TRAVEL GEAR SHOP

MY FAVORITE THINGS TO PACK

Packing for a solo trip can be challenging when you’re not sure what you need. On this page, I’ve curated a list of my favorite items to pack anytime I travel. You can use this page to guide you while you pack your backpack, suitcase, or carry-on luggage.

Affiliate Disclosure: This packing list includes affiliate links which means my blog may earn commissions at no additional cost to you should you decide to purchase from this shop.

MAIN LUGGAGE

These are the backpacks, bags, and suitcases I have personally used while traveling long-term.

The Best Backpacking Backpack

75L Backpack
(Gregory)

The Best Backpacking Anti-Theft Daypack

Anti-Theft Daypack
(Travelon)

IT Luggage Lightweight Suitcase

Large Suitcase
(IT Luggage)

IT Luggage Lightweight Carry On Suitcase

Small Carry On
(IT Luggage)

ELECTRONICS

As a digital nomad, technology is paramount to my travels. Carrying a lot of bulky tech may not appeal to everyone. If you also enjoy tech, here is what I would recommend:

KIndle Oasis eReader

Ereader
(Kindle Oasis)

14" M1 Pro Apple MacBook Pro

Lightweight Laptop
(MacBook Pro 14″)

Sony XM4 Noise Cancelling Headphones

Noise Cancelling Headphones

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

Unlocked Phone
(iPhone 14 Pro Max)

Travel Smart Worldwide Power Adapter

Universal Adapter
(Conair)

Anker Power Bank

Power Bank
(Anker)

Apple AirPods Bluetooth Headphones

Bluetooth Headphones
(AirPods)

External Storage
(SanDisk SSD)

PHOTOGRAPHY

As a professional photographer and videographer, I carry a lot of bulky camera gear on my trips. I’ve tailored this section to what the average hobbyist may want to pack!

Sony Mirrorless Camera

Mirrorless Camera
(Sony)

Sony Mirrorless Camera Lens 35mm

35mm Prime Lens
(Sony)

Camera Slap

Camera Sling
(BlackRapid)

SD Memory Card

SD Cards
(SanDisk)

The Handler Floating Handle

GoPro Floating Handle
(The Handler)

GoPro 3-Way Selfie Stick

Folding Selfie Stick
(The 3-Way)

GoPro Camera Tripod SOONSUN

Tripod
(SOONSUN)

BASIC GEAR

Packing should be thoughtful. Keep it simple, yet strategic. I prefer items that are comfortable, functional, and reusable.

The Drawstring Bag

Drawstring Bag
(Vorspack)

Toiletry Bag

Toiletry Bag
(Swissgear)

Reusable Bags

Reusable Bags
(3 of Any)

Refillable Bottle

Refillable Bottle
(Blender Bottle)

AIRPLANE ESSENTIALS

The more hours you spend on a plane, the more you realize the importance of packing busywork. Here are some of my favorite essentials to help pass the time during long-haul flights.

Hearing Protection
(Loop Quiet Ear Plugs)

The Original Dream Strap

The Original
Dream Strap

HEALTH

While packing for your trip, remember to pack your most important items for your health & well-being.

Electric Toothbrush Oral-B 5000 Series

Electric Toothbrush
(Oral-B 5000 Series)

Gel Toothbrush Colgate Renewal

Gel Toothpaste
(Colgate Renewal)

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Swivel Sticks 3-Pack

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter
(Swivel Stick)

Medications and Supplements

Medications & Supplements

SAFETY

Traveling can be risky. Think about what you can pack to keep yourself safe. Although many things can be purchased overseas, you may find it difficult to locate familiar name brands.

3M N95 Face Mask Respirators

N95 Masks
(3M)

Purell Hand Sanitizer

Mini Hand Sanitizer
(Purell)

Neutrogena Oil-Free SPF 50 Sunblock

Oil-Free Sunblock
(Neutrogena)

Polarized Sunglasses

Polarized Sunglasses
(RayBan)

BEACH ESSENTIALS

I’ll never turn down a day at the beach. Everything from sitting under the sun with a good book to jumping over waves and swimming with sea creatures amazes me. The best part about packing beach gear is that most of it is very lightweight!

Sun Bum Sunblock

Full Body Sunblock
(Sun Bum)

Baseball Cap

Baseball Cap
(H&M)

Microfiber Towel Quick Drying

Quick Drying
Microfiber Towel

Waterproof Dry Bag

Waterproof
Dry Bag

Adidas Slides

Slides or Flip Flops
(Adidas)

Men's Swimsuit Bathing Suit

Swimsuit
(Any)

Men's Gym Shorts

Gym Shorts
(Any)

Men's Tank Top Sleeveless Shirts

Tank Tops
(1-3 Total)

ADVENTURE ESSENTIALS

You never know when you may decide to venture off the beaten path. Prepare for adventure by bringing along tools to help ensure your safety. I packed a solar panel to charge my electronics and I used it a few times while backpacking.

Johnson & Johnson First Aid Kit

First Aid Kit
(Johnson & Johnson)

Compact Flashlight

Compact Flashlight
(WUBEN)

Lifestraw Filtered Water Bottle

Filtered Water Bottle
(LifeStraw)

Nomad Solar Panel Charger

Solar Panel Charger
(Nomad)

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES

Fashion is a very personal decision. Regardless of your gender, hopefully you can use this list to help guide your own apparel packing decisions.

UNIQLO Supima Cotton T-Shirts

4 T-Shirts
(UNIQLO)

Levi's Jeans

2 Jeans
(Levi’s)

ASOS Shorts

2 Denim Shorts
(ASOS)

ASOS Short Shorts

2 Shorts
(ASOS)

Fleece Jacket by The North Face

Fleece Jacket
(The North Face)

Adidas Tiro Pants

Track Pants
(Adidas Tiro)

Nike Air Force 1 Sneakers

Walking Sneakers
(Nike Air Force One)

Adidas Ultraboost Sneakers

Running Sneakers
(Adidas Ultraboost)

Eddie Bauer Puffer Jacket

Down Puffer Jacket
(Eddie Bauer)

Scarf

Scarf
(Any)

Bamboo Socks

Bamboo Socks
(BAMBOO SPORTS)

Boxer Briefs

Boxer Briefs
(UNIQLO Airism)

Button Town Half Sleeve Shirt

Button Down Half Sleeve Shirt (Any)

Touch Screen Gloves

Capacitive Gloves
(Any)

UNIQLO Socks

Warm Socks
(UNIQLO)

Apple Watch

Smart Watch
(Apple Watch)

CURLY HAIR CARE

Some people don’t care what shampoo or conditioner they use. As someone with naturally curly hair, I’ve always been very particular about which products I use.

Shea Moisture Shampoo

Sulfate-Free Shampoo
(Shea Moisture)

Shea Moisture Conditioner

Conditioner
(Shea Moisture)

Shea Moisture Curl & Styling Milk

Styling Product
(Shea Moisture)

Shea Moisture Body Wash

Body Wash
(Shea Moisture)

PERSONAL CARE

If there’s products you like to you, make sure you pack them. Beard oil is something I heavily rely on and it turned out to be difficult to find in certain countries. Also, if you wear glasses… you may want a backup pair. If you wear contacts, make sure you bring enough!

Philips OneBlade Trimmer

Razor / Trimmer
(Philips OneBlade)

Wahl Beard Trimmer

Beard Trimmer
(Wahl)

Shea Moisture Argan Oil

Argan Oil
(Shea Moisture)

Warby Parker Eyeglasses

Eyeglasses
(Warby Parker)

Acuvue Oasys Contact Lenses

Contact Lenses
(Acuvue Oasys)

Blink Dry Contacts Rewetting Drops

Eye Rewetting Drops
(Blink)

Neutrogena Daily Facial Moisturizer

Skin Moisturizer
(Neutrogena)

Nail Clippers

Nail Clippers
(Any)

Microfiber Cloth

Microfiber Cloth
(Any)

Travel Size Bottles

Travel Sized Bottles
(Any)

Solid Alum Deodorant

Solid Alum Deodorant
(Any)

TEA ADDICTION

I’m a tea lover. I’ve had a cup of dragonwell green tea every day since June 2015 when I visited Hangzhou, China and fell in love with it.

Menna One Travel Tea Thermos

Travel Tea Thermos with Steep & Stop!
(Mennä)

Dragonwell Green Tea

Dragonwell Green Tea
(Adagio)

Samurai Mate

Samurai Mate
(Adagio)

White Ayurvedic Chai

White Ayurvedic Chai
(Adagio)

MISCELLANEOUS

This section is for various non-essential items that could come in handy if you have them while traveling. They certainly make traveling a bit easier!

Suitcase Scale

Suitcase Scale
(Any)

Rechargeable Batteries

Rechargeable Batteries
(Energizer)

Cable Organizer

Cable Organizer
(Any)

TSA Approved Luggage Locks

TSA Luggage Lock
(Any)

The Rocky Safari