The Case for High-Quality Travel Gear (for Long-Term Travel)

Part 8: Packing Tips for Long-Term Travel - The Case for High-Quality Travel Gear

Welcome to part two of a two-part mini-series (part of a larger 12-part series) where I compare the pros and cons of inexpensive travel gear versus high-quality travel gear. You can read my arguments for inexpensive travel gear here, and below I'll outline why you might want to consider investing in travel-specific clothes and gear.

In part 1, I argued that inexpensive travel gear is overkill, risky, of limited value, and draws the wrong kind of attention (among many other things), but in this article, I'll outline why you may want to ignore all those warnings, in some cases.

Recap and Overview

First, to recap, here are the primary reasons why expensive travel gear is a bad idea:

• Specialty Gear Is (Often) Overkill

• Specialty Gear Requires Special Care

• Laundry is Out of Your Control

• Everything Wears Out (or Gets Damaged)

• Things Are More Easily Lost or Forgotten

• You'll Rarely Have What You Need When You Need It

• You'll Rarely Need the Things You Think You Need

• Everything is Available for Purchase (Often for Cheap!)

• Every Dollar You Spend Will Weigh On You

• Nice Stuff Can Paint a Target

• You'll Wish You Left Space for Keepsakes

• It's Easier to Let Go (When Necessary)

Now let's talk about what makes travel-specific clothes and gear worthwhile, and when it makes sense to invest.

• Durable, High-Quality Material and Fabrics

• Weather Protection (Wind, Rain, and Snow)

• Multifunctional, Space-Saving Features

• Ultralight, Packable Fabrics and Designs

• Security Features, Organization, and Pockets

• Weight Distribution and Ergonomics

• Sustainability, Ethical Manufacturing, and Lifetime Guarantees

• Comfort (Trumps Everything)

Durable, High-Quality Material and Fabrics

While 100% Merino wool might have its drawbacks, many travel-specific clothes are crafted from high-quality, lightweight, blended fabrics designed to endure the rigors of long-term travel. For example:

• Exofficio underwear: Made of a nylon/polyester blend that’s soft, durable, and antibacterial—well worth the investment for extended use on the road.

• Darn Tough socks: A Merino wool/nylon blend that’s strong, comfortable, and odor-resistant—ideal for constant wear during travel.

• Patagonia Capilene shirts: Also made from a Merino wool/nylon blend, offering durability and comfort, though they come at a premium price.

These materials offer the best of both worlds, anti-bacterial Merino wool properties mixed with the strength and durability of nylon, or in the case of Exofficio, the strength and comfort of their nylon/polyester blend along with an antibacterial coating.

These products come at a cost, but they're often worth the investment and will last you for years even under heavy use.

Weather Protection (Wind, Rain, and Snow)

Many long-term travelers spend most of their time exploring cities, working, or taking short outdoor trips. When time is on your side, you can often plan your activities around moderate-to-good weather and don’t necessarily need high-end outdoor gear.

However, if your travels include trekking the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal’s Himalayas (17-21 days), climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (5-9 days), hiking to Machu Picchu (~4 days), or tackling any other major, multi-day hike or trek, you'll likely need and want high-quality travel gear that offers wind, rain, and snow protection.

Unlike cheaper alternatives, high-end travel gear is designed to shield you from the elements without sacrificing comfort. Fabrics like Gore-Tex and eVent offer weather protection while remaining breathable and comfortable, while features like seam-sealed zippers, waterproof membranes, and wind-resistant shells keep moisture and cold air out while allowing perspiration to escape.

For as much as I push for inexpensive travel gear where possible, it just won't cut it if you're spending extended time outdoors, or if you're traveling to regions with wildly unpredictable weather patterns.

Multifunctional, Space-Saving Features

While some travel products are designed to be the best at one thing, others are designed to perform well in a variety of situations. These multifunctional items are ideal for long-term travel, as they can do the job of two, three, or even four other products - saving you bag space and head space; good examples include:

• Convertible hiking pants that work as both hiking shorts and long pants.

• Hybrid travel shorts that can pull triple duty as casual wear, gym shorts, and swim shorts.

• Multi-purpose trail-runner shoes that can handle daily wear, light-to-moderate hikes, and casual nights out.

• Hybrid travel sandals that are comfortable enough for light hiking, water sports, and daily wear.

• Dry bags and dry sacks that work as waterproof bags, packing cubes for organization, wet and dirty clothes bags, and make-shift wash bags.

Any time you find a product that can do the work of two or more items, it's a win, and it's often worth the investment.

Ultralight, Packable Fabrics and Designs

As much as I dislike the idea of packing expensive travel gear (specifically for long-term travel), there's a reason for the high cost, and it often comes down to technical fabrics that are great at what they're intended for while taking up minimal space in your bag; for example:

• Packable puffer jackets that offer warmth without taking up a lot of space.

• Packable rain jackets that offer rain protection and pack down to nothing.

• Packable day packs that are eternally useful and fit into the palm of your hand.

• Minimalist shoes that take up little space but offer additional style points.

  
  

While you can find inexpensive versions of all of these items, the best, most durable, and most packable options will come at a premium, and they might be worth it if you're struggling to fit everything you need in your pack.

Security Features, Organization, and POCKETS

High-quality travel gear (clothes and packs) often includes essential security features like hidden zippers, slash-proof materials, and RFID-blocking compartments. These additions, rarely found in "regular" gear, help protect against pickpockets and opportunistic thieves, offering additional peace of mind when traveling through high-risk regions.

Along with security features, many premium travel products are simply designed with travelers in mind; for example, high-end travel backpacks will include protective laptop sleeves, easy-access pockets, compression straps, and suitcase-style openings for quick packing and unpacking, and some come with detachable daypacks for maximizing flexibility while stationary or traveling.

And then there are the pockets - specifically zippered pockets - that keep your essentials secure and accessible. Whether on your jacket, pants, shorts, or bags, having well-placed pockets adds both convenience and security to your travels; if there's one thing I'm willing to invest in, it's the security of zippered pockets.

All these features, while not necessary, are often extremely convenient for long-term travelers, and if you're looking to make travel a bit easier, it's worth investing in travel-ready clothes and bags.

Weight Distribution and Ergonomics

In my previous article (The Case for Inexpensive Travel Gear), I highlighted the idea that a cheap, 30L backpack carries the same amount as a high-quality, $250 30L backpack, and I stand by that statement, with one big caveat: comfort.

As I'll outline in my final point, comfort is a very big deal when you're traveling long-term, and a comfortable backpack is no exception. While a cheap backpack might save you some cash and worry, the real cost is felt on your shoulders and back when carrying a heavy load over long distances.

Yes, it's true, if you're just moving from point A to point B (like from airports to Ubers), a cheaper option will work; but for any extended use, a well-fitted, comfortable backpack is an arguable must-have. Travel-ready backpacks offer features like adjustable frames, load-lifters, sternum straps, padded hip belts, and air-mesh back panels - all designed to reduce strain and distribute weight evenly across your body - and while it may not matter for short distances and transportation hops, it does matter for travelers who plan on walking long distances or who, (planned or unplanned), spend hours carrying their gear.

You can get away with an inexpensive backpack, and it will give you peace of mind, but if you're traveling for 6+ months, you will be much happier investing in a backpack that fits you and feels good even after hours of walking (or waiting in line at customs).

Sustainability, Ethical Manufacturing, and Lifetime Guarantees

Many high-end brands are committed to sustainability, using eco-friendly materials like organic cotton, recycled polyester, or other eco-conscious fabrics. Companies like Patagonia and Fjällräven not only produce durable gear but also focus on ethical production, reducing their environmental impact. By choosing high-quality, sustainable brands, you’re investing in gear that’s not only built to last but also better for the planet.

Beyond eco-friendly manufacturing, many brands offer lifetime guarantees on their products, including fixes for rips and tears, replacements, and insurance for loss or damage; some of the best-known policies are:

• Patagonia: Offers their Ironclad Guarantee with lifetime repairs and returns for gear that doesn't meet your needs

• Osprey: Offers their All Mighty Guarantee that repairs or replaces any damaged gear, for life.

• REI Co-op: Has a one-year satisfaction guarantee on ALL products, along with repair programs for sustainable gear use.

• Tilley: Known for their durable hats, offer a lifetime guarantee on certain items and a two-year insurance for loss or damage.

• Arc'teryx: Provides a limited lifetime warranty on defects, with a robust repair program to keep your gear going.

• Fjällräven: Promotes sustainability with a lifetime repair policy on their backpacks, ensuring long-term use.

If you opt for high-end travel gear, you can feel good about buying from these companies; and while it's no protection from theft, it's good to know that their products will last well beyond your first (and hopefully not last) long-term trip.

Comfort (Trumps Everything)

Regardless of everything I've written in this or my previous article, comfort trumps everything when it comes to travel; if I had to choose between comfortable underwear, and sweat-wicking, anti-bacterial, quick-drying, heated and cooled, self-cleaning, money-making underwear, I'd still choose comfort every day... well, maybe not the money-making part.

The point is, you'll be wearing the same shoes, socks, underwear, shirts, shorts, swim trunks, hoodies, jackets, and hats every day for the next 6+ months, you do not want to skimp on comfort, and if that means higher quality gear and higher costs, it's worth the investment.

Note: This goes both ways; if you love your $10 shirts because they're so comfortable, but you're debating a high-end travel shirt... do yourself a favor and go with the most comfortable one!

Choosing Inexpensive or High-Quality Travel Gear

There are pros and cons to investing in high-quality travel gear; and while I generally push for new travelers to hold off on high-end gear, there are some areas where travel-made clothes and gear simply make sense or is a necessity.

If this is your first long-term trip and you're wondering how to prioritize, here's how I would upgrade, in order:

1. Travel Backpack - despite the potential downsides, you'll be thankful to have a well-fitted, comfortable backpack for long travel days, and there's a low probability of loss.

2. Trail Runners or Running Shoes - you'll be wearing the same shoes nearly every day, if you can find a comfortable shoe that replaces a couple of pairs, it'll save you space, headache, and footache.

3. Convertible Pants and Hybrid Shorts - with a low risk of loss and the potential for saving lots of bag space, these items are simple yet highly effective upgrades.

4. Socks and Underwear - there's a risk of losing these items, and they're readily available everywhere in the world, but high-quality, anti-bacterial socks and underwear are just incredibly convenient, even with the cost and (small) risk of loss.

5. Puffer Jacket - you'll probably want one for long-term travel, and you'll have to choose between a cheap Amazon Basics or a $200 Patagonia puffer, my vote is cheap on this one.

Everything else - shirts, rain jackets, day bags, sling bags, dry bags, toiletry bags, electronics, sandals, etc. - anything not listed above - are all things you probably don't need to spend a ton of money on - if you have the funds, by all means, go wild, but the list of (what I consider) essentials is fairly small, staying flexible is key!

Conclusion

At the end of the day, whether you opt for high-quality or inexpensive travel gear depends entirely on your style of travel and priorities. As much as I love the convenience of cheap, replaceable items that don’t weigh on my mind, there’s no denying that well-made, comfortable gear can make a huge difference when you’re on the road for months at a time.

If you’re tackling long treks, dealing with unpredictable weather, or simply want to make your travels more efficient, investing in a few key pieces - like a great backpack or durable, multifunctional clothes - might be the smartest move you make. The comfort and peace of mind that come with high-quality gear often outweigh the cost. But always remember, no matter how high-end your gear is, if it’s not comfortable and practical for you, it’s not worth packing.

So, in the end, balance is key - start with the essentials, and upgrade as you go, depending on your needs. It’s all about finding what works best for your journey. Safe travels!

Read Next: Part 9: The Most Over-Packed Items for Long-Term Travel (coming soon!)

Read Next: Part 9: The Most Over-Packed Items for Long-Term Travel (coming soon!)