My Essential Travel Tech
Tech I love using for long-term travel, and gear that makes a difference on the go
I’ve spent nearly half of my time the last two years living out of backpacks and suitcases. From traveling domestically in the United States to being in Southeast Asia and Europe, there have been many iterations to the travel tech I use and actually lug around.
Because I’m in SE Asia, and I’m exclusively traveling with two backpacks, I need tech that is light, multi-purpose, and durable. The tech stack is very much a living thing, and I’m constantly evaluating if the things I’m carrying with me are worth their weight. I’ll be doing an article on essential clothing once I feel like I’ve nailed it.
In this article, I’ll highlight and showcase most of my travel tech, in order of my most favorite and essential to the least. Every single thing is used weekly, time-tested, and durable. I’m not getting paid to express any of these opinions, and my allegiance is only to products that work and do what I need them to do.
With that said, let’s dig in!
The Backpacks
Without these bags, getting around would be impossible. Osprey makes durable, reliable backpacks. I have grown to love these backpacks, and they were chosen for specific reasons.
Osprey Farpoint Fairview Unisex Travel Daypack
The Fairview is a great, 15L travel pack. I can use it for hauling practically all of my tech, and it is small enough to be a personal item on every airplane globally. It even features a hydration sleeve if you want to put a CamelBak in it.
Once I've settled into a location, I can take some of my stuff out and use it to go to a coffee shop, or walk around all day wearing it. It is small enough that it forces me to be pickier about what I bring with me, but it can fit my large MacBook! It is waterproof, durable, and perfect for so many use-cases.
Osprey Farpoint 40L Men’s Travel Backpack
The Farpoint 40L is big enough to fit all of my clothing, a spare pair of shoes, and some additional tech and travel essentials. I intentionally picked a 40L as opposed to something bigger or smaller. 40L is the perfect size for international traveling, as you can get on just about every airplane having it as your carry-on.
Even if it is stuffed, it doesn’t exceed weight maximums, and the Daypack can actually clamp onto the back to look like one big bag. This makes a big difference when using services like Bounce or other luggage storage places, which charge by the item. It also has a space for laptops, and I love the design and layout of the interior of this backpack. It makes packing easier. The back shoulder straps can zip up if you do check your bag, which really helps for protecting them from getting damaged.
In all, the two backpack setup is all someone really needs. You can fit a few days worth of clothing, have essential tech, and you still have room for a few odds and ends. Optimizing clothing is its own separate battle, though.
Primary Travel Tech
This gear is the most essential and used when traveling. It also makes the biggest difference.
Pixel 9 Pro
I’ve been an Android user since the beginning. Despite the ups and downs, The Pixel 9 Pro remains my daily driver, companion, and best friend. This latest model features a wicked camera set, zippy processor, and does everything I need it to do when traveling. Instead of relying on constantly changing eSIMs between countries, Google Fi just automatically switches and it is one less thing to worry about.
I really, really love the camera on the Pixel. There are notable trade offs with Android, obviously. Some apps are released first for iOS and sometimes I have to wait. I love being able to play games on the go with the phone, which is why I opted for a 1TB drive. GPS, phone calls, and everything else works. This latest model also has emergency satellite SOS texting, which is nice. I use a sturdy case with the Pixel, having a built-in stand is great for watching shows or taking calls.
If Apple delivers on their real-time translation offering with the Apple Airpods Pro 3, I may switch, finally, to iOS. Not having iMessage is annoying, but I like Signal better anyways.
Apple Airpods Pro 2
The holy grail of headphones. The Apple Airpods Pro 2s may be my favorite consumer device ever. They are comfortable for hours, and have by far the best noise cancelling of any earbuds on the market. I tried to find suitable replacements, and failed. I tried the latest Bose, Sony, Google, and Sennheiser earbuds, and nothing came even remotely close. I returned all of them and kept the Pro 2s. I have tried so hard to find something better, and I am not convinced a better replacement exists.
I do travel with spare emergency wired earbuds (generic Apple ones), but I rarely need to use them. For airports, walking around cities, exercising, and working, these are my best buddy. They have wireless charging, a battery that lasts a very long time, and have just unbelievable audio quality. The noise cancelling is an absolute must for air travel and working remotely.
These work great with the Pixel 9 Pro (you’ll miss out on a couple features that I never use, like spatial audio). I almost never leave the house without them. From taking phone calls to listening to music to drowning out the sound of babies crying, they offer the most reliable performance of anything you can put in your ears. Absolute gamechangers all around.
MacBook Pro 16”
I know what you’re thinking. The MacBook Pro 16” is a big laptop. It is! It is also by far the most powerful laptop for its size. My maxed out MBP M3 has 128GB of RAM and 2TB of internal storage. It has amazing battery life, the world’s best trackpad, and a beautiful screen. The front-firing speakers are great for bringing life to any hotel room, and the screen is big enough to watch movies off of comfortably just about anywhere.
It is a productivity beast. MacOS is king. If I need to run Windows 11 for anything, I can boot up Parallels and I suddenly have a wicked fast Windows laptop. I can emulate just about any machine or console imaginable, and programs load instantly. My options are open. If I want to do video editing, coding, or play games, I’m good to go.
I was formerly traveling with a MacBook Air, which had more limitations. The screen was smaller, with a notably slower processor. When you work quickly on a computer, you know that every second saved adds up. I liked the size of the MacBook Air, but it just wasn’t doing it for me. However, I do think that the new MacBook Air M4 15” might be the best value and size for a travel laptop.
The MacBook Pro can be whatever I need it to be. It is a beast and I need to update my will so I can request to be buried with it.
Kindle Paperwhite
Kindle is king. It has and will remain a travel essential. I can sync my progress on books to the Kindle app on my phone and MacBook as well. With a backlit screen and massive storage, it is almost impossible to run out of battery life and it fits in my back pocket (for some jeans).
Traveling lean means I don’t bring physical books with me. They weigh too much. With the Kindle, I don’t miss them as much. Simple, fast, and easy to use. The Kindle has earned its place in my backpack forever, until something better comes along.
The paperwhite is the best model of the Kindle for regular users. It offers the perfect blend of right features and size. Color is completely unnecessary, and really only useful if you’re into reading comics (which I can do on my phone or computer if I need to). Amazon is a nightmare, but they make great tech.
Secondary Travel Tech
This gear supports the bigger stuff. They are the unsung heroes of my life. They also are swapped out more frequently and don’t survive as long. They have to fight for their life.
Anker Nano Power Bank
The Anker Nano Power Bank also lives in my pocket, along with the Airpods, my travel wallet, and lint. If I’m out taking photos all day and using GPS, my phone can only survive for so long. I do have some level of travel anxiety when it comes to battery life, as I usually travel alone and don’t want to have my phone die. This is mental insurance as much as real utility. There are plenty of days when I don’t need it, but I like my phone to have at least 30% juice at all times.
If I’m out all day, sometimes I’ll put two of these in my pocket. They charge things quickly and are incredibly reliable. You can also use them to charge anything else that is USB-C powered.
Anker 3-in-1 Power Bank
The foldable charger on the Anker 3-in-1 is the GOAT. You can plug a USB-C cable into it and power your laptop, phone, anything. The battery is big enough to recharge my laptop a decent amount, and anything else you can imagine. This lives in my backpack and is perfect for juice if you’re traveling all day and are on budget airlines. It is easy to charge and has a built-in USB-C cable. It ended up replacing my older power banks that didn't have a built-in charger. By far the best I’ve found so far and a worthy purchase.
To note, I also travel with an Anker Nano charger. This puppy is small, and I interchangeably use USB-C cables with it (I travel with 3 long USB-C cables and one HDMI cable).
EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter
The latest addition to the family. The EPICKA 75W is a beast. You can use this thing as a travel adapter anywhere on the planet, and once you put it in, you can plug in all your USB-C devices. It even has a QC 3.0 port for older tech. Once I get to hotels, I plug this in and then plug in my batteries. I can charge my laptop, phone, and batteries all at the same time using this. If you’re traveling and have a computer with you, buy this thing.
Magic Keyboard with Touch ID
Zippy, fast to pair, and amazing battery life. The Magic Keyboard with Touch ID is thin, easy to carry, and lightweight. If you’re mounting your computer on a stand, this makes a big difference for ergonomics and usability. I don’t use a case with it, and it never fails me. No brainer buy if you’re working remotely with a MacBook.
MX Anywhere 3S
Despite being one of the largest companies in the world, Apple makes terrible mice. Logitech makes good mice, and that’s why I own multiple. The MX Anywhere 3S is the best travel mouse, hands down. I’ve tried many, and this nails price, performance, ergonomics, and weight. It is much lighter than my previous mouse, the MX Master 3S, and offers almost the same performance. If you’re frequently traveling, this is the mouse for you.
Razer Kishi V2
The Razer Kishi is incredibly dope. It is lightweight, can easily be tossed into my backpack, and allows me to play games when I want on the go. I travel with a couple USB-C (Anker) cables, and I can plug this into my computer and use it as a controller as well.
Traveling with a Nintendo Switch or gaming console is too much. I wouldn’t use it enough to justify the weight. With this, I can run emulators on my phone. I’m currently playing through Metroid Prime 2 Echoes on Gamecube. The Pixel 9 Pro’s screen is big and fast enough to make gaming a breeze. It can even handle Playstation 2 games! This works well for Steam Link streaming and Xbox Cloud gaming as well.
Rolling Square inCharge XL 6-in-1
Ah, the Rolling Square. This cable replaces many other cables I used to carry with me. Lightning, USB-C, and USB-A. I have a small micro-USB dongle I’ve tied to the side of it, for endless combinations. This is great for charging my Airpods or literally anything. It has saved a lot of space and is durable. A no-brainer purchase for travel.
Roost Laptop Stand
The Roost. I had tried so many laptop stands before falling in love with this one. The Roost is ridiculously lightweight, literally half the weight or less of my previous stand. You can adjust it like crazy, and it makes working on the laptop all day a breeze. At 6.3 oz, I often forget it is even there in my backpack. It replaced a stand that was 3x heavier and didn’t even work as well.
The Roost isn’t cheap, but I’d buy it again in a heartbeat if my current one broke. It lives in my backpack when I’m on the go, and I can’t imagine traveling without it.
MAGIC JOHN Phone Tripod
This is a travel selfie stick that doubles as a tripod. It also comes with rechargeable lights for taking more professional videos. When paired with a slim wireless lavalier set, the result is really good audio and video. Sure, I could travel with a Canon DSLR and a better microphone, but this gets 90% of the job done at a fraction of the cost and size. With AI upscaling for video and audio, there is so much more that can be done with a phone and computer than was possible just a few years ago.
Life And Toiletries
These things are still tech, but are more all over the place. This is really anything else notable that isn’t clothing or shoes.
LifeStraw Sip
Thin, portable, and now essential, the LifeStraw Sip is a great choice if you don’t want to lug around a bigger filter-style water bottle. It just works. It lasts long enough that I don’t need to replace it during a trip, and my original has done just fine over the last few months.
I pair the LifeStraw with a travel hiking silicone collapsible water bottle.
These two paired together result in an efficient system. I can put the LifeStraw in the water bottle if I’m on the go or at the airport, and can easily pack them away if I’m going through security. I am done with larger bottles that cannot collapse. They take up too much space.
Norelco OneBlade
This trimmer is thin, lightweight, and has a rechargeable battery via USB. It takes some getting used to, but it has replaced my much larger electric razor. I love this thing and now cannot imagine traveling without it. I tried it out on a whim and fell in love. This is my top recommendation for beard trimming on the go.
Philips One
This is the best travel toothbrush I’ve tried so far. It has a long-lasting AAA battery and replacement heads are cheap. It is slim and fits easily in my bag. My only gripe is that it doesn’t have a rechargeable battery. Hard to truly tell if the buzzing helps with keeping my teeth cleaner.
D&D Hanging Travel Toiletry Bag
This thing rocks. When traveling you really need a durable toiletry bag. You also need something that can hang, because it makes getting to things a lot easier. With this bag, I can easily store my razor, toothbrush, and various other smaller items that are essential when traveling. It collapses easily and fits into my larger backpack without issue. I’ve yet to find a better bag for the price.
OLIGHT I1R 2 Pro
Sometimes in life you need a simple thing. This tiny flashlight is simple. It provides light. It is USB-C powered and has a rechargeable battery. I use it every night when I want a little bit of light in the bedroom when I’m reading on the Kindle.
When I’m traveling, I put it in a small mesh bag in my backpack. It is always charged and ready to go. Plus, it helps me avoid pissing on the toilet seat in the dark.
XL Travel Compact Clothesline
Essentially a big rubber band for drying clothes. Most places I’ve stayed do not have a dryer, and it is easy to find things to tie this to and let your clothes dry. It is now an essential item in my large backpack. Thank me later.
SinkSuds Liquid Laundry Detergent
I keep a dozen of these packets, double bagged, in my backpack. I put this, along with liquid soap, in a TSA approved clear bag for security. These are great for when you need to randomly do laundry in the sink. I travel with this and a flat rubber sink stopper. You don’t need it until you do.
MZOO Sleep Eye Mask
Light pollution, air pollution, noise pollution, it all sucks. These sleep masks are solid. You need a sleep mask that gives your eyes space to breathe. The cheaper ones don’t cut it. This, combined with generic ear plugs really help for drowning out the world.
Loop Earplugs
These are lightweight, and come in a small carrying case. They are perfect for music or drowning out some noise while keeping a little of it around. These are not for sleeping, although you could use them in a pinch. I just use generic earplugs for sleeping. You never know when people outside of your window will be shoveling dirt into a wheelbarrow at 1am (like last night in Thailand).
Mini Zipper Mesh Bags
I use a couple of these to organize my small crap. They’re better than other bags, because you can see your stuff. Use it for older headphones, small accessories, chapstick, etc. They just work and they help keep things marginally more organized.
HAVN by Lambs EMF Blocking Hat
Because tinfoil hats aren’t cool to wear in public, I wear a Lambs EMF reduction hat. This is a silver lined hat that blocks your brain (supposedly) from harmful EMF. It was supposed to help boost cognition, but I feel just as stupid as ever. It is antimicrobial and I wear it everywhere.
Everything Else
Some things are so small or minuscule that they are barely worth noting, but for the sake of completeness I will mention a few more things:
A spare phone and wallet. I travel with an older Pixel loaded with what I would need in case I am robbed. The wallet has enough in the case of an emergency.
Airtags. I keep an Apple Airtag in my larger backpack for obvious reasons.
A spare pair of headphones. I have my older wireless Pixel Bud Pro 2s with me. They’re fantastic, but I really only use them when I have super long flights or misplace my Airpods.
A pen. Pens are useful for when you go through customs at certain airports.
Glasses straps. Useful for riding roller coasters. That’s about it.
An international driving permit. Useful if you absolutely have to drive.
A lightweight travel coin purse. I have a Montbell one I use, which comes in handy in Japan and other countries that use a lot of coins for things.
An RFID-blocking passport wallet. This protects my passport, holds my cards and money, and is anti-theft. Absolutely essential.
Spare glasses. Trust me, if you cannot see, you need a spare pair. This has saved me on more than one occasion.
N95s. You need to carry a few masks with you. They will come in handy.
Eye drops. If you fall asleep on the airplane and wake up with bloodshot eyes, you’ll wish you had these.
Emergency acetaminophen, vitamin C, green tea, and bacopa. All good for mental clarity and peace of mind.
Final Thoughts
Tech develops quickly, and there’s always something ever so slightly better that is produced each year. Often, upgrading if you have a slim setup just makes sense. I haven’t regretted slowly optimizing what I take with me, as it has resulted in better, more reliable tech, and items that are lightweight and durable.
The setup is never really done, and there’s always a sense of dissatisfaction when it comes to the setup. Everything always feels like a mishmash. I opt to buy grey tech whenever possible (as black is impossible to keep clean, just like white). Grey and silver make the most sense for tech.
As time goes on, our technology becomes increasingly multi-purpose. But, my toothbrush will never also be a mouse, and I have to be okay with that.
Thanks for reading. Let me know if you have any questions or thoughts in the comments.
- Chris