How to pack exercise clothes for business travel?

September 18, 2005 8:42 AM

Business Travel Exercising: How can I pack appropriately for exercising during my upcoming business trip?

I'm taking my first business trip since starting an active exercise routine. My hotel is suitablly equiped for working out so that isn't a problem, but packing enough clothes is.

I can't imagine packing 5 or 6 sets of workout clothes and I also can't imagine paying $3 or $4 per item to use the hotel laundry. Does anyone have any clever tricks or advice they can spare?

posted by mmascolino to travel & transportation (11 comments total)

Get some liquid detergent and wash your clothes in the sink by hand. It's not like you'll be staining them and need to agitate a lot to get stains or detritus out. You just want to wash the sweat away.
posted by grouse at 8:52 AM on September 18, 2005

I either just take swim trunks to lap, or just take running shoes and one set of work-out clothes, which I let dry then keep in a plastic bag and re-use. By the end of the trip, they're disgusting, but who cares. You can wash your running socks in the sink.
posted by rabbus at 9:43 AM on September 18, 2005

It's all about the dri-fit (synthetic materials). I ran everyday for three weeks while touring Europe with two pairs of shorts, two pairs of socks and a singlet. Wash in the sink and it dries incredible fast.
posted by Frank Grimes at 9:53 AM on September 18, 2005

I agree with Grimey. The synthetic clothing is worth the investment anyway, since it's much more comfortable to exercise in.
posted by ootsocsid at 10:23 AM on September 18, 2005

I bring one set of workout clothes, all synthetic (underwear, socks, shorts, shirt... everything synthetic) and I wash them in the sink. The synthetics dry fast enough that I'm ready to go again the next day, no matter what the local climate.
posted by I Love Tacos at 10:28 AM on September 18, 2005

I recently bought a pair of Nike Free running shoes, which I've really liked in general. As a bonus, they're exceedingly light, and crush down to take far less space than any previous pair of shoes I've owned. If you travel a lot, they're definitely worth a look.
posted by thomascrown at 12:11 PM on September 18, 2005

I recently bought a pair of Nike Free running shoes, which I've really liked in general. As a bonus, they're exceedingly light, and crush down to take far less space than any previous pair of shoes I've owned. If you travel a lot, they're definitely worth a look.

Although I've been extremely tempted by the Nike Free, my understanding is that they require a substantial training period before one can wear them all the time. Am I right?
posted by sid at 1:15 PM on September 18, 2005

Synthetics. If you are exercising, shorts and a t-shirts are good to 35 or 40 degrees. Sweat happens, exercise harder.
posted by buzzman at 1:30 PM on September 18, 2005

Where's a good cheap place online to pick up synthetic clothing?
posted by any major dude at 2:22 PM on September 18, 2005

Good exercise clothing isn't cheap but lasts a long time. I have had excellent experience with Patagonia and LL Bean. I especially recommend Patagonia Capilene shirts. They wick perspiration very well, come in a variety of weights and last a LONG time.
posted by dclawyer at 3:50 PM on September 18, 2005

Marshall's or TJ Maxx usually has Nike or Adidas tops. I think Russell has started making synthetic, moisture-wicking clothes for Target.
posted by Frank Grimes at 6:59 PM on September 18, 2005