Top Travel Gear Picks - 5 Years of Reviewing
20+ years of international travel, 5 years reviewing travel gear; this is the creator's top picks across hundreds of products tested
Bags
Wandrd VEER — Packable Day Pack (Discontinued)
- Carried for 6 straight months during full-time travel
- High-denier abrasion-resistant nylon, cushy straps, ventilated back panel with an inflatable insert
- Locking main zipper mechanism
- 18-liter capacity, under 1 lb
- Compatible with an add-on inflatable camera cube
- Note: discontinued, though it may still be found in some corners of the internet
Aer Travel Pack — Travel Backpack (currently Travel Pack 4 in X-Pack)
- Carried worldwide, including months-long stretches of full-time travel
- Consistently scores at the top across materials, warranty, airline compliance, load lifters, and general usability when benchmarked against competitors
- Strong value for the price relative to direct competitors
- Main trade-off: weight — Travel Pack 4 is just under 4 lbs even after being slimmed down
Bellroy Transit — Rolling Case
- Smooth, quiet Hinomoto wheels
- Packing cells included (not upsold separately)
- 10-year warranty
- $299
- Standout feature: user-replaceable parts (wheels, handles, telescoping handle, TSA lock) — order the part and swap it at home in ~10 minutes instead of shipping the case to a repair center
Wearables
Unbound Merino Compact Travel Hoodie
- Worn on nearly every trip and around the house year-round
- Merino wool regulates temperature and packs small
- Easy to shed when cabin temperature rises
- Trade-off: merino pricing is higher than synthetic alternatives
Smartwool Targeted Cushion Socks
- Wool chosen for odor resistance and blister prevention — wool grips the foot, so friction happens between sock and shoe rather than sock and skin
- Used for both marathons and everyday wear; worn for 10+ years
- Available in multiple lengths; compression versions available for long-haul flights
Lems Shoes
- Minimalist, versatile shoes that can dress up or down — avoids bulky athletic or hiking-shoe looks
- Primal Zen: main day-to-day walking shoe; wide toe box, zero drop, lightweight, flexible sole, packs flat — would be the only pair brought if limited to one
- Courts: more of a leather tennis shoe look, versatile across situations
- Boulder Summit (waterproof boots): used for a ski trip to Austria, well liked
- Note: all Lems styles are zero-drop — recommend trying them well before travel and breaking them in gradually
Arcade Belt
- Elastic, no metal components
- Eliminated the need to remove the belt at TSA security (even with TSA PreCheck, a metal belt was previously triggering the detector)
Language Learning (Sponsored Segment)
Rosetta Stone Sapphire
- Newest Rosetta Stone program, a full rebuild of the classic app
- Lessons structured around real-world travel scenarios: ordering food, navigating transit, hotel check-in
- Uses "Dynamic Immersion" — learning through context and visuals, engaging reading, writing, speaking, and listening
- TrueAccent technology: real-time pronunciation feedback
- Chat Missions (new in Sapphire): real-time conversation practice with live feedback in chosen scenarios
- Promo: 25% off Rosetta Stone Sapphire (includes access to all 25 languages on one subscription) via link/QR code in description
Tech & Electronics
Epicka Universal Travel Adapter
- Preferred over carrying multiple region-specific plugs
- Works across 200 destinations
- Favorite model: TA-105 Pro — strong power output, fast charging
- Pulse Duo 140W noted as an upcoming favorite — roughly twice the power
- Caveat: does not convert voltage (relevant for hair tools, etc.); doesn't cover India or South Africa — check compatibility before travel
Power Banks
- Anker 622 MagGo (previous favorite): magnetic MagSafe attachment, folds into a kickstand for propping the phone up (e.g., watching movies on a tray table); older tech, not the most powerful available
- Kushu S4 (current favorite): same MagSafe/kickstand functionality, but uses a semi-solid-state battery — runs cooler, more puncture-resistant, lower fire risk; considered an upgrade given tightening airline lithium battery rules
Apple AirTag
- Used in both carry-on and checked bag for location tracking
- Android alternatives also exist
- Inexpensive peace of mind
Cameras & Content Creation
DJI Air 2S (Drone, discontinued — DJI Air 3S is current equivalent)
- Owned ~5 years
- Packs down small, full one-inch sensor, more image quality than needed
- Valued for offering a new visual perspective while traveling (e.g., beach-to-coastline shots)
Insta360 GO 3S
- Small, discreet, used constantly for quick shots and filming airplane seats
- Camera module weighs 39 grams, magnetic — attachable to hats, shirts, or tight spaces a full camera couldn't reach
- Comes with a suction cup for airplane windows, ceilings, or small ledges
- Not the highest image quality available, but valued for speed and ease of use
Ulanzi One-Click Tripod
- One-button transition from handheld grip to tabletop tripod
- Mainly used for airplane footage or filming in accommodations like Airbnbs
- Packs easily into a backpack's tech compartment
Peak Design Mobile Tripod
- Folds to about the size of a stack of credit cards
- Magnetically attaches to MagSafe-compatible phones/cases, then unfolds into a stable tripod
- Versatile uses: airplane tray table, hotel desk, time-lapses, selfies, even propping up a baby monitor at home
- Described as a favorite, frequently recommended item
64 Audio Custom-Molded In-Ear Monitors (formerly 1964 Ears)
- Alternative to noise-canceling over-ear headphones — comparable sound isolation, roughly a quarter of the weight, packs much smaller
- Custom fit seals out sound without needing active noise cancellation
- Higher price point ("buy once, cry once"), but rarely misses over-ears while traveling with these
Travel Work Setup
Three-part portable setup:
- Roost Laptop Stand — compact (about the size of a small umbrella), 6 oz, raises screen to eye level
- Apple Magic Keyboard (mini size)
- Logitech Anywhere MX mouse
Together, turns a hotel desk into a usable workstation. Adds some bulk and cost — recommended only for those who work while traveling.
"Unsexy MVPs" — Inexpensive Essentials
Ziploc Bags
- Multi-purpose: liquids bag at security, dry bag for phone at the beach, storage for wet swimsuits, protective storage for document copies
- Cheap, lightweight, always packed a few
Packing Cubes — Peak Design
- Standard Cube: long-time daily driver; self-healing 70D ripstop fabric, tear-away opening, built-in clean/dirty divider, lifetime warranty — considered the best-feeling cube used
- Ultralight Cubes: better for tighter weight limits; Terrashell fabric, 50D recycled nylon, taped seams; full 3-piece set weighs under 100g; single U-zip design with a near-vacuum compression effect when pressed closed (no separate compression zipper)
Osprey Ultralight Roll (Toiletry Bag)
- Rolls up tight, minimal weight, some water resistance, includes a hook (useful in hotel bathrooms lacking counter space)
- Carried to nearly 30 countries
Owala FreeSip Water Bottle
- Dual-wall vacuum-insulated stainless steel — keeps water cold for hours
- Both a straw (sipping) and wide spout (chugging), with a locking button on top
- Tip: removing the internal straw prevents spillage when opened at altitude on a plane
- Available in multiple sizes and colors