Travel Essentials - Clothing & Equipment
Sometimes searching for the right travel equipment and clothing can be both overwhelming and time consuming, with how many products are on the market. We spent months researching what to buy before our big adventure and to save your time we wanted to share our top recommendations.
Some of the items below we personally own and took on our trip with us, others are on our wishlist for our next adventure.
*If you decide to buy any of the items through the links listed below we may receive a commission from Amazon.
Overview: When you’re backpacking a comfortable and easy to access bag is a life saver. This Osprey bag opens in a suitcase style and provides easy access to your items. It has a good amount of compartments and has compression straps that help you reduce the size. It comes with a durable travel case, which is perfect for flights and those dusty bus rides. It fits comfortably on your back and is easily adjustable to your size. This is the best backpack we’ve owned.
Do we own: Yes
Overview: When you’re backpacking a comfortable and easy to access bag is a life saver. This Osprey bag opens in a suitcase style and provides easy access to your items. It has a good amount of compartments and has compression straps that help you reduce the size. It comes with a durable travel case, which is perfect for flights and those dusty bus rides. It fits comfortably on your back and is easily adjustable to your size. This is the best backpack we’ve owned.
Do we own: Yes
Overview: There is both a Men’s and Women’s (Questa) version, but Questa is currently unavailable to buy. A great day pack, with comfortable straps that is easy to take on multi-day hikes. Makes a perfect carry on luggage for flights, without any issue with its size. There are extra compartments for extra storage and side pockets for water bottles.
Do we own: Yes
Overview: The most comfortable hiking shoes that Sandra has ever owned. Prior to our travels Sandra struggled to make a decision to between boots or shoes, but in the end these turned out to be perfect and took Sandra to Everest Base Camp, Mount Rinjani, Santa Cruz Trek, and many other treks. The fast lacing system make them super easy to put on and provide great support. They are lightweight and don’t make your feet feel tired at the end of a hike.
Do we own: Yes
Overview: Extremely comfortable hiking boots which have lasted a couple of years already, and still look brand new. Great quality with a strong sole that makes any hike super easy. Ankle support is impressive as there have been a number of ankle twists already and no injuries so far. Even walking through streams and rainy weather conditions, the waterproof lining has been tested to its limits and is safe to say, lives up to its name.
Do we own: Yes
Overview: Packing cubes are extremely helpful with organising your luggage. We rushed our decision when purchasing packing cubes and ended up with a budget product, which has already started to wear within six months. We also regret not opting for the compression packing cubes to save extra space in our luggage. This item is on the top of our list for the next trip.
Do we own: On our wishlist
Overview: Packing cubes are extremely helpful with organising your luggage. We rushed our decision when purchasing packing cubes and ended up with a budget product, which has already started to wear within six months. We also regret not opting for the compression packing cubes to save extra space in our luggage. This item is on the top of our list for the next trip.
Do we own: On our wishlist
Overview: Packing cubes are extremely helpful with organising your luggage. We rushed our decision when purchasing packing cubes and ended up with a budget product, which has already started to wear within six months. We also regret not opting for the compression packing cubes to save extra space in our luggage. This item is on the top of our list for the next trip.
Do we own: On our wishlist
Overview: This jacket has been in Brett’s wardrobe for around 5 years now, it’s tested some challenging conditions, but sadly it’s time to purchase a new version. After skiing in Poland there was some damage after a few falls. Nevertheless, this jacket provides great warmth in extreme weather and is super light, comfortable, and packs easily into any backpack.
Do we own: Yes
Overview: Purchased just prior to our big travels, this jacket has proved to be worth every penny. Sandra struggles with the cold weather anyway, but during the cold treks, this jacket has kept her warm enough to survive. It is super light, comfortable, and packs easily into any backpack.
Do we own: Yes
Overview: Brett’s waterproof jacket is currently an older version and is due an upgrade. These waterproof jackets are perfect in windy conditions, but also keep you dry when you get caught in the rain. It dries quickly, so it makes repacking super easy.
Do we own: Yes
Overview: Having to buy all of the hiking equipment prior to our travels Sandra wanted to find a budget friendly rain jacket. Even though it is not a fancy brand, it’s proven to be a very good quality. It has been tested in heavy rain and strong wind, and for the price Sandra has been extremely satisfied with it. No need for an upgrade on our return. It will definitely come in handy when we are back to London rainy weather.
Do we own: Yes
Overview: Not the best fashion statement, but when you need to hike or camping at night in the cold weather, these sweaters will keep you warm.
They are bulky and you rarely use them, but when you do need them, you are happy you’ve been carrying one around with you.
Do we own: On our wishlist
Overview: Not the best fashion statement, but when you need to hike or camping at night in the cold weather, these sweaters will keep you warm.
They are bulky and you rarely use them, but when you do need them, you are happy you’ve been carrying one around with you.
Do we own: On our wishlist
Overview: Another item that is not a great fashion statement, but exactly what you need for hiking. Sandra finds all the trekking trousers ugly and didn’t want to spend too much money on a pair, but these have done exactly everything they were designed to do. Sandra has been satisfied with the quality and the price of this product. Perfect for hiking in those muddy and wet surroundings.
Do we own: Yes
Overview: Brett’s last hiking trousers did not last long into our trip and needed to be thrown away. The North Face brand has always turned out to be a high quality brand, with these hiking trousers providing great pockets, and easy to convert into shorts option. On our return to the UK these will be high on Brett’s list for our next trekking adventure.
Do we own: On our wishlist
Overview: This product is costly but is worth every penny, and has lasted for many years so far, with hopefully many more to come. A great base layer for hiking and camping, in those cold conditions. Would not change for a cheaper alternative, because the quality is so superior. Super easy to pack away.
Do we own: Yes
Overview: This product is costly but is worth every penny, and has lasted for many years so far, with hopefully many more to come. A great base layer for hiking and camping, in those cold conditions. Would not change for a cheaper alternative, because the quality is so superior. Super easy to pack away.
Do we own: Yes
Overview: Sandra went for a budget option for her base layers and soon started to regret that decision. After touching the fabric of Brett’s base layers, this product was soon added to her wish list. Even though the budget option was a third of the price, after just one wear it started to fall apart. This product is a great base layer for hiking and camping, in those cold conditions. Would not change for a cheaper alternative, because the quality is so superior. Super easy to pack away.
Do we own: On our wishlist
Overview: Sandra went for a budget option for her base layers and soon started to regret that decision. After touching the fabric of Brett’s base layers, this product was soon added to her wish list. Even though the budget option was a third of the price, after just one wear it started to fall apart. This product is a great base layer for hiking and camping, in those cold conditions. Would not change for a cheaper alternative, because the quality is so superior. Super easy to pack away.
Do we own: On our wishlist
Overview: If your feet get cold and you need them to warm up after that long and cold hike these are a great option on the market. Throughout the night they will keep your feet nice and warm. What a great way to wake up. The comfort level is really impressive, as they are not tight and let your feet and legs feel relaxed and free.
Do we own: Yes
Overview: If your feet get cold and you need them to warm up after that long and cold hike these are a great option on the market. Throughout the night they will keep your feet nice and warm. What a great way to wake up. The comfort level is really impressive, as they are not tight and let your feet and legs feel relaxed and free.
Do we own: Yes
Overview: Yes, this product will hurt your bank balance, but personally have been worth every penny so far. The quality is so good they have already lasted nearly six years, with hopefully the same to come. They have kept Brett’s hands super warm and cosy in any condition, and even if you’re not hiking they can be used in every day winter conditions. If you want to take that perfect picture in minus conditions the pads of the gloves allow you to use any touch screen phone, without taking them off.
Do we own: Yes
Overview: A budget friendly option that has tested well in the cold weather conditions. During the rain they have kept Sandra’s hands dry and warm. The padding inside is very soft and pleasant to feel. Although they are a cheaper product Sandra has been extremely satisfied with this purchase, so if you are on a budget, you can always consider this option.
Do we own: Yes
Overview: Although sleeping bags are bulky and end up attached onto the outside of your backpack, taking your own is more convenient and more hygienic. Hiring sleeping bags that many have used and has never been washed, might not sound appealing to all. For those who get cold at night in even warmer climates, traveling on air conditioned buses, or camping in colder climates, this sleeping bag will be your life saver.
Do we own: Yes
Overview: Carrying your own water bottle comes in handy as a lot of hostels in the countries we have been to have offered filtered water for free, where you can top up your bottle. On top of that you use less plastic, which is great for the planet. 1L is a great size for a day hike and easily fits into the side pocket of the back pack. The design allows you to easily hook the bottle onto your trousers, or any strap. Unfortunately, this bottle was left behind in Panama, and on our return to the UK we are planning to replace it.
Do we own: Yes
Overview: One regret we have is not buying a water bottle with a built in filter. It is very useful on treks, where you can use a river as your water source, but then don’t have to worry about bacteria and parasites.
Do we own: On our wishlist
Overview: To limit the weight of our luggage we decided not to buy any hiking poles, as we only thought we would use them in only our first destination (Nepal). It turned out that we have been hiking a lot in all the countries we have been to so far and these would have come in handy. Mostly on our way down from our hikes we realised using hiking poles would offer great support for our knees. We have therefore added these to our wishlist, as they seem to be great quality, lightweight, and come with a storage bag.
Do we own: On our wishlist
Overview: A tiny, but very useful item. You can use carabiners to attach any item to your backpack, from your hiking boots, sleeping bag, water bottle, to your wet clothes that you want to dry whilst hiking.
Do we own: Yes
Overview: Another small item that is often overlooked by travellers, but is essential to keep your belongings safe. It comes with a TSA certification and can be used to lock your backpack on a flight, or your locker in hostels. We find it better to use a padlock with a code rather than a key, because it’s easier to remember your pin, than where you put that tiny key.
Do we own: Yes