Roaming Numeral

Happy Cyber Monday, y’all! With the holidays fast approaching, you may be wondering what to get for an avid traveler- or even a checklist to kick start your own adventures.

With that in mind, I’ve compiled a list of what I consider the ultimate travel accessories. Make sure to take advantage of Black Friday- or in this case, Cyber Monday Deals!

Avid readers of my blog may have clued in to the fact that, though I may stay at the occasional high end hotel, I’m a backpacker at heart- I have to pack light, and these items make the cut every time.

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A Backpacker’s Backpack

I’ve been traveling with my trusty 40L Osprey Farpoint Backpack since I first started traveling in earnest and it has served me well through dozens of trips in the years since. It’s well constructed and has shown no sign of the excessive wear despite what I put it through- it’s been through tropical storms, icy weather, and me throwing it around like a sack of flour. I even use it as a seat in a pinch!

I particularly like this size because it fits all of my travel gear, but it still counts as a carry on- and since it’s a soft shell, it very rarely gets weighed at the airport. The hip straps help me offset the weight of the bag since I’m often carrying it around a city. It also has a zipper that allows the main compartment to open like a suitcase, which makes grabbing items without having to repack the entire bag much easier.

My particular backpack is technically a mens version of the pack and while I did notice very slight differences in the way that weight was held in the mens vs womens backpacks, it was not disruptive enough to stop me from snagging that sweet gopher green color that was only available in the men’s version.

Packing Cubes

Now for what actually goes in the back pack. I’ll leave the specifics of my wardrobe for another time, but I highly recommend adding packing cubes to your set up if you haven’t already. These are an absolute game changer for travelers. The packing cubes allow me to organize my items and pack much more tightly than I could manage without them.

Typically, I use one cube for my tops and bottoms and another for my underthings and bathing suits. Since they’re zipped up in the cubes, it’s much easier to find the item I’m looking for rather than digging through all of my clothes for the perfect top. With the clothes contained within these cubes, it also makes it easier to fit small items in the space in the rest of the bag- this is usually where I fit my souvenirs from the trip. I also use the shoe bag to keep my extra shoes from getting the rest of my bag dirty.

A Day Pack

I also like to have a day-bag for when I travel. This one is reasonably water resistant, and has hidden zippers to dissuade pick pockets. I like it because it looks a bit less touristy than a typical backpack and it fits my camera, a water bottle, and a phone charger easily.

Universal Adapter

Universal Travel Adapters are key– having individual chargers for each country is only helpful until you pack the wrong one. With a universal adapter, I just keep the whole thing in my bag and never have to worry about having the wrong adapter. I’ve been using this one for years and I like how it allows for three items charging at once- helpful since my fellow travelers often forget a correct adapter of their own! Sharing is caring, and also a quick way to make a friend on your vacation.

Microfiber Towel

A Microfiber towel may be a bit more of a niche accessory, but it’s extremely handy for travelers staying in a hostel. Hostels typically offer towel rentals for a small fee, but I like to bring my own towel to save a few bucks- that fee can add up quickly! I also bring mine when I travel to beach locations- it’s easier to carry in a daypack and less frowned upon than taking a towel from the hotel bathroom. Microfiber towels are lightweight and quick drying, making them the perfect item to stuff into your suitcase.

Travel Lock

Carrying on with the backpacker theme, I always have a lock on hand for my travels. Most hotels will offer a locker to store your gear while you’re out on the town, but the lock is often not included. In this situation, locks are usually available for a small fee, but I find it easier to just keep with me. The use of a lock has come up from time to time outside of the hostel experience so it’s nice to be prepared for that situation, even if you’re more of a hotel person. In any case, if I’m leaving my luggage in storage at a hotel prior to check in, I’ll lock the compartment with my more expensive items just in case. It’s not perfect, so obviously keep your most important items on hand, but it’s better than nothing!

Carabiner

A carabiner! You’ve probably already got these hanging around, but I find them so helpful! I always travel with one clipped to my backpack and use them for anything from clipping my hiking boots on the outside of my backpack to opening beer bottles. It’s just one of those items whose use is limited only by your creativity.

Rain Coat

Regardless of where I’m going, I like to throw a lightweight rain jacket into my bag. You may be on vacation, but the weather is not! I’ve had a rain shell from Colombia for the past seven years, and it’s kept me dry in absolutely torrential conditions. The stitching on it seems to be failing recently, but to be fair- it is seven years old. The exact style is no longer available, but this option is close! And it’s on sale! Check out the mens version here.

Thermal Base Layer

In the same vein, if I’m traveling to a colder climate, I absolutely have to bring at least one UnderArmor Cold Gear shirt with me. (mens version) I’m not usually a name brand person, but these really do work better for me than any other brand. I wear them under nicer tops for an extra layer of warmth- it may not be freezing out, but keep in mind that you’re going to be exploring the city, going on walking tours, and generally being outside more than you would be in similar weather at home. Maximize your time adventuring by wearing the appropriate outfit.

Sanitation

Even before 2020, traveling is a germy experience. People from all of the world are transiting through limited areas like train stations and airports, so it’s always good to keep Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer around, especially as some destinations may not have hand washing stations readily available. The last thing you want is to get sick on a big trip!