What a 20-Year Gadget Veteran Packs for Travel

For over 20 years, I’ve covered and reviewed the latest gadgets, and my love for electronics goes back even further. That experience has transformed my travel packing list from a last-minute jumble of gear into a carefully curated selection of essentials. Through countless trips, I’ve learned that the right packing list can truly make or break a vacation, turning potential chaos into a smooth, enjoyable experience. This summer, my family’s trip involves plenty of hiking and outdoor exploration, but we have no intention of disconnecting from our devices. Our focus is on convenience, comfort, and peace of mind.

Here’s a breakdown of the gear I’m bringing this year to ensure our travels are as seamless as possible. From passing the time on long flights and drives to capturing memories and keeping everything charged, this list covers it all.

Travel Essentials

For any flight longer than an hour, my Sony WH-1000XM4 ANC headphones are a must. Though nearly six years old and a couple of generations behind the latest models, they remain incredibly comfortable and still do an admirable job of quieting a plane cabin. If you can find them on sale, they’re still a great buy. Otherwise, the newer WH-1000XM6 fixes design flaws I disliked in the XM5.

I’ve also swapped my AirPods Pro for the Shokz OpenFit 2. Their open design lets me stay aware of my surroundings while listening to music or audiobooks, and they’re far more comfortable for long wear since they don’t sit in my ear canal.

My iPhone 16 Pro isn’t specifically built for travel, but it offers features I appreciate on the road. MagSafe is essential for accessories like the PopSockets Kick-Out Grip, which doubles as a camera stand. Plus, knowing I can use Emergency SOS via Satellite outside cell range provides real peace of mind.

For vacations, I’ve replaced my MacBook Air with an older iPad Pro and a Smart Keyboard Folio, paired with a compact Logitech mouse. It’s a lighter, more versatile laptop alternative perfect for cramped airplane seats. I use it to back up photos, plan adventures, stream to hotel TVs, and play digital board games.

After years of trial and error, I’ve settled on The North Face Surge backpack for its comfortable fit and useful pockets. When I need something smaller, I rotate between Alpaka’s Flight Sling, the 2-liter Flow Satchel, or the 4-liter version for my camera.

To track our luggage and prevent accidental abandonment, I stash an Apple AirTag in every bag. For our passport wallet, I use a Nomad Tracking Card that slides into a credit card slot.

My favorite reusable water bottle is the 24oz Owala FreeSip. It fits all standard cup holders and bottle pockets, and its unique cap design for sipping or chugging is brilliantly simple.

For scorching summer travel, the Nitecore izzCool 10 Pro fan is a game-changer. Its refillable water reservoir blasts a fine mist that cools you down effectively. You can even swap the reservoir for a larger bottle for all-night use as a makeshift humidifier, a lifesaver in dry climates like Las Vegas.

Entertainment

I never travel without an e-reader. I dislike reading on my phone, and no one wants the person with a reading light on a dark plane. The latest Kindle Paperwhite or Kobo Clara BW are excellent choices. I personally prefer the Kobo Libra Colour for its physical page-turn buttons, a feature I consider essential.

For a five-hour flight with a 10-year-old, the Nintendo Switch 2 is a no-brainer. Games like Mario Kart World and MLB The Show 26 are perfect for battling boredom. When rain or exhaustion hits, Super Mario Party Jamboree beats local cable TV.

Instead of Nintendo’s bulky dock, I use a Jsaux OmniCentro Dock. It’s compact and functional, and at over $20 cheaper than similar options, it’s a great value.

For shorter gaming sessions, I pack the Anbernic RG28XX handheld. Its 2.83-inch screen doesn’t feel small, and it’s powerful enough to emulate Game Boy Advance and Super Nintendo titles.

I’ve finally ditched long HDMI cables for the Belkin ConnectAir Wireless HDMI Display Adapter. It’s a lighter, easier way to connect our phones and tablets to hotel TVs, eliminating tripping hazards. At the end of a long day, we browse photos or watch movies without logging into someone else’s TV.

Charging Gear

To keep all our gadgets charged in one place, I pack a 6-foot extension cord with multiple outlets. The cord must be at least 6 feet long with a flat, angled plug, and the power strip must have at least three outlets. Built-in cable management is a bonus.

We travel with a trio of Anker multi-port USB chargers, each with three ports. I prioritize designs with prongs that won’t slip out of overused outlets, a feature Anker addressed a couple of years ago. The 100W Prime charger is a solid recommendation.

To minimize cable clutter, I use Nomad’s 2-in-1 USB-C cable that charges any device and an Apple Watch simultaneously. Packing a pair of these frees up valuable USB-C ports on our chargers.

Even though I’m never far from an outlet, I always carry a compact 10,000mAh power bank from Anker. With three USB ports, it’s perfect for topping off both my phones. For fully replenishing a couple of devices, a 10,000mAh model is the way to go.

Since I’m never sure what kind of rental car I’ll get, the Baseus Retractable Car Charger is a reliable backup. It plugs into an auxiliary power outlet and features two 31-inch retractable USB-C cables plus an additional USB port.

Photography Gear

Bringing a second phone is an underrated photography hack. Even with an iPhone 16 Pro, I carry a OnePlus 12 for its superior zoom, portrait mode, and low-light performance.

After six years of relying solely on smartphone cameras, I’m bringing the Sony A6700 this summer. It’s a welcome upgrade from my aging A6500, and I’m excited to capture family adventures with a 200mm zoom lens, especially after struggling to photograph humpback whales with a smartphone last year.

To keep my camera powered, I pack extra Nitecore camera batteries with built-in USB-C ports, eliminating the need for a separate dock. Though Nitecore’s line appears discontinued, alternatives exist for various camera brands.

Instead of a dedicated camera bag, I use a flexible camera wrap from Nitecore. It’s like soft Velcro that protects my camera from scratches as it jostles with other gear in my shoulder bag.

For fun, impromptu footage like zip line adventures or dashboard timelapses, I use the Insta360 Go 3S. Its tiny size and multiple mounting options make it a versatile action camera.

Finally, I back up all my photos and videos every night to an iPad Pro and a 2TB Crucial SSD. This drive is only slightly larger than a matchbook, and its size makes up for its performance. I also carry spare SD cards to avoid storing everything on one card.