Travel Resources – What I Pack

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tags: article, best, packing, travel gear

I was asked recently what I pack when I travel. I was probably on the road for about 3 months last year and 138,000 miles so I do have some experience. Here is what is in my bag. As a rule, I pack for no more than 10 days. If I am on the road for longer than that I plan on doing some laundry just like I do at home. This might mean washing some things out in a sink or it might mean laundry in a hotel or a launderette. On rare the occasion, when I am someplace that is inexpensive it might mean a laundry service. But I find the inconvenience of a little washing is made up for in the extra mobility that packing light gives me.

What’s In My Backpack

My backpack itself is a Pacsafe Ultimatesafe 22L anti-theft backpack. I did some work for PacSafe last year. I don’t use all the gear they gave me, but I really have liked this backpack. It is smaller than my old one but big enough for what I carry. The anti-theft part of the backpack doesn’t hurt either.
MacBook Air – I never go anywhere without my MacBook Air which I use to work on the road both as a software developer/entrepreneur as well as a blogger and podcaster. I love how a machine this powerful is also so darn light an once you have gone to a solid-state drive you will never go back.
iPad Mini – When I am done working for the day I often switch to my iPad Mini which has video, eBooks, games, and more on it. I still have the 1st version but my wife just got the 4th edition. I will upgrade when mine stops working great. See Best iOS Apps Ever – What I have on my iPhone and iPad for more info.
Canon PowerShot SX60 HS – I recently switched from a Canon SLR (read more at Finding The Best Camera for Travel Photography)
HooToo Wireless Hard Drive Companion – Wireless Router, Access Point, 6000mAh External Battery Pack Dual USB Charger
AKG N60nc Noise Canceling Headphones (see review)
Belkin SurgePlus – compact power strip that will make you some friends in the airport when outlets are scarce.
Small flat cloth pencil case with zipper with a couple of pockets. This keeps cords untangled. It contains:
- extra Apple EarPods
- USB to lightning cable
- USB cable
Small cloth case with zipper for the plane. This contains:
- earplugs
- Eyeshade
- small pillbox with (ibuprofen, anti-diarrhea, mild sleeping pills, Aleve D, Mucus Relief DM and Zync tablets)
Small cloth drawstring bag with:
- 16 Gb thumb drive
- iPhone power plug
- Aerb 3in1 Universal 180° Fisheye Lens + Wide Angle + Macro Lens Clip Camera Photo Kit
passport
CLEAR card – like a FastPass for TSA and Immigration
small umbrella
business cards and card case
small Moleskine notebook (optional)
pen (remember those custom forms)
Reusable Water Bottle (I had a Camelbak All Clear – Water Purifier / Water Bottle which is a better solution for destinations where you can’t drink the water)
Sunglasses
small first-aid kit (optional)
universal plug converter (international)
printed directions, boarding passes, hotel confirmations (optional)

What’s In My Suitcase

My suitcase itself is a Pacsafe Toursafe Lifestyle 21 Inch, another great bonus from the work with PacSafe. A larger suitcase will fit in an overhead bin but both American Airlines and United at SFO have been restricting carry-on suitcases to the 9″ depth of a bag like this. Sometimes for longer trips, I will use an American Tourister Luggage Splash 21″ Upright Suitcase, which claims to be not as deep but lies. My Pacsafe bag is green and the American Tourister is red, but I still have a ribbon or something so they can be spotted on a luggage carousel if I have to gate check.
My wife has started using the 4 wheeled carry-on bag from Away which I got from them. A 4 wheel bag maneuvers better on the plane itself (sideways), but can also roll away on its own sometimes. This one, in addition to being a great hardshell case, has a built-in battery that you can charge so that you can recharge your device at the gate when there are no outlets available. (For $20 off your order, visit awaytravel.com/traveler and use the promo code traveler during checkout.) She also uses packing cubes although I do not.
Clothes
- Blue jeans – They dry slowly so they are not ideal for travel, but I still like jeans. On trips to warm climates where shorts are not culturally acceptable, I replace my jeans with lightweight travel pants.
- Pickpocket proof pants – These pants are dressier than jeans, dry better and the pockets have zippers and buttons to discourage pickpockets.
- cotton/polyester blend button-down shirts – You will usually find me in Amateur Traveler branded shirts
- cotton boxer underwear – These are easy to wash and dry overnight. I have a pair of Ex-Officio briefs that backpackers swear by, but they are more expensive.
- socks
- shorts
- no extra shoes – I get by with only one pair of brown sneakers because shoes take up so much space
- workout shorts
- t-shirt
- swimsuit
- hat – I have what looks most like a foldable cotton cowboy hat (see Amateur Traveler home page), with a brim for good shade, although have switched recently to a more compact baseball-style cap.
- handkerchief
- sweatshirt
- jacket
money pouch (I use one with a felt back which is more comfortable)
U.S. National Park Passport (USA only)
laundry bag
shaving kit
- razor
- stick deodorant
- toothbrush/toothbrush case
- nail clippers
- floss
- small scissors
clear plastic Ziploc bag
- shaving cream
- shampoo
- conditioner
- toothpaste
- capsaicin cream (good for a sore back)
- sunscreen
Blue Yeti Microphone and cables (optional) – my standard podcasting microphone
Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Microphone – mobile microphone
Waterproof iPhone case (optional)
floatation camera strap (optional)