By Michael Frank

According to a 2013 study by the Adventure Travel Tourism Association (ATTA) in cooperation with George Washington University, year-over-year growth in adventure travel is at 65 percent, and the market size two years ago had hit a whopping $263 billion.

The study portioned out $82 billion spent on gear and apparel, and a subsequent study published in October 2014 by the World Tourism Organization (WTO) found that adventure travel attracts especially wealthy travelers – on average spending $3,000 per person, per trip, and trips last, on average, eight days. Notwithstanding my parents, the average age of adventure travelers according to the ATTA study skews younger – 36, with an almost equal split between genders.

If all of this suggests a healthy, well-heeled customer seeking your advice on what to wear for their spring 2016 vacation to the desert, ocean or mountains, you’d be correct.

Mountain Biking and Car Camping on Gooseberry Mesa, UT

With warm but not too hot days, spring is the perfect season for a trip to Gooseberry Mesa, UT. It’s also a far less crowded scene than Moab. There are dozens of sites on the Mesa for easy car camping, and riding around the area is mostly on rolling slick rock, good for a few days of thrilling play. Plus the views off the top are fantastic, especially at sunset. Our favorite version of this trip is a few days on the Mesa (and at nearby Little Creek), and then taking time to hike into nearby Zion National Park.

Packing Checklist:

  • Osprey Farpoint 80
  • Platypus Duthie A.M. 15
  • Royal Robbins Diablo Camp Shirt
  • Mountain Khakis Camber Pants
  • Ibex Bridget Skirt
  • Adidas Terrex Agravic Windstopper Hybrid Hoody

At 3.83lbs. Osprey’s largest travel pack, Farpoint 80, $200,  is lightweight for the volume and crammed with smart features. Because the volume can easily accommodate 50lbs., there’s both a frame sheet and a wired frame suspension to keep the load well balanced and centered. To prevent damage, 600-denier fabric is used on higher-wear zones such as the base, and there’s a foldaway flap to cover the entire harness system for protection when checking the bag at the airport. The Farpoint 80 also has internal and external compression to pack as much inside as required, and there’s a large lower compartment inside the pack that’s divided from the top portion. Extras include a soft pocket for sunglasses or electronics, lockable zippers, multiple external attachment points, as well as luggage handles on both the top and side.

Named after a great mountain bike trail system outside Seattle, the Platypus Duthie A.M. 15, $150, is focused around hydration. It comes with a large, three-liter reservoir, ideal for a whole day of biking or hiking. It has a back panel designed to keep from sticking to your spine, yet the waist, chest and shoulder harnesses focus the 12-liter load lower near to your hips to prevent slosh. There are internal slots for tool storage, a carry system for a helmet (which is also a perfect slot for stuffing a bulky fleece) and there’s both an integrated rain cover and integrated waist belt pockets. If the reservoir is still not large enough, an outer pocket on the left hip holds a water bottle as well.

While the Royal Robbins Diablo Camp Shirt, $70, looks like it’s made of seersucker cotton, it actually uses Sorona, a byproduct of corn (which also makes it fairly eco because the starch would otherwise go to waste). Sorona provides the Diablo with wrinkle resistance, quick-dry properties and also stretch, so it’s more comfortable under a backpack. Speaking of which, shoulder seams are rotated, so straps won’t rub, and the tail is longer too, so it looks good either tucked in or untucked.

Fair Trade Certified (FTC) clothing is becoming a broader niche, and Mountain Khakis is debuting several styles that are FTC including men’s and women’s Camber Pants, $80 to $95,  for travel. While the men’s pant features a more tapered style and is focused around bike commuters, the fit’s actually very stylish and the cinch drawcord at the hem could just as easily be used as a gaiter on the trail (or for the intended purpose of preventing your cuff from getting caught in a bike chain). The woman’s pant is also ideal for on-the-go, thanks to a blend of 65 percent cotton, 33 percent nylon and 2 percent spandex, for some stretch as well as quick drying.

After a day of shredding, the Ibex Bridget Skirt, $125, would be comfortable, as well as warm, around the campfire. Merino is also an advantage because it’s anti-bacterial and the drape of this skirt enables it to remain wrinkle-free. The cut is full length and the broad waistband is elastic for added comfort. There’s a hidden pocket at the front hip for keys or cash.

Adidas Terrex Agravic Windstopper Hybrid Hoody, $239, is an exceptionally high-tech, stuffable soft-shell that with a soft hand but is also tougher than the vapory, ultra-light windbreakers you’ll see elsewhere in this list. The hoody features both Gore’s Windstopper Active Shell, but also Pertex Equilibrium at the jacket’s “hot zones.” Pertex supercharges the effect of the Active Shell so the entire garment breathes that much more quickly without compromising wind and water resistance. As we said, the entire jacket is made with Ripstop nylon, so it’s tough as well as light, and in contrast to some pared-down alternatives that don’t feature pockets, here you have several that are zippered, which is vital during travel when you might need security for ID and currency.