One thing I get asked a lot about is what I consider are my travel essentials, so I thought I would compile a list of my top 10 Travel items as I  pack and prepare for my next trip. Not all the items are available in exactly the same model and version that I have, but in those cases I have linked to similar items. 

I have made most of my links as affiliate links, any revenue for travel writers is good revenue, but all links are to give you more information about my recommendations, not just to sell them! 

These are not in order as I consider all pretty essential to a successful trip.

GL.iNet Mango (GL-MT300N-V2) Travel Router:  Tiny, well designed and it even looks cool. Why is it so good? I bought it for its VPN capabilities for added security when connecting to dodgy public/shared wi-fi in accommodation when anyone could be intercepting your data and capturing passwords. But where I have found out it excels, is as a booster.

Connected to a small power bank with a USB cable it works wonderfully to boost that week signal only working by the door (and with a USB cable you can hang it off the door handle) or even the bathroom, and then provide a strong signal while you lie on the bed. Indispensable. Get it from Amazon or eBay

Bowers and Wilkins Headphones (Px7 S2e):  If you are lucky enough to have in-flight entertainment these days, which tends to happen for me I as Australia is so far from everywhere, and to not provide it would probably cause a riot, you need a decent pair of headphones. I was an Audio-Technica headphone fan until I discovered these. 

So comfortable on the head, great noise cancelling, superb sound, and the handy ability to easily turn on the mics and chat to the cabin crew on your meal choice. Also acts as another sleep aid, like the Qatar Airways eye-mask. Get it from Amazon or eBay

Rip Curl F-Light Cabin bag:  If you want to travel light, which not only makes wandering around Far Flung Places easier but also means you can avoid the expensive checked luggage charges which can often double the price of an el cheapo airfare, you need a good cabin bag.

I have been through quite a few during my years of travel and I like this one for two main reasons. It is light, which means you can make the 7kg weight carry on weight limit more easily, and it uses robust skateboard wheels. I have thrown away so many bags because the flimsy wheels get broken and cannot be replaced, this has not been a problem with this bag so far. Get it from Rip Curl or eBay

Travel eSIM:  I am not going to recommend a smartphone. There are so many out there and they are always getting updated, but whether you are an Apple or Android fan you need an e-sim.

These days there is no need to queue up at the airport, and often get ripped off blind, to purchase a physical Sim with all the hassles of changing Sim cards and actually getting it to work on the local network. Get an e-sim.

I have found the Truely travel eSIM is one of the best, with coverage in all of the Far Flung Places I visit, good pricing and uses some of the best local telecom partners, to hit the ground running when I arrive.

Tribit Storm Box Micro 2 Portable Speaker and Power bank:  Music and travel are synonymous for me. Music just makes you feel better and standing on a beach or staring at the sea just feel that much better when listening to the songs of The Cure, amongst many others.

It has taken me four or five portable speakers to find the perfect one. The Tribit has tremendous sound, not tinny and with a deep bass (it should go without saying that you do not have it on too loud so that it annoys other people with it), a strap to attach to a branch or hook, and is even waterproof. 

The cherry on top is that it acts as a pretty good power bank as well, alleviating the need to carry that one extra item. And it sounds like those small fluffy creatures from the original Star Trek. Get it at Amazon or eBay

Qatar Airways Eye Shade:  Now this might be a harder item to find but it is well worth it searching out, Amenity Kits are available on eBay. I travel a lot, and often get upgraded to business. How is a post for another time. 

Most airlines provide an Amenity Kit in Business Class, some are rubbish (Uzbekistan Airways and Malaysia Airways I am looking at you) but most have some useful items if only a toothpaste and toothbrush to freshen up. 

Most eye shades I have used are not comfortable, some made with poor quality material, some too heavy and putting pressure on your eye lids, and some let the light in, all of which prevents me dropping off to sleep. However, Qatar Airways have the somehow developed the most comfortable eye shades I have ever used, and I take them on every trip. Get it from eBay

Kindle Paperwhite:   I was not a fan of the early Kindle’s and, being a Luddite at heart, do still prefer physical books. Yet lugging heavy luggage around with me, particularly when only using cabin baggage meant I had to succumb to getting an E-reader. The Kindle Paperwhite ticks the boxes, light, easy to read, and can contain thousands of your favourite books. 

Perfect for reading my own latest tome ‘Cannibals, Cults, and Corpses’ which should be a travel essential in itself. But don’t just trust me on that, Stan Cullimore, Travel Writer and guitarist for 80’s indie sensations ‘The Housemartins’ describes it; thus,  “Whether it is spending time with a cargo cult, going in search of dead leaders, or avoiding burglars in paradise, Simon seems to be a one-man magnet for near disasters with a side order of happiness thrown in to keep the crowds entertained. So what are you waiting for? Grab yourself a copy and get ready to enjoy.” Get it from Amazon or all good book retailers.

Unbreakable Polysafe Wine glasses:   You are travelling around the back waters of the Mekong in Laos and stumble into a dusty old French run store and find a bottle or two of old Cru Bourgeois Bordeaux at a remarkable price and then you find you only have paper cups to drink out of. 

This happened the first time I went to Laos, and while paper cups are better than nothing, a decent stemless wine glass always comes in handy. These Australian made sturdy plastic glasses are brilliant and haven’t failed me yet. This brand may not be easy to find outside of Australia but you will probably be able to buy something similar. Essential if you love wine and travel! 

In Australia buy from the well named Unbreakable Drinkware Company

APC Surge Protector:   I have lost expensive multi-USB chargers (yes, another essential but I am limiting this to ten, and there are loads out there to choose from) in Pakistan and Bulgaria from power surges. Luckily, none of my devices or laptop were damaged but charging them became problematic. 

Surge Protectors are vital, particularly in countries with dodgy power, which is most these days. Hard to find, except second-hand on places like eBay, I will not travel without one. Get it from eBay

Pack Away Backpack:   Perfect as a day pack. This backpack folds away into a small pouch. Incredibly useful when you don’t want to drag your heavy backpack around as you explore. Comfortable, strong and capable of easily carrying headphones, glasses, cheese, bread and wine as you go for a ramble. Get it from Mountain Warehouse

 

 

Have I missed something? What do you think are travel essentials that I could use on my next trip? Post a reply in the comments.