Although my packing method is relatively consolidated, whether for a sailing holiday or a trip on the road, there are always variations dictated by the weather, the characteristics of the trip, and sometimes even my own mood at the time of departure.
Over the years, I have created an essential travel gadget bag I always carry, no matter the destination. It contains essential bits of kit I can’t travel without.
My essential travel gadgets are among the questions most frequently asked of me by my friends or via email by blog readers. Therefore, I decided to write about them to speed up my future replies because I feel like doing it.
My essential travel gadgets package
Before I forget to mention it, if you’re going on the road with any serious hardware, make sure your travel insurance contains dedicated gadgets cover, and check the excess on any claims for loss or theft.
Also, are you a minimalist travelling person who occasionally likes to be a little smarter?
In addition to the following travel gadgets, instantly make yourself feel a bit more glam with a few lightweight items: a tinted SPF lip balm, dangly earrings, a light scarf, and a Travalo (a lipstick-sized perfume atomiser).
1. Packing Cubes
I pack my clothes and carry them in these packing cubes to find everything quickly without rummaging in the bag.
They are simply bags of various sizes for neatly storing clothes. They are usually sold in sets of three or four bags, each with two sides. I usually divide the clothes by type: T-shirts and tops, sweatshirts, pants, evening dresses, lingerie, etc. It makes it much easier to organize my luggage.
2. Waterproof wash bag
A few years ago, a bottle of shampoo exploded during a flight, and when I opened the bag once at the hotel, I could have started crying, noting the disaster: I had nothing clean and dry to wear.
I then replaced the beauty case with this Helly Hansen waterproof wash bag. Although shampoo, shower gel, or other products of this type emerge from their bottle, I need to rinse my cosmetic bag and its contents.
Once at a destination, I also often use it for personal items, money, phone, etc., during boat excursions. It’s very useful!
3. Silk sleeping bag
I bought the first cotton sleeping bag at the beginning of summer in 2001 for a musical weekend under the sun of Provence. It was comfortable, but not as much as I’d liked. A few months later, entering Nature et Découverte, a French chain of stores I love, I found the same bag in silk, and since then, I have always carried it with me!
The silk sleeping bag allows me to sleep peacefully, regardless of dubious cleanliness (very useful in cheap London hotels!).
I use the Stretch Silk Liner, and it’s still perfect after over ten years and many trips.
4. Microfiber towel
These microfiber towels, usually used in swimming pools, are available at Decathlon and other shops selling sporting gear in all colours and budgets.
Comfortable and lightweight, it dries instantly, and like the sleeping bag, it relaxes me when I’m unsure how clean the accommodation I’m staying in is… I opted for this set of two microfiber towels in the shiny pink version 😉
5. Padlocks
I always carry three padlocks inside my pocket to close the bag and possibly the lockers in the hostels and guesthouses, which are somehow not too reassuring, like the one I booked in Siem Reap.
6. Scale
In the last four years, I significantly reduced my luggage size and weight, dropping to less than 7kg for a month on the road between Paris, Argentina, and New York, with climate changes and travelling style. What I didn’t leave behind are my habits of always carrying a small digital scale and telling the truth. Most of the time, I have to borrow it from other travellers I met along the way.
7. Universal adapter
I always keep it inside the pocket of my bag, just in case. For convenience, I opted for this universal adapter with USB ports.
8. Portable charger
Digital detox is something I spontaneously use to practice during any journey. Unfortunately, lately, I have always had to work a few hours per day, even on holiday, to connect regularly.
To avoid nasty surprises, I therefore travel with this portable battery charger.
9. Canon
I travelled some years ago, especially in the early days after purchasing the first iPhone, leaving my camera at home. The smartphone’s photos were not bad; it was light and allowed me to share my pics in real time, but the frustration arrived on time in the evening, in front of a beautiful landscape or when a detail struck me.
Now I’m back to basics and happily bear the weight and bulk of my Canon EOS 750D, which, despite everything, never disappoints me!
10. Kindle
In 2009, I backpacked through Thailand with my brother and several pounds of books… Yeah, I can’t leave books behind nor exchange them, and I usually read at least two a week … my brother hated me, and once back home, he gave me a Kindle.
I didn’t want it; it didn’t have the unique smell of the paper or its charm, and it wasn’t as lovely as a book. Then, I noticed that the font size and brightness were adapted to my views. The battery lasted for weeks. Most of the books that interested me were free or much, much cheaper than a traditional book. It was light, and thanks to the free 4G, I could download new books in any language in just one minute. It also allowed me to take notes and underline.
Since 2010, except for art books, I have read pretty much just on my beloved Kindle, where I also upload my travel documents, insurance, copy of my passport, and other documents I might need on the road.
Last weekend, however, it suddenly abandoned me, and then I just ordered the new version, which is even called Kindle Voyage. It might be a bit expensive, but considering the number of books I read, it is absolutely worth it!
As stated at the beginning, these are my essential travel accessories. Still, I fill my super orange Helly Hansen bag with far more things, always keeping it remarkably light (!). I have all the details in my short guide to packing light.
Do you have a list of essential travel gadgets, too? Shall I add something to my own?
