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Travel Gear

Choosing the right travel gear is one of the most important aspects of pre-trip planning. It’s far better to get the right gear before you travel, rather than having to hunt down a product in an unfamiliar place.

This travel gear page is a directory of the world’s best travel gear. Find gear and travel accessories from the most popular brands, and innovative products from new producers.

The products in the directory are listed with a basic product description in catalog format. For my personal reviews see the “Travel Gear Reviews” section below.

Travel Gear Directory

Bags

Minaal Carry-On Bag

Minaal Carry-On BagThe Minaal Carry-On is a favourite of digital nomads. The bag features a lie-flat packing system, easy access for laptops, and it adheres to all airline carry-on sizes.
Minaal Carry-On Bag

Standard’s Carry-on Backpack

Standard's Carry-on BackpackThis bag is a 3-in-1 travel backpack, messenger bag, and duffle. Designed with concealable backpack straps, compartment dividers, side and top handles. It comes with an expandable capacity of 35 – 45L and fits airline size rules.
Standard’s Carry-on Backpack

Business Cards

Moo

Even though I’m a digital nomad working from a paperless office, business cards are still useful for conferences and random meetings with strangers on a bus. For business cards I use Moo. With Moo you can customise your cards to have up to 50 different images on the back. I have a selection of my travel photos on my cards and they never fail to get a positive reaction.
Moo Cards

Clothing

The Libertad Travel Shirt

The Libertad Travel Shirt is a travel shirt that doesn’t look like a travel shirt. This 100% Merino shirt looks stylish yet it can take the rigours of a demanding travel lifestyle. I was one of the product testers before the shirt went live on Kickstarter. (Review.)
libertadapparel.com

WAMAUnderwear

Organic cotton and hemp underwear.
WAMAUnderwear.com

e-reader

Kindle Paperwhite

Kindle Paperwhite

They say that “once you go Mac, you never go back.” We would also be saying the same about Kindle if we could make it rhyme. I was an e-reader holdout for years, but now I can’t imagine traveling without one. I have dozens of books on file waiting to be read so I will never be stuck without a book again.
amazon.com

Flashlights (Torches)

Maglite ML25LT LED 2-Cell C Flashlight

Precision machined high-strength aluminum alloy that is anodized inside and out for better corrosion resistance and durability. A simple twist of head adjust the high intensity beam’s focus and switches ON/OFF. Converts quickly to free standing candle mode for a convenient, hands-free light whenever you need. An ultra bright and compact industrial strength flashlight renowned for its quality, durability and reliability.
amazon.com

J5 Tactical V1-PRO 300 Lumen Ultra Bright Flashlight

Super bright 300 Lumens LED producing an intense beam of light up to 600 feet. Intelligent, High / Low / Strobe modes means you will be ready for anything that comes your way. Runs off a single AA battery or a 14500 rechargeable (not included) and gives hours of use. Heavy duty, compact and tough as nails.
amazon.com

Footwear

OAKA - Men's Travel Dress Shoes

OAKA

Super comfortable and flexible dress shoes made for travel. A proprietary custom zero drop sole allows for healthier barefoot walking with a professional look. Made from lightweight breathable materials OAKAs are also anti-slip, slip ons, and machine washable. They fold up and pack away easily for any adventure.
OAKA – Men’s Travel Dress Shoes

Viakix

Viakix

America’s most fashionable outdoor sandals and shoes. Combining the fashionable with the functional, Viakix sandals and shoes are designed to be both comfortable and affordable, and most importantly of all fit for your adventures, whether you’re holidaying on the Napali coast in Hawaii or heading to the local park with friends and family.
Viakix

GPS Trackers

PAJ GPS Tracker

PAJ GPS Tracker

PAJ GPS Tracker offers a wide range of GPS devices for various applications. Track everything live on your mobile device or PC, receive alerts from various alarm settings, and share the location with your friends or police department in case of emergency.
PAJ GPS Tracker

Laptops

Apple MacBook Air 11.6-Inch Laptop

MacBook Air 11″

After going through 4 Windows laptops over 10 years, I made the switch to Apple in 2012. The Macbook Air is an ideal travel laptop as it packs more power than a netbook and it is ridiculously light. And wow is it a beautiful machine to work on. (Review.)

Mobile Phone Accessories

GoCustomized

GoCustomized

At GoCustomized, you can offer your phone protection and personalize it with custom phone case. Having a protective phone case while traveling is important with all of your adventures going on, and you don’t want to damage your phone while so far from home. With the personalization you can add an image of your family while you are so far from them or some texts with your favorite travel quote. The toughcase is the best option for travelers.
Make your own phone case

Motorcycle Luggage

Viking Cycle

Viking Bags

The Viking Bags motorcycle luggage offers you safe and secure storage while you focus the road. Enjoy your ride without any care of left luggage because our motorcycle saddlebags are spacious and safe to carry it all. Keep yourself safe and protected like your luggage with motorcycle jackets by Viking Cycle that are designed to keep you safe and comfy on the road whether it be winter or summer.

SIM Cards

SimsDirect

SimsDirect

SimsDirect provides Australian travellers multiple prepaid travel SIM card options. From SIM cards to all of Europe, to SIM cards for the entire U.S., you can choose from a wide selection of SIMs for your trip.
SimsDirect

TravelSim

TravelSim

TravelSim provides travellers across the globe international prepaid travel SIM card for 170+ countries. Reduce international roaming charges and save up to 85% on data roaming. Free shipping.
TravelSim

Sunglasses

SmartBuyGlasses UK

SmartBuyGlasses UK

Shop for glasses at SmartBuyGlasses. Free delivery, 2 year warranty, and premium lens options.
Buy Online at SmartBuyGlasses UK

Ray-Ban RB3025 Aviator Sunglasses

Ray-Ban RB3025 Aviator Sunglasses

Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses are one of the most iconic sunglasses ever produced. From the early Aviator style that emerged in 1937, The sunglasses remains true to its classic heritage while continuously evolving to meet today’s fashion demands. All sunglasses come complete with original manufacturers case, cloth, and booklet/authenticity card when applicable. 100% U.V. protection.
Ray-Ban RB3025 Aviator Sunglasses

Towels

Active Roots Microfiber Travel Towel

Active Roots Microfiber Travel Towel

Absorbent and Quick-Drying: This microfiber towel is made of 100% microfiber material and is the best towel in the game at absorbing water and drying quickly. This travel towel folds up into an incredibly small and portable mesh bag. It also only weighs a few ounces, so you won’t even notice it in your bag.
Active Roots Microfiber Travel Towel

Wallets

Alloy Wallet by Carved

Alloy Wallet by Carved

The Alloy Wallet by Carved is a slim, hard wallet that stands out from the crowd. Securely holds up to 5 cards, plus cash. Precision machined from a single block of aluminum, black anodized with flexible o-ring holding it all together. Each inlay is unique and made at our shop in Elkhart, Indiana.
Alloy Wallets

Harber London slim Travel Wallet with RFID protection

Harber London slim Travel Wallet with RFID protection

Harber London slim Travel Wallet with RFID protection, with separate currency compartments that fit most currencies. The clever Wallet architecture ensures a Super Slim Wallet design that is compact, functional and helps you slim down your pockets while keeping all your carry essentials well organised. With lots of compartments and hidden built-in pockets, you can carry a Passport, separate you different currencies, Sim Cards, Credit/ID Cards, coins and more, all well organised for a short holiday trip or city adventure.
Travel Wallet with RFID Protection

Kinzd

Kinzd Waist Bag

Kinzd Waist bag is designed with multiple compartments for cash, electronics, passports, travel documents and more. The top zipper pocket has two inner credit card slots, useful for daily used cards, metro card, transportation card, membership cards or small things like a key chain or coins. The bag fits discreetly to your close-fitting pants, clothes and jacket, protecting your belongings from potential thieves.
Kinzd Waist Bag

Water Filters

Travel Berkey Water Filter

Travel Berkey Water Filter

– Great for 1-3 People
– Comes Standard with 2 Black Berkey Filters
– 2 Black Berkeys Filter Approx 6000 Gallons of Water
– Storage Capacity: 1.5 Gallons (5.7 Liters)
– Height: 19″
– Diameter: 7.5″
– Portability: The upper chamber nests within the lower chamber for transport and stands only 12″ in height
– Weight: 8 lbs (2 BB Elements)
– Max Filters: 2 Black Berkeys (upper) + 2 PF-2 Fluoride Filters (lower)
– Exclusive BigBerkeyWaterFilters.com Lifetime Warranty (Hardware and Stainless Chambers)
Travel Berkey

My Travel Gear

After years of travelling with just a backpack and a carry-on bag I have carefully refined what is my most essential travel gear. This list covers the major electronic gear and backpacks I use and recommend. For a detailed breakdown of what’s in my bags, refer to my packing list.

Travel Gear Reviews

These are editorial reviews of travel gear, clothing, and accessories that I have personally used.

Libertad Apparel – the travel shirt that doesn’t look like a travel shirt
Kindle Paperwhite Review – The ultimate travel e-reader
A long-term PC users review of the Macbook Air

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About Nomadic Notes

James Clark from Nomadic Notes

Hi, I’m James Clark, and I've been travelling the world since 2003 while running a location independent travel business. Nomadic Notes is a travel blog featuring travel guides and notes from my travels.

More about me and Nomadic Notes.

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Bangkok
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