5 Essentials Every Roaming Traveler Should Pack
Smart travel gear for surfers, skaters, beach towns, and life on the move
How to pack for a trip is one of the most common questions we get. Everyone wants to know the best packing tips: what works, what doesn’t and maybe something they haven’t heard before.
The truth is that whether you’re chasing waves, skating new streets, or bouncing between beach towns and cities, packing smartly for your trip makes a huge difference. Not just in convenience, but in comfort, flexibility, and how much you may actually enjoy the trip.
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The trick (if there is one) isn’t really a hack at all, it’s common sense: pack lighter, pack smarter, and bring gear that works everywhere.
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Crafted for comfort and movement, this lightweight, breathable graphic t-shirt is ideal for travelers, explorers and daydreamers who prefer a flexible itinerary guided by curiosity.
Set your own course — or no course at all — with the Lost by Design tee.
• Base Item: Gildan 64000
• 100% ring-spun cotton
• 4.5 oz/yd² (153 g/m²)
• Shoulder-to-shoulder taping
• Quarter-turned to avoid crease down the center
• Blank product sourced from Bangladesh, Nicaragua, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Haiti or Guatemala
Disclaimer: Due to the fabric properties, the White color variant may appear off-white rather than bright white.
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it may take us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions.
Please note: since all orders are custom created, all sales are final and we do not accept returns, refunds or exchanges. Please check sizing carefully using the guide.
The Ultimate Packing Hack for Every Roaming Traveler
So pull it all together into one brief common-sense post, here are five essentials that every roaming traveler should have before hitting the road.
1. A Hoodie that Can Handle Everything
A good hoodie might be the most valuable thing in your bag, because it’s the one piece of casual wear that really can do it all.
You will use a comfy hoodie:
On cold flights
During early surf checks
Around beach bonfires
On windy ferry rides
Walking unfamiliar cities at night
The key is versatility. So when you’re looking for a new hoodie, look for:
Midweight or heavyweight fabric
A relaxed fit for layering
Neutral colours that work with everything
You’ll get bonus points here if your looks better slightly worn in. The best travel hoodies become part of the trip itself.
Packing Tip: Wear your hoodie on the plane (or use it as a pillow) instead of packing it. It saves a lot of space in your bag.
2. One Pair of Shorts that Actually Do it All
A lot of travelers overpack shorts because they think “they’re small, so they won’t take up much space if I bring a few.” That’s sort of true, but it can add up quickly. You really only need one or two versatile pairs.
The sweet spot for packing shorts for a trip:
Quick-drying material
Stretch for movement
Casual enough for everyday wear
Durable enough for skating, biking, or beach days
Hybrid shorts are ideal for surf and skate travel because they transition easily:
Beach to café or casual dinner
Longboard session to a sightseeing walk
Swim days to streetwear afterwards
Travel Tip: Darker colours hide stains and wear better over longer trips. While dark tops might not be great in hot, humid sunny locales, dark shorts are a different story where the practical benefits rule the choice.
3. Comfortable Shoes You Can Walk in All Day
Please don’t pack shoes just because they look good in photos (yes, we see you). Travel is the destroyer of uncomfortable footwear.
For a surf and skate-oriented trip (or for any active vacation), you want to consider the following for your footwear:
Broken-in skate shoes or casual sneakers
Good grip for slippery situations (seaside, rain, wet bar floors)
Enough support for hours of walking or standing
One reliable pair of good travel shoes beats three uncomfortable pairs every time.
And yes—your shoes are going to get dirty. That is part of the story.
Travel Tip: Pack lighter by wearing your bulkiest shoes while traveling.
Wear the Adventure with 1923 Main Street®
Wear the Adventure. When you travel, comfy casual clothes are a staple for travel day and everyday. Travel in comfort and style with the 1923 Main Street Wear the Adventure Diamond Rays unisex t-shirt.
This lightweight comfortable cotton t-shirt is effortlessly ready to go and will never weigh you down. Whether your exploring castles or coastlines (or anything in between), this travel tee is a must-have item. Also available on light color t-shirts and hoodies (light and dark colors).
• Base Item: Gildan 64000
• 100% ring-spun cotton
• Dark Heather is 65% polyester, 35% cotton
• 4.5 oz/yd² (153 g/m²)
• Shoulder-to-shoulder taping
• Quarter-turned to avoid crease down the center
• Blank product sourced from Bangladesh, Nicaragua, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Haiti or Guatemala
Disclaimer: Due to the fabric properties, the White color variant may appear off-white rather than bright white.
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it may take us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions.
Please note: since all orders are custom created, all sales are final and we do not accept returns, refunds or exchanges. Please check sizing carefully using the guide.
4. Graphic Tees that Work in Any Setting
A good t-shirt does more than fill luggage space, it tells a story.
The right graphic tee is a must-have that can work:
At the beach
Layered under a hoodie
At a casual restaurant
During travel days
Skating a new city
When picking your two or three tees to bring, focus on:
Soft cotton (a mix of lightweights and heavier weights is good)
Relaxed fit
Graphics that feel timeless instead of trendy
Vintage-style surf and skate tees work especially well because they already look naturally lived in and they don’t necessarily scream in their design.
Travel Tip: One of my favorite tips for tees is to roll them instead of folding them. It saves space and helps reduce wrinkles.
5. A Small Crossbody Bag or Day Pack
This becomes your everyday carry. The exactly type of bag is up to you and your personal style, but having one is always a great idea.
A day bag is perfect for carrying all of those little essentials, including:
Wallet
Passport
Wax
Water bottle
Camera
Extra tee or towel
The best travel bags stay lightweight and low-profile while keeping essentials accessible. Always keep safety in mind as well, depending on where you’re traveling.
Also, you do not want to drag a full backpack everywhere just to carry a few things, so balance practical needs with personal style.
Travel Tip: Keep a go-bag packed and ready so you can leave quickly for spontaneous sessions or day trips.
Find freedom wherever you go.
Soft, lightweight and super comfortable, this tee is made for explorers who feel at home no matter where the journey takes them. The starfish design—symbol of resilience, renewal and adaptability—celebrates the spirit of the traveler who thrives wherever the tide leads. Perfect for everyday wear, it’s more than a shirt—it’s a reminder that freedom is found wherever you roam.
Also available as a 1923 Main Street® hoodie and sweatshirt.
• Base Item: Gildan 64000
• 100% ring-spun cotton
• 4.5 oz/yd² (153 g/m²)
• Shoulder-to-shoulder taping
• Quarter-turned to avoid crease down the center
• Blank product sourced from Bangladesh, Nicaragua, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Haiti or Guatemala
Disclaimer: Due to the fabric properties, the White color variant may appear off-white rather than bright white.
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it may take us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions.
Please note: since all orders are custom created, all sales are final and we do not accept returns, refunds or exchanges. Please check sizing carefully using the guide.
The Real Packing Hack: Pack Less Than You Think
If there’s one thing that most experienced travelers already know (and a whole bunch of others intuitively know, but can’t always force themselves to do), it’s this:
You do not need more stuff. You need better stuff.
The best surf, skate, and travel gear works across multiple situations:
Comfortable enough for movement
Durable enough for daily wear
Casual enough to fit almost anywhere
That flexibility matters more than having endless outfit options.
Leave Room for What You Find Along the Way
The best pieces often are not packed before the trip.
They are picked up later:
A hoodie from a local skate shop
A tee from a hidden surf town
A hat that reminds you of a perfect day somewhere unexpected
Those are the things that stick.
The best travel setup is the one that’s all about simplicity:
Comfortable gear
Functional layers
A few great essentials
Enough room for spontaneity
Because the less time you spend managing your stuff, the more time you spend actually living the trip.
And that is the whole point.