I’ve been asked so many times about what gear I recommend most for taking on trips–adapter/converters for plugging in electronics in other countries, packing cubes, luggage, etc. Below are items I have personally used and love and highly recommend for your trip! Anything else you’re looking for that you don’t see here? Just ask!
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Travel Adapter
When you’re traveling internationally, it is likely that you will need a travel adapter. An adapter adapts your US plug to fit into the outlet of the country you are visiting. This, however, does not change the electricity from some countries into a current that is compatible with all US devices. You will have to check your device to see what input voltage it can accept before only using this and not a converter as well. Most modern phones and computers accept a wide range of voltage and are fine to use with just an adapter, but ask me if you still have questions!
Packing Cubes
If you have never used packing cubes when traveling, you need to! They make your life so much easier when on the road. Especially if you are doing a trip where you will be moving a lot from one hotel to the other, these can be a lifesaver.
There are different sized cubes that allow you to fill one with sweaters, larger clothing items, another with undergarments and socks, and another with summery clothing or shirts. When you need something, instead of digging through all your clothes, all you need to do is grab the packing cube that has what you need. The laundry pouch is also very helpful for putting dirty clothes in for when you know you won’t be wearing it again that trip and keeping them separate.
Sidenote: I use these a lot for backpacking. Instead of taking everything out of the top of your backpack and having it be a huge mess, you can just grab your cube of clothes! I also use the laundry pouch for snacks to bring on an airplane. So many uses for these that I promise, you won’t regret investing in a set!
VPN Service
Do you use public wi-fi at the airport and hotel when you travel? If so, it’s important that you keep your personal information safe by always using a VPN when connecting to those kinds of networks.
A VPN routes your internet activity through a different location so hackers can’t see your computer and hack into it when you’re on a public wifi service.
Luggage
The luggage has 360 spinner wheels, which I can’t stress enough how convenient that is when navigating through airports, lines, and streets. It’s also hard shell, which is great with how rough baggage handlers can be sometimes–it protects both your stuff and the luggage itself. You can buy the 3-piece set or you can buy them separately. The 24 inch usually works for a carry-on bag/to fit in the overhead bins. This luggage is extremely affordable compared to other brands of the same quality (the price/value combo can’t be beat!).
Travel Purse/Pouch
Let’s face it–traveling with your regular purse is not comfortable or practical. This is a lightweight, cross-body pouch (which is great to protext against theft, snatching, or pick-pocketing) that you can use to hold your money, cards, passport, and phone. It is RFID blocking as well, which means people can’t use radio waves to steal your passport or credit card information. This is so safe and convenient, I couldn’t imagine traveling without it now.
Money Belt
If you’re traveling to an area where pick-pockets are especially a problem, you may want to consider getting a money belt. These are comfortable, discrete, and convenient. This also has RFID protection against information-stealing technology.
TSA-Approved Liquid Bag and Travel Bottles
Sick of buying travel-sized liquids and quart-sized Ziploc bags for your carry-on? Invest in these and you’ll be able to re-use them and have them on hand every time you travel. Great for sunblock, shampoo, soap, and more.
Ginger Chews
Planes, trains, and automobiles! I don’t know about you, but I am unfortunate enough to have a very sensitive tummy when it comes to motion sickness. These little guys work wonders, believe it or not! Bus ride to the airport, ferry trip, you name it… I’ve always got these with me when I’m traveling.
Travel Towel
I was at a hotel once where the towels were like these and I looked at it and was like whaaat? That’s so small and it just looks like a piece of cotton. How will that dry my whole body and ALL THIS LONG HAIR? Boy, was I wrong! These things are amazing! And they’re SO compact. They dry extremely quickly and they work great. I won’t leave home without one now.
Guidebooks
No matter where you’re going, Lonely Planet has a guidebook for you. I absolutely love reading up on a place before I go there. I have never been steered wrong by the restaurant or guesthouse recommendations in Lonely Planet. What I love about these in comparison to all of the guidebook competition out there is that they recommend unique, off-the-beaten path places. Most of the recommendations are moderately priced, although it includes all levels. The authors of the books have actually been to every recommended venue themselves, so it is all based on firsthand experience, which is invaluable! Reading one of these books (or even skimming!) before your trip will make you look like the expert.
Day Backpack
I absolutely love this backpack. It is extremely high quality and is perfect for your personal item on a plane because it fits under the seat in front of you, so is free to bring with you on most air carriers. I use mine for all of my travel essentials like paperwork, passport, and quart-sized bag of liquid items. It has a laptop sleeve inside and room for a change of clothes, which you should always have with you just in case. It’s also great for taking with you for a day of sightseeing. You can put your water bottle, camera, map, and everything you would need for exploring in it. Last I checked, this backpack was offered in black, navy, and khaki colors.
Multi-Day Backpack
The Osprey Ag 65 Backpack is what I’ve been using for multi-day backpacking trips through Southeast Asia, Europe, and the wilderness of Michigan since the very beginning. It is extremely high quality–trust me, I did a ton of research before buying this and it’s one of the best on the market. Obviously for men you may want a bit larger one, and you will want to go to a local outdoors store and get fitted before buying one, but the online prices are better. This pack is lightweight, with tons of useful compartments, and even keeps your back from getting too sweaty with some awesome technology on the back side.
Airporter Duffle for Large Packs
If you’ll be checking your large backpack at the airport, you’ll want to get something like this to enclose it in. Those packs have so many straps and zippers hanging everywhere that if you check it at the airport, it’s likely to get stuck in a belt somewhere or damaged. This will keep everything enclosed, get your luggage to you on time, and even has a slot for a name and phone number should anything get lost.
Water Cleaning
No more tablets that take four hours to clean your water or cumbersome water filters that take a ton of work to use and upkeep. The SteriPEN Adventurer is great for hiking, backpacking, and traveling in third world countries where the tap water might not be safe to drink. It may seem expensive, but trust me, those water bottles you’re buying when you travel really add up fast. This cleans the water using UV light and can clean a liter of water in less than a minute! It’s the best solution for staying hydrated, whether on the trail or on the other side of the globe!
Hiking Boots
Whether you’re headed out for a multi-day hiking trip or just for a few day hikes while you’re on vacation, these boots are the best of the best. They’re extremely sturdy, wonderful quality, and very comfortable. They have them in women’s or men’s (my husband has a pair as well that he swears by!). Chances are, you’ll never have to buy another pair again, so it’s a worthwhile investment.
Travel Sandals
These are so comfortable. They’re great for a day of sightseeing in warm-weather where you don’t want to wear tennis shoes because of the heat. They’re also great for day hikes or any adventures like trekking up a waterfall where you might be getting wet. I have forded many a river in these shoes and walked muddy trails to waterfalls and always been the envy of the flip-flop wearers in the group. These shoes are great for many things and I will never catch myself without a pair! They also have women’s and men’s versions of these.
Water Reservoir
When we discovered the Platypus Big Zip LP Reservoir after countless trips just using water bottles, we wondered what we had been doing with our life before this? They are so convenient. You just fill it with water and put it in your backpack, then the hose comes up and around and clips on your shirt. You can take a drink while hiking without stopping and fishing around in your backpack to find the water bottle and can also go all day without needing to refill. No leaks either! This thing is a lifesaver.
Still shopping? Buy Your Travel Gear at Amazon, my absolute favorite place to conveniently stock up for my next trip!
