Around The World Travel Gear List

Books

Solo Traveller — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 22:54:01 +0000

Below is a list of just some of the books that I have bought and found useful on my travels. I usually read these before I leave and try to memorise as much as I can, as carrying even just one book with you when you travel adds considerably to your load. (That said, I do carry the first book on the list with me as it is tiny).

To be honest, these days I tend to listen to audio books on my iPod mainly, as I can fit a considerable number of books onto it and [...]

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Websites

Solo Traveller — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 22:30:09 +0000

Some of the following links are on other pages of this website. I have brought them all together on this page, plus a few others that I found useful when researching long-term worldwide travel.

The links are not listed in any particular order, although I try to keep them arranged in the same order as they appear on this site.

General:

How to travel overland comfortably and affordably General Travel Hints and Tips The Traveller’s Toolkit – Independent travel resources Round-The-World Travel Guide – The Travel Library Lots of very useful travel advice links Using a cell phone overseas Maps of the night sky

Money:

Visa worldwide [...]

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Suppliers

Solo Traveller — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 22:16:53 +0000

Links to the suppliers of the travel gear I use and recommend can be found through out this site. Here is a list of those suppliers on one page.

I don’t work for any of the companies listed, neither do I receive any money from them to list them here. The list changes all the time as I add new suppliers and test out new gear.

I buy my equipment from companies on both sides of the Atlantic (I am both British and American). US-based companies and website links are preceded by and [...]

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Miscellaneous

Solo Traveller — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 21:57:09 +0000

Waterproof bags

Used to separate and keep various items dry in your bag. Good for keeping valuables and electronics. Simple Ziploc style bags are good for this. However, much better are the plastic bags made by Aloksak.

These are very strong but lightweight, transparent storage bags. They come in four sizes: 7 x 4.5 inch, 6.75 x 6 inch, 9 x 6 inch and 12 x 12 inch.

They are made of a patented, super-stretch plastic, and very puncture-resistant. They close easily [...]

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Security

Solo Traveller — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:47:08 +0000

It is said that you should never take anything with you on vacation that you are not prepared to lose.

However, if your possessions are lost or stolen while travelling it can be very inconvenient and annoying, even if you are able to replace them quite easily (often for much less than you originally paid).

There are people out there who prey on tourists and travellers, as there are at home. And just like at home there are simple precautions you can take to prevent yourself becoming a victim of crime or loss.

Most of them don’t cost you [...]

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Repairs

Solo Traveller — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:22:16 +0000

Fixing

There are a number of things you can pack which are light, small, cheap, and versatile when it comes to making repairs on the road.

Para (parachute) cord comes in a variety of thicknesses and colours and can be used for making repairs to bags, clothing, sleeping gear.

Also it can be used for other things such as shoelaces, tying parcels, even making shelters and snares if you are in a survival situation!

Wrap it around something, maybe even replace your shoelaces with the right length piece of cord.

Sewing

Sewing kits are cheap and [...]

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Laundry

Solo Traveller — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:23:53 +0000

Universal sink plug/stopper

Sink plugs are hard to come by in some countries as they are both useful and portable, therefore they don’t stay around too long in one place.

It is always best to carry your own, they don’t take up much room and are very useful when doing laundry in hotel and hostel sinks. The best are the large, flat type that fit any sink. You can also use a sock or fashion a stopper out of a variety of materials (duct tape, for example) [...]

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Toiletries

Solo Traveller — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:14:53 +0000

You can buy toiletries almost anywhere in the world, often for less than it costs it home.

You may have your favourites, however, and not every brand is available overseas (sometimes there are worse, sometimes better alternatives). You can’t always be sure of the quality, either.

For these reasons you might consider bringing your own.

Space and weight can be saved by taking small, travel- or trial-sized bottles, or better still, buy some small, refillable plastic bottles and containers and fill them with your own products.

Liquids can weigh a lot, and a lot [...]

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Sleeping Gear

Solo Traveller — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:55:49 +0000

Travelling in the Third World is not like a camping trip. You will find plenty of cheap food and accommodation everywhere, so you won’t need a stove, tent or sleeping bag,

There may be occasions where you would think a sleeping bag might be useful, in a cold room, sleeping outside (when it is warm), protection against insects, as a seat or cushion, etc., but consider the alternatives first.

Long underwear or other warm clothing will be fine in emergencies, on buses, trains, and cold hostels. A sleep sheet packs small, is [...]

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Gadgets

Solo Traveller — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:39:28 +0000

Camera

There are two types of camera you can take travelling. Either an SLR digital with a selection of lenses, or a point-and-shoot camera. For the difference in quality and performance you get between both, you are better off taking the point-and-shoot.

I am a photographer and regularly use both types of camera, but if you don’t believe me or want a second opinion, read more about it here on Ken Rockwell’s excellent photography site.

Personally, I have been using an old Sony Cybershot (shown right) which gives great [...]

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Footwear

Solo Traveller — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:30:19 +0000

One of the most important choices you will have to make when it comes to equipment is your footwear. That said, some people wear flip flops (thongs) for their entire trip, some wear hiking boots, some go barefoot.

Space requirements will dictate what footwear you can take. If you bring shoes, sandals, running shoes, flip flops, and hiking boots, then you might not have much room in your pack for anything else.

Two pairs of footwear should be sufficient for most situations; one pair of ‘proper’ closed shoes or boots with good [...]

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Outerwear

Solo Traveller — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:02:58 +0000

Hat Most of the time you probably won’t need a hat, but they are useful in certain situations.

Figures vary from about 7% to 75%, but whichever it is, a lot of body heat is lost through your head. For cold weather, a good, simple solution to this is to carry a lightweight, waterproof, silk, woollen or wool mix cap/hat(shown left), they can even be worn in bed.

For the sun, choose [...]

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Middlewear

Solo Traveller — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:49:13 +0000

Tie/scarf/bandana

A wool scarf can be very effective in cold weather but can be bulky. You can always buy one wherever you are if it gets too cold.

A good substitute is something like a bandana or a sarong, or maybe a towel or just buy a thin locally bought scarf. This can also help vary your outfits as it makes a good accessory.

A cotton bandana is probably the most versatile for not only can it serve as a neck or head scarf, you can use it for a cravat/tie, a hat [...]

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