honestly been shooting fuji for ages and traveled way too much with heavy bags. since youre on an x-t4, you definitely want to take advantage of that ibis and the weather sealing. over the years ive found that i either want one lens that does everything or a couple tiny ones that dont break my back.

• Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR - if you dont mind the weight, the optics are insane. basically a bag of primes in one body.
• Fujifilm XF 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR - the ultimate lazy lens. its weather sealed and covers everything from wide to tele. i used this in rainy london and it never missed a beat.
• Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR - for street photography or when you just want to look like a casual tourist. it weighs nothing and the autofocus is snappy. the 16-55 is a chunky boy tho, like actually heavy after walking five miles. personally i tend to grab the 18-135 these days just so i dont have to swap glass in the wind and dust... simple life is better for travel usually.

Just found this thread and man, I am in the exact same boat. I have been obsessing over my packing list for a month now and I still havent clicked buy on anything because every option has a massive compromise. It is genuinely driving me crazy how hard it is to find that perfect balance for the X-T4 sensor. Like someone mentioned, the thread has basically boiled it down to:

• Choosing between the high-resolving but heavy Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR vs lighter f/4 glass
• The constant debate over prime versatility vs zoom convenience
• Concerns about dust and weather sealing when swapping glass in the field Ngl I am just as lost as when I started. I have spent hours looking at MTF charts and checking the weight distribution for the X-T4 grip, but I still cant decide if I should go all-in on a single zoom or risk the sensor dust with primes. It is a total nightmare trying to finalize this gear list.

I've always been super cautious about gear safety when traveling, so I usually suggest sticking to a single versatile zoom. Over the years, I've learned that constant lens swapping is just asking for dust on the sensor or, even worse, dropping something expensive in a crowd. Keeping it simple is almost always better for your wallet and your sanity.

• Buy a weather-sealed all-rounder to keep the sensor clean in bad weather
• Check the used market first because you can find mint condition gear for way less than retail
• A single lens makes you less of a target for theft compared to carrying a huge bag of glass I remember my first big solo trip where I packed four different lenses because I thought I needed every focal length. I ended up so stressed about my bag getting stolen or losing a lens cap that I barely enjoyed the sights. Halfway through, I realized I was only using the one lens that stayed on my camera 90% of the time anyway. Now I just bring one high-quality zoom and call it a day. It is way cheaper than buying a whole set of glass and much easier on the neck. If you need more tips on keeping gear safe on a budget just let me know...

OMG I am literally in the exact same boat right now!! I have been stressing so much about what to pack for my trek because keeping my gear safe is like my top priority! Ngl I have been looking at switching systems entirely just to find that perfect balance of reliability and weight but it is so confusing.

• Someone told me that Sony glass might actually be more durable for high-humidity areas but I am not 100 percent on that.
• IIRC the Canon weather sealing is supposed to be amazing but their lenses are just so bulky for a small kit.
• Not sure but I think the Fuji mount feels way more rugged than most other mirrorless setups I have tried! Basically I am just paralyzed by choice tho... I love my Fuji gear to death and the results are fantastic but the fear of a lens failing halfway through a trip is real! Truly hope we both find an answer soon because the anxiety is killing me haha.

@DarinSorma - good point! I totally get the stress. I actually tried going the high-end route for my last trip and honestly, I was pretty disappointed with how it turned out. I spent a fortune on the Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR but the sharpness at the long end was just not as good as expected for the price. Such a letdown when you are looking at your vacation photos later... I ended up switching to the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary which is like half the price and way lighter. It is basically the perfect size for an X-T4. If you really need the extra reach tho, the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD is an absolute beast and has great stabilization, plus it is much more affordable than the Fuji equivalent. Coming back to the humidity issue you mentioned... for a DIY fix, I dont even buy fancy gear bags anymore. I just throw my camera in a cheap dry bag with some silica gel packets I saved from shoe boxes. It is a total hack but it keeps everything bone dry without needing to switch systems or buy pro-level waterproof cases. Better to spend that extra cash on the actual trip anyway!

bump

Seconded!

XF 16-80mm f/4 and XF 35mm f/2.