You walk into Outlandish with a trip coming up and one problem: you don't want to pack three pairs of shoes.
You need something you can hike in, walk 20,000 steps in, wear to dinner, and—ideally—not look ridiculous in when you're out at night.
We get it.
You don't need a closet full of technical gear to have a great time outside. Whether you're hiking in the Alps, camping in the Catskills, or spending a week somewhere you've never been before, here's how to figure out what to pack—and what you can leave at home.
The best travel gear isn't necessarily the most technical. It's the stuff you'll actually wear.
The 3 things worth getting right:
1. Footwear
Your shoes are probably the hardest thing to pack light. The goal isn't necessarily to bring one pair for everything, but to find a pair that can handle as much of your trip as possible.
Salomon Ultra Glide 4
This is the shoe for the traveler who wants trail performance without feeling overly technical around town. It’s comfortable enough for all-day wandering and capable enough when the sidewalk suddenly turns into dirt.
2. Layers
Once you've got your footwear figured out, think about clothes the same way: choose pieces that can handle more than one part of your itinerary.
You're not packing for a photoshoot. You're packing for a trip where you might hike in the morning, wander around town all afternoon, and end up at dinner that night.
Bottoms
Patagonia Baggies 5"
Swim in them, hike in them, grab lunch in them, then wear them again tomorrow. They’re the kind of shorts that quietly eliminate three other pairs from your suitcase.
Topo Designs Dirt Utility Pant
A travel pant that doesn’t scream “travel pant.” Comfortable enough for the plane, rugged enough for the trail, and clean enough to wear straight to dinner.
Shop Topo Designs Dirt Utility Pants →
Tops
Smartwool Active Ultralite Tee
Light, breathable, and especially good when your packing philosophy is “wear it more than once.” It moves easily from morning hike to afternoon wandering without feeling like workout-only clothing.
Don't Forget the Socks
Socks might not be the most exciting part of your packing list, but they can make a surprisingly big difference on long walking and hiking days.
Smartwool Hike Light Cushion
A good merino sock lets you pack fewer pairs without becoming the person everyone avoids on day four. These balance cushioning, temperature regulation, and everyday comfort beautifully.
3. Weather Protection
You can't always predict what the weather is going to do, especially when you're traveling somewhere unfamiliar. The trick is to bring protection that takes up almost no space in your bag.
HOKA Skyflow Jacket
It weighs almost nothing but somehow becomes useful every single day of the trip. Toss it over a tee for windy hikes, cool mornings, breezy ferries, or unexpectedly chilly evenings.
Ciele GoCap
Crush it into your bag, pull it back out, and somehow it’s ready for another adventure. It gives you sun protection for hikes and runs without looking out of place while exploring town.
UTU SPF
Tiny item, huge payoff. It takes almost no packing space and helps keep long outdoor days from turning into the part of the vacation you regret.
The Other Things That Earn Their Spot
Your Day Bag:
Osprey Daylite
The Daylite is exactly what you want from a travel daypack: simple, lightweight, comfortable, and useful without being fussy. It can be your personal item on the way there and your hiking, sightseeing, or beach bag once you arrive.
Topo Designs Mini Shoulder Bag
Your passport, phone, wallet, sunglasses, and charger finally have one tiny home. It keeps the important stuff close without making you carry a full backpack every time you leave the hotel.
Shop Topo Designs Mini Shoulder Bag →
Water:
Outlandish 16 oz Nalgene
Small enough that you’ll actually carry it instead of leaving it back at the room. It handles hikes and city days equally well while adding a little Outlandish personality to the kit.
A Few Small Things You'll Be Glad You Packed...
Shop Outlandish 16 oz. Nalgene →
Black Diamond Astro 300
One of those things you barely notice in your bag until suddenly you’re very glad you brought it. Sunrise hikes, dark campsites, hostel bunks, power outages, and late-night bag digging all become easier.
Murphy's Mosquito & Tick Repellent
A little bottle that can save an otherwise beautiful evening outside. It earns its tiny spot in the bag the minute the bugs decide you’re the main course.
Pack Less. Get More Out of It.
The goal isn't to build the most technically advanced packing list possible. It's to build one that works for your trip.
Bring the shoes you'll actually wear. Choose layers that can move between activities. Pack weather protection that won't take up half your bag. And don't underestimate the value of pieces you can wear again and again.