When I spent all of 2011 on the road I slowly built up a gear list of all my stuff. I used it to keep notes about what was and wasn’t working with my equipment for replacement as needed. This page is the home for those constantly-updated, formerly private notes, though there are also a few blog posts about gear here.

There’s a thing with gear lists where people obsess about particular brands and models and having the exact right stuff. The best gear is the gear you already own. This is not a shopping list. Use this as a list of ideas for needs to fill and desirable qualities as you naturally have to replace things. I assembled this gear over the course of five years of travel before my long trip, a full year on the road, and years since. It includes obvious things like “pants” and less obvious tiny-but-occasionally-vital things like “rubber bands”.

“I can get another if I break it/so a clay cup trumps a grail.”

Asadullah Khan Ghalib

I think of gear like r/K selection theory: either get cheap things that are easily worn and replaced, or invest time and money in high quality equipment. For example: as nice as clever collapsible water bottles look, I buy a bottle of water every few weeks and toss it when it’s dirty or I need the space. Either strategy works if you choose deliberately; inconsiderate selection means you’ll waste money and be frustrated with your gear. The two strategies interrelate: buy cheap to get the experience to choose for quality. I share my choices in the hopes they help you make better choices, not because this is the one true gear list. Relatedly, I got a lot of ideas from Tynan’s gear posts. And Matt Might’s list includes tech gear and excellent tips.

Item links go to Amazon because it’s popular, but in Chicago nearly all of this is available cheaper at local outdoors/travel stoors like Uncle Dan’s and chains like REI or Moosejaw. Some products are unspecified because it simply doesn’t matter (eg. toothpaste). But also, I don’t link or list details for products branded with logos; if they’re going to treat me like a billboard, fuck ’em.

Backpack

I have already written about what I look for in a backpack, so I’ll just note that my bag is a GoRuck Radio Ruck (2013, 24L). In early 2014 they shook up their sizes and I think the best choice is the 26L GR1. Don’t hesitate to buy a used GoRuck bag, they are very durable. I keep two Omega Pacific Lite D black carabiners on the internal or external webbing for hooking bags or paracording miscellania.

Previously I carried a Deuter Futura 28. As my gear slowly shrank I wanted a bag that blends in with commuters, and the suspension system that is so nice for hikes makes the bag awkward in every other situation.

My bag has one large internal compartment and a few internal pockets. This improves item lookup of small items from the unordered list’s O(N/2) to a hash map’s O(1), and similarly organizes this page.

Front pocket/pants pockets

Phone Currently Geeksphone Keon Notes I got this, my first smartphone, in 2013. I don’t want to waste money on a computer I can’t see/edit all the code to. So some of the later items of gear may seem odd. Considerations I know there are all manner of international standards involving SIM cards and bands and Gs, but I found it much less awful to just buy a cheap phone card occasionally. Camera Currently Canon PowerShot S100 Notes I only replaced my Canon PowerShot SD940IS because I mislaid it for most of a year. I’d recently bought the S100 so I sold off the SD940IS, but that was a mistake. The S100 is 2x too thick to comfortably fit in a pocket and be carried everywhere; I’ve taken far fewer photos because of this. Considerations I know smartphones are displacing cameras, but they still take much better photos

Canon’s onboard software is quite nice and learning a bit about it and photography concepts has allowed me to take some excellent photos (especially in dim light without a flash)

Use Flicker’s Camera Finder to see real-world photos from a camera you’re considering

Don’t spend your trip looking at the world through your camera

Downloading and tagging photos is a daily chore you must attach to an existing daily habit like brushing your teeth so that you do not allow it to build up and get forgotten Pocket pen Currently Fisher Space Pen Stowaway, Black, Fisher Trekker Space Pen Considerations Stowaway takes up almost no room in a pocket for always availability; the trekker is in the bag for longer writing

All ballpoint pens will leak after a few cycles of plane ascent and decent

I think there’s a matte black version of the Trekker Considered Zebra compact

Inka pen – very nice, small, looks like a good choice

Inka telescoping pen – looked flimsy on Amazon Previously Many ill-fated and destructive ballpoint pens Black marker Currently Sharpie permanent marker; Sharpie is simply the only choice Notes Vital for labels and visible signs; don’t get a click-top or it will eventually be accidentally deployed in your bag Flashlight Currently 4Sevens Quark AA, .2/240h 4L/48h 22L/6h 85L/1.5h 109L/1.2h, prism, clip Considerations Don’t buy an expensive one. I constantly lose and barely find mine

Has to be AA or AAA to for battery availability (and see Eneloop, below)

A modern 1xAA-powered LED flashlights is brighter than a 3xC Maglite from the ’90s, it’s astounding

A low setting under 8 lumens is vital for reading without disturbing plane/bus/shared room neighbors. A prism and clip substitute for a headlamp; you need either for comfy reading

A flat end mean you can “tailstand” and bounce a high setting off a white ceiling to light a room, which is handy surprisingly often

CandlePowerForums knows everything about flashlights, and will make personal recommendations Future Fenix E12 – 1xAA, 8L/40h 50L/6.5h 130L/1.5h; got a couple at $20 in an online sale Considered Maratec AAA – 1xAAA, weensy, clip, stand

4Sevens Preon 1 – 1xAAA, 1.8L/23h 8.5L/6h 70L/.8h, half-pen, clip, stand

Fenix LD01 – 1xAAA, 9L/11h 28L/3.5h 85L/1h, half-pen, clip, stand

Fenix LD10 – 1xAA, 9L/34h 50L/6h 100L/2.5h 120L/1.5h, hex, clip, stand

Fenix LD15 – 1xAA, 8L/39h 117L/1.5h, half-pen, clip at 47

Sunway L10A – 1xAAA, 3L/100h 30L/35h 120L/1h, half-pen, angled, clip

Jetbeam BK135A – 1xAA, 2L/50 135L/1h, half-pen

4Sevens Preon ReVO – 1xAAA, 1.5L/2.8d 19.8L/5.7h 82L/.9h, half-pen

Fenix LD05 – 2xAAA, 4L/23h 32L/5h 100L/1.5h, pen-sized, clip Previously Generic swag 3xAAA LED, sucked. I had no idea how often I wanted a good flashlight until I got one. USB flash drive Currently LaCie PetiteKey 32GB Considerations Most key-shapred usb drives are plastic and trivially damaged

Even if you have a smartphone and Dropbox and the clooooud, you’ll need this for copying ticket PDFs to computers with printers, swapping mp3s with your hostel bunkmate, etc.

Make sure it is USB 2 or you will die of old age copying media

Make sure it is not USB 3 or it will not work in most computers

The Pico mini fits in a SIM card pocket but tries to jump out Previously Super Talent Pico Mini, 16GB Wristwatch Currently Timex Men’s T49826 Expedition Notes I know these are optional in the smartphone days, but I can’t give mine up Considerations Second timezone for knowing when to call home

Countdown timer for naps, laundry, reminders

Stopwatch/countup timer for measuring distance, chores

Alarm is useful not just for wakeups but reminders to make calls at a certain time, etc. Bandana Notes A thousand uses; a small flower sack towel may be superior

Internal top pocket

Chapstick Sleep mask; Earplugs Current Cheap sleep mask from an airport store; nothing for it but to try a tew to find one that fits your face. Got a strong recommendation for Etymotic Research ER20 ETY-Plugs and picked up a pair, but I haven’t had to use them in anger yet. Notes This pair of items is vital for sleep or quiet downtime when traveling or stuck with noisy companions Previously Generic foam earplugs Snacks Food A high-protein bar prompts satiety and in case of delay, is much cheaper than an airport meal Chocolate An emergency supply. Missed a plane, got rained on, bit by bedbugs, and had a bunkmate who snored? Well, at least there’s chocolate.

Internal bottom pocket

Identity papers Currently Passport, driver’s licence, travel insurance papers, a few checks, unused currency in a small waterproof Aloksak First aid kit (also in an Aloksak) Notes Ignore brand names, buy by active ingredient anti-diarrhea 2mg Loperamide HCl x6 (alternately, busmuth subsalicylate) antihistamine 10mg Loratadine x30 (alternately, clorpheniramine, loratadine (Claritin), promethazine (also good for motion sickness), cinnarizine (same, less sedating), or meclizine; note that many antihistamines and sleep aids have the same active ingredient) antacid 750mg calium carbonate (small roll of Tums); sheet famitodine 20mg antiseptic wipes benzalkonium chloride 0.13% x3 antibiotic ointment neomycin sulfate 3.5mg x2 burn aid melaleuca oil 10mg/g (3.5g) Consumables large band-aids x3

medium band-aids x5

small band-aids x6

vinyl gloves

small roll gauze

small roll medical tape

single-use thermometer

apirin, ibuprofin

Laptop pocket

Laptop Previously a Lenovo X1 Carbon, 3rd gen Considerations 15″ is nice, but 13″ suffices

SSDs are noticeably faster and more durable than spinning rust (so, reminder, your external hard drive is going to die sooner rather than later)

Check if any USB ports are on even if the laptop is off, very handy for charging things

Compare the power output of its USB ports to the needs of your USB gadgets; some laptops only provide lower-power outputs that may not be able to charge a hungry iPad, or cannot quickly charge your GameBoy. Previously a slim aluminum 13″ netbook with obnoxious branding Ebook reader Currently Wifi Kindle Touch Previously Four previous Kindles of various makes and models. I’m pretty hard on them, apparently. Notes Amazon may be monopoly-abusing bastards, but their hardware is decent and commonly available at a pawn shop near you

Main compartment

Thug bag

Even though the signs at the checkpoints often say liquids can only be 3oz, the actual rule, as written and as enforced, is 3.4oz (100ml).

Laundry soap Currently Dr. Bronner’s Castile Liquid Soap Notes Handy as shampoo in a pinch, and covered in enterintaingly crazy writing. How to wash Considering Soak no-rinse Insect repellant Notes If it doesn’t have DEET, it doesn’t work – but maybe lemon eucalyptus oil will change this Toothpaste Sunscreen

Electronics kit

Portable mouse Currently ThinkPad Bluetooth Laser Mouse, 2xAA Notes I own it for games, but it’s also a lifesaver in graphics editing. This mouse fits my hand perfectly Considerations Bluetooth > USB wireless: one USB port stays free and you can’t lose the dongle

You have to put your hand on it: weight, scrollwheel movement, and hand fit are personal Previously Logitech Wireless travel mouse: quite nice, I only replaced because I beat it to death after a few years Dongles Connections USB to iPod

USB to mini-usb for camera

USB to type b usb for Kindle/phone Notes Poke around on Amazon, cables are available in short ~6 inch lengths that pack very well. Watch out for cheaper “charging cables” that only have two pins for power; you want “data cables”. There are also “switchable” cables that have retractable data pins so you can charge from someone else’s device without the possibility of them syncing to it; I don’t have experience with these and don’t do enough charging that I find myself wanting these. Ethernet cable, 1m Notes You think you’ll never need it, and then one day you’ll try to quickly copy a lot of files, give a presentation with overwhelemed wifi, replace a failure on a business’s computer you need to work… Music/video player Currently 5th gen iPod Nano Notes Got as a gift long before I had a smartphone; still nice for light entertainment without running down the smone Headphones Currently Monoprice 8320 earbuds Notes Often available for $6-7, can’t be beat at that price HDMI cable Currently SMD Thin HDMI Cable Notes For borrowing monitors, but mostly for sharing a movie on a hostel TV; this one is wonderfully small. A Chromecast/Amazon Fire stick might be a nice alternative. AA/AAA Battery charger Currently Eneloop AA USB charger Notes Eneloop’s batteries are simply the best rechargables available; with mouse and flashlight it takes less than 6 months to be cheaper than single-use, to say nothing of heavy metal waste Plug adapter Currently Kikkerland UL03-A Universal Travel Adapter Notes This converts to every outlet I’ve ever seen but, notably, is not a voltage converter

Sundries bag

Plastic bags Currently 3-4 quart-sized ziplocs, 1-2 hefty trash bags, and 2-3 grocery bags, rolled and wrapped up by a half-dozen rubber bands Notes The bags and rubber bands are constantly useful for leftovers, extra storage, rain protection, soaps, etc. etc. I also keep a half-dozen safety pins and paperclips clipped into the interior mesh pocket of my bag. Sewing kit Currently Lost, need to replace Notes Dead weight for ages and then absolutely vital. Argggh. Shampoo bar Currently Lush Soak and Float (smells like a campfire); many fine options Notes Not liquid, and lasts much longer than 3.4oz Visa pictures Notes Put on formal clothes and take a picture meeting the international passport photo requirements. Print a sheet, cut them, rubber band the stack, and store them. Now you’re set for visa applications. Similarly Photocopy your driver’s license and passport, keep that in here, Dropbox, and with a friend who can be trusted to answer a middle-of-the-night call. This will help a lot if they get stolen. Light my Fire Spork Notes I think I lost this; can just grab plastic-wrapped utensil sets when I pick up fast food; this isn’t commonly used Universal sink stopper Notes A flat-bottomed stopper is held in place by water pressure and very handy for doing laundry in random sinks Small camping mirror, handy for shaving Toothbrush container, easier than replacing fancy travel toothbrushes Tweezers, nail clipper, matches Miscellaneous Previously Used to carry a Flexo-line travel clothesline, but wool clothes dry so much faster than cotton and there are always doorknobs and chairs to hang clothes on (and paracord if you ever really needed a line)

GoToob refillable containers. Only useful for short trips so you can refill them from your large bottles instead, duh. Rope Currently 20m Rothco 550lb Type III paracord Notes Handy for laces, ties, straps, and a dozen miscellaneous tasks I didn’t notice until I started carrying it. You want the 7-strand core Type III paracord, sometimes reffered to as US military MIL-C-5040H to be pedantic. Great deals are common and counterfeit; this link goes to a slightly lower-grade but much cheaper version. Wrapped and then locked down by an equally useful bit of wire.

Loose items and clothing

I used to keep clothes in Eagle Creek Compression Bags, but they were bulky, inconvenient, and wore out after a few months. Now I achieve much the space savings by “ranger rolling” clothing (this has many names). In short, you invert a flap of few inches of the garment (waistband of pants, waist of shirts, top of socks, etc.), fold into thirds (so the flap can be held in place by compression), tightly roll from the other end, and then wrap the flap over the roll. This may sound complex, but you will be an expert about the third time you try it. Here’s good videos for: t-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, pants, towels, briefs, socks. Dirty clothes can be segregated in a separate plastic grocery bag or by leaving unrolled.

Much of the clothing listed is wool. Modern wool is softer and more comfortable than ten or twenty years ago, making it much superior to cotton in many ways: wool’s more durable, wrinkles relax out of wool, wool doesn’t stick to you to chill you when wet, wool dries faster and, best of all, wool is naturally bacteria-resistant so it takes longer to smell. You can get good clothing from Minus33, Terramar, and Icebreaker; though at any given time most have obnoxious logos.

Read all that? Tell me where you’re headed and if you’ve thought of better gear.