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 I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you, should you decide to purchase something listed here. This money will be used to help sustain The Rocky Safari blog and to feed even more lovely, wild birds during my daily travels. On behalf of Rocky and all the birds in the whole world, thank you for your support.
MAIN LUGGAGE
As a solo traveler, I have spent more than 365 days exploring the world long-term. These are the backpacks, bags, and luggage I have used and highly recommend.
75L Backpack
(Gregory)
Anti-Theft Daypack
(Travelon)
Large Suitcase
(IT Luggage)
Small Carry On
(IT Luggage)
ELECTRONICS
As a digital nomad, access to technology is paramount anytime I travel. I love having high-tech gear. It’s a personal preference. I know carrying an ereader, bulky headphones, and clunky camera gear may not appeal to everyone. I find the convenience far outweighs the extra weight & risk that traveling with electronics adds.
Ereader
(Kindle Oasis)
Lightweight Laptop
(MacBook Pro 14″)
Noise Cancelling Headphones
Unlocked Phone
(iPhone 13 Pro Max)
Universal Adapter
(Conair)
Power Bank
(Anker)
Bluetooth Headphones
(AirPods)
External Hard Drive
(Seagate HDD)
PHOTOGRAPHY
Even though I’m not a professional photographer, I absolutely love carrying photography gear with me to capture my most special moments in time. I love taking photos. I’m not as well versed in video, but I still bring a GoPro for the odd adventure trip. Normally, I bring along my mirrorless camera because it’s compact and easy to travel with.
BASIC GEAR
Packing should be thoughtful. Keep it simple, yet strategic. I prefer items that are comfortable, functional, and sustainable/reusable.
Drawstring Bag
(Vorspack)
Toiletry Bag
(Swissgear)
Reusable Bags
(3 of Any)
Refillable Bottle
(Blender Bottle)
AIRPLANE ESSENTIALS
People laugh when I tell them I have a fear of flying. It’s true though. As often as I fly, I still get nervous. That’s why I will never fly without headphones. Music helps me ignore the engine and focus my attention inward. Below are some of my favorite distractions to help pass the time during long haul flights.
HEALTH
While packing for your trip, remember to pack your most important items for your health & well-being. In my case, I’m a chapstick fanatic and would freak out if I didn’t pack it. Also, I love the ultrasonic cleaning an electric toothbrush provides. As long as I’m anticipating having electricity, that’s something I want to pack. What’s on your list?
Electric Toothbrush
(Oral-B 5000 Series)
Gel Toothpaste
(Colgate Renewal)
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter (Swivel Stick)
Medications & Supplements
SAFETY
As wonderful as traveling is, it doesn’t come without risk. Think about things you can pack to keep yourself safe. Fortunately for all of us, a lot of these things can be easily purchased at most destinations. I’d only pack extra if you strongly prefer a certain brand. Here are some of my favorites.
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!
ADVENTURE ESSENTIALS
You never know when you might decide to venture off the beaten path. Try to prepare and bring things along tools to ensure your safety. I always packed a solar-powered for my electronics and I actually used it a few times while backpacking.
First Aid Kit
(Johnson & Johnson)
Compact Flashlight
(WUBEN)
Filtered Water Bottle
(LifeStraw)
Solar Panel Charger
(Nomad)
CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES
Fashion is a very personal decision. In this section, I try to focus on “types” of clothes to pack. Naturally, my list is geared toward men. Hopefully, you can use this to help guide your own packing decisions. I’ve linked to many of the stores that I enjoy shopping from.
Fleece Jacket
(The North Face)
Track Pants
(Adidas Tiro)
Walking Sneakers
(Nike Air Force One)
Running Sneakers
(Adidas Ultraboost)
CURLY HAIR CARE
Some people don’t care what shampoo or conditioner they use. If that’s you, great! As someone with naturally curly hair, I’ve always been very particular about what products I use. I’m one of those hair freaks that avoids sulfates, silicone, and other problematic ingredients. When in doubt… I usually buy Shea Moisture or As I Am.
Sulfate-Free Shampoo
(Shea Moisture)
Conditioner
(Shea Moisture)
Styling Product
(Shea Moisture)
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!
Razor / Trimmer
(Philips OneBlade)
Beard Trimmer
(Wahl)
Beard Oil
(Can You Handlebar)
Argan Oil
(Shea Moisture)
Eyeglasses
(Warby Parker)
Contact Lenses
(Acuvue Oasys)
Eye Rewetting Drops
(Blink)
Skin Moisturizer
(Neutrogena)
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 the earthy tones of this delicious tea. Then in Chicago, I met the co-founders of a company called Mennä and they introduced me to my favorite travel thermos. It’s the only thermos that can start & stop a tea infusion!!!
Use my code rocky10 for a 10% discount. 🙂
MISCELLANEOUS
This section is for more of the “not necessary” but “nice to have things.” If you feel compelled to try any of these things, I have them and do enjoy using them! They certainly make traveling a little bit easier!
