Long-term travel - trekking, cities, range of climates
Next year I am heading off on a year-long trip which will cover a range of climates & activities. It will include multi-day trekking in places like the Himalayas and Patagonia, along with city travel and easier day hikes. To further complicate matters I am also planning to do some regular running (maybe even a half marathon or two along the way).
My bag is a 34L Osprey Tempest (great as a hiking bag that also fits as carry on). I did a similar trip to this in 2023 when I walked the Camino de Santiago and loved my packing list then, but this will have a far greater range of activities and temperatures so I am trying to refine it to cover this whilst still fitting in 34L.
Image description - packing list:
Bags
- Osprey Tempest 34L
- Uniqlo shoulder bag
Tops
- 2x merino t-shirts
- 1x synthetic running/hiking top
- 1x in-built bra tank
- 1x button-up UPF50+ shirt
Bottoms
- Silk blend wide leg pants
- Travel / running / hiking pants
- Hiking shorts
- Running (compression) shorts
- Elastic-waist lounge/swim/pyjama shorts
- Sleeveless dress
Layers & Outerwear
- 6x socks, 6x underwear, 2x bras
- Thermals
- Ultralight down jacket
- Rain jacket
- One mystery mid layer! This is where I need help.
Footwear
- Goretex mid hiking shoes
- Nike Pegasus Trail
- Reef sandals
Not shown
- Merino buff, hat, silk scarf, toiletries & misc/tech items
The mid layer is where I need help! It needs to serve as:
- a good hiking layer between thermals/t-shirt and my rain jacket
- a cosy camp / flight / extra sleeping layer if needed
- something I could wear as an outer layer in a city without it looking too trekky.
My top three options so far:
1 - Macpac Pisa Fleece jacket. Would be perfect for hiking, a little too outdoorsy but OK for cities. I’m thinking the shell exterior will make it less comfy/cosy. Macpac frequently have 40% off sales so expensive but not too bad (~$200 AUD, $320 AUD full price)
2- Icebreaker Merino 200 Long Sleeve Zip Hoodie. Good midlayer for hiking (but will need my rain jacket to make it wind-resistant), will blend in fairly easily in cities and cosy for flights. Downside - expensive & rarely on sale($270 AUD)
3 - Uniqlo merino wool cardigan (maybe my most rogue choice). Cosy for camp/flights and the nicest to wear in cities. I have never worn it hiking but I guess it could serve the same purpose as the Icebreaker. Bonus - I already own one so it's free.
What midlayer option do you think would be best? Any suggestions for alternatives? I’ll also take any further scrutiny on my packing list if you have advice / suggestions!