Travel gear
& Packinglist
The best travel gear
Travel gear for starting and experienced travelers. Even when going on a shorter holiday in South East Asia. Most of these tools and gear are indispensable especially when traveling for a longer time.
Down below you find different items wich are very handy when traveling, and in most cases even essential. It’s recommended to buy or at least take a look at these products before you go traveling.
While most of these products are the same price in Asia, or sometimes cheaper. It’s hard to find good quality and original products, that don’t break or do what their supposed to do and you’ll end up buying again.
We put a lot of effort into the research of all these products so that you can enjoy your traveling to the fullest.
What to bring and to pack in southeast Asia
Tips and tricks for starting and experienced travelers.
When your traveling in Asia you’ll find, that there are many things your carrying with you that you DO NOT need and wish you left back home.
Extra weight and space in your luggage is very important when Traveling. You don’t want to be carrying 2 backpacks or suitcases of 15 kg each and find out that you only need half. The most mistakes starting travelers make is that they want to be prepared for every situation they can think of. While this is understandable it’s not necessary.
You will find tips, tricks, packing lists and videos about what you need to bring in southeast Asia. These items down below are suggestions wich you can filter by deciding wich products are best suited for you and your travels.
Travel essentials
– Rolling luggage
When you only go traveling for a short time, or if you just don’t like carrying a backpack around, you can take rolling luggage. That is, if you will be in an area with enough pavement. When you go up into the mountains or go staying in the jungle, a backpack will be much easier to carry around! Also, when you travel around a lot, take notice about the fact that your luggage will be tossed around on buses and airplanes, so a hard suitcase will be easier damaged. Click Here to find different kinds of rolling luggage
– Backpack
When you go on a long term travel, a backpack is essential to have. The content of your backpack depends on your size. It has to be proportional to your body. Generally men have enough with 60 ltr. Whereas women have an average content of 50 ltr. There is also a difference between backpacks for women and backpacks for men. Backpacks are made to divide the weight in the right places, but always be thoughtful when you pack it, ‘cause you don’t want to be carrying around too much stuff that you won’t even need! Most (but not all!) backpacks come with a rain cover, which can come in very handy. Especially when you are in areas where there are heavy downpours! You will also be needing a flightbag. Not only will this be safe when you go flying, but also when you take a bus or any other means of transport, you will be sure nobody can come close to your belongings! Click here to find different kinds of travel backpacks
If you, by the way, want to have both backpack and rolling luggage you could think about buying a backpack with wheels.
– Day pack
A day pack will come in handy when you make day trips or hikes. Be sure that you have a foldable day pack, so you can put it in your backpack when you don’t need it. The size depends on the duration of your hike/trip. When you just go out for some sightseeing a 10 or 20 ltr. day pack will be sufficient. But when you go on a longer trip you need to take extra clothes/food/drinks and thus a bigger size will be necessary (up to 35 ltr.). Click Here to find different kind of day packs
– Packing cubes/cells
Packing cubes are so nice to have when traveling! It gives you the chance to organize your backpack. It also helps compressing your stuff so you will use your limited space all the more efficient. And of course you will find things you need in an instant rather than take everything out before you get what you need. It’s even possible to buy compressing cubes. Those can take all the air out so that means even more space in your backpack! Click Here to find different kinds of packing cubes/cells
– Waterproof bags
Waterproof bags are a must have when you go traveling. Think about your phone, your laptop and all other precious belongings you will be carrying around. It’s sometimes even nice to keep your extra set of clothes dry when you go on a hike for instance. Water will be everywhere around you; the ocean, lakes, rivers, boat rides, rafting, you name it. Better be safe than sorry! Click Here to find different kinds of waterproof bags
– Travel lock
When you go traveling, having a proper travel lock will be essential. There will come a lot of situations where you will have to leave your belongings; bus rides, boat trips, the lobby of your hotel/hostel, you name it. So make sure you can lock your bag when leaving it behind. You could choose to put your backpack in your flight bag. You could also get a bag protector. This is a metal net that goes around your pack. Tip: get a travel lock with a combination lock so you can’t ever lose the key! Click Here to find different kinds of travel locks
– Mosquito net
You are going to South-East Asia… not only are there mosquito’s everywhere you go, there are lots of other creepy crawlers that will visit your bed during the night. So, even though a lot of hostels will have mosquito nets in the rooms, BRING YOUR OWN MOSQUITO NET!! The nets provided for are a lot of times smelly and mouldy, filled with holes or just too small for your European size. it won’t be necessary in all places you go, but there will be times that you’ll be glad that you can sleep in peace! Click Here to find different kinds of mosquito nets
Travel Tech
– Smartphone
Nowadays, smartphones are indispensable in life. But when you go traveling it is oh so handy to carry with you. Navigation, information, booking tickets and of course taking photo’s are one of the 1000 reasons to take a smartphone with you on your travels. A few tips: make sure your phone is unlocked so you can put in a local sim-card; when you want to change your sim-card, take a sim-ejector with you; you will probably make a thousand pictures (yes, really!) so think about the memory card you have (32GB is preferred); a water resistance protection case is also wise to get; take 3 power cables with you (2 for multi-charging and 1 to take out on your trips). And ALWAYS make sure your device is properly insured!!
We selected a few top quality smartphones great for traveling (both high and low budget!): Samsung S10 (+), iPhone XS (max), Huawei Mate 20 (pro), HTC U11, Motorola Moto G7, Google Pixel 3, Nokia 6.1, OnePlus 6 (T), Blu Vivo XL4
– Camera
When you want to take your travel pics to the next level, it’s advised to take a decent camera with you. Of course smartphones give you great photos, but it’s really not the same when you take photographs with a camera. Zooming in for instance. Or what about taking a shot in dim-light? Maybe you want to make action or underwater pics. The quality of these photographs will make all the difference!
Of course this is a valuable object, so make sure you treat it as one. Be sure to have a good padded case/shoulder bag for your camera. Also a wire camera strap will come in very handy. And again…make sure you have a proper Travel insurance for all your travel tech!!
We selected a few top quality camera’s great for travelling: (Compact camera’s) Canon Powershot SX740, Olympus TG-5 Waterproof Camera, Sony Cybershot HX99, GoPro Hero7. (Mirrorless camera’s) Canon M100, Sony A6000, Fujifilm X-A5. Have fun!
– Tablet
You can think about bringing a tablet with you on your travels. When you like the bigger screen for photo-editing or contact your family back home or maybe watch a movie once in a while, a tablet can be the solution for you. It has less weight than a laptop. It’s also nice for back-up/drop box/cloud. Another benefit is that the battery life of a tablet is much longer than a smart phone. When you decide to take one then make sure you have a tablet cover to protect your device. When you need to type a lot it’s nice to have a tablet keyboard. But keep in mind that it will also add weight! Also don’t bring one for making pictures. Tablets are just not made for making quality photographs! And…Proper insurance is essential of course!!!
We selected a few top quality tablets great for traveling: Amazon Fire HD8 (8”), Huawei Mediapad M5 (8.4”), iPad mini 4 (7.9”). Amazon Fire HD10 (10.1”), Huawei Mediapad M5 (10.8”), Apple iPad (9.7”), Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 (9.7”).
For Pro’s: Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 (10.5”), iPad Pro (11”), Microsoft Surface Book 2 (13.5”).
– Laptop
Should you bring a laptop? The answer is yes when you are (or going to be) a digital nomad. Or perhaps you want to write a travel blog? In other words, when you need one and you are sure to use it, then should you bring a laptop with you. Otherwise it’s just not worth the extra weight (don’t forget about the charger) and worries you’ll be having about its safety. In most cases a proper smartphone or maybe a tablet is more than enough digital tech (and weight) to bring along with you. But when you do: insurance, insurance, insurance!!
Anyway, we selected a few top quality laptops great for traveling: MacBook Pro (13”), MacBook Air (13”), Dell XPS (13”), Microsoft Surface Book 2 (13.5”), Asus Chromebook flip (10.1”).
– Drone
When photography is a main subject for your travels it will be awesome to take a drone with you. In this way you can make unbelievable shots! Of course it means extra weights, so make sure you think this through. But these days more and more travelers take a drone with them, because the aerial shots are just amazing. Do keep in mind that there are laws concerning drones in every country. So make sure you are familiar with them before using your drone. There is also the matter of respect. Respect for people, cultures and customs!
Insurance is something to look out for, because drones are usually NOT included in travel insurances…so check that too before you go.
We selected a few top quality and compact drones perfect for traveling: DJI Spark, DJI Mavic Air, Autel EVO, DJI Mavic Pro.
– Portable bluetooth speaker
Playing music through your portable bluetooth speaker, when traveling it’s unthinkable to be without it. Of course you will have earplugs for when you are in an airplane, bus, train…you name it. But when you are chilling at the beach, sitting around a bonfire or just relaxing in your room/cottage, you will be so glad when you have a portable bluetooth speaker with you! So you can share and enjoy music together. Also, how’s this a great way to connect with people! And lucky for us there are nowadays affordable speakers to buy with incredible sound. Do be careful that you buy one that is ‘travel proof’. By that we mean waterproof, shockproof and if possible also dust proof. Insurance is also nice to think of!
We selected a few top quality ‘travel proof’ portable bluetooth speakers for you: (mini) JBL Clip 3, UE Wonderboom, Sony SRS-XB10, Bose SoundLink micro. (Medium) JBL Flip 4, JBL Charge 4, UE-Boom 2, Beats Pill+, Fugoo Sport.
– Powerbank
When you start traveling, you will notice that charging your phone or other devices can be more difficult than you think. Maybe you will even go to places where there’s no electricity at all…so a power bank will come in handy at any rate. Especially when you have multiple devices with you. There are a lot of different power banks you can choose…it depends a little on what your preference is and also what you will need. When you have multiple devices, a power bank with long battery life will be good for you. When you want to travel ultra light you could buy a mini/ultra slim portable powerbank. You could even think about buying a solar charger. Then all you will need is the sun!
To give you a few great recommendations, we selected a few top quality power banks for you: Anker PowerCore 2 (20000 mAh), Anker PowerCore+ (26800 mAh), Anker PowerCore 10000 PD (10000 mAh), Attom Tech Power Bank mini (2500 mAh), GoalZero Guide 10+ Solarkit powerpack.
– Adapter
In every country in South-East Asia there are different plug sockets. Even within one country it is possible that there is a difference in plug sockets depending on where you are in that country! Anyway, when you are planning to go to only one country, it’s probably better to buy the plug adapter you need in the country itself. There are markets everywhere where you can buy these really cheaply. However, when you are planning to visit multiple countries it is advisable to buy a universal travel adapter. It really depends on where you live (which socket has your own country??) and what you want to plug in to know which one you need to
buy! But keep in mind that a travel adapter with a universal voltage power transformer will be safer for your devices. Most modern technology devices will have this built in, but not everything does, so we would say better safe than sorry!
– Headlamp
walking/hiking in the night/early morning, reading in the dark, power cuts, checking your room for creepy crawlers…a headlamp can come in so handy! We’ve noticed that in several occasions our headlamp was indispensable!
Of course it depends on what you need a headlamp for, to choose the one that is right for you. In most cases a cheap and simple headlamp will suffice. but of you want to make hikes or go camping somewhere, a proper headlamp is advisable. Also note that bugs cannot see red light. So when you have this function you can shine a light even when the area is full of bugs! you DON’T want to shine a normal light when bugs (in the thousands) are near…unless you like the company…
Anyway, we selected a few top quality headlamps for you: Petzl Tikka XP headlamp, Black Diamond Storm headlamp, Petzl Tikka 100 Lumens headlamp, Aennon Top-Pro-Xs headlamp, VTin Aurora Headlamp
Comfortable Travel Gear
Travel gear for starting travelers and experienced travelers. Even when going on a shorter holiday in South East Asia. Most of these tools and gear are indispensable especially when traveling for a longer time.
Down below you can find different items wich you can buy on amazon. It’s better to buy it before you go traveling then while your traveling.
While most of these products are the same price in Asia, or sometimes cheaper. It’s hard to find good quality products, that don’t break and you’ll end up buying again.
Travel Gear Safety
Travel gear for starting travelers and experienced travelers. Even when going on a shorter holiday in South East Asia. Most of these tools and gear are indispensable especially when traveling for a longer time.
Down below you can find different items wich you can buy on amazon. It’s better to buy it before you go traveling then while your traveling.
While most of these products are the same price in Asia, or sometimes cheaper. It’s hard to find good quality products, that don’t break and you’ll end up buying again.
Travel Gear Toiletries
Travel gear for starting travelers and experienced travelers. Even when going on a shorter holiday in South East Asia. Most of these tools and gear are indispensable especially when traveling for a longer time.
Down below you can find different items wich you can buy on amazon. It’s better to buy it before you go traveling then while your traveling.
While most of these products are the same price in Asia, or sometimes cheaper. It’s hard to find good quality products, that don’t break and you’ll end up buying again.
Packinglist, tips and tricks
Standard travel essentials
There are some basic things you need when traveling in Southeast Asia
Powerbank because your gonna run out of battery alot make sure before you set out to charge your powerbank.
You need an international travel adapter because in asia they have different kind of sockets and to have an adapter will be very handy.
waterproof bag, not only to put your wet clothes or towels in, but also to take with you on boat trips or when going to the beach.
A small backpack, when hiking or going on excursions will be handy in alot of situations.
What to wear in Southeast Asia
The most countries in Southeast Asia you visit have a very hot and humid climate.
Our advice is to bring good pair of flip-flops, shorts(light fabric) swim wear, t-shirts(light fabric) jumper(for traveling in buses with airco , trains, local flights or minivans).
Keep in mind that you can easily buy clothes, swim wear and flip-flops that suit the climate in every Southeast Asian country, for cheap prices in the local shops.
You also have cheap loundry service at almost every corner of the street.
So don’t bring to much clothes!