The theme of this spring has been downsizing as Dan and I have been shrinking down the stuff in our lives from what two people can fit in a house to what two people can fit in a van (and admittedly, a storage unit.) When it came time to pare down our clothes, we knew each item would have to meet a few criteria to make the cut:

• versatility that allows us to jump between meetings and wrenching on bikes (or the van) or hiking and grocery shopping

• durability because we’d be putting it through the paces doing all of the above

• character that’s only further enhanced when it inevitably gets dirty or covered in cat hair

• comfort because, well, we’re living out of a van

Our threads from the Fayetteville-based outdoor outfitter beardedgoat check all those boxes. Since we’ve started our road trip, I’ve been partial to my Boatyard Waffle long sleeve. It’s the first thing I throw on when I get out of bed on these slightly chilly springtime mornings. It comes in men’s sizes, but the small is just the right amount of relaxed comfort and fit. I usually pair it with the Summit Short because I like the bolo drawstring detail and how high they sit on the waist. Most of the time I’m also wearing the Essential Tank under the long sleeve for a quick change once the day inevitably gets warmer. And even though I’ll take a sunny day over a rainy one anytime, I’m fine with a little precipitation only because it gives me an excuse to wear the Echols Aberdeen Rain Jacket. I love the grays, greens, and subtle lavenders of the rest of beardedgoat’s collection, but the rain jacket comes with a much-needed pop of color when the skies get dreary.

Meanwhile, Dan had spent almost the entirety of the van build-out portion of this journey in his shacket, which you can think of like a cross between a button-up shirt and an insulated jacket. It became an essential layer of warmth during winter and early spring in Arkansas, much of which Dan spent outside getting the Sprinter ready for takeoff. Between the rips and tears, and all manner of building material stains, it ended up taking on a lot of character by the time we left. He now stays warm in the Shaper Vest. I’ve also noticed he’s spending a lot of time in the Foundry Pant as we’ve been traveling. I like it when he wears flip-flops and rolls the pant legs up using the built-in button straps because who doesn’t love cute man ankles?