We love a great adventure and trip and with that good gear is crucial.
And it can be hard to navigate yourself to the best gear. And expensive. It isn’t cheap to just try out a $300 tent to see if you like it.
So we made this post.
Over the past ten years we have tried so many different styles and types of gear. We have some items that are so outstanding we have only ever bought them once! <Ah-hem talk about about MSR gear here!>
Some things are worth spending the money on for quality and other products we have been just as content with the lower end priced items.
Everyone will gravitate towards their own personal style and preference. So please, this is only a guide! The most important thing about good gear is: it’s functional and comfortable for your needs.
If you have a different favorite, please share it with everyone below in the comments. Please feel free to post about your own gear experiences (both good and bad) so we can all help each other out with that knowledge.
These are the items that work for us and we carry them (literally) all over the world with us. I hope that something in this post will be of use to you.
Lighting:
Luci Solar Lantern – just a really awesome product. So convenient to have in your carry on bag for planes or buses. Much lower chance of leaving anything behind. No need for batteries. We keep one by our bed when we’re in new places for getting up in the middle of the night or early morning. If the power goes out you still have this light. We always travel with one now and they also make a great gift!
Rechargeable Headlamp – recently we have loved having a rechargeable headlamp. This has eliminated the need for us to carry batteries. The only downside is there is no warning when the battery is going to finish. It is ok for us because we always have our solar lantern on had. But we have been really happy with a rechargeable headlamp. I can’t find the exact one we use – it’s a Bushnell and it has a spotlight as well.
Regular Headlamp – we have always been happy with headlights from Black Diamond.
Spot light – if you are out looking for wildlife at dusk or dark you will want to get a headlamp with a spot light feature.
Get Rechargeable batteries – it makes me so sad to see how much batteries get thrown out when rechargeable batteries are cheaper in the long run and work well. We have used a rechargeable set like this when we travel.
Water Filters:
Current favorite: Survivor Filter Pro – we got this one because it is light weight, easy to use, a good filter, requires no batteries and with a price point of about $65 – it’s great value.
MSR Pump – we have used this pump many times. Ceramic filter is very easy to clean.
Steri Pen – we have also used the SteriPen. It works great. Keep in mind you will need to carry batteries and if there are particles in the water there is no filter with the SteriPen.
Backpacks:
Key Features I look for:
- It’s all one compartment. This is essential for the most efficient packing. You can then cram things in as tightly as possible which helps make the space as efficient and compact as possible.
- The less zippers you have the less zippers to break. Also, especially when you are traveling around on buses and whatnot, you don’t need a bunch of separate compartments for people to be able to get into. One compartment and everything is inside your backpack.
Large Pack:
Osprey Aether 85 (…is really similar to my current pack. I have had my current pack so long they don’t make the exact model anymore.)
Osprey Xenith 105 – this is a big pack! If you don’t need a huge pack, downsize. But if you are needing to carry a lot this pack can handle the load.
Day Hiking:
Osprey Talon 33 – I love this pack! We both have one, just different colors. It is lightweight, super versatile and can carry a lot. We are both very happy with this pack.
Sleeping Pads:
Ah…to have a good sleeping pad. We have tried so many over the years.
Current Pick: Therm-A-Rest NeoAir. When we first got these sleeping pads we thought, ‘Oh geez, it seems so flimsy. Is this thing really gonna last and be worth the cost?’ They are pricey at about $170. But.Oh.My.Gosh – they are so light weight and ours have held up for at least over five years. So when I break that price down with lots of use over lots of years to me it is a product that it well worth it.
Next choice: Therma-A-Rest self inflating pad. If you are mostly car camping and weight and space isn’t a huge issue this is definitely our go to. These cost less, are super comfortable and key feature: self inflating. So you can open the valve while you are cooking dinner or whatever, give it a half hour or so and your sleeping pad will be mostly inflated. What a treat! There are good ones for backpacking too so have a browse and see which ones might be best for you.
Last choice and still good:
Therma-A-Rest Foam Sleeping Pad. This was the first style of sleeping pad we have. They are cheaper and they still work great. You can’t compact these down. So if space is an issue for you that is a consideration. These are also great if you are camping with dogs as they can’t be popped or easily damaged.
Sleeping Bags:
For the majority of travel I would recommend to go with down as it is so much lighter. If you are really, really worried about possible wet sleeping conditions then possibly consider synthetic. (But what are you doing that you are worried about having a wet sleeping bag would be the bigger question.)
Our first sleeping back was synthetic, -20 F degree bag for back country camping in Utah. After making the switch to down, which does cost more, it was so wonderful.
There are so many factors about what type of sleeping bag for what type of trip. The main thing is it should keep you safe and warm. We could really get into it about down packing, etc, but let’s just leave it to say get the best value sleeping bag that will suite your needs.
Our current pick…is one of these down Big Agnes bags. As soon as I get back I can tell you which bags we each exactly have. But they are: down, ~15-20F and pretty light weight and my color is teal!
Sleeping Sheet – a sleeping sheet can be a life saver if you think you might ever stay in a gross place or want to add a few degrees to your sleeping back. However if you want to add warmth I would highly recommend going with one of these fleece liners instead.
If you want to go a little fancier and super comfortable get a silk liner. Amazing!
Tents:
Hubba Hubba – if you are back packing with two people this tent is amazing. We have made it through so many storms in this tent and with Chris being 6’3 even he has room! One of the best features if you can set it up just as a mosquito net. When we were in New Zealand hiking the mosquitoes were so severe and it was so hot – but we could just eat dinner in the tent and have a cover. It is also amazingly easy to set up. One person can do it quickly. It’s pricey at about $399. But we used our a lot and thought it was great value.
If you are going to put some heavy use on this tent, I do recommend getting the footprint as well.
Shoes and Foot Ware:
Flip flops – if you only need flip flops for the shower, just get a cheap pair of flip flops
Active Wear Sandals
Teva – This type of style Teva sandal is either my number one or number two choice. For a lot of water based activities I think Teva sandals are superior and the best sandal out there.
Chaco for general wear but NOT for lots of beach use. The claim to fame for Chacos is how the straps go through and under the bottom of the shoe. No matter how hard you try or clean them sand will get down in there and eventually the friction will cause the straps to rip and tear. We both had our Chacos tear and break on us during our year long trip to New Zealand. Now, yes, you can repair Chacos and essentially you can keep a pair forever. But that does you no good when you are in the middle of a trip and you need/want a good sandal.
Overall I prefer Chacos because my feet sweat and stink less, but ultimately it depends on the trip.
Boots:
<omg> Finding the best/my favorite type of boot for a trip is an ongoing saga of my life! I seem to have a knack for falling in love with a pair of boots and then by the next time I need to replace them they are discontinued. I have tried top of the lines boots and just pretended money was no object. And I have tried some of the cheapest pairs out there.
It really all just depends.
For general travel and moderate hiking I prefer a:
Mid-Weight Hiking Boot
Something like these Columbia’s are light enough for long term travel and they are not super bulky.
Good Hiking Shoe
If I really not doing a lot of backpacking on a trip (note: by backpacking I mean hiking into the back country or national park carrying three or more days worth of food) then I might be able to get away with a good hiking shoe. I find having shoes when feasible (as opposed) to hiking boots on a trip is a luxury.
But here’s the thing: it must have a good sole!
If you can get away with a shoe the sole must be solid, have good tread, be comfortable and still give you the support to hull all your luggage around and climb a mountain.
I’m currently trying out these Merrells.
I also really like Columbia footwear.
Just ensure you have a good soled shoe!
Boots
If you need boots I tend to either like to wear a lower cost pair like this Hi-Tec boots at about $59 or Columbia boots at about $69. These boots have been comfortable and affordable to me.
If I know I am going to be in really wet conditions then I think it’s worth the money for a good pair of Gortex, waterproof, leather boots like these Lowa’s:
Socks:
Vermont is my chosen home state: Darn Tough Socks all the way baby!
Hat/Visor:
Having a hat makes a huge difference to your health and energy levels, especially in hot climates.
Me, I love visors and this Under Armor Visor is my all time favorite visor I’ve ever worn. So lightweight, compact, comfortable and dries so fast. So worth the $22.
If you are a hat person, just wear your favorite hat!
Or get one of these types of sun hats if you fancy.
Rain Protection:
OK, we can be in some rainy and humid places so we don’t skimp on rain pro. You may not need all these items, but we find them to particularly useful if you are going to be in rainy climates.
Rain Jacket
This is essentially and every traveler should have a rain jacket and especially if you are planning to do outdoor activities. Chris and I like completely different styles of rain jackets. I much prefer a double layer rain jacket like this Columbia jacket.
Chris much prefers a Marmot jacket.
Rain Pants
If you are doing any regular mountain hiking above tree lines you should have rain pants. I can’t believe how many people do not carry or use these. On long or multiple day hikes rain pants can make things bearable and keep you so much drier. If you have any chance of encountering significant weather and temperature fluctuations you should be carrying rain pants as an essential piece of safety gear.
I love these:
Chris loves these:
Pack Covers:
I’ve had cheap pack covers and more expensive pack covers. The main thing is: make sure there is draw string.
Without a draw string you can’t cinch it up and tie it to your bag. (You will need to do that if you get caught out or just have to get from point A to B with high winds and rain.)
Get one for you big bag and your day bag.
Dry Bags:
Again we have tried low end to high end bags. For general travel and hiking, bags like these have been great. They are lightweight and super packable. If you are doing more river activities, then get a heavier duty bag like this.
Umbrella
Yes, we carry an umbrella with us on long term travel. When it’s pouring they are a life saver. And when the sun is super intense we use them as a sun shade too. You can get a travel umbrella like this or a less expensive umbrella is fine too.
Poncho
And lastly a rain poncho can do wonders to keep that heavy rain off you. I know this might seem like a lot of rain gear, but if you are on a multiple day hike you may not have the option to avoid the rain. (Although we don’t hike with umbrellas.) I recommend going to a store near you and just getting a poncho. Then you can feel the material and make sure it will work for you.
Stoves:
High praise goes to MSR. They are an absolutely fantastic gear company and I believe any product you invest in and spend your money on is worth it. We have had the MSR International stove since 2006 and with regular maintenance this stove had held up. It has been stuffed into backpacks, thrown onto buses and been used a ton all over the world. Bravo – this stove is stellar. It can burn essentially any fuel and we have used: white spirits, gasoline, diesel and kerosene (although kerosene is always a last resort because it burns SO black and makes everything so dirty.)
The other pro of this stove is there is no fuel canister waste. You buy a fuel bottle and just refill it. (Try to plan out using up all your fuel.) But until butane stoves, there is no canister waste. I can’t say enough praise about how functional this stove is for it’s overall performance. We also have done a lot of multi days hikes and carry the repair and parts kit with us.
If I am car camping, go with the classic Coleman 2 burner stove:
If stoves are intimidating to you the MSR Pocket Rocket was our first stove. This stove is so so so simple. It’s also sat at home in it’s container for years and years later I fired it up and bravo! MSR gear is a worthy investment.
Cook & Pot Set:
I LOVE this GSI pot set. It’s amazing. Lightweight. Super versatile – a cup and bowl and spoon all together. You can get a solo travelers version or a duo travelers versions. Absolutely recommend.
Travel Kettle:
Never want to live without. We also LOVE LOVE this Gourmia travel kettle and don’t leave home without it. I wake up early. I like to have coffee in the morning just because it’s a nice way to start the day. This travel kettle has also been all over the world with us. It’s amazing and I absolutely recommend it.
Clothes:
This too we have a knack for finding a favorite travel pant only to have it discontinued. Historically we have had really good luck with pants from EMS and REI.
Generally I travel with one pair of zip off pants. It will be different for each trip and for each person. The sizing varies so much on pants like this so try to find a place to buy them and try on in person. (Think sales and coupons to get a good deal on this style of pants.)
Everyone always told me to get quick dry clothes and I do really like some v-neck tshirts like this. But I also really enjoy having a cotton tshirt like this that is usually black. Omg – who are these people that travel with white?! Not me!!!
A fleece like this or this is always a must. Buses and airports can get quite chilly!
But here’s the one clothes item that Chris and I both agree on and that is worth the money:
ExOfficio Underwear – these are super quick drying, antibacterial and super light weight. Their claim to fame (and Tim Ferris always talks about them) is you can wash a pair at night in your hotel sink and in the morning. These underwear can be a little bit pricey but after using them we think they are absolutely worth it! Watch for them to go on sale and then buy four pairs.
Camera Gear:
Panasonic Lumix – we LOVE this camera. It’s drop proof, water proof, scratch proof and is just all around a really great camera! It’s small enough to fit in your pocket yet takes excellent high definition video. We have good cameras yet we loved our Panasonic and traveled with for years. It was so handy to take snorkeling or dip down into a natural pool and get some neat pictures. With a price point of about $140 it is excellent value.
Go Pro
Everybody has a Go Pro. Don’t make it your main camera. Go Pro Cameras are awesome and best suited for underwater and high action activities. For every day photos, you just don’t get the features of a regular camera, like a zoom. So if you plan to do a lot of water and adrenaline activities and can afford it, get a Go Pro. If you have to choose one, I would absolutely recommend to consider the Panasonic listed above.
Better Cameras
If you are looking to get into photography (yeah – let’s talk!) that is a whole other ball game. Our cameras base price starts at about $850. If you are curious we currently use this camera and this camera and we love this lens, this lens and this lens. But it’s impractical and frankly bad advise for me to say, hey just buy these cameras.
Start small.
If you want to tinker and see if you like getting into photography we began with a starter package. If you keep at – great. Up grade from there. If this set sits in your cupboard for months and you hardly use it, well aren’t you glad I didn’t recommend to buy the cameras above?
But way back in the day we started with <gasp> film and then got something very similar to the Panasonic Lumix. Even with our high quality cameras, I am fond of the Lumix.
Phone:
I can’t help you! I am so bad and behind with our phone that when we got a SIM card in Egypt the guy making the switch lowered his breath (I think he was trying not to embarrass me) and said, ‘You know this is a really old phone.’ Maybe you can help me? What’s your favorite unlocked phone for about $100?
Computers:
Ah, well tell me you have heard this before. My favorite product became discontinued. I currently use and am in love with Samsung NP11021K Notebook. I actually ordered the Surface Pro but when I got the device it was just so heavy. I returned it.
One device that has been a win and Chris loves it is Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8″. He uses this all the time and downloads googlemaps offline. We ordered a case like this that looks makes it look like a notebook and we just take this thing with us everywhere. We find this device very useful. If you have a good phone, you may not love it as much as we do. So please do what works for you.
Misc helpful items:
Travel Towel – Omg – please make me a promise that you will never travel with a regular towel. Ewwwww! My current favorite is one like this.
Gillette Razor with refillable blades. We live in a global world. A lot of people just starting out in their travels are just blown away by how much the products on a shelf in any country are so similar to what’s on the shelves in your home country. So please, if you can, don’t use disposable razors. Gillette razors for both men and women have been found in every country we’ve been too (and so far that’s over 45 countries). So just take or get this mens or womans razor and bring an extra cartridge.
Rope – we have discreetly tied this rope up in guest houses all over the world. And you know what, our laundry was dry the next day! A little bit of rope can be super handy!
If you are going to buy anything from REI make sure you get the REI co-op membership!! It is currently $20 and is for life. You will earn back rewards with your purchases and the rewards can add up fast. Or you can always get someone (or yourself!) an REI gift card.
You can see if amazon prime might be worth it to you too. I know I always get down to the line on ordering a small handful of last minute items. Don’t overlook that you can also get access to a lot of books (guide books like Lonely Planet) with your amazon prime account.
And finally look for sales!!! Sign up for all the newsletters. Create a separate email account that is just for correspondence like this so it doesn’t clutter up your main email. Don’t try to buy this all at once. We just started small and as cheap as we could. Our first tent cost us $40 and we used it for years. Figure out what will work for you and what won’t. Then you are ready to plop down some money you can feel confident you will be getting great value for your products.
If you still have questions or anything else we can help you with, drop us a line at: tiffany@thetravelrangers.com.
Here’s to safe and happy adventuring!
