{"id":199749,"date":"2023-10-30T08:00:50","date_gmt":"2023-10-30T12:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/?p=199749"},"modified":"2025-11-05T15:38:42","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T20:38:42","slug":"best-travel-gear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/best-travel-gear\/","title":{"rendered":"My Favorite Gear for Travelers"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Nomadic<\/p>\n

What do you take on your trip? What do you actually<\/em> need? <\/p>\n

As long-time readers know, I’m a fan of packing light. I don’t think you really need much when you travel. As a backpacker, I want to make sure everything I own fits into one bag. I often think people bring too much stuff when they travel. <\/p>\n

I went to Costa Rica<\/a> on my first trip overseas and I took with me the entire suggested packing list my tour company gave customers. I carried around so much stuff I never used. Years later, when I did my first backpacking trip around the world, I still carried so much, I ended up leaving stuff in hostels as I went.<\/p>\n

But I also recognize everyone has different travel styles and needs. No two travelers are alike.<\/p>\n

As you prepare for future trips, I wanted to give you a list of what I view as practical and must-have items. These items won’t take up too much space, are incredibly useful, and will make your trip better. They are things the team and I actually<\/em> use \u2014 things that have made our travels better. After all, we spend weeks (and months) on the road each year. We know what’s worth getting and what isn’t.<\/p>\n

So, without further ado, here’s my list of the best gear for travelers:<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

1. Trtl Travel Pillow<\/h3>\n

\"Two
\nLong-haul flights can be a pain in the neck \u2014 literally. That\u2019s why I love the Trtl Pillow<\/a>. It\u2019s one of the only travel pillows that offers unparalleled neck support. It\u2019s actually a pretty ingenious and innovative design and looks super unique. It\u2019s also way more comfortable than your standard neck pillow and doesn\u2019t take up a lot of space in your bag either. It uses hypoallergenic materials and is washable too (a big plus after spending all that time in transit). <\/p>\n

Whenever I fly long-haul flights, it\u2019s the pillow I use. It\u2019s a must for travelers and frequent flyers!<\/p>\n

Buy now from Trtl!<\/a><\/center>
\n <\/p>\n

2. Travel Padlock<\/h3>\n

\"Master<\/a>Safety first! If you’re a budget traveler and plan on staying in hostels during your next trip then you’ll need one of these. Since most hostels use lockers, budget travelers need to provide their own travel lock<\/a> if they want to keep their stuff secured. While you can usually rent or buy them at hostels, it’s much cheaper just to buy one before you go.<\/p>\n

Buy now on Amazon!<\/a><\/center>
\n <\/p>\n

3. Travel Adapter<\/h3>\n

\"travel<\/a>As many travelers have learned, it’s incredibly frustrating (not to mention inconvenient) to arrive at a new destination only to realize you can’t charge your phone or computer because the electrical outlets are different. That’s why you’ll want a travel adapter<\/a>. They’re a simple accessory but a necessary one if you’re visiting different regions of the world. This is one I personally use as it covers every region of the world (and comes with USB ports too). It’s affordable, easy to use, and lightweight. <\/p>\n

Buy now on Amazon!<\/a><\/center>
\n <\/p>\n

4. Packing Cubes<\/h3>\n

\"travel<\/a>Packing cubes<\/a> are essential if you’re going to be living out of a backpack for a few weeks (or months), or you just want to keep your suitcase better organized. They come in a variety of sizes, allowing you to store items big and small. They’re great for making it easy to find everything in your backpack or suitcase. <\/p>\n

Buy now on Amazon!<\/a><\/center>
\n <\/p>\n

5. Earplugs<\/h3>\n

\"travel<\/a>Anyone who has ever stayed in a hostel knows that earplugs<\/a> are a necessity. These earplugs are reusable and work much better than the cheap foam ones, blocking out any distracting noises. From snorers to late-night drinkers to copulating couples \u2014 I’ve heard it all. Even if you’re not going to be in a hostel, they’re still helpful for sleeping in buses, overnight trains, and other types of transportation. A good night’s sleep is priceless \u2014 travel prepared!<\/p>\n

Buy now on Amazon!<\/a><\/center>
\n <\/p>\n

6. Passport Holder<\/h3>\n

\"A<\/a>A passport holder<\/a> is a must-have for any avid traveler. It protects your passport from wear and tear \u2014 which is important because a damaged passport might get you sent home early or denied entry to a destination (plus, replacing a passport is an expensive hassle). While there are tons of pricey, fancy options out there, a simple one will get the job done.<\/p>\n

Buy now on Amazon!<\/a><\/center>
\n <\/p>\n

7. Toothpaste Bites<\/h3>\n

\"Bites<\/a>Having to travel with liquids is a pain. They’re always a hassle at airport security. And when it comes to toothpaste, there is a lot of waste (you never get all the toothpaste out and the plastic package is bad for the environment). Enter toothpaste bites<\/a>. These dry tabs of toothpaste come in a recyclable jar (no plastic!). They take some getting used to but they’re an eco-friendly option for the environmentally-conscious traveler. (If Bite doesn’t ship to your area of the world, Lush also sells toothpaste and mouthwash tabs).<\/p>\n

Buy now at Bite!<\/a><\/center>
\n <\/p>\n

8. Moleskine Notebook<\/h3>\n

\"moleskine<\/a>I never leave home without one of these. Not only do I use them for work (I’m constantly taking notes and writing down ideas) but I also use them to keep track of my travels so I have something to look back on. They are the perfect notebook<\/a> for journaling during your trip as well as for writing down travel notes such as directions, contact information, and language tips. Even in this hyper-technological age, I think everyone needs to write more during their travels so they have something to look back on.<\/p>\n

Buy now on Amazon!<\/a><\/center>
\n <\/p>\n

9. Celiac Travel Cards<\/h3>\n

\"Legal<\/a>My friend Jodi from Legal Nomads created these helpful travel cards<\/a> for anyone traveling with Celiac disease. They are in-depth resources that communicate your concerns to restaurant staff in a way that allows anyone traveling with the disease to have a worry-free meal. If you or someone you love has Celiac disease, these travel cards are a useful resource! (Use the code NOMADICMATT for 10% off!)<\/p>\n

Buy now at Legal Nomads!<\/a><\/center>
\n <\/p>\n

10. First Aid Kit<\/h3>\n

\"a<\/a>If you’re going to be doing any hiking, biking, or other activities during your trip I suggest bringing a small first aid kit<\/a>. It just needs to include the basics (band-aids, antibiotic cream (Polysporin), paracetamol (Tylenol), gauze, hand sanitizer, etc.) so that if you get a small cut, blister, or burn you won’t need to worry about infections. Of course, you should always buy travel insurance<\/a> before you leave home but this will help you take care of any minor cuts or scrapes you get during your travels. <\/p>\n

Buy now on Amazon!<\/a><\/center><\/p>\n

Here’s more information on how to pack a basic first aid kit<\/a>.
\n <\/p>\n

11. DryFox Quick Dry Travel Towel<\/h3>\n

\"sea<\/a>Unless you’re only staying at hotels and Airbnbs, you’re going to need to bring a towel. Having a lightweight, quick-drying towel makes a huge difference when you’re on the road since regular towels are too bulky and heavy (and they take a long time to dry). Instead, get a travel towel<\/a>. They’re a compact, quick-drying solution that every backpacker needs. (Use code “nomadicmatt” for 15% off your purchase!)<\/p>\n

Buy now at DryFoxCo!<\/a><\/center>
\n <\/p>\n

12. LifeStraw<\/h3>\n

\"lifestraw<\/a>Single-use plastics are common in a lot of countries around the world. They’re also polluting our oceans and destroying the environment. But when you’re traveling, they can be hard to avoid if you want to stay safe. Fortunately, you can do your part to help the planet by traveling with a reusable filter. LifeStraw<\/a> is an awesome brand that sells bottles with built in water filters. The filters last 5 years so you save money on changing them too. You’ll be able to stay healthy and lower your reliance on single-use plastics. Double win!<\/p>\n

Buy now at LifeStraw!<\/a><\/center>
\n <\/p>\n

13. Travel Headlamp<\/h3>\n

\"travel<\/a>This is a handy tool for both backpackers and anyone looking to do any hiking or camping. If you’re going to be staying in a hostel, having a headlamp<\/a> is helpful when you need to check in or out but don’t want to disturb your fellow travelers by turning on the lights. They’re also helpful in emergencies.<\/p>\n

Buy now on Amazon!<\/a><\/center>
\n <\/p>\n

14. External Battery<\/h3>\n

\"Anker<\/a>We all travel with numerous electronic devices like phones and tablets, but it can be hard to keep them all charged. An external battery<\/a> solves that problem. Three high-output USB ports make this external battery incredibly convenient, as you can charge three devices at once. Plus, it can charge most phones up to six times and tablets at least twice!<\/p>\n

Buy now on Amazon!<\/a><\/center>
\n <\/p>\n

15. Suavs shoes<\/h3>\n

\"suavs<\/a>Suavs shoes<\/a> are versatile and durable. They’re perfect for traveling because they’re comfortable for exploring a new city all day, while also looking a little fancier so you can dress them up if you want to at night. They are flexible, light, washable, and breathable. I love them! <\/p>\n

Buy now on Suavs!<\/a><\/center>
\n <\/p>\n

16. Travel Backpack<\/h3>\n

\"REI<\/a>If you’re a long-term traveler, your backpack is your home away from home. A reliable, durable travel backpack<\/a> is a must for budget travelers, minimalists, and backpackers. A well-made bag will last for years and through dozens of adventures. Having a reliable travel backpack is one of the most important items for a traveler and is worth investing in.<\/p>\n

My favorite bag is the Flash 55<\/a> from REI (I actually prefer the slightly smaller Flash 45, but it’s been discontinued). Other companies worth checking out for high-quality bags are Osprey, Nomatic, and MEC (for Canadians).<\/p>\n

Some other bags worth checking out are:<\/p>\n