Legend has it that if you say YOLO three times in the dark, a Spirit Airlines ticket agent will appear in the mirror and hand you a plane ticket.
I’ve been too afraid to try it, mainly because Spirit Airlines is absolutely terrible. Just like you, I’m ready to get out and stretch my legs a bit after the year we had.
From road trips to long haul plane flights, this guide to travel clothes for guys will have you decked head to toe in the most stylish, comfortable, and secure duds.
Ready to be the best looking dude in the cabin? I thought so.
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3 Clothing Brands Every Guy Should Know About for Travel
Before I dive into these three amazing brands, it’s important to note that I’ve picked them all because they have modern, slim silhouettes and are fashion-forward.
So, for instance, you’ll see that Public Rec is my choice for Comfort First. What I mean is that Public Rec is the most comfortable brand that still actually looks good and is convenient for travel.
You could wear your silk Batman pajamas, but the pockets aren’t good for your passport and, frankly, that’s something you should keep private. Come on—we’ve talked about this before.
But each brand here has a different specialty in addition to being incredible for travel, so keep an eye out for that.
Comfort First: Public Rec
The kings of casual comfort, Public Rec has an array of laid back clothes that are perfect for road trips, red-eyes, and relaxing getaways.
If comfort is your number one priority, invest in a quality pair of joggers. My favorite is the Public Rec All Day Every Day Jogger, which features a nice balance between an active aesthetic and a sweatpant feeling.
If you’re going to get joggers, choose quality. The minimalist slim fit design on these joggers hits an excellent balance between comfort and performance.
What’s even better is the left hip has a zippered pocket, so you can keep your passport secure on an international flight, or just make sure you don’t lose anything in the hustle and bustle of travel.
Above all, the ADED Jogger is stylish, trim, and has a much more refined look than any old sweatpant.
Pair your joggers with some simple white socks and sneakers, or, if you want to take your comfort to the limit, slip on a pair of slides and become the envy of every businessman untying their oxfords in the TSA line.
But Public Rec goes far beyond just joggers—they have a whole range of travel-friendly polos, henleys, button-downs, and even vests and bomber jackets.
It’s easy to create an entire wardrobe from Public Rec. Their colors are versatile and pair well with each other.
And if you need a duffel for your trip, check out their Weekender Bag. It’s my go-to travel bag. I keep everything I need for my business is my Alpaka Shift Backpack, and all my clothes, toiletries, and an extra pair of shoes in the Public Rec Weekender.
It’s sturdy, handsome, and has pockets in all the right places so getting things quickly is super easy (which might not seem like a big deal, but you know that feeling when you’re holding up the boarding line because you left your headphones in your bag).
When I heard that you can calibrate these earbuds to your own hearing, I knew I had to give them a try. In under 3 minutes, the app literally tunes the NS1100s so they sounds good to you personally. While the ANC isn't remarkable, they fit very well due to the six size options and sound fantastic for the price.
My Favorite Travel Picks from Public Rec
While its price places it at the premium end of the Leisurewear market, we think the All Day Every Day Pant justifies its price tag given its innovativeness, quality construction, and luxurious comfort.
This tech-inspired minimalist bag has just the right balance of structure and space. Public Rec calls it a Weekender, but it's become a mainstay of the workweek for us.
Made with water-repellant Thinsulate, which is proven to beat down as an insulator in study after study. What do you get when you mix science and style? Pure dopeness.
Security First: Bluffworks
One of my life’s biggest regrets is that I wasn’t alive back when people wore suits on planes. I mean, I guess I still could. But it’s not the same.
People just gave up on the idea of suits for travel because they were uncomfortable. You might have missed the key word there: were.
The Bluffworks Gramercy Blazer and Pants makes for an outstanding travel suit. And not just because it has a modern slim fit.
The fabric can be folded, stuffed in a bag, and even thrown in the washing machine. Seriously. When was the last time you heard about a suit you could just toss in the wash?
But what I love most about Bluffworks is their devotion to sneaky pockets. Take the Bluffworks Ascender Chino for example: on the inside of the thigh (the reverse of the front left pocket) is a secret zippered pocket where you can store extra cash for travel.
This pocket is even better than a money belt because no one suspects it—it’s not something any other brand does. And, it can only be accessed from the inside of the pant. So you literally have to take your pants off to get to it.
Pickpockets are bad people, but they’re not going to make you take your pants off on the bus.
Everything Bluffworks designs is made with travel in mind. Sometimes there’s nothing you can do to not look like a tourist, and when you look out of place, you easily become a target for thieves.
I know it’s something I always think of when I’m traveling abroad (though I still fall for the “which cup is the ball under” trick 100% of the time). I’m more relaxed when I can feel my passport sitting against my leg. For that extra level of security while you’re busy buying your third gelato of the day, check out Bluffworks.
My Favorite Travel Picks from Bluffworks
With their secure, hard-to-access pockets an hidden money pouch, and lightweight 5.31 oz per yard fabric, the Ascender Chino are one of our go-to travel pants.
Rugged First: Western Rise
I’m a cosmopolitan man and all, but not every trip involves jetting off into the sunset. Some trips are quick weekend pop-offs into the mountains to get away from the noise of the city.
And when I’m getting that feeling it’s time to escape for a moment, I put on Western Rise. While the brand has similar flattering fits like Public Rec and Bluffworks, their niche is more outdoorsy.
Western Rise is what you’d wear if you want to pack one bag, but still have everything you need for a Saturday night dinner and Sunday morning fishing.
The brand’s pants are made with woven twill, so they’re abrasion resistant, which is basically a necessity if you’re carrying a pocket knife.
I’ve taken plenty of spills out hiking on wet mud and loose leaves wearing my Western Rise gear, though you’d never be able to tell after a quick wash.
My Favorite Travel Picks from Western Rise
With its hollow-core, 4-way stretch insulation, this super versatile jacket from Western Rise has gotten plenty of mileage in William's closet.
If you need a pair of pants that look great and you can wear it for a week straight without washing, the Evolution from Western Rise will get you there.
What to Wear on a Long Haul Flight
A long haul flight isn’t the best time to break in your raw denim and boots. If you’re getting on a plane for any longer than six hours, I recommend you wear something especially comfortable for the flight there and back.
I know I don’t need to tell you this—it always is—but you have to consider your balls first and foremost. I’m sorry, I didn’t know how else to bring it up.
But you know what I mean: you take a seat and the seam of your jeans is splitting your beans down the middle. It’s not so bad for the first hour, but a little excessive turbulence can put your ability to have children at risk. And a long haul flight is not the time you want to be sitting for twelve hours with discomfort around your Gumby and Friends region.
Down Below
That’s why I opt for the Public Rec All Day Every Day Joggers. They’ve got the secure zipper pocket so I can keep my passport safe, plus deep pockets for everything else I need. That gets me through the airport and to my seat with the essentials. From there, the comfort takes over and I don’t need to adjust myself every 15 minutes.
If you’re going to get joggers, choose quality. The minimalist slim fit design on these joggers hits an excellent balance between comfort and performance.
Up Top
I always recommend taking a light jacket with you, too. Airplanes are cold. Maybe it’s because you’re closer to space? I don’t know, I’m not a scientist.
But even in the dead-heat of summer, having a light jacket with you is a good idea for not just the plane ride, but also when you’re at your destination. Thunder storms and breezy cool summer nights happen.
Something simple like the Public Rec Crosstown Bomber is all you need to keep errant breeze and moisture off, plus give you that bit of extra warmth when the flight attendant refuses to bring you one of those tiny blankets.
A tech-focused version of a classic jacket. Public Rec keeps the design simple, the lines clean, and the look fresh with their Crosstown Bomber.
On the Feet
For shoes, I always go with a comfortable pair of sneakers—and I usually tie them loose so I can slip them on and off in the airport. I don’t like to wear slides to the airport because they become dead-weight when I’m actually traveling.
A pair of minimalist sneakers like the GREATS Royale does the trick for me. They’re comfortable, but they also go well with everything, so they’re awesome travel companions when you have limited wardrobe options.
If you want a lush sneaker that’ll serve you equally well at work and at cocktail hours, go for the GREATS Royale. They’re simple, no-nonsense, and designed to be trend-resistant.
Globetrotter Outfit Inspiration
The planning stage is almost done. Maybe you’ve picked out your destination. You know which brands you’re going to shop. But what should you actually pick up?
Here are some stylish globe-trotting, travel-friendly outfits to help you get the creative juices flowing.
Get Outside
There’s nothing like a little adventure to refresh the spirits, am I right?
But as we both know, travel is a little sweeter when you’re decked head to toe in clothes you’re proud to own.
When it comes to long haul flights and running through the airport in style, our top brand is Public Rec. Their joggers are the kind of thing that makes sitting in a cramped seat with your legs folded into your chest seem comfortable.
If you’re going to get joggers, choose quality. The minimalist slim fit design on these joggers hits an excellent balance between comfort and performance.
If you’re trekking through crowded touristy areas, having a few secret pockets doesn’t hurt, and the most stylish brand making travel-ready, sneaky-pocketed clothes is Bluffworks.
Of course, if your idea of vacation is waking up at dawn and setting a pot of water on a burning log to make your coffee and looking over your shoulder to make sure a bear isn’t watching, Western Rise has the rugged durability you need.
Safe travels, brother.
FAQs
What should men wear on a road trip?
When you go on a road trip, you need a balance of style and comfort. For the longer stretches of driving, wear something like the Public Rec ADED Jogger. It’s soft and stretchy, but it also looks really stylish so you can impress people at the gas station.
Should I wear jeans on a long flight?
We don’t recommend wearing jeans on a long haul flight. It’s not bad per se, but jeans can become uncomfortable quickly. Performance fabric joggers are much more comfortable but still look stylish.
What should you not wear when traveling?
You shouldn’t wear cargo shorts when traveling, but then again, you should never wear cargo shorts in general. Wherever you go, you’re probably going to look like a tourist, but don’t try to look like one. Graphic tees, cargo shorts, sandals and socks—these are the main clothes you should avoid when traveling.
Travelocity is my favorite travel booking site because of its in-depth filter system. You can choose to just see adults-only hotels, or filter for more family oriented accommodation, which means you'll find the precise type of vibe you're looking for on your trip.
Here are my top three reasons to go with a hotel instead of an Airbnb for your next trip:
- There are (usually) more reviews and you'll get a more consistent quality standard
- The hotel reservation process makes them easier for last minute stays and a hotel check-in is always more seamless
- Hotels won't cancel on you on short notice!
