What does one combat your trip? What does one need? As while readers know, I’m a lover of packing light. I don’t think you actually need much once you travel. As a backpacker, i would like to form sure everything I own fits into one bag. I often think people bring an excessive amount of stuff once they travel.

I visited Costa Rica on my first trip overseas and that i took with me the whole suggested packing list my tour company gave customers. I carried around such a lot stuff I never used. Years later, once I did my first backpacking trip round the world, I still carried such a lot , I ended up leaving stuff in hostels as I went.

But I also recognize everyone has different travel styles and wishes . No two travelers are alike.

As you steel oneself against future trips and are wondering “what do i actually got to bring?”, I wanted to offer you an inventory of what I deem practical and must-have items. these things won’t take up an excessive amount of space, are incredibly useful, and can make your trip better.

Here’s my favorite travel gear:

1. Travel Padlock






Master travel padlockSafety first! If you’re a budget traveler and plan on staying in hostels during your next trip then you’ll need one among these. Since most hostels use lockers, budget travelers got to provide their own travel lock if they need to stay their stuff secured. While you'll usually rent or buy them at hostels, it’s less expensive just to shop for one before you go.

2. Travel Adapter



travel adapterAs many travelers have learned, it’s incredibly frustrating (not to say inconvenient) to reach a replacement destination only to understand you can’t charge your phone or computer because the electrical outlets are different. That’s why you’ll need a travel adapter. They’re an easy accessory but a necessary one if you’re visiting different regions of the planet . this is often one I personally use because it covers every region of the planet (and comes with USB ports too). It’s affordable, easy to use, and light-weight .

3. Packing Cubes








travel packing cubesIf you’re getting to be living out of a backpack for a couple of weeks (or months) otherwise you just want to stay your suitcase better organized, buy packing cubes. they are available during a sort of sizes, allowing you to store items big and little . They’re great for creating it easy to seek out everything in your backpack or suitcase. (If you would like better-quality packing cubes, check these ones out!)

4. Earplugs






travel ear plugsAnyone who has ever stayed during a hostel knows that earplugs are a necessity. From snorers to late-night drinkers to copulating couples — I’ve heard it all. albeit you’re not getting to be during a hostel, they’re still helpful for sleeping in buses, overnight trains, and other sorts of transportation. an honest night’s sleep is priceless — travel prepared!

5. DryFox Quick Dry Travel Towel






sea to summit travel towelUnless you’re only staying at hotels and using Airbnb, you’re getting to got to bring a towel. Having a light-weight , quick-drying towel makes an enormous difference when you’re on the road since regular towels are too bulky and heavy (and they take an extended time to dry). Instead, get a travel towel. They’re a compact, quick-drying solution that each backpacker needs. (Use code “nomadicmatt” for 15% off your purchase!)

6. Passport Holder


travel scratch mapA passport holder may be a must-have for any avid traveler. It protects your passport from wear and tear — which is vital because a damaged passport might get you sent home early or denied entry to a destination (plus, replacing a passport is an upscale hassle). While there are plenty of pricey, fancy options out there, an easy one will get the work done.

7. Toothpaste Bites


Bites toothpaste jar with spilled toothpaste tabsHaving to travel with liquids may be a pain. They’re always a hassle at airport security. And when it involves toothpaste, there's tons of waste (you never get all the toothpaste out and therefore the plastic package is bad for the environment). Enter toothpaste bites. These dry tabs of toothpaste that are available a recyclable jar (no plastic!). They take some getting wont to but they’re an eco-friendly option for the environmentally-conscious traveler. (If Bite doesn’t ship to your area of the planet , Lush also sells toothpaste and mouthwash tabs).

8. Moleskine Notebook






moleskine travel notebookI never leave home without one among these. Not only do i exploit them for work (I’m constantly taking notes and writing down ideas) but I also use them to stay track of my travels so I even have something to seem back on. they're the right notebook for journaling during your trip also as for writing down travel notes like directions, contact information, and language tips. Even during this hyper-technological age, i feel everyone must write more during their travels in order that they have something to seem back on.

9. Exploration Journal



The Exploration Journal from Crabtree & EvelynIf you would like a travel journal that isn’t just blank pages (like my boring moleskine) but rather has space for itinerary planning, places to jot notes within the local language, a packing list, and far more (including a map you'll fill in as you travel), get the Exploration Journal. It’s a journal designed specifically with travelers in mind, so you'll take notes and write down stories and reflections during your travels. It’s the right gift for the avid traveler.

10. Celiac Travel Cards



Legal Nomads celiac logoMy friend Jodi from Legal Nomads created these helpful travel cards for anyone traveling with disorder . they're in-depth resources that communicate your concerns to restaurant staff during a way that permits anyone traveling with the disease to possess a worry-free meal. If you or someone you're keen on has disorder , these travel cards are a useful resource! (Use the code NOMADICMATT for 10% off!)

11. care Kit


If you’re getting to be doing any hiking, biking, or other activities during your trip I suggest bringing alittle care kit. It just must include the fundamentals (band-aids, antibiotic cream (Polysporin), paracetamol (Tylenol), gauze, etc.) in order that if you get alittle cut, blister, or burn you won’t got to worry about infections. Of course, you ought to always buy travel insurance before you allow home but this may assist you lookout of any minor cuts or scrapes you get during your travels.

(Also, as i feel we’ve all learned over the past few months, bring some hand sanitizer too!). Here’s more information on the way to pack a basic care kit.

12. LifeStraw



lifestraw water filterSingle-use plastics are common during a lot of nations round the world. They’re also polluting our oceans and destroying the environment. But when you’re traveling, they will be hard to avoid if you would like to remain safe. Fortuantely, you'll do your part to assist the earth by traveling with a reusable filter. LifeStraw is an awesome brand that sells bottles with inbuilt water filters. The filters last 5 years so you economize on changing them too. You’ll be ready to stay healthy and lower your reliance on single-use plastics. Double win!

13. Travel Headlamp


travel head lampThis may be a handy tool for both backpackers and anyone looking to try to to any hiking or camping. If you’re getting to be staying during a hostel, having a headlamp is useful once you got to sign up or out but don’t want to disturb your fellow travelers by turning on the lights. They’re also helpful in emergencies.

14. Trtl Travel Pillow





a comfortable travel pillowTravel pillows are perfect for those long-haul flights, delayed buses, and airport naps. Every avid traveler should have a travel pillow. they only make being in transit all the easier . they assist prevent jetlag and make even the longest, most uncomfortable trip a touch more bearable.

15. Suavs shoes






suavs shoesSuavs shoes are versatile and sturdy . They’re perfect for traveling because they work for exploring a replacement city while also looking a touch fancier so you'll dress them up if you've got to. they're flexible, light, washable, and breathable. i really like them!

16. Travel Backpack




REI Flash travel backpackIf you’re a long-term traveler, your backpack is your home faraway from home. A reliable, durable travel backpack may be a must for budget travelers, minimalists, and backpackers. A well-made bag will last for years and thru dozens of adventures. Having a reliable travel backpack is one among the foremost important items for a traveler and is worth investing in.

My favorite bag is that the Flash 45 from REI but other companies worth finding out for high-quality bags are Osprey, Nomatic, and MEC (for Canadians).

17. Travel Clothing from Unbound Merino


Unbound Merino wool shirtThese travel clothes are a number of the foremost versatile on the market. made up of merino wool, Unbound Merino offers clothing which will be worn daily for weeks without getting smelly. they're super light (great for carry-on only travelers) and that they look sylish too. i actually love the fabric , they’re comfortable, they rarely need a wash, and that they last forever!

18. Eco-friendly Luggage from Samsonite



samsonite recycled eco-friendly travel luggageIf you’re trying to find a suitcase rather than a travel backpack, Samsonite has been a go-to brand for durable, quality luggage for ages. Personally, I’m a backpack guy but even i'm a lover of this luggage set because it’s made up of 100% recycled plastic. Not only that, it also comes with a limited 10 year warranty just in case something goes wrong.

19. Kindle






a kindle from AmazonPersonally, I prefer physical books once I travel. However, I can’t argue against the convenience and ease of the Kindle. I’ll admit, hauling around physical books may be a pain. It’s old-fashioned and inconvenient. With a Kindle, you'll pack thousands of books into one device, ensuring you usually have something good to read when you’re in transit.

20. GoPro Hero 8 Black






gopro hero 7I’m not much of a photographer myself, but even I’ll admit that each traveler needs a camera. If you would like something better than your phone but still easy to use, get a GoPro. They’re durable and take incredible photos and video without a steep learning curve. They’re waterproof too and work well for both everyday exploring also as adventurous activities. It’s the foremost versatile camera there's.