Travel Gear

While the clothing I pack for my destinations might change, these are the things I’ve packed regardless of where I’m going. I’ve already used all of the items below, and so far I’ve been very happy with them. Let me know if you have any questions!

For makeup and stuff I pack in my toiletry bag, check out this post.

Some of the links below are affiliate links and I’ll get a small (seriously, tiny) commission if you click one and then buy something. I’m packing all of the items below on my trip, so I legit recommend them. If that ever changes, I will update this page. Thanks for your support!

---

2025 Update: LOL I have a home now

The life of minimalism is no more. I have a real apartment in Palma, along with multiple carry-ons and a big suitcase. We bought a car, a bed, chairs, and many, many plants for our new home. Marko and I were able to ship all of our wedding gifts from the UK to Spain in giant plastic bins. We’re locked in. If we move now, we’ll need professionals and a van.

To anyone planning a round-the-world trip, I still recommend a small carry-on size backpack like the 40L Osprey. And for anyone traveling Europe, I recommend a carry-on that’s small enough to meet budget airline requirements for carry-ons to save yourself time and money. Remember, airlines like Ryanair and Vueling force you into a smaller carry-on than the likes of Delta and British Airways. I still love packing cubes too.

2018 Update! A Real Suitcase!

Ever since we started choosing destinations for whole months at a time, I’ve lost the backpack and opted for something slightly bigger. But I’m still all about that carry-on-only life. I’m now using a Ricardo Hardshell 20″ Spinner and I’m digging it. It definitely holds more, which is essential for cold weather destinations. Beware, if you choose to expand it using the zippers, then it’s no longer carry-on size. (And I’m still carrying all my valuables in that reliable old Longchamp tote.)

New Kindle!

Finally. I may avoid buying new clothes, but man did I need both of these. My Kindle was on it’s last leg and I really needed the backlight of the Paperwhite.

Mophie Portable Charger

To be honest, I don’t use this portable charger that much but it is a handy travel item for a long day on the road. It’s pretty sleek and easy to carry around in my tote, and I’ve had it for years and it still works well.

---

The Ol’ Standbys… Still Recommended for Backpacking

My Backpack

40L Osprey Farpoint

After much debate and research, I’ve opted for a carry-on sized backpack and decided against wheels. I’ll let you know if I end up kicking myself for this later, but so far this backpack as been amazing for Puerto Rico (with that fifth floor walk-up apartment) and weekend beach and lake trips. It’s very well-constructed with sturdy zippers and lots of space. I am in love with it. ***Post South America & Southeast Asia trip update: I am STILL in love with this backpack! Everybody on the road always comments on the small size and it has been no problem to bring as a carry-on for flights. I’m very happy I chose to bring a smaller pack.

I chose the Small/Medium, which is actually only 38 liters, because I’m 5’4″ and I’m the one that has to carry it. This backpack is short and wide rather than long and tall like lots of travel or camping backpacks, so it doesn’t hit me in the head while I’m walking. Seriously, if you have any questions, feel free to ask me, because I harassed people on the internet and I agonized over this purchase for a while. And if Amazon doesn’t have it in stock, check it out at REI because they have a great money back guarantee (and you can get free shipping through the link below). I visited REI many times to try on other backpacks before making this purchase.

My Tote

Longchamp Le Pliage Tote – Not to be all sorority girl, but I’m gonna keep carrying this over-the-shoulder bag until it falls apart. It’s great on planes, it zips at the top, and it holds my laptop and big ass camera with room to spare. (I usually throw my purse and a sweater in there too). And it looks nice! Longchamp bags come in multiple sizes, but I prefer the biggest one. If it can hold multiple law school books and accompany me to work every day, I trust it. Almost every big city will be selling a knock-off version, but this is the real deal. They are expensive, but I’ve had mine for almost five years now and it has served me well. Still using this bag post-Asia, South America, and Europe! I always keep my valuables in here and never let it out of my sight!

Packing Cubes!

I know every travel blogger raves about these, but just in case you haven’t heard, packing cubes are game changers when it comes to packing. I typically wait weeks to unpack when I get home from a trip, but with these cubes, it’s so easy to un-sort your clothes back into your closet. And don’t even get me started on actually being able to find stuff in your luggage when you arrive at your destination. So. much. better. Your clothes are now magically organized. I will never travel without them again.

Eagle Creek Clean-Dirty Pack-It Cube – This thing is the bomb. It has two sides: one for clean stuff with a breathable, see-through front, and one for dirty stuff, with a plastic coating so that if your clothes are smelly or wet, it won’t seep into the rest of your luggage. If you roll your clothes, it will fit a very surprising amount of stuff. The dividing wall moves so that you can have a full clean cube at the beginning of your trip or a full dirty cube at the end – or a mix during the in-between times. I use this one to pack larger items like pants and dresses.

Eagle Creek Pack-It Half Cubes – I have two of these smaller half cubes – one for tops and one for bathing suits, socks, and underwear. They fit perfectly with the larger Clean/Dirty cube in my backpack like a little Tetris game. I got two off of Amazon as a gift and one from REI using my co-op annual membership refund. 

Electronics

Nikon D3300 – This is my fancy DSLR camera that takes lovely pictures which I am still learning how to use. After much research searching of the words “best budget DSLR for beginners,” I made this purchase, and I feel it’s been totally worth it. When it comes to putting images on the web, they are no doubt better than my iPhone photos. Like, now I’m embarrassed of my earlier blog posts with their bush league photos. I only have the kit lens, but I’ve got my eye on this one for Christmas… (ehem, mom, it’s on my Amazon wish list). I also bought this neoprene cover to protect it from bumps during transit and from myself when I forget that I’m carrying it.

Nikon 35 mm Lens – I finally graduated from the kit lens! All the YouTube videos pointed to this as the lens for travel, so here we are. My first prime lens. So far, I’m super happy with it. You really get the beautiful blurry background that a lower f-stop gives. And the landscape pictures seem clearer. The challenge is getting everything in the frame, but I’m learning.

My Kindle (with backlight)

MacBook Air – Another agonizing purchase. I’m no blogging and editing photos all the time, but I do have a career working online. I went with the 13″ screen. I use an old OGIO neoprene laptop sleeve to protect it, but it’s very similar to this one which is a great price.

My Passport WD 1 TB External Hard Drive – I know I should use the Cloud, but this just uploads those giant RAW photo files so much faster. My laptop only has so much space so this is great for holding all those pics. It’s also great for storing movies and TV shows to watch when your Internet isn’t good enough to stream ’em. I just purchased my second one of these, because I broke the last one – you CANNOT drop these! 

Random Travel Gear

Microfiber Towel – I got the 20″ by 40″ and it works like a charm. I’ll never forget when my mom tried to get me to pack a towel before I left for Argentina. Nahhh, they’ll have towels at the hostel, I thought. Nope. They did not, and I’m pretty sure I had to dry off with the one tiny wash cloth my mom managed to convince me to bring. And sometimes they make you pay to rent them (especially in Europe)! I will not do that again. This super absorbent towel folds up really small just barely covers my body if I neede to sneak out of a hostel shower. I lost the first one in Hong Kong and I just got a new one (in gray) while I was home, thank goodness!

Inflatable Neck Pillow – I was pretty anti these travel neck pillows at first, but since you can’t always guarantee a window seat, they are pretty essential. Just before my 20 hour flight to Thailand I bought one in the Atlanta airport. It was soft, but bulky and kind of a nightmare to strap to my backpack, so this time I’m opting for an inflatable one. I’m not in love with having to manually blow it up, but I found it at TJ Maxx for $3.99, and it folds down to almost nothing.

Outlander Packable Daypack 20 L – Another heavily researched item, this little lightweight backpack is for daytime outings where I don’t wanna haul the big backpack. It also folds into its own little zipped-up pouch for packing it away. I used it a ton in Puerto Rico, and it even can fit a beach towel and my camera. The convenient, smaller front pocket I use for my phone, money, and chapstick. Plus, the company is super responsive and they offer a lifetime warranty. Around Malaysia, this bag developed a hole and the zipper inside got stuck (possibly from saltwater), but I still highly recommend them because of their amazing customer service – one email and they shipped me a brand new daypack! 

Dry Bag – I got this 25 L dry bag for activities where my stuff might get wet. This is a “just in case” item – which you are typically NOT supposed to pack- but it might come in handy while hiking with my fancy camera, especially since we’re going to attempt the Inca Trail during rainy season. I used it on our booze cruise in Puerto Rico by putting all my stuff in the dry bag, which I then stuffed into my daypack and zipped up.

Master Combination Locks (2) – For locking luggage on buses and lockers in hostels. I prefer the ones with 3 digits rather than the combination locks with the spinning wheel, which is really tough to get right on the first try, in the dark, in a hurry. These days I’m still using it for the lockers at my gym.

Travel Insurance

SafetyWing?

Don’t leave home without it. Seriously, if my dengue incident or motorbike accident had been worse, I would’ve been really glad I had it.

Shoes

Always an interesting question, “Carry-on only? But how many pairs of shoes are you bringing?” Well, not many for a round-the-world trip. Trainers, flip-flops, and a pair of nicer sandals. I reject the idea that you need hiking boots since I didn’t need them for hiking the Inca Trail or the Himalayas.

Rainbow Flip Flops – A comfortable wardrobe staple that I cannot NOT bring, though I’m also planning to destroy these. Since, you know, they are leather and already in a state of disrepair. I do plan to buy in a cheap pair of rubber flip flops at some point. I lost these in the Philippines on my birthday, then caved and bought some real Havaianas, but they just weren’t as good and broke within 4 months! I’m now on my next pair of Rainbows. Always and forever…

Merrell Bare Access Trail-Running Shoes – Lightweight, quick-drying, grippy running shoes were what I was looking for and I believe I’ve found it in these Merrells. No they aren’t the hottest pair of shoes on the market. Yes, they are a tad goofy looking, but they are tiny and comfortable. Heavy hiking boots were not on the agenda. I found these on sale for $70 at REI where they seem to be currently out of stock, but I found a similar pair on Amazon here. Also, I must confess that I saw them on sale at TJ Maxx a few months after I bought them, which pissed me off royally because I shop there all the time and of course, they were way cheaper. ***Post South America trip update:  I hiked the Inca Trail (and many other hikes) in these and was really happy with their lightweight feel. No, they’re still not super cool looking, but they’re comfortable and easy to pack.

Nike Flex 2016 Running Shoe – I bought these after I wore out the Merrells and they had to be retired. I needed shoes that would be good for hiking, walking, running, and everyday wear… that looked good and I wouldn’t feel goofy wearing out. These Nikes have been great so far. They’re super lightweight and bendy, so they’re very packable. These shoes aren’t as grippy as the Merrells, but I wore them on my five-day trek in Nepal with no worries. And they actually look really trendy. Important: I did buy a half-size bigger than usual in these. (And the 2015 edition gets even better reviews.)

---

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about any of these items. Though I’m not super technologically advanced, I did put a lot of thought into these purchases, researched my face off, and asked a lot of questions. And I’m always on the lookout for a good deal!