Packing for a tropical getaway usually only involves deciding what color swim trunks to pack. But when your plans include jungle hiking, cave exploration and scuba diving, things get a little more complicated. The key is versatility — you need gear that works underground or underwater just as well as it does topside. For our week in Belize we made sure everything we took did more than just one thing well. This saved space in our luggage and let us be nimble yet well prepared. Here’s a sampling of what we took.
Dakine Cyclone Drypack
The Cyclone pulled double duty, schlepping a towel, dry shirt, sunscreen and other essentials during days on the salt-sprayed dive boat, and carrying our lunch, layers and extra headlamp batteries as we negotiated the dripping caves of the Mayan underworld. The thick padded straps and back pad were comfortable, even when loaded; the 36-liter rolltop main compartment swallowed up gear with plenty of room to spare, while the outer pocket was perfectly sized for an energy bar and camera. Through it all, the thick rubberized material with welded seams kept everything dry.
Adidas Clima-Cool Boat Lace
These aren’t your dad’s boat shoes. The Clima-Cool Boats fit like slippers but wore ruggedly, even through a jungle hike. While the soles are perforated for drainage, the sticky rubber provided grip on slick tree roots and wet boat decks alike. The lightweight mesh uppers don’t absorb water and kept our feet cool as well as sandals would have — but with more protection.
