Travel Photography Gear

I’ve been working as a travel photographer & blogger for 10-years, so I get a lot of questions about what kind of photography gear I use. Take a peek inside my camera bag!

Now, when you’re reading this list, please understand that I’m a working professional freelance photographer. I own a lot of gear. Much more than I first started with.

Most travelers don’t need backup cameras, drones, and multiple lenses.

If you’re simply interested in a good portable camera for traveling, make sure to check out my complete guide to the best travel cameras for every budget.

I also share some photography gear recommendations for beginners at the end of this post, and you can check out my personal Amazon Shop to see all my photography & travel gear.

Keep in mind that I don’t pack absolutely everything on this list in my camera bag all the time, instead I pack according to each trip and shooting scenario.

My Travel Photography Gear In 2022

Sony A7R III – Main Camera Body

I was a Canon fanboy for years and started my backpacking adventures back in 2010 with the Canon 7D. However, when Sony came out with their smaller (and superior) mirrorless A7 line, I made the switch.

Since then I’ve been using Sony cameras & lenses for the past 6-years.

Sony’s camera & sensor technology is often far ahead of competitors these days — in fact, even Nikon uses Sony sensors in their cameras!

The Sony A7R III is built for high-end landscape photography with a massive 42.4-megapixel full-frame sensor. This sensor is HUGE! But the camera body isn’t, which is pretty incredible.

Frankly, this is far too much camera for most travelers though.

If you are trying to save some money, another great option is picking up a used Sony A7 III or Sony A6600. Both are amazing cameras for travel photos.

Camera Lenses

Sony 16-35mm F2.8 – Wide Angle Lens

The 16-35mm F2.8 is the lens that’s on my camera 75% of the time. As a landscape photographer, I love shooting wide to capture as much of a big landscape as possible.

But you can also get decent portraits out of it zoomed in to 35mm and stopped down to F2.8. This lens works well for night and star photography too.

There is a less expensive version of this, the Sony 16-35mm F4 which is another decent option too.

Sony 24-70mm F2.8 – Medium Zoom Lens

Occasionally I need a little more reach. Or, I only have space for one lens (like on bigger hiking trips), and want the best of both worlds.

The 24-70mm F2.8 isn’t quite as wide, but often wide enough for most landscapes. With the added ability to zoom in to small subjects far away, or to compress the background making mountains “look” bigger.

This is also my go-to portrait lens for taking photos of people!

Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM – Telephoto Zoom

The 100-400mm F4.5 is my wildlife photography lens, outdoor portraits, or to compress big mountain ranges. I don’t use it that often, and don’t bring it along on every trip. If weight is an issue, it’s usually the first to be left behind.

But if I have a particular shot in mind that requires a telephoto, I’ll bring it.

By adding a Sony 1.4X teleconverter, I can increase the range to 560mm (which is nice for safari photography).

Additional Photography Equipment

Sony RX100 VII – Backup Camera

For a long time, I only traveled with one camera. But as I began getting hired for professional photography gigs, I realized that a backup camera was a wise investment.

The Sony RX100 is a tiny point & shoot pocket camera with professional features. It offers full manual control, and the ability to shoot in RAW format.

I also use it for shooting time-lapses, vlogging, and for certain situations where I don’t want to bring my large camera with me. Like sketchy parts of town, into bars/nightclubs, etc.

For most travelers, this would be a perfectly fine primary travel camera too! It’s super small, but super powerful. It even has a 200mm zoom for wildlife!

GoPro Hero 9 – Action Camera

I’ve been using a GoPro since I started traveling ten years ago. I’ve owned almost all the models! Currently, I travel with the GoPro Hero 9.

GoPro cameras are great at capturing hands-free action or “b-roll” and you can attach them to almost anything. Plus, they are waterproof and shockproof!

I use my GoPro for surfing, mountain biking, hiking, snowboarding, snorkeling, scuba diving, cliff jumping, interior and exterior moving-vehicle footage, and more.

Just owning a GoPro is not enough to get great images and video. The magic of these cameras is in the multitude of accessories that are available for them!

DJI Mavic Air 2 – Flying Drone

The perfect tool for capturing aerial photography and video, while costing much less than renting a helicopter! Drones have really come a long way.

I couldn’t be happier with the DJI Mavic Air 2.

It flies super fast, is extremely reliable, and shoots high-quality RAW photos and 4K video. Not to mention it folds up crazy small!

The 360-degree sensors help stop you from running into things while flying, so you can concentrate on the shot. Active track and intelligent flight modes can do a lot of the work for you.

Top Online Photography Courses

Want to improve your photography? Fancy gear is nice, but learning from other photographers is a better investment.

Click Here For Free Guide

Camera Bags For Travel Photography

Peak Design Travel Backpack – Camera Daypack

It took me a while to find a great camera backpack that I really loved, and I went through many different ones.

I finally found a winner in the Peak Design Travel Backpack. It holds everything I need it to, sits comfortably on my back, and has the perfect amount of weatherproofing and gear protection.

You can strap on a tripod, hiking poles, and other day-hiking gear. There’s a dedicated laptop pocket, room for a jacket and snacks, plus it opens from the back for easy access on the ground. It’s perfect to carry-on airplanes or walk around a city with my photo gear.

Now, it’s not really set up for long-distance trekking or overnight camping though. For that, I use a different setup.

Peak Design Range Pouch – Camera Lens Bag

This is a special lens pouch, and the large size is big enough to keep a 100-400mm zoom lens safe & secure.

Or you can fit two smaller lenses in it (with a divider) or even a drone.

I use this specifically for long-distance trekking adventures, when I want to bring along an extra lens or my drone, but I also need to carry a regular hiking backpack filled with food, clothing, and camping gear.

It’s also handy for safely packing a camera lens in my suitcase, if my camera bag is going to be too heavy for some smaller airplane flights (specifically tropical islands!).

My Lightweight Camera Tripod

Peak Design Travel Tripod – Lightweight Tripod

As a landscape photographer, a solid yet lightweight travel tripod is a key piece of my photography equipment.

I use my Peak Design Travel Tripod (full review here) to stabilize the camera in low light situations and with high f-stop settings (for maximum focus range). It allows me to get shots I just can’t achieve hand-held.

Sunsets, sunrises, the northern lights, star photography, and motion blurred waterfalls are just some of the situations where having a tripod is important.

I also use it to film myself for vlogs, as well as to shoot travel selfies when I’m hiking on my own. There are cheaper tripod options available, which I share in my guide to the best travel tripods.

Favorite Camera Accessories

Peak Design Capture Clip

I love this thing so much! Basically, the Peak Design Capture Clip allows you to “clip” your camera onto your belt, or on the shoulder straps of a backpack, for easy access (and to keep your hands free).

I use it constantly for day hikes, long-distance trekking, walking around cities, and basically, anywhere I know I’ll want quick access to my camera. While I still use a camera strap sometimes, this is the primary way I carry my camera. You can even run with it!

It’s also a great photography gift idea, if you’re unsure what a photographer would want.

HINT: If you have a larger camera, the Peak Design Pro Pad makes carrying it on your belt MUCH more comfortable.

Peak Design Camera Strap

When I’m not using my Peak Design camera clip mentioned above, I snap on this Peak Design Leash Camera Strap and sling it around my shoulders it like you’d wear a rifle.

The Peak Design quick release system allows me to easily remove the strap if it’s getting in the way, or snap it right back on. Adjusting the strap length is also super fast. It’s pretty minimal and doesn’t take up much room in a camera bag. 

Camera Rain & Snow Protection

So, if I’m carrying my camera on my backpack straps, what happens if it starts raining? While my Sony A7R III has decent weather sealing, in bad weather I throw on my Peak Design Shell Rain Cover. This helps protect my camera from the elements, while also keeping it ready to access.

Now if the rain or snow is REALLY coming down, or I’m shooting near the ocean (like in Antarctica), or maybe under a waterfall, I also pack a simple plastic rain sleeve like this.

External Microphones

For video, the internal microphones on cameras just aren’t very good. In fact, they’re pretty terrible. Because audio is SO important for creating a good video, I pack two different external microphones.

One is the Sennheiser MKE 400 Shotgun, which goes on the top of my camera. Great quality, and very small.

The other is the Tascam DR-TL Lavalier. This goes on my body, so I can get great audio even if the camera is far away, the room has a lot of echoes, or if it’s super windy out. You can than easily sync the audio to the video later while editing.

LED Video Light

This tiny but powerful Aputure ALM9 LED Light mounts to the camera’s hot-shoe and allows me to shoot video at night. It takes up almost no space and can be recharged via USB cable.

Camera Lens Filters

Lens filters help you achieve certain photography effects that just aren’t possible with software yet. Think of them as sunglasses for your camera.

I carry a Hoya Fusion One Polarizing Filter to help reduce glare & reflections on water, glass (like through helicopter windows), and to darken up the blues and clouds in a sky.

I also carry a Tiffen Variable ND Filter (neutral density) which cuts down the amount of light going into the camera to different degrees, depending on how much you spin it. Why? To create special effects like motion blur in a waterfall, even when it’s sunny outside.

Wireless Remote

One of my favorite pieces of gear is the Sony Bluetooth Remote. This allows me to shoot photos or video remotely, when I’m away from my camera.

I used to own a wireless radio intervalometer remote, but newer Sony cameras have the time-lapse function built into their camera software (FINALLY!), so it is no longer needed.

However I do still like to shoot photos of myself, or group photos, with the ability to auto-focus, and this Bluetooth remote does that perfectly without any special camera attachments!

Memory Cards

Because I shoot in RAW, with very large camera files, I use very fast memory cards. I own a mixture of Sony High-Performance 64GB and SanDisk Extreme Pro 64GB class 10 cards which read/write at around 300 mb/s. 

Spare Batteries

There is nothing worse than running out of battery power during an epic photography moment! That’s why I always carry spare batteries for my cameras.

I own 4 batteries for my Sony A7R III, 2 batteries for my Sony RX100, 3 batteries for my drone, and 3 batteries for my GoPro.

Portable Hard Drives

I travel with an Apple Macbook Air 13″ with a 2TB SDD, which is usually plenty of room for the images & video I shoot on any given trip.

To back that up, I also pack a super small 2TB Sandisk Extreme Portable SSD. Once I get back “home”, I move everything over to a larger desktop RAID system.

Cold Weather Protection

I bought a cold-weather jacket for my camera a while back, for a few winter projects I was working on. Like camping on a frozen lake in Manitoba, and snowmobiling through the Russian wilderness.

It keeps your camera, batteries, lens, and your hands nice and toasty while shooting outdoors in below-zero temperatures. It’s a bit of a specialty product, and only makes it into my bag when I know I’ll be shooting in very extreme weather conditions.

Clear Accessory Pouches

I own a few Think Tank Camera Accessory Pouches to keep all my cables, battery chargers, and GoPro Accessories organized. The clear sides allow me to quickly figure out what’s inside.

Camera Cleaning & Maintenance

Microfiber Lens Cloths

There’s nothing worse than a foggy or smudged camera lens! I pack no less than 3 of these K&F Concept Microfiber Lens Cloths on every trip. Two go in my camera bag, one goes in my pocket for easy access. 

I always end up losing them too, so it never hurts to have more than you need laying around.

Air Blower

The problem with changing your lenses on mirrorless cameras is that the mirror is exposed to the elements, and they’re a magnet for dust. Dust on your sensor leaves you with “dust spots” on your photos (or worse, video).

A few quick bursts of air with this Camera Air Blower on your sensor can help clear that dust away.

Sticky Sensor Stick

When the air blower doesn’t work, and the dust on my sensor is too stubborn to blow away, I break out the big guns, my Eyelead Sensor Stick. It’s kind of like a gummy bear on a stick that pulls the dust away.

Budget-Friendly Camera Kit Examples

Yes, I own a lot of camera gear now. But that wasn’t always the case.

When I first started traveling, all I used was a Canon 7D, a wide angle zoom lens, a tripod, and a GoPro.

If you are still new to travel and adventure photography, don’t get discouraged by this giant list of gear-porn that I’ve accumulated over the years!

I do this professionally, so I can afford to go a little crazy.

For those of you traveling on a tighter budget, I’ve put together my ideal “starter travel photography kits” below — which won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

The Minimalist Backpacker Kit

• Sony RX100 VII – Compact Point & Shoot
• Joby Gorillapod 3K – Compact Tripod

Travel Photography Enthusiast Kit

• Sony A6600 – Compact Mirrorless
• Sony 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 – Travel Zoom Lens
• MeFoto Backpacker S – Travel Tripod
• Peak Design Everyday Sling – Mirrorless Camera Bag

Improving Your Travel Photography

Ok! That was a big post. But people kept asking about my gear, so there you go.

However please remember that gear isn’t everything.

The best way to improve your travel photography is to practice as much as possible and learn new skills.

Even after ten years doing this, I’m still learning new techniques to get better.

Joining some online photography classes can really help you improve your images, as well as learn about the business side of photography.

Finally, check out my top travel photography tips for beginners too! ★

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This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

Curious about the travel gear I bring with me on my international adventures? I’ve put together this gear page to share my long-term travel packing list. Obviously, I recommend traveling with high-quality, lightweight & durable stuff.

The travel gear I use may not work for everyone. I carry extra photography equipment to maintain this travel blog, along with camping equipment for trekking up mountains, hitchhiking long distance, or exploring rainforests from time to time.

All travelers have different tastes & requirements while on the road. The following gear list is just what I’ve found works best for MY particular “adventure” travel style.

While I often travel on a budget, my gear can be expensive. I want it to be functional, multi-purpose, comfortable, and very tough. I don’t want to keep replacing worn-out equipment every few months while abroad — plus I have a slight obsession with keeping travel gear as lightweight as possible!

“He who would travel happily must travel light.“ ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

(One of my favorite quotes about travel!)

Top Travel Gear List For 2022

Travel Luggage: Suitcase VS Backpack

Ah, the eternal question. Travel backpack, suitcase, or rolling duffel? This is going to come down to personal preference — and what kind of traveling you plan to do.

If you’re riding chicken-buses through Central America or hitchhiking around Africa, you’ll probably want a travel-friendly backpack. If you spend a lot of time in cities or fly frequently, you might prefer a rolling duffel or suitcase.

I started vagabonding around the world with a backpack, but my travel style has changed over the years, where I now find a suitcase more convenient for most trips.

Mainly due to carrying a lot more photography gear, plus traveling with kids.

My Main Travel Bags

I currently travel with up to 3 different bags. A rolling suitcase as my main bag, a backpack for trips that entail hiking mountains or trekking, plus an airplane carry-on camera daypack.

I usually only need to check one bag, the hard shell suitcase. The hiking backpack can lie-flat inside it. For bigger trips that require more technical gear (like trekking or winter camping), I’ll check both.

Victorinox Suitcase

My favorite lightweight travel suitcase with lots of room, strong locking zipper and a tough outer shell. Quiet 360 degree wheels that can take plenty of airport abuse.

Hiking & Travel Backpack

This lightweight, comfortable hiking & travel backpack includes full front-zipper access to all my gear. It lies flat in my suitcase if needed.

Camera Daypack

Amazing carry-on camera & laptop backpack. I use this for day hikes with my camera gear, but it has room for things like snacks, water, jacket, full-size tripod, and more.

READ MORE: How To Choose The Perfect Travel Backpack

Basic Travel Gear

This is my basic, standard travel gear that goes with me on every trip. From items that make flights more comfortable to gear that helps me stay organized while traveling.

Filtered Bottle

Packing Cubes

Multi-Tool

Travel Pillow

Travel Scarf

Earplugs

Toiletry Kit

Flatpak Bottles

Passport Wallet

Travel Scale

Folding Duffel

Headlamp

READ MORE: Best Gifts For Travelers In 2021

Backpacking & Camping Gear

As an adventure addict, I do a lot of overnight backpacking, trekking, and camping when I travel. So I pack some specialized outdoor gear for these types of journeys, much of it pretty high-end (super lightweight & durable).

Nemo Tent

Sleeping Bag

Sleeping Pad

Camp Stove

READ MORE: My Complete Backpacking Gear Checklist

Travel Clothing & Apparel

You don’t need a huge wardrobe to travel. Here’s some of the clothing I pack when traveling around the world. I try to buy stuff that’s lightweight and wrinkle resistant. As for how much?

Travel Blazer

Travel Pants

Travel Shorts

Boxer Briefs

Dress Shirts

T-Shirts

Fleece

Socks

Travel Shoes

Sandals

READ MORE: How I Do Laundry While Traveling

Tech Gadgets For Travelers

I would not be able to produce a travel blog of this caliber without some computer equipment. Other electronics are not absolutely needed, but they improve my quality of life on the road enough to be worth the weight.

Travel Plug

Power Bank

Kindle

Headphones

13″ Macbook Air

Unlocked iPhone

Hard Drive

My Travel Photography Gear

For the photographers out there, this is the camera equipment I use for adventure travel photography around the world. While I shoot images for this blog, I also sell images to magazines, brands, and national tourism boards. I carry more camera equipment than the average traveler because it’s part of my business. You can see all my camera gear here.

Sony A7R III

GoPro 9

Mavic Air 2

Travel Tripod

16-35mm

24-70mm

Microphone

Camera Clip

READ MORE: Best Travel Cameras For Different Budgets

Why Not Travel Carry-On Only?

Both my wife & I have traveled carry-on only before, and still do occasionally for short trips. However as I’ve collected more camera gear for the travel photography side of my business, and because we have kids now, I check a bag again.

And you know what? After ten years of regular travel, the airlines have only lost my checked-bag 4 times. In all but one of those cases my bag showed up the next day — it was not a big problem. Losing a bag for a day is not the crisis some travelers pretend it is.

Only once did it take a week to get my bag back. While this particular situation certainly sucked, having this happen once in 10-years, with all the flying I do, does not make it a frequent occurrence.

Checking a bag is not the end of the world… and odds are very high it will be waiting for you at luggage claim.

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

BACKPACKING GEAR

As a professional backpacker, I get many questions about what’s the best travel backpack. There are so many to choose from! Here’s what I would pick, and why.

There’s something magical about traveling to new countries while living out of a backpack. I’ve been doing it for 10-years now, going through my share of travel backpacks in the process.

Getting lost in foreign cities, meeting new people, breaking out of your comfort zone, discovering different cultures, and having life-changing travel experiences is just part of backpacking.

Maybe you’re planning your own backpacking adventure soon — to South East Asia, Europe, or South America — and you need a good travel backpack to hold your clothing & gear.

But what’s the best travel backpack to take on your next adventure?

My goal with this backpack buyer’s guide is to help you narrow down the overwhelming choices that are out there — and pick the top travel backpack for traveling anywhere. Whether you’re traveling for 2-weeks or 2-months.

Why listen to me? Experience! I’ve been backpacking around the world for ten years as a digital nomad, visiting over 50 countries living out of my bag.

Matthew KarstenThe Expert Vagabond

Here’s everything we’re going to cover (feel free to click to a specific section if you want to skip around).

Travel Backpack Buyer’s Guide

Quick Answer: Best Travel Backpacks Of 2023

Backpack

Description

Price

Best Carry On Travel Backpack

Peak Design Travel Backpack

• FEATURES: Front AND Rear loading, comfortable, durable, lockable zippers.
• WEIGHT: 4.5 lbs
• CAPACITY: 30-45L

CHECK PRICE

2nd Best Carry On Backpack

Osprey Farpoint

• FEATURES: Front loading, comfortable, lightweight, lockable zippers.
• WEIGHT: 3.17 lbs
• CAPACITY: 40L

CHECK PRICE

Best Digital Nomad Backpack

Nomatic Travel Bag

• FEATURES: Front loading, carry-on friendly, water resistant, laptop pocket, duffel mode.
• WEIGHT: 4 lbs
• CAPACITY: 40L

CHECK PRICE

Lightest Travel Backpack

Matador Travel Pack

• FEATURES: 5 segments for organization, lightweight, waterproof zippers.
• WEIGHT: 2.4 lbs
• CAPACITY: 42L

CHECK PRICE

Best Adventure Travel Backpack

Gregory Mountain Zulu

• FEATURES: Front loading design, comfortable hip-belt, mesh back panel, stretch pocket.
• WEIGHT: 3.5 lbs
• CAPACITY: 55L

CHECK PRICE

Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks

1. Peak Design Travel Backpack – Matt’s Top Pick

Weight: 4.5 LBS (2 KG)
Capacity: 30-45 Liters
Load Range: 20-40 LBS
Colors: Black, Sage
Best For: Carry-On Travel
Price: Click Here For Latest Price

The best designed backpack I’ve tested so far, the Peak Design Travel Backpack has loads of space, makes it easy to access your gear, and the quality is fantastic. It’s designed with packing cubes in mind, and minimizes the number of extra pockets located around the bag.

You can adjust the size of the bag from 30L to 45L depending on your travel needs. Backpack straps can all be hidden super fast, which is awesome. Another key feature is the ability to add a camera-specific packing cube that can keep your equipment safe, which turns it into an excellent camera backpack.

OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS:

2. Osprey Farpoint 40 – Popular Travel Backpack

Weight: 3.17 LBS (1.4 KG)
Capacity: 40 Liters
Load Range: 20-40 LBS
Colors: Grey, Red, Blue
Best For: Carry-On Travel
Price: Click Here For Latest Price

Probably the most popular carry-on travel backpack right now for GAP year travelers and hostel enthusiasts. The Osprey Farpoint’s front-loading design is super easy to use and holds a lot of gear. But the big draw is how comfortable it is due to a really good suspension system and straps.

The straps can be stowed-away with a zipper, turning this backpack into a streamlined travel bag with a padded carry-handle. The comfortable hip-belt makes it work well for day-hikes, and it’s not as “boxy” looking as other digital nomad backpacks. You can take it on a hike and not look out of place.

There’s also a model specifically for women here.

OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS:

3. Nomatic Travel Bag – Digital Nomad Friendly

Weight: 4 LBS (1.8 KG)
Capacity: 40 Liters
Load Range: 20-40 LBS
Colors: Black
Best For: Carry-On Travel
Price: Click Here For Latest Price

The Nomatic Travel Bag was created after a very successful Kickstarter aimed at minimalist digital nomad types who work while they travel. It’s full of design features that cater to this special demographic.

From a dedicated underwear pocket to power cord management, this carry-on backpack has thought of everything a millennial business traveler could ever want. It converts into a duffel bag and has a dedicated laptop pocket. It also easily attaches to a rolling suitcase.

OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS:

The Best Camera Backpacks

Are you a photographer looking for the perfect camera bag to pack all your gear? Here are my favorite camera backpacks.

Click Here For Free Guide

4. Matador SEG42 – Lightest Travel Backpack

Weight: 2.4 LBS (1 KG)
Capacity: 42 Liters
Load Range: 30 LBS
Colors: Black
Best For: Carry-On Travel
Price: Click Here For Latest Price

The Matador SEG42 Travel Pack is the lightest backpack here, and built out for segmentation of your gear into different areas. It offers quick access to your stuff while you’re traveling.

This is the perfect one-bag travel backpack for those of us with OCD! Organize your gear by type or activity. A large clam-shell opening for storing dirty/wet clothes or shoes, multiple zippered compartments, plus a padded laptop pocket. The whole pack is water-resistant too.

OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS:

5. Kelty Redwing 36 – Adventure Travel Daypack

Weight: 2.9 LBS (1.3 KG)
Capacity: 36 Liters
Load Range: 20-30 LBS
Colors: Black, Blue, Tan
Best For: Carry-On Travel
Price: Click Here For Latest Price

If you want a carry-on travel backpack with a more sporty style, look no further than the Kelty Redwing. This is also the lightest backpack of the bunch because it was designed as a hiking day-pack and overnight travel bag.

However you can cram a lot of travel gear inside, the perfect size for people who only travel with one bag. There are plenty of compartments for organizing your stuff. The hybrid U-zipper design is both top-loading and front-loading, allowing easy access inside.

• Kelty also makes a 50-liter version of this backpack

OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS:

Best Adventure Travel Backpacks

Traveling carry-on only (aka One Bag) isn’t for everyone. Maybe you are not an expert traveler yet, and need more space for your clothing. Or you prefer more adventure travel, hiking, and camping than the average backpacker.

Then you may want to check out the best backpack options that work for both travel AND hiking.

The backpacks listed below have enough space to accommodate a sleeping bag, tent, and cooking equipment needed for typical trekking and overnight camping adventures, as well as your travel gear.

6. Gregory Mountain Zulu 55 – Adventure Travel Backpack

Weight: 3.5 LBS (1.6 KG)
Capacity: 55 Liters
Load Range: 40 LBS
Colors: Green, Blue
Best For: Hiking & Travel
Price: Click Here For Latest Price

The Gregory Mountain Zulu is a cross between a travel backpack and a hiking pack. Its cross-flow suspension system is wonderful at distributing your gear weight, with plenty of airflow to keep your back cool.

Along with a traditional top-loading pull cord, the backpack also boasts a U-shaped front access zipper which is handy for travel.

The hip belt is well-padded with two easy access pockets. This is a backpack that can handle all kinds of different travel situations, including overnight hikes.

• Gregory also makes a 65-liter version of this backpack.
• There’s also a model specifically for women here.

OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS:

7. Osprey Atmos 50 – Overnight Backpacking

Weight: 4.2 LBS (1.9 KG)
Capacity: 50 Liters
Load Range: 40 LBS
Colors: Grey, Red, Blue
Best For: Hiking & Travel
Price: Click Here For Latest Price

The Osprey Atmos 50 is the perfect travel backpack for people who prefer more traditional overnight trekking or camping trips. Its best feature is the super comfortable AntiGravity suspension system that helps distribute the load on your body.

Additional handy features include a large front stretch mesh pocket, integrated rain cover, and a very lightweight design compared to other hiking backpacks. If you’re going to be embarking on a lot of adventure travel with equipment like a sleeping bag, hammock, or tent, this is a great bag.

• Osprey also makes a 65-liter version of this backpack.

OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS:

8. Arc’teryx Bora 50 – Technical Hiking Backpack

Weight: 4.7 LBS (2.1 KG)
Capacity: 50 Liters
Load Range: 50-60 LBS
Colors: Blue
Best For: Trekking & Backpacking
Price: Click Here For Latest Price

I’m a big fan of Arc’teryx outdoor gear. While it’s expensive, their attention to detail is unrivaled. The Arc’teryx Bora 50 is no exception. It’s a true adventure backpack for traveling in the backcountry. The coolest features are a composite frame and crazy comfortable hipbelt suspension system.

This backpack remains comfortable even with a lot of heavy gear. The pack itself isn’t very light, but the innovative floating hipbelt makes up for this in that it carries weight on your hips far better than others. Also, the fabric is already so waterproof that I don’t pack a rain cover.

OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS:

Backpack, Suitcase, or Rolling Duffel

Traveling with a backpack allows you to get around hands-free using Google maps or buying train tickets, not to mention climbing stairs or tackling dirt roads is so much easier than with your typical rolling suitcase.

But it really depends on your travel style.

While I initially began my nomadic career with a backpack, as I’ve grown older, I now prefer a rolling duffel bag for most trips. It’s especially handy for traveling in cities and less tiring when walking on concrete.

I own a few travel backpacks but only use them for specific situations, like weekend-trips, or overnight trekking.

Now that I have a home base, I store these other bags away. But if you’re a vagabond living out of your backpack full time, you don’t have that luxury.

My Current Favorite Travel Bags

Victorinox Suitcase – Yes, a suitcase! Now that I often travel with my family, plus camera gear, I can no longer live out of just a backpack. This travel suitcase is super lightweight with a locking zipper and a durable shell. Love it!

Gregory Zulu 55 Backpack – While not the best hiking backpack out there, it’s lightweight and includes front-zipper access to gear. And more importantly, can lie flat in my suitcase if I don’t need to check both. Works great for travel too.

Peak Design Travel Backpack – My amazing airplane carry-on camera & laptop backpack. I can also use this for day hikes with camera gear, but it has room for things like snacks, water, jacket, a full-size tripod, and more.

Matador Packable Tote – This is what I use as my airline approved “personal item”. Basically an over-designed, packable, water-resistant tote bag that zips shut. Perfect to carry the stuff you’ll use on the plane most!

FAQ: Top Travel Backpack Questions

Happy travels, and let me know which backpack you decide to go with! ★

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This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

My Freshly Laundered Wardrobe

Travel Tips

Contrary to the rumors, travelers are not a bunch of filthy vagrants. Well not always. This is how I wash my clothes when traveling around the world for extended periods.

Living out of a backpack while you travel doesn’t lend itself to a stylish & extensive wardrobe.

So when I explain to others that I own 2 pairs of pants, 2 pairs of shorts, 4 t-shirts, 2 collared shirts, and a sweater, the next question is usually “what do you do about laundry?”

Actually it’s surprisingly easy to keep everything clean.

There are 4 different laundry techniques I use with great success:

• The Aloksak Bag Method
• Washing Clothes In A Sink
• Coin-Operated Laundromats
• Art Of The Laundry Lady

Each has its benefits and disadvantages, which I’ll describe in fascinating detail below! Ready? Let’s start.

Aloksak Bag Method

Wash Your Clothes in a Bag

This ingenious technique involves a large heavy-duty ziplock bag called an Aloksak.

Renowned for its durability and waterproofness, the bags are able to withstand underwater pressures down to 190 feet deep for two weeks!

But it’s also lightweight and easy to pack. They come in many sizes, but for laundry, I use a 16″ x 24″.

I also use the Aloksak for storing my dirty (smelly) clothes. To wash with it, first dump in a pinch of detergent (small packets are available for pennies), fill with hot water and mix everything up for 5 minutes with your hand.

Imagine the oscillating action inside a washing machine.

Finally, zip up the bag and allow your clothing to soak in the soapy water for another 10 minutes.

To rinse clean you can either refill the bag with fresh water, use a sink, or my personal favorite method, get naked and jump in the shower with them!

COST: Free

Washing Your Clothes In A Sink

Wash Your Clothes in a Sink

The sink approach is pretty simple also. Plug the drain of a sink, add soap, fill with hot water, and hand-wash your clothes. It’s one of the most popular ways for backpackers to clean their garments.

There’s even a universal drain plug specifically made for travelers.

But a rolled up sock or washcloth works too, especially when it’s wrapped in a plastic grocery bag. Rinse your clothes in the sink when done.

Cost: Free

Coin-Operated Laundromats

Coin-operated laundromats can be found all over the world, usually in larger towns & cities. Sometimes hostels or guesthouses will even have a few machines.

This method is pretty self-explanatory. Although if the instructions are in a foreign language, sometimes it can be confusing to know what cycle you’re using.

Some machines take coins, others require you to buy separate tokens.

Many laundromats will often have wifi, and it’s a great place to meet local people. Double bonus!

COST: $3-$6

Art Of The Laundry Lady

Meet Jai: My Laundry Lady in Thailand

My favorite laundry ladies can wash a load of clothing in under 6 hours! However a 24 hour wait is more common.

Washing clothes in many foreign countries is as easy as strolling down the block to drop-off your stinky shirts & shorts at someone else’s house.

Depending on the country, most neighborhoods have a small (or large) family-run laundry operation based out of their home.

Your clothing is weighed on a scale to determine price. Sometimes you can choose between machine drying (quicker but more expensive) or line drying in the sunlight.

Because I don’t own mountains of clothing, I usually get to know the laundry lady & her family pretty well with weekly visits.

Maybe twice a week if they happen to own cute pets…

COST: $2-$10

How To Dry Your Clothes While Traveling

Laundry Drying on a Mexican Rooftop

If you’re washing clothes with the Aloksak bag or sink techniques, finding a fast & efficient way to dry them is key.

When it’s sunny out, and your guesthouse or hostel has a clothesline outside (often on the roof), line drying in the fresh air only takes a few hours.

But if the weather is bad, or you’re forced to dry them inside, here’s a little trick I use to speed things up.

Find a dry towel, lay it on the bed, place a garment on the towel, and roll it up tight. The dry towel will suck out some additional moisture, allowing your clothes to dry faster when hanging inside on a rope or travel-friendly elastic laundry line.

Bonus Tip: The Astronaut Method

To help reduce the amount of laundry I do, it’s common for me to re-wear pants & shirts until they start to smell.

In fact right this moment I’m wearing the same clothes I wore yesterday.

My friends Dave & Lauren, who are sitting right beside me, didn’t notice. Most people don’t notice.

Wearing your clothes over and over again is actually the space traveler’s preferred method too!

In a recent interview with The Guardian, celebrity astronaut Commander Chris Hadfield explains that in space, water doesn’t behave the same way as on Earth.

So washing clothes up there in space doesn’t work. In space, astronauts wear their clothes until they fall apart!

I wouldn’t recommend that method down here on Earth though… ★

Do you have any good travel laundry tips? Share your tips and questions in the comments below!

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.