Must Have Gear For Ultra Minimalist Travel
Whether you’re traveling as a tourist or a blogger, here is my recommended equipment, services & websites that I consider are must have gear for ultra minimalist travel!
EQUIPMENT I USE
Canon Eos 77D DSLR Camera
Previously, I used a Nikon & once I switched I know I will not ever go back. The Canon brand is top notch. I’ve enjoyed this model a lot because it is lightweight & gives excellent quality photos with the perk of 4K video. It is an essential item for those who are serious about capturing content.
Space Gray Macbook Pro
Words can’t begin to describe how amazing this laptop is. After using it for 4 years, it still feels like new. I could have sworn that I bought it only a few months ago! It is perfect for those creating any type of content. Design, photography, video editting, etc. & I built my whole website on it!
DJI Mavic Mini Drone
Drones are getting more & more affordable now. This mini captures stunning shots but doesn’t break the bank either. Not only is it so fun to fly, but you get to capture seriously unique & beautiful shots. This is essential if you want to step up your photography.
Go Pro Hero 8 Waterproof
Go Pro cameras have been out for a while now but they keep getting better & better. The Go Pro brand is the best out there for adventure travel. The high quality in small camera is great for minimal, long term travel. The waterproof aspect is probably what I love most about mine.
International Travel Adapter
I bought this 3.5 years ago before moving abroad & have used it everyday overseas. My favourite part is that there is 4 USB charging ports & a regular plug too. Charging all my devices at once is amazing. It still works great after all this usage, definitely worth the investment if you are traveling internationally.
Sony WF-1000XM3 Headphones
These are crucial for me to be able to relax when I’m traveling since they are wireless but also noise cancelling!! The sound quality is stunning & continues to blow me away. They are also great to use while working. I focus so much more when I use them.
Seagate Ultra Slim External Hard Drive
Honestly, I have no idea what I would do with out this hard drive. It is so reliable & by putting all of my important documents & photos on it, my laptop is not burdened by storing them. It is also sleek & has a beautiful design on the outside!
Power Bank USB Portable Charger
This is definitely an essential for days with high electronic usage or trips to remote destinations that have limited or no electricity. There is nothing more disappointing than missing out on capturing a moment because your battery is low.
PACKING MUST-HAVES
Osprey Hiking Pack
Osprey brand has amazing quality & can be used for more than hiking. Mine is often my travel bag, carries my groceries, or just an everyday bag since it has a laptop sleeve. You can see me using mine above while hiking in the Albanian mountains.
Nalgene Water Bottle
A great purchase for saving money & cutting back on single use plastic. Every other brand I’ve had always breaks somehow. These ones are basically indestructible & perfect for long travel days & hiking adventures.
Vasque Hiking Boots
Having a waterproof pair of hiking boots is essential if you are planning to go into the countryside or hiking. I have been using mine for 4 years now & they are still in great shape.
Berghaus Rain Jacket
This brand is really good! It is better than all the other waterproof jackets I’ve tried before. This is something I use almost every day living in Ireland. I never leave the house without it!
Travelrest Inflatable Pillow
I never used to use a travel pillow because it took up too much space, but that’s not the case when it’s inflatable. It might seem strange to blow up your pillow but it only takes 2 breaths. It is also one of the most comfortable travel pillows I’ve ever used because you can adjust the ‘softness’ by adding more air or taking away.
Briggs & Riley Carry On Suitcase
This suitcase brand makes excellent products that last forever, but what made me purchase from them is their replacement policy. It doesn’t matter if you broke it or an airline lost it. They will fix it for free or replace it entirely. That means that when you buy from them, you won’t have to ever buy another suitcase!!
MAPTREKKING FAVORITES
Chaco Sandals
Not your ordinary sandal. These are the highest quality & most durable adventure sandals that I have ever found. Not only is the brand committed to being very sustainable & eco friendly, but their funky colors & designs are out of this world! The shoes are beyond comfortable & great for most situations: hiking, water-sports, swimming, casual wear. They last for 5 to 10 years of use making them worth every penny!!
ENO Hammock
A hammock might not seem like an essential, but to me it is! I always take it when I travel because it comes in so handy when I’m hiking & want to take a break. Being able to enjoy an incredible view only gets better when you also relax in a hammock. ENO hammocks are the best of the best & are super light & compact. Buying a cheap hammock will not go well if it breaks while you’re in it. Go with ENO & have peace of mind.
Kavu Bag
One of the main reasons why I love this brand & their signature sling rope bags is because of their versatility & uniqueness. It can be used for short hikes, holding camera gear, exploring a city for the day, etc. The sling bags come in funky colors & designs that get changed often. This means you will probably never see someone else with the same color or design as you, making them one of a kind type of bags. They are worth the price since they are extremely durable & last for years!
Rayban Sunglasses
Raybans are more than just a brand that ‘makes you look cool’. They have high quality product & one of the best brands out there for sunglasses. Their polarised glasses are life changing for those with sensitive eyes like me! They are definitely a must have for almost any adventure. After using my polarized Raybans for 3 years, I don’t think I could ever go back to the super cheap ones I used to wear!
ACCOMMODATION RECOMMENDATIONS
WorldPackers
Worldpackers is an online platform that connects travelers to local hosts that provide free food & accommodation in exchange for their help. By volunteering a few hours of your day, you get to save money & have amazing local experiences.
Booking
Booking.com offers a wide range of rooms, hostels, apartments, villas, hotels, etc to choose from. It is easy to book a place because it is one of the biggest travel accommodation sites out there! They have so many different options & prices from ultra cheap to extravagant luxury, that using Booking is easy & convenient.
HostelWorld
Hostelworld is the best site for finding clean & affordable hostels. Not only can staying in hostels be cheaper if you are traveling solo, but it also helps you to meet other travelers!
Homestay
Homestay is an online platform specifically for finding local families to stay with for an affordable price. It is great if you want to feel right at home when you first arrive at your destination. It is perfect for long term stays too!
Workaway
I absolutely love doing cultural exchanges through Workaway. This is an online platform that connects travelers to local hosts that provide free food & accommodation in exchange for their help. By volunteering a few hours of your day, you get to save money & have amazing local experiences.
TrustedHousesitters
TrustedHousesitters helps you stay in wonderful places for free by house sitting & caring for cute pets. You can find unique & amazing accommodation that would normally be hundreds per night!
By looking after other people’s homes & pets, you can score free accommodation in expensive destinations like Paris, New York City, London, etc.
Purchasing a 1 year membership is $119/€99, which gives you access to unlimited, worldwide house sitting opportunities (they have more than all other housesitting websites in the world combined!)
Couchsurfing
Couchsurfing is a platform similar to Workaway because it connects travelers to local people. Most hosts are looking to get to know new people so they offer whatever accommodation they have available for the travelers to stay in. It could be on a couch or in a villa!
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Safetywing
Unlike traditional travel insurance, Safety Wing offers travel medical insurance for travelers & digital nomads. They are also straightforward about what they do & do not cover. So many companies fill their plans with jargon so you don’t know what you are getting. With Safety Wing, you can get a plan for as low as $45 for 4 weeks!
TRAVEL GUIDES & BOOKS
LOCAL EXPERIENCES
Eatwith
Support the local economy & get into the local foodie scene when traveling through this amazing online platform, Eatwith!
Connect with locals by visiting local markets together, attend a local taught cooking class, or share a meal in a local home. It is a great way to respectfully & sustainably learn about a culture through food.
They have events in over 130 countries. Some events to choose from are: tastings, picnics, aperitifs, breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea-time, food tours, and cooking classes.
Get free credit when you do your first experience, use code CD2C35BB to get €10 off!
Do you have a product or service that you think I will love? Email [email protected] & visit my ‘Work With Me’ page.
Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links that will cost you nothing extra but offer me a little commission for any purchases made. These help me continue to offer helpful tips.
I know all of the products and links listed above, so I highly recommend them to you. If you have questions about a product, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Thank you so much for your support!!
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