*Updated October 2022. We have been nomadic for four years since this packing list post was first published in July 2019… it needed some updating. Products have failed and have not been replaced, not-worth-their-weight items have been discarded, products we thought we would seldom use have become all-stars, or new unexpected additions to our packs have become essential creature comforts.
There are already hundreds of generic and repetitious ‘packing list essentials’ blog posts out there… this is not another one. Every travel packing list will generically tell you that packing cubes are a must. True. But what else? Other straightforward and commonplace packing advice usually includes: bringing quick-dry “packable” layers, “extreme” limiting of the quantity of clothing items, and of course sage advice warning you not to overpack. We agree with all of this, and wholeheartedly that overpacking makes no one’s travel days easier. Perhaps, if you dig a little more into the topic of packing, and you will likely come across the hotly contested debates surrounding the question of ‘to fold’, or ‘to roll’ (here’s a shortcut to the answer… it depends on your personal preference and pack dimensions).
Now that we’ve been living out of our backpacks for a year four years, we thought it’s about time to share some of the bits & bobs we’ve packed that have helped or saved us money, and kept us sane and organized along the way.
But where we would like to set ourselves apart from other pack-listers out there is with the helpful, essential, or atypical items which we have accumulated in our packs. If we are listing it below please consider it an endorsement in a trusted thing which we hope might be useful to others, whether on a one-week trip to Mexico, or a endless jaunt around the world.
This post contains affiliate links, which Explorer Genes receives compensation for with each purchase you make from the linked items below. Please note that the compensation we receive is at no additional cost to you, yet helps us to continue to fund this website. We thank for your support!
Staying Fed
There is nothing worse than blowing your budget by having to eat out, so cooking for yourself (or ‘self-catering’ in backpacker speak) is an essential for any budget or long-term traveller. Occasionally we’ve been caught off-guard and showed up at Airbnbs or guesthouses which haven’t had kitchens, or have them, but could only be called a kitchen by a very loose definition of the word, aka a sink and a mini fridge. In either case, carrying the items listed below has ensured we’re able to continue to cook (and stay on budget) no matter where we are.
Update: This item is still in our pack. We did have to replace the lid for the pot which got cracked about three years into our travels after Greg stepped on it, but the amazing customer service people at Sea-to-Summit remarkably replaced it for free(!) when we contacted them about it. Unfortunately, the full set is no longer available, but you can buy each piece separately.
Bamboo Eating Utensil: Because you never truly know when you’re going to have a cup of yogurt in front of you and the only way to eat it is with the lid (yes, we’ve done this.) Fortunately we found a better way, by packing this lightweight, strong, and infinitely reusable bamboo fork/spoon!
Update: Still got it! Still use it regularly!
Mugmate Coffee/Tea Filter: As habitual coffee and tea drinkers, who prefer not to spend too much money supporting our crutches, this item has been critical. It’s an ultra tough, individual cup-sized strainer that has been filled with coffee grounds, and all kinds of herbs (mint, rosemary, lavender, etc.) to make fantastic teas using locally foraged ingredients.
Update: The filter at left lasted until April 2022. However, it did not break, and there were no functional problems with it. In actuality, after a “life-changing” coffee tasting in Colombia, Greg became an even bigger coffee snob and decided to upgrade to the AeroPress Go for Travel. He swears it is one of the best items currently in his pack and makes the best (home-made) coffee he’s ever produced, consistently. Tip: If you buy one make sure to search on YouTube for the dozens of “recipes” and techniques you can use to craft your own perfect cuppa.
Spice Cabinet: Yes you can take your pantry with you! These ultra tough, multipurpose, and leak-proof 1 or 2 oz. Nalgene screw top containers have been absolutely essential in helping us add a little extra spice to our lives on the road. When we left, we stocked up on some quality essentials: salt, pepper, cinnamon, chili flakes/hot pepper mix, and an empty one for any unique spice additions as we go. We’ve also found the leak-proof 1.5 ounce bottle to be the absolute best fail-safe container for storing olive oil.
Update: Our spice cabinet bottles are no longer with us. Although they were great, over the years they grew in numbers so by March 2022, we had about 10 bottles, which was getting way too cumbersome. This year we switched to Mylar Envelope Sleeves which are smell-proof and much more packable. We label them using a sharpie. Plus, they’re great for all sorts of other items as well! We did, however, keep the larger Nalgene bottle, which we still use for olive oil.
Immersion Heating Coil: Sometimes a little hot water can be a life saver! Whether for a morning mug of comforting hot coffee or tea, or boiling water to add to some instant soup, oatmeal or couscous to make a meal, or simply to boil some safe drinking water… this ultra simple lightweight and compact plug-in electric heating coil will get the job done. We brought this not expecting to use it very much, and boy were we wrong! It quickly became one of our essential pieces of kit and goes great with our pot set.
Update: We’ve had to replace this a couple of times while traveling, but we find the easiest place to buy them abroad is any hardware store. We’ve found replacements in Jordan and Colombia with no problems.
Knife Sharpener: It’s a story we’ve been through time and time again. Your “fully equipped” Airbnb has it “ALL.” Including a crappy, super dull knife which barely cuts through cheese, much less a piece of fruit or meat. Since we are carry-on only and can’t carry along a knife, we’ve resorted to carrying along a knife sharpener instead. This little gadget had saved A LOT of frustration and suffering. (Quite literally…from cuts!!)
Vegetable Peeler: We eat lots of produce, so going hand in hand with not having a sharp knife, is not being able to peel a carrot or potato. This vegetable peeler, is compact, lightweight, and has become an essential item in our kit… just be sure to get one with a serrated blade for smooth skinned fruit and veg.
Staying Hydrated
Access to clean and safe drinking water is an absolute essential while traveling. We strive to avoid drinking from single-use plastic bottled water, as it is senseless, not cost effective, and quickly becoming a massive environmental problem polluting and scarring all corners of our amazing planet for a thousand years or more. With the items we list below we can reliably make our own safe drinking water from taps and streams, and keep avoiding that pesky plastic.
SteriPen Ultra: Compact. Reliable. Drink water wherever, whenever? The SteriPen, is the go-to water purifier for any questionable water sources we’ve come across. Its USB-rechargeable internal battery works to power a UV-lighted tip which zaps 99.9% of any harmful critters in your water in 90 seconds. User friendly even for the most technologically challenged. It’s incredible technology. We have used it from India to Ethiopia to Cambodia and never once got sick. However, it does not filter out heavy metals like lead or mercury from tap water, which can be a problem in a few countries like Mexico, where we still had to buy jugs of water. Also, the lightbulb can burn out or the battery gives up after 8000 liters or so.
Update: We still love our Steripen, but after three years of use, the digital screen went out. Although the UV light continued to work, we assumed its days might be numbered. So, we researched alternatives to see if anything new had come on the market. We settled on changing out our SteriPen out for the Grayl Water Purifier, which mechanically filters water instead of electronically sterilizing it. The filter is inside a two container system which also can double as a water bottle. We liked to Grayl more because it can be used as a bottle, doesn’t have any electronics, and filters out heavy metals in addition to everything else. However, there is always a trade-off. The Grayl is much larger than the SteriPen, and the ~$25 filter may need replacing in as soon as 250 liters/65 gallons.
Hydroflask Water Bottle: You can see by the dings and scratches this bottle has experienced some ‘tough love’. In fact, it never leaves us! We love it for several reasons…1) double walled stainless steel, so whatever is in it stays cold/hot for hours and hours and hours 2) it will not leak or “sweat” 3) we can use our SteriPen with its wide mouth to ensure total bug zapping UV effectiveness 4) The lid is ringed allowing us to attach it to something else 5) it is crazy tough.
Update: As mentioned, it’s crazy tough. So, yes, after more than 4 years we still have it in our packs, and use it every single day.
Hydrapack Collapsible Water Bottle: For those times when you need to carry a little extra water, this 2-Liter collapsible water bottle is BPA and PVC free, squishable, packable to the size of a tennis ball, and ultra light-weight, weighing next to nothing when it’s empty. Plus, the convenient loop holes attached are super helpful for strapping to the outside of your pack. We’ve been using it a year and it hasn’t leaked or punctured yet. You can get them in a range of sizes, up to 3 liters.
Update: Yes, we’ve still got it and carry it with us. It’s not something we use often, but is fabulous when we need it. We’ve used it as back-up water during our long distance treks and also Mandy uses it regularly as a hot water bottle for aches and pains or when the Communists are in her Funhouse. (A brilliant Danish saying for “that time of the month.”)
Staying Clothed
Obviously, remaining fully and appropriately clothed is perhaps the most important consideration to take when packing. But, functionality and fashion are not the only important things to consider when packing. What do you do with the clothes when they’re all dirty…ah yes… laundry on the road!
Compression Sack: The Sea to Summit compression sacks were not intended to be used as a dirty laundry bag. But, being able to efficiently separate, compress (down to a football size), and cordon off all your stinky well-worn duds is critical. Not to mention the sack itself is washable, strong, and incredibly lightweight. It’s almost enjoyable to put our dirties in it, cinch it down, and lock it away until laundry day!
Update: We still have it and use it all the time.
Silicon Cooking Lid: Again, another unintended use for a product. Now, what the hell is it for? This, has proved to be a vital component of our laundry day. It’s a silicone lid that solves the conundrum of the plugging a drain (any drain), without needing to have either the correct or a functional drain stopper on hand. It takes up zero space in our pack, and forms a water tight seal to plug a drain every time!
Update: this item has proved beyond useful as a drain cover and we’ve used it countless times. We also use it to cover food leftovers when we have no plastic wrap, foil, or lids for storage containers (a common problem at Airbnbs.)
Scrubba Wash Bag: When you don’t have a sink/tub, or practical way available to do your laundry the Scrubba will come to your rescue. Believe it or not, the Scrubba actually works fantastically and is really smartly designed, water-tight, and takes a beating. Simply fill it with your laundry, add water & soap, roll the top closed and deflating. Inside there are little ridged nodules which agitate as you rub and scrub your clothes clean. Lays flat or rolls for compact packing.
Update: It worked well, and was very functional but as we only used it a handful of times, in developing countries, we didn’t use it enough to justify continuing to carry it. It would be great if you were doing a very long distance hiking trail, or backcountry camping.
Pocket Laundry Wash: About the size of a box of floss, Sea to Summit also has a number of nifty pocket sized laundry soap options. These have been great in a pinch to wash a few items quickly, or when availability of soap and weight is a real issue. There are fifty soap leaves in a packet so they last a long time, are environmentally friendly and dissolve instantly in water. They also offer shampoo and body wash pocket soap leaves.
Update: Innovative and clever product, but kind-of a dud for us. We did use this up, but have no desire to replace. You had to use at least five sheets to get a good wash and laundry soap is so readily available and cheap it’s never been an issue. It’s better just to have an “emergency” stash of regular laundry soap in a zip-top bag.
Sewing Kit: This is one of those things we debated on taking. It’s not something we use often, but we’ve been very glad to have it when something rips, tears or a button decides to pop off. It’s happened. In the end, we got it because it’s small and compact, making it worth it to save from having to search for thread and needle!
Update: We actually used it up, but since then haven’t replaced. Instead, we just carry around the needle and some black thread… no kit.
Portable Clothesline: Clothes dryers are a rare luxury item for most of the world outside of the U.S. and the UK. And, although many accommodations tend to include drying racks, an essential in our laundry kit is having our own clothesline. It helps to have one that can be clipped to various things, is stretchable, and is braided so that you can insert small things like socks or undies inside the twists. We have tried using paracord, but having something stretchy can be easier to fit a range of space sizes.
Staying Comfy
No matter how long you’re living out of your backpack, there are moments when having some comfort during the uncomfortable and control over your environment can mean the difference between just bad and terrible, or maybe even tether you to sanity!
Nemo Inflatable Fillo: How many ‘perfect’ pillows have you had at your accommodation while traveling? Yeah, it’s like winning a lottery when you find one. Well what if you could dramatically improve your odds? With the Nemo Inflatable Fillo you can! This is probably one of our most beloved piece of travel kit. This inflatable travel pillow is adjustable to different firmness levels, has a thick piece memory foam inside, and is light and compacts into a stuff sack. This travel pillow is top-of-the-line and absolutely worth every penny!
Update: Greg’s original fillo got accidentally left behind in 2019 while Mandy kept a tight grip on hers. But sadly just recently in 2022, it sprung a leak and we haven’t been able to repair it. She will be buying a replacement soon. Greg replaced his original one in April 2022 with the Luxury Inflatable Fillo and fell in love all over again.
Sea to Summit Sleep Sheet Liner: When the sleeping situation is less than ideal—we’ve used them camping, sleeping in questionable hostels, on overnight ferry floors, and to keep warm on frigid nights and on A/C buses. Another one of those multi-purpose ‘crucial when you need it’ items. Very packable and worth it for the little extra bit of comfort it gives.
Update: Yes, we still have it and use it pretty regularly.
Linen Travel Towel: We love linen towels because they are highly functional for travel. Linen is made from the fibers of the flax plant making it behave differently, and better than cotton, for travel. Linen fabric is ultra quick-drying, but also more absorbent than cotton. Linen is thinner, stronger, more lightweight, totally odor-resistant, and more eco-friendly too. All these things make our Turkish linen travel towels a real multi-purpose and permanent asset in our packs. We’ve used ours in a variety of setting at beaches, bathhouses, natural hot springs, as a light blanket in accommodations or a freezing cold bus, as picnic blankets, or as a sarong, or head-covering. These towels have proven worth their weight time and time again, and absolutely perfect for travel!
Update: We both still have them, use them a lot, and they’re still in great condition.
Good Ear Plugs: Trust us, not all ear plugs are created equal and we’ve tested a LOT of these over the years. Mack’s Snore Blockers have by far been the best and are even “doctor recommended” (so you know they’re good, ha!). The super soft foam plugs have blocked out woofing dogs, screaming babies, obnoxious street noise, Mediterranean talk-yellers, & canoodling couples, to name a few. Washes with soap/water. MUST have.
Update: Well, we don’t have the original pair…eww…but Mandy still swears by the same plug maker Mack’s. Each pair lasts about three months, with regular washings. Greg, however, has upgraded to Loop Quiet Ear Plugs for noise reduction, which are flexible silicone and he swears work better for side sleepers.
Portable Rechargeable Lamp: Yes, this thing looks like a really badass version of the 1990s slap bracelet which Mandy, at first, argued to Greg was a total waste of money. However, she was…wrong. (GASP!) It is compact, lightweight, and versatile. Believe it or not, finding good bedside lighting in AirBnB is about as common as getting great pillows. Switch from white, or amber LED lighting, and the internal battery is charged by USB. This foldable (rollable) LED lantern has unexpectedly become one of our new favorite items. We’ve also used it as a regular wrist-hugging flashlight to take in caves, or any dark spaces, and attached it to a backpack.
Staying Fit & Well
Staying healthy and fit is a priority for us, we view prevention as the cheapest health insurance plan on the planet. But, every single day can be different when you are nomadic, and this sometimes can make it difficult to get in a wellness routine. The items below have helped us a little, or a lot.
Massage Ball: This tiny little wonder is an absolute godsend when you’ve had a long day hauling a pack, are feeling tense from travel anxiety, walked 25K+ steps, or are just feeling achy… everywhere. Particularly good for neck, shoulder, back and foot pain. Yes, indeed we do feel our age sometimes! Bonus, it doubles as a hand grip exerciser to prevent arthritis!
Update: We still have it, carry it, and use it occasionally.
Fitness Band: Although our days are filled with miles of walking and shlepping our backpacks, keeping a fitness routine is probably one of the biggest challenges we’ve had on the road, particularly when it comes to any form of strength training. This lightweight, very packable band allows us to exercise from anywhere.
Update: We still have it and use it! It came in very handy when Mandy created her own physical therapy routine after her foot injury this year.
Pill Case: You never know what ailments will arise, and although pharmacies are readily available and ready to help worldwide, it’s much easier a variety of pills and vitamins on hand. We actually now have two of these pill cases and prefer it to others because of the locking buckle, making it virtually unspillable. (Another one we had was held together by a rubber band!) The 10 compartments also give you a variety of choices.
Update: We still have it, and now that we’re 40+, actually have two! We also use the Mylar Envelope Sleeves (above) to hold additional vitamins, which keeps them from disintegrating in humid environments.
Mini First Aid Kit: When you somehow manage to cut yourself with a dull Airbnb knife, what is the first thing you reach for?
During the mental exercise of packing light, this is one of the first things that could be trimmed from your list. You might rationalize to yourself that first aid supplies are available anywhere in the world (mostly true), but the odds are if you need first aid, you need it immediately so it’s very important to have it at your finger tips. We’ve bought them online, like this one, and created our own, but however you do it, just make sure to have one!
Staying Organized
It’s funny. Now that we’ve been traveling so long, we know exactly where every single item goes in our backpacks. If something is missing, we almost immediately know to start looking for it. Staying organized allows you to keep your sanity, access stuff when you need it, and not lose things along the way. All essentials when living out of pack full-time.
Our Backpacks–Osprey 40 Liter Farpoint (Men’s) & Fairview (Women’s): Starting with this obvious, there is nothing more essential than having real estate–aka a home.
And of course finding the perfect backpack did not happen overnight either. For the first two years, we had two very different bags that we weren’t totally happy with. Greg had a carry-on that ultimately was awkward to zip and pack for long-term, Tortuga brand pack. Mandy a much larger, non-carry-on Osprey 55 Liter. Of course, we soon realized how foolish it was to pay for extra bag fees and shedding the extra weight became imperative. As of December 2020 Greg has carried this version, and June of 2021 for Mandy. We are VERY happy with our new 40 liter always carry-on with us houses. Whatever pack you buy, as a traveler, we suggest a front, not a top-loading pack. Furthermore, a backpack itself, rather than roller bag is highly recommended for budget travelers who prefer more mobility. If you’re like us, you’ll be huffing it up cobblestones, stairs, down a dirt road, tossing it on top of buses and strapping it to donkeys. (The donkey was just once, thanks!)
Grid-It Organizer: There’s nothing more annoying than a ziplock baggie full of a wad of cords. This rubberized woven elastic object retention system organizer helps you gather all those gadgets and odds & ends into one convenient location and has endless versatility.
Update: We no longer use this because although it was compact, it was a bit annoying when we outgrew the capacity. The wires fell out of their straps often, and also it didn’t hold everything electronic we have. So, we upgraded to a tech bag… the Tripped Tech and Electronics Organizer Bag in April 2022. Its internal organization pockets and tough exterior make it super practical to be on the go, and we can fit almost all of our tech accessories in it. While at first we didn’t think we needed this ‘next’ level of organization, as digital nomads, having a dedicated space for your tech kit is actually extremely helpful.
Gox Toiletry Bag: Another item we’ve unfortunately tested frequently has been toiletry bags. We now both have this slimmed-down one by Gox, in different colors, and are very happy with it. For its size, there are a surprising number of pockets to stash things in and it has proven very durable. It’s just big enough for the essentials, but restrictive enough to make sure you stay minimalist.
Packing Cubes: Okay, okay, we know we said we’re not gonna mention packing cubes, but there’s a reason every traveler talks about them. They are a game changer for organization. For long-term travelers like us, they’re kind of like iPhones. We can’t imagine how we ever lived without them before. We have several brands, but Eagle Creek are by far our favorite. They are compressible, very durable, and super lightweight.
Update: Still, yes, the most important piece of packing kit we own. They are all still with us although one’s zipper has started to fail five years later. Of the 10 we use between us, that is pretty good!) Bad news is the original set we bought on Amazon is no longer available, so we would suggest these as an alternative.
4 Monster Packable Backpack: Obviously everywhere we go we don’t carry our big packs, so a day pack is imperative for picking up groceries, hauling water on hikes, or for strolling around cities. This 16L pack is super compact, slipping into a snug little pouch that fits in your hand and is also water and tear resistant. It’s so handy!
Update: We used this regularly until April 2022 and recommend it. But now, we just use our day packs, in addition to a couple stuff bags for groceries. This has been working fine.
Silicone Toiletry Tubes: This soft travel bottle by Humangear GoToob, is 3 oz. (carry-on approved) and critical for holding things like shampoo, sunscreen & lotion so we’re not constantly carrying bulky and unnecessary bottles and weight. They are easy to clean and have a handy flip-top lid.
Update: We still have this one and have added a couple more.
Staying Safe & Secure
Fortunately, in most of the places we have gone so far, we’ve felt pretty safe. However, it always pays to take precautions since we’ve also both been victims of pickpocketing/theft in the past. When it comes to your valuables the more discrete the better.
The ‘Vault’: When traveling it’s important to put your money in multiple different places in case you’re a victim of theft. It’s also proven that if a woman/man are traveling together they’ll likely go after the man first, thinking he has the money. So, in our situation, Mandy carries this Eagle Creek silk undercover “bra stash.”
Update: No, this particular one has not lasted, and had to be replaced after about 3 years of regular use, but it is still a necessary part of our travel accessories.
Secure Money Belt: This hide-away pouch, which slips onto a belt or strap and then can be tucked under a waistband or secreted away. It can hold passports, credit cards, and cash discreetly. Get one with an RFID-blocker, which keeps thieves from scanning your credit cards/passports numbers through your clothes… yes, sadly this is a thing.
Update: Greg had this one since 2010 and was obviously happy with it so it was finally time for a replacement in April 2022.
Sea to Summit Dry Bag: We haven’t used this often (yet!), but it’s a way to carry your phone/cash without risk of getting it wet. In the past, it’s come in super handy for kayaking, rafting and caving and we’ve just clipped it onto our life jacket. If we had to get it again, we would recommend the universal phone case, which goes around your neck instead because this can be burdensome.
Update: We used this about four times and it was usually when getting in the ocean if we didn’t trust our valuables/phone on the beach, and for other water activities like spelunking, kayaking and rafting. We did eventually buy a Universal Waterproof Phone Case in April 2022 to replace it so that we can actually take photos inside the case (great for snorkeling!) without having to remove the phone. (Because, let’s be honest, by “valuables” we mean phone. It’s one of those things that is not used often, but REALLY nice to have when you do.
Security Belt: And finally, the last stash is an actual belt, but it has a secret zippered security pocket on the inside. Bonus: the buckle is made of gunmetal aluminum so it doesn’t set off airport security scanners.
Update: Yes, 4 years later Greg still has it, wears it, and uses it regularly!
Cable Lock: Most travelers know the value of a good lock. They can be used for your luggage, most often, as well as your storage closest in hostels, and even doors. This cable lock makes it flexible, and lockable to a variety of surfaces, and the 3-digit combo is easy to remember and you don’t have to worry about a key.
Update: We still have these and use them regularly.
Luggage Scale: While this item may seem like wasted ounces (pun intended), it can save you hundreds on baggage fees, especially when traveling on budget airlines. And the good thing is, you can plan in advance rather than stressfully observing that your bag is .4 ounces too heavy, and scrambling to fix it, all while a snippy airport attendant and a line full of people are glaring at you. Weighs in pounds or kilos.
Update: This has saved us plenty of cash when traveling on budget airlines like Viva Air, Ryan Air or Wizz and you often need to shift your weight around between bags! (Tip: Make sure to turn the battery upside down when not it use so it doesn’t accidentally come on in your luggage and wear down the battery!)
Staying 21st Century: Electronics & Productivity
When you travel, you obviously spend countless hours transiting on planes, trains, buses and WiFi can not be depended on. Unless you really enjoy perpetually staring out a window you’ll need something to read and entertain yourself with. Here’s our picks for that!
Amazon Kindle: The days of carrying a stack of books in your pack, and praying for lucrative English book swaps at your hostel are long over. The Kindle paperwhite is a lifesaver when it comes to providing a super compact, lightweight, library in your pocket. Thanks to Kindle Unlimited, we also download essential guidebooks along with thousands of ebooks through Amazon. A Kindle Unlimited subscription runs for $9.99/Mo. Budget Tip: We’ve gotten Cyber Monday deals on Amazon for 30% off a one-year subscription!
Update: Absolutely we still use it! But over the past few years, the “Libby” library app has revolutionized our access to reading material. However, the Kindle is still essential tech, and Libby still allows you to check out books from any library (US?) and add it to your Kindle collection.
Anker Power Bank: Every traveler knows the feeling of being on a 12-hour bus and watching the last bits of life drain from your phone or earbuds and not a plug in sight. Ah, yes, a real tragedy in the modern world.
The battery pack is absolutely essential kit for travel these days. We especially like this 18 Watt, 3-in1 charger from Anker because it includes high-capacity wireless charging capabilities in addition to USB A and C charging ports. It will fully charge our iPhone 3 times, or iPad at least once from death.
Universal Travel Adapter: Remember the old days of travel when you had to carry a whole bag of adapters and a converter with you when traveling to another continent? Fortunately, it’s technology and innovation to the rescue! Adaptors, like this one, now include every adapter configuration you’d need in one convenient cube-shaped package, AND essential USB ports. This adapter will work in more than 150 Countries with US/EU/UK/AU plugs. It also has fuse protect and built-in safety shutters.
Smart Phone (with a Fantastic Camera): The days of travel with paper maps, language phrasebooks, and a trusty Lonely Planet guiding your route are beginning to seem like a foggy distant memory. We often ask ourselves, “How on earth (literally) did we manage it 20 years ago?” We are in a golden age of travel, and the super computers that are in our pockets represent one of the reasons why.
That said, smart phones are not all created equal. Choosing a smart phone can easily be the most vital purchase of your travels, and fittingly most worth splurging on when it also serves as your only camera. In April 2022, we upgraded to an iPhone 13 Pro after using an iPhone 8+ since 2018. Our 8+ served us well, but the upgrade has been well worth it.
Xenvo Shutterbug: This wireless pocket-sized selfie clicker is by no means an essential, but it can be a lot of fun. Think of it like a remote control for your phone’s camera shutter. It’s also ideal when there is no one else around to ask for help to take your picture, for solo travelers to take photos at a distance, or for couples who both want to be in the frame. You can set your phone up on a tripod to do this, or just a rock, which is usually what we do. Your camera button can be clicked continuously with this button, thanks to bluetooth, which keeps you from having to run back and forth to reset the timer while losing your posing mojo.
That’s it! This list is not all-inclusive of everything we carry, obviously we didn’t mention what outfits we’re rocking or footwear, but we put a spotlight our favorite odds & ends that just make life easier for us, and those which we can highly recommend.
Well written list you guys! My favorite is the dirty laundry compression bag — going to buy one now. So glad to see y’all have hooked up with Amazon.
Thanks so much Janine! Glad to hear you’re interested in the laundry bag. It’s been a lifesaver. I think Megan actually uses those too. Thanks for the click thru 🙂
Great packing list! I have been on backpacking trips and I am seeing things on your list that I think would have made my life easier! – namely the scrubba bag, the bra-clip stashaway, and the Nemo Pillow (i guess I just usually roll together clothes as a pillow if I need it, I’m also reconsidering my daypack for something lighter but I do feel that I generally don’t like bags that are so lightweight that they have zero structure. I also bought a SteriPen Ultra a year ago! Thanks Mandy and Greg!
Thanks so much, Yumi! Glad you found it useful. Yeah, the bra packing clip was so useful I had a bunch of them made in Cambodia for super cheap. When i see you again, ill give you one!