The following is my view on what you should consider as gear for any travel needs, domestic or international, after being fortunate enough to travel internationally for most of my adult life. My goal here is to provide a perspective to ensure your gear, in no way, hinders an adventure but rather excels at its job and allows you to focus on the joys of travel. After all, the opportunity to repeat a location rarely occurs, so it’s imperative to make the most of your initial experience. So whether you follow the ways of a traditional suitcase or embody the life of a backpacker, check out my recommendations below:
SUITCASE
Briggs & Riley, when I first heard of this brand back in the day, I was impressed by their ‘simple as that’ lifetime guarantee. So what does this mean? Well, simply that any damage inflicted on your luggage will be covered and repaired by an authorized shop. Damages caused due to travel, a disgruntled person or an accident is simply covered, and an elaborate story isn’t required. Other companies have advertised the same but when push came to shove, they didn’t honor their promise. Even with this guarantee, the quality for their luggage remains serious. They understand that the top three elements to normally break in a suitcase are the wheels, zippers and handle, so they properly reinforce these elements and mine (owned since 2005) have never let me down.
I have one of their Baseline series (Large Upright Two-Wheel), capable of 93 L / 5,752 cui in capacity and it works like a charm. Oh, and the warranty is global so regardless of where you go, they’ve got you covered. There are more competitively priced bags; however, they may break at an inopportune time and make travel a pain, or you can invest in a tank and never have to worry about purchasing another suitcase, ever again.
BACKPACK
If you’re serious with backpacking, then Gregory or Arc’teryx should be your first choices. In fact, I’d say it's more important to go with a reputable brand for this piece of gear, as forgoing a proper investment means you run the risk of a difficult, if not painful, trip. I've had my Gregory Denali Pro (106 L / 6,450 cui) since 2004, and it’s been a beautiful piece of gear, capable of packing 2 weeks or 75 lb (34 kg) worth of gear. It's astonishing to see how the weight of such a pack seems to magically disappear when it’s properly strapped in, thanks to its genius suspension.
I don’t foresee a need to replace this pack in the short term; however, if the opportunity arises, I will certainly compare the latest of what Gregory has to offer with Arc’teryx. Arc'teryx backpacks are currently ranked as some of the highest by reviewers, and further below you can see my love for this brand. Oh, and one last thing, ensure that you carry a sizeable duffel bag, capable of putting your backpack in, to ensure your baby isn't damaged in transportation.
DAYPACK
My Arc’teryx RT45 daypack (currently discontinued) has been with me from nearly the beginning. She was the replacement for my daypack after my unfortunate thievery experience in Europe (2004); however, had this situation not occurred, I may never have met the brand, nor the pack. Not once has has this pack let me down, and I’ve abused and exceeded its weight capacity on mulitiple occasions, and it simply grins back with a sincere “thank you sir, may I have another?”
And perhaps it's the daypack that grows on you the most, as like a turtle, it’s with you at nearly every step of your travels. She’s the perfect size (45 L / 2440 cui), fits as carry-on and carries a suspension system that will allow you to forget what you're carrying. It’s streamlined, waterproof, bulletproof and comes with a cavernous opening at the top making it a breeze to access your goodies. It's easy to see how this daypack and others of the Arc’teryx family are indeed some of the best in the market.
For weather above freezing:
SHOES
How much can you love shoes? No, I’m not referring to the latest Louboutin, Ferragamo or Nike’s. These may have their time and place, but how about a pair of shoes that can last nearly a lifetime and transverse every part of the world? Say hello to my little friend, the Chaco Z/2 (classic). If there was one thing I can say that has been with me everyday for the last 15 years, it’s these puppies.
Walking around town or through sand, mud and water and even through a cave filled with bat poop (wearing socks of course), these sandals have done it all and have never let me down. Heck, I’ve even run 5 kms (3 mi) with them. It’s due to their brilliant engineering: single webbing, toe loop and God mode (Vibram) sole. From such clients as a street vendor in Morocco to multiple Zimbabwean whitewater rafting guides, these sandals are a conversation piece, and the stories shared could fill pages. Even their customer service is amazing, as over time I’ve required the webbing and sole replaced, and the process is simple, friendly and inexpensive. If you want to purchase the most universal and serious piece of kit you can own, then look no further.
SHORTS / PANTS (TROUSERS)
Seriously, you’re going to talk to me about shorts and pants? What are you, in the tailoring business? I know what you’re thinking, just bare with me, and I’ll give you a brief nugget of information. I’d like to introduce you to KAVU and in particular, their Chili Lite Shorts and Pants. I’ve carried these form follow function items since my university or uni days, and they’ve never failed me. We hear the term engineered or perhaps overly engineered, but how often have these words been used to reference clothing?
Let’s start with their construction, the shorts and pants are made of a cotton canvas weave, these shorts can go through some serious trials and come out smiling; thanks to the material, gusset and reinforced seams. Then there are the pockets. You get four half-moon pockets, with the rears having velcro to ensure a proper close, and the rear right containing a smaller inner pocket for smaller items. The pockets are even deep enough to hold large items, i.e. water bottles, so your hands remain free. Another inventive idea incorporated into the garments is an adjustable belt, to make your traveling and airport security life easier. These shorts and pants are simply one of those things in life you didn’t know you required, until you’ve tried them on. They're the quintessential best clothing choices below the waist, if you're serious about urban traveling or trekking the outdoors.
Photography:
CAMERA
"Image is everything." Perhaps the classic 90’s Agassi commercials are to thank for my early adoption of Canon, or maybe it’s their distinctive white “L” series telephoto lenses; however, what I can say with certainty is that I've been very pleased with Canon over the years, and it’s served my passion extremely well. Regardless of which brand or spec you decide to shoot, the key is to get out, explore and see the beauty that the world has to offer.
My partner in crime is currently a Canon 5D Mark IV, a sizable upgrade from my old Rebel XTI days (2005). My go to lenses are the 16-35mm f/2.8L III and 24-70mm f/2.8L II. I love’em and both are exceptional; the ultra wide 16-35 is a particular beautiful thing. My de facto cannon for any matter associated with wildlife is the telephoto excellence that is the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L II. All of these lenses are built like tanks, produce beautiful shots and are designed to last a lifetime.
TRIPOD
Not a fan of blurry images? Wish to experiment in low light, long exposure or time-lapse photography, or perhaps just want to be included in the shot? The answer to these burning questions is simple, and your imaginary best friend is the solution, the tripod.
Really Right Stuff or RRS are the leaders in the tripod market and follow the premise, you get what you pay for. I carry their TQC-14 tripod with their BH-30 ballhead, and it’s the ultimate traveling tripod. The craftsmanship, attention to detail and feather weight is ridiculous. But my favorite part is its simplicity. It just works with effortless ease, and provides you with the necessary stability needed for those crucial moments. This work of art can be put through the ringer and will last you a lifetime. Don't leave home without it.
CAMERA BAG
So you’ve purchased your serious DSLR and are looking to ensure its safe passage though your travels? Lowepro has you got you covered. For over 50 years they’ve been manufacturing camera bags and have something for nearly every adventure. Whether you sport a single lens or an armada of goodness, they’ve overly engineered their bags and in my opinion, offer the best solution to safeguard and transport your precious photography gear around the world.
I carry one of their Slingshots (equivalent Edge 250 AW), which allows me to bring two additional lenses plus the one mounted on the body; there is even room for additional toys. Raining? No problem, it comes with a cover. Overall, an awesome piece of kit. Finally, if you wish to carry more lenses, I can recommend the LensCoat lens pouch. Nothing like safeguarding your investments and once wrapped, you can chunk them in your daypack or bag with no worries.