The best travel gear is travel gear you can use at home and abroad. Here are a collection of items that have been both road-tested and lockdown approved.
travel gear
Where would a traveler be without travel gear? It enables us to do amazing things around the world....but it also disables us if we have too much of it. When I started traveling full-time (back in the pioneer days), I bought all the latest and greatest travel gear I could find - before realizing that if I tried to carry it all, I'd need a full-time porter.
In this collection of posts, you will find various pieces of travel gear that I have tested along the way. Some items remain a part of my full-time travel entourage today, while others I've either worn through or given away (since I like to change up my full-time travel packing list from time to time to keep things interesting).
In all cases, these reviews reflect my unbiased opinion, warts and all.
Best Travel Clothes for Men No Matter Where You’re Traveling (+ 5 items you need from Western Rise)
I created a monster. My bf won’t stop buying stuff from Western Rise, and he says they have the best travel clothes for men. Here’s why.
Best Anti Theft Bags & Accessories, Plus Tips to Keep Your Stuff Secure
In addition to being vigilant, you can get ahead of petty theft by using anti theft bags designed to deter criminals. From small to large, wearable to attachable, here’s the best in the industry.
The Best Blogging Courses and Tools for Your Digital Nomad Dreams
Are you thinking about starting a blog, or taking your existing blog to the next level? I wish I’d had these blogging courses and tools when I started my blog.
Pro Packing Hacks: Here are the Best Travel Accessories
I’m a sucker for packing hacks, and I’ve tried just about every packing tool out there. Here are the best travel accessories for both saving space and staying organized.
2019 Holiday Gift Guide – Best Gifts for Travel Lovers
This 2019 Holiday Gift Guide for Travel Lovers travel-tests Western Rise merino, Wiivv custom insoles, Performance Lab supplements, SleepPhones, The Airhook, Eustachi, KeepGo mobile WiFi hotspot, Let’s Roam scavenger hunts, and Remote Much travel career manual.
The Best Carry On Backpack For One Bag Travel
This is my quest to find the best carry on backpack for one bag travel – not just minimalist travel backpacks, but REAL one bag travel, with unrivalled versatility.
The Ultimate Packing List for Full-Time Travel and Long-Term Travel
Looking for the ultimate packing list for full-time travel? Here’s exactly what I pack to travel the world as a digital nomad – down to every last item. This interactive packing list widget is sure to give you lots of ideas for your next trip.
My Zero Waste Kit for Travel (and Home)
With this simple zero waste kit, you can eliminate single-use waste when you travel (and at home). Here’s how to do it, and why it’s important.
Dealing with Parasites: A Guide to Clean Water Around the World
After suffering everything from parasites to heavy metal poisoning, I’m now a clean water guru. And it’s not just about clean drinking water; it’s also about how to brush your teeth, what foods to eat, how to cook, and much more. This article gives you everything you need to know.
Cell Phone Travel Basics: International Phone Plans, SIM Cards, and More
Want to avoid international roaming but not sure what your cell phone travel options are? There’s something for everybody, and this article outlines ALL your options along with pros and cons and what kind traveler/trip each strategy is best for.
The Best (Must Have) Travel Apps (25 of My Personal Favourites)
These 25 killer best travel apps will help you travel more efficiently, safely, cheaply, and fun(ly). Smartphone travel apps like these are changing travel entirely!
Top Gifts for Travelers in 2018
Check out these great travel gifts for men and women! These best travel gifts for 2018 include custom sandals and insoles, an adventure backpack, passport wallet, gift collections, tripods, and clothing!
My Travel Capsule Wardrobe: Best Wrinkle Free Travel Clothes for Women
In this article I dissect what makes for the best wrinkle free travel clothes for women, as inspired by a capsule wardrobe challenge by Anatomie Travel Clothes. I took two tiny packing cubes of clothes and traveled ULTRAlight. Here’s what happened!
My Search for the Perfect Travel Sandal
I’ve spent years searching for the perfect travel sandal balancing fashion and multi-function; read this post and learn from my mistakes!
Checked vs. Carry-On Luggage (and Why Checked is Best)
When it comes to luggage, I’ve had it all. Checked luggage, carry-on luggage, rolling, backpacks, wheeled backpacks, hybrids, and more. Here’s why I now travel with checked luggage, along with criteria fo you to decide if carry-on or checked is best for you – and the best road-tested luggage recommendations.
Best Travel Gifts for 2017: Packing Cubes, Dresses, Trackers, and More!
The best travel gifts for 2017 include the Ultimate Travel Dress, expandable packing cubes, Eagle Creek compression sacs, Chipolo tracking device, Fat Chick Goes Awol (book), and Flexiroam global data micro-SIM card. Learn more about them here!
Giant 2016 Travel Gear Roundup: Don’t Leave Home Without…
I review the Ultimate Travel Jacket, ROLO and TUO packing aids, Tieks, Revolve Dress, Anatomie designer travel clothing, Sudio Sweden wireless earbuds, RFID tools, J-Pillow, Nord VPN, and more.
Travel Packing: How (and What) to Pack for Full-Time Travel (Video)
In this vlog, I show you what I pack for full-time travel – and how I pack it. Learn travel packing tips and techniques, and watch me cram it all in my bag!
Anatomie Travel Clothing Makes the BEST Travel Pants
Anatomie travel clothing has long been my favourite stuff for full-time travel. Here’s what I learned after visiting their headquarters in Miami:
9 Perfect Travel Gifts (2015 Edition)
Review of Kinivo blutooth headphones, SteriPEN Ultra, Best Travel Pants ever, Ambronite, Hoboroll/SegSac packing tools, Encircled Flipside Leggings, and more
Awesome Travel Gear, Gizmos, and Services (2014 Edition)
Review of an Ultralight filter water bottle, ion5 Solar Ionic Toothbrush, Nord VPN, Evolve Top, Compression Socks, and more
Best Luggage for Long-Term Travel: Backpacks vs Rolling Luggage
Best luggage for long-term travel: Here’s why I use rolling luggage now, with criteria for when you should choose backpacks, rolling luggage, or a hybrid.
2013 Edition: Perfect Travel Gifts
Review of the Hoboroll, Passport Wallet, Adventure Towel, Travel Adaptor, Headlamp, Packable Daypack, Wheeled Backpack, Chrysalis Cardi, and more
Wheeled Backpacks: Why They’re the Best, and Tips for Buying One
With six years of full-time travel, I’ve found wheeled backpacks are by far the most travel-friendly. Here’s why, along with tips for getting the best pack!
This is the Best Travel Clothes Brand for Long-Term Travel
Anatomie Wear offers designer women’s travel clothing. And despite my best efforts to dislike it, I just couldn’t do it!
Florida with No Baggage
Read this funny post and watch the accompanying video to watch me go down in No Baggage Challenge flames.
Preparing for the No Baggage Challenge
I’m leaving behind what little travel gear I own to take on the No Baggage Challenge! Find out what I’m doing and why, and check out this video of me “packing”.
Perfect Gifts for the Traveler in Your Life
Here is a list of perfect gifts for the traveler in your life. From small items to expensive technology, there’s something to fit any price range. I didn’t just pick each item out of thin air though: there is a method to my madness. I either own it (and love it), have owned it (and […]
Best Travel Gear: Travel Journal
My best piece of travel gear seems to be one of the most simple. Yet, it is my bible on the road, going with me absolutely everywhere I go: my Travel Journal. A travel journal can be so much more than a diary of the events of your travels. For me, it is a way […]
SteriPEN: Clean Water in Asia, and Not From a Bottle!
Here is my first experience drinking clean water with the SteriPEN in Asia, and a financial breakdown of how long it took to pay for itself.