Travel Essentials - Complete Gear List
Traveling, whether it's for work, vacation, or to record some awesome content somewhere, is always a good time, and with new great products and innovation's coming out everyday, it just keeps getting better! This is my current list of favorite travel gear. This list is constantly updated to accurately reflect the gear that I currently use, or newer versions of what I use for travel.
Table of Contents
Packs
When it comes to packing for travel, there are two main categories: luggage, and backpacks. Both have there place and the terms of the trip may give the advantage to one or the other. For most trips, I use a combination of both!
Luggage
For airline travel, luggage is ideal. I also find it best for any road trips longer than a night or two as it’s simply the best means of packing clothing, toiletries, etc. I have been through different luggage setups over the years and heavily favor the hard sided style. I recommend getting them in a set. The different sizes will come in handy for families and couples, or as a solo traveler the larger size works well for longer trips but may be overkill for shorter trips. My current setup and recommendation is the Samsonite Winfield 2. I use the medium and large sizes for longer trips over 3 days and the small size for trips under 3 days.
Bags
Luggage is great for longer stays, and airline travel, but a good backpack is still a must for me. I use my backpacks for day trips and excursions, short over night travel, and as a carry-on bag for airlines. I don't really use this for clothing items too often. I mostly opt for comfort items and luxuries such as; small electronics and chargers, travel snacks, headphones, etc.
My favorite bag right now is the the Lowepro Flipside Trek Backpack. This bag was designed for carrying cameras and photography gear. It is lightweight, rugged, ergonomic, and offers great protection. It combines thoughtful design with practical features, making it an excellent companion for any travel enthusiast looking to carry their photography gear securely and comfortably. The unique flipside design allows easy access to camera gear without removing the backpack, enhancing convenience during travel. Its low profile appearance blends seamlessly into different environments without attracting unwanted attention. It’s a great all around bag for various adventures, from city tours to trekking in remote areas both of which I have done with it; from photography hikes in Glacier National Park, to all day tours of Istanbul, Ephesus, and Troy.
Packing
Packing isn't so much of a burden for the small day trips and adventures, but the longer the trip or more stuff your bringing, the more burdensome it can get. This is because we aren't use to living out of suitcases which is why I value the right luggage and packing gear!
Packing Cubes
Packing Cubes are a pretty inexpensive and much welcome addition to your luggage. Available in many different sizes and sets, these help you pack clean and orderly, and maintain organization throughout your trip. I mostly use these when I pack for longer trips to keep my stuff organized and tidy.
Compression Bags
Compression Bags are the best kept packing secret! These are great for underwear, socks, and such items that wrinkles aren't of much concern and allow you to save a bunch of space. Better yet though, I bring an unused large one to put my used clothes in. You can keep adding to it throughout your trip and recompress it down as you go. This gives you a very compact, and odor free dump box for your laundry! If you like to pick up souvenirs in your travels, this little trick can free up room in your luggage as you go to fit your new trinkets!
Hanging Toiletry Bag
Hygiene items are the ones you don't want bouncing around free in your bag, and you certainly don't want to leave them behind. If you travel a lot, you will want a good toiletry kit. I keep mine setup all the time and just re-stock it after each trip. Depending on what all your needs are for travel, products may dictate which way you go for an organizer. There are a lot of good bags and organizers to choose from to cover most needs. My favorite are the hanging style toiletry bags. Hanging toiletry bags typically have enough room for most peoples needs. The hanging style design and compartment setup help keep everything organized and accessible when needed while still being easy to pack into a larger bag or suitcase.
Electronics
We live in the tech age, what can I say. Your not likely traveling without some sort of electronics. At the very least it’s your phone, but often a tablet or computer, cameras, etc. For me, its a phone, laptop, a few GoPro’s, and maybe even some drones depending on the trip. With that, we have some other travel packing considerations.
Portable Power Bank
I bring a power bank most places that I travel. It can top off your phone or be used to charge up cameras or other devices in a pinch. You don't want to be out on a fun adventure and not be able to capture something because your battery is dead! It can also bail you out if your phone dies and you need to get a hold of someone for emergency purposes. I usually keep one with my electronics, and one goes with me, especially if I am flying so I can keep my phone and/or headphones in action. I'd much rather listen to music on a plane then....well, anything else! I like this thin, slim line, ultra high capacity portable power bank by Charmast. The 26800mAh capacity is more than double most of the common portable power banks available.
3 in 1 Charger
You can’t travel without your phone charger! My current favorites are these 3 in 1 multi device foldable chargers. They are compact and easy to travel with, but capable of charging your phone, ear buds, and smart watch if you have them. They are also fast charging which is a huge bonus. I keep one of these in my carry on bag for quick charging during layovers and quick easy access when settling into a hotel room.
USB Wall Charger Plug Block
The USB wall charging plug block is an essential accessory for any travel bag, offering a compact and efficient solution for keeping devices powered on the go. When traveling, we often find ourselves in places that don’t offer good charging solutions like airport gates during a layover (though that is getting better!). A USB wall charging plug block allows you to access power and maintain connectivity. I like this 3 port plug because it negates the need for multiple chargers.
Multi Charging Cable 4 in 1
The 4-in-1 USB multi-charging cable is an essential accessory for travelers, designed to simplify charging multiple devices on the go. This compact cable is retractable for easy storage and features four connectors: USB-C, Lightning, Mini USB, and Micro USB, allowing compatibility with a wide range of devices.
International Power Adapter
If you travel internationally, this one is for you! A universal travel adapter allows you to convert power from nearly every international power standard to the American 120v system. Charge your devices and run your electronics while on vacation in other countries without concern! Like the aforementioned travel power Inverter, I have had great success with Bestek. The Bestek International Travel Adapter has 3 110v AC receptacle ports, and 4 USB charging ports allowing you to use up to 7 devices simultaneously. It comes with multiple socket adapters for the different international electrical standards. I have used mine in several countries including Thailand and and Turkey most recently. I was able to maintain all my electronics throughout my travels and have peace of mind that I wasn’t going to overload any of my devices.
Electronics Organizer
Most people now days travel with more than one electronic device, each with there own batteries, chargers, etc. This nice little organizer gives you a way to package everything together in an easy to find and orderly little kit! I keep a couple of the 4 in 1 USB Multi Cables, a 3-Port USB Charging Block, a portable power bank, and some electronics accessories in mine. This electronics organizer has been serving me well for a long time and is highly recommended!
Portable Hard Drive
Comfort
Travel Pillow
Depending on the trip, and what kind of space I have to work with, I almost always favor bringing my own pillow. This smaller travel pillow from Wise Owl is offered in two sizes and compacts down very well making it feasible to pack for almost any travel situation. I like to keep this in my carry-on bag for airline travel. It can be a welcome comfort during layovers as well as on the plane, It’s also a solid comfort item for road trips, camping, and backpacking.
Neck Pillow
Neck Pillows are great for situations where your limited to a sitting position such as seated in a car, bus, or airplane for an extended period of time. If I have the option to lay down, I am going for the above mentioned standard pillow! For seated travel though, I like the memory foam style neck pillows. The NeckSnug 4 in 1 is a nice option that includes a carrying bag, ear plugs, and a sleeping mask which I don’t often use but are nice to keep on standby in case they are needed. The 3D memory foam construction and built in contours make the NeckSnug neck pillow a very comfortable option for seated travel.
Ears
When taking public transportation, I like to wear noise cancelling headphones, or have them close and at the ready. A good set, like the Bose Quiet Comfort Series, can act like ear muffs and filter out chaotic and disruptive ambiance when you just want some quiet time, but also deliver high quality audio of your favorite music. They are also a great way to deter unwanted conversations! I wear these every time I fly, and find them to be well worth the money when not traveling. I use mine just about anytime I am doing anything noisy, most commonly, mowing the lawn! The Apple Air Pods are another great choice. They are less bulky and easier to get comfortable or sleep with when traveling.
Blanket
Another great little luxury item if you have the space is a travel blanket. Most pack down pretty small! If you're road-tripping you most likely have pretty good control over the climate, but public transportation not so much. A nice little throw blanket can be quit a treat in such situations! When packed up, this one can even act as a small pillow (though I still recommend a dedicated travel pillow if feasible).
Security
Passport Wallet
An RFID blocking passport wallet is an essential travel accessory designed to protect your personal information from unauthorized scanning and potential identity theft. These wallets are lined with specialized RFID-blocking material that prevents electronic devices from accessing the data stored in your passport and credit cards.
GPS Tracking Tags
Bluetooth trackers allow you to monitor the tags location through a dedicated app on your smartphone. This is particularly useful for keep accountability of your luggage and personal belongings during trips. Bluetooth tracking tags have become essential tools for travelers, enhancing overall security and ensuring that travel experiences are less stressful and more enjoyable. I put at least one of these in every bag that I travel with. I often place them in pockets or cubbies and consider multiple for more valuable luggage or gear.
