I travel to various climates, often in one trip. So, how do you pack as efficiently as possible for a trip where you might be hot one day and freezing the next? In truth, there is not a good answer, but here is what I do.
Anokhi’s lightweight 100% cotton hand blocked printed shirts:
Anokhi’s 100% cotton hand blocked printed shirts
The tropics rarely allow me to go through a day without sweating like crazy. So when I found Anokhi’s lightweight 100% cotton hand-blocked printed shirts, I found relief. For a slightly overweight middle-aged man, I like to look nice when I can–I gotta do what I can–after all, I am married to a gorgeous Asian woman. These shirts fit the bill, lightweight and casual, with a certain sophistication or, dare I say, je ne sais quoi. Each shirt is like a piece of handmade Indian folk art. Gavin Gough‘s been lusting after my collection for years. I don’t go to India without picking up one or two of these shirts. They are practical in that you can soak them with sweat but they dry within minutes if you are in a breeze. The only catch with Anokhi is finding them outside of India. Here is the best I can do for you: Anokhi’s retailer’s listing and a catalogue of images of some of their other product. At the risk of “TMI” (Too Much Information”), I also wear Anokhi’s super lightweight Boxers Shorts. Lightweight and breathable, they are perfect!
Kühl Pants:

Konfidant Air Pants: The Perfect Travel Companion
After years of dealing with nylon packable pants that were too hot in warm climates, too cold in cooler ones, and prone to ripping, I switched exclusively to Kühl trousers. Among them, the Konfidant Air pants are my absolute favorite.
These pants are the perfect weight, providing just enough warmth to ward off a chill while remaining lighter than jeans, making them ideal for tropical climates. They’re not cheap, but they are reasonably priced, considering their quality and durability. Most outdoor stores carry them, and I get mine at REI.
I have several pairs of Konfidant Air pants, and I couldn’t be more pleased with them. My oldest pair, bought in 2015, is still going strong. They offer a great, comfortable fit with very convenient pockets, including a dedicated phone pocket that easily fits an iPhone Pro Max with a UAG case.
I now own five pairs of these pants, and they are incredibly comfortable in a variety of environments, from desert to tropical. I’ve worn them trekking in Ethiopia and hiking in Indonesia, India, and Mongolia. They provide the perfect combination of comfort, durability, and practicality for any travel adventure.
Kühl Shorts:
Kühl Shorts
I am sorry if you think of me as uncreative, but when you find a good thing you stick with it. This is why I also wear Kühl shorts. Why Kühl? They are the right length (I hate short shorts) durable, good looking, not too hot and crazy comfortable.
My Hats:
Ever since I was a young lad, I have had a thing with hats, in particular, wide-brimmed fedora. I like the way they look, but they also have a utilitarian function: They keep the sun off my ears and neck. Some people might think I splurge on these hats. I have a hand full and I wear them all. Honestly, nothing says this hat should be worn for this type of day or function. It is a matter of what I am in the mood for. So here is the list:
Stetson Premier Stratoliner, open crown

Stetson Premier Stratoliner
The Stetson Premier Stratoliner is a hat for someone who wants to shape their hat the way he wants it. A true icon, the Stratoliner comes with a legendary backstory. In the middle of the 20th-century, TWA launched the first premium passenger jets. Known as Stratoliners, these planes revolutionized travel. Stetson launched the Stratoliner as a travel-friendly gentlemen’s hat with a classic style, a wider brim than the popular urban fedora, and a shorter crown that made it a practical choice for travelers.
The Premier Stratoliner has a good strong heavier weight fur felt body and a nicer suede finish, a good outdoor hat. It comes with a bound edge, a 2 1/2 inch brim, a leather sweat band, a regular Stetson lining and a 3/8 inch gros grain outside band.
Akubra Stylemaster:
Akubra Stylemaster
Akubra has been handcrafting hats for over 130 years. I buy their superior rabbit fur felt hat, it’s not only an exceptional looking hat but one of the most durable. The thing most people don’t understand about fur felt is it is breathable and so the Akubra hats have been worn in the heat of the Australian summer right through to their freezing cold winters. This hat was my first Akubra. The Stylemaster is a pre-creased fedora. The pinched telescope crown is 4-1/4 inches at the front, rising to 4-3/4 inches on the side and then down to 3-7/8 inches in the back. This gives this hat a distinctive look. The brim is 2-1/2 inches wide and bound with ribbon. I am not a huge fan of cut brims, I like then bound like this one. The snap brim is usually worn snapped down in front and up in the back. The pure fur felt is Akubra’s Imperial Quality. The hat is fully lined and has a 1-1/2 inch grosgrain band. A leather sweatband.
Borsalino Enzo Open Crown Crushable:
Borsalino Enzo Open Crown Crushable
Borsalino is another hat company that has been around forever. Based in Alessandria, Italy, they make quality fur felt hat for every type of need. The Enzo Open Crown Crushable was the first that I owned that had a feel of a vintage hat from the 1930s & 40s. The fur felt is light and flexible, unlike that of the Akubra felt that is stiff like a cowboy hat. The Borsalino fur felt is not only pliable but water repellent as well. This hat is easily rolled up and stuck in a packing tube for travel. You might ask, why don’t you just wear your hat on the plane? Well, often I do, but I always risk forgetting them in the seat next to me when I am disembarking or they can get crushed in the overhead bin by sliding luggage. It sports a half-inch grosgrain band and a custom Borsalino cloth sweatband. The brim is 2 3/8″.