Essential Travel Equipment (My Comprehensive Travel Packing Guide)
Ready for a deep dive into my favorite travel gear for going global? I've compiled an awesome 2023 packing list that'll have you prepped for any adventure! Remember, it's all about high-quality, lightweight, and durable stuff.
My pick-n-pack list may not be everyone's cup of tea - I've got extra photography and camping gear, because I document my travels and there's the occasional mountain hike, long hitchhiking trips, or exploring of rainforests. But that's just my spinning globe style.
While I'm budget-conscious, my equipment can be a bit on the pricey side. It's got to be functional, multi-purpose, comfy, and rugged as all get-out. I don't want to be replacing busted gear every few months while on my wanderlust escapade – plus, I've got a thing for keeping travel gear as featherweight as possible!
Just like Antoine de Saint-Exupéry said, "He who would travel happily must travel light." (Beautiful travel quote, FYI!)
Top 2023 Travel Gear List
Traveling Light or Heavy? Time to decide…
- Travel-friendly backpack for off-the-beaten-path wanderings
- Rolling duffel or suitcase for city-centric explorations
I once roamed the world with a backpack (good times!), but I've since found a suitcase more convienient for most trips –especially considering the extra photography and kid-related gear.
My Go-to Travel Bags
Nowadays, I travel with up to three bags, depending on the journey. A rolling suitcase as my main squeeze, a backpack for mountaineering escapades, and an aircraft carry-on daypack. I usually only check one bag – the hardshell suitcase, and the backpack can be stowed inside flat. If bigger trips with more specialized gear (like trekking or winter camping) are on the agenda, I'll check both bags just for kicks.
Roll with the Best: Victorinox Suitcase
- Lightweight
- Roominess
- Tough outer shell
- Quiet 360-degree wheels
Backpack Bonanza: Hiking & Travel Explorer
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- Full front-access compartments
- Flat-stows into suitcase
Shooting for the Stars: Camera Daypack
- Carry-on camera and laptop backpack
- Roomy storage for equipment, snacks, extras
- Perfect for day hikes
READ MORE: The Perfect Travel Backpack Guide
All Systems Go: Basic Travel Gear
In-Flight Comfort
Staying Organized
Power to the Peeps
Coast to Coast Travel Must-Haves
On Guard: Safety and Security Items
READ MORE: The 25 Best Gift Ideas for Travelers in 2023
Adventure Mode: Backpacking & Camping Gear
Since trekking and camping are a regular part of my worldwide wandering, I pack a bunch of outdoor gear catering to those trips. My outdoor gear is usually on the expensive, super lightweight, and indestructible side.
Rise and Shine
Sleep on it
Get Cooking, Camp style
READ MORE: Complete Backpacking Gear List for Adventurers
Dress To Impress: Travel Clothing & Apparel
You don't need a heap of threads to travel light! Here's what I pack when I globetrot:
- 2 pairs of pants
- 2 pairs of shorts
- 5 tees
- 2 dress shirts
- 2 sweaters
- 5 pairs of undies
- 5 pairs of socks
- 1 swimming suit
- 1 pair of sandals
- 1 pair of shoes
The Fashionable Traveler
The Swashbuckler's Kit
Cover All the Bases
Keeping the Kiddos Clothed Too
READ MORE: Life's a Pitch: The Art of Laundry While Traveling
Gadgets Galore: Travel Tech
Can't run my travel blog and sip doubtful brews in foreign joints without some electronics. My dog-n-bone gadgets make my on-the-road life a whole lot easier. They're pricey, but I think they pay for themselves with the improved quality of life.
Charging Solutions
- Portable batteries
- Multi-charger
- Universal travel adapters
Security & Navigation
- Smart trackers
- Headphones
- Laptop/tablet
Shooting the Shot: Camera Gear
From shooting this blog to selling images to magazines, I carry more camera equipment than the average traveler.But hey, it's part of the job. Check out my MunkeeDiaries Photography Gear.
READ MORE: 6 Travel Cameras for Different Budgets
Taking it Carry-On only
My wife and I have taken carry-on only vacations before (occasionally), but with the extra photography gear, plus the kids on board, I usually check a bag. And ya know what? After ten years of global explorations, airlines have only lost my checked-bag four times. In every case but one, it arrived the next day – no biggie.
Only once did it take a week to get my bag back – obviously, that sucked, but with all the trips I've made, it's rare. Losing a bag for a day isn't the end of the world – and the odds are pretty high that it'll be waiting for you when you arrive. Just don't stress it, mate!
Enjoy the Journey!
Enrichment Data:
- Top travel gear suggestions for 2023 and beyond, including carry-on luggage choices, backpacking and camping gear, clothing recommendations, tech gadgets, and camera equipment.
- Recommendations include durable and lightweight suitcases (Victorinox), functional backpacks (Osprey), travel-friendly drones (DJI Mavic Air 2), multi-tool gizmos (LEATHERMAN), and handy electronic organizer cases (eBags).
- Outdoor gear picks include ultralight tents (Big Agnes Pyra), compact and warm sleeping bags (FEATHERED SLEEP UL), lightweight and tightly packed stoves (Peterboro PCS2), and lightweight yet durable trekking poles (Black Diamond Distance FLZ).
- Tips on clothing for travelers, such as quick-drying fabrics, layers, comfortable footwear, and items with multiple uses (convertible jackets, wrinkle-resistant pants).
- Electronics recommendations for travelers include universal travel adapters (Anker PowerPort), portable chargers (Anker PowerCore), smart trackers (Apple AirTag), foldable and expandable plugs (Anker Power Strip), and over-ear noise-canceling headphones (Sennheiser PXC 550).
- For those who love captured memories and adventure, the travel gear list includes a 'Shooting for the Stars: Camera Daypack' that offers carry-on camera and laptop storage, making it perfect for day hikes.
- In alignment with the lifestyle of constant exploration, pack light and effectively with durable travel bags like the Victorinox Suitcase, which is lightweight, roomy, and tough, ensuring an effortless city-centric exploration.
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