Travel is easier and more exciting with the right tech by your side, turning every adventure into a seamless journey.
Planning and packing for the ultimate travel experience is truly an art form. As someone who's been fortunate enough to travel the world since before the days of the Internet, I've learned plenty about how to not just survive but thrive on the road. You might even learn from my misadventures and mistakes along the way. While some of my old-school habits still serve me well, others—like my overly cautious mindset—have become outdated over time.
I remember when the most high-tech travel gadget was a hidden money belt. Now, with innovations like LED lighting, USB rechargeable accessories, Google Translate, the Euro, and other remarkable advances, traveling has become simpler, safer, more fun, and far easier than ever before. As I've embraced and gotten to know the latest tech, I've developed a list of my favorite gear and gadgets that will help make your next adventure a success—whether you're headed to far-off destinations or enjoying a relaxing staycation.
No matter how much you plan, it’s always wise to be prepared. As the saying goes, it’s better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. Join me as I share some of my go-to travel products, both new and tried-and-true, to ensure your journey goes smoothly, near or far.
1. Biolite Alpenglow Mini Lantern
This is my new favorite accessory for travel, whether I’m camping, staying in a wilderness lodge, or lodging in a fancy hotel room. It’s the perfect nightlight, and the red-light setting is ideal for camping, or for leaving on in the hotel bathroom so you don’t have to fumble to find the oddly placed light switch or, worse yet, turn on a super bright overhead light in the middle of the night when you have to pee. A perfect temporary travel nightlight for kids, it also has multi-colored modes for impromptu dance parties.
2. Peak Design Mobile Tripod
Another one of my latest travel must-haves, the Peak Designs creator kit is a benefit for many activities. It elevates when I’m on the go and creating content. With the accompanying cases, which offer are a sleek, seamless fit, it makes creating photos and taking video calls more convenient. The bike attachment has improved my lunch rides by leaps and bounds with steadfast ease, and I use the mobile tripod on a daily basis, not just on the plane.
3. Commuter Backpack
Transition from workweek to work out to weekend with the Commuter Backpack 20L. From Sympl, a brand transforming adventure gear with a commitment to sustainability and innovation, this backpack streamlines your transition from with a combination of versatility, durability, and thoughtful organization.
4. Coros APEX 2 Pro Sports Watch
For adventurous travelers, I'd recommend the APEX 2 or APEX 2 Pro from smart watch leader COROS. Both are really durable, sturdy watches that are designed to stand up to abuse and will withstand the rigor of adventure. APEX 2 Pro has significantly better battery life, which is nice for longer adventures but it does cost cheaper. It also has more onboard memory, which can be helpful for navigation. Other than that the watches are largely similar and the APEX 2 will be more than enough watch for most adventurers, and doubles as your alarm, training watch, compass, sleep monitor, weather center, and more.
5. Otterbox Power Banks
Portable charging like this has literally changed the travel landscape. For every device you carry on your work trips or vacations, you can never have too much backup power, especially around the holidays. These are my top three picks for travel: Fast Charge Power Bank 15K mAh , Mobile Charging Kit , 3-in-1 Charging Station with MagSafe
6. Fender x Teufel ROCKSTER GO 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
The Fender x Teufel ROCKSTER GO 2 is a stylish, high-end-sound portable Bluetooth speaker that delivers big vibes wherever your travels may take you. Fully waterproof, with 28 hours of battery life and weighing just 2.5 lbs, it’s perfect for travel (but maybe not in a carry-on, due to weight), but whether at the beach, pool, hotel room, yurt, or boat, it’s a must-have for music lovers on the go.
7. Knog Scout Travel Luggage Tag
The Knog Scout Travel Luggage Tag combines digital contact info, an 85dB motion-sensitive alarm, and precise tracking to keep your luggage secure. Designed for iOS users, it alerts you if your bag moves unexpectedly, making it the perfect solution for frequent travelers. A must-have modern accessory for peace of mind while traveling.
8. Perilogics Universal in Flight Airplane Phone Holder Mount
This phone stand offers hands-free viewing with 360-degree rotation for optimal angles, accommodating phones from iPhone Mini to Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Its secure clamp fits surfaces up to 1.5 inches wide, making it perfect for travel, work, or the gym. Rated 4.5/5 stars with over 10,000 sold last month.
9. Ray-Ban | Meta Smart Glasses
Ray-Ban Meta glasses, developed by Meta and EssilorLuxottica, blend cutting-edge tech with iconic style. Featuring a 12MP camera, open-ear speakers, and Meta AI, they offer hands-free photos, music, and real-time assistance.
New updates include voice search and support for Spotify and Amazon Music, enhancing everyday convenience and accessibility. Meta AI support allows continuous real-time help where the AI can tag along and converse with a user.
10. Mystery Ranch Folding travel pack
Perfect for adventure travel, not exactly tech, just a technical design that stows neatly in a water bottle sized package and deploys effortlessly when you need a small extra bag, have to go on a waterfall hike, impromptu yoga class or other day trip when you need to leave your luggage behind.
