My Best Gear For Travel
This article may contain affiliate links where I make a small commission for purchases you make from links that you click from this article. By purchasing through these links, you support me at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support.
If you read my blog, then you probably like to travel and have a trip or two planned for 2018! Remember how Underdog comes in to save the day? Well, that’s what this post is all about. As you plan for your upcoming travels in 2018, this post will give you some great ideas on what you should bring with you and what type of gear you’ll need to make your vacation lightweight, simple, and awesome. Isn’t that really the goal of a vacation, after all?
I’m not someone who likes a lot of stuff. I lived out of a suitcase for 11 years, so it was imperative that I make gear choices that are light, durable, and necessary. I don’t like a lot of bells and whistles, and quite frankly, most travel stuff is crap and stuff that you don’t even need. My travel gear list tried to stick to the necessities for the traveler who wants to remain light, adventurous, and simple.
Whether you are shopping for a trip for yourself, or a favorite traveler in your life this gear is what you need to make any trip awesome – even a work trip! These are all products I have used for various amounts of time as I traveled around the world for the last 11 years.
When you live out of a suitcase, you don’t have room for stuff that isn’t awesome.
Table of Contents
Best Gear For Travel
Some of these are brands I swear by and have used for years and some products are new to me this year but I love them enough to recommend them. The one thing I can guarantee you is these are all items I use. Granted – I’m a female, so this list is geared more toward the female traveler, but don’t let that discourage you – most of it applies to both genders!
Check out my hiking packing list – essential gear for every hike
This travel gear list is for all types of travel, but if you are looking for a more specific type of trip, check out my other gear guides and packing lists for:
Hiking trips
Rainy trips
Antarctica trips
Photography trips
Favorite Travel Bags For Checking Luggage
I told you I love my Eagle Creek gear, and this Gear Warrior is one of my greatest loves! I’ve been using this suitcase/ now for about 10 years. It goes everywhere with me. Why I like it: There are no bells and whistles or special compartments – it’s just basic – and that’s what keeps it light and versatile. You can fit a TON into it when you have to. The material is durable and weather resistentt. I use packing cubes and organizers to keep everything organized in the bag, and they work perfectly for a long-term traveler!
This is my go-to suitcase and luggage brand. I've been using the Gear Warrior for a decade now. Eagle Creek recently made it more eco friendly. It's made with 100% post-consumer recycled 600D polyester dobby with reinforced corners, impact-resistant handle, and heavy-duty treaded wheels. It can hold up to any abuse, and it has plenty of space for a longer term trip!
Check out my best gifts for friends going traveling
Awesome Daypacks for urban or adventure hiking
I use the Thule Aion Travel Backpack as my primary carry-on bag and put all of my expensive photo and computer equipment in it as I refuse to check those things for obvious reasons.
Why I Like It: It fits a lot of tech stuff that I carry on to the plane. It even has a zipper that expands the bag even further to fit more. I also like the little hidden pocket section that is perfect for a passport. It’s nicely padded and I love the durable fabric.
A good travel backpack is one which has a lot of compartments, can fit multiple sized water bottles, and can expand/contract as needed. This Thule Aion backpack has all of that and it's why it's my new favorite backpack to take on trips. It expands from a 28L daypack to a 32L travel backpack for 15% more packable space and is made of 100% recycled polyester fabrics and a waxed canvas with a PFC free durable water-resistant coating.
However – if you are looking for a more hiking friendly backpack that can also be used as your carry on bag to store camera and laptop equipment – then I would go with the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack
The newest Peak Design backpack that is for the outdoor adventurer/photo enthusiast. This pack allows you to carry a mirrorless camera and lenses (need to get camera cubes separately), and a water bottle or bladder, and extra hiking layers. Innovative design that also can hold a 16in laptop.
Dry sacks like this Sealline backpack are great daypacks for wet environments. I used them in Vietnam for the Rainy Season all the time! I also regularly use them when I’m kayaking and I take gear with me I want to ensure stay dry even if I tip the kayak! I normally carry two – a small one for my smartphone, and a larger one for my DSLR camera.
Waterproof protection in a backpack! This is for the ultra rainy adventures such as my Iceland trip - it kept all of my day pack gear and camera gear completely dry while hiking to waterfalls or doing whale watching. In addition it's also great for expedition cruising and riding in splashy zodiacs. The backpack straps evenly dispurse weight making it much better than a regular dry bag.
I hate those waterproof phone bags where you have to shoot through a piece of plastic. I refuse to use them, instead - I took this versatile hip pack to Iceland with me. I stored my phone in it and then got it out to shoot pictures. This is perfect for kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddle boarding, and any rainy environment - like riding a motorbike in Vietnam in rainy season!
Favorite Handbags That Transform For Travel
A camera bag that looks and acts like a purse…yes, there is such a thing! I started using the Lowepro Passport Sling III a couple of years ago and now it goes everywhere with me. I love things that have dual uses when I travel. This is a photography bag, but it’s also a nice purse.
Why I Like It: It looks and acts like a purse, but it’s much more than that! I can fit in my small mirrorless camera, plus an extra lens and filters. Plus, I bring my wallet and other essential purse items. It actually expands, and I can even fit my 13-inch MacBook Pro in it, too, with a little jiggling around of items! So it’s perfect for taking out exploring a town, and you can actually carry everything with you if you need to. I use this as my ‘small/personal item’ carry-on when I fly and can fit a bunch of stuff in it! It might not work for a fancy night on the town, but it’s a great all-purpose travel bag for the photo enthusiast!
Find the best travel camera bag for your travel style
This is a new addition to my travel gear arsenal and I love it! I just started using the Sherpani Tempest Tote/Backpack for trips that are less active and more business-oriented.
Why I Like It: Sometimes you just need to have something versatile and nice and the Tempest is just that. It looks like a business tote, is fashionable, and holds my camera and my laptop. However, it can also easily switch into a backpack and leave your hands free, which is great when moving through airports or on buses/trains. You don’t even have to unhook anything for it to switch from tote to backpack! Check out all of Sherpani’s products (they are a Colorado-owned company – yay!) because they all have a bit of a travel edge to them, but you’d take them out day to day too! Plus they are all ethically sourced, many like the Tempest are hand painted, and they use vegan leathers.
Packing Essentials
Thule packing cubes are my favorite packing cube solution. These durable packing organizers organize and compress the contents of your travel bag. Packing organizers are the key to packing happiness – they turn your bag into a piece of furniture. I use mine to organize my different types of clothes, just like I would a dresser; one has T-shirts, one has pants, and one has sweaters. You get the idea – it’s packing bliss. . Not only do they keep me organized, but you can’t even imagine how much more I can fit into a suitcase or bag thanks to these!
This compression packing cube set is a must for being able to organize your suitcase for a trip. The zippers are sturdy and durable which is key for a compression cube. I have been amazed at how many things I could compress thanks to the strong zippers.
You can also use the more durable Eagle Creek Packing Cubes. I have a set of these!
Compression sacks are a must for winter travel! It’s hard to pack all of that bulky winter gear and sweaters, but
This might not be essential for everyone, but this Manduka Travel Yoga Mat is so thin that it’s easy to put in the bottom of your suitcase! I’ve been trying to make sure that I’m doing regular exercise even while I’m on the road, and this yoga mat keeps me on track! It’s just nice to lie out on a hotel room floor and stretch! For yoga on the go I normally just stream Yoga by Adrienne – it’s free and only 30 minutes – perfect for travel!
Some of my other packing essentials are a first aid kit, travel towel, and travel washcloth, and I always have Dramamine (just in case!) packed in my bag!
Clothing You’ll Always Find in My Bag
It’s essential that I have a pair of hiking pants on every trip. That’s because these PrAna Halle Pants are so great I even wear them when I’m not hiking! Why I Like Them: They are stretchy and comfortable – so often I wear them on flights! They are great for hiking because they are durable and have a number of pockets – but they can also dress up a bit when they have to!
There are a number of brands I love for travel clothes. I’ve talked about Exofficio before, but this year, I also started wearing Royal Robbins travel clothes. They are a company that has been around for years, specializing in travel clothes that are fashionable but perfect for travel. Pictured are some of the items I tried on my recent trip. I wore them for a work conference, but I could also wear them out exploring in the desert. They are versatile, non-wrinkle, and easy to launder, so they are perfect for travel clothes!
Check out my packing list for extreme temperatures
Buffs are great for so many uses – a hat, scarf, eye mask, tube top, washcloth, helmet liner, and even handkerchief. I’ve used mine for every single one of those situations… and never leave ‘home’ without it!
My feet sweat a lot – but I’ve found a solution! Smartwool socks are GREAT for travel. They dry really fast, don’t hold odor, and stay warm in the cold and cool in the heat. Because they don’t get smelly, I only have to take a couple of pairs in my suitcase. I run in them, hike in them, and wear them to bed when my feet are cold and have no one to snuggle with. They are the only socks I travel with!
Merino wool offers moisture management, thermoregulation and natural odor resistance - which makes i perfect for traveling. Smartwool has socks for hiking, biking, and everyday. They also come in an array of lengths and cushioning.
These are the best on the market when it comes to travel underwear. Why are these Exofficio underwear special? They dry super fast, which means you can only take a couple of pairs and wash them out in a sink at night, and they will dry in a couple of hours. Seriously – I’ve done this many times! Plus – they are comfortable. And if you want to vamp it up – you can forgo the sporty ones I get and get the lacy thongs if you wish.
Essential Travel Shoes for Outdoor Adventures
Trail running shoes are the perfect active shoes to bring because they can be used for multiple activities. And anything that has dual uses – I love!
Sturdy sole good enough for light and fast hiking. Lightweight and breathable - but not waterproof.
I’ve tried many different water/adventure sandals, and I keep coming back to Chacos. I’ve been using them ever since I lived in Vietnam and had to endure the rainy season. They are super for all kinds of hot adventures, and I’ve even hiked pretty substantially in them.
These Z1 classics are my rest and recovery shoe for hiking. When you can't wait to get out of your hiking boots and into something cooler and more comfortable - I use my Chacos! These are also perfect for any kind of water adventures like rafting or kayaking.
Don’t Forget the Electronics
If you are traveling internationally, you’ll need one of these Universal Plug Adapters. However, the good news is that you’ll only need one, no matter where you go!
With the number of electronics we now depend on while we are traveling, you must have a backup for your essential items when they are low on battery. I decided to invest in a good portable battery charger – one that might be a bit bigger – but charges more.
When I am on more remote trips, this is perfect as it provides multiple charges for when you are ...
More electronics means more need for plugs in your room. Even nice hotels are sometimes deficient in plugs or easy-to-reach plugs. Bring this Travel Power Strip with you and the problem is solved!
More electronics mean more need for plugs when you travel. This compact travel power strip serves as the perfect charging station for any country and situation. It has a 3 ft. wrapped cord, 4 AC outlets, 2 USB-C chargers, and 2 USB-A ports to power up to 8 devices!
Be Prepared for Your Flight
I’ve tried many different neck pillows, but I keep coming back to this one! This memory foam Neck Pillow provides enough support, AND it folds up pretty small – the best of both worlds!
I love the soft yet firm memory foam and the fact that you can use the clip to pull it tight so it doesn't move around as much. Plus - becuase it's memory foam it folds up small and always retains its shape! After sitting in a compact ball during COVID I got mine out and it snapped back into shape in no time!
Compression socks for travel – the what, why, and how
If I could marry these Bose Noise Canceling Headphones and have its babies, I would. I love, love, love them. I actually just started using noise-canceling headphones this year, and my first reaction was, “Oh Baby…where have you been my whole traveling life?” I don’t know about you, but I adore shutting everyone out and just being in my own world for a bit, and that’s exactly what these do – better than any other on the market. They remove all of the low-level hums and buzzing from our completely plugged-in world, making you realize just how loud the world is.
Planes can be really noisy, so be prepared with earplugs. However don’t bother with those soft squishy ones, use silicon earplugs. I was actually introduced to these when I hiked the Camino de Santiago trail. The silicon earplugs block so much more noise; I didn’t even hear people getting up and packing around me in the morning! You can use them for a few days and then replace them with another pair.
These soft silicone-putty plugs mold very comfortably to the unique contours of any ear. They are...
Don’t Leave Home Without Insurance!
Don’t forget the most important travel gear item – travel insurance! I always get travel insurance mainly for medical coverage and emergency evacuation coverage. But it’s also great for delayed baggage, flight cancellations, and more. I use Allianz Travel Insurance to determine my choices and choose a plan that works for Antarctica. They also have a great phone app that will help you fill prescriptions abroad and find care wherever you are in the world.
Allianz Global Assistance Travel Insurance. Get a free quote.
Disclosure:
This post contains some affiliate links. If you choose to purchase items through these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help reduce the costs of running this site
I can hear good sound thank you so much for sharing nice post.