Best Solo Travel Gear

Last updated: 2022. Our recommended travel packing list for solo travelers is broken down into:

1. 1. The Essentials
   2. General Travel Gear
   3. Specialized Travel Gear
   4. Choosing a Travel Backpack

(Click on any of the above to jump to the relevant section)

The Essentials

• Your passport (if you’re going abroad). Make sure it’s valid for at least 6 months after your planned return date, and that you have all the necessary visas (check visa requirements at VisaHQ).
• Identification (preferably issued by a government – e.g. driver’s license). You will likely need to prove your identity somewhere, so it’s good to have on you at all times. If someone asks for ID, offer this first before revealing the passport.
• Photocopies of the above. Bring copies of all your important documents, to show in the event of loss/theft (and to expedite getting replacements through the local bank/consulate). It may also make sense to keep digital scans of these in the cloud (e.g. in a Dropbox or Google Drive folder).
• A credit and/or debit card. Make sure to call your financial institution before you take off to give them a heads up of your expected whereabouts (this way, your cards won’t be frozen for suspicious activity).
• Any personal medicines or hard to find toiletries. While most things can be found at your destination, make sure you have a good supply of anything you simply can’t live without. This includes prescription medicine/pills, hearing aids, and so on.
• Cash. Before you leave, make sure you have at least a small amount of cash (US $200) in the destination currency. ATMs often will have the best exchange rates – try to avoid international currency exchange booths at airports and transport hubs.

General Travel Gear 

• A travel bag (suitcase and/or backpack). While plenty of folks obsess over this, my personal opinion is that most of the travel bags out there today will get the job done for general travel.
• Comfortable walking shoes. If you’re buying new ones, make sure to try them on before you set off – you should feel comfortable walking in them for hours at a time. Don’t forget a quality pair of insoles (one of the best: Superfeet Pro-Grade).
• Quick-dry shorts. A must for tropical climates. I personally go for shorts that double as swimming trunks (this is a bit extreme, but allows me to save a lot of luggage space). If you’re in the States, check out the Myles Apparel Everyday shorts.
• Packing cubes. Invaluable for keeping stuff organized in your main bag, and for keeping dirty/wet clothes separate. The Amazon Basics cubes do the job just fine (no need to get premium ones).
• An unlocked, quad-band smartphone. Aside from keeping you connected, a decent phone can serve as a replacement for a camera, map, flashlight, notepad, alarm clock, watch, book, music player, entertainment system, and more. Make sure you get one that’s unlocked (not tied to a specific carrier) so that you can pick up local SIM cards anywhere you go.
• Immunization card. Bring it along as a record of your medical information.
• Travel insurance. Better safe than sorry. Make sure that it is valid in the area(s) you’re visiting, and that coverage at least $100,000.
• Universal travel adapter. Ideally, get one with multiple USB ports. Here’s a decent one: EPICKA Adapter.
• An e-reader. Great for airplane and bedtime reading, and doesn’t strain the eyes. I use the Kindle Paperwhite (the basic 8GB one is plenty).
• Ear plugs. These can mean the difference between a rage-inducing plane ride and a bearable one. Hearos makes good ones.
• Quick-drying, odour-resistant underwear and socks (ideally made of wool). Leave the cotton undergarments at home – cotton takes a long time to dry, and starts smelling after just a few hours of wear. For high quality merino socks, the easy choice is Darn Tough.
• A collared shirt (or equivalent in women’s formal wear). It’s not all hiking and canoeing – eventually, you will be invited to a party or a formal event. Bring at least one “dressy” top.

If you bring everything listed above (along with a change of clothing and a toothbrush), you will be good to go just about anywhere in the world. Whenever possible, save yourself the hassle of lugging around extra stuff: just buy it there.

Specialized Travel Gear

Non-essential for general travel, but still very useful on the road.

• Laptop. If you’re of the “digital nomad” variety (i.e. plan to get some work done while on the road), I recommend going with the smallest/lightest laptop possible. These days, my choice is Apple’s Macbook Air M1 (check out the Refurbished website to save some money).
• Camera. This is a subject of much debate, and there are entire websites dedicated to recommending a travel camera. I take thousands of pictures on each trip, and these are my personal opinions:
  1. For Most people: a smartphone is all you need. If you’re just going to be updating Instagram or a basic travel blog, any decent phone camera will get the job done. I actually think the limitations of a phone camera are a good thing – they force you to focus more on the subject matter and composition. High-end models even come with OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), which makes a huge difference.
  2. Enthusiasts: get a compact camera and learn to use it well. An easy recommendation is the Sony RX100 VA series (go used to save big). If you need more control and lens options, my choices would be the Nikon Z fc and Fuji X-T130 Mark II. “Retro” or hipster looking cameras are great, as they put more people at ease (especially for street photography and candid portraits).
  3. Enthusiasts on a “once-in-a-lifetime trip”: you might as well bring the big guns (a serious camera with multiple lenses). Any of the latest full frame mirrorless offerings from Canon, Sony, or Nikon would work just fine. For lenses, I recommend at least a mid-range zoom (24-120mm F/4) and a fast wide prime (20mm F1.8).
  4. For professionals: you already know what you need. Just make sure you insure your equipment.
• Quick-drying, odour-resistant undershirts and t-shirts (“base layers”). Just as with underwear, try to bring at least one quick-drying bottom layer. You could even bring some of your oldest t-shirts, and wash/discard them as you go to save on space. To save cash, check out the options from Decathlon.
• Pants. Lightweight, breathable hiking pants. Denim is no good: it’s bulky, heavy, and takes a long time to dry. Recently, I’ve been enjoying wearing the Lululemon ABC pants.
• Flip-flops. Absolutely essential on most journeys. Buy them for cheap at your destination, or grab a quality pair before you leave (check out Havaianas).
• Compact towel. Leave bulky towels at home. Instead, go for the small, quick drying, ultra-packable type. Sea to Summit is a great brand for these (just select the size you need).
• Daypack. You may also want to bring along a smaller pack to use around town (one that easily folds into your main pack). Check out the Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack.
• Cold weather gear. The trick here is to layer clothing (for weight savings and flexibility):
  • Bottom layer: a base layer. Ideally, made of merino wool (it will keep you cool in summer and warm in winter).
  • Middle layer: a thin fleece. When it starts getting chilly, put on a light zip-up sweater or fleece. Check out Decathlon’s selection for great value.
  • Top layer: an ultralight, packable down jacket. My go-to brands are Mountain Hardwear and Montbell.
• Rain gear. Getting drenched is no fun! Seasoned travelers may opt to just buy a cheap rain jacket at their destination. If you want to be prepared, there’s probably no better choice for the money than the Marmot Precip. It weighs almost nothing, and packs down to the size of a closed fist.
• Lock. Pickpockets are everywhere, no matter where you go. For peace of mind, grab a couple of small, TSA-compliant combination locks (e.g. Lewis N. Clark locks). These are great for securing the zippers of your backpack’s main compartment.
• Flashlight. While a smartphone can probably light your way in a dark room, it won’t be sufficient (or weather-proof enough) for the outdoors. Adventure travelers prefer head lamps to regular flashlights, as it keeps both hands free.
  I use the Thrunite TH20 (AA battery). Another popular option: Nitecore NU32 (rechargeable).
• Headphones. I recommend earphones for space/weight savings (ideally with some noise cancelling). I think JBL hits the sweet spot of price to performance.
• An icebreaker. No, not a hatchet 🙂 I mean anything that sparks conversations and facilitates social interaction. Some ideas: a deck of cards, portable chess/checkers, unique attire from your country, or a fun patch/flag on your backpack.
• Travel-size liquid bottles. Useful for storing travel-sized amounts of shampoo, liquid soap, gel, etc. Can also be used to store valuables and easy-to-lose items. GoToob is the top choice. Make sure they are 100mL (3.4 oz) or under. You can also find generic ones at a dollar store.
• Buff. Last but not least, the wool buff is practically the traveler’s secret weapon. A merino wool buff (like this one) is ideal: wear it around your neck stay cool or warm, and to reduce moisture from sweat. You can also wear it as a bandana, or as an improvised face mask.

Choosing a Travel Backpack

For most types of travel, I recommend getting a sturdy, comfortable, water-resistant (or waterproof) backpack.

This section is all the way at the bottom because it’s important to plan your load-out first — and only then pick a pack to carry it.

Some popular backpacks for solo travelers:

• Osprey Farpoint 40 (for Men)
• Osprey Fairview 40 (for Women)
• Thule Subterra (40L)
• Gregory Border (25L) – for efficient packers!
• Osprey Daylite Plus (20L) – for true minimalists!

There are, of course, many others that may suit you just fine – with so many choices, it will often come down to personal preference (and emotional appeal).

Here’s what to look for in a good travel pack:

• Make sure it’s actually a backpack (or can be worn as one). Don’t get tempted into buying a duffel or tote – you should be able to walk around with both hands free. Also, resist the urge to bring a roller suitcase – it will not only limit your mobility, but also slow you down considerably if anything breaks (see how long spinner wheels last on cobblestone).
• Get something lightweight. Ideally, the pack should weigh less than 1 kg (2.2 lbs). Don’t make it hard on yourself (or your shoulders). When you’re carrying around a pack for extended periods of time, every gram counts. We’re lucky to live in an age of high tech, light materials – there are plenty of quality packs that weigh next to nothing.
• Good organizational features, and easy access to the main compartment. Chances are, you will have a bunch of smaller items – pockets and dividers ensure that your bag doesn’t become a “gypsy camp” (disorganized mess). Helps if the pack has a hidden inner pocket, too (for your passport and other valuables).
• Weather resistance. Get a pack that is built to withstand the elements (either with waterproof materials or a built-in rain cover that can be quickly and easily deployed). Nothing worse than showing up somewhere with all your clothing and electronics soaked.
• Comfort. This is probably the most important part – make sure you will be comfortable carrying it for hours on end. The best way is to go to a local sports equipment store (e.g. REI in the USA, or MEC in Canada) and try on a few loaded packs. Go with the one that feels right – and doesn’t restrict your hand or leg movement.
• Compact size. Get a backpack that meets airline carry-on size regulations (22” x 14” x 8”). Ideally, you should not be checking in bags when you travel (checked luggage slows you down, limits your mobility, leads to extra fees, and has a tendency to get lost). You can usually tell how long a person has been traveling by the size of their backpack – unless they are carrying specialized gear, seasoned travelers typically have a pack that’s 40 Liters or less (by volume). Resist the urge to buy a huge backpack!
• Low-profile. The idea is to blend in, and not attract any unnecessary attention. I suggest sticking to dark colors (black, grey, dark green, navy).

Of course, there’s no “one size fits all” solution. When in doubt, try a bag on before you commit to buying something that you you’ll end up hauling all over the world!

To summarize: when choosing what to take, opt for versatility and portability. The more functions a single item performs, the more useful it will be on the road.

At the end of the day, choosing one brand or another isn’t going to make a huge difference to your overall travel experience. Try not to spend too much money on equipment – put it towards the cost of a trip instead.