Holiday Packing List for Men: What to Pack for a 2 Week Holiday
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We never thought we’d be those people writing a holiday packing list… but honestly? Some of you blokes need it…
And I thought, we were bad.
Sun cream? Forgot it.
Shorts? Didn’t pack any.
Money? What money?
We’ve heard the stories, and that was just in one conversation from a guy in Mexico.
So here it is: a no-nonsense, John Smiths-style Holiday Packing List for Men. Built for two-week holidays and for those who hate packing, suck at planning, or just want to avoid looking like a sweaty mess by day two.
Now forgive me if I get a bit mumsie with you…
Clothes
Let’s get clothes out of the way — and talk about what you’ll actually wear, not the “just in case” stuff that sits in your suitcase untouched for two weeks.
We usually roll with around 14–15kg on the way out, and even then there’s stuff we never use.
Here’s the trick: bring a little hand wash or buy some out there. Soak your stuff in the sink while you soak in alcohol by the pool. One or two quick washes of a few items and you’re sorted. No overpacking, no suitcase swapping at the airport.
Bonus? You’ve now got kilos to spare for snacks on the way home… which is obviously the priority.
Underwear
• 10x pants & socks – Non-negotiable. Don’t be that guy.
Swim & Pool
• 3x swim shorts – Rotate like a pro.
• 4x t-shirts – Keep it simple, keep it fresh. Use one for the pool as a shoulder protector.
Casual Wear
• 3x casual shorts – Evenings, parties and dancing.
• 3x polo shirts – Easy to throw on, comfy, looks like you made an effort and good for most restaurants.
• 1–2 short-sleeved button-up shirts – For when you want to feel fancy. Prepare for intense heat.
Evening / Restaurant Wear
• 1x smart shorts – For nicer restaurants or evenings out.
• 1x chinos or lightweight trousers – Some places have dress codes. Jeans are too hot and heavy.
Footwear
• 2x trainers
• 1 smart pair
• 1 pair for excursions/every day trainers
• 1x shoes (optional) – Only if you’re doing something that warrants it.
• 1x sliders – Only acceptable without socks. We’ll die on that hill.
If you’re rolling with 2 pairs and no shoes, make sure you have at least one pair of all-black trainers.
More on that later, and why it could be a holiday saver.
Extras
• 1x cap or hat – If your partner says “hats don’t suit me”, pack two. Yours will be taken.
• Sunglasses – Don’t leave without them, you’ll be blinded.
• Light hoodie – You’ll probably wear this to the airport. Planes can get chilly.
Aside From Your Passport & Pants…
There are two essentials on this list you absolutely cannot skip:
• A pair of long trousers or chinos
• Smart shoes or all-black trainers
Why?
Because you will get refused at some restaurants — even at resorts — if you rock up looking too casual.
It’s happened before. It’ll happen again.
Don’t be that guy standing outside the steakhouse in flip-flops, arguing with his wife because the holiday is now “ruined”.
If there’s one thing guaranteed at every resort… it’s hearing that conversation at least once.
And while we’re here… don’t be the one who says:
“I’ll just grab my gear when I get there. It’ll be cheaper.”
No.
You want to land and get stuck straight into the fun, not spend the first evening hunting for a clothing shop that’s a £50 taxi ride away, while the resort charges £30 for suncream and a tenner for socks.
If proper shoes feel like wasted suitcase space, take a pair of all-black trainers and call it a day. They do the job and keep you covered for the odd-dress-code restaurant.
Most resorts won’t care, but some will — and that’s not a gamble worth taking.
For 99% of a resort holiday, you’ll be in flip flops or your ‘holiday trainers’.
Smart Shoes Recommendation
My go-to? Vans all black or similar. Russ loves his Adidas trainers.
Simple. Classic. Lightweight. Works with shorts or chinos.
Looking for a budget option? Check out Soulcal or DC’s.
Washbag & Essentials
A lot of this might sound a bit mumsie, but future you will thank you. Especially when you’re groggy and mildly poisoned by cheap cocktails.
☀️ Sun & Skin Survival
- 3–4x bottles of suncream – Think you need two? Take three or four. You’ll use more than you think. Or burn. (based on two people)
- 1x Sunstick – Boss bit of kit. Swipe it across your nose, shoulders, and ears every so often.
- 1x Aftersun – Aloe is your friend.
- 1x Jungle Formula bug spray – Trust us. It’s the good sh*t. No one wants to be an all-you-can-eat buffet for mozzies.
- Rash Guard – If you burn easily, a Rash Guard could save your holiday from pain & sulking. This is a priority for my next trip (and my skin isn’t that sensitive)
We recommend Nivea sunscreen. It’s ocean-friendly and won’t make your wallet cry.
For sunsticks, we swear by the E.L.F. Invisi-Stick. It’s just over a tenner, but honestly… it might be the best money you spend on the whole holiday.
We’d say go with whatever is cheapest or on offer. One tip, though — don’t buy the tiny round ones that look like lip balm. They’re useless for shoulders and your face, which is entirely the point of this. It’s easy to reapply/top up without getting the old cream out. Which then saves the burnt shoulders and nose.
💊 Hangover + Health Kit.
• Hydration Sachets (Liquid IV) – Absolute saviour when you’re hanging. One before bed, one in the morning = semi-functioning human.
• Ibuprofen / Paracetamol – Bring a couple of sleeves.
• Rennies – Holiday heartburn is real.
• Antihistamines – Sun rash, bites, mystery itches… these will save you.
In Mexico? Drink the green juice you see at breakfast.
Thank me later.
Top tip:
Strip out a few tablets from each pack and store them in a small pouch in your washbag. Minimal weight, maximum gain.
🪥 Everyday Essentials
• Travel toothbrush & toothpaste – Obvious, but easy to forget.
• Shaver or trimmer – For the patchy beard lads or those last-minute tidy-up moments.
• Antiperspirant – You will sweat. Don’t smell like it.
• Aftershave – But don’t buy it duty-free… you’re being rinsed. More on that below.
Before packing toiletries, check what the hotel already provides.
Most resorts supply:
• shampoo
• conditioner
• body wash
• pool / beach towels
That’s a lot of space saved in your suitcase.
You can usually check this on the hotel website, your booking confirmation, or (even better) the Facebook group for your resort. Those groups are full of useful tips and random holiday intel.
Money-Saving Tips (And Aftershave Hacks Worth Knowing)
This is where being prepared actually pays off. A bit of forward planning can save you a surprising amount of money — especially if you like to smell good while sipping cheap beer abroad.
It also helps with that “I’ll do it next week” attitude. Before you know it, you’re flying out in two weeks and you’ve got bugger all sorted.
Holiday gear, clothes and aftershaves aren’t cheap. You don’t want to be rinsing your spending money before you’ve even left the country because.
Buy bits throughout the year when you see good deals. It spreads the cost out, avoids last-minute panic buying, and means you land at the airport ready to go instead of stressing about what you forgot.
Suncream Sales = Stock-Up Season
Suncream is always on offer somewhere, especially out of season.
When you see it discounted, grab it. Don’t leave it until the week before your holiday when it suddenly jumps to £9.99 a bottle.
Your wallet will thank you.
We have just snagged three bottles of Nivea SPF50 for £15.40. Considering the average is around £7.60, I’d say that’s a pretty decent deal.
🧼 Aftershave Deals (Why Duty-Free Isn’t That Cheap)
Sign up for Boots Advantage Card and Superdrug Health & Beautycard. Amazon is also one to look out for.
You’ll get exclusive offers, points, and some genuinely good deals if you keep an eye out.
Example:
I picked up Hugo Boss Magnetic 100ml (EDP) for around £45, which is bloody cheap. We just picked up a great deal on Amazon, too, as shown in the image below.
In duty-free?
Same bottle. Same size. £74. In Mexico, it was pushing nearly £90.
Absolute scam.
Buy in advance — not at the airport.
🛍️ Buy Holiday Clothes in Off-Season Sales
Obvious advice… but do we actually do it?
Nope.
Heading away in May or June? The best time to buy holiday clothes is during:
• October sales
• Spring deals (always good for aftershave)
• Black Friday
• Christmas / January sales
That’s when shops are clearing summer stock — shorts, sliders, polos, swimwear — and the prices drop hard.
It also spreads the cost out across the year, instead of leaving you with two days to go and thinking “FFS.”
We’ve all been there, lads.
The Tech Hub
Plug Adapter:
Unless you’re holidaying in Blackpool (bold choice), you’ll probably need a plug adapter.
Go for a universal adapter. It works in most countries, usually has multiple ports, and saves you from building a weird collection of random adapters over the years.
Plug. Play. Charge. Job done.
O2 or eSim:
Don’t rely on hotel WiFi or sketchy public connections — always have a backup.
If your mobile plan doesn’t include roaming, grab an eSIM. They’re cheap, quick to set up, and give you instant data in most countries.
Perfect for:
• Google Maps
• WhatsApp calls
• booking taxis
• uploading cocktail selfies in real time
We’re on O2, which includes free roaming on all plans in Europe. Volt customers also get free data loads in places like Mexico & the Caribbean. Always check your plan before you travel though.
If you’re not covered, an eSIM can save both your sanity and from getting a nasty bill.
Airalo is a solid option. Always worth comparing providers, but for price and reliability, they’re hard to knock.
Waterproof Phone Case
You’ll probably ignore this the first time.
Then live in deep regret when your phone is bricked, or all your pool photos are non-existent.
Or you caved and paid £30 from the resort shop when you could have got two for £10 on Amazon.
These things are a game-changer.
You’ll want photos with your new best mates by the pool, forced selfies with your partner (“smile… no, a real one”), and action shots from cenotes, ATV rides, or boat trips.
Bonus: most come with a neck strap, so you don’t accidentally yeet your phone into the ocean while filming dolphins… or pretending to be one.
Power Bank
We rely on our phones for pretty much everything now:
• boarding passes
• train tickets
• excursion QR codes
• hotel bookings
• tourist tax receipts
And also rinsing the camera with five attempts at the same cocktail photo.
Always pack a portable charger. It’s a lifesaver when you’re out all day or your phone is clinging to 4% in the middle of nowhere.
Stick one in your man bag and thank yourself later.
We recommend getting a 20,000mAh power bank. You’ll get several charges out of it and be able to fly with it.
Headphones
You’ll want a comfortable pair of headphones for the flight — and not just for your playlist.
Depending on the airline, you’ll either get terrible freebies or none at all.
TUI, for example, still uses AUX connections, so make sure your headphones can plug in — or bring an adapter.
Noise-cancelling? Even better.
Your future self will thank you when you’re drowning out cabin noise, crying babies, or that guy watching a film at full volume with absolutely no shame.
Unfortunately, we don’t have any headphone recommendations yet. We’ve had a few pairs, but nothing worth recommending.
We’ll let you know when we do.
Apps
A few apps can make travelling a lot easier. Most are free, take seconds to install, and can save you a lot of hassle when you’re abroad.
Make sure these are sorted before you leave the airport WiFi behind.
• Boarding passes / tickets – Load them into Google Wallet or Apple Wallet so they’re easy to access.
• CityMapper – Brilliant for getting around big cities using public transport.
• Google Maps (offline maps) – Download the area you’re staying in before you travel. It’s a lifesaver when you’ve got no signal and saves data.
• Hotel app – Many resorts have their own apps where you can check activities, book restaurants, or order room service.
• Currency converter – Handy for quick price checks so you know if you’re getting a bargain or being rinsed.
• Google Translate – Useful for menus, signs, taxis, or the occasional awkward conversation.
Five minutes setting these up before your trip can save a lot of frustration later.
Get A Man Bag & Own It!
A man bag on holiday is a game changer.
It’s not poncey — no matter what the guy in socks and sandals might say.
Joker.
We use one for a simple reason: convenience.
Holiday shorts are lightweight, often have shallow pockets, and usually no zips. They’re not built for smartphones, wallets, room cards, smokes, or anything valuable.
Overstuff them and you’re just asking for sweaty-leg syndrome.
We’ve all been there. Grim.
A small crossbody bag keeps everything safe and easy to grab without stuffing your pockets like a confused kangaroo.
We recommend the Vans crossbody bag — it’s cool, dudey, and fits everything you need without looking like you’ve borrowed your mum’s handbag. The Eastpak crossbody also looks awesome and is a similar size.
Bonus: it’s also perfect for excursions.
No one wants to lose their sh*t in the jungle.
Tips
A few simple tricks that make packing and travelling a lot easier.
• Skip the suitcase scales.
Weigh yourself at home, then weigh yourself again holding your suitcase. The difference is your luggage weight. It’s always been accurate enough for us.
• Roll your clothes instead of folding them.
Less creasing, more space, and often no ironing needed.
• Split luggage if travelling with someone.
Put half your stuff in each case. If one bag goes missing, you can still crack on with the holiday.
• Backpack for travel days.
Looking for a backpack recommendation? The classic Vans backpack. It fits loads of stuff, handles road/train/airport beers with ease, looks good, and survives multiple trips and washes.
Final Thoughts
We’ve covered the essentials and a few cheeky extras to help you smash your holiday without the stress.
If you’re looking for a more rounded list, check out our guide on what to pack to Mexican resorts
No frantic Googling. No overpriced taxis. No resort rip-offs.
We’ve learnt from the burn, the regret, and the resort debt — now you don’t have to.
Pack smart, leave a few kilos spare for snacks on the way home, and you’ll be laughing.
Just don’t forget your passport, don’t be a bellend, and have an epic trip.
P.S. This post wasn’t sponsored by Vans. We just like their shit.
You May Also Like:
- Mexico Resort Must-Haves & Essentials
- Fee-Free Spending Abroad
- How to Get Epic Aftershave Deals
- Is Monzo Max Worth it for Travel?
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No pressure. Just good vibes.
¡Adiós amigos!
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