to be wrinkle-resistant doesn't necessarily mean it's 100 percent wrinkle-proof — especially when compressed in a suitcase. With this in mind, we recommend doing a test run before your trip. Fold up each item ahead of time and leave it for at least a few hours to see how it looks onced unfolded.

Concerned about creases? Think about packing a travel steamer — or even just a wrinkle-release spray if you're short on suitcase space — just in case.

When it comes to preventing wrinkles, rolling your clothes might be best because it sidesteps any sharp bends that may result in creases. However, it depends on the garment and how tightly you roll it. For instance, a tightly rolled long-sleeve starchy shirt might unroll to reveal big creases, and a carefully folded knit sweater may do just fine placed on the uppermost layer of your main suitcase compartment.

It depends on the material and clothing item. But generally speaking, you can machine wash wrinkle-resistant clothes on a delicate or regular cycle with warm or cold water, then tumble dry them on low heat. To prevent pilling, shrinking, and misshaping the garment, you can also hang it or lay it flat to air dry. When in doubt, go with the brand's care instructions, which you can find on the tag or product webpage.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

T+L contributor Theresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer and product reviewer specializing in apparel, accessories, lifestyle, and travel. She knows how to find the best clothing for any occasion and has personally tried multiple garments featured here.

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Esra D, Oksan O, Nilgun O. The performance properties of the yarn and fabrics produced from different types of cotton . Industria Textila . 2019;70(05):398-402. doi:10.35530/IT.070.05.1651

Wang J, Lu X, Wang J, Wang X. Quantitative and sensory evaluation of odor retention on polyester/wool blends . Text Res J . 2019;89(13):2729-2738. doi:10.1177/0040517518801183

Şardağ S. Investigation of mechanical properties of fabrics woven with Tencel/cotton blend yarns . Text Appar . 2019;29(2):162-170. doi:10.32710/tekstilvekonfeksiyon.503392

My blog on how to pack light & travel solo.

Packed full of tips & inspiration for

travelling light and travelling solo .

Reversible clothing is brilliant for traveling light.

Reversible clothing gives you so many different options in one piece of clothing. This makes it so much easier to travel light.

This post does have an affiliate link. This means that at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only affiliate with businesses that I use, know, and like, and Ashly and her Splice Clothing range ticks all those boxes.

Plus, I love her motto - Pack light. Adventure easy!

One top: Four ways. Two different colours and two different necklines.

What is reversible clothing?

Reversible clothing is clothing that can be worn multiple ways. In this case the top I wear above has got two colors - a burgundy/red and a blue/black. I love that one top can look completely different by simply flipping it inside/out or is that outside/in!

The other feature is that is has different necklines. One is a V-neck, and the other is a boatneck.

This tunic has domes that can make the bottom part of the top looser or tighter. I particularly like the slight sheen to the fabric - it zhooshes up my travel wardrobe.

I'm not sure how it's done - but the fabric is coloured on both sides - it' not two layers of fabric. So there's a little bit of magic to it!

So, you're probably getting the a-ha moment of how reversible clothing is so clever for traveling light.

Let me introduce you to Ashly at Splice Clothing.

Ashly is a traveller! So she knows what travellers like and need.

She knows that people -

want to carry less and see more,
like flexibility in their travel capsule wardrobes,
want to look smart,
want the clothes to be fast drying and light,
want comfortable clothing.

So I think she's onto a winner here.

She's a small business owner and lives in Las Vegas. She's determined to live her dream life - so her love of clothing and design and travel is a brilliant combination.

We met on Instagram @spliceclothing and we connected so well. So you should check her out - she's such a lovely person with a great life and business philosophy.

Here's Ashly on the right, modelling her latest leggings and sports top. Photo credit: @spliceclothing

Reversible clothing gives you so many options.

I'll try not to go all mathematical on you...but the more reversible clothing you carry - well, the number of styling options start to be exponential.

I mean, if you have a pair of the reversible joggers, a reversible tunic, and a reversible shirt...that's at least 16 different looks from only three items.

Even just having one reversible item in your travel wardrobe will make a huge difference in your styling options.

Reversible joggers, tee and shirt from Splice Clothing. Photo credit: @spliceclothing

A reversible clothing story...

A friend of mine was on a bus tour in China with a friend. They both decided that they wanted to try and pack light.

Her friend had a reversible skirt that was different colours and patterns on each side. They were the talk of the tour as people were so puzzled about how they only had carry-on bags yet they always looked to be wearing a completely different outfit.

The reversible skirt really had the tour group bamboozled.

Packing light with reversible clothing is very clever.

So, travel might not be on your agenda at the moment - but planning for when we can travel safely is what we can do safely right now.

Do consider reversible clothing as an option, and check out the awesome packages that Ashly offers over on her Splice Clothing website.

It really is a very clever way to pack light and pack less.

If you want to learn more about travel clothing, check out my blogpost on an example of my kind of travel capsule wardrobe . Hopefully it will give you some ideas of how you could build your own.

Happy travel planning.

Katherine xo

Travel clothing Travel style Travel light

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Katherine@the5kilotraveller.com

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Travel Europe on a Budget

The Savvy Backpacker

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The best travel clothes | guide to high-performance & fashionable travel clothing.

We talk about our favorite travel clothing and help you find the perfect travel-friendly clothes to keep you comfortable on the road.

I’ve been a nerd about travel clothes since my first trip to Europe back in 2006—now I have a closet full of travel pants and shirts and jackets (you get the idea). It’s been refreshing to watch travel clothing evolve from hideous outdoorsy gear to stylish clothing made from high-tech fabrics.

In this guide, I’ve gathered some of the most popular travel clothing brands to help you find the best travel clothing so you can stay fashionable and comfortable while traveling.

The Current State Of Travel Clothes

In the old days, travel clothing used to look like this…

But now travel clothing looks like this!

So what’s the deal with travel clothes these days?

I’d argue that the “travel clothing” market hasn’t changed much but the “performance clothing” market is actually what’s pushing the category forward—so these days, I consider travel clothing and performance clothing essentially the same thing.

And it makes sense because many of these new high-performance fabrics offer a ton of benefits that complement both everyday wear and travel.

Even mega-brands like Levis, Gap, Dockers, Lululemon, and Uniqlo are starting to offer fashionable “travel-friendly” or “performance” clothing but small niche brands are pushing the boundaries (which I’ll cover later in this article).

The Good Things About Travel Clothing

Travel clothes are finally being designed to be fashionable and stylish so you can easily wear them in Paris, Milan, or New York without looking out of place.

My #1 travel clothing rule is that I’ll never wear any “travel clothing” that I wouldn’t wear in my everyday life.

Second, high-tech clothes continue to evolve because more companies are developing better fabrics and competition is driving innovation.

The Bad Things About Travel Clothing

Unfortunately, high-tech travel clothing tends to be expensive.

First, many of the fabrics used are high-end so the raw materials are expensive. Second, a majority of travel clothing is made by small companies so they can’t mass produce their products—which pushes prices higher.

Another negative thing about travel clothing is that there are many options for men but fewer for women. This is probably because guys tend to stick to very basic items and they nerd out on “high-tech fabrics more than women.

So what can you expect to pay for travel clothes?

Nice merino wool socks will be $10-$20/pair
A pair of travel pants will range from $70-$180+
A wool shirt will be $50-$100+

Do You NEED Travel Clothing?

Do you really “need” to shell out your hard-earned cash for these high-end garments?

I’ll be the first to say that you certainly don’t need clothes made out of technical fabrics when you travel. Many of these fabrics can make certain aspects of traveling easier and more comfortable… but they’re more of a “nice-to-have” than a “must-have.”

In my opinion, there are a few key pieces that I think deliver a ton of value and there are other items that are more optional — I’ll cover both throughout this article.

The Benefits of Travel Clothes & Performance Wear

What’s so great about travel clothing? Let’s take a look…

Durability & Multi-Day Wear

One of the main benefits of travel clothing is that you can wear them multiple times without having to wash them. This means you can pack fewer items so you can travel lighter.

Odor-Resistance

Many of the fabrics used in travel clothes have anti-odor properties. Merino wool is naturally odor-resistant but some synthetic materials are manufactured in a way to reduce odor.

Quick-Drying Abilities

If you plan on washing your clothes while you’re traveling it’s nice to have items that can be hand-washed and air-dried quickly (i.e. washing your socks and underwear in the sink). Quick-drying fabrics can also be beneficial if you get caught in the rain.

Wrinkle-Resistance

While it’s hard to completely prevent wrinkles when you’re living out of a suitcase, many materials have anti-wrinkle properties. In general, synthetic materials resist wrinkles better than natural fabrics but it depends on the fabric.

Lightweight & Packability

Performance fabric tends to be lightweight so it won’t weigh down your luggage as much — for example, a pair of tech pants will weigh half as much as a pair of jeans. Lightweight fabric also tends to dry quicker than something like cotton jeans which absorb water.

Moisture Wicking & Breathability

One of the most important factors in keeping comfortable is keeping dry. Moisture-wicking fabric helps pull sweat away from your skin and its breathability lets the moisture escape from the fabric.

Stretch and Comfort

Every fabric will have a different amount of stretch. Unsurprisingly, fabric with more stretch tends to be more comfortable since it allows you to move with less restriction.

But you’re always making a compromise when it comes to stretch because, in general, you sacrifice durability/water-repellency for stretchability.

Water Repellency

Certain fabrics are naturally water-repellent and others have chemical coatings which help keep water from soaking into the fabric. In my opinion, water repellency isn’t super high up on my “must-have” list (unless it’s a rain jacket) but it’s a nice bonus.

Note: The chemical water-resistant coatings aren’t permanent so they will become less effective the more the garment is washed.

High-Tech Performance Fabrics Explained

There are multiple different types of fabrics that travel clothing companies use to make their products. There is a lot of nuances and technical/marketing mumbo jumbo when it comes to each fabric but we’ll start with the three main fabric categories — natural fabrics, synthetic fabrics, and natural/synthetic blends.

Natural Fabrics

There are a handful of natural fabrics but the most common are merino wool and cotton.

Merino Wool

The best kind of natural fabric is fine merino wool because it has many natural benefits. Merino wool is naturally odor-resistant, soft, fairly durable, wicks moisture well, dries quickly, and works well in both hot and cold weather.

However, merino wool does have some downsides. First, it’s expensive so even a “cheap” merino wool t-shirt will cost around $50.

Second, thin wool has a tendency to develop holes much more quickly than a more robust fabric like cotton or synthetics.

And third, most wool can’t go in the dryer since heat will make it shrink so it does require a little extra care.

Cotton Should Be Avoided

Most travelers highly recommend avoiding cotton when it comes to travel clothing because cotton holds moisture and doesn’t dry quickly. For example, a cotton pair of socks will trap sweat which will cause odors, blisters, and sweaty feet.

That said, I’m not as militant when it comes to wearing cotton so I still wear cotton jeans and t-shirts. However, I still generally avoid cotton for socks and underwear.

Synthetic Fabrics

Things get a little more complicated when it comes to synthetic fabrics because there are dozens of different variations and each has different performance properties.

That said, synthetic fabrics are usually much cheaper to manufacture but some of the high-end technical fabrics are still expensive.

Synthetic fabrics are very durable, they can be highly water-repellent or even waterproof, many resist wrinkles, they dry very quickly, and they’re lightweight. Some synthetic materials also have a lot of flex so they’re comfortable to wear.

However, there are some negatives. First, synthetic fabrics can become smelly after one or two wearings. Some synthetic fabrics are treated with anti-odor chemicals so that helps.

Next, cheap synthetic fabrics have an ugly “synthetic sheen” and feel fake. Most of these cheap synthetics also make that “swish swish” sound when you walk. Advanced synthetic fabrics can look and feel very similar to natural fabrics but these fabrics are expensive — so you’ll have to pay if fashion is a concern.

Some cheap synthetics also don’t breathe well so they can get pretty balmy in the heat. That’s why you should look for “breathable” fabrics.

Another issue with synthetics is fabric flexibility. The most durable fabrics tend to not have very little flexibility. So if you’ll have to sacrifice a bit of durability for comfort in some instances.

Natural/Synthetic Blends

Travel clothing brands are starting to combine fine merino wool and synthetic fabric to give you the best of both worlds — performance and durability. I heard from someone in the wool industry that there is no performance loss as long as the blend includes at least 70% wool.

You’ll usually see blends in socks, underwear, and shirts.

The Best Travel Clothes and Recommended Travel Clothing Brands

Okay, okay… calm down. I’ve broken down each type of garment (socks, underwear, pants, shirts, etc.) into its own section.

I’ve tried giving specific recommendations when possible (and I’ll try my best to keep the recommendations up-to-date), but sometimes I can only point you towards companies that make tech-wear travel clothes.

I will also do my best to recommend options for all budgets since I know not everyone wants to drop $100 on a t-shirt.

Socks for Travel

In my opinion, a few nice pairs of socks (along with comfortable shoes) are the most important travel accessory. So, if you have a limited clothing budget, spend it on socks.

Boring, I know… but it will be your best bang for the buck

Fine merino wool socks are my favorite and preferred style of socks. Merino wool socks with a bit of synthetic material also work well because the synthetic fibers help the socks keep their shape/fit.

From my experience, 100% synthetic socks aren’t great but they’re not terrible.

Avoid cotton socks if you can.

Obviously, you’ll want to match your socks to the season — i.e. thin, no-show socks for the summer and longer/heavier socks for colder weather.

My Favorite Sock Brands:

Smartwool : The most famous wool sock company. They offer just about every style. Check Amazon to see what’s available.
Darn Tough Vermont : Darn Tough socks are made in the USA and they offer a lifetime warranty so that’s awesome. Check Amazon to see what’s available.
Unbound Merino : This small company makes merino wool basics but we really dig their all-season ankle socks. They don’t contain as much wool as we’d like but this helps keep the cost down. Check them out at Unbound .
Farm To Feet : This is another 100% USA company that makes a small but quality range of wool socks. Take a look at Amazon to see their offerings.
Wigwam : Wigwam makes both merino wool and synthetic socks. While they’re not our favorite socks, their prices are pretty good so they’re worth checking out if you’re looking to save a little money. Check Amazon .

Travel Underwear

Ahh, yes. Travel underwear.

I’ve already written at length about the many benefits of travel underwear , but I’ll briefly cover them again below:

Quick Drying: Wash them in the sink and they’ll be dry by morning.
Moisture Wicking : This helps keep your skin dry.
Breathable: This helps stop you from getting all sweaty down there.
Odor Blocking: Stop the stink (or at least delay it)
Comfortable: You don’t want to spend your time thinking about your uncomfortable underwear.

Synthetic Underwear

Pictured: ExOfficio (men's and women's) and Under Arnour (men's and women's)

Most travel underwear is made from synthetic fabric which is designed to be soft, lightweight, and breathable. It isn’t the best at controlling odor since some synthetic material holds in odor but many brands have various manufacturing processes that help combat odor.

The most popular travel underwear is made by ExOfficio (you can read our Exofficio review but these guys essentially invented travel underwear). We tend to find the best prices on Amazon and REI .

Patagonia (i.e. everyone’s favorite outdoors brand) has a handful of nice underwear options for both men and women.

Another very popular option is Under Armour underwear . They get a ton of great reviews on Amazon , many people swear by them, and they’re sometimes cheaper than ExOfficio.

For budget travelers, Uniqlo has their Airism line of underwear which isn’t bad but I’m not a huge fan of their cuts. But they’re very affordable so they’re worth looking at.

If you’re on a tight budget, you should check out Target and discount stores like T.J. Maxx or Marshalls because you can find “athletic” underwear for decent prices.

Merino Wool Underwear

Merino wool is actually a very solid choice for underwear — even in the summer. It’s soft, it’s lightweight, it breathes well, and it’s the best option for resisting odor. The two main downsides are the high prices and durability.

There are a few different brands that sell quality merino wool underwear:

Allbirds : Allbirds (the company famous for their merino wool shoes) also makes quality underwear and socks for both men and women. Check them out at Allbirds .
Wool & Prince: This is our current “go-to” brand when it comes to anything merino wool. They currently only offer men’s underwear. Check them out on Wool & Prince .
Icebreaker: Another popular wool brand is Icebreaker and they make everything from underwear to coats. Browse their selection on Amazon to find a cut that fits your style.

The Best Travel Pants and Jeans For Men

The number of companies making travel-friendly pants and jeans has exploded over the past few years. It’s actually kind of overwhelming but I’ll help you sort it all out.

And don’t worry — all the pants we recommend are actually fashionable so you won’t be looking like a mountain climber while city hopping.

The main thing to remember is that each of the pants on this list has different performance properties so that’s something you’ll want to match the performance to your needs.

Bluffworks Ascender Chinos

Bluffworks, which makes a range of travel garments, recently released their new Ascender Chinos . These are made with lightweight high-performance fabric. The polyester twill fabric has a nice amount of stretch and it has a minimal amount of “synthetic sheen”. The fabric is lightweight so it breaths well, resists wrinkles, and has water-resistant properties.

It’s also nice that these come in both a regular and tailored fit. I own the tailored fit but it certainly isn’t constricting.

The Ascender Chinos have multiple security features like multiple secret zipper pockets to keep all your stuff safe (so you can throw away that terrible money belt).

The Ascender Chinos sell for $125 via Bluffworks

Bluffworks Departure Jeans

There are a lot of people who think jeans make a terrible choice when it comes to travel pants… and they kind of are (they take forever to dry, they’re heavy, and can be hot). But I love traveling in jeans.

Well, Bluffworks helped address many of the “negative” things about denim with their Departure Jeans. These are made from 68% Cotton, 22% COOLMAX Polyester, 9% Rayon, and 1% Spandex so they are super stretchy and much more lightweight than normal denim.

And they included two cleverly designed hidden pockets that don’t interfere with the normal pockets.

But I’ve saved the best for last… these look like normal jeans and they’re legit comfortable. I wear them even when I’m not traveling and that’s about as good an endorsement as I can give.

The Bluffworks Departure Travel Jeans retail for $98

Western Rise AT Slim Rivet Pants

Best Travel Pants | Western Rise AT Slim Rivet

Western Rise is a small performance apparel company from Telluride, Colorado that wanted to make clothing that performed well on the trails but still looked good in town. We think the AT Slim Rivet Pants do a really nice job of walking this balance.

The AT Slim Rivet Pants look very similar to standard five-pocket pants. The fabric is durable yet fairly lightweight and breathable (97% nylon, 3% spandex). Western Rise describes the fabric as “air-texturized fibers” so while it is nylon, the fabric has a cotton feel so there really isn’t any of that synthetic fabric sheen (but it does make a swishy noise).

The fabric also has a DWR coating to help repel water in case you get stuck in the rain or spill beer all over yourself. Additionally, there is a hidden zippered pocket for security.

As for the looks, these come in a slim but not skinny cut. They look like normal pants — which is a top priority. I wear my mine even when I’m not traveling.

The Western Rise AT Slim Rivet Pants retails for $128.

Outlier Slim Dungarees

Outlier designed their Slim Dungarees as a “five-pocket pant that we could travel the world in” and they’ve found their way on many of our trips to Europe. These have a great look and I think they’re some of the best-looking/most stylish travel pants. unfortunately, they’re also some of the most expensive so that’s something to keep in mind.

The Workcloth Doubleweave Canvas is both soft and lightweight yet very durable. The fabric has a nice amount of stretch and it dries very quickly. It also has a self-cleaning” NanoSphere® treatment that helps it repel water, coffee, wine, and dirt.

The Outlier Slim Dungarees sell for $198

Prana Brion Pants

PrAna is a well-established outdoorsy company so most of their stuff is better suited for things like hiking and rock climbing. That said, their Brion Pant is one of their best-sellers thanks to its fairly modern cut and the fact that they look similar to jeans/chinos.

These are constructed from their durable and quick-drying ‘Zion’ fabric that’s actually stretchy (4-way stretch) so provides a good amount of movement. It’s also coated in a water-repellent (DWR) coating so it will withstand a little water.

So, these might not win any awards for fashion, they’re a solid choice at a solid price.

The PrAna Brion Pant retails for $79 via PrAna .

Everlane Performance Chinos

Everlane recently released their Performance Chinos which I’m also really digging. I own a pair so I can attest that these are very comfortable and they’re probably the most stylish pants on this list.

That said, their Performance Chinos are made from 94% Cotton, 6% Elastane so these are the least “technical” pants on this list as well. But I still think these are a nice option if you’re more concerned about comfort than technical features.

The Everlane Performance Chinos cost $68 and come in four colors.

Ministry Of Supply Kinetic Dress Pants

If you’re looking for a formal/dressy look, but still want a ton of comfort, then look no further than Ministry of Supply Kinetic Pants . These have been described as “dress pants with the feel of sweatpants”.

The Kinetic Pants are made from Japanese Primeflex polyester that has a ton of stretch, resists wrinkles, wicks moisture, and repels water.

The Ministry of Supply Kinetic Pants sell for $145

Travel Pants & Jeans For Women

As we mentioned before, there is a lack of travel pants for women but we’ve tried to find some of the best of the limited choices that are available. One thing to note is that most women’s travel pants tend to focus more on comfort than “technical” fabrics.

Ministry of Supply

Of all the travel clothing brands, Ministry of Supply makes some of the most fashionable and best-performing clothes. Their stuff certainly isn’t cheap but the prices aren’t totally outrageous either.

Their flagship travel pants are their Slim Kinetic Pants which get rave reviews for looks, comfort, and performance. And they can be machine-washed and tumble-dried.

The Slim Kinetic Pants sell for $145.

Anatomie is a high-end women’s travel clothing company that’s one of the few brands which puts a heavy focus on fashion. Most of their travel-friendly pants are expensive at $225+/pair but they have a ton of different styles and cuts for just about every body type.

Check out Anatomie to see their travel pants and other travel garments (shirts, shorts, dresses, jackets, etc.).

Prana Travel Pants

PrAna is one of the few companies that make women’s pants made out of legit technical fabrics. Most of their stuff falls into the “ugly hiking pants” category but they have a few different styles of pants and jeans that are actually cute. And most of their pants are priced around $80 so they’re not crazy expensive.

Check PrAna to see all their styles.

Lululemon may be known for its yoga clothing but they’ve also branched out to more fashion-conscious athleisure wear that works fairly well as travel pants.

Check Lululemon to see the different styles they have available.

The Best Shirts For Travel

Alright, moving right along to shirts made from high-performance fabrics that actually look stylish.

Wool & Prince Tees

I practically live in t-shirts so a few solid-color tees are a staple of any travel wardrobe. While pricy, I love my Wool & Prince merino wool tees . These can be worn for multiple days and I don’t have to worry about washing them.

They have both 100% wool tees and 78% / 22% merino nylon blends. I recommend the blend since it’s cheaper, more durable, and requires less care when washing.

The Wool & Prince Tees sell from $68-$78

Bluffworks Meridian Dress Shirt

If you’re looking for a sharp-looking yet no-fuss button up then look at the Meridian Dress Shirt from Bluffworks. It’s made from 98% polyester and 2% spandex so it won’t wrinkle and the fabric will dry very quickly. The fabric can take a beating and there aren’t any special care instructions. We also like how it comes in both a classic and slim fit.

The Bluffworks Meridian Dress Shirt sells for $98

Bluffworks Piton Polo

I’ve only had my Bluffworks Piton Polo for about a month but I’m already seeing why this is an excellent travel shirt. First, it looks great and I love how it comes in a classic and slim fit. Next, the breathable pique knit is breathable and it only has a very slightly noticeable synthetic look even though it’s 100% polyester. And like all Bluffworks clothing, the fabric is tough, wrinkle-resistant, and doesn’t require any special care.

The Bluffworks Piton Polo sells for $68

Wool & Prince Polo

My Wool & Prince Polo always finds itself in my backpack. I love the cut and the quality is top-notch. It’s a nice “dressier” change from a t-shirt while still being casual. And you get all the benefits from merino wool fabric.

Wool & Prince offers has two types of polos — a 100% merino wool version and a 78% merino wool, 22% nylon blend. I own the blend version and I love it.

The Wool & Prince Polo sells for $78-$98.

Bluffworks Threshold Performance T-Shirt

You might be seeing a pattern here… but Bluffworks is back with their Threshold Performance T-Shirt. This ultra-lightweight t-shirt is made from a blend of 66% Polyester, 29% Lyocell, and 5% Elastane so it has a ton of stretch, wicks moisture well, and is very breathable. The fabric is thin (which is why it’s airy/breathable) so if you like a little more heft to your shirts then you might want to look elsewhere.

The Bluffworks Threshold Performance T-Shirt sells for $45

Wool & Prince Button-Ups

Wool & Price has a number of both short-sleeved and long-sleeve button-up shirts made from merino wool. I own one of their button-down oxford shirts and the fabric is very sturdy — I’d say it makes a nice choice for cooler weather as I can see it getting a little warm in the hot weather.

They also have a new wool/linen blend which will be more airy and breathable so these look great for warmer weather (I’ll be testing these once they get back in stock).

The Wool and Prince Button-Up Shirts sell for $98-$138

Outlier Merino T-Shirt

Outlier is another high-end brand that makes excellent products and one of my favorite items is their Ultrafine Merino T-shirt. It’s made from 17.5, 195gsm Merino Jersey Wool so the fabric is sturdy and drapes a bit better than many other merino t-shirts. And it comes in a lot of nice colors. But like all other Outlier products, the ultra-high-quality comes at a very high price.

The Outlier Ultrafine Merino T-shirt costs $110 each or three for $295.

Unbound Merino Wool T-Shirt

Unbound is another small company offering 100% ultra-fine 17.5 microns, 190g Merino wool shirts at affordable prices. I own a few of their shirts and while their shirts might not be quite as nice as other 100% merino shirts on our list, the price is a bit cheaper.

The Unbound Merino Wool T-Shirt sells for $65

Uniqlo Airism Shirts

When it comes to budget basics, it’s impossible to beat Uniqlo’s Airism line of shirts. We own a few different Airism items and they’re not terrible but they certainly aren’t nearly as nice or perform as well as the other items on this list — but they’re cheap.

Check Uniqlo to see what they have because always changing their stock.

Women’s Travel Shirts

Ok, here’s the deal… there aren’t a ton of “performance” shirts for women that aren’t ugly. But here are a few decent items we’ve found:

Bluffworks Womens : Bluffworks has recently released a line of women’s travel clothing that looks very promising.
Ministry of Supply is a great choice for high-performance clothing that still looks fashionable. And while their prices aren’t cheap, we consider them very reasonable. They also have nice dresses and other items.
Unbound Merino has a black v-neck 100% merino shirt in a women’s cut for $65.
Anatomie has a number of high-end cute tops made from travel-friendly fabrics but they’re expensive.
Lululemon has some decent options but many of their items lean heavily into athleisure.

Cold Weather Travel Clothing

Most of the items on this list will work well in colder weather but you’ll want to pair them with other items to achieve maximum warmth. The key is layering—which basically means combining a few lighter layers to achieve warmth without the bulk.

Base Layers

A base layer is technically anything that is worn directly on your skin. Socks and underwear fall into this category but it also includes items like shirts, undershirts, and long underwear.

In the winter we’ll throw on long-sleeve merino wool or synthetic long underwear and this helps keep us warm and dry when we’re outside all day.

For the best selection, I recommend checking out REI as they carry all the major long underwear brands. If you’re trying to save a little money, check out Uniqlo’s HeatTech line of long underwear since it is cheap.

A mid-layer is anything that is worn between your base layer and your outer layer. Its main purpose is insulation and it can be a sweater, vest, down jacket, hoodie, or just about anything. Sometimes the mid-layer can act as an outer layer if the weather isn’t too cold.

When it comes to tech-wear, the main pieces are Merino wool sweaters/jackets, fleece jackets, and down (or a synthetic variation) jackets. The piece just needs to allow internal moisture (sweat) to evaporate through the fabric. It’s also nice if the piece is lightweight and durable.

Fleece is always a popular choice because it provides a good amount of warmth, durability, and breathability without being too bulky. There is also a variation of fleece called hard fleece — which is basically a fleece with a smoother and more durable exterior. Most hard fleece garments are also more water-resistant than normal fleece.

There are hundreds of fleece jackets available on the market at all price points, so we’d check out the selection at REI and buy whatever fits your budget.

Another popular choice is down jackets — although a lot of companies now use synthetic down ( Primaloft , Coreloft, etc.) and many people prefer synthetic material to natural down. Synthetic down is incredibly lightweight, compressible, breathable, and it retains warmth even when wet.

It is crazy how compressible natural and synthetic down jackets are — some can compress to the size of a shoe. When compared to a fleece jacket, a synthetic down jacket is more water-resistant , wind resistant, packable, and lighter.

Nearly every outdoor brand makes lightweight down/synthetic down jackets. One of the most popular and fashionable brands is Patagonia — check out both Amazon and REI for the best selection. The Patagonia Nano Puff jacket is probably the most popular lightweight puff jacket on the market so it’s no wonder it’s a favorite among experienced travelers (it’s what we use).

Outerwear is generally the final layer and it is what protects you from the elements (wind, rain, snow, etc.). The problem with outerwear is that it encompasses a huge range of garments that perform a huge range of functions. It can be anything from a simple waterproof jacket for summer showers, to large winter coats capable of withstanding a harsh Scandinavian winter.

I’ll start off by diving into waterproof jackets since that is probably what most people are interested in learning about.

Most traditional waterproof jackets are called hard shells . These are 100% waterproof and they have that plastic-y feel and sound. If you want the ultimate protection from the elements, this is your choice.

However, being impermeable to the elements means that the material doesn’t breathe — this is less than ideal because it doesn’t allow your body’s sweat to evaporate. Basically, it traps moisture and makes you feel all clammy.

Some high-end hardshell jackets have breathable fabric, but even those aren’t as breathable as softshells (which we’ll talk about later).

Unsurprisingly, most waterproof jackets are made by outdoor companies, so trying to find a stylish one isn’t super easy. However, there are plenty of decent-looking options by Marmot, Patagonia, and The North Face.

However, in the summer I generally recommend that a traditional rain jacket is unnecessary — mainly because it doesn’t rain a lot and most jackets are too heavy for summer travel.

However, Ultralight Rain Jackets are super lightweight (they only weigh a few ounces) and they can be packed into a pocket, so they’re easy to carry around in a daypack. Ultralight rain jackets won’t have very good breathability, but you’ll only be wearing them in the rain, so it isn’t a huge issue.

The best ultralight rain jackets are the Outdoor Research Helium II , Marmot Super Mica , and the Montane Minimus (they all weigh under 10 oz).

When it comes to breathability, it doesn’t get any better than a softshell jacket. Softshell jackets aren’t technically 100% waterproof, but they’re essentially waterproof. They’re well-suited for urban travel because they’re more comfortable than a hard shell and they’re more stylish.

Again, there are hundreds of softshell jackets, so I recommend visiting REI (click here for Men’s and Women’s ) to see which ones fit your budget and style preference.

Heavy Coats

If you’re traveling during the winter, you may consider bringing a heavy winter coat . In some instances, you may be completely comfortable by layering a base layer, a few mid-layers, and an outer layer. But, sometimes, you need a heavy coat — especially if you’re traveling to Northern or Eastern Europe in the dead of winter.

Puffy down coats provide an amazing warmth-to-weight ratio — which is always something to consider when traveling. Combine that down coat with a base layer and a warm mid-layer, and you’ll be staying toasty. Natural down is the warmest, but it becomes ineffective if it gets wet.

On the other hand, synthetic down isn’t quite as warm, but it still works if it gets wet and it dries quicker. Different coats have different amounts of water-repellant, so this is something to take into consideration.

For the best selection of insulated coats , I recommend checking out REI simply because they have the best selection. Look for one that fits your personal style.

If you’re looking for the ultimate protection from the elements, you’ll want a standard waterproof, winter coat. A lot of coats have a 3-in-1 system that contains a waterproof outer shell and an interior insulated lining. Again, REI is a good place to start your search because they have the best selection.

More Travel Gear Recommendations from The Savvy Backpacker

Here are some more helpful “best of” travel gear guides that we think you’ll find helpful!

Best Travel Backpacks
Best Travel Backpacks for Women
Best Carry-On Backpacks
Best Travel Shoes
Best Waterproof Boots for Men
Best Waterproof Boots for Women
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How to Pack Light & Travel with Less (Like a Pro)

Man sitting on a bench waiting for a train with his lightweight backpack at his side

Want to travel light? Then you’d better pack light! This simple bit of advice will fix most of problems if you’re a traveler who is weighed down with a suitcase that’s bursting at the seams and endangering anyone in its path.

Beyond bringing less, there’s more to the art of one bag packing and travel. If you’ve already slimmed down your luggage, there’s still plenty more you can do to lighten your load.

I’m a steadfast one-bag traveler with years of experience under my belt, and would love to share some of my best advice with you. Here are my best tips for packing (and traveling) light.

Pack Light, Travel Light

Maximize Your Carry-On Size

Learn How to Ranger Roll

Know When to Utilize Packing Cubes

Pack Multi-Functional Clothing

Invest in merino wool & technical fibers, wear your bulky items at the airport.

Leave Unnecessary Items at Home
Don’t Overpack Toiletries

Bring Packable/Collapsible Gear to Save Space

Make a packing list and stick to it, select your luggage for dimensions and weight, pack high-use essentials at the top of your bag.

Final Thoughts on Packing Light

Maximize Your Carry-On Size for Optimum One-Bag Travel

I recognize the irony for this piece of advice. Joe, you just said to slim down your luggage, and now you want me to buy a bigger carry-on? Fair enough, but stay with me. You certainly don’t want to overpack, but you also want to balance comfort with ease of travel. That’s where your carry-on comes in.

Unless you’re braving the budget airline realm and going personal item only , you’ll need to know carry-on regulations. Even if you’re barreling headlong into the Spirit Airlines budget travel world — I do routinely and have lived to tell the tale so far — every square inch inside your luggage matters.

Most domestic airlines have identical carry-on regulations (and at least very similar personal item regulations). For carry-ons, the standard in the US tends to be around 22″ x 14″ x 9″. European carriers, on the other hand, can be a bit more stringent .

If you swear by one carrier exclusively ( for better or worse ), know their carry-on and personal item regulations and how they compare to other airlines.

If there’s one thing we travelers can do to make packing light easier, it’s learning how to ranger roll . What was once a way for soldiers to pack efficiently is now a favorite technique for travelers and nomads looking to utilize every square inch inside of their bag.

The ranger roll helps us travelers to make the most of our space, and the incredibly tight rolls also minimize wrinkles. There’s certainly an art to it, but it’s a skill entirely worth learning.

Know When to Utilize Packing Cubes (and When not to)

Packing cubes are a favorite among organization-minded travelers, so why would you ever travel without them? The one downside of packing cubes is they’re, well… cubes. Unless your pack is completely made of 90-degree angles, they won’t actually fill up every square inch inside.

Backpackers may be familiar with the idea of taking their sleeping bag out of its stuff sack and jamming it into the bottom of their pack, Doing so allows it to move naturally and fill every little crevice. The same is true when travel packing.

For traditional travel, packing cubes are worth their weight in gold. However, when you’re one-bag traveling, you may find that packing cubes may not maximize space in your bag and you’ll have to get creative to fill the empty spaces.

If you want to give packing cubes a shot, be sure to analyze their dimensions to ensure they fit well into your travel bag before making a purchase.

Man with a grey beard sitting on a swing surrounded by leaves at a restaurant in Paris

Let’s split “multi-functional” into two categories: style and utility. In terms of style, aim for a simple wardrobe that matches well and can be dressed up or down.

Considering your itinerary is crucial to dialing in your clothing. If you plan on visiting beautiful European churches with dress codes or heading out to fancy dinners, your needs will differ wildly than if you’re spending a relaxing week in Bali or splashing around in the ocean.

It’s not strange to pack only one set of nice clothing for your trip. If you’re on the move, nobody will know that you re-wore a certain outfit already anyway. As goes for all things one-bag travel: less is more.

The second element to choosing a travel wardrobe is utility. You want to consider your specific travel needs and which combination of clothing can solve the most needs at once. Swim trunks and workout shorts do not have to be different pieces of clothing, for example. They can also act as casual shorts on travel days, if nothing else.

Shoes often present a potentially tricky element to travel packing. Even if you have size four feet, extra shoes will still occupy a significant amount of space in your bag. In an ideal world, I recommend wearing one pair of versatile shoes and packing some thin flip-flops for showering and warm weather destinations.

Can you bring two pairs of shoes? Sure you can, but you’ll have to be at peace with cutting a significant amount of usable space from your bag’s volume. Ultimately, everything you put in your luggage has an opportunity cost, so prioritize as you see fit.

The longer you can wear something without washing it, the fewer items you’ll need to pack. Makes sense, right? Merino wool travel clothing is ideal when it comes to stretching time between washes since it wicks sweat from your body and is incredibly anti-microbial and odor-resistant.

When you’re traveling for a week or more, you’re bound to get a little ripe. That’s just how travel goes. So, why not pick items that are made to keep your travel musk at bay for a few more days than usual?

Merino wool doesn’t need to be washed nearly as often as cotton (or polyester and other technical fibers, for that matter). Wearing the same socks and underwear for days at a time would be a gnarly endeavor if they were cotton. Merino wool though? Perfectly fair game and completely hygienic.

Merino clothing can be quite expensive, so it’s not for everyone. For what it’s worth, my favorite Merino brand, Smartwool , frequently runs promos on their socks and underwear. Keep a close eye on their clearance section, and you’ll find some serious discounts. Darn Tough is also great.

If you can’t find a sale or swing the cost of Merino, other synthetic technical fibers can simulate many of Merino’s benefits at a lower cost.

What should you do with boots, jackets, travel jeans , and other bulky items that hog precious space in your bag?

Simply don’t pack them; it’s a rookie mistake. Wear them onto the plane instead.

Who cares if you look like the Michelin man going on vacation? Freeing up valuable space in your bag is worth it. Airports and airplanes tend to be over-air-conditioned anyway, so it’s a win-win.

Leave Unnecessary Electronics at Home

Phone, GoPro, camera, watch, lens, hard drive, and other electronics laid out on a wooden table

Stay with me, digital nomads.

I’m not saying leave all of your precious tech gadgets behind. I’m simply encouraging you to pare down your setup to the absolute essentials. Maybe you already have, but just in case you haven’t, let’s talk.

You may not be able to get a full day of work from just your phone, but do you really need a bulky laptop? Could the combination of a smartphone and a capable tablet get the job done? Perhaps.

A phone stand, compact tablet, and mini Bluetooth keyboard can work wonders for digital nomads and free up a bunch of weight in their packs.

Don’t Overpack Toiletries

If you’re short on space in your bag, buy toiletries when you arrive at your destination or simply use what they provide at your hotel, hostel, Airbnb, or other lodging. If you aren’t short on space, pack your favorite travel-sized toiletries to save some time and money.

A local pharmacy or general store is never too far away to stock up on toothpaste, soap, and other essentials. Hotels and hostels usually have extras on hand that they’ll give away if you ask politely. The same goes for those chargers and other odds and ends in the lost and found (if you’re extra charming).

Disclaimer : Your favorite toiletries won’t be available everywhere you travel. If you require a specific brand or type of toiletry, don’t chance it – bring it with you. The same goes for prescriptions and medicine beyond the basics.

Packable down jackets, crushable travel hats , power banks with built-in wires, and other compact travel accessories will maximize storage in your bag. Invest in efficient, space-saving gear and watch your pack-size shrink.

One of my favorite packable pieces of travel gear is the Klymit X Inflatable Pillow , which I’ve used for several years. Sure, it’s a bit of a luxury but frequent travelers will find it to be worth every penny. It takes up no space, inflates in a few seconds, and is far more comfortable than resting your head on your backpack.

Packing cube, backpack, laptop, tripod, camera case, speaker, toiletries kit, headphones, locks, sandals, water bottle, and notebook on a wooden floor

If you don’t, completely unnecessary items will magically appear in your bag. How did that novelty travel mug get in your luggage? Well, it probably snuck in while you were packing without a packing list!

Make a thoughtful list of your necessities, and once you’ve dialed it in, don’t deviate from it as you pack. Know that your destination will almost always have anything you chose to leave behind, so don’t stress. Europe has soap, I promise.

If you need some lightweight travel inspiration, check out our one-bag packing list to get started. If you want to really dive into tips and techniques to lighten your load, peep our minimalist packing list , as well.

Whatever you do, avoid copying someone else’s packing list item-for-item. There will always be something you need that they don’t (or vice versa).

You can pack lightweight items, but a heavy piece of luggage will nullify all of your weight-conscious decisions. Remember, just because a bag is small doesn’t necessarily mean it’s lightweight. I mean, have you seen those Fjallraven backpacks? They aren’t that large, but they weigh practically as much as a toddler.

There are loads of benefits to traveling with a smaller, lighter bag . That said, the more technical and lightweight a bag is, the pricier and (sometimes) more delicate it can be. Some travelers are fine with the tradeoffs, others aren’t.

If you want durable luggage you can toss around without worry, buy a more burly bag and enjoy the little extra workout you get as you trek around the globe.

Within your mind, there’s a Venn diagram that pinpoints the optimal balance between your bag’s size, weight, durability, and price. There are going to be trade-offs no matter which direction you lean, so choose a bag that falls perfectly within your sweet spot.

Admittedly, this piece of advice won’t help you travel lighter in and of itself. But, a thoughtfully-packed bag will significantly elevate your one-bag travel game.

When traveling, having your most essential gear immediately accessible will be a game-changer. Think travel documents, power banks, and in-case-of-emergency cash. Whether you stash these items at the top of your pack, inside a fanny pack, or on your person is up to you.

When heading towards the land of one-bag travel, ensuring your essentials are easy to find is absolutely crucial. How you pack your bag is almost as important as the items you bring along.

Pack Light, Travel Right & Keep Perfecting Your Craft

Man wearing a backwards hat and black backpack looking towards the lights of Bangkok

As you spend more time trying out one-bag travel and traveling light, you’ll naturally continue to dial in your gear list and travel packing routines. The only way to see what works for you is to pack a bag, get out there, and go for it.

If you haven’t quite perfected traveling light when you head out on your next trip, don’t stress. You’ll likely never be completely smitten with your packing list.

Along your journey, put your packing list to the test, figure out what works through trial and error, and forever fine-tune the gear you bring along, even if just incrementally.

Last Updated on March 19, 2024

Joe Coleman

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The Pros (Our Readers) Reveal their 36 Best Ever Packing Light Tips

Packing , Packing Tips

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It seems there are no limits to the number of travel tips out there about how to pack light. However, we wanted to know the single most important packing light tip so we reached out to our readers to find out what they thought. From luggage to shoes and toiletries to laundry, find out what our readers shared as their all time best tip for packing light!

Best Packing Light Tips

We share a lot of travel tips, which come from a mixture of our own experiences and our readers’ packing tricks. So when we asked them, “ What is your number one best tip for packing light?” we were so excited to hear their responses. Here they are!

Compass Rose Packing Cubes

How to Pack Light: Luggage

Packing cubes and pouches for organization so you have a place for everything and everything in its place.
Take along a few extra gallon Ziplocs. They can hold wet items, liquids, food, etc.
Take along some shower caps to use as shoe covers to keep your clothing in your luggage clean.
I wear my jewelry when traveling so I don’t have to pack it. I love the security of this, too!
I always take a ‘space bag’ for my dirty clothes that I can squeeze the air out of. A great space saver!
Roll and rubber band your clothes in packing cubes to save space when packing.
My top tip is to roll your clothes. You use less space and fit so much in.
Put white tissue paper between every layer of clothing. Fold as little as possible laying each item out flat one on top of the other. Include extra lightweight throwaway cheap hangers.

Watch the packing tutorial on Youtube !

In 2017, I launched Compass Rose Travel Accessories and my very first product was a 4-Piece Set of Carryon Packing Cubes . These are the only packing cubes sized to fit the exact width of a carryon suitcase and they also have a unique color-coded and numbered organization system – the only kind currently available anywhere on the market.

I put together a five-part YouTube series showing you the different methods to use packing cubes. If you use this specific packing strategy, they can also compress your belongings. This is the secret to traveling carryon only!

These packing light tips can change the way you travel:

The Ultimate (Printable) Packing List for Vacation
The Ultimate (Printable) Packing List for Toiletries
The Secret to Carry-on Travel Packing Video
What’s the Best Luggage Organizer

eBags Pack-it-Flat Large Toiletry Kit

How to Pack Light: Luggage Organizers

I have a toiletry bag packed with small versions of my favorite needs. Then I can throw makeup and a hairbrush in and off I go. It’s great for unexpected travel or a busy schedule right before travel.
Pack for one week no matter how long you’ll be gone.
Pack items that look good, are able to be worn multiple ways, and are able to be hand washed in the sink.
I recommend planning several days or weeks in advance! Plan outfits based on activities and account for weather. Everything MUST coordinate with everything, write it all down, don’t deviate.
Plan to hand wash clothing ! Pack a little detergent. Once you realize you can rewear clothing often, you also realize you need much fewer clothing items.
Keep searching until you find your perfect combo of bag/ packing cubes /whatever and absolutely do not stress if you hate something that other people think is fabulous. It’s your trip and it has to work for you!
If you’re asking yourself if you really need to pack it, the answer is categorically no!
After packing your bag, make sure you can lift the bag. Trains and hotels require a lot of lifting.
If you are short on space, take the smaller version of some things where appropriate: a midi skirt instead of a maxi skirt, a waist-length cardigan instead of a long one, capris instead of long pants, three-quarter length sleeves instead of long sleeves, tank tops instead of T-shirt, and flats instead of wedge heels.
Take half of what you think you need but take what you really love.

Here’s more tips to help you pack light :

Top 10 Toiletry Bags
The Best Hanging Toiletry Bag for Women?
How to Choose a Suitcase

Travelon Anti Theft Cross Body Bag – best seller!

How to Pack Light: Product Must-Haves

Choose the smallest piece (and type) of luggage you think would be appropriate for your trip (carry-on only!), and pack no more than what can fill it. The more I travel, the smaller my packs are getting. My last trip was a 17L backpack and a purse.
Take along a large bag for your personal carry-on/under the seat stow, and get as much in it that’s allowable. I take a backpack with my electronics and a sweater that can be used as a rolled up pillow or an extra layer.
Downy anti-wrinkle spray! It helps refresh clothes by taking out the smell of smoke and food as well as refresh rooms while you travel.
Always pack a package of facial tissue or Kleenex in your purse or backpack. They are handy when you encounter a restroom that’s out of toilet paper.
A travel warrior friend recommends shaving cream to take out stains. She swears by it.
Facial cleansing wipes. Try them before your trip, as you don’t want to get caught with breakouts on your vacation. Carry more than your travel days count to use on the days you travel in the plane to refresh, and even for personal hygiene.
Take a prescription of antibiotics just in case!
Bose noise canceling headphones . They’re a bit high maintenance but they’re so worth it on long flights!

Here are suggested travel gear for travel:

Best Under Seat Luggage
Best Lightweight Suitcases
Best Travel Shoes
Best Travel Purses

comfortable-womens-cute-walking-shoes-for-travel

Conchlusion Tan Gladiator Sandals

How to Pack Light: Clothing and Shoes

Pack clothing items that coordinate together so you can use each piece in multiple outfits. Learn more in my guide !
Bring ‘double duty’ items, such as pieces that work for day and night, hot and cold weather, tops and bottoms, etc.
Color coordinate your clothing so everything works together.
I always have a scarf. Always. For warmth, for decoration, for whatever. I love cashmere or alpaca for warmth, softness, and light packing.
I bring a pashmina. I can look semi put-together in it when I’m walking around or use it as a blanket on chilly flights.
Bring a sarong with seams all the way around. You can use it as a scarf, dress, towel, beach blanket, blanket, sheet, and skirt.
Make sure all your clothes coordinate, are light, suitable and wash and dry quickly.
Bring three shoes and one bag that match each other and all your clothing.
Try on all of your clothing and outfits you planned out before you go. You might discover that what looked so good together laid out on the bed doesn’t really work well on your body. This helps ensure you are only packing outfits and pieces you love!
I always keep a long-sleeved quick-dry black tee in my bag for cold hotel rooms, snorkeling in Zanzibar, long (unscheduled) winter layover in Amsterdam when I was packed for Uganda, kayaking in California, and other unexpected events.

Here are some tips to help you pack efficiently:

4 Capsule Wardrobes for Travel
Travel Wardrobe Essentials
Learn How to Pack Light Stylishly
10-Step Guide to Packing One Suitcase for any Trip

What’s your absolutely best tip for packing light? Share in the comments below!

For more packing strategies, please read these posts:

How to Pack in Less Than 15 Minutes: My 3-Step Strategy
The Fashionista’s Guide to a Luggage-Free Minimalist Packing List
This Packing Video Will Completely Change the Way You Pack

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I hope you liked this post on our reader’s best packing light tips. Please share with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Thanks for reading!

To pack medications: put each separate med in a small ziplock like you get at a craft store, get an extra label from the pharmacy and attach to outside of ziplock. Then put all of them in a larger quart bag. Be sure and put it in your carryon. Saves space and weight over bottles. Take extra of each med in case you get delayed.

Hi Sue, that’s a great tip! Thank your for sharing it 🙂

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The 16 coolest clothing stores and boutiques in Moscow

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Madewell. Madewell carries lots of professional-looking pieces, like blouses, bodysuits, button-ups, trousers, and midi dresses. The men's collection isn't as extensive as the women's. Madewell is ...
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Men's Lightweight Travel Clothing. 10. Hanes Men's Cool DRI Tee. Hanes / Amazon. Hanes Men's Cool DRI t-shirts are crafted using cooling technology clothing with fabric that keeps you comfortable despite hot weather. The interlock polyester fabric effectively wicks away the sweat and dries quickly.
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Create your travel capsule wardrobe in the combination that would work best for your travel style. SPLICE clothing has combinations such as: tee + joggers = The Lounge Capsule. tee + joggers + snap-up shirt = The Weekender Capsule. tee + joggers + sweatshirt + snap-up shirt = The Layover Capsule. tunic +joggers + sweatshirt + snap-up shirt ...
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Lululemon. While stylish easy care travel clothes can be hard to find, I've found several companies that do a great job of combining practicality and femininity. Here's my list of the best travel clothing brands for women: Shop Eddie Bauer Departure Ankle Pants: Sizes XS-XXL | Petite S-L | Tall M-XXL | Plus 2X-3X.
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21 inches (53.5 cm), width of 14 inches (35.5 cm) and depth of 8 inches (20.3 cm) Bags of this size and under will permit carry-on travel on most airlines. Keep an eye on weight restrictions too. But if you follow this guide you won't ever need to worry about going above carry-on weight limits.
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An essential gear for those who want to travel light is a lightweight suitcase. Nylon and polyester materials are the best options if you are looking for a soft shell case. In case you prefer a hard shell, polypropylene is both lightweight and durable. Check out the Samsonite Freeform Spinner luggage, which comes in carry-on, medium, and large ...
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A lightweight skirt made with a blended fabric packs compactly. Make sure it has a comfy waistband. Skirts can easily be mixed and matched, and can be dressed up with flats or boots. Silk, microfiber, or stretch lace underwear dries faster than cotton, but breathes more than nylon. A sports bra can double as a hiking/sunning top.
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Left pocket - Sunglasses, pens (2x), and Prometheus flashlight. Right pocket - Cables, chargers, adapters, headphones, memory cards (4x) Bottom compartment - Rain jacket, Wool Buff, and sleep mask. The best travel backpacks allow you to keep the most frequently used items in the most accessible locations.
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It's on the longer side and falls past the hip. This tank from L.L.Bean is the best of both worlds. It's 95 percent cotton, so you can bet it's breathable, moisture-wicking, soft, and gentle ...
Reversible clothing is brilliant for traveling light.
Reversible clothing is brilliant for traveling light. February 22, 2021. Reversible clothing gives you so many different options in one piece of clothing. This makes it so much easier to travel light. This post does have an affiliate link. This means that at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a ...
The Best Travel Clothes
Unbound is another small company offering 100% ultra-fine 17.5 microns, 190g Merino wool shirts at affordable prices. I own a few of their shirts and while their shirts might not be quite as nice as other 100% merino shirts on our list, the price is a bit cheaper. The Unbound Merino Wool T-Shirt sells for $65.
How to Pack Light & Travel with Less (Like a Pro)
Most domestic airlines have identical carry-on regulations (and at least very similar personal item regulations). For carry-ons, the standard in the US tends to be around 22″ x 14″ x 9″. European carriers, on the other hand, can be a bit more stringent. If you swear by one carrier exclusively ( for better or worse ), know their carry-on ...
Lightweight Women's Clothing for Travel
LUSK SHORTS. $85.00. Shop our travel clothes for women online. Fashionable and comfortable for the modern traveler. Free delivery across Canada for orders over 50$.
Your Trusted Source for Travel Clothing, Solutions, Gear
Recommended Travel Gear. $16.00. $59.00. $14.00. $18.00. $14.50. Your trusted travel source for clothing, accessories, RFID bags, wallets, luggage, packing organizers and travel and in-flight solutions.
Lightweight Traveller
Please contact us on 1300 551951 with enquiries and phone orders. Our Brighton store is open again on Sundays between 11am and 3pm, so both stores are now open 7 days a week. Featuring the latest in lightweight leisure and travel gear and clothing. Lightweight Traveller is more than just a luggage store. Get the most out of your day with our ...
The Pros Reveal their 36 Best Ever Packing Light Tips
A great space saver! Roll and rubber band your clothes in packing cubes to save space when packing. My top tip is to roll your clothes. You use less space and fit so much in. Put white tissue paper between every layer of clothing. Fold as little as possible laying each item out flat one on top of the other.
Department Stores in Moscow
Three underground levels of the Center contain more than 100 shops, restaurants, cafes, fast food restaurants, bank branches and exchange offices, travel agencies, cash dispensers and pay phones. Unique interiors of the Shopping Center as well as its closeness to Red Square and Alexandrovsky Sad attract huge crowds of tourists and Muscovites.
The 25 best shopping streets and areas in Moscow
6 Afimall City. Afimall City is a large indoor shopping mall in Moscow with dramatic atrium and fountain. It has a variety of shops and restaurants, as well as a cinema and virtual-reality game park. Perfectly for people coming from central Moscow to Moscow city ; metro located in the mall you Dont have to go out.
The 43 best shopping and stores in Moscow
2 lists. Shopping mall. Shopping. Aviapark is a massive retail complex with 500+ stores, a multiplex cinema & a 4-story cylindrical fish tank. The main tenants are Inditex group stores, IKEA, Auchan, OBI, H&M, Cotton, Marks & Spenser, Uniqlo, Stockmann, Reserved, Sephora, Letual and Decathlon.
8 Fun Pictures Travelling Light Clothing Shops Must Have
Shop Over 230 travelling light clothing and Earn Cash Back. EXOF Bugsaway Halo Check LS Lt Khaki Mens. My husband came up with a fantastic travel tip. Meet travelling light enthusiast Ashly from SPLICE clothing. 7727 Crittenden St Philadelphia PA-19118 1 215 248 5141 Account Login Schedule a Pickup.
The 16 coolest clothing stores and boutiques in Moscow
Clothing store. KM20 is a renowned concept store in Russia's fashion scene, offering a carefully curated selection of international designer brands such as Vetements, Off-White, CALVIN KLEIN 205W39NYC, and AMBUSH. Founded by Olga Karput in 2009, the boutique has become a must-visit destination for fashion enthusiasts.