By Karla Fetrow There are two main rules for acquiring the maximum enjoyment from your travels; wear comfortable clothing and keep your travel gear as lightweight as possible. There are a number of stores who specialize in clothing which is loose, light, and wrinkle-free, as well as cushioned shoes for walking and hiking, such as Magellan’s. Both are reasonably priced with a broad line of travel gear offered engineered toward keeping the traveler looking sharp and well-outfitted.

Selecting The Best Wardrobe The adventurous traveler will wish to maintain a wardrobe that is suitable for the various changes in climate and environment. If you plan to backpack in northern climates, your clothing should be flexible. Travel gear for northern adventures should include light, summery items such as T-shirts and shorts, as well as body conforming thermal and knit gear that you can wear under loose outer clothing. Effective cold weather clothing is best worn in layers so heavy coats and parkas aren't truly necessary unless you are planning a trip into areas that experience freezing temperatures. Fleece or wool outer layer clothing is usually sufficient for overnight camping in cold climates. Along with a flexible, thick-soled hiking boots — over-the-ankle shoes for best support on rigid climbs — your travel gear also should consist of a pair of sandals and shoes, leather or wool gloves, and protective head gear. Getting The Proper Backpack As important as choosing the right clothing is selecting the right baggage. Today’s travel gear specializes in lightweight backpacks from vinyl to soft leather. A lightweight day pack can be found for around $49 or as high as $299 for a full-sized pack. There are several types of packs to consider for multi-day use. Both internal and external frame packs are great for longer hikes. They allow for equal weight distribution and have sturdy interfacing to handle all your travel gear. Quad packs are perfect for a day on the slopes and contain a helmet carrying system. There are also specially-made woman travel packs, designed to conform to a woman's shape and fit a woman's torso. When choosing a pack, pick one that adjusts to your size comfortably and that you will be able to carry long distances without tiring. Unless you plan to travel to a single destination, look for travel gear bags that are sturdy in their construction and will take the battering of being tossed into airline cargo and stuffed into small compartments. Cheaply made bags have a tendency to come apart at the seams in a very short time or acquire broken zippers. Don't For Those Handy Accessories While choosing your travel gear, there are a number of convenient small items you should consider picking up. A leather holder for your passport to keep it from tattering, a belly bag for your most valuable assets, and combination locks to keep your luggage secure are all good investments. If you are going into a foreign country, electricity converters and adapters are a wise choice for travel gear. Different countries use voltages and frequencies that will need to be converted so that you can plug in your personal items. Other conveniences in travel gear include vacuum sealed plastic bags that allow you to pack your clothing more compactly, removing the air and minimizing wrinkles in your garments. Traveling Right In Great Outdoors The adventurous traveler may look for travel gear specifically engineered toward outdoor camping. Fleece jackets have the advantage of being light and warm, as well as an ability for shedding water. Backpacks should have thickly padded shoulder straps, a number of compartments for organization, and a belt to wrap at the waist for more even weight distribution. Some of the sturdiest travel gear can be found at an Army Navy Surplus stores. Offering everything from wool caps to pick axes, Army Navy travel gear is designed for the serious outdoors person. The disadvantage is, although their travel gear is well-constructed, it is often bulky and heavy. Select your travel gear according to the amount of weight you are able to carry, as well as what you intend to do when you reach your destination.