Above: Merino Traveler Hoodies are easy to pack, regulate temperature and feature a zippered interior stash pocket for a passport or wallet.
Whether you’re on an international vacation, a road trip or a big expedition out of town, it’s no fun lugging around a giant suitcase.
One of our favorite benefits of Merino wool is how much easier it makes packing clothes for traveling. Since Merino wool is naturally odor resistant, you can wear what you pack multiple times before washing. Merino wool clothing tends to pack down small to take up less space, and we intentionally design our clothes to be versatile enough to wear out to drinks or a casual dinner after a long, active day.
Here are some tips for packing light and using Merino wool clothes to build a simple travel wardrobe.
Our Favorite Merino Wool Clothes for Traveling
The best way to pack light is to pack versatile travel clothes that can be interchangeably paired and worn multiple ways. Our clothes are all designed to accompany you on outdoor adventures and be dressed up when needed, and our neutral color options make coordinating outfits easy.
Men’s and Women's Journey Merino Tees
When we hear “travel” we immediately think of our Journey Tees. Reviews praise these shirts for travel because of their natural odor resistance and style that can be dressed up or down. For an elevated look, men love our Journey Polo.
One reviewer said about the men's Journey Tee, “I travel a lot for work and these are my go-to shirts as they look good, feel great, and stay fresh for long periods (useful for long flight delays).”
Another said about the women's Journey Tee, “I bring this shirt every time I travel, it's my plane shirt and maybe a day or two mixed into my trips (carry-on only)."
Traveler Hoodies for Men and Women
An obvious pick, our new Traveler Hoodies are the classic-but-featured travel piece we've been longing for. Made with 88% Merino wool (and 100% Merino wool against your skin on the interior), these hoodies have cozy kangaroo hand pockets, a hidden and secure zippered stash pocket inside for a passport, and a metal-looking zipper that weighs hardly anything.
They pack down small, resist odor and breathe well, making them as great to wear on a long flight as around the city once you get to your destination. Ideal for road trips too.
“I was apprehensive about spending so much money on just a black sweatshirt, but this baby is so worth it. Already using it for travel, and I don’t think I will ever take a trip without it again.”
- Jessica R.
The Canopy Collection for Warm Weather Trips
Our updated all natural Merino wool + Tencel fabric collection is perfect for trips to hot climates. Tencel is softer than silk and cooler than linen, so this super thin and lightweight fabric blend keeps you cool even on the warmest days. The women's tank top, t-shirt and long sleeve shirt have a flowy shape and a boxy fit to keep air flowing on hot travel days.
Women’s Bralette and Cami as Travel Layers
The breathable, odor-resistant Ridge Merino bralette - a great standalone tank top or first layer.
Being able to add and remove layers is key to staying comfortable when cold in the airplane or hot at the gas station stop. Our favorite layering pieces for women are our camis and bralettes.
If you like a cropped cut, our bralette can be worn as a standalone tank, but both are thin and simple enough to work well layered under tees and hoodies.
"I was hunting for Merino bras and a Merino tank for active traveling, but this all in one is even better. Super comfortable."
- Laura O. - Ridge Cami
Merino Wool Socks
We all know the trick to wear your bulkiest shoes and clothes on the flight to save room in your bag. Another space saving tip is to just bring versatile Merino wool socks. You’ll only need to pack a couple pairs since they’re odor resistant and can be worn several times before they need a wash. They're also easy to hand wash, and they dry quickly when hung up.
Merino Wool Underwear
Re-wearing underwear isn’t for everyone, but it’s totally possible with Merino wool. As one reviewer of our boxer briefs said:
“I got these specifically for adventure travel - not to workout, but in camp after sweating all day, in damp conditions, and in places where laundry and proper showers are few and far between.”
And another reviewer:
"I’ve worn them three days straight while traveling (don’t judge), and there was zero odor—seriously impressive."
Even if you don’t want to re-wear, Merino wool underwear (men’s and women’s) are easy to refresh with a rinse in a creek when camping or in a hotel sink. When wrung out and hung to dry, our underwear typically dries overnight.
Honorable Mentions
The hardest part of packing is choosing what clothes to leave at home, but here are a few other customer favorite travel clothes:
- Women’s Hyde Dress - A complete outfit on its own, can easily be dressed up or down, and has zippered hand pockets perfect for stashing things.
- Solstice Sun Hoodie - Great for long airport days, hikes or casual outings. The Solstice Pro with a zippered chest pocket works well for travel too.
- Convict Canyon Hoodie - A thin layer that packs down small for a bit more warmth when needed. Heading somewhere windy? The pocket-sized Merino windbreaker is a must-have.
- Aspect Base Layer Shirt - “I purchased this for my trip to SE Asia and it has been the best travel shirt I’ve ever had. It kept me warm on the plane and didn’t stink after 40 hours in airports and planes.” - Caitlin
More Tips for Packing Light
Bring Accessories
Instead of packing a beanie, consider a thin Merino wool neck tube to provide warmth, protect you from the sun or wear as a headband. Pack jewelry and/or a nice pair of shoes to dress up the more casual clothes you bring. A large scarf or Turkish towel can be wrapped around you like a blanket when cold or used to sit on at the beach.
Do Laundry
For longer trips, doing laundry may be easier than hauling around a huge suitcase. Merino wool clothing is simple to care for – wash on cold then hang to dry. If you want to avoid the laundromat, pack a little laundry detergent and you can quickly hand wash things in a hotel or Airbnb sink. Merino wool gear is particularly easy to wash and dries pretty quickly.
Use Packing Cubes and Stuff Sacks
There’s only so much you can pare down your travel wardrobe. Once you have the essentials dialed, packing cubes are a great way to stay organized and pack a lot into your bags. If you own stuff sacks, these can help compress your clothing even smaller. They work great for items like puffy coats, sweatpants and sleeping bags.
We love to travel (read our stories!) but we’re no match for our frequent flyer friend Khai Johannes, who loves to wear his Solstice Sun Hoodie traveling. Check out his tips on what to wear traveling.
