What to Pack for Adventure Travel: A lightweight packing guide
Ryan's adventure packing guide is linked here!
You booked your next adventure. Now the question we all ask ourselves, what the hell am I packing?
Adventure packing is a bit more specific and can get complicated. With each terrain we plan on visiting we must factor in the type of climates throughout the trip and weight we will have on our backs. If you have read my other post, then you know the capsule collection is the best way to pack regardless of your destination. Don’t over think things and keep it simple. Nine pieces of clothing will give you seven plus outfits.
A minimalist adventure packing list built around versatile, performance pieces means less weight on your back and more freedom to move — two things every long-term traveler learns to prioritize fast.
Whether you're planning a sabbatical trek through Southeast Asia or a weekend adventure in the mountains, having the right adventure travel packing list saves you stress before you ever leave home.
With adventure gear I like things that are durable lightweight and dry quickly or are water resistant. I am always nervous about if I will get cold and you may get caught in a rabbit hole of thinking you need heavier gear. Unless you're trekking in snow you will be surprised how warm a 100% merino wool layer will keep you without making you sweat too much and the best part is that it is odor resistant.
For this I choose smart wool. This brand is amazing, and before you get afraid of the price tag understand it's worth the investment by saving you money in the long term, it's durable and will last a long time. Merino wool is one of the best fabrics for adventure travel because it regulates temperature, resists odor, and packs down small — making it a staple on any serious lightweight travel packing list
The next focus for me are pants, I want something light, comfortable and easily packable. Patagonia Terrebonne joggers are my go-to pick for that, if you need extra warmth add some long john's. The terrebonne jogger pants have lasted almost five years now and travel with me all over the world. I normally bring Uniqlo’s heat tech collection - the long johns + long sleeve are a life saver!
I also added in the REI Sahara pants. I like these because they are water resistant and more importantly cut off at the legs to turn into shorts. If you're building a carry-on only packing list for adventure travel, packable pants that convert to shorts are genuinely worth every penny.
For my shirts I went to my go too black merino wool shirt. I stand by merino wool for all travels, especially one where you are going to be sweating and don’t want to stink, scaring all the animals away. Depending on where you are trekking, I usually like to have a long sleeve linen shirt. These shirts come in handy and provide extra protection from the sun. I love Uniqlo’s linen shirts. I have probably bought every color way over the years and they are perfect. I decided to also bring just a regular grey shirt from Calvin Klein. You can buy a pack at almost any Ross Target or Nordstrom Rack. For this it doesn’t have to be brand specific, just something cheap and easily replaceable. My last shirt that I usually love to bring is a Columbia PFG fishing short sleeve. I bought this for sun protection, but it has become one of my favorite outdoor adventure shirts and it’s been on adventures with me for at least four years now. I also have a long sleeve version for trips where I plan to spend a lot of time in the sun.
The only thing you’re missing now are your coats. I go with one raincoat from Patagonia and my down coat from Cotopaxi. We couldn’t find the exact Cotopaxi jacket, but here is one similar. Both brands have a track record of durability, sustainability and amazingly great colorways. A lightweight rain jacket and a packable down coat cover nearly every climate you'll encounter on an adventure trip, from humid jungle treks to cool mountain evenings.
That’s all you need to keep it simple and buy your clothing with intention.
I don’t like to overpack for adventures sometimes if you're able to budget buying a nice souvenir shirt or hat while you’re in a small town so you can support someone local along the way. I hope to see you on the trails.
The best adventure travel gear isn't the most expensive — it's what holds up trip after trip and doesn't weigh you down between destinations.
