When I travel, I go as light as possible. Every item I take is carefully chosen, and everything fits into my carry-on bag and my "personal item"

Usually, my carry-on bag is an Osprey Aura 50 and my 'personal item' is either a day-pack or my laptop bag.

Your goal should be to get everything into the two bags you bring aboard the plane.

Yes it's possible. Anyone can pack this effectively and efficiently. I'll help you know what to look for in clothing to enable you to pack light and still be prepared for whatever you encounter on your adventure.



Basic Guidelines
The clothes you bring on your journey should be:

• Wrinkle resistant
• Stain resistant
• Fast drying
• Multi-functional
• Have secure pockets
• Be comfortable 
• Reflect your personal style

Why are these qualities important?
When we travel, we don't know what we'll run into around the corner. Laundry facilities aren't always accessible. It's important to have the option to wash a pair of pants in a sink in your hotel room, letting them hang to dry overnight. You might spend a morning hiking and the afternoon shopping. You'll have more time to do both if you don't have to stop by your hotel room to change clothes. If you were to say, go to an outdoor retailer, and say, "I need clothes that dry quickly, won't wrinkle and resist stains," you'll might be directed to a long sleeve button up shirt and a pair of zip off pants

This outfit would be functional, but I think it is also equally important to feel stylish and comfortable in your clothes. When I first started traveling, I thought I was forever doomed to wear quick dry cargo pants and button ups. This is most definitely not my style. It also identifies just about anyone wearing it as a tourist. Consider where you're headed. Going to Paris, Monaco or Italy? You'll want to feel stylish and chic. Headed to the Caribbean? Breezy clothes fit the mood and the environment. Bright, vibrant colors are fun in Brazil, but may not blend well some parts of the Middle East.

When choosing styles, consider the following things;

• Your destination: will you need to cover your skin or can you wear tank tops and shorts?
• The styles you already wear on a daily basis
• What kinds of clothes you are comfortable in?
• Clothes that make you feel good
• The activities you want to participate in

After lots of research and trying on hundreds of outfits, I've found a few pieces I wear until they have holes in them, and then I go buy the exact same item. Here are a few of my favorites:

Its hard to believe, but every single item shown above serves more than one purpose and is made from quick drying fabric. These are not only my favorite travel clothes, but clothes I enjoy wearing when I'm not traveling.

Here's the list of the above items:
-Bliss Knickers by prAna- exploring town, climbing, hiking, swimming, biking
-Bliss Pants by prAna- exploring town, going to dinner, hiking, climbing, biking
-Yoga pants from prAna-long flights, climbing, hiking, dinner, exploring
-a functional tank top from prAna- climbing, yoga, dinner, exploring
-Patagonia R1 1/2 zip jacket- long flights, chilly nights, hiking
-ExOfficio hoody- sun protection, skin coverage for conservative areas
-Columbia Marrakesh Maven dress- out to dinner, dancing, exploring town
-tie front shrug to wear with tank tops and sleeveless dresses to cover skin

When you shop, look for brands that make travel oriented clothes. Most brands that make clothing for the great outdoors make clothing for travel. prAna, Columbia, Patagonia, ExOfficio, Mountain Hardware, The North Face, Royal Robins, and Isis all make high quality travel clothes in a wide range of styles. For fast dry times, look for high polyester or nylon content. Stay away from high percentages of cotton and spandex. A little spandex (2 to 8%) is a good thing because it makes clothes more comfortable on long rides and diverse activities. Merino wool is a great option for warm and cool arid climates. It's soft, dries quickly and can be worn over and over again without starting to stink. Think about what is already in your closet that you enjoy. Try to find pieces that have a similar cut or look. You might already have items in your closet that will work well. Read the labels! Often you'll be surprised you already own clothes well suited for travel.


Try to choose pieces that you can layer or pieces that are multi-functional. Every item you bring should serve more than one purpose. A long sleeve tunic top layers well over a tank top for chilly nights, provides sun protection or covers skin when visiting a conservative area. I always bring pair of black yoga pants that dry quickly. They are comfortable on long plane rides and perfect for rock climbing. Long tunics or dresses can be belted and worn with heels or sandals for dinner and dancing, or layered over jeans or leggings for cooler weather or more causal evenings.


Sometimes I bring things that break those rules...

I've also learned to bring a few things that don't fit those standards. While I was in Dubai, I really needed a pair of heels, or at least a pair of dressy flats. We went out to dinner and dancing a few times and I really didn't fit in wearing water sandals or hiking shoes. A dark pair of jeans that fit well and look good can be dressed up or down, worn with hiking shoes or heels. One might think, "How would I have room in my bag for a pair of bulky, heavy jeans or a bulky pair of heels?" Packing efficiently left plenty of room for jeans. Because I know I'll get a fair amount of use out of a pair of dressy shoes, I can justify the space I'm taking up with them.
I also took a bikini, even though I was going to a very conservative country. I actually used it quite a bit! Usually we swam in secluded coves, which we had entirely to ourselves. Once in a while we would swim on a resort beach, where bikinis were a common sight. Flip flops are also a staple I bring from home or buy once I arrive. At our house in Oman, the front yard was gravel. I would have to put on shoes that laced every time I wanted to run out to the car. Flip flops make air port security a breeze, public showers safer, and running down the hall of the hotel for more ice more convenient.


Wondering about that pretty bag in the photo above? Check out my post next week on bags for traveling light.

Every year we struggle to buy presents for those outdoorsy people in our lives. You either have no idea what they actually do out in the wilderness, or they already have everything! What should you give?

Stocking stuffers should be unique, fun, small and not too expensive. Here are a few of my all-time favorite outdoor things under $30.







For the Survivalist

1. Paracord Fire Starter Necklace by The Friendly Swede $11.99
2. Emergency Bivvy by Survive Outdoors Longer $14.95 protects against rain and wind and reflects 80% of body heat
3. Spool Tool Paracord Spool holds 100ft of paracord, with blade and lighter holder $16.50
4. Luci EMRG Solar powered, inflatable and waterproof lantern with white setting and SOS red flash $14.95 
5. Paracord Knife Survival Bracelet $14.86 

Because Everyone Needs to Eat

1. Fozzils Bowls unsnap to lick clean and pack flat Set of two $9.95 
2. MSR Alpine Pot Brush / Scraper $4.95 
3. Sea to Summit X-Seal Go collapsing food container bowl with airtight lid holds leftovers $26 
4. Light My Fire Titanium Spork- The classic Light My Fire Spork, in titanium so you'll never break it again 
5. Titanium Long Handle Spoon keeps hands clean and away from hot liquids $9.95 

For the gearhead who has everything....
Help them make their gear last longer with products to clean, protect and rejuvenate outdoor clothing and equipment.

1. Nikwax Tech Wash because detergent will ruin most waterproof clothing and down
2. MiraZyme Odor Eliminator is a nearly magical concoction that will make your stinkiest clothes and shoes smell like absolutely nothing at all
3. Nikwax Concentrated Tent & Gear Solar Proof Outdoor gear like tents and hammocks take a beating from UV light which breaks down nylon and polyester. This liquid protects gear from UV rays. 
4. Sawyer Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent Spray uses a compound from chrysanthemum flowers to keep insects away. Spray your clothes, let them dry, and you'll have 6 weeks of protection.
5. Nikwax Down Proof Waterproofing rejuvenates down, gives down water repellency and rejuvenates water repellency of shell fabrics
6. Gear Aid ReviveX Instant Waterproofing Spray renews waterproof finish of rain jackets, tents and sleeping bags

For the rock climber in your life:

1. Arno Ilgner, the author of the classic “The Rock Warriors Way,” brings us “Espresso Lessons;” practical lessons for on and off the rock. $19.95
2. Misty Mountain brings back the Bouldering Scratch Mat for the boulderer in your life. $9.95
3. Some climbers go through climbing tape like you wouldn’t believe. Plus it doubles as medical tape. $3.95
4. Keep them pumped out even in the off season with a Dynaflex Pro Gyro Hand Exerciser
5. Make their favorite pair of shoes last longer with Five Ten’s Stealth Paint Repair Kit $16.99
6. If all else fails, buy them some Super Chalk. Chalk is like Clif Bars, it’s always good to have a reserve.
7. Does your climber play well with others? Chances are they climb well with them too. Black Diamond’s Gorilla Chalk Bag is big and flat bottomed, a communal chalk pot perfect for group bouldering sessions.

Endurance Athletes

In emergency situations, having these easily accessible can mean the difference between life and death. They should never be stored in a hatch, where they are very hard to get to. In a worst-case scenario, the paddler is a swimmer without a kayak. In this scenario, it is important that the paddler (now swimmer) has the essential equipment to survive. I don't keep my VHF radio on my PFD because I know that the conditions I paddle in are unlikely to separate me from my boat. If you are paddling alone or in rough water, you absolutely should have your VHF attached to you.

You should equip your PFD with essentials based on where, when and what you will be paddling. Keeping a marine radio on your life jacket while paddling a quiet cypress swamp is overkill. Keeping it on your PFD while paddling in open ocean is definitely not. When in doubt, over-prepare. Many guides in colder environments keep emergency blankets in their PFDs. Some guides even tether a dry bag with fire making materials and extra clothes to themselves!


Attaching things to your PFD
This is where things get tricky.  It can be hard to get all of this stuff to fit, especially if your PFD has only a pocket or two, like mine. There are ways around this. One of them is the carabiner trick seen below. Don't be afraid to add knife attachment points or clips to your PFD, just make sure you mess with the flotation and make sure your modifications won't get you tangled or caught on anything. It is also very important not to overload your jacket with too much stuff. Your PFD is meant to keep you afloat. Do not sacrifice crucial buoyancy for unnecessary equipment.


A carabiner on the shoulder strap can be a great way to hang  your whistle and lip balm. I know many male guides who do this. This trick works great for people with broad chests, but I found that the carabiner rubbed against my arm when I paddled.  I replaced the carabiner with a loop of 1/4" bungee cord.



 I keep my mirror on a lanyard. If it's so bad that I'm using a mirror, it's bad enough for me to loose it if it isn't tied to me.
I often keep a cliff bar or cliff shot in there too, for fast fuel. I have to take any snacks out every night so mice don't chew into my PFD. Raccoons will steal life jackets out of kayaks if we leave granola bars in them.


My knife is the NRS Co-Pilot Rescue Knife. I use it to cut birds and turtles free from nets, cut anyone who gets tangled in anything free, and to spread Nutella on my bagel at breakfast. Having a rescue knife with a blunt tip is crucial. Never attempt to free anyone with a pointed blade. It often ends in tragedy. Consider using bungee to connect your knife to your PFD to avoid dropping it during rescues.

Trick it out for Comfort and Safety
Be Seen
If your PFD doesn't have any reflective strips on it, adding reflective strips to the shoulders is a must for better visibility. Reflective strips for PFDs are available from:

• North Water
• Black Sew-on Reflective Tape- from Amazon
• Kokatat - Velcro backed

Stay Hydrated
With a hydration bladder, you won't have to sacrifice your pace and rhythm to stay hydrated. The NRS PFD Hydration Pack straps to most PFDs and can be worn as a backpack when off the water. Kokatat also makes the Tributary Hydration Bladder but it will not fit many of the PFDs on the market.


Storage Solutions
If you just can't fit everything onto your favorite PFD, there are several solutions. Kokatat has a variety of options that strap to Kokatak brand PFDs, that may also work with other brands.

The Tactic Pack straps to the back of a PFD, has room for a hydration bladder and a VHF radio, and cleverly unclips to allow the wearer to access those items while paddling.

The Belly Pocket attaches to many PFDs with front adjustment straps and keeps important items handy.