Decathlon haul for 2-month UK trip

I bought a fuck load of things from Decathlon for our upcoming trip to the UK. I feel a tiny bad for spending all this $, which I could have saved for more Greggs sausage rolls, but... 

Nah! Not really. I'm actually pretty happy with my purchases. Let me show them to you.

I was torn between travelling with a backpack vs luggage. A backpack sounds more romantic but, fuck, I'm 36 and have had a lumbar spine injury... I don't think I want to end up at the NHS with a broken back. I saw  that Decathlon had this KIPSTA 30L Roller Bag ($35.90) and decided to Go For Roll.

Below is what it looks like with my items packed. Yes, I have started packing more than a month before my trip. I am crazy like that.

Warm clothes are a priority for me. But I have not traveled outside of Asia for years, so my wardrobe is severely lacking in that department. The only thing I have is an old North Face down jacket. I needed some things to wear inside.

I tried buying some cheap hoodies from SHEIN (more on that at the end of post) but found them very impractical. Either too bulky for travel or not really warm at all (or both). So I had to go back to Decathlon to buy cheap technical gear after all. My criteria: (a) quick dry (b) compressible (c) fit me okay (d) WARM!

For inner layers I found the WEDZE Ski Base Layer Top ($7.90) and QUECHUA Mountain Walking Fleece ($11.90) 2 of the coziest and warmest fitted tops there. The plain ski base layer really just looks and feels like an ordinary black sweatshirt, which I find versatile for "civilian use" back home. 

I hesitated over the red fleece top, because it's kinda ugly and technical looking. And the stitching quality isn't great. But it's SO WARM! This is despite the fleece being confined to just the torso and neck. The sleeves are made of thick stretchy sports material. I don't quite understand how it works but after wearing it around the store I was sold. Also it's only $11.90.

I already have a down jacket but I wanted an extra mid-layer because I am weak. I decided to buy the QUECHUA Hiking Fleece ($12.90) early on. I had some trouble deciding on the size. For QUECHUA I am in between M and L. L looks stupid on, but is comfier, so I went for the larger size. This item is very soft and cozy as well.

BTW I have given the different styles of fleeces an inappropriate amount of thought. I could have gotten a fleece jacket with full zipper and hood, but these features add weight and make it less portable. I also wanted to sleep in this and don't think a full zipper would be comfy.

On the bottom half I plan to wear my beloved FORCLAZ Modular Zip Off Trousers ($34.90), which I do aver are the best pants ever. They don't get smelly, dry in a flash, are stretchy in the right places, have pockets, don't confine the stomach, etc. etc. 

They are baggy and a bit thin, so I decided to buy a pair of thermal leggings. At first I considered the WEDZE sky base layer leggings, but they have that annoying waistband that digs into your stomach when you sit down. As a substitute I found the KALENJI Warm Running Tights ($14.90). They are REALLY WARM! Of course not warm enough to be worn on their own, but with this as an inner layer I should be toasty.

I also stole Jon's DOMYOS Straight-Cut Cotton Joggers ($15.90) to wear to sleep or on the plane. For some reason these men's pants fit me better than any women's pants. They are 60% cotton so I'm going to have to wash these extremely sparingly... maybe not wash them at all for 2 months.

Now I have some bonus content on my SHEIN haul. It was not very satisfactory. SHEIN items are very plasticky, yet reviewers say the items are "good quality". Pfft. 

But. But. SUCH CUTE THINGS!!! Like this $11 sweatshirt. Isn't it cute? It's Emily Dickinson the cat. It is not warm in the least, but at least (being 100% polyester, typical) it dries instantly. The design covers most of the chest so it's good for going braless.

Unfortunately I got suckered into buying a few other things, all not returnable: fuzzy legwarmers, cat ear beanie, plush-lined snood, fingerless gloves. Of these, only the snood is of good quality... well never mind. At least I'll look cute.

The complete packing list for 2 months in the UK:

• 1 down jacket
• 4 long sleeved pullovers (the 3 fleeces above, and 1 SHEIN sweatshirt, below)
• 1 pair regular trousers
• 1 pair thermal tights
• 1 pair joggers to sleep in
• underwear (3 bras, 4 undies, 2 boxers, 2 socks)
• accessories (hat, snood, fingerless gloves, legwarmers)
• toiletries (shampoo, lotion, lip balm, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, nail clippers, ear digging stick)
• other things (Kobo, books, notebook, pen, spare ink, colour pencils, charging cable)
• extra fold-up bag
• umbrella
• water bottle (potable water, yay!)