My Travel Essentials: 2024

I have always loved to travel. There’s something about exploring a new place with family or friends or on your own that has always held a certain allure. When I went anywhere as a kid, I overpacked like crazy. If I left the house for an afternoon, I would bring at least two books, some toys, and enough snacks to feed a grizzly bear. I would be prepared for anything and everything. If I was getting on a plane, it got ten times worse. 

I’ve grown out of that overpacking habit and now appreciate packing light. With this post, I want to outline the gear I find essential when traveling and maybe help those with the overpacking bug. 

A quick disclaimer; I am not sponsored by any of these brands or products.

The Luggage

The Allpa 35L Travel Pack

I’m a big fan of one-bag travel. My go-to bag is the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L backpack. Six years ago, I received this backpack as a Christmas present to kick off the gap year I had planned. With trips to Germany, Belgium, Britain, Iceland, and Costa Rica planned, I was ready to put the bag to the test. Handling all of those trips and more with ease, it has become a staple of my travel essentials. 

It opens like a suitcase, so I can easily pack it and keep things organized. Its two main pockets offer plenty of room for my clothes, books, and souvenirs. A dedicated laptop sleeve in the bag offers protection for those who like to work on the go. Its backpack straps are cushioned and comfortable for long days of city exploring or airport sprints. The waist straps offer additional support. Both the backpack and waist straps can be tucked away letting the bag work as a duffel.

I’ve traveled tens of thousands of miles with this pack, hauling it through airports and narrow streets worldwide. It still looks new; it’s that tough and well-made. Let’s just say there’s a reason it shows up in almost every list of great travel packs. It really is that good.

The Cotopaxi Coso 2l Hip Pack

A recent addition to my travel essentials is the Cotopaxi Coso 2l hip pack. This sling/hip pack is perfect for exploring a new city. It's surprisingly spacious and offers enough room to hold all my smaller daily essentials. I took it out daily in Turin, Siena, Florence, and Milan on a recent trip to Italy.

Topo Designs Dopp Kitt

My third bag is the Topo Designs Dopp Kit. Its long A-frame tentlike shape offers plenty of room for my toothbrush, hairbrush, soap, razor, and other personal essentials. Its size and easily packable shape help keep my pack as light as possible.

THE CLOTHES

A Quality Rain Jacket

There is never a worse feeling than getting stuck in the cold, wet, rain with no umbrella or jacket. I always pack a rain jacket. Right now I'm rocking the Cotopaxi Cielo Jacket. It’s lightweight, easily packable, keeps me dry, and looks cool. But a rain jacket doesn’t just work for the rain, it’s the perfect layer for all kinds of conditions.

Merino Wool Baselayers

When it comes to baselayers, merino wool is my favorite. I like Proof’s 72-hour Merino T-shirts. They're easy to pack and can be worn a few days in a row without needing washing, hence the name. They keep me warm and offer UPF 30+ sun protection. I pack two wherever I’m going.

Travel Pants

When traveling, comfort and versatility are everything. Whether you are packed on a prop plane headed to the Costa Rican jungle or running through the Berlin train station to catch a train to Belgium, having the right pair of pants is important. I generally pack two pairs. Any more and I feel overpacked. My go-to selection is a pair of jeans and a pair of travel pants.

It is hard to go wrong with a solid pair of jeans. I pack a pair of dark wash Levi's 501s. They're comfortable, familiar, and easy to dress up with a pair of boots if you're going out. Their deeper pockets help keep your stuff safe and they're thick enough to keep you warm.

My second pair are specifically designed with travel in mind. My favorite pair now is Kuhl’s Free Radikal Pants. They offer a zippered front pocket for my passport and phone. They’re lightweight, somewhat stretchy, and are designed like a chino.

Shoes

I also try to minimize the number of shoes I bring on a trip. I bring a pair of boots and a pair of running shoes. If I'm going someplace tropical, I'll throw in a pair of sandals (my go-to pair are the Chaco Z’s). 

I travel with a pair of boots because they offer a blend of style, comfort, and durability. The pair I travel with are the Timberland Redwood Falls Plain Toe Waterproof Boots. I've had these boots for about two years and they've quickly become my go-to pair. They are incredibly comfortable, lined, and waterproof making them perfect for treks through the Tuscan countryside or pasta dinners in Italian villas.

The running shoes I travel with are the Adidas Ultraboost Light Gore-Tex. Not only are they fully waterproof, but they’re extremely comfortable, making them great for walking, and working out, and are stylish enough not to stand out as regular running shoes.

Tech

Laptop

I travel with a 13” Macbook Pro to edit photos on the go and stay on top of posts for The Modern Explorer. It’s light, durable, and provides all the functionality I need.

Universal Charger

I always carry a Universal charger. I use the Zendure Passport. It boasts three USB-B ports and two USB-C ports. It’s the perfect solution to all of my charging needs.

Apple Air tag

I started stashing an Apple Air Tag in my travel bag this year. It's a quick and easy way to keep track of my bag while exploring.

Headphones

I carry the Apple AirPods Pro. They're covered in a Nomad Goods leather case. The small footprint combined with active noise cancellation makes this pair of headphones an easy travel essential.

Entertainment

A journal

I always take a journal with me. If it wasn’t already obvious, I like to write. I’ve had this journal for six years. It’s a leather-bound refillable journal from Rustico, a company that sadly, has gone out of business. I pair it with a Machine Era Markup pen. The leather has developed quite a nice patina over the years. Wherever I go, this journal comes with me.

Playing cards

I rarely leave the house without a deck of cards. Right now, my favorite deck is Theory 11’s Contraband playing cards. Whether you’re killing time in the airport during a layover or enjoying a morning coffee in a cafe, it's never a bad time to break out a deck of cards for a game of casino.

A book

Somehow, I always find more time to read when I'm traveling. Whether I am waiting on a plane or relaxing on a train ride, it’s never a bad time to sit back, relax, and read a book. Right now I'm reading Neil Gaiman's "American Gods"

Closing Out

These are the things I consider essential while traveling. Thank you for reading, I hope this gives you some inspiration for your next adventure.