When you’re constantly on the move—navigating airports, hopping trains, stuffing bags into tiny overhead compartments—the last thing you want is to be fussing with uncomfortable, impractical clothing. Over the years (and thousands of miles), I’ve tested more travel outfits and brands than I care to admit.
From sweltering hikes in Southeast Asia to long-haul flights across continents, I’ve learned that good travel clothing isn’t about fashion-forward flair or TikTok-friendly aesthetics—it’s about function, comfort, and durability.
Travel clothing has evolved dramatically in recent years. Today’s best travel clothes combine performance fabrics, thoughtful design, and versatility so you can pack lighter and travel more comfortably. Whether you’re taking a long-haul flight, hiking remote trails, or exploring cities for 12 hours a day, the right travel clothing makes every part of the journey easier. Choosing high-quality travel clothing means fewer outfit changes, less luggage, and more freedom to focus on the experience instead of managing your wardrobe.
So, what are the current travel clothing trends? What exactly makes a great piece of travel clothing, and how do you pack it all without bringing your entire closet?
Comfortable, Yes. Pajamas, No: Finding the Right Balance for Flying
I’ve noticed a growing trend lately: people treating long-haul flights like they’re heading to bed instead of heading across the world. Full flannel pajama sets, fleece onesies, cartoon slippers—it’s clear that comfort is the priority. And honestly, I support that. Long flights are exhausting, and being comfortable matters. But there is a middle ground between restrictive, uncomfortable clothing and looking like you just stepped out of your bedroom.
Modern travel clothing is designed exactly for this purpose—stretchy, breathable pants that feel like pajamas but still look polished. Merino joggers, technical pants, or soft travel dresses allow you to sleep comfortably and still walk off the plane looking put-together.
The goal is simple: dress comfortably enough to rest, but presentable enough that if your luggage gets lost, you’d still feel confident walking into a café or exploring your destination without needing to change immediately.
What Makes Great Travel Clothing: Essential Features to Look For
1. Pockets, Pockets, and More Pockets
Let’s hear it for pockets…Give me a P…give me an O…give me a CKETS! Yes – I’m that excited about pockets. And I’m not talking about just any kind of pocket – you need side pockets – preferably a zipable one and a non-zip pocket.
Security and convenience go hand-in-hand when you have strategically placed pockets. Whether it’s a hidden zippered pocket for your passport or deep ones that actually hold a phone without it tumbling out, pockets are your best friend. I’ve never been a big fan of money belts – in fact, in 20 years of traveling full time, I’ve never used one. I think they just add a lot of bulk to your middle (and who in their right mind wants that?!), and I rarely carry cash any longer anyway.
Brand Tip: I particularly love Royal Robbins‘ dresses and pants that come with cleverly hidden compartments—they’re perfect for city wandering or border crossings.
2. Wrinkle-Resistant Fabrics
Ironing is not on my travel itinerary (I don’t even own an iron at home!). Clothes that can be balled up in a backpack and still come out looking decent? Yes, please. Look for items labeled “wrinkle-resistant” or “travel-friendly.”
Brand Tip: I’ve had great luck with pieces from Royal Robbins and their Spotless collection —their materials somehow bounce back to smooth without any hotel iron involved.
3. Stretch & Move
You never know when you’ll have to sprint to catch a train or scale an unexpected staircase in a centuries-old European hotel. Stretchy fabrics make a world of difference. I think stretch fabrics are most important on long-haul flights, bus rides, and train trips.
I always ensure I have on stretchy travel pants (with pockets) any time I’m going to be sitting for long periods. Non-stretch fabrics can dig into your waist, tighten around your knees, or feel restrictive as your body naturally shifts and swells during travel. Stretch fabrics adapt to your body, making it easier to sit comfortably for hours without feeling constricted.
The good news is that stretch fabric and wrinkle-free fabric normally go hand in hand.
Brand Tip: Kühl makes technical pants that look polished but move like leggings—ideal for both urban strolls and rugged terrain like hiking.
4. Breathable & Temperature-Regulating
If you’ve ever worn jeans in Vietnam, you know the value of breathable fabrics. Natural fibers like merino wool, alpaca, bamboo, hemp, and organic cotton regulate temperature and wick moisture better than synthetics.
Brand Tip: I’m a fan of Smartwool for base layers and tees—they keep you cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s chilly, with minimal odor.
5. Slip-on Shoes
Slip-on shoes remove friction in travel —literally and figuratively. They simplify airport security, increase comfort in transit, and make daily transitions easier, helping you travel through the world with less hassle.
Being able to quickly remove and put your shoes back on going through airport security makes the process smoother, faster, and far less stressful—especially when you’re juggling a passport, laptop, carry-on, water bottle that you forgot to empty, etc.
Slip-on shoes are also perfect for travel to many countries—Japan, parts of Europe, Southeast Asia —you’ll be expected to remove your shoes regularly. Slip-ons make this process seamless and respectful, without the awkward balancing act of untying and retying laces multiple times a day. They are an absolute must for Japan – the land of slippers!
6. Versatility
Nothing gets me more excited than something that I can use for dual purposes – like reversable leggings. Or a jacket that also turns into a neck pillow (why doesn’t somebody create this…pretty please!). Every dual-purpose item reduces the number of things you need to pack. Instead of bringing separate outfits for flights, hiking, sightseeing, and dining, you bring versatile pieces that adapt to every situation.
A scarf/pashmina that works as a blanket, shawl, or beach cover-up.
A dress that can go from casual daytime to dinner-ready.
Compression Socks: Don’t Knock ‘Em
I never board a flight or train without compression socks. After experiencing a blood clot years ago post-flight, they’ve become non-negotiable.
Besides the medical benefit, they help with swelling and fatigue—especially on those long-haul travel days. Look for pairs that combine function with style – my go-to brand is VIM & VIGR. They create cute, unique compression legwear with multiple product drops and designs every year! You can protect your health and still look like a traveler, not a patient.
And compression socks also fit my versatility requirement for travel clothes. Not only do they decrease your chances of contracting blood clots by promoting circulation, but they are also great for the adventure traveler for hiking, biking, running, or walking. They reduce muscle fatigue and speed recovery. I use them for hiking and biking trips all the time!
Check out my Go Explore compression socks I co-designed with VIM & VIGR
And get 15% off any VIM&VIGR products using promo code OTTSWORLD
How to Pack It All: Capsule Wardrobe & Smart Tips
Now that you’ve got the perfect travel clothing pieces, the real magic is in how you pack them. Enter the capsule wardrobe: a curated set of mix-and-match clothing that works for any destination.
Instead of bringing separate outfits for every possible scenario, a capsule wardrobe focuses on a small collection of versatile, interchangeable pieces that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits. This allows you to travel lighter, stay organized, and still feel comfortable and put-together.
How to Create a Capsule Wardrobe for Travel
1. Stick to a Color Palette
Choose 2-3 base colors (think black, navy, gray) and 1-2 accent colors. This makes it easier to mix and match without ending up with mismatched chaos.
2. Use Scarves and Jewelry to add style and color
If you pack a neutral color palette as suggested in #1, then it’s great to bring more colorful and fashion-forward scarves/pashminas and jewelry to add some style to your capsule wardrobe. These items are small and light and take up very little space in your suitcase. Plus, a scarf can also be used as a blanket on a cold flight!
3. Layer Up
Think light layers rather than bulky ones-offs – basically, dump the sweaters! A merino tank + long-sleeve + compressible down jacket covers most climates. And by the way, that compressible down jacket can also be used as a pillow!
4. Limit Shoes
I know. This one’s hard. But you really only need three: one for walking (sneakers or supportive sandals), one for hiking/adventure (trail shoes or boots), and one “nicer” pair (flats or low-profile sneakers) for dinners or city nights out. Sometimes your supportive sandals or sneakers can also serve as your nicer pair of shoes, too.
I often use a pair of trail running shoes that serve as my walking and hiking shoes.
Packing Tips
Use Packing Cubes or Compression Bags
Packing cubes are one of those simple things that completely change how you travel. I consider them essential because they turn your suitcase into a portable dresser instead of a black hole of chaos. I organize cubes by category—shirts in one, pants in another, underwear and socks in their own cube—so I always know exactly where everything is. No more exploding your entire suitcase on the hotel bed just to find one t-shirt.
This also makes it easier to unpack quickly or live out of your suitcase without losing your mind. Compression cubes are especially useful because they shrink bulkier items down and keep everything contained, which is critical when you’re committed to traveling carry-on only.
Packing cubes keep you organized. Compression bags save space. I use a combo to separate my outfits, keep dirty clothes contained, and compress sweaters or jackets.
My favorite packing cubes are the versatile THULE cubes because they are packing cubes with compression! This is what I recommend to everyone!
Thule Compression Cube Set
$47.64
This compression packing cube set is a must for being able to organize your suitcase for a trip. The zippers are sturdy and durable which is key for a compression cube. I have been amazed at how many things I could compress thanks to the strong zippers.
Roll Your Clothes
This is one of the things I’ve been doing since I started my around-the-world travels in 2006! Rolling your clothes works hand-in-hand with packing cubes and is the best way I’ve found to maximize space. Rolling makes clothes more compact and allows you to fit more into each cube while also reducing wrinkles. It also makes everything more visible—you can see each item instead of stacking things on top of each other and forgetting what you packed.
This is particularly important when you’re traveling with a capsule wardrobe, because you’re relying on fewer pieces and need easy access to all of them. Between rolling and packing cubes, you not only save space—you create a system that keeps your bag organized for the entire trip, which makes travel feel easier from day one to the flight home.
Wear Your Bulkiest Clothes on the Plane
Since I’m an avid adventure traveler and hiker, hiking boots are always one of the hardest things to pack. They are heavy and bulky, but you need them when you are hiking the Camino de Santiago! My best advice is to not pack them, wear them. I tend to wear some of my bulkiest things for the flight so that they don’t take up room in my suitcase. Granted, that doesn’t always work, as at some point, they will need to fit into your suitcase because you can’t wear them 24/7!
Don’t Forget the Hat
I’m a hat person…they are my guilty pleasure for travel! I normally take 2 or 3 on a trip! But there’s a reason why I always travel with hats. They resolve bad hair days after a long flight, and you can’t check into your hotel until 4 PM. They are also great sun protection for walking around, sightseeing, or outdoor adventure activities. And finally, they can dress up an outfit in a capsule wardrobe.
Sometimes hats are really hard to travel with, but I suggest getting a Klipsta to attach your hat with a big brim to your carry-on bag when not wearing it. Or a carabiner will work too for baseball hats. Sometimes I also pack my hats in my suitcase and then pack rolled clothing around them so they can keep their shape.
My go-to brand for great quality sunhats is Wallaroo! They have an entire line of packable hats!
Get a 20% discount when you use my promo code – OTTSWORLD20
And be sure to check out Wallaroo’s videos on how to pack hats safely!
Best Travel Clothing Fabrics: Natural vs Synthetic
The fabric is the foundation of great travel clothing. The best travel fabrics regulate temperature, resist odors, dry quickly, and remain comfortable after repeated wear.
Best natural fabrics for travel clothing:
Merino wool – odor resistant, temperature regulating, breathable
Alpaca wool – warmer than merino, lightweight, and highly insulating
Bamboo – soft, breathable, and moisture-wicking
Hemp – durable, breathable, and sustainable
Organic cotton blends – comfortable and versatile
Best synthetic fabrics for travel clothing:
Nylon blends – lightweight, durable, and quick-drying
Polyester blends – wrinkle-resistant and moisture-wicking
Elastane/spandex blends – provide stretch and comfort
The best travel clothing often blends natural and synthetic fabrics to maximize comfort, durability, and performance.
Favorite Travel Clothing Brands
Clothing styles change every year – so I can give you a list of my specific recommended products right now – but it will likely be out of date in a season. So instead, I’m going to tell you what travel clothing gear and brands I love that consistently put out great-designed items for travel every season.
Royal Robbins
Royal Robbins was built specifically around the needs of travelers. The brand was founded by Royal and Liz Robbins, legendary climbers and early adventure travelers who understood firsthand the challenges of living out of a backpack and moving through different climates, cultures, and conditions. Their goal was to create functional, versatile clothing that made travel easier.
Their clothes tick all of the great travel clothing boxes – versatile, wrinkle-free, breathable, stretchy, pocket-plentiful, and lightweight. They are also a little dressier than my typical adventure travel clothing. They have great, classy pieces that work for business and casual travel.
I really like their Spotless Collection. These pieces are travel-savvy styles that stay smooth, sharp, and fresh on a trip. I particularly love their dresses in the Spotless Collection as well as their wrinkle-free shirts. I also especially like their merino wool sweaters that aren’t bulky but still keep you really warm!
Smartwool
The brand has come a long way from simply producing socks. They have a full lineup of clothing now, and all are made of some portion of merino wool, which is one of my favorite travel fabrics. Merino wool is a natural performance fabric that solves many of the biggest challenges travelers face. It manages moisture, regulates temperature, and resists odors extremely well, making it ideal for performance and travel apparel.
Smartwool pieces are the kind of clothing you can wear on a long flight, hike all day, and then wear the next day again without worrying about smell or comfort. Their socks, base layers ( I adore their base layers), and tees work especially well for travel because they regulate temperature, dry quickly, and allow you to pack less overall.
Kühl
Kühl is one of my go-to travel clothing brands because it perfectly balances performance, durability, and style. Their clothing is designed for people who move—whether that’s hiking trails, navigating airports, or exploring cities all day—and it performs exceptionally well in all of those environments.
They have an entire line of travel pants – and I have multiple pairs of them! From nicer stretchy pants that can double as hiking pants, to classic joggers (with pockets!). I love the FREEFLEX collection and fabric – they are water resistant, and feature stretch with rebound that maintains form and fit. But what I really love is how soft the material is…it’s like taking a long-haul flight in your pajamas – but they look really smart and classy.
I also use a number of their jackets for layering and travel. They are soft and comfortable and great for layering on a long-haul flight.
Outdoor Research
Outdoor Research does lean a bit more toward outdoor adventure, but I really do love the quality of their clothing. Plus, most adventure gear has the qualities of good travel clothes: wicking, stretch, lightweight, quick dry, and natural fabrics. So you really can’t go wrong with outdoor adventure brands.
I particularly like Outdoor Research’s jackets. And a layering system. They have great lightweight puffy coats and vests as well as heavy-duty parkas that protect from wind, rain, and freezing temps for trips to Antarctica or the Arctic!
PAKA
PAKA is another natural fiber brand I love because they use alpaca wool sourced directly from Peru—a material that has many of the same performance benefits as merino wool, but is actually warmer for its weight. Alpaca fiber is breathable, temperature-regulating, and naturally odor-resistant, making it ideal for travel when you need clothing you can wear repeatedly in different climates.
Beyond performance, I appreciate PAKA’s deep commitment to sustainability and transparency. Their responsible packaging is the best I’ve seen – everything…I mean, everything is recyclable! In addition, they have a traceability program that allows you to trace each garment back to the exact alpaca it came from! This creates a meaningful connection to the source and the communities that produce it. It’s travel clothing that not only performs exceptionally well on the road, but also aligns with a more thoughtful and responsible approach to what we wear.
Old Navy
Well – yes – you read that right. Granted – they are probably the opposite of PAKA when it comes to sustainability. But for cheap, simple travel clothes, I like Old Navy tank tops and t-shirts. Sometimes you just need something cheap and basic – and for that, I tend to shop at Old Navy. Maybe it’s because I used to work at Gap during my corporate career…who knows…But I do like their basics!
Why Investing in Quality Travel Clothing Is Worth It
High-quality travel clothing allows you to pack less while doing more. Instead of bringing separate outfits for flights, hiking, sightseeing, and dining, you can rely on fewer versatile pieces.
Benefits of investing in good travel clothing include:
Packing lighter and traveling carry-on only
Greater comfort during long travel days
Less frequent laundry
Better durability over the years of travel
More versatility across climates and activities
Over time, investing in quality travel clothing actually saves money because you need fewer pieces and replace them less often.
Final Thought: Choose Comfort Over Cute (But You Can Have Both)
Yes, you want to look good in photos, but no one looks cute when they’re sweating through polyester or limping from blisters. Invest in the pieces that do the work for you—they should breathe, stretch, resist wrinkles, and make you feel like you’re ready to explore the world… comfortably.
And whatever you do, don’t forget the compression socks!
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