Clothes for a city break on foot

Short answer: Fifteen kilometres a day on tarmac in changing weather is harder on clothes and feet than a hike. What counts is what you wear closest to the skin and on your feet, and being able to wash along the way.

Tarmac tires you differently than a trail

A hard surface makes feet warm and loads the body the same way hour after hour. On a trail the ground keeps changing, but on pavements every step is identical. You barely notice it on day one, but after three days you really feel it. The small choices you make each morning decide how the rest of the week feels.

Change socks at midday

When feet get warm, socks get damp, and damp socks rub. A fresh pair at lunch makes the afternoon easier and takes almost no room in your bag. Put the worn pair in a small pouch so it stays apart from everything else. It is a small habit, but it often makes the difference on days four and five.

The weather changes several times a day

In a big city you move between shade, sun, the metro and shops, and the temperature shifts all the way. Mornings are cool in the shade between buildings, squares can be warm at noon, and the air in the metro is close. You can feel cold and sweaty in the same morning, so you need to adjust as you go.

Three thin layers cover most of it

Three thin layers give you more options than one thick one. Take one off when the sun comes out and put it back on when you sit down at a café in the shade. Thin layers also take up less room in a bag. See the most popular items for men for layers many people choose for everyday wear and travel.

You wash along the way

Over a week you rarely bring enough, and a layer that dries overnight makes the difference. Wash in the sink in the evening with a little soap, squeeze gently and roll the clothes in a towel to get most of the water out. Hang them over a chair, and they are ready when you head out the next morning.

Three sets and washing beat a full suitcase

Three sets and washing along the way beat seven sets in the suitcase. You carry less through stations and up stairs, and you have room for what you buy on the trip. Choose layers that go together so you can mix them freely. Packing also gets quicker, because you are not planning a finished outfit for every day.

The evening at the hotel

After a long day on the pavements it feels good to put on something soft. A bamboo sweatshirt for men makes the evening better, whether you stay in the room or head out for a short walk to eat. It does not need to last all day, only feel comfortable while your legs and feet rest.

Keep one set just for evenings

A pair of bamboo joggers for men is good to have for the evening. When one set is worn only in the room, it stays clean all week, and you always have something fresh after a shower. It also works on the travel day home, when you sit still for hours on a train or plane.

Frequently asked questions

How much should I pack

Three sets and washing along the way beat seven sets in the suitcase. You carry less and still have clean clothes every day if you wash in the evening.

What about my feet

Two pairs of socks a day. That is the best investment on a trip where you walk a lot on tarmac, and it takes up almost no space.

How many layers a day

Three thin ones. You use all of them every day, because you move between sun, shade, the metro and shops many times from morning to evening.