Whether you're catching flights, chasing sunsets, or just trying not to overpack, RDRC gear isn't just built for the run—it’s made for life on the go. From hands-free hydration to lightweight layers, here’s our list of multitasking heroes that make traveling light, easy, and stylish.
True story: Our content marketer, Janie (pictured below), recently travelled to Panama with her 7-year-old and mother-in-law and tried out all of the following. They stayed in the city for 4 days before decamping to ‘brave the jungles’ (Janie’s words, not ours!) of Bocos del Toro—a gorgeous little series of islands northwest of Panama in the Caribbean that featured mangrove snorkeling, tropical hikes, and sudden downpours followed by soaring temperatures. These are her takeaways (shown below in quotation marks) for great multi-purpose travel products that were win-win-win.
Above: My kid and I experiencing island life, lots of sand, sea, and humidity. My rabbit EZ tank saved me when it rained incessantly for 3 days and nothing seemed to dry except my technical rabbit tees (hooray!). A lightweight ciele bucket hat (not pictured) and a Tailwind cap (Courtney Dauwalter special edition!) keep the rays off my mug while my Knockaround sunnies reduce the glare...when they weren't swiped by my kiddo. Main takeaway: Travel light with double-duty items that work for your lifestyle.
1. Naked Running Band
“Imagine having to carry hand sanitizer, tissue paper, a secret packet of sweets to bribe a kid on the last leg of a hot hike, water bottles and sun spray, a phone and a wallet, and bug spray. Let me just say that the Naked Band helped me hold on to all the essentials (and my room key- which I usually always misplace and have to rummage around for while everyone is hot and grumpy). It was great - oh the freedom of being hands-free and being able to enjoy my hike. And yes, that packet of sweets did come in handy at the 1-mile mark for my kid.”
Carry Without the Bulk
Shop the Naked Band →
Originally designed for ultra runners, this sleek, bounce-free belt is perfect for:
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Holding your passport, phone, and cash while exploring new cities
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Keeping valuables secure at the beach (yes, it fits under your clothes!)
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Hands-free convenience through airports and markets
💡Pro tip: Stash a hotel keycard and lip balm in it. You’ll thank us later.
💧 2. Instinct Hydra Cell Soft Flask (250ml)
“You’d be surprised how much water you need to hydrate yourself, a small kid, and someone who forgot her water bottle (not naming names). Which usually means I end up carrying three separate heavy Nalgene bottles. Not this time! The soft flask is also super handy for planes and travelling because you can roll it up. On hikes, I could stuff it into my Naked Band and have space for another. Game-changer!”
Hydration Without the Hassle
Stay hydrated here →
Why lug around a bulky bottle? This ultra-light, collapsible flask:
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Fits perfectly in daypacks, waistbelts, or coat pockets
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Rolls up flat when empty (space saver!)
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Makes it easy to stay eco-friendly while traveling
✅ Perfect for hikes, hot days, and post-flight refreshment.
3. BIX Recovery Tablets
“Tropical heat and humidity can be exhausting, especially if you are being very gian (ed’s note: FOMO) and trying to get everyone to go on a snorkeling trip, build sandcastles on the beach, take an extended nature walk to see sloths, and participate in non-stop outdoor activities. Dissolving one of these in water at the start and end of the day helped perk me up and keep me from grumpy energy slumps and achy muscles. These BIX recovery tablets were especially great to have when I fell sick on the trip and had no desire to eat but still needed to hydrate and put back all those lost electrolytes and salts.”
Bounce Back, Fast
Recharge with BIX →
Late nights, long flights, or too many holiday cocktails (or kids to watch)? These fizzing tablets:
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Replenish magnesium, B6, and electrolytes
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Help you recover post-adventure (or post-hangover 👀)
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Taste amazing and are TSA-friendly
👕 4. rabbit EZ Tank & EZ Tee
“Did I mention that it rained torrentially the first three days we got to the island? I’m talking buckets-of-water tropical downpour and none of our handwashed items were drying, except my EZ tee. When everyone else smelled funny, I came out fresh as a daisy and comfy to boot. I wore my rabbit EZ tee (in fuchsia) from city to sea and everything in-between.”
Stylish, Sweat-Wicking Staples
Shop Women’s Tank →
Shop Men’s Tee →
These feather-soft tops do it all:
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Lightweight, quick-drying = easy to hand-wash on the go
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Looks great with shorts, skirts, or jeans
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Feels as good on a run as it does in a café
🧼 Bonus: Dries overnight on a hotel hanger. Easy laundry win.
🧦 5. Steigen Socks
"Who needs socks on holiday? I’m so glad I brought a pair of these because not only were they terrific at keeping my feet blister-free on the 30-minute stroll that turned into a 3-hour hike, their superb moisture-wicking capabilities meant that my feet were comfortable and not sweaty and stinky. Which was a win for everyone, in my opinion.”
Lightweight, Fast-Drying, Built to Go
Slide into Steigen →
These no-blister socks are:
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Ideal for sweaty runs and long walks
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Thin, breathable, and quick to rinse and dry
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Basically the gold standard for light-packing travelers
This was the wet and muddy terrain when we were in Bocos Del Toro. And there were tiny little crabs everywhere. Fun in the day, not so fun when stepping on one late at night in the dark. And speaking of dark, once night falls, it's pretty pitch black out there since there is very little urban light pollution. or streetlamps. So grateful that I decided to pack my milestone headlamp!
🔦 6. Milestone MS-G3 Headlamp
“A headlamp is extremely useful for when you wake up in the middle of the night to go to the toilet and you can’t see a damn thing. And you can’t turn on the light otherwise your kid will wake up and then the party really starts. Also, who would have ever in a bajillion years have known that if you are in a rustic beach hut, a small crab might scuttle into your room at night and sacrificially place itself directly in your path to the toilet for you to step on. Have you ever stepped on a pokey, many-legged creature in the dark? Well, that’s why I will now never travel without my headlamp. Tip: Put in your carry-on because of the battery.”
Night Walks, Camps, and Crabby Beaches
Don’t get caught in the dark →
Perfect for:
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Early morning hikes or night strolls
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Beach walks (avoid stepping on crabs!)
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Reading in dim hotel rooms without waking anyone up
The Xero Shoes Aqua X Sport shoes that I got from RDRC, along with a pair of lightweight, moisture-wicking socks. Perfect for this trip because I had grip and flexibility. Plus my shoes got wet but dried in record time, and were extremely breathable and comfortable in the heat!
7. Xero Shoes & Sandals
“Ok. I actually took a picture of myself wearing my Xero Shoes because I was feeling so smug with myself for bringing such an awesome, lightweight, breathable, easy-drying, happy-coloured, responsive pair of shoes (see picture above, with Steigen socks too!). My mother-in-law now wants a pair. Heck, even the boatman wanted a pair.”
You'd better believe it - Media Name Xero Shoes Aqua X Sport as the Best Water Shoes
Minimalist Footwear That Goes the Distance
Shop Men’s Z-Trek →
Shop Women’s H-Trail →
Whether you're hitting trails or dressing up:
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Featherlight and foldable—ideal for carry-ons
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Grippy enough for uneven terrain, stylish enough for dinner out
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Feel like walking barefoot, but with support
🧢 8. ciele GoBucket Hat
“Guess what, it’s hot in the tropics. The sun is relentless when you are rubbing shoulders with the equator and the searing mid-day heat calls for professional help. Which arrived in the form of this sweet bucket hat. Lightweight and harbinger of sweet, sweet shade (for head and face), this bad boy looks good on a KL shopping junket or on active duty at an adventure-filled beachcombing session.”
A Bucket Hat for Your Bucket List
Top it off here →
Because sun protection should look good:
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Packs flat and pops back into shape
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Sweat-wicking, UPF protection, and very photogenic
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Beach to bar, no problem
Win At Travel Packing
The June school holidays are coming! People want to get out and visit other countries and be tourists while pretending not to be tourists. Pack smart with gear that earns its space. From sunrise runs to airport layovers and sunset strolls, RDRC’s multitasking lineup helps you go further—without carrying more or looking like a gawky tourist (even if you are one*).
Run light. Travel smart. Adventure better.
*Nothing wrong with being a gawky tourist. Just remember to tip.