Fabric for travel, what copes best

Short answer: Bamboo viscose and synthetic blends do best on the road. They crease little, dry quickly after a hand wash and take up little room in your suitcase.

What travel clothes need to do

Travel clothes have to survive being rolled up, worn for several days and washed in a sink. They also need to be comfortable on long days in a plane, train or car. So it is not only about looks, but about how the fabric behaves along the way. Creasing, drying time and space make the biggest difference.

Creases in the suitcase

Linen creases the most, cotton sits in the middle, and bamboo viscose creases least of the plant based fabrics. The smooth fibre falls back into shape once it is hung up. Rolled tightly, a bamboo sweatshirt for men comes out of the case looking neat, and small folds usually disappear after an hour on a hanger.

Drying time after a hand wash

A thin piece of bamboo viscose dries overnight in an ordinary room. That makes it possible to travel with few items and wash along the way. Press the garment gently in a towel before hanging it, and it dries faster. It works well with soft trousers such as bamboo sweatpants for women, which are also comfortable to travel in.

Space in the bag

Thin fabric takes up the least room, and that shows in a small suitcase. Roll your clothes instead of folding them to use the space better and get fewer creases. Put socks and underwear inside your shoes. Thin bamboo socks take up almost no space and dry quickly after a wash in the sink.

Comfort on long travel days

A long travel day brings changing temperatures. It is cool on the plane, warm in the arrivals hall and mild on the train. A soft fabric that moves moisture helps you stay dry and relaxed the whole way. Choose a fit with room for many hours of sitting, and avoid tight waistbands.

Layers rather than one thick piece

Several thin layers are easier to pack and more flexible than one thick jumper. You can take a layer off when it gets warm and put it back on in the evening. A T-shirt, a sweatshirt and a light jacket cover most trips in spring and autumn. Thin layers also dry faster after washing.

How to wash on the go

Use lukewarm water and a little mild detergent. Turn the garment inside out, move it gently in the water and rinse it well. Do not wring hard, as that can stretch the fibres. Press out the water in a towel and hang the garment on a hanger. It is usually ready to wear the next morning.

A simple packing list

Think in outfits that combine. Choose colours that go together so every top works with every pair of trousers. Pack a couple of extra pairs of socks, since they get dirty fastest. With a few thin pieces in bamboo viscose and the option to wash along the way, a small suitcase goes a long way, even for a week or more.

Frequently asked questions

How many items should you pack

Four to five sets for a week, if you wash in the sink along the way. That way you always have a clean set while the other one dries.

What creases least

Bamboo viscose and blends with a little elastane. They smooth themselves out when hung up, especially if they were rolled rather than folded.

Should you bring an iron

Rarely necessary. Steam from a hot shower handles most creases if the clothes hang in the bathroom for fifteen minutes or so.