I have been traveling for nearly 3 years and by now have determined what travel gear I love and can’t live without and also some travel gear that I’ve tried only to find out it is not necessary or does not stand up to the rigors of long-term adventure travel.
While I do not travel on a budget I travel as inexpensively as I can within my own limits of comfort. At the same time I prefer travel gear of high quality so you will find that what I use is not usually the least expensive option and in fact may be one of the most expensive options. There is nothing more frustrating when traveling light than to have something break or not perform well. Furthermore, I tend to be in third-world countries or remote places that make it near impossible to replace what breaks. Thus, even for budget travelers I highly recommend investing in great quality and functional travel gear. It pays for itself many fold over time.
If you are on this page there is a good chance you are planning an upcoming trip and will need one or many of the items listed in my packing lists.
I have provided a “Shop Now” button on many of the items for 2 reasons. One reason is to make it quick and easy for you to get all of what you need. The other reason is that I make a little bit of money from the sales made on Amazon.com. This helps me to continue maintaining this travel blog. So if you are going to purchase any of these items please do me a big favor and make as many of your purchases as you can by clicking on the “Shop Now” button on this page. Many thanks!
Essential Travel Gear
Here you will find the gear I use that I think is good for a traveler whether backpacking or on a motorcycle. For the motorcycle adventurers I have a separate list of gear specific to traveling by motorcycle.
I like this day pack specifically because it can be comfortably worn on your chest which is really helpful when you are also carrying your backpack. It is easily accessible when worn in the front which is also a great bonus. Note that this specific daypack is only sold with the backpack. I don’t use the backpack so I went to an extreme to get this only for the day pack. But the backpack also comes with a great waterproof cover that is excellent for checking my Arc’teryx backpack in with the airline when I fly so it helps to justify the cost a bit. With this day pack you do need to be careful if you carry a lot of heavy weight in it like I do (I carry my laptop, tablet, and kindle in it). The straps tend to break away from the pack so I need to reinforce the stitching on occasion to make it last.
To make securing your hammock easy get 4 rappel rings and 2 large carabiners. Then watch this YouTube video and see just how easy it is to setup your hammock. I love this method. I can setup my hammock in literally 10 minutes using this technique. I leave the carabiners and rappel rings attached to the hanging straps provided with the hammock so that setup and takedown is quick and simple.
I use the Big Agnes Encampment 15 sleeping bag from REI. This sleeping bag was my second attempt at getting it right. The first bag I tried did not come close to keeping me warm when using it with the hammock even though it was rated for temperatures below what I used it at. This bag along with the sleeping pad works wonders. What I like about this bag is that there is a pocket on the underside of the bag to stuff the sleeping pad into. This keeps the sleeping pad firmly in place. It also has a pocket at the top of the bag to stuff a “pillow” into so it also stays firmly in place. These 2 features make it ideal for using in a hammock.
Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Cube Sets are just what is needed to keep everything organized in your backpack. These sacks are very light weight, durable, and the zippers don’t break. They are also quick drying in the event they get wet somehow. These sacks are great for holding a lot of loose items. They zip across the top and have a handle at the top as well which makes it easy to carry and hang on hooks such as in a bathroom. I use one large one for most of my toiletries such as hair brush, nail clippers, contact lens solution, contact lens, ear swabs, etc. I use another large one for many of my GoPro accessories. A third large one I use for my large supply of medications. I use a small sized one to keep about a 30-day supply of my medications which allows me to put it in my day pack when on taking flights when my large supply of medications is in my checked backpack. You can never have too many bags to stay organized so I recommend getting 3 sets.
Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Sac Sets are just what is needed to keep everything organized in your backpack. These sacks are very light weight, durable, and the zippers don’t break. They are also quick drying in the event they get wet somehow. These sacks have a zipper across the long end of the sack which makes them great for clothes with optimal access to get things in and out. They come in numerous colors which I like as it helps to identify what is in which sack even without opening them.
I use 4 large sacks for my clothes. I use one for shirts and sleepwear, another for pants, another for t-shirts, and one for dirty clothes. Each one is a different color so I know what is what easily and quickly. I use 2 medium sacks for my clothes. I use one for underwear and socks and another for swimwear and miscellaneous items.
The biggest drawback with this product is that it is only sold as a set. Thus, I had to buy 4 sets to get the 4 large sacks. This wasn’t so bad the first go around because I found uses for each of the 4 medium and small sacks but if you ever had to replace one you end up having to buy the whole set. But I find this to be a minor annoyance compared to the value these sacks provide.
In addition to my main toiletry bag (see Sac Set – Top Zip item detail) I use this bag for my toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shaving cream, and razor. I first used this bag for shampoo and shower gel but found that it is a little small for easy use. This bag goes to the bathroom with me when I only need the essentials.
I always carry a bottle of shampoo, body wash, and mouthwash with me. Most places I stay at such as hostels often do not provide these. This sac is the right size to carry these items.
I use the Eagle Creek Travel Gear Pack-It Compression Sac size large in which to store my clothing sacks (refer to Organization Sacks – Top Zip item). Clothing takes up a lot of space mainly because it encompasses a lot of empty space. A compression sack is ideal for easily squeezing out all the empty space thus significantly reducing the amount of space your clothes take up in your backpack. Instead of putting all my loose clothing in one large compression sack though I put my clothes in the Pack-It Spector Sacs. The large size compression sack perfectly holds my 4 large and 2 medium Pack-It Spector Sacs with all my clothes. If you travel with fewer clothes than me you may be able to get by with a medium-sized compression sack.
I travel with an extra small-sized (2-liter) Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Bag. This sack is perfect for whenever I go canyoning, kayaking, SCUBA diving, snorkeling, swimming, the beach, and anywhere else that my things might get wet. The dry sack is completely waterproof keeping everything inside safe and dry. The way a dry sack closes at the top creates a handle that makes it really easy to carry. I use it to hold my wallet, cell phone, keys, GoPro and spare batteries, sun tan lotion, maybe a spare t-shirt, sun glasses, and anything else I may need.
The Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag is a heavy duty dry bag that can withstand much more water pressure than the ultra-sil dry bag that I always carry with me. This bag is larger, the material is thicker, and thus a heavier bag. It is not practical or necessary for casual interactions with water you may encounter while traveling. However, I did find it incredibly useful while I did the Oceania segment of my journey. I was in, on, and around water daily and thus made it worth carrying along. It was just big enough to fit my snorkeling fins in with I also carried while in the Oceania region. If you are going to travel through the Pacific consider this bag as well.
I use Patagonia’s Atom Sling bag primarily for my camera. I can fit both my 70mm-200mm zoom lens and my Sony a7s camera with an attached 24mm-70mm lens in the bag plus spare batteries and small miscellaneous items. At times I also use the bag just for walking around town or on a long walk when I don’t have my camera with me but need to carry more than what I can fit in my pant pockets.
A microfiber towel is pretty good at getting your body dry and it itself dries out fairly quickly which is important. It is also compact. These 2 reasons alone make it the towel of choice for backpackers. Of course a towel has other uses as well. I use it as a pillow, a beach blanket, back support in a bus, and to hang down from a bunk bed in a hostel to create a touch of privacy (okay, not much but a little anyway).
Even well before becoming an adventure traveler I was a big fan of the Bose Quiet Comfort 3 Noise Cancelling Headphones. I really can’t live without them. Granted they are bulky for backpacking and many will find that unacceptable but for me they are still well worth the space. I spend a lot of nights in hostels and it can be noisy at all hours of the day and night. These headphones are responsible for hundreds of hours of extra sleep. Even when I am not sleeping I often find myself trying to concentrate (for instance on writing this travel blog) when I am in noisy, public areas and these headphones allow me to do that. They also work wonders to block out the noises of crying babies on airplanes!
A headlamp is a necessity as undoubtedly you will find yourself in need of seeing in the dark. This is especially true if you plan to do any camping and/or stay in hostels. In hostels you will find that people will be sleeping at all times of day and night so often even in the daytime the room will be dark. I have also done activities such as hiking at night and exploring caves where my headlamp has been required.
Of course not everyone needs reading glasses but for those that do carrying around a pair of reading glasses can be a pain. They don’t really fit in pant pockets easily. I just recently came across these Foster Grant Gavin glasses and they solve this problem. They have a design and a carrying case that makes them very thin and thus much easier to carry. I also travel with a less expensive, normal pair of reading glasses.
I love this RFID wallet from REI. Most currencies fit in the wallet which is nice, the size is not too bulky, and it protects your cards from RFID theft.
This Leatherman Wave Multi-Tool has worked wonders for me. I use it quite a bit. It does have some weight to it so not ideal for backpacking but I find it worth it. It sure beats carrying a lot of separate tools which would be hard to keep organized or find when needed.
The obvious first decision about buying a padlock is whether to go with a combination lock or key lock. I personally prefer a key lock because it is easier to use in the dark. Usually the times you need a lock are when you are staying in a dorm room with other people. People sleep at all times of day and night in hostels so rooms are usually dark. Obviously it has its drawbacks as well such as you can lose a key. Something not so obvious about deciding on a lock is the size. Do not go crazy with the size. Bigger is not better. Many latches on lockers in hostels are small and if the lock is too large it won’t fit in the latch. Go as small as you are comfortable with.
Toiletries are a given and what toiletries are needed depend on the person. What I can say here that may be a useful observation is that products and even brands that you are familiar with in North America are commonly available all over the world. Thus, carry small bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, tooth paste, deodorant, and the like.
I always have had trouble with liquids that I carry spilling from the bottle. More often than not it happens when I am flying. I finally found bottles for carrying liquids that really work. I have never had these silicone bottles leak! If you have liquids you need to carry definitely consider using these silicone bottles. A simple toothbrush cover that only covers the bristles of the brush is far more compact that a full toothbrush case and easier to use when space in bathrooms is cramped. So often I find myself in bathrooms with no counter space and thus love the compact nature of this cover. Get both the silicone bottles and toothbrush covers with the “Shop Now” link.
Essential Clothing
Here you will find the clothing and related items I use that I think are essential for long-term adventure travel when you are carrying everything you have on your back.
I like this Columbia Men’s Plus Tamiami II Long Sleeve Shirt because it is really light weight, has sleeves that can be rolled up and held in place with a button, and it does not wrinkle. It has a collar so you can use it as a dress shirt of sorts if you are going into a nice restaurant or bar.
It is nice to have one collar short sleeved shirt in case you have to look presentable on occasion. Usually t-shirts suffice as a backpacker but who knows when you might end up with a date. It is hard to decide on just one shirt to take on your journey but they are heavier and more bulky than a t-shirt so I managed with just one.
Cotton t-shirts are what I live in. They are the most comfortable when traveling. They are light-weight, compact, dry quickly (if they are truly lightweight ones), durable, and easily replaced if necessary. I use DKNY cotton t-shirts that I can only find at their outlet stories. The ones I have are incredible. They are very light weight yet after 3 years of daily use are just now falling apart. It is time to get more. You may want one of your t-shirts to be a truly quick-dry shirt that is not cotton.
I do not carry a heavy cotton sweater. I don’t know how I could possibly manage space for that. Instead I have a sweater/jacket made by Lululemon that I love. The picture shown here looks similar to what I have just to give an idea to the type of item I am talking about but it is not the same and they no longer have what I own. When looking for something the biggest piece of advice I can give is to get something with a full zipper. Don’t get something that you have to pull over your head. You will be very frustrated if you do. You need to be able to adjust your body temperature easily so a full zip is important.
I found 5 to be enough. Most of the places you travel laundry services are easy to come by and well, if they aren’t then you are probably out in the middle of nowhere and then who cares if you are wearing a pair for more than a day.
I started out carrying more socks than I ended up using. I mostly live in my sandals and thus hardly ever need socks. I do tend to chase summer though and if you are going to be where it is cold then your needs will be different than mine. The good thing is that if you take more to start you can easily throw some away when you tire of carrying them. Of course you can also buy more easily, anywhere. I wear these sport socks when I am wearing shorts and have my runners on such as when I am hiking.
I started out carrying more socks than I ended up using. I mostly live in my sandals and thus hardly ever need socks. I do tend to chase summer though and if you are going to be where it is cold then your needs will be different than mine. The good thing is that if you take more to start you can easily throw some away when you tire of carrying them. Of course you can also buy more easily, anywhere. I use the dress socks when I have my long pants on and want more warmth than my sport socks provide.
I carry 2 pair of shorts that I can use interchangeably for sleeping in and for swimming. If one pair is wet then I still have a dry pair for sleeping in. I find it is important that these shorts have pockets with zippers and are lightweight for comfort sleeping. If is easier to find this style in a running short than a swimsuit so I don’t have a swimsuit per se, just running shorts that double as a swimsuit. As you can tell, as a backpacker sometimes style takes a backseat to what is practical.
I carried only one belt. Make sure you have a good quality, leather belt with a strong buckle. My belt is a dark beige color which I found to be perfect to go with any color pant.
What can I say about my Luna Sandals? I have been living in my Luna’s for 3 years now and love, love, love them. They are the perfect sandal. They are extremely comfortable, have excellent traction, dry very quickly when they get wet, and are durable. You can run in your Luna’s which you can’t do with a typical sandal. In fact they are designed primarily for running but I use them constantly for everything. Don’t leave home without a pair of sandals. If you use them every day like I do you can expect to get 18 months of use from one pair. At some point the sole loses its tread and then they need to be replaced.
There are several reasons why I like my pair of Salomon Speedcross 3 Trail Running Shoes. They are lightweight yet very durable. I like the grey color since they go with everything I have. The tread is really good for hiking and being a trail running shoe it is stable enough to provide needed support on uneven surfaces. Instead of shoelaces it has a very strong pull string to make getting into and out of the shoes quick and easy. The only drawback to the shoes is that they are a bit slippery on wet, tiled surfaces. This can be a problem when walking into the lobby of a building that has tile flouring when the ground outside is wet or where the sidewalks are tile. Despite this drawback it is still my shoe of choice.
You obviously can’t go anywhere without a good pair of sunglasses. My favorites are these Oakley Radar Lock sunglasses that have a changeable lens. I have one dark lens and one light lens. The light lens still provides protection but allows me to see clearly on a cloudy day. It comes with a case that safely stores the lens you are not currently using. These are not cheap sunglasses and I found that when I wore them when riding my motorcycle the lenses got really beat up. If you are going to be riding you may want to use a much cheaper pair of sunglasses for that than these Oakley’s because they will get damaged. For backpacking though these are great.
Electronics
Here you will find the electronics and accessories I use that are essential for me for long-term adventure travel. I do maintain this travel blog so my computer-related needs might vary from your own so keep that in mind.
A lot of backpackers I met did not carry a computer with them but I cannot live without my Surface Pro 4. When I first started my journey back in 2014 I had a Surface Pro 3 and I got a lower end model. While I loved the computer it was not powerful enough for my needs as a travel blogger and photographer. Thus, in 2016 I opted to upgrade to the upper-end model of the new Surface Pro 4. With the optional keyboard it is extremely efficient and productive for writing, maintaining a blog, managing photos, and even editing video. It is extremely durable and with the keyboard that protects the screen no additional case is required to carrying it. Being a Windows device it also runs programs that are essential to me that I can’t get on an Android device.
The keyboard is sold separately but in my opinion is absolutely necessary. The keyboard allows for efficient input that can’t be achieved with a touchscreen keyboard. Because of the keyboard the Surface Pro 4 is the valuable tool that it is for me. In addition, the keyboard serves a valuable function of protecting the screen of the Surface Pro so no additional case is required.
The Surface Pro 4 only has one USB port so I don’t want that port being taken up by a USB receiver for a mouse. Thus, for me a Bluetooth mouse although slightly more expensive is of utmost importance. A Bluetooth mouse works flawlessly with the Surface Pro. The USB port is then left available for other devices you may need to connect to the computer from time to time.
Some people may find this overkill but I have had more than one mouse break from dropping it while traveling. After a few years and a few panicked searches for mice in remote places I finally settled on getting a mouse case to protect my investment and time. Thus, I recommend using a protective case for your mouse.
With all the strange places I find myself trying to use my computer I find it well worth it to carry a mouse pad with me.
This Samsung tablet is perfect for watching media. The screen does not have a glare and it has a super good display which at the time I got it was considered the best on the market. The size of the tablet is big enough to make watching media a pleasure (as compared to just using a cell phone) yet it is light enough to comfortably hold in your hand. It is also a great size for using on an airplane, in a bus, or lying in bed. With the optional cover it even stands up on its own so you don’t have to hold it like you would a cell phone. Being an Android device also made it valuable to have along with my Windows-based Surface Pro. The tablet also has a micro SD card slot that I love. I never have to worry about the capacity on the device because of this. I store all my media on a 64 GB micro SD card. The device plays media directly from the micro SD card without any delays or glitches.
The cover for the Galaxy Tab S is sold separately but is a must have item. It perfectly protects the tablet. It also doubles as a stand for the device so you don’t have to hold it in your hands.
I happen to have a Motorola Droid phone but of course you will have your own phone of choice. What is critically important is that your phone is “unlocked.” Unlocked means that you can remove the SIM card of your phone, insert a SIM card from another cellular provider, and have the phone work. When I left on my trip I did not want to keep paying monthly fees in the US so I canceled my contract and purchased the phone outright. As an unlocked phone I am able to buy a SIM card in each country I go to and get cell service with a data plan and thus have Internet access. Of course the phone also is invaluable for all the apps I run on it. See the Applications list on this page for more information on useful apps. If buying a cell phone also be sure it has enough memory. My phone has 16 GB of memory and I find it to be a problem on occasion. I don’t store pictures on my phone for this reason. If you can get a phone that has a slot for a micro SD card that would be ideal.
A SIM card from a local (usually good for the entire country you are in) cell service provider is usually free or up to the equivalent of $1 USD everywhere in the world expect North America which is ridiculously expensive. The SIM card gives your cell phone access to the mobile network in the country. Along with that you need to get a data plan and maybe a voice plan if you intend to make calls locally. These plans tend to be extremely inexpensive compared to what you would pay in North America and are very affordable. Even if you are going to be in a country for only a few days it is a much better option than using rates available through your North American-based service provider. The other nice thing about most countries is that SIM cards are available everywhere and if you are flying into a country always available in the arrival lobby at airports. The kiosks that sell the cards will do everything on your phone necessary to make it work before you walk off.
I carry an iPod just because I already had one, it is extremely small and thus even easier to carry than my cell phone, and I can listen to music without draining the power on my cell phone. I know a lot of backpackers that just use their cell phone for music but keeping my phone charged is always a challenge and I like the flexibility the iPod gives me to listen to music especially on long flights, bus rides, hikes, and so on. When traveling on my motorcycle it was invaluable as I could get 10 hours of music even connected to my helmet via Bluetooth which would have been impossible with my cell phone.
I love the Yurbud Inspire 400 earphones. I was using them before I started traveling when I did a lot of running and working out. They stay in your ears, period. The 400’s have a volume adjustment on the cord which I particularly like. My Bose noise-cancelling headphones that I carry are sometimes too bulky to use in some cases so I carry both; these earphones and my Bose.
These are small so I carry a few more than the devices I have that use them just for convenience so I don’t have to buy replacements along the way. One thing I strongly recommend is to have one 2-meter length cable. This is longer than people normally have but is really handy when sleeping in hostel dorm rooms and other places where outlets may not be in a convenient place. You’ll be very happy you got one.
Who would have thought but this is one of my absolute most valuable things I carry. Power outlets are almost always at a premium and usually not where you want them. Every night I have to charge all my devices and staying in hostels a lot provides a challenge. Even hotel rooms in many parts of the world may only have one plug and usually not in a convenient spot. With the extension cord with 3 outlets on it I can charge several devices all at once with one power outlet. This way I also only have to carry one plug adapter with me which helps save on space.
I tried a universal adapter early on only to find that they have too large a profile to fit in many tight spots that I encountered. That is when I went to the simplest of adapters I could find. They are very small and light weight and I only needed one for each type since I only had to ever plug in my multi-plug extension cord (see “Extension Cord” for more). Almost all electronics now are made to handle 100v to 240v input so you don’t need to worry about transformers, just a plug adapter. When using the “Shop Now” link, once on the page select “Complete Int’l Plug Adapter Kit” if you want to be covered worldwide.
Spot Gen 3 is a satellite position tracking device. I use the Spot Gen 3 for a couple of reasons. One reason is so that I can display my location on this travel blog for those that want to see where I have been and where I am at currently (mainly my Mom). The second reason is for safety. The device has an SOS button that when pushed signals an international control center that then notifies local authorities of your whereabouts and that you are in a life threatening situation. Fortunately I have never had to use it for that reason but it did give me added comfort on the rare occasion I felt uncomfortable in my surroundings. I feel this was of particular value when I was traveling by motorcycle as I found myself in places where tourists are normally not as compared to when I am backpacking.
Photography
Here you will find the photography and videography equipment and accessories I use during my long-term adventure travel. Before starting this journey I was not a photographer and not knowing whether I would like it or not I took a leap of faith and invested in a great camera. I am so glad I did. The camera really does make a difference and I quickly feel in love with taking pictures. Video was also a must for capturing the truly exciting moments I had as well as capturing the roads I traveled on my motorcycle. –Coming Soon.
Motorcycle-Related Travel Gear
If you are going to be doing some motorcycle travel then in addition to your bike you are going to need some specialized gear. Here you will find all of the gear that I use specifically for motorcycle travel. The right gear is essential to an enjoyable and safe trip. The right gear is not cheap but I think the investment in quality travel gear is essential. No doubt there are cheaper options than the gear I use but everything listed here is tried and tested over 2+ years in extreme conditions and 100,000 km of road. –Coming Soon.
*Note: I try to keep the product links current but from time to time there may be an invalid link due to changes on third-party sites. Sorry for any inconvenience. Furthermore products that I describe here are based on their features as I know them. It is possible that a product has the same name as what I am using but features of the product may be different as newer versions are introduced. Thus please take the time to compare the features of a product that I describe (if they are important to you) with that of what is available now before making a purchasing decision.
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