Who produces the most durable travel apparel today? In my view, during the mid-2020s, the answer would be Craghoppers, a brand known throughout the UK that had disappeared from the USA market temporarily. Some have referred to them as “the European ExOfficio,” a nod to the high performance and durability of their clothing. With ExOfficio having shifted to focusing solely on underwear now, I am excited that Craghoppers USA is thriving. I’ve been singing their praises for over fifteen years and am grateful to continue doing so.
Many travel gear brands I’ve featured here on the Cheapest Destinations Blog offer products that have proven resilient through challenging adventures and frequent trips, yet some emphasize style over sustainability or longevity. Craghoppers tells a different tale—it’s the kind of adventure travel clothing true explorers wear, engineered to withstand the rigors of weeks spent in jungles or mountains.
When I initially began reviewing their apparel at Practical Travel Gear, before selling that site, the variety in color and style was quite limited. However, I didn’t mind since their Nosilife Adventure shirt was the most robust piece in my wardrobe, paired with a couple of matching pants. To illustrate their uniqueness, many of their buttons are attached with fabric strips rather than thread, ensuring they won’t break, fray, or come undone.
Over time, they became a bit trendier and embraced the “trail to pub” aesthetic more. Currently, they seem to have returned to their roots, focusing on being a go-to for serious adventurers instead of aiming to please everyone. They have committed to travel clothing that withstands whatever challenges you present, rather than striving to match the fashion-forwardness of brands like prAna, Anatomie, or Lulu Lemon.
If you’d like to explore their entire collection, follow this link to their official USA website and browse for a while. That link should provide you with a 15% discount as a thank you for your visit.
I’m going to share a few recent and older photos of both me and my wife, Donna, sporting Craghoppers attire, capturing moments in the warm California climate recently and cooler locations from a decade ago. I also wore several of their products during a week of hiking in Kyrgyzstan. With various brand styles evolving over time, and considering it’s June while I write this, I want to highlight another significant advantage they offer: Insect Shield clothing.
Insect Shield Clothing From Craghoppers to Keep Those Bugs Away
It seems so ironic to me that the areas that endure long, harsh winters also suffer from the highest mosquito populations once warm weather returns. From Maine to Michigan, Minnesota to Alaska, the joys of summer quickly turn into the annoyances of itchy bug bites. Then, we must contend with ticks and Lyme Disease across North America, along with Dengue Fever, Zika, and Malaria if you venture into tropical regions.
If you want to return from vacation with only souvenirs instead of pesky bug bites, you need to take protective measures. Apply DEET, use mosquito coils, take heavy-duty medications, or simply dress more robustly. The last option offers the fewest side effects, so covering your ankles and arms at dusk—preferably in treated clothing—can effectively keep bugs at bay.
Permethrin is a chemical used in the treatment of some clothing. It’s odorless and can endure up to 70 washes, far exceeding what most individuals would put a shirt or pair of pants through. The decline of ExOfficio’s travel clothing reduced the availability of Insect Shield items, but thankfully, Craghoppers still provides plenty of treated options.
Whenever I wear socks, long pants, and a shirt containing Insect Shield, I feel a surge of confidence—almost superhero-like. While I don’t leave the bug spray behind on camping trips when I’m equipped with these items, they do add a significant layer of protection.
On my latest trips, I’ve sported an Insect Shield Nosilife Adventure II short-sleeve shirt, a treated Outback Hat, Adventure Life III pants, and Insect Shield socks, resulting in much less itchiness in the USA and Canada. As I prepare for a long journey to Southeast Asia next year, I’ll have even more reasons to pack these items due to increased threats that go beyond mere irritating itches.
Additionally, I’m bringing along the long-sleeve Adventure II shirt that’s also treated.