When traveling from country to country…
…with a maximum rucksack load of 7 kgs, we tend to be fairly selective about what we carry and what gets left at home. It all depends on the climate of the countries we’re visiting and the type of accommodation (if any) we plan to use.
Most of our long trips are in the tropics, so bulky clothes are the least of our worries. We find the bulkiest – and heaviest – items are the photographic and related electronic equipment, snorkeling gear and medical kit. But we like to include reusable utensils for drinking and eating, lightweight blankets, and so on.
Regarding reading material, whenever possible we always select Kindle versions of the books we take with us. It’s quite alarming how much space a few real books will occupy in your pack.
Here then is a summary of the things we’ve carried during our travels – as well as the stuff we’ve purchased during our trips . Depending on your destination, you might find some of these travel essentials useful yourself…
In the Plane, Train, Ferry & Bus ✈️🚝🚍
Travel Money Belt
Comfortable and soft against bare skin, with a sturdy clasp that holds up well over time. The pouch is spacious with double pockets, and isn't too bulky, being thin enough to fit under clothing. The RFID protection keeps passports, cash, and cards safe and convenient for backpacking trips.
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition
Read in color – The new 7" Colorsoft display is high-contrast and easy on the eyes, with paper-like color that brings covers and content to life. Marathon reading! A single charge via USB-C lasts up to 10 weeks!
Restful Legs PM for Travel
These supplements work within 15 minutes and help with restless leg syndrome, allowing you to fall asleep quickly. The tablets dissolve quickly under the tongue and do not leave an aftertaste.
Bird Travel Carrier
Airline-approved portable bird carrier cage with adjustable shoulder straps and top padded soft handle for easy-carrying. Upgraded breathable version provides excellent ventilation design, with 4 leaf-shape mesh vents on top.
Travel Neck Pillow for the Plane
A comfortable soft but firm support, working better than traditional travel pillows - particularly effective during long plane journeys. The pillow is easy to carry and attach to luggage, improving sleep quality without neck discomfort.
Universal Airplane Phone Holder
Works well on planes with a solid construction that remains stable during turbulence. The product is compact for travel and can be clipped to various surfaces like tray tables and monitors, and adjusted to different angles.
In the Hotel & Guesthouse 🛎️🧳
Universal Travel Adapter
Multi-function adapter that covers more than 150 countries, including US/EU/AU/UK. With 4 USB Ports, 1 USB TYPE C and 1 AC Socket to simultaneously fast-charge 6 devices.
Portable WiFi for Travel
This mobile hotspot works better than hotel WiFi, is easy to use and set up, and is very portable for travel. Highly recommended for its reliability and rock-solid performance.
Portable Streaming Media
Set up your Mi TV Stick in an instant. Three easy steps: plug into TV, connect to WIFI, start exploring.
On the Beach, In the Park ⛱️🥥🌅🌊
Barefoot Water Sports Shoes
Comfortable, true to size, and lightweight design that's easy to pack for trips. The shoes work well for walking on rocks, swimming, and beach use, with good grip and traction that prevents sliding.
Beach Cup Holders
2-in-1 bottle opener and cup holder. The base is equipped with 4 strong sand spikes, ensuring a secure fit.
Insulated Collapsible Cooler Bag
A spacious cooler bag, large enough for frozen dinners! The insulation keeps contents cold throughout the day. The bag is collapsible when unused, and features a convenient top Velcro opening for easy access.
In the Jungle 🏝️🦜 🦍🐒
LED Travel Headlamp
SUPER BRIGHT - Experience apowerful hands-free LED camping lights that generate a brilliant, long-lasting beam with daylight color and definition, boasting a runtime of up to 10+ hours on the low setting making it the perfect travel headlamp.
Survival Bracelet
BE PREPARED FOR THE WILD - 4 camping gear must-haves in just one bracelet with a fire starter (striker and ferro rod), compass, loud emergency whistle, and 12 feet of military-grade paracord
Personal Water Filter
Reliable clean water anywhere: This essential travel water filter ensures 1500 liters of clean, safe drinking water, filterering particles as small as 0.01 microns.
Mosquito Repellent Bracelet
Made with Geraniol Oil, Lemongrass Oil, and Citronella Oil, offering a natural and DEET-free mosquito repellent solution. Keep your family safe with effective protection from mosquito bites.
Mosquito Repellent Balm
Stay protected with Murphy’s Naturals repellent products, powered by plant-based ingredients like oil of lemon eucalyptus, citronella, and rosemary. The DEET-free formulas provide long-lasting defense against mosquitoes and ticks—without synthetic chemicals or greasy residue.
Sound Grenade Travel Alarm
Compact sound grenade emits an ear-piercing 130dB alarm to deter potential threats and draw attention in emergencies. Simply pull the pin to activate. Lightweight and equipped with a keychain ring
Underwater 🐠⚓🥽
Waydoo Underwater Scooter
This underwater scooter is fun and easy to use. It's compact size means it's easy to transport in a backpack. The water mobility is excellent, and it works well for pulling you along underwater.
Full Face Snorkel Mask
A snorkeling mask that is easier to use than traditional snorkels, with adjustable straps for a perfect fit. The mask provides a wide field of vision and dispenses with the traditional mouthpiece. Water does not leak inside and it never fogs.
Barefoot Water Sports Shoes
Comfortable, true to size, and lightweight design that's easy to pack for trips. The shoes work well for walking on rocks, swimming, and beach use, with good grip and traction that prevents sliding.
Hiking & Climbing 🥾🎒🧗
Advanced Blister Care Pads
Provides twice the instant pain relief than regular plasters, relieving pressure and rubbing during hiking or climbing
TrailBuddy Trekking Poles
Each aluminum pole is designed to be lighter, stronger, and more durable than other trekking poles for hiking.
Water Purification Tablets
Each tablet purifies 1 Liter of water in just 30 minutes
Compression Knee Brace
No Pill & Injection Relief: Avert pain, inflammation, and injury. They offer optimum support for hikers & climbers
Waterproof Amped Hiking Boots
A durable mid cut waterproof hiker that provides great traction and comfort.
Collapsible Water Bottle
Silicone collapsible water bottle folds up small, making it easy to transport.
In the ‘Gadget’ Bag 👜🔌📱
DJ Mavic Mini
Weighing under 250 grams, Mavic Mini is almost as light as the average smartphone. This makes it exceptionally portable and places it in the lowest and safest weight class of drones. Aircraft takeoff weight includes battery, propellers, and a microSD card.
Insta 360 X5 Waterproof 8K 360° Camera
Invisible Selfie Stick: Create impossible third-person views with no selfie stick in sight! Capture everything in 360°, then choose your angles later using AI-assisted reframing—perfect shots, every time.
Smartphone Gimbal Stabilizer
This device makes professional-looking videos, offers super steady hold on the phone, and folds down to a portable size.
SandSpice Travel Essentials – The Things We Carried
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