Travel Essentials After 4 Years On The Road

I’m now in my fourth year of travelling full time. During this period, I’ve been through a ton of different gear, trying to find the perfect items that can make the experience easier and smoother. As I was packing for my next trip, I realised that there are a few key items that come with me everywhere I go, and on a few occasions, they saved my arse. In this blog, I will share them, and while not everyone will need all these items, some will definitely prove useful.

Sling

Out of all accessories, nothing has proved more useful than a small sling (around 2L). Before, I’d keep everything in my pockets or in my backpack and have mini panic attacks when I can’t find my wallet, phone, or passport. With a sling, I know that all the essentials are there, and I don’t need to go rummaging through my pockets / bag for some tissues, headphones, or passport. By keeping it close to your body, you also keep your items more secure and avoid pickpockets. In winter, you can even wear it under a big coat. Of course, there is a risk that if it does get stolen, all your essentials are gone at once; however, I feel the risk is overall lower compared to having your essentials scattered between your pockets and bag.

Slings I recommend:

• Peak Design Outdoor 2L

• Bellroy Venture 2.5L

Folding Coffee Filter

If you’re not into coffee, feel free to skip this part. Last year, I started using this GSI Coffee Filter, and it has been a game changer. It folds small, weighs nothing, is reusable, and easy to clean. This filter has saved me so much money and time and now comes with me on every trip.

Folding Tote

I always bring this with me and use it as my gym, beach, laundry and shopping bag. It folds small and is used many times on every trip. I love the Peak Design Folding Tote but there are many others out there.

Clothes Line

Not every hotel will have laundry facilities, and sometimes you need to do an emergency sink wash. This is where an elasticated clothes line comes in useful. I don’t use it as often as the other items; however, considering how small and light it is, I always pack it with me. The times when I had to use it, it really saved the day.

Bottle + Filter

I always travel with my Hydrapack folding bottle and filter. The bottle can fold small into my bag when empty and is great for avoiding plastic bottles. The filter is good for when you need to drink water but are unsure of its cleanliness. A few times when I forgot to stock up on drinking water for the hotel, I filtered tap water without any issues.

Battery Bank

Given our reliance on phones for every aspect of travel, it would be silly to travel without a power bank. I love my Anker Nano.

AirTags

Everyone knows what this is. Whether you use Apple AirTags or another brand for your Android, having one for each bag can save you a headache should the worst happen. While it didn’t happen to me, I’ve heard stories where someone managed to track their suitcase in the airport even when staff told them it wasn’t there.

Wired Headphones

A wired pair of headphones is a great backup for your Bluetooth set. I use a pair of standard Apple headphones with a 3.5mm jack. I then have a 3.5mm to USB-C adapter for my phone. I personally use these for video editing as Bluetooth can have a small delay. Aside from video editing, a backup pair of wired headphones is essential.

USB Memory Stick

I always have a USB C / A dual memory stick with me. It’s been helpful whenever I needed to print tickets or to transfer data to someone else. Having both USB-A and USB-C means no compatibility issues. I use a dual one from SanDisk.

Hero Clip

This is a must-have any time I’m travelling with a backpack or duffel. Essentially, this is a carabiner with a hook. If you need to use a public toilet or put your bag down but the floor is filthy, you can use this to hang your bag off the floor and keep it clean. There are many different brands, and they all do the same thing. I personally have a Hero Clip.

USB-C cable + Adapters

I have a USB-C cable as well as a bunch of adapters going from USB-C to USB-A, Lightning, Micro-USB, and more. This has come in useful more times than I can count.

The items I’ve mentioned so far are essentials for every budget; they aren’t expensive and provide the most value for money. The following items are luxuries and not needed for travel; however, they all add immense value to me, thus I can easily recommend them to those whose budgets allow.

Apple Watch

My phone is the second most valuable possession when travelling after my passport, so the last thing I want is to have it snatched out of my hand when trying to navigate around a city. This is where the Apple Watch comes in because I can load up the route on my phone and then follow it using the watch without the need to constantly get my phone out. This applies to other tasks such as checking messages, controlling music, and more.

11” iPad

If you plan to do any work, especially writing, while on the road, I would recommend an 11” iPad with a keyboard case. Whilst technically you can do most things on your phone, it can get frustrating very fast. I use my iPad to write these blogs and stay up to date with my business when travelling. I personally use the 11” iPad Pro with a Magic Keyboard because 75% of my work is photo editing. You can still edit photos on cheaper iPads, but I find the Pro to be more efficient in that department.  The reason I recommend the 11” specifically is because it can fit into many medium-sized slings and is easy to use even when cramped in a long-distance bus.

Fixed Lens Camera

Given that 99% of the readers are photographers, most people will already have this. If you don’t, then may I recommend adding a small fixed-lens camera to your kit? Even if you plan to have your big full-frame system with a zoom, it will most likely be stored away during your travel days and on occasions when you head out to eat in the evenings. Also, some historical and cultural places may not allow what they deem is a professional camera (speaking from experience). This is where a small fixed-lens system comes in. You can go for something ultra-small like a Ricoh GRIII, something in the middle like a Fuji X100, or something luxurious like a Leica Q. There are also many more options by other brands such as the Sony RX series. Whatever model you pick, this camera can live in your sling or coat pocket and always be with you. The best camera is the one you have with you.

DJI Pocket 3 / DJI Action 5

If you plan on capturing videos during your trip, I would recommend picking up either a Pocket 3 or Action 5. The Pocket 3 is more suited to those who want a more traditional video camera experience and the best quality. The Action 5 is more suited to those who want to take their camera underwater, mount it to their bike, or even throw it off a building. I personally travel with both as it allows me to get everything.

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