Men's Travel Clothing
I will Break down what I pack piece by piece. Packing is different for everyone, so you decide what goes in your bag. I will admit that when I first started my search for travel friendly clothing I was shocked by the prices. I do a lot of reading & searching on the internet to find "affordable" travel clothing. I have been able to find affordable replacement products in most cases. I am a fan of Ebay, Amazon, Target, Walmart, & any other source that allows me to build my perfect travel wardrobe on a limited budget.
***A note on footwear...I have always hesitated to buy shoes online, but Amazon.com has a cool program that allows you to return the shoes you purchase for FREE if you are unhappy with them for any reason. I now feel very comfortable trying out shoes for fit & function & returning them if they don't fit my needs.
Underwear - 4 pair
Underwear must be comfortable, easy to wash, and quick to dry. I pack 4 pairs of underwear and that gives me plenty of time, if needed, between wash cycles. Merino wool is expensive, but worth the money. The material is amazing in it's ability to dry quickly, not smell, and feel comfortable. There are many brands of travel friendly underwear available. I plan to review some of those options on my Gear & Product Reviews page in the future. ExOfficio has been the industry standard for travel underwear for years... easy to wear, easy to wash, easy to dry.
|
Socks - 4 pair
Just like Underwear, socks must be comfortable, easy to wash, and quick to dry. I pack 4 pairs of socks and I have found that with a regular washing schedule that 4 is the perfect number. I do usually take one pair of ankle/no show socks for when I wear shorts. Again, merino wool is an amazing material for socks. The material stops odors associated with a day of walking and touring Europe. When I first tried merino wool I was afraid it would keep my feet too warm...I found just the opposite, my feet were cool, dry, and comfortable. There are tons of brands and material mixtures when it comes to socks. Yes, they are a little more expensive than your Walmart variety socks, but these socks should last for a lifetime. Actually, Darn Tough socks has a lifetime replacement policy for their socks!
|
Pants - 2 pair
It is difficult to find the perfect pair of Men's travel pants. I don't think the typical zip-off "convertible" travel pants look very good. I am not the most stylish man in the World, but I do appreciate smartly made clothing. I believe comfort first, easy to wash, fast to dry is the best descriptors for travel pants... and on a teacher's budget. I found all of those qualities in Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants ( $45.00-$80)...love them!
|
Shorts - 2 pair
All the other folks out there that write about clothing that is "appropriate" for European travel will say to NOT wear shorts or you'll stick out like a sore thumb. I say this....wear what makes you feel comfortable. I like to wear pants on some days and shorts on days when it's hot or when I just feel like it. I don't care if it makes me look like a tourist...I am a tourist! I pack quick dry golf shorts and I like them so much that I wear them while coaching football as well. They are comfortable, stretchy, wash easy, and dry fast. You can wear a t-shirt or a button up with them and they look great. You can spend as much or as little as you want on these types of shorts. I go with "teacher budget" friendly prices...the Amazon Esstials & the Lee Tri-Flex have been my go to's. They provide comfort, they're easily cleaned, quick to dry, and they look great with a t-shirt or button-down.
|
Shirts - 8 total
I pack 8 shirts total. I pack 4 merino wool or quick dry t-shirts and 4 button up collared travel long/short sleeve shirts. I like to layer and wear a t-shirt with a button up over it. When it gets warm I simply take the button up off, when it gets cool...well, you get it.
The t-shirts need to be comfortable and quick drying (anti-odor is great). There are tons of options here. Yes, merino wool is expensive, but research the benefits before you dismiss the idea. On the cheap...athletic shirts are a pretty inexpensive option. The button ups I wear are travel shirts made from quick dry material. Companies like ExOfficio, Columbia, and North Face make attractive shirts perfect for traveling. |
Shoes - 1 pair + sandels
COMFORTABLE! The one thing you should do is make sure you have broken in comfortable shoes to wear while you are traveling. There are many styles, colors, and opinions when it comes to the best travel shoe to buy. I recommend that you find what works best for your feet, your style and make that work with the clothing you pack. I believe one pair of shoes is enough! I will take a pair of sandals to use on the beach, in the hotel room, and sometimes to wear for a day of walking (better get good sandals). I like Teva sandals, but I have traveled with students who wore Keen sandals, ECCO sandals, Crocs, and Chacos. My newest thing is the Allbird's... they are Merino wool, very cool & breathable, and BONUS... waterproof! I loved them on my last Tour & they didn't even need a break in period.
|
Sweater/Jacket
It's always good to be prepared for a cool day in London...I like to keep a light, but well made sweater or jacket with me at all times. I carry the jacket in my sling bag and it has come in quite handy a few times. I will be traveling to Mount Pilatus this Summer and I am sure my jacket will be used. At night when the temperature drops you will be thankful to have something to throw on. I have tried traveling with a sweater on some trips and light jacket on others. To me it's just whatever you like at the time. Columbia makes a really nice jacket and there are tons of companies that make nice sweaters (I prefer the 1/4 zip pullovers).
|
Rain Jacket
It is a GREAT idea to have a rain jacket for travel. I always carry a rain jacket and a small travel umbrella. We DO NOT take a day off for rain. We will travel through all weather. Please be prepared... hopefully, we will not use our rain gear, but if rain comes you will be extremely thankful you brought it.
|
Hat
Everybody needs a great travel hat. I prefer a packable hat, like my trusty Boonie Hat.It's easy to carry and pack and does a great job of keeping the sun off my beautiful head and face. I will not go on a trip without it....yes it's that important to me. I always have students making fun about how it looks, but the benefits far outweigh the fact that it looks funny on me. I imagine there are more attractive options for the individual that is fashion conscious.
|
Accessories - Belt, Sleepwear, Trunks, Scarfs
I usually pack a belt, a pair of athletic shorts to wear at the hotel, and a pair of swim shorts that can double as a pair of regular shorts if I need them to. I also like to take a scarf...yes men wear scarfs in Europe and I enjoy wearing them when it's cool outside. Many of my male & female students bought scarfs while touring Europe and wore them every day. My advice is to not pack scarfs, but wait till you arrive and buy them while in Europe. They make great keepsakes and gifts for family and friends.
|