Travel Clothes That Real Road Warriors Swear By

Traveling is stressful enough without burdening yourself with heavy luggage or too many items. You can look fantastic and be well prepared for any weather or purpose, whether a single-destination leisure trip or a business junket with many stops in different weather zones. Seasoned travelers shared their hottest new finds in fabrics and items they would never travel without, so ditch the giant suitcase and get the best traveler's overhead bag with rollers and make sure you are compact and classy with the latest clothing items that can be dressed up, down, and combined for many looks. 

Prices and availability are subject to change.

Related: Carry-On Essentials to Pack for Your Next Flight

$68 from Amazon  

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A coat or layer can be cumbersome when you travel, but Rainraps is an 8-ounce, easy-to-pack alternative to a raincoat or umbrella. The hooded version of the Rainrap has a travel pouch that fits easily in a purse, backpack, or side pocket of a roller bag. The material is waterproof, and the garment has a double-sided button closure enabling a reversible look for variety. One size fits most, and the coat is washable. 

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$98 from Orvis 

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Outdoor travel site Gorp's bloggers say that Orvis' long-sleeved polo is a wise choice for men to mix and match. "Orvis might be known for fishing gear, but their shirts are incredibly comfortable. This shirt is our go-to for a multi-hour flight and is comfortable in many climates." The double-stitched hemmed shirt with reinforced side vents comes in five colors and is a breathable, moisture-wicking piqué knit with underarm gussets, rib-knit banded sleeve cuffs, and collar utility loop for sun shades.

Related: Clothing Brands That Are Still Made in America

$32 from Amazon

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Chris Coleman, the owner of RV Talk, is a fan of Baleaf's designs and fabrics and swears by Baleaf's flattering athletic pants for women. The stretchy travel pants come in seven sizes, four colors, and are 85% polyester and 15% spandex with a cotton closure and pintuck details on the front. In addition, the pants have two side pockets and a hidden pocket to keep money and passport safe while traveling.

$18 and up from Amazon

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Julien Raby, CEO of Thermo Gears, says that traveling is a lot more fun when wearing comfortable clothes. Raby picks the RBX skorts (92% polyester and 8% spandex) with an elastic closure. "The best thing about this is that it provides ultimate coverage that will protect your body in any motion you do. It also features two side pockets plus an inner compression pocket so you can store your things while traveling." 

Related: Stores With Comfortable Clothes That You Can Wear for Years

$40 from Amazon

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Nothing beats a classic-fitting pair of travel chino pants for ultimate comfort on the road. UnionBay's neutral colors and flattering design boasts a 50 UPF with an expandable velcro waist adjustment hidden behind the belt loop. In addition, this chino is water-resistant, can wash and dry quickly on the go, and has zipped pockets to keep your wallet or phone secure while traveling. 

$74 from Fair Harbor Clothing  

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Great pants for travel are a must. Fair Harbor's solid color options mix and match easily, and provide ultimate comfort for travel with additional performance capabilities for an active sightseeing trip or even working out. The One Pant for men features an elastic waistband and flexible fit and washes easily on the go. 

$38 from Opok

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Made with breathable organic materials and organic dyes and minus the toxic finishing chemicals many lightweight travel garments have, Opok excels in making easy to pack and wash men's T-shirts to combine and create several looks. The men's T-shirt is light, stretchy, and breathable. Opok also gives back a portion of proceeds to saving the bees and coral reefs, saying that these are two vital ecosystems that the clothing industry has critically impacted.

$165 from Appalachian Gear Co.

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Invest in a quality layer. Appalachian Gear Co. sells an award-winning hoodie offering lightweight insulation without bulkiness. The All-Paca fabric has zero added synthetics, no harsh chemical treatments, and is biodegradable. Light, environmentally friendly material provides breathability, moisture management, and odor control. These garments pack well, look sharp, and wash easily on the go. 

$56 from Kari Traa

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This Norwegian outdoor apparel brand is made for women by women. The merino wool that they use for the essential base layer long sleeve shirt is one of the best travel fabrics, keeping you cool in the heat, warm in the cold, and you don't have to wash it every time you wear it. This super-soft, smooth, breathable, 100% merino wool long-sleeved women's base-layer pullover with a pro-sport look has ergonomic lines, a stretch fabric, flatlock seams for packable, all-season travel essentials. 

$43 and up from Amazon

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World traveler Brian Donovan, CEO of TimeShatter, would never leave home without this classic traveler for men. "When it comes to travel gear, you can't get any better than this jacket. I've taken it on many a vacation in my life, and it's saved me on more than one hike in the Pacific Northwest. It repels water, has a lot of handy zippered pockets for storing things you absolutely cannot get wet, and it can pack down to the size of a pocket square. In addition, it's adjustable and not too bulky, and it looks good.”

$139 and up from Amazon

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Luke Arthur, CEO of SimpleGrow, travels all over, and his essential packing selection includes the easy-to-care-for Levon Pant by Arc'teryx. "Assuming you're keen on the most cutting-edge mechanical advancements in travel clothing, think about Arc'teryx." The five-pocket design, gusseted crotch, and subtle articulation at the knees offer freedom of movement. Made of midweight cotton/nylon stretch canvas material.

$52 from Bluffworks 

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SimpleGrow's CEO Arthur adds that activewear apparel company Bluffworks "consolidates high style with strong travel clothing design that can be worn anyplace, particularly at the workplace." The basic Threshold Crew Neck shirt for men and women wicks moisture, dries quickly, resists odors, has a UPF 50+ for sun protection, is washable and breathable, and is 66% polyester, 29% lyocell, 5% elastane.

$60 from Amazon

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Arthur also appreciates the U.S.-made Ably for travel gear. "Seattle-based Ably is brilliant and commonsense attire for individuals who are regularly out and about." The packable Douglas long-sleeved tee has clean lines and a slim fit and is lightweight and ultra-breathable, washable, and quick-drying. In addition, the design boasts a long-sleeved classic crew neck collar, double yoke, and straight hem. 

Related: The Best Neck Pillows for Traveling Comfortably

$271 and up from Amazon

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Robert Banks, the founder of MrStocks, travels extensively and says his failsafe go-to garment is the packable 5-in1 Jacket. "I don't know where I'll be the next day or just throughout the day, meetings or traveling out of town. As the weather can change, this jacket has kept me comfortable. It's lightweight, warm, and comfortable in movement as well." The jacket features a high-performance, waterproof, breathable patrol shell,  and elasticized waist.

$92 and up from Amazon

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Travel bloggers at Gorp recommended investing in solid footwear. "When it comes to footwear, the trick is bringing the most all-purpose footwear you can find. Shoes and boots take up lots of packing space, but get a shoe you can wear on a hike, around a major city, on a plane, and even to a nice restaurant." Their vetted pick for men is the versatile Keen Oxford, a favorite rugged shoe that can hold its own on a rocky walk or hike, but the brown leather also looks good when dressed to go out.

Related: Where to Buy Shoes and Boots That Are Made in America

$19 at Snap-Tite

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The Snap-Tite belt has no heavy buckles that set off TSA alarms, and the buckle-free design offers a perfect fit, easy to use, and is fully adjustable. The belt is made of elastic with faux leather enclosures. The metal snaps and slide come in size small for 22 to 35 inches or large for 36 to 48-inch waists. 

$36 from Amazon

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Traveling creates a lot of demands on your ankles, feet, and legs. Montana-based, woman-owned Vim & Vigr's fashionable, fun compression socks were made for daily wellness while traveling. Unisex compression socks energize legs while helping to decrease lactic acid, prevent cramps, increase blood flow, increase oxygen delivery and minimize muscle fatigue. They’re both stylish and essential for wearing on flights or long car trips and busy walkabouts exploring new places. 

$50 at Quince 

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Fashionistas can travel smart and look fabulous in Quince's Mongolian cashmere crewneck sweater, made of 100% Grade A cashmere, with a 15.1-micron thickness that weighs 7 ounces. Washable on the go using cold water, neutral soap, or shampoo and let dry at room temperature, avoiding sunlight. Thirteen colors to select and five sizes make it a versatile travel essential. 

Related: How To Buy a Good Cashmere Sweater

$49 at Patagonia

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Reda Elmardi, the owner of the fitness website The Gym Goat, is never without this long sleeve lightweight easy-to-manage basic shirt that comes in seven sizes and five colors. "Patagonia makes some of the best gear in the industry due to their commitment to using only the highest quality materials. Their products keep people warm and dry in any environment. This long sleeve shirt features a soft cotton blend that wicks moisture away from your skin."

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$98 from Everlane

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Travel and lifestyle blogger Brock McGoff of The Modest Man says: "Most guys want to travel light. But, they also want to look good without sacrificing comfort. So my go-to travel pants are Everlane's Performance chino. Unlike most tech pants, these look like actual chinos. They don't swish when you walk and have a generous fit with 6% elastane making them comfortable for long flights. Plus, you can get them in a slim or athletic fit."

$120 from Monos.com

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Monos' fabrics are vegan, sustainable, and handcrafted in Vancouver, Canada. The Sevilla Pant is the perfect breezy-fitting wide-legged traveler that can pair with a dressy boot or an athletic shoe or flats. This garment can go from plane to dinner, a museum stroll, or a shopping spree.

Related: Where to Find Cheap Plus-Size Clothing Online