Travel Gear - 7 Must Have Items For Any Serious Traveler

Written on February 19, 2008 by Tezza

Indispensable gear that you can’t live without can make a memorable trip so much more enjoyable. There is a wide selection of gear and gadgets tailored to the weekend jet-setter right through to the most intrepid of travelers. I’ve found that for the most part I didn’t need a lot of stuff on my trip but there were items that I was glad I took with me on this trip. Here are the 7 must have items that I wouldn’t leave home without.

Travel Towel

One of the most practical items of any savvy traveler. I do however miss my big, fluffy towel back home. The travel towel more than makes up for it in it’s practicality. It is small, light weight and dries quickly. All indispensable qualities when you are on the road and trying to keep your pack weight down. The towel generally dries in a few hours which is much faster than a conventional towel which can take all day to dry.

Outdoor Clothing

Sometimes when your going on a trip it’s easier to just grab some clothes from your closet and on occasions replace them along the journey. If your a shopaholic that may sound like a very tempting option. But if you have the budget, forking out some extra money on some quick drying, moisture wicking and easy care outdoor clothes is well worth the investment. You’ll find a good selection from any specialist outdoor and camping store. My entire, albeit small wardrobe is entirely made for hiking.

It has meant that they still look alright even after getting crinkled, they dry quickly when washed and stains are easily washed out. Even on the inevitable rainy days the clothes dry within hours so your not walking around soaked and cold like you would with cotton based materials or jeans. The moisture wicking and anti-bacterial properties mean you generally can wear them a few extra days than you would normally, which means less laundry.

Ear Plugs

It goes without saying that if you are going to be sleeping in hostels or dorm style accommodation that a pair of ear plugs is going to be one of the best investments you’ll make. It will give you the best chance of a good night sleep.

A lesser known use for ear plugs are for sufferers like me of cabin pressure change when the plane initiates descent coming in to land at the airport. I’ve always suffered from nauseating headaches, blocked ears and sometimes it can be a painful half hour or so as the plane makes it’s slow approach to the landing strip. There are a myriad of so called remedies such as chewing gum, sucking on a mint, yawning, drinking tea or swallowing water. All proved unsuccessful for me.

The remedy and lifesaver for me has been these little ear plugs designed to relieve ear aches during flights. I bought a few packs before my trip and decided that it was worth a try. It was the first time I was able to fly without experiencing any pain whatsoever. There are numerous brands and makers who make these products but the one I bought is made by Cirrus and is called not surprisingly “EarPlanes - Flight Ear Protection For Air Pressure Discomfort”

Disposable Underwear

For all the environmentalists out there you might want to skip this one. I actually only came across it in Hong Kong quite accidentally walking through a Chemist. I had heard of such an item before but never actually seen one in real life. I thought it was someones idea of a joke but seemingly in a country like Hong Kong where humidity is routinely in excess of 90% and people tend to live in small cramp high-rise apartments, the availability of disposable underwear makes perfect sense.

I’m not sure if people here wear them everyday or only on days when the washing is taking longer to dry than usual but they have been of great benefit to me. Since I change my underwear and socks everyday it has meant that my laundry load has been reduced just by using this one item. If only they invented disposable socks for travelers. Unfortunately I won’t have enough room in my pack to buy enough packs of disposable underwear for the rest of my trip but they have made life easier for me while it lasted.

Pocket Knife

This is one of the most practical little tools for travel. It’s surprising how difficult it is sometimes to find a pair of scissors when you need it or a knife to cut something with. I brought along a small multi-tool pocket knife and I’ve already used it on many occassions. The corkscrew attached to the knife is a lifesaver on those occassions when you’ve bought a bottle of wine for a quite picnic by a scenic location. Just remember to check it into your luggage at the airport.

Digital Camera

A common sight I see when I’m walking through a tourist sight is someone walking along with a big, bulky SLR camera hanging around their neck or video camera. Unless you take photography seriously you really don’t need a heavy SLR camera with all it’s features and functions. You especially don’t need the added bulky camera bag that goes with it filled with different lenses and addons. You aren’t shooting for some tabloid magazine where your livelihood is at stake. You’re just taking photos as a keepsake of your travels.

A cheap modern and compact digital camera for most people should suffice. It’s size and weight means you aren’t carrying added and unnecessary weight. You’ll be able to move around more effortlessly and when you need someone to take a picture for you they’ll more likely take a shot in focus without you having to instruct them how to use the camera.

The compact size also allows you to put it in a pouch and wear it on your belt so that it can kept out of sight hidden underneath your shirt or jumper. You become a less tempting target for pickpockets and scam artists since you aren’t advertising to the world that you are another tourist with money and expensive gadgets.

Comfortable Shoes

This is one area you won’t want to cut corners and you do so at your own detriment. I chose to go with a pair of Merrell’s low cut hiking boots which would be adequate for my hikes but also perfect as an everyday shoe for navigating the city. I wear my Merrell’s everyday and they are comfortable even after long hours of walking around town.

Make sure when choosing a pair of shoe for your trip that it will go with different outfits so you don’t need to bring as many clothes. Be sure to wear in the shoe before taking it on your trip. Blisters and discomfort are a quick way to put a dampener on your travels.

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Posted in Travel and Recreation, Travelling Tips