Buying guide
Rainy Climate Travel
Updated How we research
Stay dry without the bulk. The page is split into four sections (Packable rain jackets; Quick-dry travel pants; Grippy walking shoes; Merino base layers), followed by every pick ranked by our score so you can compare them in one place.
The short version
We compared 16 picks. Our scores range from 7.1 to 8.6 out of 10, across $$, $$$ price bands.
- Best overall:prAna Stretch Zion Cargo Travel Pants, Women's. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.6/10.
- Also great value:BALEAF Ripstop Waterproof Hiking Pants, Women's. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.4/10.
- Solid build:Icebreaker Merino Anatomica Tank (Men's). Build and materials score of 9/10, overall 7.4/10.
- Feature-rich:Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible Pants, Men's. Features score of 8/10, overall 8.4/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Packable rain jackets
- Eddie Bauer CirrusLite Packable Down Jacket, Men'sOur score7.6/10
- Eddie Bauer CirrusLite Down Jacket, Women'sOur score7.6/10
- Amazon Essentials Men's Packable Puffer JacketOur score7.1/10
- Amazon Essentials Women's Packable Puffer JacketOur score7.1/10
Quick-dry travel pants
- prAna Stretch Zion Cargo Travel Pants, Women'sOur score8.6/10
- BALEAF Ripstop Waterproof Hiking Pants, Women'sOur score8.4/10
- Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible Pants, Men'sOur score8.4/10
- Baleaf Men's Quick-Dry Cargo Hiking PantsOur score8.0/10
Grippy walking shoes
- Xero Shoes Prio Men's Barefoot Travel ShoeOur score8.0/10
- Xero Shoes Prio Women's Barefoot Running ShoeOur score8.0/10
- Allbirds Men's Wool Runner SneakerOur score8.0/10
- Xero Shoes Men's Prio Suede Barefoot SneakerOur score7.8/10
Merino base layers
- Merino.Tech Merino Wool T-Shirt, Men's 165gsmOur score8.4/10
- Merino.Tech Merino Wool T-Shirt, Women's 165gsmOur score8.4/10
- Icebreaker Merino Anatomica Tank (Men's)Our score7.4/10
- Icebreaker Merino Siren Tank (Women's)Our score7.4/10
All 16 picks, ranked by our score
Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.
The prAna Stretch Zion cargo travel pants for women, durable stretch pants built for hiking, climbing and travel.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Stretch Zion fabric moves easily for climbing, hiking and long flights
- + Cargo pockets add secure storage for phone, keys and cards
- + prAna's durable, water-repellent finish handles light rain and dirt
- - Premium price compared with budget quick-dry pants
- - Cargo style looks casual rather than dressy for evenings
The BALEAF women's ripstop waterproof quick-dry hiking travel pants, affordable pants built for rain and rough use.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Ripstop weave stops small snags from spreading into big tears on the trail
- + Waterproof, quick-dry finish handles rainy city days and river splashes
- + Costs far less than premium outdoor brands with similar features
- - Waterproof coating reduces breathability, so pants feel warm on humid days
- - Outdoor styling looks sporty for restaurants and evenings out
Columbia's Silver Ridge convertible quick-dry pants for men, a proven zip-off travel pant for changing weather.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Zip-off legs turn the pants into shorts in seconds when the day warms up
- + Quick-dry fabric bounces back fast from rain showers or sink washing
- + Silver Ridge line has a long reputation for comfort on travel and trail days
- - Convertible zips look sporty in dressier settings like business dinners
- - Zip seams around the thigh can rub if you swap legs on and off often
The Merino.Tech 100% merino wool T-shirt for men at 165gsm, an odor-resistant base tee for multi-day wear on one-bag trips.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 100% merino wool resists odor, so you can rewear it several days between washes
- + 165gsm weight works as a summer tee or a base layer in cooler weather
- + Budget price for pure merino compared with premium outdoor brands
- - Merino is less durable than synthetics and can develop small holes
- - Needs gentle washing and air drying to avoid shrinking
Merino.Tech's 100% merino wool T-shirt for women at 165gsm, a lightweight, breathable tee for travel and layering.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 165gsm merino breathes well and regulates temperature on hot days
- + Women's cut gives a more tailored fit than unisex tees
- + Affordable way to build a merino travel wardrobe
- - Thin merino can pill or wear through at bag strap contact points
- - Care instructions require gentle washing, which is harder while traveling
BALEAF's men's lightweight quick-dry cargo hiking pants, a budget-friendly travel pant for warm weather and trails.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Quick-dry fabric handles sweat on hot hikes and dries fast after a sink wash
- + Cargo pockets carry a phone, map and snacks without needing a daypack
- + Budget price makes it easy to pack a spare pair for longer trips
- - Lightweight fabric can snag on thorny brush or rough rocks
- - Budget sizing can vary between colors, so check measurements for each
Xero Shoes' Prio men's barefoot minimalist travel shoe, a flexible, lightweight shoe that packs flat.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Zero-drop minimalist design gives a natural, grounded walking feel
- + Very flexible shoe squashes flatter in a bag than cushioned sneakers
- + Xero Shoes specializes in barefoot footwear, so the design is well refined
- - Barefoot shoes need a gradual transition period to avoid sore calves and feet
- - Thin sole offers little cushioning on hard city pavement all day
Xero Shoes' Prio women's minimalist barefoot running shoe, a lightweight shoe for walking and light running.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Lightweight design barely adds weight to a one-bag packing list
- + Wide toe box lets toes spread naturally on long walking days
- + Versatile enough for morning runs, gym sessions and sightseeing
- - Barefoot style takes several weeks of gradual wear to adapt to
- - Thin sole may not suit people with plantar or arch problems
The Allbirds men's Wool Runner machine-washable sneaker, a soft merino sneaker for comfortable travel days.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Merino wool upper feels soft and stays comfortable with or without socks
- + Machine-washable design keeps shoes fresh after long trips
- + Casual look works on flights, in cafes and on city walks
- - Wool upper is not waterproof and soaks through in steady rain
- - Less supportive than trail shoes for long hikes on rough ground
The Xero Shoes men's Prio Suede barefoot sneaker, a more casual-looking minimalist shoe for city travel.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Suede upper looks smarter than mesh athletic shoes at dinner
- + Barefoot design stays light and flexible for one-bag packing
- + Handles walking tours by day and casual restaurants by night
- - Suede needs protection spray and care in rain and muddy streets
- - Minimal cushioning can tire feet that are not used to barefoot shoes
The Eddie Bauer CirrusLite packable down jacket for men, a lightweight down layer for cool evenings and flights.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Down insulation delivers a lot of warmth for very little weight
- + Stuffs into a small space, leaving room for clothes in a carry-on
- + Eddie Bauer has a long history making outdoor down jackets
- - Down loses warmth when wet, so a rain shell is still needed
- - Costs more than synthetic packable puffers from basics brands
Eddie Bauer's CirrusLite packable down jacket for women, a warm, light down layer for travel.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Lightweight down keeps you warm on cool evenings and chilly flights
- + Compresses small enough to live in a carry-on for the whole trip
- + Women's fit looks tidy enough for city wear, not just trails
- - Not waterproof, so heavy rain needs another layer over the top
- - Down needs careful washing and tumble drying to stay lofty
The Icebreaker Merino Anatomica tank for men, a fitted merino base layer for hot climates and active travel days.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Anatomica cut sits close to the body for layering under shirts
- + Icebreaker's merino blends are known for comfort and longevity
- + Tank style suits hot destinations and hostel sleepwear
- - Tank tops are less versatile than tees for temples and formal settings
- - Premium price for a sleeveless base layer
Icebreaker's Merino Siren tank for women, a soft, lightweight merino tank for hot weather travel and layering.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Siren's fitted design works as a layering piece or on its own in heat
- + Merino fabric resists odors, which suits several days of wear between washes
- + Icebreaker quality tends to hold up better than cheaper merino options
- - Sleeveless style may not suit temples, churches or conservative dress codes
- - Higher price than basic merino tanks from budget brands
The Amazon Essentials packable puffer jacket for men, a budget insulated layer that stuffs into a small space.
Fit for the job 6/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Packable design compresses into a carry-on corner or daypack pocket
- + Puffer insulation adds warmth on cold flights, trains and evenings
- + Very affordable price for a warm, packable travel jacket
- - Not a rain jacket, so the shell soaks through in steady rain
- - Synthetic fill packs bulkier than premium down of similar warmth
Amazon Essentials' packable puffer jacket for women, an affordable warm layer for travel in cool weather.
Fit for the job 6/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Packs small enough for flights and trips to cool destinations
- + Budget price makes it an easy warm layer to add to any travel kit
- + Women's cut gives a neater, more fitted look than unisex puffers
- - Not waterproof, so rainy climates still call for a separate shell
- - Less warm for its weight than down jackets like the CirrusLite
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One Bag Picks curates picks for US shoppers. Scores are our editorial assessment. We may earn a commission from links on this page.