Products and Tips for Your Missionary

Insights From
Mission Families

Everything I wish I'd known before sending my missionaries out the door, gathered from forums, groups, and years of collective experience.

Below you'll find the most universally recommended products for missionaries in general. You can also find information about your specific mission here:

Go To Missions
Product Recommendations

Sisters' Clothing

I know a lot more about the Sister Missionaries than the Elders — I've sent out two of them, seven years apart. One served state-side (California), and one is serving foreign (Japan). While there are specific things that may be relevant to the place your sister is called, a lot of the basic equipment is the same. The quantity may change, though. For example, my daughter who served in Southern California didn't really need as many slacks because it was so hot — dresses are much cooler for sisters serving in really hot areas and areas with access to a car. My daughter serving in Japan loves wearing slacks because she is always biking and it is always raining. She has a much more even split between pants and dresses.

Nearly every returned sister missionary I have asked about how many dresses a sister should pack has answered, "as many as you can fit in your suitcase!" I followed the mission packing list exactly with my first missionary (because that's how I typically roll), and my daughter wished she had more clothing. With my second, we filled those suitcases! Almost all of the state-side serving sisters have also commented that their apartments' closets are always full of the dresses of sisters past that have left them behind. They enjoy the change in their wardrobes.

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Sisters have a lot more variety in their clothing, which makes it a lot easier to find good deals. Sisters serving in really hot climates — especially Southern California and the southern United States — often find that simple dresses without layering are ideal for staying cool. Lots of dresses and slacks can be found at thrift stores and resellers in your area.

Online stores most frequently mentioned in the community
Called to Surf Modest Molly JanieLanie Petallush Baltic Born Lena Layne Bohme Lulus
Specific Amazon picks (affiliate links)
For taller sisters (5'10" and above) — finding clothes long enough can be a real challenge. These stores have been specifically called out in the community for having options that fit tall sister missionaries:

Sisters serving in Central and South America or wet/cold climates tend to find that pants are essential for long days of proselyting. Along with the recommendations below, a helpful tip I was given: look for slacks in the men's section, especially at thrift stores. For some reason, the pants are cheaper and often more flattering. The "boy pants," as my daughter calls them, are her favorites.

Missionaries who will be walking a ton often say: if you're on a tight budget, go with the cheaper option for everything else, but save your money for shoes. South and Central American missions are heavy walking missions — in most state-side missions, the most expensive shoes are not as critical since many U.S. areas involve more driving. That said, it's best to go in person to try shoes on. Without good footwear, more problems can happen with injury and foot fatigue. The recommendation is to purchase 2–4 pairs and rotate them daily — this also helps with foot odor! If your missionary is serving in a rainy area, waterproof those shoes.
Everyday Shoes
Boots
Product Recommendations

Elders' Clothing

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Golf pants. Just golf pants. Places to purchase and prices vary, but really the main takeaway is to find golf pants you like at a price that feels right. Another tip from missionaries who have served in hot/humid climates is to only wear dark pants; they hide sweat spots much better than light colors. Here are some of the most often mentioned stores and brands:
Most commenters noted their sons preferred golf pants found on Amazon for this purpose as well. Whatever you choose, make sure they are not see-through for baptisms.
The most often-mentioned suggestion for suits: purchase a washable one. Dry cleaning is not always feasible or available in the mission field, so being able to wash a suit at home is a big practical advantage.
Missionaries who walk a lot say: if you're on a tight budget, go cheaper on everything else and invest in shoes. South and Central American missions are heavy walking missions. It's best to go in person to try shoes on — a lot of Amazon reviews note that the shoes just don't fit or hold up the same as ones purchased in store. Rotate 2–4 pairs daily to extend the life of each pair and keep things fresher.
Everyday Shoes
Boots
Product Recommendations

Supplies

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There are two schools of thought on luggage size. One is to bring two large suitcases and one carry-on; the other is suitcases that nest inside one another. Two large suitcases allows for more belongings, while nesting sets are nice in small apartments where space is limited.

With the cost of shipping outside of the United States - if you're worried about not being able to fit everything in your missionary's luggage within the allotted weight limit - most missionary parents recommend paying the weight overage at the airport rather than trying to ship things later, especially since packages don’t always make it to the missionary in certain countries.

While some mission packing lists don't include backpacks, other missions use them every day. Regardless, one of the most consistently suggested items across all missions is a small backpack for overnight exchanges.

If your missionary is serving in a rainy area, make sure to waterproof the bag! Water resistance details are noted for each option below. Every day carry bags are sometimes mission specific. Some missions in South America use backpacks, while backpacks in other areas are not allowed. Sling bags are more universally accepted across missions, but be sure to check with your specific mission for any guidelines or restrictions.
If serving in a really cold location, many recommend waiting until the missionary arrives in their area before buying a coat. It saves room in luggage, and the local mission will know what actually works for those specific conditions. Whatever you choose: make sure it’s waterproof. A coat with a flap covering the zipper goes a long way in keeping wind and rain from seeping through.
Brands commonly recommended for coats & rain jackets
Columbia ↗ Patagonia ↗ The North Face ↗ Land’s End ↗ Mountain Hardwear ↗ Canada Weather Gear ↗ Eddie Bauer ↗ Sierra Trading Post ↗ Lululemon ↗
Specific Recommendations

These items repeatedly come up as genuinely helpful for missionaries to have — not just "nice to have" in theory, but things missionaries and their families actually wished they'd had from day one.

About This Site
Deanne's missionary daughter Deanne's missionary daughter

Hi, I'm Deanne!

Welcome to MissionaryDetails! I'm a somewhat neurotic (two-time) missionary mom who has scoured the internet looking for the best advice about clothing, accessories, technology, and about every other topic you can imagine regarding the missionary experience from a parent's perspective.

I created this site because it's something I really wish existed when I was in the early stages of preparing my girls temporally for their spiritual journey. Everything here is information and advice I've compiled from hundreds of posts across several forums and groups — organized in one spot so you don't have to do what I did.

Product recommendations reflect what real missionaries and their families have found helpful. No single item works for every mission or every missionary, and prices change — so please shop around, check your local options, and trust the community advice that resonates most with your missionary's specific situation.

If you've served, sent a missionary, or have advice to share, I'd love to hear from you.

ⓘ The information and advice contained here is subjective and not in any way sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Amazon links on this site are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps support this site. All other brand and retailer links are not affiliate links. Prices vary by location, season, and availability, and we always encourage you to shop around for the best deal in your area!