Expedition Fashion- A Guide for the Wanderlust
- Sophie Sundock
- Aug 5, 2025
- 9 min read
This certain post is a little out of my comfort zone. I love being active outside and doing all kinds of climbing activities, but I am no expert on any of it, much less on certain clothes. But! I know what I like to wear when I do these things. Thanks to my good friends and very adventures boyfriend, I have a new found love for the uncomfortable and challenging.
To highlight why I have any interest in being so adventures, I would like to thank two special people among many in my life:
First, I give all credit and love of the outdoors and climbing to my best friend Chloe who is much more well versed in the technicalities of the art of climbing (even went through an elbow issue after bouldering and took it like a pro), and also an extreme outdoorsy girl with a passion for science (and was recently MIA doing some archeology digging at the Dinosaur Provinical Park in Canada HOW COOL). She is also the reason I have been on many hikes in Montana, even pushing me to climb the highest peak in Livingston (which was NOT easy and made me want to throw her over the mountain, but we shared a well-deserved pop-tart and made up), and casually float down the river listening to Grateful Dead, passing several teepees as a storm is darkly brooding behind us. Thanks to Chloe, I have learned to cherish the special moments that come from trying new things. Her adventurous spirit and spontaneity have opened my eyes to the beauty of pushing my limits and enjoying the great outdoors. I am grateful for her friendship and the lessons she continues to teach me.
Second, I give all my inspiration to my boyfriend Miles who has his own business called Mono Productions. Not only have he and his friends traveled to Peru, Iceland, and Norway, but he finds peculiar stories that haven't been told before and shares them with the world.
|"Deep in the Amazon rainforest, an illegal wildlife trade is threatening the survival of countless species. We traveled to a remote monkey sanctuary to document the fight to rescue and rehabilitate monkeys that were stolen from the wild and sold as pets. From baby monkeys orphaned by poachers to the incredible people dedicating their lives to protecting them..."|
The latest documentary by Mono Productions highlights the evident disaster of climate change in Norway. Plan Z takes viewers on a journey to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, uncovering the critical "need to adapt in the face of climate chaos, biodiversity collapse, and a future we didn’t choose." Miles represents so much inspiration for me, showing us how to chase our dreams, even when they feel far away. His daily effort teaches us an important lesson: achieving our goals takes hard work, time, and determination. His focus on creating a better and bigger future for himself reminds us that there is beauty in working towards our dreams, no matter how unlikely they may seem.
All this to say- I have some cool people in my life.
So all of this got me thinking- what does one actually wear to hike? Climb? Backpack through the Amazon? Discover dinosaur bones? Let's find out!
From the Documentarian:
I asked Miles about his thrilling adventures and what items are typically seen stuffed into his signature Billabong Adventure Series backpack, as well as the North Face satchel that I cannot help but love. Here's what I've learned from our conversation.
When it comes to selecting practical clothing for physically demanding trips, he emphasized the importance of choosing "things that are more breathable, made from sweat-wicking material, and designed for durability and comfort—especially when it comes to shoes. It's also crucial that these items look and feel good together." The climate plays a significant role in determining what gear and clothing to bring along for big and adventurous travels. While many individuals may not be packing their bags to traverse the jungles of the Amazon to reach a remote monkey island or to interview the coordinator of the seed vault in Norway, the vastly different climates encountered in different locations require careful consideration and a certain knowledge about reliable brands. His favorite brand, without a doubt, is Fjallraven. He stated, "They are durable, comfortable, they look cool, and the company allows you to send back items that were damaged during your adventures, and they’ll repair them for you." This commitment to quality and customer service is why he values the brand so highly, as well as how cool they look.
Moreover, he pointed out that investing in more expensive brands is often worth every penny because such items are designed to withstand the rugged adventures and are built to last longer. He also highlighted the significance of layering your adventure clothing, regardless of the climate you are facing. "In the jungle, for instance, you have to be mindful of both the sun's rays and bugs, which means considering wearing lightweight, thin long sleeves to protect your skin. On the other hand, when you're in the Arctic, you need to have plenty of layers to keep warm. The layers closest to your skin should be made of breathable materials because if they aren't and you end up sweating, then when the temperature drops, that sweat can cool and freeze against your skin. So it’s really important to be careful with your clothing choices!" For example, Norwegians often utilize fishnet shirts as a breathable base layer that keeps them warm. He elaborated on how understanding the specific environmental conditions of your adventure destination can greatly influence your packing strategy, ensuring that you are well-prepared for whatever challenges may arise.
When it comes to footwear, investing in reliable shoes like North Face and Keens is needed for long-distance walking or hiking. A common mistake people make when packing for active travel is overpacking, Miles says; it’s better to focus on functional items rather than bringing multiple outfits. Also, it’s wise to include essentials for “just-in-case” moments, such as a med kit and necessary pills for travelers stomach. I also wanted to discuss clothing waste and how to be mindful of it when shopping for a trip, researching the destination and packing only what’s necessary for planned activities. "By doing research on where you're going through videos, reading, etc. and bringing only what you need for the occasion because in reality, what will you really need for adventures like this except what is important?" Finally, he recommend that packing light yet being prepared for adventures involves starting with non-clothing essentials, like cameras, followed by versatile clothing, and using items like a carabiner to attach extra gear to your backpack.
There's an influencer I follow on Instagram named Sabrina Bloedorn who always showcases the most intriguing hiking and outdoor outfits. I can't resist saving them in my "🏕🥾" folder on Instagram. She skillfully layers vibrant and trendy outdoor gear that can be easily removed. Is it always the most practical choice? Maybe, or maybe not! But it looks incredibly stylish and motivates me to spend more time outdoors, beyond just appreciating her clothing. I can't remember how I discovered her account, but I'm thankful I did. She effortlessly combines various types of clothing from all seasons, making them look incredibly cool. And if you're like me and want to look cool on the outside and unsure on the inside while trying something new outdoors for the first time, she's a great inspiration.
I've created a Pinterest board with many of her looks for some inspiration!
I want to give a shoutout to a climbing brand I discovered through Instagram. It's called Kawa Club. Although I couldn't find much information about the brand, its marketing and website really caught my attention. I love that it seems to be run by a group of 20-somethings who express their passions of climbing through unique clothing. I hesitated too long before purchasing a pair of pants I had been eyeing for a while, but I eventually decided to buy the
limited edition Valentines Pink Cicada Pants. These pants have a super wide leg cowboy cut, are lightweight, and feature incredibly deep pockets on both the front and back, along with a belt to comfortably cinch the waist. I'm truly grateful to social media for introducing me to this brand!
From the Field Researcher:
When I asked Chloe a list of questions, my first one was "how do you discover these cool opportunities?" And all her answers were perfect. I’ve kept most of them intact, because honestly, she says it best :)
On Saying Yes to the Unexpected:
"Oftentimes when I’m out in the field, I stop and look around and think 'How the hell did I get here?' For me, I feel like the answer is just saying yes to everything and taking advantage of every opportunity. Obviously, don’t burn yourself out, but for example, one time I was asked if I was free to help serve drinks at a conference my university was hosting, and it turns out I basically just got to bartend for a bunch of world-renowned paleontologists. It was so fun, and I got to meet a ton of cool people. And sometimes you gotta just ask, because oftentimes people will say yes. I took a class called Dinosaur Biology, and they advertised a field course over the summer that I thought sounded really cool. But I thought that since I was graduating, I wouldn’t be able to go. Luckily, I just asked, and the professor was really chill and let me join anyway!"
What She Wears (and why it matters):
Lightweight. I hate when things feel heavy, even if they’re made for cold weather. Thin, durable material. Oftentimes, when doing research in the field, you need to be wearing pants and I hate when they’re super thick. Also zippered pockets! Sometimes I’m walking around with a notebook and phone in one pocket, a GPS in another, and who knows what else. Also, a good hood on a jacket. I’ve lived in Canada for four years. I know the value of a good hood. You learn real quick how much a well-made hood matters in snow and wind. My Stio puffer has it down — warm, lightweight, and the hood actually stays on your head when the wind hits.”
Go-To brand (and some honesty):
"Patagonia. I respect how they acknowledge their impact on their environment, no longer calling themselves a “sustainable” brand, and are always taking steps to reduce their footprint. When my family travels together, we look like we could be in a Patagonia catalogue- each one of us with our trusty black hole duffel.
A note on Arc’teryx: Everyone and their mother wears the Arc’teryx beanie in Montreal. It’s like signaling “hey I’m cool and outdoorsy and I know what’s up.” I also have an Arc’teryx backpack that I got on sale for $40 that I love. BUT generally, Arc’teryx stuff is so expensive and I don’t necessarily think it’s that much better quality. My backpack I have got a small hole in it on its first trip, and my Patagonia rain shell held up just as well as my friend’s Arc’teryx one (and was a whole lot cheaper). So do with that what you will.
Other brands I love: Cotopaxi (shoutout to their 35L Alpa backpack), Darn Tough Socks (the best socks), Nalgene (the classic outdoor water bottle), Beyond Yoga (they make really good tank tops with built in bras), REI house brand, Stio (for ski gear), Rab (make good outerwear)"
Her Go-To Gear:
"I can’t recommend my Salomon hiking boots enough. I think they’re the X Ultra Tracker Gore-Tex. They’ve been through a lot with me. We’ve climbed mountains, fallen into bogs, and hiked through the badlands. They’ve never failed me. I’ve even walked over cacti and didn’t get spiked through the foot. And the Gore-Tex is important, too, as you don't want to be walking with wet feet (but pro tip: always bring extra socks)."
Her Advice to Getting Started and Another Way to Find Your Gear:
“Go to REI. Just walk in and ask. That’s what I did when I wanted to start climbing. If you’re in Canada, go to MEC. Or browse Backcountry online — they usually have good sales on last year’s gear"
You can get a lot of awesome secondhand outdoor gear! A lot of my friends have found awesome gear secondhand at thrift stores. Patagonia also has a resale program (and they will also repair your clothes for free). So check your local second-hand stores or maybe trade gear with your friends cause good gear lasts forever!"
A lot of her passion and love for the outdoors stemmed from her wildly adventurous and outdoorsy family and inspired a lot of her life, including what she studied in college.
One of her most vivid memories was "watching Blue Planet (narrated by my king David Attenborough) when I was little, and that is the first time I remember feeling true wonder and disbelief at how beautiful nature could be. I think that’s when I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life studying it."
What I've Learned So Far
My perspective on adventure clothing has changed to prioritize practicality and durability for the journey, rather than worrying about unlikely scenarios. Wearing something that matches your style and suits the specific climate can significantly boost your confidence during an adventure. I was surprised that both Chloe and Miles emphasized the importance of layering, which I hadn't really thought about before. All this talk of adventure has motivated me to plan something exciting for the future, and I can use their advice to find some great new outfits.
I may not be climbing glaciers in Iceland or dodging bugs in the Amazon (yet), but I’ve realized that being adventurous isn’t about being the most experienced—it’s about being open. And maybe having a good pair of socks. Thanks to Chloe and Miles, I’m figuring it out one step at a time—and one layer at a time too.
See you next time!
Sophie