Finding Reason

Essentials

Over the last few months, my desire to travel light has increased drastically. Similar to my change in travel style, I appreciate that there can be different necessities and essentials for each person. I've tried to design the following list as universally as possible - highlighting some essentials of what you should consider to pack for your next trip. Remember that the quantity of each item below will include any different type of that item. For example, I always factor in at least one pair of my socks to be wooly, hiking socks. Enjoy! 

                                                                                                                               

Clothing

6-8 pairs of underwear

8 pairs of socks 

1 pair flip-flops

1 pair sport shoes

1 pair hiking/walking shoes (also formal footwear)

6 pairs T-Shirt

1 formal shirt

1 pair quick-dry swim shorts

1 pair breathable pants

1 pair jeans

1 water/windproof light jacket

1 quick-dry light towel

 

First-Aid Kit

Claratyne (antihistamine)

Band Aids

Eye Drops

Rubbing Alcohol

Antibacterial lotion

 

 

 

 

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Travel Documents

This list can vary depending on the destination or purpose of travel. I usually buy an A4 plastic container to keep my important travel documents in. There are a variety of medium backpacks from brands like SwissGear, that contain a lockable back compartment to conveniently store the container.

 

Common travel documents are as follows:

 

Passport with over 6 months validity at all times

Visa papers

Visa payment receipts 

Proof of funds

Proof of forward travel

Copy of intinerary / plans

_____________________________________________________________________________________Need a backpack?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've just made the jump from using a hybrid pully-backpack, to a travel backpack. There are several brands that you can lookout for while you're searching. Some of my favourites include Kathmandu, BlackWolf, Mont, Osprey and REI. I have used products from each of these companies, and they're all reliable. Each company stresses several important features of a reliable backpack, and they are as follows:

 

Water Resistance

It is vital to keep your clothes and travel documents dry. Make sure you invest in a backpack that is designed with water resistant material. A cool tip that I learned from Nomadic Matt is to pour some water over the bag, and make sure it trickles down, instead of it soaking into the material. 

 

Separated Sections

Keep an eye out for backpacks that have several compartments. The advantage of this feature lies in the fact that you'll be able to pack, unpack, and access your gear more efficiently. Becoming familiar with your 'stash' will help you to develop great travel habits!

 

Lockable

It's important to have zips that can be locked together with a padlock. A backpack that has several compartments, as well as the capacity to lock each, is a winner. I had my headphones swiped while I was swimming in a beach just outside the hostel. Don't take the risk. Lock your valuables up, and then lock your backpack in a locker. 

 

Padding & Clips

For comfort's sake, make sure you choose a backpack that has adequate padding on the shoulder straps, back, hips and waistline. Find a backpack that can clip around the waist. This promotes a more even distribution of weight. You can also get backpacks that clip across the chest/pectorials.

 

Frame

Ensure that the frame is on the inside of the backpack, and not the outside. For obvious reasons, exterior frames are a thing of the past.

 

Price

The maximum you should aim to spend is around $350 AUD. You can get adequate backpacks with great warranties for less than that, but I'd still be willing to invest up to into that kind of price range. Check out the brand links I provided above. 

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Cameras

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love taking photos, and I quite often enter my photography into both local and online competitions, sometimes seeing an award or a mention. With the popularity of GoPro ever booming among travellers and backpackers, some may not even consider other competitive camera lines. I strongly advise for you to do some research across brands like Panasonic, Nikon and Canon. Each have some remarkable cameras suitable for any form of travel - and can be a cheaper yet better alternative to a GoPro.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                Chichén Itzá - Yucatán, Mexico (Panasonic lumix dmc-ft5)

 

While I'm abroad, I use a combination of my Iphone and a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT5. The Lumix DMC-FT5 currently ranked by TechRadar as the second best water friendly camera of 2015. This is despite the model being over two years old. I swear by the Lumix DMC-FTC because of it's advanced underwater, dust, freeze and shockproof capabilities. In combination with the sheer clarity and high definition richnesss of the photos and videos it produces, the DMC-FT5 makes for a light, versitile and comfortable travel accessory. The DMC-FT5 can be picked up as cheap as $300 AUD on amazon. Check out my gallery to see the beautiful photos that the camera can produce. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Along with the GoPro range and the DMC-FT5, I would recommend checking out the Olypmus Stylus TG-4. One of the newest and most popular tough cameras, the TG-4 has penetrated the market succesfully, redubbing itself a huge competitor to both the DMC-FT5, and the GoPro Hero range. The TG-4 features 1920x1080 (HD) resolution, and is 15m waterproof, dustproof, crushproof, shockproof and freezeproof.  According to online reviews, the TG-4. Unfortunately, the TG-4 omits a panoramic setting, and can often miss fine details that the DMC-FT5 and other competitors would pick up. You can find the TG-4 on amazon for roughly $350. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Nikon 1 is another excellent choice of camera for travellers. Designed alongside Nikon's 'coolpix' range, the Nikon 1 is a master of underwater photography. With full HD photo and video modes, and different settings for manual control, the Nikon 1 has more versitlity for underwater advenutreres. The '1' is also the first underwater camera that features an interchangable lens system. Although strong in the quality and underwater fields, this camera tends to lack in the ruggedness criteria. The Nikon 1 doesn't feature as efficient dust, freeze or shockproofing technology as the aforementoned cameras.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The cameras above are a great place to start if you're researching for a good, small and rugged travel camera. Make sure you see what's out there before settling on a GoPro. I'm not saing GoPros are bad, they're great, but just make sure you do the research and find a camera that suits your needs adequately.

 

Price

In conclusion, I wouldn't pay greater than $400 (excluding accessories) for a travelproof camera. Some people would pay more for DSLR cameras, but I wouldn't want to take one backpacking, unlike this guy. You can get beautiful clarity from the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT5, it's cheap, and it has a bunch of great travelproof features. Perhaps I'm biased because I own one, but I think it is definitely worth a look at.

 

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