Leaving for a trip soon and wondering what travel essentials you should order from Amazon? You’re in the right place! We’re sharing our Amazon travel essentials that have gotten us through over 14 months of backpacking across multiple continents.
Backpacking in Bangkok, Thailand
What Amazon travel essentials do I ACTUALLY need???
If you read one thing from us on this blog, please let it be this… Do not think that you need to spend your life savings to buy things to prepare for a trip, unless you WANT to.
Yes, there are likely a few new things that you need or items that are country-specific that you need to purchase. However, you probably don’t need as much as you think you do. Or should we say, as much as the internet tries to convince you that you need.
Before packing to leave the United States, we scoured blogs, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram to figure out everything we needed. We were left feeling like we owned nothing that we needed and we needed to buy new wardrobes, gear, etc. immediately. The amount of things we panic-ordered from Amazon is honestly embarrassing.
Once we started actually putting things into our backpacks, we realized we didn’t need over half of it.
Spend less, travel more
Our travel motto is to spend less and travel more. We would much rather put our money towards experiences in a new country than useless junk in our backpacks.
When packing, especially in a carry-on only like us, less is truly more. After over 14 months of living out of our backpacks, we have it down to a science of what we actually need and what works for us.
Always do your research on the region you are visiting to determine what you need. If you want a new wardrobe and all new gear for your trip, then go for it! But please don’t feel like you have to. A lot of the time, things you already own will do just fine.
Get creative and think about things you already own that can be multi-use. Look for budget-friendly options. Think about what items will work best for you.
Here are our Amazon travel essentials for backpacking around the world. All of these items are the exact things we actually use and currently have in our backpacks.
*This post only includes our Amazon travel essentials and doesn’t include items we travel with from other stores. We will share a full packing list soon of EVERYTHING we have in our backpacks!
Our Amazon Travel Essentials
Table of Contents
- Packing Essentials
- Technology Essentials
- Clothing and Accessories Essentials
- Miscellaneous Essentials
Necessity Rating
We also included a necessity rating for each item. When backpacking, especially with a carry-on only, it’s important to determine the need for each item to decide if it’s worth hauling around.
- 3/3: Can’t live without it
- 2/3: Possible to live without but prefer not to
- 1/3: More of an extra that is just nice to have
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, if you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission. Thank you for your support! <3
Backpacking in Tbilisi, Georgia
Packing Essentials
1. Backpack
Osprey Farpoint Backpack
Necessity Rating: 3/3
The ultimate backpack! We both use this backpack and it has been a great choice. We actually purchased these packs in 2018, long before our days of full-time travel. After 5 years of HEAVY use, these backpacks have held up perfectly. At 40 liters, it is a great size for minimalist backpacking. We often see people lugging around larger packs and we are always happy we chose this size.
One of our favorite features is that it opens similar to a suitcase, so you don’t have to constantly dig to the bottom of the bag like a typical backpack. It also has a decent number of compartments and zippers to store smaller items.
There is also a 55 liter size that includes a detachable day pack if you’re looking for a bigger size.
Our only complaint with the pack is the laptop sleeve is in a bit of an awkward spot. It’s not a deal-breaker though and we usually just pack our laptop in a different spot or keep it in our day pack.
*There is a women’s version of this backpack, but we both use the men’s version.
2. Packing Cubes
Eagle Creek Compression Packing Cubes
Necessity Rating: 3/3
When living out of a backpack, packing cubes are a necessity for us. We know they can sometimes make things a little bulkier, but it’s worth it to have everything organized. This brand of packing cubes is a little pricier and there are definitely more budget-friendly options, but we bought these back in 2018 and they have held up great.
We like the compression feature of these cubes. It helps to save space to add everything to the cube and then use the second zipper to compress it down.
If you’re really on a budget, ziploc bags can also work for short trips.
3. Day Pack
Water Resistant, Lightweight Hiking Day Pack
Necessity Rating: 3/3
If we were giving an award for best item that we travel with, this would be it! We have been stopped on the street and asked about this bag because it is so awesome. This is one of the Amazon travel essentials we wouldn’t ever want to live without.
This day pack is small and sturdy. It comes in different sizes. We use the smallest 16 liter size and it’s perfect for our needs.
We like this bag over any other day packs because it packs down VERY small when you aren’t using it. It has a small bag attached to the inside and it packs into itself. We use this for day trips, grocery shopping, and as a second bag when airlines allow a personal item and carry-on bag.
4. Luggage Lock
Master Lock TSA Luggage Lock
Necessity Rating: 3/3
A luggage lock is always handy to have. We recommend having one per piece of luggage. Locks are needed if you’re staying in hostels as most hostels provide a personal locker or some type of storage unit. This lock is a good choice because the top part bends a little, making it easier to lock around different things.
We lock our bags on travel days when we will be taking trains or buses. We also use locks to lock our backpacks when we have to store our luggage at a hotel, hostel, or storage facility.
Backpacking in Chiang Rai, Thailand
Technology Essentials
1. Outlet Adapter
Universal Travel Adapter
Necessity Rating: 3/3
An outlet adapter is an absolute necessity, especially if you are traveling to multiple countries or regions.
We like this adapter because it has plug types for anywhere in the world so we only need one adapter. It also has a USB-C and multiple USB-A plugs for charging multiple electronics at once.
2. Power Bank
Portable Charger Power Bank
Necessity Rating: 3/3
We like traveling with a power bank because you never know when you will end up somewhere without electricity – or somewhere that the electricity is unreliable and cuts in and out. A power bank is also useful on long travel days to charge our phones and laptops.
If you travel with a power bank, particularly anywhere in Asia, make sure to check the watt-hour capacity. Many of the airlines and countries have restrictions on the largest capacity allowed. You can usually find this on the airline website or the airport website. Our power bank was checked each time to confirm it was under the allowed limit.
3. Air Tag
Apple Air Tag 1 Pack
Necessity Rating: 2/3
We haven’t always traveled with these and just recently added these to our backpacks. In over 14 months of traveling, we haven’t had to check our bags anywhere thankfully. But it could happen at any time. If our bags were to be checked and lost, we would be left with nothing since our entire lives are in these backpacks.
This made us decide to add an AirTag for peace of mind. We keep them in our backpacks on travel days. On non-travel days when we don’t have a flight, train, or bus, we also use them in our smaller day packs and purse in case those were to get lost or stolen.
For multiple AirTags, it is usually a better deal to purchase the 4-pack.
4. Kindle Paperwhite
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Sleeve Case
Necessity Rating: 3/3
We both enjoy reading, so for us this is a must-have. With all of the long hours on planes, trains, buses, cars, boats, and every other form of transportation, it is nice to easily be able to read a book. This is especially nice when traveling in areas with no cell phone service.
With a Kindle, we can have dozens of books ready to read instead of hauling around paperback books. With limited backpack space, this has been the best option for us.
5. Laptop
Microsoft Surface Go Laptop and Apple Macbook Air
Necessity Rating: 3/3
We each travel with a laptop. We have one Microsoft Surface Go Laptop and one Macbook Air. Both devices are slim, lightweight, and don’t take up too much space. We have met travelers that don’t travel with a computer and just use their phones for everything. This is a good option if you’re looking to travel super light and don’t plan to do any remote work.
6. Laptop Case
Laptop Bag with Pocket and Laptop Sleeve
Necessity Rating: 3/3
We spent a lot of time looking for thin laptop cases as many of them are bulky and heavy. We have a padded, zipper pocket case for the Microsoft Surface and a leather sleeve case for the Macbook Air. The zipper case is definitely bulkier, but the zipper pocket is nice for storing the computer charger and other small items.
7. iPhone Cord
6 ft. Charger Cord
Necessity Rating: 3/3
Trust us. A 6 ft. cord seems excessively long, but it is awesome to have. We have been to so many hostels, hotels, and Airbnb’s where the outlets are miles away or at the most awkward angles. A long cord is helpful because it can reach anywhere.
This cord is also nice to have on trains and planes when the outlets are under the seats.
8. Headphones
Apple Ear Pods
Necessity Rating: 2/3
Yes, wired headphones. We own Air Pods and chose to leave them at home while traveling. There are enough things to have to keep up with charging while being on the road. It is nice to have one less thing. We never have to worry about if we remembered to charge them before getting on a 6 hour bus ride or taking an overnight flight.
9. GoPro
GoPro Here Waterproof Action Camera
Necessity Rating: 3/3
We have used a Go Pro when traveling for years. It’s the perfect action camera when we’re at the beach and doing water activities like snorkeling and kayaking.
Our only complaint is that it is an extra thing to charge, but the epic underwater shots we have gotten make it worth it.
10. Tripod
Extendable Selfie Stick Tripod with Wireless Remote
Necessity Rating: 2/3
Are you even a tourist if you don’t have a selfie stick? We mostly use this for the tripod and the wireless remote. We like traveling with this because we are able to get a photo of the two of us in remote areas when there may not be anyone else around to ask to take our photo. It folds down to a small size to make it easy to pack.
We also use this to attach the GoPro when we are using it.
Backpacking in Vang Vieng, Laos
Clothing and Accessories Essentials
1. Packable Puffer Jacket
Packable Lightweight Water-Resistant Puffer Jacket
Necessity Rating: 3/3
This jacket is awesome! We each have one and it is the perfect traveler’s jacket. It comes with a bag that it packs into making it smaller for packing. Although it isn’t down material, it is warm and comfortable. It has outer pockets that zip, making it perfect for our phones or other valuables instead of having an open pocket.
*This jacket also comes in a women’s fit, but we both have the men’s fit because it was cheaper. Remember what we said about finding budget-friendly options? 🙂
2. Tevas Sandals
Men’s Sandals and Women’s Sandals
Necessity Rating: 3/3
We have been loyal to Chacos for years. But the time came where we had to make the switch to Tevas. Our Chacos were simply just too heavy and not worth the extra weight in our backpacks.
Tevas are more lightweight and overall better for packing. If you are planning a trip that involves a lot of hiking, you may be better off sticking to Chacos as we have found the grip to be better with those. If you’re looking for a lightweight sandal for walking around cities, hitting the beach, or using for shower shoes in a hostel, Tevas are the better choice in our opinion.
We still love our Chacos though and have them stored to wear again when we return to the US!
3. Watch
Men’s Sports Watch
Necessity Rating: 1/3
A decent-priced sports watch. This watch is nice because the time zone is easy to change and it has a setting to view multiple time zones by pressing one button. It is also water-resistant.
4. Sunglasses
Haley’s Sunglasses and Ben’s Sunglasses
Necessity Rating: 1/3
Just a regular pair of sunglasses. We both already had these and packed them. They’ve held up well and we will probably repurchase when it comes time to replace them.
5. Change Purse (Jewelry Holder)
Genuine Leather Coin Purse
Necessity Rating: 1/3
Technically this is a coin purse, but we use it to store jewelry and other small or loose items. A lot of jewelry holders are quite large and bulky, so this works perfectly.
This was an item that we already owned, so we just repurposed it to work for what we needed.
6. Buff
Buff Adult Original EcoStretch
Necessity Rating: 1/3
This thing has dozens of uses. It can protect you from the sun, sand, dirt, etc. You can use it as a scarf when it’s cold and a sweatband when it’s hot. It can also be used as a face mask or eye mask. It folds very small, so it doesn’t take up much space in our backpacks.
Backpacking in Tel Aviv, Israel
Miscellaneous Essentials
1. Passport Holder
Leather Travel Passport Wallet RFID Blocking
Necessity Rating: 2/3
This passport holder has saved us more times than we can count! Yes, it is helpful because it keeps your passport and any other important documents together. But it also has a PEN! When entering new countries, immigration often requires a form to be filled out. More often than not, there are no pens or an extreme shortage of pens.
This case keeps our passport safe and our pen in a designated spot to save us time at customs.
2. Water Bottle
Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Necessity Rating: 2/3
Why are water bottles the hardest thing to keep up with while traveling? We’d be lying if we said we hadn’t lost a few along the way.
Having a water bottle on hand is necessary for staying hydrated. You definitely need it when adventuring around a new city. In many countries where the tap water is drinkable there are public water fountains. Packing a water bottle makes it easy to refill and helps save money on buying water. It’s also better for the environment, so win-win.
Fun water bottle story – When we were in Laos, we filled up a water bottle at the train station. To our surprise, the water was not meant for drinking. Instead it was boiling water to be used for instant noodles. We were using a reusable plastic water bottle and it quickly began melting. One water bottle lost and a couple of burned hands later, it’s safe to say we learned our lesson to always check that the water is meant for drinking, especially in Asia.
3. Wallet
Leather Slim Wallet RFID Blocking and Slim Wallet with Zip Pocket
Necessity Rating: 3/3
We bought and returned a few different wallets before finding the perfect ones. Everything was either too thick or too large. We were looking for slim options that take up minimal space.
Both of these checked that box and have worked great for us. There are plenty of compartments for ID cards, credit cards, and cash and the zipper pocket is good for keeping coins.
4. Sleep Mask
Cotton Sleep Eye Mask
Necessity Rating: 1/3
This isn’t an item that we use frequently, but it’s nice to know it is there when we need it.
You never know when you’ll end up sleeping in an airport, on an overnight train, in an Airbnb with no curtains, or in a hostel where the light keeps getting turned on. We like this one because it is INSANELY soft and it doesn’t take up much space. It also comes with a little case which is nice to keep it from getting dirty in our backpacks.
Backpacking in Luang Prabang, Laos
And there you have it! This is everything that we have in our backpacks from Amazon and all of our Amazon travel essentials.
Anything on this list you think isn’t necessary? Anything that we don’t travel with that you can’t live without? Let us know your Amazon travel essentials!
