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Practical Wanderlust

Off-Beat Couple's Travel Blog

Travel Tips

The 5 Best Travel Pants for Men: Technical, Field-Tested & Not Hideous

July 9, 2019

The best travel pants for men: 5 tried & tested pairs to take you from the beach to the boardroom.
There is a really good chance that this post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission (for which we are deeply grateful) at no extra cost to you.
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I would have never thought finding the best travel pants for men would be a chore. Since when is it hard for guys to buy pants? What are we, women?! JK… mostly. But I digress.

I spent ages searching for the perfect pair of travel pants to bring on our year-long honeymoon. What I quickly found was every pair of men’s travel pants falls into two categories:

  • The first is the guy you meet in any hostel. He’s got nappy, possibly dreadlocked hair that somehow looks good, and he’s wearing flowy, baggy pants that have, like, elephants on them or something. His pants say he’s all about chill vibes and strumming reggae and Sublime on his guitar.
  • The second style of travel pants falls into the “Super Dad” category. This guy wears a safari hat, a Hawaiian shirt, and cargo pants with roughly 86 pockets – one for each of his Swiss army knives, cords of rope, compasses, flashlights, prescription sunglasses, et al. This dude looks like he’s been nominated for the Dad Awards every year for the past decade. If you watch any family vacation movie from the 80’s, this is the guy that shows up with his picture-perfect family at exactly the moment when the more relatable/flawed family is experiencing some kind of horrible melt-down and desperately needs a guy with 86 cargo pockets full of useful travel items. That guy’s travel pants mean Serious Business.

Unfortunately, I am not all about reggae and chill, or tactical Dad-ness. And last I checked, REI doesn’t have a “mildly effeminate millennial with high functioning anxiety who cares about safety features and doesn’t want to be covered in neon” category, so what am I to do?!

Try out a LOT of pants, apparently.

Table of Contents

  • How I Evaluated My Travel Pants
  • The Best Men’s Travel Jeans
  • The Best Hiking Pants for Men
  • The Best Men's Travel Pants for Long Flights & More
  • The Best Men's Travel Pants for Work
  • The Best Casual/Everyday Pants for Travel

Hey, looking for more suggestions about what to pack for your next trip? Here are few posts that might be helpful.

  • The 4 Best Travel Shoes for Men: Lightweight, Technical, & Field-Tested
  • 25 Essentials for Cold Weather Travel: Winter Travel Packing List
  • 42 Backpacking & Travel Essentials for Hot Climates

Note: The original version of this post was published in 2018. It has since been significantly updated & republished.

READ THIS POST
The 5 Best Travel Pants for Women: Functional, Cute, & Field-Tested

One way I field-tested my travel pants? Ziplining upside-down through the mountains & volcanos of Banos, Ecuador.

One way I field-tested my travel pants? Ziplining upside-down through the mountains & volcanos of Banos, Ecuador. These are the 2nd pair on the list, by the way.

How I Evaluated My Travel Pants

I field-tested my travel pants by hiking, biking, white-water rafting, horseback riding, and canyoning. Also, waterfall rappelling, snowboarding, rock climbing, and at one point, crawling up a mountain on my hands on knees in Ecuador. There’s nothing like a year-long honeymoon to allow for plenty of scientific pant-related experiments.

Wow, that list makes me sound SO much more rugged and athletic than I actually am.

The big question I needed to answer was, could I find pants that both functioned the way that I needed them to for long-term travel, AND looked good enough that my new wife would still find me attractive after spending a year sleeping in sweaty hostel dorms?

Well, I’m happy to report that YES: I’ve found the perfect men’s travel pants that are up to the many, many trials I’ve put them through. And also, my wife still thinks I’m a catch, even though I  wear the same 3 pants nearly every day. She does too, though, so we’re even.

Each of these 5 best men’s travel pants have been put through the ringer and came out passing with flying colors. Not literal colors, though, because really colorful pants are difficult to match a backpack full of clothes with. But like, flying colors in the gray/olive/black/navy range.

If you’re seeking the best travel pants for men, you’ve come to the right place. I’m about to open the door to a whole new world of cargo-pocket-less travel pants that don’t require an Ohm tattoo or a repertoire of acoustic Oasis songs. Just like, normal looking travel pants that do really useful things for regular dudes who also travel.

Exploring Point Arena Lighthouse in Mendocino, California in my AviatorUSA black jeans.

Exploring Mendocino, California in my AviatorUSA black travel jeans.

The Best Men’s Travel Jeans

Here, I’m gonna summarize this really quick: Aviator USA makes the best travel jeans in the world, and actually possibly the best jeans in general.

I only recently became acquainted with Aviator travel jeans, and my one great regret in life is that it took 30 years for this to happen.

These jeans are incredible. I have actually worn them every day since I first got them. Which isn’t as gross as it sounds, because I have 2 pairs. It’s just that one of them was supposed to be for wife, but they were a little too small for her, so now they’re mine. Yes, I stole my wife’s travel jeans. Look, don’t judge me. These pants are seriously amazing.

I rarely take these jeans off when I travel. And I rarely take them off when I’m not traveling, too. Honestly, I’ve barely taken my Aviator travel jeans off since I first got them.

They look great, feel amazing, and will change the way you look at jeans forever. I actually once wore them for so long that when I put on my non-travel jeans again, I was like, ew, what’s wrong with these jeans?

Why are Aviator travel jeans so incredible? Let me break it down.

✔ There are SEVEN pockets (and they aren’t cargo pockets).

Each front pocket has a small pocket inside, as does one of the back pockets. I say “small,” but I was able to zip my iPhone into both of them.

✔ There are TWO hidden pockets for theft deterrence.

I hate wearing a money belt. I just hate money belts. They fit awkwardly, they’re not easy to reach, and when you DO finally manage to get your money out the cashier always looks at you like “Thanks for the sweaty ball money, guy.”

Luckily, Aviator has TWO hidden, zipped safe pockets that are spacious and easy to reach. I was able to keep cash, a credit card, and my passport in my front pocket by using the hidden compartment. And they’re truly hidden: you can’t even see the zipper when you’re sitting down or bending over.

✔ They’re SO COMFORTABLE.

I am legitimately tempted to sleep in my Aviators. I haven’t yet…I swear… They have the perfect amount of stretch and strength, and the fabric is super soft. That makes them perfect for long travel days, plane rides, train rides, overnight busses, etc.

Jeremy wearing his Aviator Jeans at Disneyland in California.

Field-testing my Aviator travel jeans at Disneyland. For my wife and I, going to Disneyland is basically a competitive sport.

✔ They look great.

In an attempt to make jeans “tactical,” most travel jeans have reinforced stitching, extra durable fabric, random pieces of neon, and a bunch of other stuff that makes them look…well, ridiculous.

My Aviators look and fit better than my other jeans, and blows all of my other pairs of travel jeans out of the water. They’re fitted but not too tight, don’t give me dad-butt, and give me plenty of breathing room, if you know what I mean. And they just look like … really nice, slim-fit jeans.

✔ They’re nice and long.

Aviator travel jeans were designed with tall dudes in mind, which is perfect for my 6’2” lanky AF frame. But they’re also made to be easily tailored.

The jeans only come in 1 length (32) because they’re still a small company. So if you need a couple of inches off the bottom, just head over to anywhere they tailor jeans (like, Men’s Wearhouse – yes, they’ll tailor your jeans, and for hella cheap, too) and take your hem up to the right length. It won’t take long and it won’t cost much, either.

✔ They’re packable.

Most jeans are bulky and get smelly when they’re reworn and packed for a year straight (I speak from experience here).

But when I roll up my Aviator travel jeans, they don’t take up much space, they aren’t heavy, and their breathability keeps them smelling fresh after dozens of wears.

The Aviator travel jeans are available Dark Indigo, Medium Indigo, Black, Khaki, and Silver Gray. I have both a black pair and a medium Indigo pair (that’s the pair that was actually supposed to be my wife’s, but then I stole them because they were too small for her and they make my legs look amazing.)

Don’t judge me for my jean obsession. Just get a pair! These pants will change your travel game.

Shop Men’s Travel Jeans at Aviator USA

READ THIS POST
The 4 Best Travel Shoes for Men: Lightweight, Technical, & Field-Tested
Mens Zion Prana Hiking Pants for Travel in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Wearing my Zion pants by prAna in Utah on a snowboarding trip. These pants double as my snowboarding and snow-shoeing pants in addition to being my hiking pants. They’re just generally the best pants.

The Best Hiking Pants for Men

Wanna know what the worst day of my life was? It wasn’t when we totally failed the difficult hike to Machu Picchu.

It was the day before we left for our Inca Trail trek, when I found out my prAna Stretch Zion Pants had gotten lost in the laundry at our hostel in Cusco.

It felt like someone had sucker-punched me. I was supposed to HIKE in regular PANTS!? LIKE PEOPLE!? For the record, I hiked in leggings and rain pants, and it was terrible. In hindsight, this was clearly an omen that we should NOT have attempted to hike the Inca Trail.

As soon as we returned from our year-long honeymoon I got a new pair, because I simply can’t travel without them. Here’s why I’m so obsessed with my prAna Stretch Zion pants:

✔ They’re made with prAna’s amazing Zion fabric.

This fabric is seriously travel-proof. It’s extremely durable, water-resistant, and quick-drying, and what’s more, it doesn’t feel like you’re wearing cardboard boxes on your legs, like most tactical travel pants.

I wear these both hiking and snowboarding (layered over a pair of these) and they’ve never failed to do everything I need them to, and more.

✔ Stretch is in the name, so you know these things are comfortable.

If I was physically capable of doing a split, I could do splits in these things. As it is, they’re comfortable enough for hiking, biking, rock climbing, and bouncing uncomfortably on a chicken truck while riding across the border of Ecuador on a 2-day long bus journey.

✔ The fit actually looks fantastic.

Why is it so hard to find slim fit hiking pants?! My legs don’t need 18 extra inches of room. They just need enough fabric to cover my hard-earned muscle and let me move around comfortably. I don’t get why so many hiking pants are cut to these massive, baggy 90s fits.

Thankfully, the prAna Zion hiking pants look awesome and feel amazing.

prAna stretch zion pants and llamas in Quito, Ecuador

Here’s me in my prAna Zion Pants way back in 2016, being ridiculously excited with some sassy llamas in Ecuador. For the record, they made me wear the hat for the photo, that’s not just like … a hat I wear.

✔ They have a convenient ventilation system.

I’m not going to get into the science of ball sweat, so I’ll just say this: They have air holes near your business that are small and let your stuff breathe, and it’s very, very nice.

✔ They low-key convert into shorter pants.

You know what’s never fashionable? Zippers across your knees. Nothing says “I spend most of my weekends watching Little League Baseball games and going to Costco” like zip off pants. Yet, travel pants still come standard with this weird ultra 90s feature.

Not the prAna Zions! They roll and snap up if you want to make them shorter, and you’d never guess they were convertible by looking at them.

Sure, you won’t be wearing actual shorts (unless you buy the shorts version of these pants, which yes, I also own and love) but you’ll have plenty of breathing room on a hot day.

✔ Pocket space!

I know I’ve been talking shit about cargo pants. That’s because cargo pockets are usually the size of potato sacks.

The prAna Zions have one un-intrusive cargo pocket that sits flush with your leg, so it’s handy when you need it, and not in the way screaming I’M A CARGO POCKET LOOK AT ME when you don’t.

The prAna Stretch Zion pant comes in a bunch of colors. I’m low key boring, so mine are Charcoal Gray. They also come in a zillion sizes – kudos for being size inclusive, prAna! You can pick yours up on Amazon or directly from prAna.

Browse prAna Stretch Zion Pants

READ THIS POST
What to Pack for South America: 32 Backpacking Essentials

The best men's pants for long flights, the Outdoor Voices CloudKnit Sweatpants.

Behold, the most comfortable men’s pants for long flights: the Outdoor Voices CloudKnit Sweatpants.

The Best Men’s Travel Pants for Long Flights & More

I have done it: I have found the most comfortable men’s pants for flying.

The instant I pulled these amazing pants on for the first time, I had the following conversation in my head:

“Oh, damn.”

“Right?”

“I’m going to wear these to work tomorrow.”

“No Jeremy. You’re a teacher. You have to wear real pants.”

“They’ll understand.”

“You’ll be fired.”

“Worth it.”

I wear my Outdoor Voices CloudKnit Sweatpants not only on every long haul flight we take, but they double as my favorite pants to lounge around in hammocks and hostel lounges in, AND my PJ’s; AND my work-out/activewear pants. If I jogged, I’d wear them jogging, too.

Any pair of pants that has 3-5 separate uses has earned a permanent space in my suitcase.

My wife and I both have a pair of these (in the exact same color, so yes, we constantly wear each other’s on accident) and we’re both obsessed. I’ll never wear anything else on long plane rides again.

Other than being insanely useful and super comfy, here’s what else I love about these pants.

✔ Who knew lounge pants could look so good?

My usual lounge pants generally fall somewhere between shapeless cotton plaid pillowcases and bulky, giant sweatpants that you could store a small army inside. But my CloudKnit pants fit like a slim tapered pant, to give you that comfortable, trendy athletic look.

I mean, I’m not the kind of extremely attractive and cool dude who can pull off this kind of pant at the grocery store or the gym or whatever, but if you are, well … I’m jealous. And also you’re going to love these pants.

From the knee down, these pants are nice and tight in a way that highlights my most only muscular feature: my calves. But from the thigh up, they fit like sweatpants: comfy, slouchy, and with a thick tie waistband to hold everything where it’s supposed to be. 

What that means is that you never have to worry about them falling down while you’re running across the airport to catch a flight, or giving you that unappealing saggy dad butt look. They look sharp!

✔ They’re lightweight and insanely soft.

Don’t let the word “sweatpants” fool you – these aren’t your typical bulky sweatpants. They’re incredibly soft and lightweight, perfect for rolling up and stuffing into a suitcase or backpack.

✔ There’s a hidden pocket.

There are two deep, roomy, giant-cell-phone friendly pockets in the front and one deep, roomy hidden pocket tucked inside one of the front pockets.

They’re not zippered – that would be my one wish for an upgrade on these – but thanks to the super stretchy fabric, I’ve yet to have anything fall out of my pocket while wearing these.

Wearing my the best men's travel pants for long flights onto an Air Panama airplane.

I wear my CloudKnit sweatpants in hot and cold weather, on long flights, in the gym, AND to bed. These pants have definitely earned a permanent place in my travel bag.

✔ They’re ethically made.

Outdoor Voices is an eco-conscious company that uses recycled polyester in many of its products and thoroughly vets its factories to ensure that workers are paid a fair living wage and receive ethical treatment. Heck yea!

✔ They’re comfortable whether it’s hot or cold.

I never thought I’d want to wear a pair of sweatpants to sleep in hot weather with no A/C, but on our back-to-back trips this summer to both Panama and Cartagena, I found myself reaching for these every night even though I was sweating my you-know-whats off.

The CloudKnits have rad wicking technology that makes them more comfortable in hot weather than going bare-legged. But somehow they’re also insulating enough to keep your legs from freezing on a flight with the A/C cranked up to a zillion for no reason (why do airplanes do that?! Why??)

Witchcraft? Possibly. Whatever. I’m into it.

✔ They’re the perfect athletic pant.

After my wife unintentionally wore her CloudKnits on a jungle hike in Nepal, I tested mine out at the gym (yes, her test was way more badass).

They passed the squat test, the stretching test, the biking home test, and the “do I REALLY have to take these off and wash them or can I just wear them all night like a caveman?” test.

I credit their surprising resilience to the fact that Outdoor Voices is an athletic company, so no surprise that their “sweatpants” are actually low-key athletic pants in disguise.

If you’re still wearing jeans on flights (and I don’t mean like the cozy AF Aviator Jeans), these pants just might change your life forever. Whether you’re looking for the best men’s pants for flying or just trying to replace a few of the pants in your bag, these are a must-have.

Browse Outdoor Voices CloudKnit Pants

READ THIS POST
12 Long Haul Flight Essentials & Travel Tips for Economy Fliers

The Bluffworks men's travel pants and suit jacket in a

Fact: Bluffworks makes the best travel-friendly suit jacket & pants, hands down. Also fact: I almost never look this good at my actual job.

The Best Men’s Travel Pants for Work

There’s no doubt about it: Bluffworks makes the best work-appropriate travel wear. Long gone are the days of zipping your suit into a bag and asking the flight attendants to hang it for you like some kind of square.

The Bluffworks Gramercy Pants – and matching blazer – go from suitcase to meeting in 2 seconds flat. No ironing. No steaming. No creasing. Nada. It’s enough to make me look for an excuse to dress up on non-work trips… who am I?!

Other than being the flyest pants in the sky, here are a few more reasons why I love my Bluffworks slacks.

✔ Just the right amount of stretch.

Yep, the Gramercy pants have built-in stretch, which keeps them comfortable AND wrinkle-free. There’s just enough stretch that the pants fit nice and slim, but aren’t too uncomfortable to sit or drunkenly dance in, which – let’s face it – is the problem with every other pair of slacks I own.

The ultimate test? They’re comfortable enough to bike to work, wear all day, and then bike home again – and look fresh the whole time.

✔ Hidden Motha Flippin’ Pockets.

The Gramercy pants have all the pocket space you’d expect, plus a hidden zippered pocket tucked away in front for maximum theft-deterrence.

Pair them with the pocket-flush Gramercy suit jacket and you’ll have so many pockets you’ll start losing stuff into pockets you forgot existed (I speak from experience).

✔ That fit, though.

The leg is nice and slim and perfectly tailored – without ever having to stand staring at yourself in a 3-way mirror while someone pokes sharp objects uncomfortably close to your crotch and mutters things under their breath about your thigh circumference.

Lia and Jeremy in holiday wear at the Claremont Hotel in Oakland, California.

Other than biking and dancing, the ultimate test of a good pair of slacks is the ol’ legs-crossed-while-making-your-wife-laugh test. These passed with flying colors.

✔ They tick all the technical boxes.

Moisture-wicking? Check. Quick-dry? Check. Breathable? Check. Machine washable? Check. Comfortable and resilient? Check and check.

✔ They’re the perfect balance of formal pants & travel pants.

This kind of hard to explain, but these slacks feel like they were designed to be suit pants first and travel pants second. So they’ve got all the travel pant features you want, but they look, like, really good.

When you need to look professional the minute you step out of the plane, the Gramercy pants and matching blazer are the perfect work-friendly travel pair! Pick up a pair on the Bluffworks website – and don’t forget to grab a matching blazer, too.

Browse Bluffworks Gramercy Pants

READ THIS POST
Europe in Winter Packing List: 32 Backpacking Essentials for Him & Her
Jeremy wearing hemp prAna pants.

Hemp has a reputation for being a magical plant, but for all the wrong reasons. Hemp is actually an incredible travel fabric, and I realize how much of a rasta-bro I sound like saying that. FWIW, this sweatshirt is also made from hemp and I never take it off. Ever.

The Best Casual/Everyday Pants for Travel

My next favorite pair of travel pants are a newer discovery, but I’m already hooked: The Furrow Pant by prAna (kudos to prAna for making my favorite list twice).

These are hemp pants. And if you would have asked me what I associated with hemp a few months back, I probably would have mentioned those DIY necklaces we all made in the 90’s (decorated with shells if you were EXTRA cool). The words “granola AF” and “Ras Trent” may have also slipped out of my mouth. 

But consider me a changed man when it comes to hemp clothing. Hemp has an undeserved reputation as being in the same category as weed, when actually they’re totally different species of plants. I want to make this very clear: you cannot smoke hemp. Like, I mean, I guess technically you CAN, but nothing fun will happen.

If we can overlook the genetic connection between hemp and weed, hemp is actually a totally rad fabric that I’m now completely on board with.

Here’s why I’m obsessed with these pants:

✔ They’re made from hemp. 

Hemp is my new 2nd favorite travel fabric (1st favorite goes to merino wool, but you can’t exactly make pants out of merino wool).

Let’s start with its natural properties as a textile: it’s anti-microbial (aka you can get away with washing it less often when you travel), cool to the touch, temperature regulating so it keeps you cool when it’s hot out and warm when it’s cold out, and soft and cozy.

But that’s not all…

✔ They’re environmentally friendly. 

Hemp is more sustainable than most other textiles, requiring little water and almost no pesticides to thrive and grow (is anyone else high-key terrified by all the bees dying from pesticide poisoning?).

Hemp is even able to clean up polluted soil, making it a tool for actually fighting against climate change. Hell yeah.

✔ They’re insanely comfortable. 

I’ll admit that I totally doubted that a fabric as hearty as hemp could actually be cozy – you don’t exactly associate hemp with comfortable. But these pants actually feel just like linen, except a bit more resilient and less prone to wrinkles.

They’re not stretchy, but they do have quite a bit of give and I have plenty of mobility in them.

✔ They’re appropriate for any activity.

These have become my go-to pants for pretty much anything (read: I wear them all weekend, every weekend).

They have the exact look that says “I’m down for whatever.” Whether I’m sitting on a bus for 12 hours, exploring a city, or just relaxin, these pants are appropriate for anything.

✔ They’re lightweight and breathable.

 These are the perfect 3-season pants. They’re incredibly lightweight and naturally temperature regulating, because hemp is lit AF (in a non-drug-related kinda way).

✔ The fit is slim casual – not too tight, not too baggy. 

These pants aren’t so slim fit that my bulging calves ripple through my pants (I exaggerate, but look, I bike to work every day and “bulging” is an accurate way to describe my he-man calf problem).

But they also don’t have that horrifying “casual fit” situation that results in saggy dad-butt syndrome and makes you look like you bought all of your clothes in 90’s at a JNCO flash sale.

The Furrow Pants fall right in the perfect in-between fit: they’re not too tight and not too baggy. How very Goldilocks of them.

You can pick up a pair of Furrow pants on prAna’s website or on Amazon.

Browse prAna Furrow Pants

READ THIS POST
What Not to Pack for Long Term Travel: 10 Things We Wish We Did & Didn't Pack


If you’ve struggled finding the best travel pants for men, vent your frustrations in the comments. What questions can I answer for you about the best men’s travel pants?

Hey, looking for more suggestions about what to pack for your next trip? Here are few posts that might be helpful.

  • The 4 Best Travel Shoes for Men: Lightweight, Technical, & Field-Tested
  • 25 Essentials for Cold Weather Travel: Winter Travel Packing List
  • 42 Backpacking & Travel Essentials for Hot Climates

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Travel jeans. Hiking pants. Comfortable flying pants. Travel slacks. These are the 5 best travel pants for men - tried and tested! #WhattoPack #TravelTips #TravelPants

Disclosure: The original version of this post was partially sponsored by Aviator USA. A few of the pants in this post (and quite a few others that didn’t make the cut) were provided free of charge for testing & consideration. However, all opinions, reviews, and bad jokes are completely my own. I legit bring every single pair of pants on this list along with me on every trip and you should too!

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by Jeremy 
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About Jeremy

Hey, I'm Jeremy! I'm a California native, which means I grew up surfing and have really strong opinions about burritos and highways. I'm extremely sassy and I love terrible dad jokes. I'm also a high school teacher, which means I get to subject all of my students to my sass and terrible jokes daily. I'm married to Lia and I'm obsessed with her and it's super gross, unless you're us, in which case it's the best.

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Comments

  1. Lucile says: February 10, 2018 at 3:09 am

    My husband is obsessed too with Prana pants! They are the only one fitting his small size and looking real good!

    Reply
    • Lia Garcia says: February 10, 2018 at 8:03 am

      They’re such great pants!

      Reply
  2. Mark Northcott says: June 22, 2018 at 5:41 pm

    Great article and one of the few reviews I’ve laughed through.
    I’ve just been travelling for almost 2 years and had a pair each of Old Navy Jeans, Chinos and Kuhl convertible trousers (which I never once converted into shorts but were very comfortable)
    I thought I could do better as the Kuhl trousers got most of the use and the jeans mostly stayed in my backpack (I’d bought them in one of my skinny periods so they were a little tight although they were stretchy). Also reuse was mostly 2 days, which was okay as I usually aimed for a 7 day wash period or the day before a move.

    Loved your advice on the jeans and they sounded fantastic so I went straight to the Aviator USA site to grab a few pairs. Unfortunately their stock of 36 Straight is zero.
    So great advice but I guess I’ll have to wait till they stock some more.

    Reply
    • Lia Garcia says: June 25, 2018 at 11:37 am

      Boo, bummed that they were out of your size. We’ll make sure to pass along your feedback to them and hopefully they’ll be back in stock soon!

      Reply
  3. Bill says: July 31, 2018 at 10:50 pm

    Having safety pocket is a must have to any pants. Nice tips, thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  4. Ray Raddatz says: October 23, 2018 at 5:09 am

    You know, I’ve gone full dad with the convertible cargo pants at Costco and I’ve never been happier. They’re comfortable, carry all my sundry items, meet the dress code for visiting the Vatican, and are about $20 a pair. If you see me in anything else, report the impostor to the authorities.

    Reply
    • Lia Garcia says: November 13, 2018 at 5:50 pm

      LMAO! I’m sure Jeremy will probably join you in about 10 years … I could totally see him breaking out the socks and sandals and cargo pants JUST to horrify our currently non-existent future children 😛

      Reply
  5. David says: March 12, 2019 at 10:11 pm

    No respectable straight man wears Prana pants. Maybe you should clarify that you’ll be making recommendations for the hipster, effeminate, or beta-male. Now for some real man pant recommendations…
    Travel: Tru-Spec light weight/mid weight pants

    Jeans: Levi Stretch or for those who are willing to put in the time to break in the best denim made they can grab some Japanese Denim (Gold Strike, Blue Japan, Samurai, etc…). The best jeans you will ever own and built 3x as strong as most popular brands.

    Working: Carhartt, Ben Davis, Filson

    Hiking: Again Tru-Spec

    Relaxing: Men Relax in their underwear

    Reply
    • Lia Garcia says: March 18, 2019 at 8:53 am

      Hey David, I’m gonna go ahead and skip right over the weird sexism in this comment and just point out that we actually did state in the first paragraph that our post is targeted at men who don’t want to look like 40-something Dads wearing cargo pants, and in fact we even used the term “effeminate millennial” just to help clarify our goals here. I’m sorry that we offended your fragile masculinity by suggesting that it’s possible to both look like you give a sh*t about your appearance and also be comfortable at the same time. But by all means if you want to hike in denim and risk hypothermia, or just be incredibly uncomfortable in starchy stiff denim on a plane all in the name of manliness, be our guest!

      Reply
  6. ROBA says: April 22, 2019 at 5:33 am

    Just found your blog, as I’m looking for the same thing—great travel pants.
    Good to see that you’re a fan of the Prana Stretch Zion. I just purchased my second pair, this time they are the convertible version. I’m curious to try aviator jeans as well. Thanks for the tips.

    Reply
  7. Brian says: June 4, 2019 at 8:18 am

    Thanks for this review, it’s always nice to hear other people’s experiences and opinions-of which there are many!

    As much as I’d like to be able to wear any old pair of 5 pocket jeans or other 4 pocket pants, it just doesn’t work for me while traveling. Storing my passport, boarding pass and phone in front or rear pockets is only possible while standing. As soon as you sit down, you need to remove them to prevent creasing the paper or possibly bending the phone. I also don’t like the look of pants with only a single cargo pocket. They’re just not symmetrical looking. I’ve also had the (unfortunate?) opportunity to hike through some nasty bushes on my last 2 trips. Think rose bushes, though not quite as thorny. I have some Kuhl polyesterish stretch pants which are destroyed and generally look like crap with their pilling in wear areas. They just don’t hold up to blackberry bushes which I now believe should be a part of all travel pant reviews

    I too have settled on cargo pants which inevitably lean to the tactical side. I did search high and far for a style that doesn’t look like I’m a mall cop, and at least somewhat modern fit since I don’t have thighs the size of my torso like I guess mall cops and swat teams protecting schools with active shooters all around. I settled on the Vertx Phantom LT 2.0 (not the original version/1.0, those are baggy!). While they have more pockets than I’ll ever use, the cargo pockets are sewn into the legs instead of onto the legs. An important feature as they do not look like an afterthought. And the flaps are just tight overlapping material, no velcro or snaps except for the main zipper snap. They also have 2 hidden zipper pockets but with so many others, who knows if I’ll ever use them. Hopefully I’ll never be in a situation where I have to hide something that well. I’m a pretty skinny guy, so they have a bit more space throughout than I would normally choose, but they probably fit most guys well. They are summer lightweight, ripstop 65/35 poly/cotton and should make it through the blackberry bushes without being destroyed. Some nice pleats/darts to make for an articulated look. And lastly, they have a hidden elastic waistband which I find immensely useful throughout the day. My wife begrudgingly has OK’d them.

    Reply
    • Jeremy Garcia says: August 6, 2019 at 3:04 pm

      Thanks for the tips, Brian – the Vertx Phantom sound legit, I’ll have to check them out (although my wife is also staunchly anti-cargo pockets). And will definitely consider adding the blackberry bush test to my next round of pant hopefuls! RIP, my next several pairs of pants …

      Reply
  8. paul says: June 23, 2019 at 6:55 pm

    what gets me is how very few trousers have the pockets how id like them 🙁
    which is a zipped pocket each side where you have your classic pockets anyways, plus 1 normal open pocket (preferably 1 each side)
    and why do i want that? phone in 1 side, wallet in other, and the zip provides you with loss prevention of those valued items.
    i never use back pockets on the bum, i very rarely use cargo pockets because whatever u put in there will bang annoying against your leg.
    craghoppers kiwi’s do have that setup, but the more expensive nicer craghoppers just give u 1 zipped pocket 🙁
    so annoying

    Reply
    • Jeremy Garcia says: August 6, 2019 at 3:02 pm

      I completely agree. The more zipped & hidden pockets, the better!

      Reply
  9. Josh says: July 17, 2019 at 8:20 am

    Have you tried Bluffworks pants? I purchased two pairs of their pants for my trip to Scotland. Also, because of your blog I am trying our minimalist shoes. I tried the Scott 2.0, but decided to go with Lem Boulder Boots Leather instead.

    Reply
    • Jeremy Garcia says: August 6, 2019 at 3:01 pm

      Yes, we have tried Bluffworks pants! Verdict: love the Gramercy pants, not a huge fan of the jeans. We actually just updated this post to include the Gramcery pants – take a look!

      The Lems Boulder Boots are a solid choice. I recently picked those up and a pair of Lems sneakers as well. Been wearing them around all summer & they’re keepers. Glad you made the minamlist switch!

      Reply
  10. Jignov says: August 7, 2019 at 5:51 am

    Fantastic list and i have got so many little tips from looking at them to use on my own site…Thank you so much for this!

    Reply
  11. Jeff says: October 30, 2019 at 1:41 pm

    I have been searching online for weeks to replace my thrashed convertible hiking pants. I already have a pair of Pranas, but they are useless for hiking if they don’t have zippered ankles to slide over hiking boots. Any quality convertible hiking pants with zippered ankles, quick drying strong material, elastic in waist, multi-pocketed that you can recommend? Also, must come with a 28” inseam & medium waist. I’m at a loss to find this unicorn. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks. Jeff from San Diego.

    Reply
    • Lia Garcia says: November 7, 2019 at 9:53 am

      That is quite the unicorn! Typically we aren’t looking for zippered ankles (we both prefer to layer socks/hiking boots over our pants rather than the other way around) and we aren’t huge fans of elastic waist. Also, Jeremy is quite tall 😛 sorry we can’t help too much with that specific request!

      Reply
  12. SashiP says: November 4, 2019 at 1:32 am

    Lululemon abc slim fit 32′ pants will do everything you need on this list. Check them out.

    Reply
    • Lia Garcia says: November 7, 2019 at 9:51 am

      For some reason I had no idea that Lululemon had men’s pants! We’ll check them out, thanks for the tip!

      Reply

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Lia and Jeremy are the married couple behind the Practical Wanderlust travel blog!

Meet Lia & Jeremy

A disaster-prone couple recently returned to Oakland, California from a year-long honeymoon. We share down-to-earth travel tips with a side of sass. Low key stalk us here and on social media!

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Recent Posts

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    30 Eco-Friendly Gifts for Travelers: Sustainable Gift Guide
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  • Things nobody tells you about traveling in Nepal from all the places other than Mount Everest, to the food, to the spirituality of Nepal, to what's really up with squatty potties. Here's everything you may or may not need to know before you visit Nepal!
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Recent Posts

  • Eco-Friendly Gift Guide for Travelers
    30 Eco-Friendly Gifts for Travelers: Sustainable Gift Guide
    Gift Guides
  • How to plan a Lake Tahoe winter trip on a budget, from Lake Tahoe ski resorts to what to do in Lake Tahoe other than skiing, and more!
    How to Plan an Amazing Lake Tahoe Winter Trip (on a Budget)
    Hiking & Outdoor Adventure, United States
  • Things nobody tells you about traveling in Nepal from all the places other than Mount Everest, to the food, to the spirituality of Nepal, to what's really up with squatty potties. Here's everything you may or may not need to know before you visit Nepal!
    34 Things Nobody Tells You About Traveling in Nepal
    Asia
  • [FLASHBACK] Copenhagen, 2016: 4 months into our year-long honeymoon. #ad Reeling from the disastrous end of our adventures in South America, we graciously accepted tickets home for Thanksgiving. We missed our families. We  were exhausted. And we were, for some reason, FIENDING for Cinnamon Toast Crunch. We needed a break, but we fully intended to return to South America and pick up where we left off.⁠
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Instead, we booked a cheap flight to Copenhagen. (Because there is always a cheap flight to Copenhagen, from either coast.)⁠
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2 weeks after leaving summery Santiago, Chile we disembarked into the cold 3PM twilight of Copenhagen, Denmark. Christmas Market season had just begun, and the city was decked in holiday cheer and Hygge. We slipped and slid down icy cobblestone streets with steaming mugs of gluhwein clutched in our gloved hands (logistics spoilers: we stocked up on cold-weather gear on Black Friday. Hayyy!).⁠
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Over the next week, we fell head over heels in love with Copenhagen, with its castles, its canals, its tiny mermaid statue, its Theme Park in the center of the city (the 2nd oldest in the world!), its ridiculously good coffee, its fancy open-faced sandwiches (smørbrød is the OG avo toast, don't @ me), its somewhat random self-governed anarchist commune, even the hordes of Danes on bikes whizzing past us. The culture shock revived our waning excitement for long-term travel, and we've had a deep love for Copenhagen ever since.⁠
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Although we haven't had a chance to return (except for a few connections through the airport, which is always a treat because it is the BEST airport), we're forever eyeing flights to Copenhagen, waiting for the right time to come back. And now that we've got a copy of the @MoonGuides Copenhagen & Beyond book, we've got everything we need to plan our next trip! The guide includes a detailed local's guide to Copenhagen, plus several chapters on day trips from Copenhagen, including our favorite: the fairytale castle that served as the setting for Shakespeare's Hamlet.
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Is Copenhagen on your bucket list? (Ahem: IT SHOULD BE) If not, tell us about a trip that was exactly what you needed in the comments below. #travelwithmoon
  • Imagine that someone offered you an incredible opportunity. What would make you turn it down? How would you feel saying no?
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Since starting this blog and embarking on the ridiculous, amazing journey of traveling and writing for a living (forever pinching myself), a lot of incredible opportunities have come my way. Opportunities that just about anyone would (and should) jump at headfirst. (I was going to list off a few of the ones I still feel pangs of longing about, but couldn't find a way to not make it sound like a list of self-congratulatory, obnoxious bragging, so y'all get the vague version instead. Sorry! DM me if you're nosy 🧐)
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But I don't take them all. I can't.
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Here are a few reasons I've turned trips (it's usually trips) and opportunities down:
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😓 The dates overlap with precious time I'd otherwise be spending with loved ones, like Thanksgiving, or our annual friends weekend in Lake Tahoe.
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😓 The dates overlap with our wedding anniversary. This one has come up several years in a row - turns out we got married in the middle of conference season 😂
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😓 The trip is too close to a long stretch of travel, which would push me to my mental and physical limits. I have learned this lesson the hard way so many times (still learning/not listening, tbh...)
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I've had to learn how to say no with gratitude and forgiveness (the gratitude for the opportunity offered, the forgiveness is for myself for turning it down). I feel guilt and regret, of course, but I also feel proud of myself for boundary-setting, listening to my body, and prioritizing time with my loved ones - because all the opportunity in the world means nothing to me if I have nobody to celebrate it with.
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My cup is so full. I'm so full of gratitude and joy. And I'm doing my best to stay humble and grounded with the people who have cheered me along on this path.
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Have you ever turned down an opportunity that like, physically hurt to say no to?? Tell me about it in the comments!
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#alwaysthankful #gratefuleveryday #stayhumble #sanfranciscolove #findyouradventure #wandermore #travelblogging
  • There's nothing that a good hair day, some bright red lipstick, and a cold beer can't fix, amiright?? OK - maybe not, but they certainly don't HURT.⁠ Bright lipstick is my go-to confidence improving trick - AND it works even on bad hair days 💄⁠
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But can we talk about the good hair day I'm having in this photo though?! For the first time in my entire life, I've finally figured out how to have Good Hair. Until this year, I was insecure AF about my superfine, extremely thin hair. It wasn't straight and it wasn't curly - it was just like a frizzy, thin, halfhearted flyaway thing with no real shape. When I straighten it you can tell how incredibly thin my hair is - like, the end of my braid is about the width of a pencil, y'all.⁠
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And then I discovered the Curly Girl Method, and everything changed. Turns out that frizz is just a thirsty curl, and with the right combination of products & application technique (and a little bit of magic ... and some science), you can turn frizzy, wavy hair into luscious, bouncy CURLS! Now I have shiny, fabulously curly hair, and it feels like my hair finally matches my personality in a way it hasn't since it was 1/2 pink (college Lia was perfectly suited for pink hair). I no longer feel like I need to wear clip-in extensions to have a good hair day, like I used to. Sure, I now tote around a bunch of hair supplies like a silicon diffuser and a tiny blow-drier and a hair towel and like 3 back-up containers of gel, but LOOK AT MY HAIR. Look at it! It's so worth it.⁠
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I'm still learning about what my hair likes & doesn't like and I don't really understand all the science behind curly hair just yet. But if you're curious, I use lightweight DevaCurl shampoo & conditioner, plus this bright blue LA Looks sport gel that's hella cheap from CVS or Walgreens and looks like the kind of gel a middle schooler in the 90's would use to spike their hair. You'll find all kinds of information by googling the Curly Girl Method or reading "Curly Girl: The Handbook." (This post is in no way sponsored, I just really wanted an excuse to brag about my good hair day.)⁠
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Do you have go-to moves to boost your confidence?
  • "Wait, Salt Lake City has BEER?" #ad We've heard this question from pretty much everyone we told about our trip to Salt Lake City to cover their beer scene, and we're here to say: y'all. YES. 🍻While it's true that the laws surrounding beer in Utah used to be quite restrictive, they've recently changed and given way to a blossoming craft brewery scene full of innovative thinkers who are paving the way for beer in Utah!⁠
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We spent the weekend drinking our way through 11 craft breweries, exploring this stunning city ringed by mountains, and learning all about Salt Lake City's fascinating Pioneer history. In total, we tasted 32 beers (and 1 beer-tini). It was a LOT of fun, even though my body straight gave up around brewery 9 and we had to make a pit-stop at a juice place for a wheatgrass shot. (Yes, it's all in our story highlights, and yes, I realize that's one of the most Californian things I've ever done). But although I tapped out in the last stretch, Jeremy picked up the slack and we finished strong! 💪Well, you know ... as strong as you can be after spending 2 days straight tasting beer.⁠
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Now we're hard at work sorting through all the photos we took and working on a brewery guide to Salt Lake City, with a few suggestions from friends (thanks to @wayfaringviews, who has a fantastic SLC beer guide on her blog, and resident SLC blogger @culturetrekking). This marks our 2nd visit to Salt Lake City (we covered their amazing ski resorts last year) so now we're officially SLC fangirls - can't wait to come back for visit 3!⁠
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Drop us a comment and tell us about a place that surprised you the way Salt Lake City's beer scene surprised us!⁠
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Our trip was sponsored by @visitsaltlake⁠
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#visitsaltlake #saltlakecityutah #beautahful #exploreutah #travelislove #globecouples #streetartaddicted #streetartistry #craftbeerlife #beeroftheday #beertasting #seeyououtthere #couplesofig
  • 🎵Whooo is that girl I seeee, staaaaaring straight, baaaaack at me? When will my REFLECTTION SHOOWWWWW, WHOOO III AMMMMM
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🎵INSIIIIIIIIIDE!!!!🎵
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Welp now that we're all singing Mulan at the top of our lungs and I have your attention... I'm gonna talk about sustainability. (HA! Gotcha.) One of the ways Jeremy and I try to make a positive impact – along with things like carbon offsetting our flights and working towards a zero-waste household – is through conscientious consumerism. Cuz yes, y’all: we tree-hugging granola-eating flower children love shopping, too. We try to vote with our wallets and support businesses who have the same priorities as we do. Businesses who care about the world and the people in it, who are working to fight climate change, who pay their employees a fair living wage, who are aligned with our values, and who agree that Mulan is the best Disney movie of all time (DO NOT @ ME).
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So when @REI asked us to create a sponsored sustainable gift guide, we were thrilled! REI is one of our absolute favorite earth-friendly, responsible, and sustainable companies. They truly walk the talk, with a plethora of impactful business practices that prioritize everything from wilderness conservation, to making the outdoors more accessible and diverse, to developing products with sustainable materials, to reducing waste in their stores and supply chain. (#ad but also like, we genuinely love them and have been members for yearsss!) You can even filter REI’s online search results by sustainability. It’s one of their regular menu filters, like color/price/sizing. Isn’t that rad?
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The eco-friendly gift guide we created is not only full of sustainable products, but they're sold by a sustainable retailer. So you can truly feel good about treating your loved ones (ahem: or yourself) this holiday season. Or just like, whenever. Check it out in the link in our bio, but fast because the Gear Up Get Out sale ends on MONDAY along with up to 30% off!
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Who's your favorite sustainable company or retailer and why do you love them? We love discovering new ones! (Sustainability shoutout to @prana, whose outfit I'm rocking in this pic - we love them too!)
  • What's your relationship like with your body? Does someone close to you feel differently about their own body? How does that affect you?⁠
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Jeremy and I have two very different relationships with our bodies and ourselves, which can be difficult to navigate - especially when one of us feels more confident and comfortable than the other. Over the years, things have evolved and shifted, so we've done our best to be a constant source of love and stability to each other no matter what may be happening internally. But amazing and supportive loved ones can't always affect your relationship with yourself - that's a personal journey that only you and yourself are on. Y'all in that together.⁠
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What we've learned is that communication and empathy between us is key. Our relationships with ourselves are as important to foster, nurture, develop and grow as our relationship with each other. And its just as important to treat ourselves with love, kindess and support as it is with one another. On the days when one of us feels more confident than the other, we strive to lift up those positive feelings and try not to let them affect us negatively - not always the easiest thing to do, but so, so important!⁠
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Do you struggle with your relationship with yourself? Or is there somebody in your life who feels differently about themselves than you do about yourself? How do you navigate that?⁠
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Psst: Lia is rocking an organic cotton dress (with POCKETS) gifted to us by @wearpact, one of our favorite Fair Trade Certified & sustainable clothing companies! They make super comfy and affordable organic cotton clothes ethically and responsibly, and we love them.⁠
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#responsiblefashion #consciousconsumer #shopethical #plusisequal #allbodiesaregoodbodies #autumnishere #fallingforfall #sanfranciscolove #bayareablogger #effyourbeautystandards #bodypositive #globecouples #sustainabletravel #staycurious #couplesofig #travelislove #marriedtomybestfriend #lovegoals #couplestravel #seeyououtthere
  • It rained a LOT during our trip to New Orleans. But I actually didn't mind at all, because California has turned me into the kind of person who gets REALLY excited about rain. Rain in California means fire season is over and winter has begun. It's my favorite sound to listen to while falling asleep. Y'all, is there a song that's the exact opposite of "I Can't Stand the Rain?" Because that would be my song!.⁠
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I also didn't mind the rain because I was exploring a beautiful city with 2 of my best friends (@witchieriche and @cass.love.creativity) and our partners, and that's a rare luxury that overshadows any kind of discomfort. (Even though we all definitely got cranky from time to time because it is literally impossible to spend 4 days traveling and NOT get cranky at some point, and that's just facts.⁠)⁠
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To capture this photo, I dragged my beloved friend Richie and his darling, patient husband @lucasmeyerstyle to City Park to visit the NoLa Art Museum, which is called NoMa. We made fun of historic art for like 2 hours (like, we appreciated it too, but we definitely made fun of it as much as we appreciated it) and then spent another 2 hours wandering around a giant, lush statue garden in the pouring rain looking for this exact bridge (for the 'gram). We kept crossing over not-as-good bridges and being like "is this it??" but I was like NO IT HAS TO BE THE ONE WITH THE REFLECTION because I am definitely that screechy, extra AF friend.⁠
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We were all about ready to give up on our search when we stumbled by complete chance upon a Cafe Du Monde, somewhat randomly sitting in the middle of this gorgeous rainy park. And then, while enjoying 3 fluffy, powdery beignets (each) we finally found The Bridge - hidden in the trees right next to the cafe!⁠
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If that's not the most New Orleans thing you've ever heard, just wait until I tell you about the rest of our trip, because it involves everything from Voodoo Rituals to Jazz Funerals to a Pirate themed absinthe bar.⁠
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And, by the way, I am sorry I haven't yet posted my stories from that trip - I was too busy savoring the time with my beloved friend muffins. My heart is so, so full.⁠
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Do you love the rain too?
  • 'Tis the season of cheerful cold weather, eating a ton of food, and buying things. Lots of things. Oof, was that your wallet I hear whimpering?⁠
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I wanted to give y'all some tips to keep in mind when the inevitable shopping overwhelm starts creeping in later this month. Save this post for when you're about to spend more than you have in your bank account!⁠
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🎁 Don't buy things hoping they will make you happy. Things & stuff may bring you a little joy, but they won't solve all your problems. If you're feeling down, go take a walk, spend time with a loved one, play with a cute animal, or make an appointment with a counselor for a little mental health check-up. (See also: travel. We love travel a LOT, but it also will not solve all your problems. Or make you a different person. Trust us, we've tried!)⁠
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🎁 Shop local when you can. It supports your home community! See also: supporting small business owners, such as Etsy creators, your friendly local blogger (hayyy!) and that sweet old lady who sells creepy dolls and weird-smelling candles at your local craft fair. Support her, too.⁠
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🎁 Consider buying from fewer online stores to conserve packaging waste. If you can get most of your shopping done in one big order from a single store, instead of buying 1 small thing from 20 different online stores, you'll be saving bubble wrap, boxes, and the gas it takes to ship all those boxes to you. Plus, returns will be easier and require less packaging, too!⁠
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🎁 Don't feel guilty for buying stuff. I know, I sound like I'm contradicting myself here. But listen: give yourself a damn break, especially if you sometimes find it harder to spend your hard-earned money than NOT spend it. Buy a few items you truly think will bring you - or a loved one - a little joy, or make things easier. Don't feel guilty for treating yourself or those you love. Just do it responsibly. Shop mindfully, vote with your wallet, and make choices that you feel genuinely good about.⁠
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Are you planning to do some shopping this month? (We'll be stocking up on stuff for our new house!) Drop us a comment about what you're genuinely excited to buy - or your favorite tips for thoughtful consumerism!

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