18 MUST HAVE travel gear & gadgets

During my trips I realized that there some gadgets without which  you should never leave home. I am not a brand fan but I have strong reasons why I added the brand itself to some of the items, they do make a difference (I tried others before).

1. Osprey Farpoint 55 Travel Pack

It does not have an official carry on size, but if not overloaded you can pas with it at airlines that have hand-luggage + accessory. I had no issues on Iberia and Brussels Airlines. I have the S size. The way the back pack is made is very convenient (opening as a normal luggage) and the small backpack can be used on any trip as a perfect day-pack.  

2. eBags / Eagle Creek Pack it

It saves so much space in your luggage and on top of it you can keep things organized. I have the slim eBags and they are amazing. I take them on any backpacking trip along. You have a lot of sizes and shapes so I am sure you will find the perfect match 

3. GoToob ​

I was searching for a while for some refillable bottles for my trips, but I always had the issue that you could not actually get all the content  out from the rigid ones. the GooToob are simply amazing, easy to refill and squeezable till the last drop. They are not cheap but I like them a lot so they are worth every penny. 

4. Beats Headphones 

Main reason why I like them is they never get messed up, just put them wherever & however you want and they will never get coiled, that's awesome. there are some other reasons why I like them but this is for sure the most important one when it come to this type of headphones 

5. Mp3 Player

The 10h flight passes so much faster when you have music with you. The smaller the better. It fits anywhere ;)

​6. Ikea resealable bags

The 1L ones are perfect for hand-luggage cosmetics, I use the bigger one sometimes for more flexibility but it depends a bit on the airport, UK is very strict with the size based on previous experience.  Anyway, also good for keeping your documents dry or camera etc. I prefer them to the dry sac if travelling in non constant rainy destinations 

7. Contigo Refillable Water Bottle 

Water bottles are amazing. First you stay hydrated and this is a big thing and second you get free water in a lot of airports. The contigo ones are super easy to use, they don't spill and the water is kept fresh. I love them!

8. Compeed Blister Stick 

Even with the perfect shoes after walking a lot of km sometimes in the worst moment you get a blister. You for sure don't want to get that during a trail or a hike. Compeed stick saved me in several occasions so I always take it with me.. Now I also got the plasters, but I hope I won't actually need them ;)

9. Extra battery 

I always get an extra battery to charge my devices along. I have actually 2 at home one that charges also from the sun and a normal one. I only carry one along depending on the destination :) 

10. Ear plugs

Here I don't really have a favorite one, but I usually get mine at HEMA (NL shop, Dutch people will understand :) ) as they are cheap and very good 

11. mini speakers

get the music everywhere you go, it will always be a lot of fun: in the evenings, on the beach or during lunch....and they almost don't take away any space from you. 

12. Photo gear

oh well, ok so now it is up to what you prefer and how good you are at it, but although they say that a lot of experiences will be kept in your memory and no camera will manage to give back the intensity that you felt when you saw or lived a particular thing, still photos are a a wonderful trip through your travels so never leave your photo gear at home. I travel with my Sony Alpha 5100 and my Sony Xperia Z1 compact at the moment. Whenever needed I borrow a GO PRO from a friend 

13. Columbia Conspiracy™ III Outdry

I had some Nike trail shoes, not bad, was very nice especially for down hill hiking as you would not slip on the small stones, but I wanted something waterproof and I found the Columbia ones, I think these are the most comfortable sneakers I had and your feet really stay dry. 

14. Breathable ultralight RainJacket

Any will do, as long as it keeps you dry and you don't die of heat, don't leave it at home, you never know when you will need it.

15. Sunglasses

Any season you need to have the sunglasses with you, so make sure next time you pack your things to take them along 

16. Power adapter 

get one that has multiple USBs, you have a lot of things to charge but there are never enough fuses in a room ;)

17. Playing Cards

if you travel with a group, cards will be always an easy to carry along game for the evenings. 

18. Havaianas

don't judge, regular flip-flops are also fine, but I do have a special bond with my Havaianas :)

Plus some extras I never leave home no matter the destination

My swimming suit, sun cream, a cap & a neck pillow. Consider them next time you pack :)

Happy packing & travelling

Please note that the post is my personal opinion and I was not asked to write about any of the products listed. 

#ILoveToTravel