Having spent almost a year on the road in Asia there are a few items that I’ve found incredibly useful and versatile. I’m certainly not the lightest traveller, but carrying 20kgs and having the necessary gear for most pursuits, weather types and actives has proved to be more important to me than staying light and nimble.
1) Backpack – Osprey Aether 60
(http://www.ospreypacks.com)
A good lightweight but strong pack is essential piece of gear. One should consider size, durability, utility and comfort.
- Stow on the go – I love to hike, and the Osprey Aether provides a really cool stow on the go mechanism that allows me to quickly stow hiking poles without having to take the pack off my back
- Durable with excellent panel stitching. A backpack takes a lot of abuse while travelling. Public transport in Asia can be quite challenging. The Osprey performs well with its aluminium frame, water resistant material and strong compression straps
- Osprey Airporter – lockable bag that you can throw over your pack when checking-in luggage at the airport. Excellent opportunist thief deterrent and keeps your pack dry.
2) iPad/iPod Touch/MacBook Air
I do travel with quite a lot of technology but allow me to explain the benefits of devices
such as an e-reader or netbook while on the road before you label me as a ‘flash packer’.
- An e-Reader is excellent particularly for travel guides. The number of times I’ve met fellow travellers trying to off load several books they no longer wish to carry. I keep all my books in digital format. Its a real space saver and convenient for long journeys. I recommend downloading the Kindle app.
- Skype – Its the only way family and friends can really contact me. Skype is perfect for anyone who likes to make cheap or free calls to their loved ones back home.
- Blogging – WordPress, tumblr – I’ve most of my blog posts using these apps for iPad.
- Photo Editing – self explanatory. Show your friends and family all your best holiday photographs
- Making reservations and travel research – WiFi is pretty easy to find in most guest houses, travel hubs and coffee shops. Use your technology’s WiFi capabilities to research travel destinations and make reservations. Simple.
- Lightweight – gone are the days when you lug around several kgs worth of kit. Apple in particular understands the demand for slim and lightweight devices. Account for an extra 3-4kgs for your travel tech including chargers and cables.
- Music – If you’re like me, I quickly get tired of my music collection. These devices allow you to download new songs, podcasts and even movies on the road.
3) Ruggedized Vacuum Bags
I cannot tell you how useful these things were. I opted for the strengthened vacuum packs from PackMate (http://www.packmate.co.uk/). Some of the benefits include.
- Squeeze bulky items like fleece jackets into a very small space
- No vacuum cleaner required. Simply roll the pack to push all the air out.
- waterproof and hardwearing.
- Use to provide cushioning for fragile items in you pack
4) SteriPEN
- Environmentally Friendly – less plastic waste
- Tastes better than iodine pills
- Can
5) Exped or Sea to Summit Dry Pack
- Excellent for wet weather pursuits like rafting, waterfalls and scuba diving
- Keep valuables particularly expensive cameras, other electronics. Also nice to change into a dry set of clothes from time time. I was in South East Asia during rainy season it became an essential item.
6) Exped Packable cells
- Keeps your pack organised
- available is different sized to fit day packs as well as main back pack
- Glow in the dark zippers
7) Washing Line
- Nothing worse than damp rotting clothing in your pack.
- Easy to hang in hotel rooms or balconies
8) System Camera
- Performs like a bulkier Digital SLR but half the size
- Interchangeable lenses for every eventuality
- Not pocketable but light enough to carry around your neck for even the longest treks
9) Nike ACG Sandals or Tevas
- Most people settle for flip-flops. Something more hardwareing is perhaps more ideal
- washable and breathable
- Can be used for hiking or water based activities
- Wear them in first to deter opportunist thieves when visiting temple
10) First Aid Kit
- Be fully prepared for all eventualities
- Bandages, plasters and antiseptic creams for cuts
- Anti-fungal creams for sweat related itching
- Pills for nausea, diarrhoea, headache, sleeping and malaria
- Chapstick for cold climates
- Alcohol wipes to clean wounds
- Idodine to treat open sores and scrapes
- scissors for cutting skin, bandages and bandaids.
finding | neel 