Travel Gear Review: Tilley Endurables Men's Wear

Ryan's looking to solve some of his packing problems.

Getting excited to try on travel gear!

Checking for proper fit - this shirt made Ryan's shortlist!

I’d like to say its easier for me to travel carry-on than it is for Vanessa. In theory, I have less to pack. In theory! In reality, I find that my items are generally bulkier and I tend to pack more of them. The problem is that I perspire -a lot. What I save in space by not packing dresses or skirts, I more than make up for with many undershirts, as well as bulky jeans and shorts.

For our upcoming round-the-world trip, I need to balance the need for carry-on only luggage with the challenge of visiting many different climate zones. I need to find a way to save space while still looking at least somewhat fashionable so that I am prepared for all occasions. We'll be experiencing fine dining, hiking in the hot and humid rain forest, and taking a walking tour of Paris at night. What I need is versatility – clothes that perform double, and sometimes triple duty while being lightweight, easy to layer, and even easier to keep clean.

Long sleeves have the added versatility of rolling up to short or adding extra warmth when down.

Relaxing before Shakespeare in the Park in Tilley Jeans and NASA Shirt.

Thankfully, Tilly Endurables is up to the challenge! When we partnered with Tilley, I was excited, though unsure what to expect. After all, aren't men's travel wardrobes full of drab beige and brown sportswear, evoking the finest spirit of a 1985 war photographer?

Not anymore!

I was so impressed when I visited the store. The staff was friendly, extremely knowledgeable, and knew exactly what my concerns were. After all, they have heard it all before, and have come up with fashionable and travel friendly solution. You can even travel beige-free!

Getting On Top Of Things

After getting fitted for my Tilley hat, which I wore all summer, I started by trying on shirts. Oh man… the options! Long sleeve, short sleeve, polo shirts, button down… it would have almost been overwhelming if not for the helpful staff. Let’s take a look at two shirts that I chose which have not only been added to my travel wardrobe, but my regular wardrobe as well.

CM89 Coolmax Extreme® Polo:

I really like this shirt. A lot of companies now make shirts with “Coolmax” technology, but this one is also fashionable. I have worn this shirt golfing, camping, at work, and, yes, while traveling. It is breathable, comfortable, and doesn't scream “travel wear” yet serves that exact purpose well. It washes easily in the sink, and can be hung up to dry in only a few hours.

The blue polo shirt in action while playing beanbag toss camping.

WO75 Outlast® Woven Short-Sleeved Button-Down Collar Shirt:

This shirt is fantastic. First of all, it is extremely light. It rolls up to take next to no space in my bag. Like the other shirt, it can be hand washed and dried overnight. Using Outlast® technology the fabric balances temperature by helping to cool in the heat and warm in the cold.  This is the stuff developed for NASA! Eat your heart our Chris Hadfield!  It can be mixed and matched with everything else that I wear (even the non NASA stuff). I like that. This is now my go-to shirt for any number of occasions. It is dressy without being overdressed, and also works well for every day casual wear.

Bottoms up!

I like to wear jeans when I travel and they work in any number of situations. The problem with jeans is that they are so very heavy and extremely bulky in your bag. You MIGHT be able to get away with wearing them twice, but they don’t wash and dry easily.

Not so with the CD29 Tilley True Blues 5-Pocket Jean. They are very lightweight and can be washed and dried overnight. They pack at half the size of normal jeans, and look great. Why do these jeans look so good? They are custom fitted. Tilley does fitting and hemming of all of the pants for men, jeans included. I was measured in store for the perfect fit. Normally if there early enough in the day, you can get same day hemming service, however since it was getting late while we were there the hemming was done after hours and the jeans shipped to me within a couple of days. Now that is service!  The jeans have become my default choice for pants. When traveling, there is even an inside pocket tucked away where you can securely store your passport, credit cards, or cash.

Time for hemming! The right length makes all the difference.

Rock star Ryan has two people hemming.

Amazing attention to detail means a perfect fit.

More hemming! I have great legs.

NP30 Multi Tech Pants:

These pants are versatile. They are fitted and hemmed, just like the jeans for a perfect fit. I like these because the material is light, breathable, and dries very quickly. There is a zippered pocket on the right side to keep valuables more secure. They pack small and are a must take in my carry on bag.

Tilley has really worked hard to provide men with great choices for packing light and looking fashionable. Whether I’m visiting the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, heading out for a performance at the Sydney Opera House, or visiting Las Vegas with the guys, these clothes are coming with me. They’re comfortable, and makes my life easier. I don’t need to agonize about what to bring and what to leave behind anymore. Everything is mix and match, and will ensure that I always look good.

As always, we welcome and encourage your comments. Packing jeans is always a hot debate - do you travel with them?

If you enjoyed this article, you'll also like:
It's a Skirt! It's a Short! It's a... Skort?
Making the Case for Carry-on
Lessons for the Occasional Business Traveler. 

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