Travel Essentials and Best Travel Gear for Every Adventure

Travel packing and finding the best travel gear isn’t difficult; it’s just preparation. Here are my top picks, tried and tested, after 20 years on the road.

Travel packing shouldn’t be a chore. Finding the right gear for your trip just requires time and testing – shopping for travel accessories is as much a part of the preparation process as planning where to go.

But the hardest part is knowing what to buy before you leave, so you don’t end up overpacking. I’ve been there.

I’m often asked which travel gadgets, gear, clothing, and technology I use, and which must-have travel essentials I take on every trip. After nearly two decades of experimenting with what I need and what I don’t, alongside brands I know and trust, I’ve found a happy medium and can confidently claim to be an expert in travel packing.

So, I’ve compiled my ultimate packing list of products and brands I use and endorse, and pretty much pack for every trip. Making life a lot easier for you to plan and make travel gear choices, and know which brands stand the test of security and durability. 

Travel Backpacks and Luggage

Osprey Fairview Trek 70 – Sideloader

The Osprey Fairview Trek 70 is one of Osprey’s only sideloader backpacks – my preferred choice of design and my favourite pack to date. Wider than it is tall, I opted for the 70-liter for more space (including a lower compartment) over the 50-litre lite option. Core features include an adjustable, ventilated back panel, a larger, more easily accessible pocket, and an extra-slim front sleeve pocket for those little, instant-access extras.

With sustainability in mind, it’s made from bluesign®-approved 420D recycled nylon that is PFC/PFAS-free. The extra bonus is the included AirCover – a zippable cover bag ideal for baggage check-in, that doubles as a sturdy raincover.

Osprey Ariel 65 Backpack – Toploader

Osprey has been my mainstay backpack brand for years, and before I reverted to the sideloader above, I had the Osprey Ariel 65 Backpack. This toploader backpack features multiple lid compartments that hold a waterproof cover and provide extra packing space, and a bottom pocket that lets you access the main compartment.

The AntiGravity back system and the rugged yet mouldable fit of the IsoForm hip belt (all backpacks come in male- and female-specific fits) are ideal for distributing weight so that you don’t strain your back.

READ MORE: About choosing the best Osprey Backpack for travel.

Osprey Mira 32 Backpack – Hiking

During any multi-day, strenuous trek, it’s vital to carry only what you need in your daypack while still leaving enough space and weight capacity for water. The optimal trek backpack should be a 30-35L Day Bag with a CamelBak hydration pack; the Osprey Mira 32L was my choice for my Kilimanjaro trek.

PacSafe 25-litre Anti-Theft Travel Day Pack

Pacsafe’s 25-litre anti-theft day packs are chock-full of advanced anti-theft features and technology. There are slash-proof, lockable zippers, a turn-and-lock hook to attach and lock your bag to a table leg or post, and RFID-safe ‘blocking pockets’ to protect your passport and credit cards from identity theft.

With two main compartments, including a padded 15″ MacBook compatible sleeve and side pockets for water and other items, it’s altogether a perfect day pack and carry-on bag.

PacSafe Anti-Theft Sling Pack

Sling bags are a popular style and are ideal for travel when you want to carry only the essentials instead of a larger day pack. PacSafe has a series of compact GO Anti-Theft Micro Sling bags with RFID protection, cut-resistant materials, and enough space for your wallet, phone, passport, and keys. 

LEVEL8 Textured Carry-On 20”

Practical, lightweight, and stylish, my LEVEL8 carry-on bag is my option for business trips and short stays. I got the Carry-On 20” in Navy in exchange for a review, and can vouch for its design and longevity (it still looks and works good as new years later). The solid-shell, textured surface is hard-wearing and scratch-resistant – ideal for a bag that’s flung in and out of compartments and security trays. The aluminum handle is smooth and assembles instantly, and the 360° spinner wheels glide beautifully, so there’s no angled pulling of the bag behind you (except on rough surfaces).

The fully lined dual interior compartments – complemented by the four-piece travel cube set (below) – are completed with zipper pockets for extra storage of smaller items, or those which you need instant access to.

Footwear

Waterproof Hiking Boots

As I’m often on multi-day trekking trips in mountainous terrain, my go-to waterproof hiking boots with winter/snow grip have been the Salewa MTN Trainer Mid GTX – lightweight, with a softer ankle and heel system for comfort, and a Vibram sole for excellent grip. They are quite the investment at €250, but they were quick and easy to break in, and stand up to the price with how hardwearing they are – after six years, they are still in incredible shape and have retained a strong grip on the sole. 

Trail Runners and Walking Shoes

Salomon is my chosen brand for any kind of trail runners. I’ve still got a pair of vintage Salomon Speedcross for hikes where my boots would be too heavy/extreme for the terrain, but have recently been more into the Salomon Alphacross Blast GTX range for everyday wandering and light hikes. They are less bulky and lighter, have standard lacing rather than a pull-tab string closure, but still have an excellent, grippy sole. 

My favourite lightweight shoes for everything from city strolls to easy-to-pack camp shoes have always been the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite range, which are ultra-lightweight and made from plant-based fibres. These shoes are also ideal for water adventures, such as canyoning, giving you enough grip on rocks and not weighing you down when wading. 

READ MORE: Vivobarefoot Primus Review – Ten Years Wearing and Testing

Hiking Socks

Decent hiking socks with the right comfort fit and fabric are an investment; a bad fit can contribute to blisters, and synthetic fabrics don’t do your skin any favours. I was sent two pairs of heel-toe cushioned Marino wool Darn Tough hiking socks to try out: one lightweight and one midweight. I’ve had them for close to a year now, as I was keen to put their “Guaranteed for Life” high-knit-density warranty to the test. I can confidently say they still look pretty much brand new; no bobbles, holes, or thinned-out patches. As for merino wool, it’s the prized fabric for natural moisture-wicking, odor-repelling, and thermoregulating properties – think of it as an all-rounder whatever the weather. One (grim) story worth noting, and which is possibly a selling point the brand doesn’t know about (yet), is that when I went hiking in Nepal during Monsoon season, and dozens of leeches wiggled and jumped into our shoes, I was the only one whose new leech friends hadn’t bitten through the socks. So yes, they are tough. 

Travel Packing Solutions

Packing Cubes for Backpacks

I’m a roller rather than a folder when it comes to packing my clothes for travel. Rolling your clothes and putting them in packing cubes is an even better space-saving solution. I use different sizes to compartmentalise items, and I’ll never go back to throwing everything into a bag. I especially like the extensive Eagle Creek range and have recently invested in this compression packing cube from Japanese brand Muji. 

LEVEL8 Packing Cube Set for Carry On Luggage

LEVEL8’s set of four packing cubes in various sizes (including one that fits shoes, and another with dividers) fit neatly and stylishly in the 20″ cabin bag series. What I particularly like is that they are made from thick fabric, keeping their shape and strength while also being anti-mildew and water-repellent – I often use one in my day bag to protect my camera. These only come in one shade – grey – which can be limiting for those who organise by colour, but the detachable icon rubber patches for each cube make up for it.

Travel Toiletries Bag

I keep all my toiletries in a single, durable wash bag, which prevents me from purchasing unnecessary items and keeps the weight to a minimum. Some prefer the style you can hang up, but my advice is to primarily choose a strong, waterproof material for a long-lasting, high-quality travel wash bag – it’s one thing that gets used in extreme conditions. Again, Eagle Creek’s toiletry kits stand out for their combo of durability and style. 

Compression Sacks and Dry Bags

If you have to pack for two or more seasons, compression sacks are the ultimate space-savers for carrying extra gear. I use mine to store my down jacket, waterproof layers, and thermals because it condenses them into the smallest possible space.

Alongside packing cubes and compression sacks, I always pack a dry bag for travel that involves river trips, water excursions, beach days, or treks in tropical regions. Get a dry bag with a sling handle, so you can use it as a stand-alone bag when walking or swimming. Detach the sling and use it as a form of protective packing in your main luggage.

Sets from the longstanding travel gear brand SeaToSummit are my staple for organised packing.

Travel Gadgets and Accessories

Mirrorless Camera – Fuji X-T Series

Mirrorless cameras are typically more compact and less bulky than DSLR cameras. I’ve had my Fuji XT for over seven years, and for video enthusiasts, the new iteration XT-5 delivers superb 4K video quality. The retro design, with external dials for quick setting changes, is something I also love about the Fuji XT range.

Unlocked Smartphone – iPhone

My iPhone serves as my second camera (shooting images in RAW mode), and it is vital for news, social media updates, and quick contact when on the road. Get an unlocked smartphone, and you’ll be able to instantly load SIM cards or eSIMs worldwide, saving you hefty roaming charges.

Action Camera – GoPro Hero 

Small, compact, high quality, and easy to use, it seems everyone has a GoPro – and for a good reason! The HERO range (now on number 13) shoots 5K video, delivers 20MP photos, has HyperSmooth 3.0 stabilisation, and is ultra-durable and waterproof for all adventure scenarios. Even if you are not making movies, your video clips will serve as lasting memories, and you can capture stills of your adventures using the GoPro editing tools. 

Smartphone Gimbal Stabilizer

Pocket gimbals are an ideal piece of equipment for creating beautiful videos – think better stabilisation for fast motion, panorama sweeps, and vlogging on the go. While the DJI OM and 3-Axis are popular options, I’ve found the FeiyuTech VLOG Pocket to be the budget option that still delivers excellent results. Plus, it folds down to a hand-sized bundle, reducing the bulk of other gimbals.

Anker Powercore Portable Charger

Anker power banks are my go-to brand for portable chargers that are lightweight and slim while holding a lot of charge capacity. A saving grace when your battery runs low while you are out, these power banks provide approximately 2.5 full phone charges. 

WD My Passport Ultra – Portable Data Storage

I use Dropbox or iCloud for my backup cloud storage, but I also carry a WD My Passport as my portable backup, mainly for my photos, work articles, and essential documents. A portable hard drive might seem pricey, but it does take a while to fill up the storage capacity and saves you from losing precious memories. You can choose from 1TB, 2TB, 4TB or 5TB.

Pacsafe Anti-theft Portable Safe

One of my best and most used items for travel, the Pacsafe portable safe – in 3, 5, and 12 litre options – is big enough to hold your laptop and stash away your essential items. The material is woven with 360-degree stainless steel wire mesh and can be locked to fixtures in your room, such as furniture and the sink pipes, to prevent theft. A combination padlock is included.

Scrubba Portable Washing Machine

For years, I painstakingly hand-washed clothes and underwear in a hostel or hotel sink until the Scrubba bag came along and saved me from the agony. It’s a portable washing machine with a quick load, an inner ‘washboard’, and easy-to-follow six-step instructions.

It contributes to a positive environmental impact – it uses less water and doesn’t require electricity. Whether outdoors, trekking and camping, or inside your accommodation, you can use the Scrubba anywhere. 

Use code BECKI10 at checkout on Scubba for 10% off any purchase. 

Travel Essentials

Water-to-Go Filter Travel Water Bottle

I carry this with me every day, and I no longer buy bottled water where possible. With a unique filtration system that removes up to 99.9999% of contaminants, I can fill this Water-to-Go travel water bottle up from any water source (except seawater) and have drinkable water instantly.

Use the code BECKI20 at checkout for a 20% discount.

Want to find out more? Read my full Water-to-Go review.

500-Lumens Head Torch

As an avid trekker, this head torch is brilliant for those early morning climbs, night walks, camping jaunts and as a general hand torch when needed.

Personally, I opt for at least 400-lumens for optimal brightness in a variety of situations. My current headtorch is the 500-lumens Discover Headtorch from Silva.

Worldwide Travel Adaptor Plug

A travel essential, get yourself an all-in-one travel plug adaptor that you can use in over 200 countries worldwide. Most now come with extra USB charger hubs, a bonus for charging more than one device simultaneously. Invest in a decent travel adapter, like these ones from Skross, and it will retain its durability over the years, especially as the sliders get some wear.

Microfibre Travel Towel

They may not be as comforting and luxurious as a fresh, flurry towel, but a quick-dry travel towel comes in handy for so many on-the-road situations. A microfibre towel takes up less space when packing too. This Lifeventure SoftFibre travel towel absorbs nine times its weight in water and dries eight times faster than a conventional towel. It’s also a sustainable product made from recycled water bottles.

Silk Sleeping Bag Liner

Ideal for camping, hiking, or if you can’t trust the cleanliness of the bed you are sleeping on, a silk sleeping bag liner is one of my must-have travel items. The silk options are more of an up-front investment, but they are more breathable, lightweight to carry and provide extra warmth. Lifeventure’s ofefring is 100% silk. 

4-Season Sleeping Bag

On multi-day mountain treks, you may have a sleeping bag included or be asked to rent one. For peace of mind (I get easily cold), I invested in a Hyke & Byke Eolus 800 Ultralight Goose Down Sleeping Bag – a soft and snug ‘Mummy Bag’ fit that keeps me comfortably warm in temperatures between -10 & -15 Degrees. It’s super squashy too, making it easy to pack and unpack.

Pacsafe Security Approved Combination Locks

Better at remembering number combinations than I am at holding onto keys to locks, I purchased a bunch of combination locks and now never have to worry about getting into my bags. Once again, I’m all for Pacsafe’s range – my locks are still going strong ten years on. This combination lock is also airport security approved; it allows TSA, CATSA, and other authorised security agencies to open, inspect, and relock your luggage without damaging it. 

Pacsafe Wire Cable Combination Lock

This retractable lock is a step up from a standard combination lock – it comes with a wire so that you can attach your backpack or daypack to anything from poles, racks, and any other item that keeps your belongings secure. I’ve even used mine to lock my backpack to a bathroom sink when my room wasn’t the most secure.

Travel Sterile First Aid Kit

There’s no harm in carrying a mini first aid kit – it takes up little space, and you never know when you might need it. I’m particularly keen on carrying sterile needles and syringes for scenarios where hygiene standards may be low. I’ve always used the compact Lifesystems kit.