The Essential List for the Everyday Traveller
Yet another "essentials" travel list this time by a guy that calls himself an expert, you're welcome!
I've traveled to 60 countries, and the best thing I can do for humanity is to make yet another list of “essential items.” But don’t worry, this one is better because I humbly made it. In no particular order, here are 21 essential (and maybe not so essential) items I take as a traveler, so you should too.
1. Universal Adapter
You’re a world traveler, and a world traveler needs to be able to plug into any socket. Get an adapter so you don’t have the right before going to bed realization that you can’t charge your electronics.
2. A Towel
I've been to many hostels where towels are non-existent or in rough conditions. Having a travel towel helps avoid using one of those nasties. Plus, it could save you from paying extra for using one. They also work well for outings, picnics, trekking trips, and any other activity you find yourself doing on your travels.
My favorite: A microfiber towel because they are portable, light, and quick drying.
3. Portable charger
This is a must for any traveler. You use maps to navigate. You’ll take way too many photos and videos. And then end up at great restaurants to take even more photos. Your phone battery will drain quicker than expected. Avoid that issue by having a portable battery. Otherwise, how will you prove to people you did the cool things you did while traveling?
My favorite: Any 10,000 mAh batteries. They are powerful enough for multiple charges and are still light and portable.
4. Daypack
A daypack is best for me because they take up very little space and are light. I have a 50L backpack to carry all my stuff during my travels. A backpack that size is not practical when I want to explore for the day. That's where my daypack comes in handy. It's a quick and easy option to carry a water bottle and other essentials for a full day of wandering.
My favorite: A compressible light daypack. Such as the SeatoSummit day pack, or better yet, get a dry bag so even if you are out in the rain, all your items stay nice and dry.
5. Comfortable Shoes
When you are traveling you will be doing a ridiculous amount of walking and moving around. Make sure to pack a pair of light, comfortable, and durable! Exploring a new city in a foreign country means walking for hours. Sometimes you'll climb an ungodly amount of steps to reach the top of a temple. Protect your feet and pack a good pair of comfortable shoes with you!
My favorite: I love the Glycerin 19s by Brooks. These shoes I used for most of my time training for and completing Project 30.
6. Bar of Soap
Having a bar of soap with you will save you from countless experiences I’ve had where I go into a hotel or hostel bathroom only to find they have no soap. For a traveler, a bar of soap is superior to liquid body wash because of airports' pesky 100ml (3 oz) rule for carry-ons. A bar of soap is guaranteed to be okay on a carry-on.
My favorite: Any bar of soap that does what a bar of soap is supposed to do: make your dirty body clean!
7. Basic First Aid Kit
Some basics I carry with me are band-aids for minor cuts and scratches, Antiseptic cream to prevent infections from cuts, ibuprofen for pain, paracetamol for fever, and Imodium for the stomach.
8. Hygiene & Medication Kit
We all have essential personal hygiene needs, so make sure you bring those items with you. One thing I can recommend for all is nail clippers.
If you are blind like me, make sure to include an extra pair of glasses. You never know when an accident will happen. Also, if you are a contact lens user, bring more than the travel days you have.
9. The PowerPack
AKA a fanny pack, AKA a cross-body bag. Whatever you call this bag, this essential item will make your travel life much easier. I now understand why women have purses with them at all times. So many little items make the day-to-day movement of travel much more convenient.
10. Sanitizer
Small and utterly essential for obvious reasons. Keep a bottle sitting in your power pack at all times.
11. Tissues
Clean filthy hands, blow your nose, and be the kind stranger providing a tissue for their issue. The small portable tissue packages have become a mainstay in my cross-body bag.
12. Wet Wipes
So many good uses for wet wipes. They act as a dry shower to clean yourself while hiking. They make you bum nice and clean when you've done your duty. And on and on. Cottonelle makes eco-friendly wipes that are biodegradable.
13. Reusable Bag
Think of the bags you get from grocery stores made of some cloth. These bags are highly versatile: from being a beach bag to storing your dirty clothes or becoming a shoe bag. Bring one, they barely weigh anything, and they are ridiculously useful.
14. Ziploc Bags
Have wet toiletries? Ziploc them. Have to deal with strange airport security rules for those toiletries? Ziploc them. Want to bring pills or supplements? Ziploc them. Want to prevent your passport from getting wet? Ziploc that bad boy. Ziploc works for so many things. Bring them!
15. Umbrella
You never need one until you need one. It's a good idea to keep one with you. The day will eventually come when torrential, world-ending downpours blindside you while you innocently enjoy a walk. Be prepared!
16. Travel Cubes
These are complete life savers for packing. It makes packing and organizing all your clothes way easier. I can't figure out how I ever traveled without packing cubes.
17. False Wallet
I'll be honest, I have never actually made a false wallet. But after dealing with two robberies, I now see the argument for having one. A false wallet is one where you put false cards (expired cards or bank-issued false cards) and a bit of local currency in the wallet. That way, if you ever go through that very rate circumstance of being robbed, you can pass them this wallet instead of your true wallet.
18. Board Games/Cards
Okay, okay, I know what you are saying: “Dylan, how the hell are games/cards essential?” Well, good question, friend. I argue that it’s an easy way to fight off boredom and a great icebreaker to make new friends. Ultimately, a part of solo traveling is meeting new people, so why not make it a little bit easier if you can?
My favorites: A portable chess board and the simple and wildly entertaining and simple Exploding Kittens card game.
19. Wireless Headphones
Wireless headphones are super portable, light, and convenient. Plus, most of the new ones have effective noise cancellation. I use my headphones all the time. I use them for workouts and even as earplugs, so I don’t have to hear night noises when trying to sleep. Wireless headphones make sleeping so much easier for me. I know that most people are uncomfortable to sleep with. In that case, invest in earplugs so you can sleep well anywhere you are.
My favorite: Airpod Pros because they are the best. Full disclosure, I’m deep into the Apple family of products web (they got me!), so I wouldn’t even get other headphones, no matter if better ones exist.
20. Mosquito Repellant
Those sneaky little bastards are everywhere. EVERYWHERE I say. Pack a small balm or bottle to save yourself from the torture they will unleash on you if you don't.
21. Eye Mask
This is the most essential sleep aid that I have during traveling. It doesn’t matter when or where I am; an eye mask is the secret to a good night’s rest. I can be in northern Scandinavia, where the sun never sets. Or I can be in a bright-ass hostel dorm room. No matter setting, the eye mask ensures you sleep without any light to keep you up. If you end up through this list thinking you can do without any of those items, fine, live your life. But you are absolutely wrong about not packing an eye mask. PACK IT! You’ll thank me when you sleep like a wee little baby at night.
For convenience, here’s the numbered list so you can copy and paste it as part of your future travel pack lists.
Universal adapter
Towel
Portable Charger
Daypack
Comfortable shoes
Soap
Basic First Aid
Hygiene kit
Cross-body bag
Sanitizer
Tissues
Wet wipes
Reusable bag
ZipLoc Bags
Umbrella
Travel cubes
False wallet
Cards
Headphones
Mosquito Repellant
Eye Mask
Let me know what you guys think of the list. Tell me how crazy I am to miss certain items or how wrong I am about having certain items on my essential list. Or don’t comment, just quietly tell yourself your own opinions. That’s fine too. Either way, I hope this list has got you thinking about your next adventure to pack for!