Favorite Travel Gear: The Pieces Worth Coming Back To Year After Year

Introduction

Plenty of travel gear roundups push a huge pile of new products, much of which does not hold up. After a lot of travel and a lot of testing, the gear that matters most is the stuff that keeps earning a spot in the bag trip after trip. This roundup focuses on exactly that: proven items that come back year after year, plus a few newer pieces that have quickly become favorites. It covers electronics, toiletries, packing organizers, clothing, and packable backpacks.

Electronics

Camera gear has seen the biggest changes in this lineup. DJI products in particular have proven themselves across repeated trips, and the two standouts below cover both everyday filming and water-focused adventures.

DJI Osmo Pocket 3

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is tiny, takes great video, and is genuinely easy to use. The gimbal feature is the highlight, keeping footage steady without any extra effort. It works well as a dedicated walking-tour camera, and the Creator Kit is worth considering because it adds a mini tripod and an extra battery extension pack.

DJI Osmo Action 2

The Osmo Action 2 is another very small option, with a magnetic strap that lets you wear it around your neck for easy hands-free video. It is also waterproof, which makes it a strong pick for snorkeling. It has been used to capture manta rays and sea turtles underwater, and it held up well.

Twelve South AirFly Pro

The AirFly Pro is a classic that still works flawlessly. It is used to pair wireless earbuds with in-flight entertainment systems, and on a recent trip to Hawaii it performed just as well as always. Pairing it with good noise cancelling earbuds makes long flights far more comfortable.

Nitecore NB10000 Gen 2

The Nitecore NB10000 Gen 2 is a favorite battery pack. The updated version adds two USB-C ports, and the whole thing is small, durable, high-powered, and takes up very little space. For ultralight travel, it is hard to beat.

Toiletries and Grooming

A lot of toiletry gear here has stayed in the kit for years because nothing better has come along. For facial grooming, the Philips Norelco OneBlade is the go-to. It is powerful, works really well, and includes grooming attachments for different stubble lengths. It gives a close shave, though not quite as close as a razor, so it suits anyone happy to keep a bit of stubble. Those who want a closer shave and a cleaner sink might look elsewhere, but for all-around travel grooming it is the strongest pick here.

Other toiletry standbys worth noting: small durable pouches like the Eagle Creek Mini QuickTrip and a larger hanging Sea to Summit bag for extra organization, Matador’s refillable toothpaste tube, flat-pack soap cases and bottle holders, tiered pill containers for different amounts of medication, leak-proof two-ounce bottles, a Gillette mini Venus razor, and a travel toothbrush paired with a small soap case that doubles as a washcloth.

Packing Cubes, Pouches, and Organizers

Two standby packing cube brands have lasted for years: Peak Design and Eagle Creek. The Peak Design cubes are a bit heavier but more durable, and they come in compression versions. One style is thinner and wider for larger 35-liter bags, while a skinnier 12-inch-wide version works great for smaller personal-item bags.

Beyond cubes, a few organizers have become near-mandatory: a thin Evergoods Cap 1 pouch, the durable and roomy Pioneer Carry organizer, a Tom Bihn travel tray that folds down into a mini packing cube, and minimalist wallets like the Eagle Creek hidden wallet for passports and cash, the Chums surf short wallet with a security cord, and the slim Pioneer Carry wallet.

Clothing and Wearables

Travel clothing can feel overwhelming, but a few brands consistently deliver. Western Rise pants and shorts that double as swim trunks pack down tiny and look great, and Patagonia’s lightweight t-shirt is incredibly light, quick-drying, and easy to wash despite a slightly higher price. A foam-brimmed hat folds up and takes almost no space, ZeroX sandals pack small enough to take on nearly every trip, and a Sea to Summit nylon poncho is ideal for warm but rainy destinations.

Packable Backpacks and Slings

Packable day packs are the final category, and this is where a few newer items really shine. Matador makes two of the favorites: the Refraction and the FreeFly. Both are simple, lightweight, frameless packs. The Refraction looks a little more stylish, while the FreeFly leans more technical and is more waterproof.

The Tortuga packable backpack is very similar, a bit larger, made of ripstop nylon, and has better back padding and shoulder straps. Anyone wanting more structure can step up to a padded frameless pack with laptop sleeves, and for slings, the Tom Bihn Aviator works well for camera gear while the Alpaka Flight Sling converts from a pouch into a sling that is especially handy on flights.

Conclusion

The best travel gear is rarely the newest gear. These are the electronics, toiletries, packing organizers, and packable bags that repeatedly prove themselves on real trips. Match each pick to your own travel style, and you end up with a kit that gets lighter and better every year.