If you are thinking about taking a spring trip, now is the time to update your travel wardrobe. No matter where in the world your adventures may be, you need the right clothes. Travelers want clothes that are comfortable, but also functional. Clothes that give you protection from sun, moisture, insects and more, while still looking good enough for a night out are a perfect addition to your travel closet. There is a company located in the Pacific Northwest that has been designing technical travel apparel since 1986. They advertise “Life’s a journey, so take the right clothes,” and they may have just what you need to make your next trip a memorable one.

When ExOfficio was founded, in Seattle Washington, their first customers were fly fisherman. ExOfficio listened to the needs of the fisherman and found out what they wanted in a shirt. Turns out they wanted a lot. They needed a shirt that was ventilated to keep them cool, had plenty of pockets, dried quickly and looked good. ExOfficio fit all of those needs with the Baja Shirt, the first ventilated “Climate Controlled” shirt in the outdoor market. They soon followed the Baja with a 100% nylon pant called the Amphi, which was made with ExOfficio’s trademarked fabric, Nycott. Some other innovations ExOfficio added in the early 90’s were security zip pockets inside clothing and convertible pants and shirts with zip-off legs and sleeves.

We all know how important it is to protect ourselves from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. Sun protective clothing is one way to lower your exposure to the sun. In 1994, ExOfficio introduced a shirt with built in sun protection called the Air-Strip shirt. Many things affect how much sun protection any given garment gives you, including the garment’s color, weight, weave and any UV absorbers that the manufacturer adds to the clothing. Sun protective clothing has a UPF, or ultraviolet protection factor, rating. The UPF rating is similar to the SPF rating found on sunscreen products. The test to determine the UPF of a fabric compares the ratio of UV rays that pass thru the fabric to the amount of UV that is blocked. For example, a garment that has a UPF of 30 would block 96.7% of the UV radiation. One of ExOfficio’s shirts today, which carry a UPF rating of 30+, is the women’s DryFlyLite, a lightweight 80% nylon 20% polyester shirt. The DryFlyLite has roll-up sleeve tabs and is wrinkle resistant, making it a good choice for travel. The men’s Trip’r Check has a UPF rating of 30+ also. Its lightweight fabric weighs only 2.5 oz per square yard, or as ExOfficio advertises “So light you might forget you’re wearing it.” The Trip’r Check features back yoke ventilation and is moisture wicking and quick drying. The built in security pocket is a perfect feature for traveling.

In 2003, ExOfficio introduced insect repellent apparel with the trademarked BUZZ OFF insect shield. The insect repellent in BUZZ OFF is a man-made form of the natural insect repellent found in chrysanthemums called permethrin. The odorless BUZZ OFF is bonded to the fabric and lasts for up to 70 washings. It has been EPA tested to repel mosquitoes, ticks, flies, chiggers and midges. Two of the popular BUZZ OFF products from ExOfficio are the BUZZ OFF Bandana and the BUZZ OFF Adventure Hat, the latter of which is a 100% nylon hat with a UPF rating of 30+. Both are lightweight and perfect for travel.

In 2004, the ExO Dri line of clothing was released by ExOfficio. It is a polyester blended fabric that wicks moisture from your skin and moves it to the outside of the fabric where it can evaporate. ExO Dri fabrics will dry 4 times faster than cotton, keeping you dry and comfortable in all travel conditions. Besides being quick drying, the ExO Dri fabrics are also odor resistant. ExO Dri is available in both men’s and women’s styles and colors. Some other ExOfficio innovations you will find on their clothing include indestructible buttons and stain resistant, water resistant and pre-shrunk fabrics.

When you are filling up your closet with clothes for your next travel adventure, take a look at what ExOfficio has to offer. Visit your local outdoor outfitter for the latest in ExOfficio clothing or anything else you may need for your next Take It Outside adventure this year.