Travel Packing List
What’s a travel packing list without a mixture of clothes, accessories and a boat load of geeky tech products?
My travel packing list varies from trip to trip but I’ll try my best to update this list as much as possible in order to keep you guys in the loop about what I’m currently lugging around.
CAMERAS & ACCESSORIES:
Canon T2i
The Canon T2i is my go-to camera on the road. I’ve owned this camera for a few years now and while the Canon T4i is on the market these days, I still have trouble finding a reason to upgrade. Basically, I own it and it does the trick so why bother shelling out the extra cash? Besides, if something was to ever happen to my T2i, I wouldn’t be as devastated as I would be if I owned a brand new one. I’ve certainly got my money’s worth with this camera. If you’re looking to take seriously high quality photos on your travels, I highly recommend you check out the Canon Digital Rebel T series (T2i, T3i, T4i).
GoPro HERO 3 Black Edition
Those who know me, know that I’m a GoPro fanatic. I have owned just about every single model of the GoPro going back to the original HERO. Since then I’ve owned the HERO 2 which I highly recommend and now the most incredible HERO yet, the GoPro HERO 3 Black Edition. Some of my favorite photos and videos have been shot with the GoPro. I cannot tell you how much I LOVE THIS CAMERA!
If you own a GoPro, you’ll quickly find out that it’s all about the accessories. Here’s a short list of GoPro accessories that I have in my kit.
Wasabi Power Kit for GoPro HERO 3
If you own a GoPro and you don’t own a Wasabi Power Kit, you’re seriously missing out. Why risk missing out on catching that perfect shot due to a dead battery?
As I stated in my review, one of the biggest mistakes I made when I first got my GoPro was not having a backup battery and charger solution. Fortunately, I found the Wasabi Power Kit and it’s not only an excellent backup solution but it’s also an extremely affordable one as well.
For more information, check out my full review of the Wasabi Power Kit here: Wasabi Power Kit for GoPro HERO 3.
CLICK HERE to purchase your Wasabi Power Kit for the GoPro HERO 3 for only $23.99!
CLICK HERE to purchase your Wasabi Power Kit for the GoPro HERO 2 for only $19.99!
XShot 2.0 Camera Extender
The XShot 2.0 Camera Extender has been traveling with me since my first around the world trip in 2010. Having the XShot by my side has taken the awkwardness out of arms-length, self-shot travel photos. My XShot has been dune bashing in the Sahara Desert, held high atop the Eiffel Tower, parasailing in Key West, handled by playing children in a remote Fijian village, jetskiing in Marco Island, on safari in South Africa, my hiking partner in two U.S. National Parks in Utah, by my side during a baby sea turtle release in Mexico and so much more!
Note: I love my XShot, but I would not recommend this product for underwater use. Please see the following product (Quikpod) for a completely waterproof alternative to the XShot.
Quikpod DSLR/POV
After ruining a few too many XShots during underwater use, I decided to contact Quikpod, the makers of the Quikpod DSLR/POV, an 18″ (retracted) / 53″ (extended), 100% waterproof camera extender that offers a boat load of extra features that the XShot does not such as a built in self-shot mirror, GoPro quick release mount, and the ability to use it as a monopod. This is hands down the king of all camera extenders!
JOBY Gorillapod SLR-Zoom
The JOBY Gorillapod SLR-Zoom is another one of my favorite camera accessories to carry when I travel. Can’t find a flat spot to place your Gorillapod? No problem! Mount your camera to your Gorillapod and wrap its flexible legs around any object, whether it’s a tree, a sign post or even a volleyball net and you’ve got yourself a cool new angle to shoot from!
COMPUTERS / PORTABLE DEVICES:
HP Envy 4 [Ultrabook]
Yep, I’m a PC guy. After smashing my HP Mini 311, it was time to upgrade to a much more powerful ultrabook. I decided to stick with my favorite manufacturer and go with the HP Envy 4. Overall, I’ve been extremely pleased with the processing power, ability to edit raw footage, and its ability to do just about everything and anything I ask it to.
iPod Touch 5th Generation
If I was to recommend one single gadget for you to take with you on your next trip, it would be the iPod Touch 5G, or any generation of the iPod Touch for that matter. If you happen to have an unlocked iPhone 4s/5 hanging around, that would work too!
BUFFALO 1TB USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drive
There are a variety of portable hard drives out there these days. My advice is to spend the extra money on a brand that is well-reviewed. I have owned numerous Western Digital Passport drives and unlike most, I have never had any issues with them. Last year I shelled out a little extra cash on the Buffalo 1TB USB 3.0 Drive and so far it’s been the best drive I’ve ever owned. I highly recommend this drive for those of you who are constantly on the move and don’t always have access to high speed wireless internet to backup your data remotely.
MISC. ELECTRONICS:
Goal Zero Guide 10 Plus
For those of you who don’t know about Goal Zero, listen up! These guys manufacture the most kick ass portable solar panels on the market. I happened to borrow a Goal Zero Nomad 7 from a friend before taking off on my Pacific Coast Bike Tour and it turned out to be the backbone of my trip. I know, you’re probably thinking that solar panels are useless, right? Well, I’ll tell you one thing, there’s no way I would have been able to keep my cell phone and iPod charged during my bike tour without this thing. Keeping my gear charged meant that I was able to navigate my way down the coast using Google Maps without my battery failing every few hours. Of course, the sun is a major factor when using this device but I can think of a million situations that I will be able to use this on the road. I currently own the new Goal Zero Guide 10 Plus and I absolutely love it.
CordCruncher Headphones
CordCruncher Headphones are a travelers dream. I’m proud to say that I got my hands on one of the first pairs of CordCrunchers back when they were still in the development stages. After a incredibly successful Kickstarter campgain that raised over $65,000, my friend Jay Johnson hit the ground running and created a product that is not only incredibly convenient, but one that also solves one of the most annoying problems in the world, tangled headphone cables! Say it with me… NO MORE TANGLED HEADPHONES!
CordCrunchers come in a variety of colors and the best part is when your finished using your headphones you simply wrap the latex sleeve around your wrist and you’re on your way!
See my CordCruncher Headphones Review for more information.
BACKPACK:
REI Flash 50L
I made the mistake of lugging around an REI Mars 85L backpack during my first around the world trip back in 2010 and I vowed to never travel like that again. The day I returned from my trip, I drove straight to REI and exchanged my REI Mars 85L for a beautiful little REI Flash 50L pack. I’ve been traveling with my REI Flash 50 since 2011 and I can’t explain it any other way other than to tell you that when I have it on, I feel like a new man.
DAYPACK:
ECBC Javelin Backpack
The ECBC Javelin is hands down the best daypack I’ve ever owned. If you’re a tech geek, like myself, you’ll absolutely love this backpack. This pack has more pockets than you could ever imagine. Its slim design can be deceiving but no worries as you’ll find plenty of room to store all of your cables, laptops, tablets, smartphones, cameras, sunglasses, headphones, drinks, passports, pens, and spare change.
For more information, check out my full review of the ECBC Javelin here: ECBC Javelin Daypack Review.
CLOTHING:
