What to Wear While Backpacking

A lot of thought should go into packing for your backpacking trip, particularly if you’ll be traveling for an extended amount of time. Just throwing in all your favorite pairs of jeans and a few tops won’t cut it. Here are a few things to take into consideration ahead of time.

Where will you be headed?

This is more than just a weather-related question, though weather is important as well. Is it going to be a hot or cool climate? Is it winter or summer where you’re headed? You checked the average temperatures, but did you check the average humidity levels and rainfall? Beyond that — what are the local customs, and will you need to dress differently for certain cities in order to remain respectful of the culture?

What will you be doing?

Is your travel more urban, and you’ll be visiting mostly museums and cultural attractions, or are you going to be on beaches, in the rainforest or trekking a mountain? Do you want to go to a few nicer restaurants, or will budget and street food be your dining of choice?

Once you’ve answered the above, you can start thinking about what individual items you’ll need. Making sure these items are cohesive, though, is also important. Go for matching colors, no matter what you’re wearing. Classic combinations can make getting dressed in a hurry easy.

You also want to take your comfort into consideration. Are you stuck on a plane or train for 13 hours? Will you be doing a large amount of walking each day? Even if you’re going to a remotely warm location, are you someone who’s always a little chilly? Think about what makes you the most comfortable, and then use mix-and-match pieces to create several outfits that work well for your itinerary, and plan to use each piece multiple times throughout your trip.

A few things that typically work well for any backpacking excursion?

• Items in shades of black, nudes or grays, or more subdued patterns, such as subtle stripes
• Items for layering, from tank tops to cardigans
• As little as two pairs of shoes, one dressier (but still comfortable — think flats, not heels) and one more casual (think stylish tennis shoes, NOT the ones you run in)
• A small day bag for walking around your destination, so you’re not lugging your backpack through crowded areas
• Leggings nice enough to be worn with a blouse, but casual enough for a stylish tee
• Cheap scarves and sunglasses (this is not the time to bring along your favorite accessories, but a even few cheap items can add a little something extra to your outfit, without weighing you down)