Roaming in Comfort: Unveiling the Best Fabrics for Travel
Everybody wants to look and feel their best when they’re on vacation. But when it comes time to pack, do you really stop and think about fabric? Well, you should! Fabric can make or break both your comfort and style when you’re on the road. Learn how to pack better with our guide to the best fabrics to pack when you travel.
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9 best fabrics for travel
1. Best fabric for traveling in the cold: Merino wool
Whether you’re traveling to a cold climate or just want to stay warm on chilly airplanes, Merino wool is hands-down the best fabric for facing the cold. And that’s not all! Merino wool is much finer and more flexible than regular wool, which means it takes up less room in your suitcase while still delivering super-soft insulation. Plus, while traditional wool can sometimes feel itchy on sensitive skin, Merino wool is hypoallergenic, making it a friendly pick if you have eczema.
Top Recommended Product: Unbound Merino Travel Pants
Looking for an alternative to the classic jean? Try this on for size. These Merino wool travel pants are stretchy and soft like sweatpants but chic and sophisticated like trousers. Best of all, the soft Merino Wool will keep you warm and snug from cold airplanes to cold climates.
Price: starting at $188
2. Best fabric for traveling in warm weather: Cotton
When springtime rolls around, cotton steals the show every time. Why? This fabric is the best choice for traveling in mild, warm weather because it’s soft, lightweight, and breathable. But before you start packing, make sure you read labels. A lot of clothes are labeled as cotton but actually feature a cotton blend. For the best comfort, texture, and breathability, make sure you shop 100% cotton for your travel gear.
Top Recommended Product: Foxcroft Essential Non-Iron Blouse
Business trip or vacation getaway? Either way, you can’t go wrong with this classic cotton blouse from Foxcroft. Pair it with a blazer to dress to impress or go casual with worn-in jeans and your best sunnies for that relaxed, off-duty look that never goes out of style. And with a label that reads 100% cotton, you know you’ll be staying fresh and cool wherever you travel.
Price: starting at $62
3. Best fabric for traveling in the heat: Linen
Nothing kills your best vacation pic like sweaty, clammy clothes that are clinging in all the wrong places. So before you jet off on your tropical vacay, make sure your suitcase is packed with a fabric that can handle the heat. Our favorite is linen. This elegant fabric is lightweight, highly absorbent, and fast-drying, i.e., it’s your BFF when things get sweaty. Linen will soak up the sweat and let it dry off quickly so no pit-stained sleeves make it into your pictures.
Top Recommended Product: The Drop Relaxed Linen Midi Shirt Dress
We don’t know about you, but when the temperature climbs to unbearable heights, the only things we want to wear are breathable sandals and an airy sundress—like this one from The Drop. Made out of 100% linen, this breezy sundress will keep you calm, cool, and collected when everyone around you is sweating. (Go ahead—get it in every color!)
Price: starting at $70
4. Best fabric for formal travel: Silk
Destination weddings. Family events. Work conferences. Sometimes, your travel wardrobe needs to be a little more upscale than your beloved beach bum cut-offs. But packing up formal wear in a convenient carry-on isn’t always easy. Enter silk: the best fabric to pack when traveling for a formal event. Luxurious, smooth to the touch, and resistant to wrinkles, silk is a no-brainer for upping your style game while still staying comfy.
Top Recommended Product: Johnny Was Long Sleeve Dress
Watch out for polyester in disguise! Silk is the best fabric for feeling fancy on the go, but many so-called “silk” dresses and skirts are really just a synthetic blend. Not this one! This bohemian-style dress from Johnny Was is flirty, sophisticated, and 100% silk to boot. Dress it up with heels or dress it down with sandals, and you’ll always be the best dressed at the party.
Price: starting at $260
5. Best quick-drying fabric for travel: Polyester
Doing laundry on the go can be a real pain in the butt. To speed up wash time, make sure you pack your suitcase with quick-drying fabrics like polyester. Because polyester doesn’t absorb moisture, it’ll dry in a pinch, making it easy to hand-wash your clothes in the hotel bathroom, let them air-dry, and then pack it all up quickly when it’s time to hit the road.
Top Recommended Product: Mud Pie Anya Midi Skirt
No matter the season, a midi skirt and sneakers always seem to be the cool girl uniform. And this polyester pick from Mud Pie is no exception. Available in four fresh prints that will go with everything from your sandals to your Converse to your Dr. Martens, this flirty travel skirt is a great foundation for building both comfy and stylish travel outfits anywhere you go.
Price: starting at $54
6. Best fabric for adventure travel: Nylon
If café-hopping and downtown-strolling are too tame for your travel appetite, then you need to pack fabrics that are just as daring as you. From camping to road running to boating to biking, nylon always comes through in the clutch with strength, durability, and resistance to the elements. It’s also easy to clean and fast-drying, making it the perfect pick to pack for all adventure-seekers.
Top Recommended Product: Sweaty Betty Power High Waist Workout Leggings
A good pair of leggings is like a BFF: It can be hard to find the right fit at first. But once you do, you’ll want to take them everywhere. Whether you’re trying your first hot yoga class or traveling to your first marathon, you can count on these power leggings from Sweaty Betty to give you support, help you feel comfy, and—like a best friend—always make you look good.
Price: starting at $100
7. Best fabric for hiking: GORE-TEX
When you pack for a hike, you’ve got to be ready for anything. Hot weather, cold weather, rain, snow. You name it. That’s why GORE-TEX is the outdoorswoman’s favorite when packing for a hiking trip. Available in almost everything from hiking boots to jackets, GORE-TEX is a high-tech fabric that’s waterproof, windproof, and tough enough to withstand the elements, no matter where you travel.
Top Recommended Product: Adidas Terrex Swift R3 Gore-TEX Hiking Shoes
These babies have got it all: a lightweight design and a cushiony sole to give you both speed, comfort, and durability as you tackle your next mountain trail. It’s all thanks to the breathable GORE-TEX membrane that keeps moisture out so you can keep on trekking, come mud, sludge, or rain.
Price: starting at $65
8. Best vegan fabric for traveling: Fleece
While wool may be warm, cozy, and a fan favorite for traveling in cold weather, it’s a no-go if you’re vegan. Don’t worry—there are options to keep out the chill without having to rely on animal products. Namely, fleece is the best pick if you’re looking for a vegan fabric for the cold. In fact, while lighter than wool, fleece is actually a better insulator with the power to keep you warm whether it’s wet or dry.
Top Recommended Product: Columbia Panorama Long Jacket
This baby takes outdoor chic to a whole new level. With a long hem, a high color, and pockets galore, this sherpa jacket from Columbia is a cozy, cuddly dream that's friendly to animals and people, alike. Plus, it's machine-washable and available in 10 neutral shades, from Camel Brown to Peach Blossom so that you can find your perfect match for every destination on your travel bucket list.
Price: starting at $80
9. Best versatile fabric for travel: Denim
Beach vacation, mountain retreat, city adventures … No matter where you trek, denim is always a must-have on every woman's packing list. What makes denim such a quintessential travel staple? Well, you can easily dress it up or down to take it from day to night in a snap. It matches with just about everything. It doesn't wrinkle—oh, and you barely even need to wash it. Talk about a traveler's dream!
Top Recommended Product: Levi’s Premium Vintage Overalls
Are you always rocking the same cut-off shorts and worn-in jeans? (You do you, girl—even if they’re skinny jeans). But if you want to break out of your denim comfort zone, why not try a pair of denim overalls? Vintage-inspired, ultra-durable, and unbelievably comfortable, these Levi’s overalls will soon become your new travel staple. Pair them with a tee in the summer and a light sweater in the winter, and you can’t go wrong.
Price: starting at $138
Travel fabric - common FAQs
What fabric doesn’t wrinkle?
If you hate to iron, get your hands on some polyester—the go-to wrinkle-resistant fabric. Because polyester doesn’t wrinkle, it’s a staple for travel and that easy-breezy, wash-and-go lifestyle.
What fabric stays the coolest?
Linen is the best fabric for staying cool on a hot day. Not only is linen a very breathable fabric, but it is also highly absorbent and fast-drying. This means it can quickly sop up your sweat and then let it dry off quickly so you always stay cool and fresh—even on the hottest days.
