Hello friends!
Recently someone asked me what possessions I travel with.
I travel with very few items and the items I do travel with all have a purpose.
All of these possessions can easily fit in one piece of carry-on luggage and one backpack (with room to spare).
Here they are…
Macbook – The Macbook is the one thing I NEVER leave anywhere. I make my living on my MacBook and to me it is the holy grail of everything I have. As a professional blog artist, without the Macbook I've got nothing.
Over the years I've traveled with many different Macbooks. I first started my travels with a 17′ MacBook pro. This thing was so heavy it nearly broke my back carrying it, but what a great computer it was. I then switched to a MacBook 13′ and this was also a great computer. I then purchased a Macbook air 11′ just for fun but didn't use it too much. Then I bought a newer Macbook that was a piece of shit. I hated it and when it broke I didn't care (it fell from my motorbike probably 25 times). I still had my old Macbook air 11′ available and basically still new.
Now I carry this Macbook air 11″ that was purchased in 2015 in Vietnam. Amazingly I'm able to record podcasts and edit video on this little machine! The newer Macbooks are terrible so when it comes time to buy a new one I will be buying a used machine from 2015 or prior. What about windows? You could not pay me to use a windows machine!
Tom Binh Synapse 25 Backpack – Tom Bihn sent me this backpack for free in early 2014 and I've been carrying it ever since. I've even looked for new backpacks multiple times, I have never, ever found a better one than the Tom Binh.
iPhone – I've found the iPhone to be invaluable when traveling because I can use the map app in real time and never get lost. It is great when I don't speak the local language and the local population doesn't speak english. I also use the Kindle app to read books on the airplane and the podcast app to listen to podcasts. I also use the camera very frequently. And of course I use messaging apps, especially Line. Regarding which iPhone I use, I don't give a damn what model it is. In fact, my iPhone screen is cracked from dropping it 10,000 times and I have no intention of replacing it until it absolutely stops working.
Portable Phone Charger – The external charger was a life-saver while I was traveling by Jeep through Kyrgyzstan and needed the Map application to get me around, no one in the country spoke English. The map app was running the entire time I was driving and drained the battery. Without the external charger my phone would have died and I would have nee stranded in the mountains with no idea where to go. Without modern maps and my external charger I would have never been able to travel by Jeep in this crazy mountain country.
My jeep in Kygyzstan
Siang Pure Oil – I don't go anywhere without this oil. It can be used for many things but I use it for one thing – bug bites! Mosquitoes always try to eat me up so I use this oil on my mosquito bites to “cool them down” and get them to stop itching. I buy this oil in Thailand but you can also get it online.
Natural Bug Spray – I keep a natural bug spray that I purchase in Thailand just in case some bed somewhere has too many buggies for my liking. NOTE: My bug spray exceeds the limit allowed by airports and has to be checked in luggage. If I bring only carry-on luggage then I do not bring my bug spray.
Notebook and Pen – I keep a regular old notebook in which I can write notes and write my daily to-do list. I prefer writing down my daily to-do rather than keeping it all in the computer.
Shure SM7B Microphone – This is my podcast mic and I've traveled with it since I've purchased it, even when I wasn't recording anything. I like to always keep it with me for when inspiration strikes. of course now I release a new Bold an Determined Podcast every Thursday so it's an absolute must that I bring my mic with me everywhere. This is a big, heavy duty mic but I'm not prepared to trade quality for size and use a small mic.
MS-12 Mini Mic Stand – To hold up the mic I use a nice, little desktop mic stand that works well and weighs basically nothing. This thing is awesome for recording audio while traveling!
Apollo Twin Audio Interface – The Apollo Twin is what allows me to power my mic and get sound from it and actually record podcasts. The Apollo Twin is basically way too expense to be a traveling audio interface and if I were starting a new podcast today I'd buy the Audient iD4 interface. However, I do already have the Apollo Twin and it works fantastic so I keep it and use it!
Headphones – You need headphones to record a podcast and they come in handy if you want to listen to something or watch something in a quiet coffee shop somewhere in the world. I personally carry some headphones I bought in Bangkok many years ago. They're falling apart but they still work well so I keep them! If I were buying new headphones today I would buy the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones.
Travel Gadget Bag – I keep all of my audio gear in this little bag and it works great! It easily fits into a piece of carry-on luggage and I've got plenty of room to spare.
Baby Wipes – I don't go anywhere without baby wipes. I don't know how you dirty savages wipe your butt with dry paper and pretend it's clean. It's disgusting and not clean. I bring baby wipes EVERYWHERE. They are always in my day backpack. I keep a large size baby wipes in my suitcase and a small size pack in my backpack. Also, many places in the world don't stock toilet paper in their restrooms. It's best to always be prepared.
DSLR Camera – I used to travel absolutely everywhere with my Nikon D90 DSLR camera. Somewhere along the way I switched to only using my iPhone for pictures which was a big mistake. The phone quality is vastly inferior to a good DSLR camera. I got rid of my Nikon D90 but I'm looking at buying a new DSLR and bringing it with me everywhere. A good picture cannot be underestimated, especially in the blog business where you are always writing new articles that benefit from great photos. I have been traveling with the Canon VIXIA HF G40 Camcorder but I've used it exactly zero times. A DSLR is what you want to travel with. What camera do you think I should buy?
A crazy back-alley snake show (photo taken with my Nikon D90)
Bar Soap – I don't mess with liquid soap. I buy bar soap and keep it in a plastic bag. I've been using the same dozen bars of soap I bought in Thailand but Nubian African black soap is a great soap!
Toiletries Bag – In this bag I keep my deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush etc as well as my supplements.
Dental Floss Picks – I NEVER go anywhere without my dental floss. I floss at least one time per day and I usually floss after every single meal. I hate regular dental floss so I always use the dental floss/toothpick combos and they work fantastic!
Mini Umbrella – It only took me a few years of living in the rain in Thailand to learn this valuable lesson – always keep a small umbrella in your backpack! I bring an umbrella with me everywhere (it's always in my backpack) no matter what the forecast says. I've been caught in the rain too many times to skip the umbrella. I've heard many people say “you aren't a man if you carry an umbrella.” I see these same kind of morons soaking wet all the time. When in Thailand I also always carry a small plastic raincoat.
Clothes – Obviously you have to being clothes with you when you travel! I bring clothing based on the climate. If I'm going to a hot country I bring shorts and t-shirts. If I'm going to a cold country I'll bring a coat, hoodie, sweaters, long pants, etc. If I'm going to a country with good hiking I bring hiking boots. I always bring house slippers with me as I've been in Asia far too long to walk around the inside of a house without slippers or sandals. Regarding t shirts, I've been wearing nothing but my Red Supplements T-shirts for the past year and a half. They are the most comfortable shirts I have ever had and won't buy any new shirts until these Red Supplements T-shirts turn into rags.
Passport + Cash + ATM Cards – Don't want to be anywhere without money and without a way to get money. Also, you obviously need to travel with a passport.
Kingston DataTraveler Flash Card – These external memory drives come in super handy when you're traveling! I use them to keep photos, important documents etc. I also use them to print out ticket and itineraries (you don't carry a printer when you travel). I've been carrying this exact flash drive since 2011 and it has never let me down.
3D Sleep Mask – I cannot sleep without a sleep mask. And I cannot live without this sleep mask in particular. I've tried many sleep masks over the years and this one is by far the best sleep mask I've ever used as it covers my entire eyes when I sleep and absolutely works to make everything black.
Supplements – I used to always travel with a bottle of Red-PCT and a bottle of Red Monkey. Now that Red-PCT has been banned, and I've run out of my personal stash, I no longer travel with it. However, Red-PCT 2.0 has come in and I will be keeping it in my backpack for all future travels.
Rogue Fitness Green Exercise Band – I love these bands for working out, I even bring this band with me to the gym. I use this band 3X per week to do seated leg curls and to train my neck. It has been phenomenal for my legs and neck! Because so many of us sit down too much our hamstrings can shrink and atrophy, it's very important to work them frequently just to get blood in them and keep them strong. Because we stare down at phones and computers our necks are messed up. I make sure to always train neck and hamstrings. To do this I use the green band from Rogue Fitness. When you get to RogueFitness.com, type in Rogue Monster Bands and look for the green one, it's the perfect sized band. You can also use this band to train arms, shoulders, and chest. It's very versatile and I always use it. Here is an 11 second video that shows you exactly how I perform leg curls with a band.
Fingernail Clippers – I swear there is something about travel that makes your fingernails grow faster. Every time I'm at the airport my fingernails are way too long and need to be cut. Thankfully I always bring fingernail clippers with me when I travel.
That's it, friends! That's everything I carry.
How about you? What do you carry when you travel? What items can you not live without? Let me know in the comments below!
-Victor
I assume you are still on the carnivore diet. Since it can get monotonous … a mix of eating meat and fish and eggs and nuts should work for high energy right? (nuts are low in carbs and high in protein &fat but they are plants after all so I am not sure about them)
I was shocked when I went to Europe for the first time. The whole of Europe is living with a shitty ass. There was no single tap in toilets… For this reason, I only tried to stay in Turkish Hostels. It’s already a pain in the ass to shit in a modern toilet. Well, I still squat on top of those modern toilets, lol. I never used baby wipes but they should be better than dry ones.
“my iPhone screen is cracked from dropping it 10,000 times and I have no intention of replacing it until it absolutely stops working.”
I laughed my ass off in this one. This is totally me. I never threw something to trash until it is completely useless. I even used my first phone for 9 years from my age 11 to 19. It is still working btw, a son of a bitch professor forced us to buy a smartphone. Otherwise, we were threatened to drop the lecture. My dear Nokia 6600 is still working, btw.
Thanks a lot for this post. When I went on traveling, I will reread this again.
30DOD Update: It is going great! I posted 9 posts and the 10th is on the way for today. I am more productive than ever, also I feel a different spiritual growth in this stage.
Not the whole of Europe. Italy has bidets.
Look into the Moment brand lens attachments for your iPhone. You may end up not needing to carry large camera equipment if it meets your needs.
What exercises do you do to train your neck?
Vic, what size of the gadget travel bag do you have to fit the Apollo Twin?
The largest one.
My man. Great tip. My bag is always a fucking mess with electronics.
Have you considered adding a luggage scale to this?
You’ve changed your mind a few times on checking bags versus not. Do you keep all of your shit in one place or have you just eliminated it all again and going back to begin more nomadic? When you shift between Asia and USA, how much are you carrying with you these days pal?
>Fingernail Clippers
Ha, I made the mistake of not packing these on my last trip and won’t be making that mistake again!
Most Windows Machines are shitty, especially low end. However I blog on my Surface Go by Microsoft. I’d still recommend it, runs only 399 can fit on an airplane tray.
Thanks for the list Vic. After 3 fillings at 21 I gotta start traveling with some damn floss.
What do you do with the baby wipes when you’ve finished? They’re not meant to be flushed.
They sell flushable wipes
Yes, but that’s just a word they put on the packaging. The agencies that are responsible for the plumbing systems are clear that you shouldn’t be flushing those either.
Trail mix for easy calories, always have a few packs in my bag.
For wiping your ass, Wet the toilet paper with water from the sink, water you have brought with you, or saliva, sounds disgusting but at the end of the day your ass is cleaner, so not so disgusting…
I really hate going anywhere without my Leatherman Wave, which means I have to check a bag.
2x outlet adapters for wherever I’m going
20′ 3 outlet extension cord because I’ve been in hotels with exactly one outlet and it was on the wrong side of the room
6 port USB charger, I’m done carrying a bunch of single port chargers
a handful for foam ear plugs
Instead of headphones, I use Etymotic in ear monitors and I had custom molded eartips made. Long flights are much more comfortable.
I’ve had the exact same experience with computers. 2016 -2018 macs are shit and now older model macs are really the best deal. On a site like mac of all trades you can get blazing fast desktop macs for $500 bucks. That is really the sweet spot in computing power. Apple fired a lot of their laptop department and is focusing mostly on iphones when people are buying less and less of them.
For a camera I’d recommend the sony RX 100, either the latest or a mark 5 is good. It’s tiny, lightweight, and takes some of the best photos and video ever.
Your audio set up is good, but is quite bulky for travel as well. I used to be an in house sound engineer and now I recommend the Izotope Spire to people with iphones. It’s perfect for podcasting and you can edit the sound right on your phone app.
I’m sure you didn’t have this article written, but I am noticing a distinctly different tone to this piece. Is this intentional or am I just tripping?
Hey Vic,
Here’s my DSLR suggestion:
1. Sony A7iii (high-end, compact in size, top in low light, incredible machine, expensive )
2. Canon EOS 80D (mid to high end , less compact(similar to your nikon though) , screen that pops out
No matter which camera you get though ,remember THIS:
Fuck the kit lens that come with the camera.
They are low-quality and will turn a great dslr into shit.
Buy the body and the lens seperately.
For lens:
I suggest a 16-35mm lens, does the job for most ocassions , landscapes ,portraits etc.
Otherwise get 2 lenses: 16mm and 75mm(you cover landscape and portraits with that)
Hope I helped
Macbooks suck dick – get a PC laptop.
I like the zwilling nailclippers, sharp, flat foldable and a little luxury item that gives you an odd happiness when travelling.
https://www.amazon.com/Zwilling-J-Henckels-Ultra-Slim-Clipper/dp/B002A9JPKK/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1542109308&sr=8-3&keywords=zwilling+nail+clipper
Bose Noise Canceling heaadphones for longer flights.
Used to have a Nikon D4 for photo’s but heavy and cumbersome so would suggest a sony A7 III with a good lens – iphone is good for normal angles.
Yo Vic,
I saw that you stated you take Red-PCT (or did) with you when u travel. Do you have any idea why they banned the original resulting of the release of 2.0?? Reason I ask, I have a few old bottles on hand and would like to know what they had to change about the original?? Thanks.
It worked too well.
Camera.
First, know that DSLR are a thing of the past and will soon go away. So don’t buy a new DSLR. Mirrorless is now the way forward.
Now I know Nikon and Canon dominate the world, and have a lot of fans, but I can tell you they’re not the best. Each have their strengths and weaknesses. Nikon is great for landscape and Canon is great for portraits, but both will cost you thousands in extras for lenses and other necessities to get the right picture. I know there are lots of loyal fans who will argue otherwise.
Well I’ve switched to FujiFilm, and I’m not going back. Fuji spent their lifetime making the best film, and they’ve integrated all their colour spectrum into their camera’s software. I’ve been using the FujiFilm X100T, which is mirrorless, compact, has a fixed “35mm” lens, is ergonomic to use and looks cool. Everywhere I go, people impulsively pick it up and ask me about it, because it looks so modern yet is designed like a classic camera you see in history books. The pictures it takes are outstanding. Well, Fuji just came out with the worlds most compact Medium format camera, their GFX. What this means is it packs a massive sensor compared to other cameras, so you will get the best picture quality out there, in the most compact size available. If you can afford this, you won’t regret it. However I feel you can’t go wrong with any of Fuji’s new cameras.
Oh and Vic, I hear you about taking pictures with your iPhone. It sucks! But it’s so convenient! What a dilemma! But not to worry, now the new cameras have finally caught up!
Great, thanks for the tip.
Very welcome
+1 on the nail clipping frequency. I think it’s to do with climate or something, but whenever I look at my nails they already need to be cut again.
Always buy a toenail clipper instead of those annoyingly small and flimsy fingernail clippers.
That list seems like a lot of weight though. For a mortal anyway. I usually start by ruling out what’s NOT going in, such as metal, liquids, nice-to-haves, duplicates.
Hey Victor,
DSLR’s are going the way of the dinosaur. It’s all about mirrorless now. Lighter (because no extra parts like mirrors) and you still get pro quality. Look into Fuji XT-3 (or slightly older XT models) or Sony a7iii (or a7 series) reviews on YouTube. I’m getting the Fuji when I get the money, but you can’t go wrong with the Sony either.