Ultimate Guide to Men’s Travel Clothes & Toiletries
My all-time Favorite travel Clothes & Toiletries
Here you’ll find some of my all-time favorite travel clothes for all different climates and my favorite toiletries that will help keep you looking and smelling your best. These are things I never leave home without. They’ve been road worn and tested by me time and time again (some of them for over a decade), and I keep coming back to them. I hope they’ll make your next trip even better!
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Clothes, Shoes & Accessories
BEST OF BASICS
Men's Atlas Exploration Flex Long-Sleeve Shirt
This is one of my favorite travel shirts for anywhere I go, especially when I’m filming. It’s got the look of old school Nat Geo adventure, but it’s a little more updated and subtle. It’s lightweight, and it easily converts from long sleeve to short sleeve. It has SPF built in, and plenty of pockets for lens caps and other small accoutrements.
Charles Tyrwhitt Long Sleeve Smart Jersey Polo
I can’t speak highly enough of this long sleeve polo. I own two of them and I love them. It’s on the expensive side - more than I would typically pay for a polo shirt - but in this case I think it’s worth it based on the quality. It’s by far the best made polo shirt I’ve ever owned. I’ve already owned it for many years, and I can tell you I will own it for many more years to come. It looks just as good today as the day I got it. It’s perfect for travel because it doesn’t wrinkle, you can dress it up with a blazer or dress it down with shorts, and it’s super comfortable. And as an added bonus, my wife can’t keep her hands off me when I wear it.
Banana Republic Core Temp Chinos
I’m so happy I found these pants. I don’t know what sorcery the people at Banana Republic are doing, but these pants do indeed feel cool in hot weather. According Banana Republic, they use, “37.5° Technology and the power of active particles derived from volcanic sand to regulate body heat for maximum comfort”. I don’t know what the hell any of that means, but it seems to work. I’ve worn these in Santorini in 95 degree weather with no breeze (pants were a mistake - long story), and I’ve worn them in Chicago in winter and they’re great in both environments. Dress them up, dress them down, they’re great either way.
Lululemon ABC Slim-Fit Trouser Pants
I remember searching for hours at a mall for the perfect travel pants, and these just may be them. They’re stretchy, comfortable enough to wear all day, and easy to dress up or down. You can walk around a museum, do a tour, or go to a nice restaurant in these. When we went to Europe for three weeks over the summer and I only brought one pair of pants, this was the pair of pants I grabbed.
Fair Harbor Swim Trunks
If there’s one thing I hate (and there’s not, there are many, many things I hate), it’s bathing suits that are lined with mesh. I don’t know what sort of medieval torture dungeon think tank that idea came out of, but there is nothing worse. Add in sand and cold water, and the walk back to the car at the end of the day is worse than being drawn and quartered. I also don’t wear board shorts for the same reason I don’t have frosted tips. Enter Fair Harbor swim trunks. These are the most comfortable swim trunks I’ve ever owned. They are comfortable enough to wear around for a while before the pool, they’re stretchy, they have pockets, and the lining dries relatively quickly after the pool. I now own three of these because I love them so much. The price might be a bit hard to swallow at first glance, but I promise they are worth it. And what’s even more awesome - these things are made out of recycled bottles that Fair Harbor pulls from the ocean.
Viodia Men's 7" Golf Shorts
Lightweight, breathable, packable, stretchable. What’s not to love? These are great travel shorts. They’re essentially dupes for much more expensive Lululemon shorts. Cons: They definitely look dressed down, so if you’re wanting to wear shorts to a nicer-ish dinner (which, let’s be honest, if it’s a restaurant where you’re wearing shorts, you’re probably not too worried about it), you may want to opt for the Infinity shorts below.
Weatherproof Vintage Men's Performance Stretch Packable Hybrid Trail Short
These are my OG favorite travel shorts. Nowadays, I typically reach for the Viodia or Infinity shorts, but I still love these. They’re great for theme parks with zippered pockets and a lightweight stretchable fabric. Still a great option, and you can always find them. They’re a slightly heavier fabric than the two listed above, which is sometimes a good thing.
Infinity Men’s Performance Shorts
I know, I know - you’re thinking “Really Tyler? Three different pairs of shorts?” Well, yes. These are a new addition to my wardrobe, and I have to be honest, these are my favorite of the three. They are just as comfortable as the two listed above (if not more comfortable), but they look a little more put together. They’re more easily dressed up with a polo or button down, but double as easy beach/touring/walking shorts. They always look nice, pack well and never need ironed. The only downside - they’re super hard to find. They keep popping up different places and then they go away again. I’ve found them at Costco, Walmart, and a handful of shops on eBay, and then they’re gone. And it seems I’m not the only one who feels this way - I’ve found reddit threads of other people looking for these elusive shorts as well. So if you find them, buy a few pair.
Allbirds Men’s Tree Runners
Whether I’m walking around Rome or Walt Disney World, these are my go-to shoes. They’re incredibly comfortable, lightweight, and I can walk in them all day. They’re stylish, machine washable, and come in a myriad of different colors. I’ve now owned at least 4 pairs, and I wear them until they fall off my feet.
Hey Dude Wally Stretch Canvas Shoes
These lightweight canvas shoes are a new addition to my foot arsenal, and I’m an immediate Stan. They slip right on, and they’re extremely comfortable right out of the box. I recently took them on a trip and walked all over the Caribbean with them for a week and they held up beautifully.
Allbirds Men’s Tree Runner Go
As I said, I’m an Allbirds man through and through, and I have been for years. I’ve always purchased the original Tree Runners, and I’ve loved them. But just before my last trip to Europe, I branched out and bought some of the Tree Runner Go shoes, and I have to say, these may be even more comfortable than the original. I never thought I would say that, but I also never thought I would have to tell my kid not to play in the urinal and I did that too. Allbirds is always switching out their styles, so take a look at both the original Tree Runners and the Tree Runner Go and find ones you like. You won’t be disappointed either way, but if you’re choosing, I would opt for the Tree Runner Go. The sole is thicker, and it was more comfortable to walk around in all day. And I was putting in 20,000 steps a day for 18 days straight, so I definitely put these things through their paces.
KuaiLu Men’s Yoga Foam Flip Flops
These flip-flops are made out of yoga mat material on the sole, so I’m basically doing yoga all day. I’ve lost track of how many of these I’ve bought over the years. I wear them until the soles are as thin as prosciutto. I always throw them in my luggage no matter where we’re headed. They’re obviously great for going to the pool, but they’re also nice to throw on when I need to run to the lobby for some coffee, or when the roadside motel we’re staying in doesn’t appear to mop their bathroom floors. Namaste.
Eddie Bauer Men's Cloud Cap Lightweight Rain Jacket
This is my favorite warm-weather rain jacket for traveling. It’s quite thin and packs down very small, but it’s truly waterproof. It’s also great for layering if you’re in a colder climate.
Timberland Men’s Anti-Fatigue Hiking Boot
These are easily the most comfortable hiking boot I’ve owned, and they were incredibly comfortable right out of the box. I’ve worn them hiking all over the world, in both hot and cold climates, and they’ve held up. They’re waterproof, rugged, and supportive.
Darn Tough Hiking Socks
These socks are the Bees Knees (or, should I say, “Bee’s Toes?”). The name says it all. I wore these hiking in Alaska, and they were perfect. I wore these exploring ancient temples in Egypt, and they were perfect. They are made right here in the US, (in Vermont), and best of all, they are Guaranteed for Life. Yes, you read that correctly. There are so few companies anymore that stand behind their products, let alone stand behind them unconditionally, FOR LIFE. Yes, they’re expensive, but they’ll last a lifetime. They offer tons of fun patterns, weights, and heights.
Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Travel Jacket
This jacket has no business being as warm as it is while being so thin and lightweight. I honestly wear this jacket 80% of the winter months, and paired with a sweater, it’s more than warm enough. If I know I’m going to be outside for hours, I’ll grab my thicker Seamless Down Parka (see below), otherwise this is my go-to jacket. And, best of all, it folds down into about the size of a can of soda with the included carrying case, making it perfect for travel. Oh, and it’s water repellent. What’s not to love?
Uniqlo Seamless Down Parka
This coat is seriously warm, windproof and waterproof. If you’re heading somewhere and you know it’s going to be downright cold, this is a great coat. It’s a little bulky, but worth bringing if you know you’re going to be walking around in the cold. London in December? New York City in January? This coat is a great option. And the fleece lined pockets are an extra cozy
Uniqlo AIRism Undershirt
I love Uniqlo’s AIRism line for hot weather trips. This undershirt is perfect for hot weather. It’s a smooth as silk and light as air, but still provides a layer of protection between you and a button down.
Uniqlo AIRism Seamless Undershirt
This one is a bit of a niche item, but useful when you need it. It’s just like the other AIRism undershirt - super duper thin, silk like, keeps you cool when it’s hot outside, etc, - but this one is perfect when you need to wear it under a suit or tuxedo. (**Incoming bougie statement alert**) I attended a wedding in Rome a few summers ago. It was hot, and tuxedos were the requirement. This was a nice companion to the tux, as it kept me cooler than a typical Hanes, and there was no seam, so the lining of the tux was not compromised. Again, a niche item, but for the one person that needs it - you’re welcome.
Fabletics The Blueprint Boxer Brief
This is the best underwear ever made. Just trust me on this one. If you’re a brief guy, look no further. I bought a lifetime supply. I don’t care for the Fabletics pricing structure (“You gotta join our club to buy our undies or pay a million dollars for them!”), but it’s worth it. Join the club, buy 50 pairs, and then cancel. Though, I will say, I do also like a lot of their workout clothes, but that’s between you and your wallet.
Carfia Vintage Polarized Sunglasses
Ok, here’s the short version - buy these. They’re polarized, they’re really well made, they have a classic, vintage design, and the price is right. I highly recommend them!
Here’s the long version of the story on these (for those that are interested). Anthony Bourdain is one of my heroes, and so naturally, I wanted to wear the exact sunglasses he wore. My assumption being that if I wore his sunglasses, I would automatically be as cool as he was. I also assumed that if they were rugged enough to stand up to his travel lifestyle, they would obviously stand up to mine. Solid plan. Through some research, I finally figured out that he wore Italian sunglasses from a brand called Persol. He owned several pairs of them in different colors, and I found out that they were the same sunglasses that Steve McQueen and several other celebrities wore, including the likes of George Clooney. I was obviously the next logical choice in the succession to wear these fated sunglasses. They were, however, $363. This was very far beyond the amount I normally spend on sunglasses - approximately $343 more than what I typically spend. I tried to find some less expensive look alikes, but had no luck anywhere. So, I decided to treat myself for once, and go for it. I bought them. I finally got them in the mail, and like a child on Christmas morning, I ran to get them from the mailbox and try them on. And lo and behold, they looked horrible on me. Genuinely terrible. For whatever reason, they did not fit my face at all. They made me look like an insect with a drinking problem. Or Manhattan socialite that was past her prime. It wasn’t a good look. And it wasn’t just me. My wife and several of my friends affirmed this suspicion. So I retuned them, downtrodden. Months went by, and I still needed new sunglasses, as I was tired of squinting, and so to Amazon I went again and poked around, in a meager attempt to find some sort of sunglasses that would suffice. And there these were! They were similar to the ones I had tried on that didn’t look quite right, but they had the distinctive look I wanted - and they were 1/10th the price. I ordered them, they came, and they fit my face perfectly. I don’t know exactly what is different about these versus the more expensive name-brand ones, because these still have the retro, classic look I was going for, but there just slightly smaller and they look really nice. They’re also polarized, and they seem very well made. I ended up buying three pairs and these are now all I wear.
TOILETRIES
Kiehl’s Face SPF
We all know the importance of SPF, but it’s especially important when we’re traveling. We’re often outdoors in the elements more than we are at home, and making sure your skin is protected is important. I’m not great about putting SPF on my arms or legs, but I put this on my face every morning no matter what (and I’ll re-apply later in the day if we head back to our room in the afternoon. Should I do it more often? Probably. Just be impressed that I do it at all.). It doesn’t matter if I’m in New England or the Caribbean, this is the stuff I use. It’s SPF 50+, and I love it because it’s super light weight. I can’t stand things on my face that make it feel oily or heavy, and this stuff blends right in and then I forget I even put it on. It’s expensive, yes, but you don’t use much, so one of these should last you several trips.
Papatui Restoring Facial Moisturizer
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has recently gotten his giant hands on the men’s grooming game, and I’ve already tried all of his products (with the exception of the tattoo balm, because I don’t have any tattoos), and honestly, I love it all. The body wash, shampoo (ironically), deodorant, toner - all of it smells great and seems to be made super clean. I’m a big fan so far. There are a few products that specifically align with travel, and I’m including them here. The first is his Restoring Facial Moisturizer. I use the Kiehl’s every morning because it has SPF in it, and then this is what I use each night before bed. It’s unscented, non-greasy, lightweight, and makes my skin feel more hydrated. And it’s 3.3 fl oz, so it’s great for travel.
Papatui Antiperspirant
This is now my “go-to” deodorant at home and when I travel. Both Cedar Sport and Lush Coconut smell incredible and keep me feeling fresh all day.
Papatui Under Eye Patches
Next in the Papatui lineup we have the Under Eye Patches. Let’s be honest - when you travel, often times you are jet lagged, run down, and more tired than you are at any other time at home. At the same time, this is also the when you have more pictures of you taken than at any other point in the year. You may as well try to look your best. You stick these bad boys under your eyes for 10 minutes while you’re hanging in your hotel room and boom, you got some sexy eyes.
Papatui Awakening Eye Gel
Next up in my “Rock Regimen” is his Awakening Eye Gel. I use this not only when I travel, but also pretty much every morning at home. It’s a nice cooling gel and it reduces the puffiness under my eyes, which, as the father of two young daughters, I can use all the help I can get. It’s also perfect for travel because it takes up almost no room in your toiletry bag.
Duke Cannon Pocket Sized Sawtooth Cologne
This is the perfect little travel cologne. I used to mess with those little atomizers, where you can put your normal cologne in a travel bottle, and those were a pain. Then I bought the expensive travel versions of the colognes I typically liked, but they usually came in glass. I get that from a smell perspective, but that’s not great from a travel perspective. Enter: Duke Cannon Sawtooth Travel Ration Proper Cologne. It’s perfect for travel. It smells great, it’s in a plastic container, which, in this case, is preferable (you just need to have one experience of a cologne bottle breaking in transit to know that’s true), and even though it’s small, one usually lasts me at least two trips. I liked this so much that I even bought one that to keep in my backpack at all times at home. I also feel I should re-iterate that it smells quite good, which I suppose is really the most important aspect here. It wouldn’t do much good to come in a proper travel vessel if it smelled like the wet steam coming out from an alleyway. The smell is very nice, as is the price.
Listerine PocketPaks
You can ask anyone that knows me, and they will likely begin to roll their eyes if you ask them my stance on these delightful little mints. Every one of them could probably recite my long list of appealing attributes that I spout off every time I talk about these. I’ve carried these little beauties around in my pocket since high school, and I have a prepared speech that I deliver anytime I bring them out of my pocket, which is several times a day. It goes a little something like this: “These Listerine Pocket Packs are the perfect mint! They are small enough to fit inside your pocket without being bulky. They don’t rattle in your pocket like other mints. No one uses breath sprays unless they’re in a movie from the 90s. And these are better than gum, because you don’t have to chew them for a long time. They dissolve right away and you have instant fresh breath! And they’ll clear out your sinuses at the same time!” I never leave the house without some in my pocket. They’re the best. I now buy them in bulk.
Dude Wipes
I’m not gonna sugar coat this - sometimes, toilet paper alone just doesn’t do the job. And since we don’t live in Europe and bidets are not readily available in all museum and gas station bathrooms, we have to improvise. This is the next best option. These Dude Wipes are perfect because they’re individually wrapped. I’ll bring a box with me on each trip, and then I’ll throw 2-3 in my camera bag/day bag each day when we head out to explore. You’ll have the freshest butt in town.
Dr. Squatch Ball Barrier Dry Lotion
I’ve tried a few products over the years that all claimed to do what this product does, and this is the first time I’ve ever actually felt like it worked. I put this on after getting out of the shower and it dries instantly like powder. Especially when traveling some place hot & humid, this is fantastic! It reduces chafing, helps control sweat, and keeps things feeling fresh throughout the day. The Rainforest Rapids smell is nice as well.
Travel Loofah
Call me bougie, but I don’t care for wash cloths, and I don’t like to simply use my hands for body wash. I like a loofah, and I don’t care who knows it. This pack of small loofahs is perfect for travel. They’re smaller than a normal loofah, so they don’t take up as much space, and I can usually get 2-3 trips out of them. Depending on when my last shower of the trip is, I will just throw it in a Ziplock on our way home and then let it dry out completely before our next trip. Once it’s used up, I’ll toss it and move on to the next one. This pack of 8 should last you at least a few years.
Manscaped Crop Reviver
Picture it - you’ve been out all day, walking around in the summer heat of (enter name of big city here). You get back to your room, and you would love to take a shower, but you’ve only got 10 minutes to change your clothes and throw on some deodorant before your back out the door to get dinner. Grab your trusty bottle of Manscaped Crop Reviver and give the ole family jewels a spritz or two, and you’ll be feeling like a new man. It’s like an ice cold beer for your nether regions. It’s a pick-me-up for your down-there. Alright, you get the picture. This stuff is great, and one bottle lasts quite a while. Refreshing!
Lumineux Teeth Whitening Strips
These things are great! They get my teeth just as white (if not more white) than old school Whitestrips, but they don’t leave my teeth feeling sensitive afterwards. Before our last trip, I wore them every day for 7 days leading up to our trip and my wife commented several times on how white my teeth looked. I also grab 1-2 to throw into my toiletry bag so if I have downtime in our room, I’ll throw them on for 30 minutes.
Ziplocks (All Sizes)
Ziplocks are one of my all-time favorite travel essentials. I bring several of each size, from snack all the way up to 2-gallon, every time I travel. They take up no room in your suitcase or toiletry bag, but they end up being incredibly useful for a million things. I never know what I’m going to need them for, but I’m always glad I have them. Wet bathing suits, damp loofahs, snacks for the kids - you name it. They’re great to have for a myriad of reasons.
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