While I still hardly consider myself an expert on the topic of packing despite nearly four years of continuous travel, I have, through trial and error, learned a few things along the way about how to pack more effectively.
In addition, I’ve procured a pretty solid arsenal of photography gear and accessories over the last year or so, which is laid out in full here (most recent update: November 2016).
A full-blown packing post is for another day–that is, if anyone’s interested in learning the methods behind my madness (hint: there are none). For now, I just want to let you in on the ways my packing process has transformed in recent years, including hanging up my backpack for good.
Travel Gear I Love
Eagle Creek Wheeled Backpack
I have a confession: I HATE backpacks. While there was nothing wrong with the Osprey 65 Liter Viva I carried around through South America, it just didn’t quite suit my needs after awhile. Yes, it was handy to have it when I went hiked the Inca Trail, for instance, but for general travel, it was more of a pain in my ass than anything else. Packing and unpacking was a total nightmare, and it grew so heavy after 8 months on the road (I have a shopping problem, okay?!) that I finally decided my back couldn’t take it anymore, and there had to be a better way. And guys, THERE IS!
The wheeled backpack is actually more like a suitcase than a backpack, but features hidden straps that enable you to carry it on your back should the need arise–say, if you have a million stairs to climb and there isn’t an escalator in sight. But, let’s be real, this is the 21st century so unless you’re dragging all of your earthly possessions with you to the top of goddamn Chichen Itza, you’re unlikely to need those straps. I was a little anxious when I set out for Central America with a bag on wheels instead of the traditional backpacker rucksack, but even in places as remote as Isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua, I never once had to put the stupid thing on my back.
Because it’s more suitcase than backpack, unpacking and repacking are a breeze. It saves my back and shoulders from unnecessary pain, and all I need to transport it from A to B is one free hand. Thanks to this little invention I can happily say–in the most satisfyingly literal sense–my backpacking days are over.
Eagle Creek Packing Cubes
The other piece of travel gear that has flipped my world upside-down in the past year is the packing cube. Gone are the days of digging through all of your possessions to find that loose sock. Gone are the days of refolding every piece of clothing after emptying the entire contents of your bag to find said sock. Shirts in one cube, pants in another. Small cubes for delicates or swimsuits or socks, medium cubes for whatever the heck you want. Play a little real-life Tetris to stack them tightly in your bag, and you’re good to go. I even take them on weekend trips…ya know, just ’cause. You’ll never see me traveling without packing cubes again!
Photography Gear I Love
Canon Rebel SL1 with 18-55mm STM Lens
This camera replaced my Rebel XS when it was tragically stolen from my hostel in Nicaragua, and it is my pride and joy. It’s the most compact dSLR on the market, it’s loaded with capabilities and user-friendly features, and it creates beautiful images. Whether you’re a photography buff or just getting started, this camera is an excellent choice for travel. The small size is especially handy for those who don’t have lots of excess space for toting around photography gear.
The “Nifty Fifty” 50mm f/1.8 Lens
Not only is this lens ultra light and compact, it’s super affordable as far as lenses go (at around $100) and is excellent for portrait photography. When I have this baby on, my already compact camera becomes even more compact and easy to carry.
Canon EFS 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Lens
I’ve struggled to get decent wildlife shots on my past travels, so I figured it was time to change that. This lens certainly isn’t the most powerful zoom lens out there, but its image stabilization feature will help me capture crisp images even with my untrained, shaky hands.
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Standard Zoom Lens
This is officially the newest (and best) lens in my fleet. I’m absolutely obsessed with the crisp quality of the images it produces. It’s the most versatile lens I own, proving an excellent choice for portraits, landscapes, and low light–essentially everything this travel blogger needs! It’s a pricey one but if you’re looking for an upgrade, this might be worth your while. It’s worth mentioning that it’s by far the heaviest and bulkiest of the lenses I own, but if you’ve got a good camera bag, you’ll have no problem traveling with it.
Manfrotto Compact Action Tripod
I can’t say enough good things about this tripod. It’s lightweight, easy to set up, moves seamlessly (so it could be used for panoramic video in addition to still photography), and has a super easy to use attachment (a tiny screw that fits any DSLR) and quick release system. I purchased this in New York after watching a Best Buy employee demonstrate how it worked. It was less than half the cost of all the tripods I’d seen at specialty stores, and for my purposes, did everything I’d need it to do. It’s great for beginner DSLR cameras with kit lenses, but it supports my heavy 24-70mm lens just fine as well.
Canon RC-6 Remote Controller
Ever wondered how I get my self-portraits while traveling solo? Why, with a tripod and shutter release remote control, of course. I’m obsessed with this remote control. It has its limitations–they say the range is up to 16 feet, but it’s definitely more challenging from that distance. But I love the choice of an immediate release or a 2-second delay, and it’s great for getting group shots if you want to be in it yourself without doing the 10-second timer dash.
iPhone 5s (Unlocked)
When I can’t be bothered bringing my real camera out with me, I’m always so grateful to have my iPhone 5s on hand. The rear camera has proven itself super powerful, especially compared to older iPhone models or the Samsung I had previously. I chose to purchase an unlocked phone so that no matter where I travel, I can use a local SIM card without issue.
GoPro Hero 3+
I had big plans to introduce lots of fun travel videos to this blog when I first purchased my GoPro (and I still do!) but it has been useful many times over simply for taking cool wide-angle photos as well. The waterproof case that it comes with means I can take it just about anywhere without worrying about ruining it, and I’ve found that the audio quality is hardly affected when shooting video. I’ve taken it zip lining, snorkeling, pool partying and Carnival-ing and I can’t wait to get some footage of my upcoming travels in Europe.
GoPro POV Tripod Grip
This is by far my favorite GoPro accessory–a hand grip that doubles as a mini tripod! It also has a cord I wrap around my wrist for an extra layer of security against dropping my precious camera, and the ball joint allows me to get the exact point of view I want every time.
External Hard Drive
When you take zillions of photos on the road, it’s important to have ample storage space for them as well as a backup of any important files should your computer be stolen or damaged. I put off purchasing an external hard drive for way too long, so finally having one has given me much-needed peace of mind. My first purchase was the Seagate Backup Plus 2 Terabyte External Hard Drive. When that one eventually bit the dust (after one too many drops on my part) I went for the sturdier WD 2TB My Passport Ultra. 
Blogging
On a somewhat unrelated note, I have a new blogging resource at my disposal that has helped me transform this blog immensely. Around six months ago, I decided to invest in the future of my blog and joined Travel Blog Success.
For those of you who aren’t familiar, TBS is an online course and community for travelers looking to start a travel blog or make the most of the blog they’re already pouring their blood, sweat, and tears into. I fell into the latter category–I have big plans for this little endeavor of mine and TBS has already helped me make leaps and bounds toward my goals.
The course material is extensive and the community of bloggers you’ll become a part of is tremendously helpful and supportive. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help of Travel Blog Success!
What travel and photography accessories are must-haves for you?
Still want more packing posts? You’re in luck:
- Packing for a Week in San Francisco
- Packing for Winter in Sweden
- The Digital Nomad Packing List: Tech & Accessories I Can’t Travel Without
- Carry-On Flight Essentials
*This post contains affiliate links. Featured image by Megan Kathleen Photography.
