Best Travel Brands Recommendations
Picking solid, reliable and long-lasting gear is a vital part of the travel experience. Check out our best-tested travel brand recommendations and items below.
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Gear Recommendation Resources
Listed here are the top travel brands I’ve used and adore. The products hold up, last for years, and handle well in a variety of different environments.
REI
When I need to purchase new outdoor gear for specialized trips, I always end up at REI. The Co-operative company sells camping gear, hiking gear, climbing tools, cycling equipment, water-travel tools, running shoes, fitness equipment, snow gear, travel equipment, as well as clothing.
Lifestraw
Lifestraw’s mission is to make water safe and drinkable worldwide. Their products have provided over 6 million children with clean, potable water sources. Their product lines are good for emergencies, as well as everyday water use abroad.
Patagonia
Patagonia has made a name for itself as one of the greatest travel-clothing options in the world. When it comes to specialized attire for different climates, Patagonia always has exactly what I need available.
The Gear I Love
The list below doesn’t refer to brands, but specific gear I’ve been using for years. Every item on this list is in my backpack right now after a minimum of two years of use in multiple countries.
Osprey Backpacks
Ten years ago, I abandoned my military surplus store backpack for a Farpoint 40 Osprey Travel Pack. I’ve never replaced my bag since. Two years ago, I bought two more Ospreys for my younger siblings on their first tour outside the country. I have nothing but praise for Osprey Products.
Black Diamond Headlamps
There was an unfortunate time in life where I was in the cold and dark tundra of Mongolia trying to use a outhouse bathroom while wrangling a flashlight. Since then, I’ve only traveled with headlamps. The Black Diamond Headlamp’s batteries last for a year or so at a time while hardly weighing a thing.
Darn Tough Socks
Darn Tough Makes the best socks on the planet, without any of the competition coming close. My five pairs haven’t ever been replaced and I’ve been a customer for over five years now.
Eddie Bauer Hiking Pants
Chinos are my favorite long-pants for travel. And the Eddie Bauer clothing company makes them properly. They look good enough to wear to work, and they’re sturdy enough to handle about two years of hiking. The fabric is thick enough to be protective in foliage and light enough to vent heat.
Fire-Maple 1L Hard Anodized Aluminum Pot
This cooking pot is perfect for single meals. I use it in hostels, apartments and on camping trips. The narrow shape lays down flat in my bag and the material is very light. The folding handles make it a good tool for making hot chocolate on cold mornings
Jade Travel Yoga Mat
I picked up my yoga mat three years ago during a trip to Mexico. The Jade Travel Yoga Mat is light enough to roll up and attach it to the outside of my bag. It now doubles as my workout mat and a sleeping mat when I need to rest somewhere odd.
iClever Remote Keyboard
Sometimes, when traveling, I don’t have a dedicated workspace. But the iClever keyboard solved this for me. The remote, folding keyboard is light and compact, allowing me to type on any surface to any device. It’s instrumental in operating this site.
Skog Å Kust Watertight Day Bag
Everyone should have a day bag. My favorite is the Skog Å Kust Watertight Bag. It’s easy to sling over my shoulders and lets me walk without fear of m devices getting damaged in the rain. Better yet, I can go swimming with electronics whenever I need to,
Merino Wool Magic Scarf (Buff)
Magic scarfs are extremely useful tubes of fabric. This one in particular is designed for cold weather, making it my scarf, wristband, earmuffs, face mask sweatband and ski cap as needed.
Skinner’s Rollup Running Shoes
I generally travel with heavier shoes for long-distance treks. This works fine, but it makes it hard to work out until a friend in Texas recommended me these. They work like socks with rubber bottom grips. They roll up extremely small, making them the perfect hybrid shoe for morning workouts.
BAGAIL Compression Packing Cubes
Organizing luggage is a pain. BAGAIL Compression packing cubes make packing, organization, security checkpoints and laundry much easier. Make sure to specifically get compression brands, as they’re better at packing luggage more tightly.
Microfiber Towel
The Hitchhiker’s Guide was right: There’s nothing more useful than a towel. This towel packs light, dries fast, doubles as a picnic blanket and cleans easily. There are countless brands of microfiber towels, but the important aspect is the size based on individual needs. Try to get a pair; One large for daily use and one small for washing face.
Brite Lightingtech Universal Adapter
The Brite Lightingtech Universal Adapter has been with me since the beginning. It was my first purchase when I was nineteen, charging my devices in dozens of countries. I’ve only needed to replace the adapter once after a decade of use.
GoPro Hero9 Black
The GoPro Hero Black is my go to Action camera. I’m not comfortable bringing my cell phone to many wet and rugged locations, so the GoPro does most of my photographic heavy-lifting. The only things I bring in my GoPro kit are the camera, a spare battery and the forehead mount. I upgrade my GoPro once every two years. It was particularly excellent to have during my aquatic tour of Belize.
Horizon Hound Trek Blanket
I bought this blanket for a late-autumn trek through Natchez Trace in the United States. Since then, it’s gone everywhere with me. The blanket is lightweight, stuff-able, warm and durable. But my favorite features are the buttons. The blanket can be buttoned up the sides, turning it into a long thermal poncho when I don’t want to leave the warmth of my bed.
Philips Norelco Electric Razor
Finding a trimming razor was a pain until I got this from Philips. The razor holds charge for a long time and the charging port is compatible with a micro USB, like my other devices. Since it’s battery powered, I can use it in the wilderness. The device isn’t completely waterproof, which is a bummer, but it works everywhere I’ve taken it. I left most of the attachments behind
Anker Wireless Charger 313 Pad
I hate juggling cords. The hassle of finding the exact port to fit the exact device exhausts me and too many cords add up to a lot of extra weight. I started using a wireless platform chargers and all my headaches vanished. I now have something to offer to people when their phones die, even if they didn’t bring their own charger. This model is cheap, small, light and sturdy.
ExOffico Travel Underwear
This is the best travel-underwear brand on the market. Lightweight, breathable, anti-odor, good-elasticity, sturdy, comfortable, quick drying and easily washable, I’ve been repurchasing this brand for almost a decade now.