Don't wait until the night before your trip to get packing help! Join an HPL Program today >>

Best Fabrics for Travel Clothing: Pack with Purpose

best fabrics for travel clothing

When it comes to travel clothing, the fabrics you choose can make a huge difference in terms of both your comfort and luggage size. In certain parts of the world, you want clothing that keeps you warm, while in other places you want to stay cool. Fabric that holds up well in the long run is also great because that means you don’t have to keep buying new clothes over the course of several trips, or replace clothes on one longer trip. If you’re trying to travel carry-on only, certain fabrics are better than others as far as the space they take up.

So what are the best fabrics for travel clothing?

Merino wool

Merino wool is ideal for travel. Before you cringe at the thought of grandma’s wool sweaters from when you were a child, know that the merino wool fiber is much finer, and therefore more flexible and soft, than other types of wool. Many people who are sensitive to traditional wool garments can wear merino without irritation.

The thermoregulating properties of merino mean that you tend to stay cooler in the heat and warmer in the cold. It wicks moisture, which helps if you’re doing something active and sweating, and then brings that moisture towards the air where it can evaporate. In addition to feeling better on your skin, the natural antibacterial properties mean you can wear it longer without the garment starting to smell. And when you do wash it, it dries quickly in the shade.

Merino doesn’t wrinkle easily, which is always a plus for travel. The fabric is lightweight, so it packs up small and can easily be layered for more warmth.

Many travel gear companies create garments from merino wool these days, but the most popular one is Icebreaker whose entire range contains merino and merino blends. Owners of Icebreaker gear tend to be fanatics, but there are some downsides, specifically the high price. Others have mentioned that the thinner, lighter weights of fabrics wear more easily.

  • Pros: Soft, thermoregulating, moisture wicking, smells less, dries quickly, lightweight, wrinkles less. Many brands allow for washing in washing machines, not just by hand.
  • Cons: Must be line dried, can be expensive, thinner versions of some merino is not as long-lasting as other fabrics.

>>See how merino wool helped Brooke pack for a three week trip in a 12L bag.

Bamboo viscose

Besides bamboo’s silky, luxurious feel, it has several properties that make the fabric beneficial to travel. Like merino, bamboo is temperature regulating, so you’ll stay cooler in hot weather and warmer in cold weather. Clothing made from bamboo is great for layering, so you can pack clothing that serve multiple purposes and layer up if it’s cold. It’s not to the same level as merino, but it does do a better job than many other fabrics on the market.

Like merino wool, you can wear it several times before it starts to smell. It also won’t wrinkle easily. And, it contains natural UPF. Bamboo Body, a brand in Australia, has a tested UPF rating of 50+!

While it’s a breathable, moisture wicking fabric that helps keep sweat off your skin, the major downside with bamboo is the fact that it doesn’t dry as quickly- sometimes even than cotton depending on the thickness of the fabric. That makes it difficult to hand-wash items as you travel, but then again, since it smells less, you might have to do it less often!

  • Pros: Temperature regulating, luxurious feel and drape, smells less, natural UPF, moisture wicking, breathable.
  • Cons: Takes longer to dry.
Brooke and her 12L handbag. Best fabrics for travel clothing.
Brooke wearing Merino wool clothing on her travels. See the ultralight packing list that correlates with this photo.

Nylon and Polyester

Many people shy away from these fabrics, but nylon and polyester work well for travel clothing. In fact, much of the fancy purpose-built travel clothing on the market consists of these fabrics.

Nylon and polyester wick moisture, keeping your skin dry. They’re both quick-drying fabrics, so if you have to hand wash your clothes in the sink, they shouldn’t still be wet when it’s time to pack the next morning. These two are also wrinkle-resistant and lightweight, which is always good for packing.

In terms of breathability, the design of many travel fabrics helps them to be breathable, but they are known to be less breathable than cotton, merino, and bamboo.

The major downside is that these materials might not feel as comfortable on your skin as others, and the cheaper versions of these fabrics have a tendency to hold in odor if not treated.

  • Pros: Quick-drying, wrinkle-resistant, lightweight.
  • Cons: Not as comfortable next to skin and may hold some odor.

>> Exofficio underwear is primarily made of nylon with a bit of spandex. It is also treated with Aegis® Microbe Shield™ to reduce odor.

Rayon

Rayon feels smooth on your skin. It dries quickly and is another great wrinkle-resistant fabric. Unfortunately it doesn’t wick moisture as well as the fabrics above, so it’s not the best option for warmer climates where you might sweat a lot.

  • Pros: Quick-drying, wrinkle-resistant.
  • Cons: Doesn’t wick moisture well.

Cotton

You probably have a lot of cotton in your normal wardrobe – I know I do! It’s comfortable, breathable, and easy to care for.

But cotton doesn’t wick moisture like other fabrics do, so if you’re in a hot place, you’ll start feeling uncomfortable in that sweaty shirt. It also wrinkles easily and doesn’t dry quickly, making it a less than ideal choice for travel.

There is a time and place for cotton, though. Denim might not be the quickest drying fabric, but jeans are great on a packing list when the weather’s chilly. They’re also pretty durable and versatile- as long as you don’t need to wash them often in the sink.

  • Pros: Breathable, comfortable, easy care.
  • Cons: Doesn’t wick moisture well, dries slowly, wrinkles easily.

Linen and Silk

Linen and silk are both comfortable, lightweight, breathable fabrics that won’t take up a lot of space in your suitcase. But they are probably the most wrinkle-prone fabrics out there. If you’re staying in an apartment rental or at a hotel that provides an iron, that might be ok with you, but in general, these aren’t great fabrics for travel clothing.

  • Pros: Lightweight, breathable, comfortable.
  • Cons: Wrinkle very easily.

>>Read more about how to prevent wrinkles.

Other things to look for in travel clothing fabrics

Many outdoor companies make clothing that does more than simply clothe you. Some garments are treated with insecticides to help protect you from disease-carrying bugs. Others are made with ultraviolet protection to give you an extra barrier against the sun’s rays.

Water-resistant or water-proof clothing is ideal for some situations but unnecessary in others. Though it’s always a good idea to have one quick-dry outfit, if you’re staying somewhere with a washer and dryer, or you often use laundromats, a full wardrobe of quick-drying fabrics might be a lower priority for you.

Pack clothing that works with your planned activities, and know your travel style. The best fabrics for travel clothing pack up small, dry quickly, keep you warm AND cool, and hold up well so your clothing lasts longer.

best fabrics for travel clothing

Written by Ali

Ali Garland is a freelance writer, blogger, and travel addict who made it to all 7 continents before her 30th birthday. She enjoys travel planning, encouraging others to see the world, and packing carry-on only. She and her husband are expats living in Berlin. You can find Ali at Ali's Adventures and Travel Made Simple.

Add your voice & leave a comment!

Gear We Use

speakeasy hidden pocket travel scarf ad
Speakeasy Hidden Pocket Scarves

SHOP NOW

Splice Jaisalmer Reversible Tunic
Splice Reversible Jaisalmer Tunic

SHOP NOW

Eagle Creek Compression Packing Cubes
Eagle Creek Compression Packing Cubes

SHOP NOW

tom bihn 3d organizer toiletry bag
Tom Bihn 3D Organizer Cube

SHOP NOW

Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Daypack - Fits in the palm of your hand!
Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Daypack

SHOP NOW

Turkish Travel Towels

SHOP NOW


Travel Resources

HPL Learnables

Handbag Packing Masterclass – Learn to pack your lightest bag ever in this revolutionary packing class run by HPL founder, Brooke.

Creative Ways to Minimize Your Toiletry & Beauty Kit – Practical tips alongside DIY recipes designed to help you pack lighter, smaller & with fewer liquids. (Also included as a bonus to Handbag Packing Masterclass.)


Book Your Trip

Viator – Enhance your trip experience by booking from thousands of tours across the globe.

Booking.com – Search for hotels, hostels, and apartments using this one resource. Use it for flights, car rentals, and airport taxis as well.

Trusted Housesitters – Save money on travel accommodation by becoming a housesitter. Housesitters often have extra duties, like caring for pets and gardens.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kathryn OHalloran says

    I’m in love with bamboo clothing atm and am in the process of replacing all my underwear with it. I travel slow anyway so the longer drying time doesn’t worry me so much. It’s super comfortable and so good to wear.

    I’ve not tried merino because I sometimes have a sensitivity to wool.

  2. Sher says

    YEAH when i travel i always pack clothes that are 1. lightweight 2. comfortable and 3. do not need to be ironed!! Makes my life that much easier 🙂

  3. Anna says

    One fabric I’m definitely missing here is Tencel/Lyocell. Yes, it’s a little rare, and sometimes inexplicably expensive. But H&M regularly offers it as part of their Conscious collection (it’s made from wood pulp) for really cheap prices, so regularly that I’ve started to just go to their website and search for “Tencel” every couple of months or so. For example, I just got a few of these shirts http://www.hm.com/us/product/44849?article=44849-E&cm_vc=SEARCH for €13 apiece.

    When you can get your hands on Tencel, you’ll find it feels kind of like soft viscose, except faster-drying, very wrinkle-resistant, it doesn’t pill (which always drives me crazy), and it almost feels a little cool to the touch like silk. It will also last you longer than cotton or viscose because it’s more durable. (At least that’s true for Tencel jersey, I haven’t yet bought the woven version, which H&M uses for stuff like denim-look trousers.)

    So if you have the chance to stock up on some cheap shirts, they’re well worth it! I’m hoping it’ll catch on in the future and H&M won’t be the only place where you can get it for reasonable prices.

  4. BWeaves says

    Bamboo IS rayon made from dissolved bamboo and extruded to form a single strand of fiber.
    Tencel IS rayon made from dissolved trees and extruded to form a single strand of fiber.
    Regular rayon is made from dissolved cotton and extruded to form a single strand of fiber.

    That said, I love Tencel (but not for travel unless it’s mixed with merino wool), but hate Bamboo rayon.

    Now, if you can get your hands on real bamboo fiber that has not been rayonized, that’s a completely different fiber.

  5. Julia says

    I looove linen and silk. Most of my clothes are made from one of these. It’s comfy during the summer and the ideal first layer in winter, which makes it convenient if I’m going to face different weathers. I don’t care that it wrinkles, I use it anyway. It looks like something from Urban Outfitters (but in good materials) and it’s still prettier than travel clothes.
    If it gets too bad, I hang it in the bathroom while having a hot shower.

Leave A Reply