Never before has the importance of what I take with me on a trip been so high. What does one take with them for a year? Things that last, clothes that won’t fall apart, shoes that will make it over pavement and mountain passes, accessories that go with everything, a camera to record it all and bags that will hold everything on my back with ease. Some of my necessities are listed below. I’m just setting out, so this list may change as time goes by.

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Bags

Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack, Charcoal
As a woman, I found this to be the best bag to fit my body type. I originally purchased a Tortuga and had to resell it because it did not fit my torso properly. I ordered the small/medium size in the Osprey.

Kelly Moore Chapel Convertible Camera Backpack  (Midnight)
I needed a bag that could have multiple ways to wear it, be comfortable and stylish. I wanted to avoid a double backpack when in the airport, so it’s nice that this can also be worn with a shoulder strap. You can read my full product review of the Chapel here.

Photo

Fujifilm X-T1 (Graphite Silver & Weather Resistant)
I wanted a lightweight camera that still had the capabilities as my previous dslr. I’m still getting used to it, but really like some of its features. It has wifi and can connect to my iPhone so I can immediately post photos online without going through a computer.

Fujinon XF 18mm F2 R
This lens coupled with my camera is the ultimate lightweight combo for travel. I absolutely love it. It is wide enough for landscape shots, yet can also take great portraits. It’s the perfect lens for walking around town when you don’t want to carry all of your gear.

Fujinon XF 35mm F1.4 R
This is my favorite lens for portraits and a sure way to get those creamy blurred backgrounds that will make your subjects pop.

Mefoto DayTrip Tripod Kit (Titanium)
I needed a strong, yet compact tripod to take with me that would fit in my camera bag on long walks. This little guy folds down to 9.4 inches and weighs 1.8 pounds.

JJC JM-R Wireless Shutter Release For Fujifilm X-T1
In certain circumstances I need to use a remote other than my phone. This is the best solution I’ve found so far for my camera.

SanDisk Extreme PRO 32GB UHS-I/U3 SDHC Flash Memory Card
I found these memory cards to work well with my Fuji X-T1. Other brands gave me error messages.

Storage

LaCie 2TB Rugged Thunderbolt External Hard Drive (USB 3.0)
I originally bought a WD passport drive and it lasted me 3 weeks on the road. I invested in this more rugged drive hoping it will withstand my travels.

Joby GorillaPod Stand
I bought this little guy years ago and he’s still going strong with many great uses.  I use it with my iPhone 5 for when I’m on FaceTime. It also has a handy app that has a self timer, stop-motion and timelapse feature. I recently found a new use for it in the car. I either prop it up on the dash or wrap it around the rear view mirror for when i use it with my phone for navigation.

Clothing

Eddie Bauer Womens Windfoil® Elite Jacket (Black)

Anatomie’s Skyler Skinny Travel Pant
For style, quality and versatility… these pants do it all. I love them. You can read my product review on them here.

Accessories

Twelve South BookBook for MacBook | Vintage leather book case for 13-inch MacBook Air/Pro
I wanted a case that was protective, yet didn’t look like a laptop case. I have to say, this thing is pretty cool. It takes away from the sleekness of the Macbook Air a little bit, but I think it’s worth it.

Anker® 2nd Gen Astro Portable Charger
To always have my iphone charged I rely on this. It’s small and charges faster than the standard plug that my iphone came with.

Eagle Creek Travel Gear Pack-It Cube Set, Black
I think every long term traveler has these and I’m following the trend. I was surprised all three of these fit into my backpack.  They are like drawers in a dresser keeping my items somewhat organized on the road.

Personal Care

 Lush Squeaky Green Solid Shampoo
The amount of liquids in your carry-on matters while traveling overseas so every little way to avoid them counts. This shampoo bar by Lush is awesome. It lathers up great, smells good and travels well. Remember to air it out between uses for it to last. I’ve been using mine for over a month and it’s still going strong. Make sure to get the travel tin to go with it.

Bedtime Bliss® Contoured & Comfortable Sleep Mask
This mask is great because it doesn’t rest on your eyes or press on your nose. I find it very helpful in places where I like the window open, but not the bright sun in the morning.

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