How-To Pack for a Warm Weather Vacation the Dirtbag Way

Underwear:

Probably, no, IS the most important clothing I pack and make sure I have enough of.  I like to go on the safe side with 1 piece for each day.  If I find myself on a tropical vacation there is a good chance that I will have extra because I will lounge around in my swimsuit for days on end.  I would rather have extra than run out.

Socks:

If I can, I resort to not bringing any, and wearing sandals everywhere I go or get a good water shoe like Columbia Sportswear’s Powerdrains.  This way I don’t have to worry about lugging around any extra clothing (or washing when I get back home).

Shorts/Pants:

I’m a 2 pants/shorts guy.  This might make every girl that follows me on Twitter/Facebook label me as undate-able but they would figure it out later anyway.  Long trips like my 6 month trip across the country I had 2 shorts and 2 pants only because I couldn't predict the weather patterns 6 months in advance.  With shorter trips it always ends in 2.  So either a combo of a pair of shorts/pants, shorts/shorts, or pants/pants.  Personally I don’t want to be viewed as the guy who wears the same thing every day.  That’s.  Just.  Weird.  What kind of shorts is dependent on the vacation.  Is it a climbing trip or a relaxing vacation?  If it’s relaxing I’ll bring some nicer ones where a climbing trip obviously I bust out the ones with the duct tape covering a hole.

Forgot to mention, I do bring a swimsuit.  It’s easier to wear when you don’t leave it at home.  I would add that on top of the 2 pairs of shorts/pants.

Shirts:

1 shirt for nice occasions.  1 shirt for climbing, hiking, what have you.  1 for laying around.  If I’m at a beach, that laying around shirt is a beach shirt.  Otherwise, I’m shirtless.  It’s much easier and more acceptable to be a shirtless male.  Climbing trips I bring two shirts.  Again, I’m usually shirtless not because I think I’m an amazing - pull through the crux - climber but because it’s just easier.  I usually go with shirts that have a wicking material as well, many of them are nice looking and multifunctional.

Shoes:

As stated in the “Socks” section, one pair.  Either sandals or a sockless trail shoe.  Sandals for everywhere relaxing and a trail-rapid shoe for any hiking vacation/everything mixed in.

Accessories:

As a guy, I don’t “accessorize”.  The only thing I wear is my watch that leaves a tan band because I’m too lazy to take it off.  So it goes where I go, all the time.  The only other accessory that I must bring is my glasses because otherwise I am not legally allowed to drive.

Toiletries:

Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, deodorant, electric trimmer (with attachments).  The only reason why I bring the trimmer is because my “beard” can become white trashy looking, so sometimes it’s nice to be able to trim it.  What no soap or shampoo?  Unless you are staying at a hotel that doesn’t provide soap or shampoo, you don’t need it (and not a campground because if you are camping then who cares, everyone smells bad).  Just don’t reach the unthinkable level 5 of B.O. as stated by Brendon Leonard here.

Gear: (this section could be completely omitted depending on the trip)

This is a tough one.  As a gear junkie, like every other mountain enthusiast, I want to bring everything.  BUT I force myself to only bring the gear I’m going to use.

If camping: Tent, pad, bag, small burner.

Climbing (rope) trip essentials: 1 60m rope, 14 quickdraws, 1 harness, 1 chalk bag, 1 pair of shoes, 1 helmet, bladder/water bottles equaling 3 liters, 1 headlamp, and all of this is stuffed in 1 pack.

Bouldering is much easier, with just the pad, shoes, chalk, and water, but it is difficult (impossible?) to travel by plane.

Additional items may be needed, but for me I am a sport climber and boulderer.

(For the record has anyone ever flown on a plane with a crashpad before?)

Technology:

I bring three things with me on trips including: cell phone, point and shoot camera, and mp3 player.  I would say iPod but that got stolen about a month ago so now I’m using some off-brand one.  I tend to shy away from bringing a laptop because I’m afraid of breaking it.  I’d rather get a huge SD card for my camera to get as many pictures/video as I can without having to upload them to a hard drive.

So that’s about all that I bring when it comes to trips.  If it’s a beach vacation, I have enough stuff to completely fill one of those blue grocery bags and leave a ton of room in the smallest duffle bag that they make.  For climbing trips, it would be that plus a pack filled with gear but that’s really it.  My views are minimalistic but it makes life a hell of a lot easier.  Why bother with bringing a whole bunch of stuff that you probably won’t wear?

Anything that I missed that you would add to this list?  Maybe something that I added that you would never bring yourself?