Travel Gear 2025
Carry less, eliminate stress & go farther
Hopping on a flight? This is everything I carry. One week or three months, doesn’t matter. One little backpack is all I need! This is what I pack when I travel without my truck.
Welcome to my latest gear post for 2025. Last year's post - Travel Gear 2024.
Read my post about packing light if the concept is new to you, or if you don’t think you could do it yourself. I think you can!
Credit to Tynan for inspiring this, and for a few items I would've never found myself.
Here's a fun video of my 2025 travel gear in full detail.
Rules
Rule #1 for packing light is to bring less stuff.
Rule #2 is be a gram weenie, an ounce shredder. What does that mean? Pretend that everything is heavy, get a countertop scale and weigh every item you pack. When choosing between two similar items, weigh them both and pick the lighter option. This is how you save weight!
Rule #3 is be okay with doing laundry, it takes just one hour once a week. This is how you can travel with one backpack and not need weeks worth of clothing. This simple trick is the key to traveling light.
Full list for quick reference
Nashville Pack Cutaway 20L pack
Decathlon Forclaz 100 down puffy jacket
Melanzana fleece hoody
frogg toggs rain jacket
6 shirts total - 3 t-shirts, 2 collared long-sleeve, 1 collared short-sleeve
2 pairs of black shorts, everyday casual and athletic
1 pair of pants - thin nylon hiking pants (warm climate) or black jeans (colder climate)
5 pairs of David Archy bamboo rayon undies
4 pairs of Darn Tough black wool socks
Altra Lone Peak trail runner shoes
1 belt
1 snapback hat
Buff & bandana
All camera gear fits in a fanny pack (DJI Action 4 cam, mics, batteries, data storage)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 phone
Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon laptop (14 in)
Mogics international travel adapter (so tiny!)
Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro headphones
Toiletries bag
Mini travel towel
Goodr sunglasses
Baggie for snacks
Small stuff - lock, keychain flashlight, Heroclip, mini first aid & more
Changes from 2024 to 2025
What I dropped:
Vivobarefoot Primus trail runner shoes
Kindle eReader
Bluetooth folding keyboard
Mini LED magnet light
What I added:
Altra Lone Peak trail runner shoes
Camera gear
Laptop
New charger
Pack
I use a 20L backpack, a brilliant design by Nashville Pack - The Cutaway 20L. Last year I said "it's absolutely perfect," and I stand by that. Zero issues so far, still love it.
I met the Nashville Pack team at Trail Days, an annual event for Appalachian Trail thru-hikers. These guys are triple crowners, having completed all three major trails in the US (AT, CDT, PCT) - multiple times. This pack stood that test.
This is a bulletproof roll-top pack with plenty extra stuff sack storage on the exterior. Aside from outside storage, my favorite feature is the unique shoulder straps. Built without any rigid foam, the straps conform to your shoulder shape. All-day comfort!
This pack has no zippers and no laptop sleeve. Why do I use a pack without quick access? I don't mind the few extra seconds it takes to open the roll-top. When I'm all packed up, I usually don't need to get inside the pack until I reach my destination. I can keep small stuff for quick access in the external storage, like a rain jacket or headphones.
This pack is completely waterproof, and the roll-top helps with added security. No need to carry my pack on my chest.
Down jacket
The puffy, a crucial item for the lightweight traveler. The Decathlon Forclaz 100 is the best budget puffy on the market, a third of the price for a durable and functional down jacket.
I've worn it in the backcountry, traveled across a continent with it, and wear it daily at home. The warmth-to-weight ratio is outstanding. A down jacket is a must-have. I prefer one with a hood and pockets, but you can find some without.
In a cold climate destination, I might bring a thin canvas jacket too. I found this one in Budapest. I can toss it over top of a t-shirt or over my fleece, or to bundle up as an outer shell over the fleece and puffy.
Rain jacket
I'm not paying top dollar for an ultralight rain shell. A nearly weightless piece of plastic shouldn't cost more than a good dinner. That's why I have a budget-friendly frogg toggs. This thing keeps me dry. It does its job, but you pay for what you get. It has no pockets, and it's not stylish. Not too durable either, but it has lasted me four years and counting. I prefer the oversized baggy build of this jacket, because I can wear warm layers underneath and still have wiggle room.
Hoody/fleece
If I lost my pack, I'd be devastated to lose my Melanzana fleece hoody. It's traveled the world with me, kept me cozy in airplanes and on mountaintops. We've had a great run together, going on strong since I stumbled upon the secluded shop in Leadville, Colorado in 2018. I wear my Melly pretty much around the clock when the temps get chilly. I'll never leave home without my trusty mid-layer.
Long-sleeve button-ups
I bring two. One is colorful, thin and breathable for warm weather. The other is black and slightly thicker material, but it's not a flannel. Both can be worn for a night out. When one needs a wash, I can wear the other one. No special brands, both were thrift finds.
T-shirts
I carry three t-shirts and one short-sleeve collared shirt. All can be worn for a workout, or for casual. Cotton/poly blends. I thought maybe I would've made the switch to wool shirts by now, but I can't justify the price tag just yet. Doing laundry once a week doesn't bother me, but wool would cut back on that as it can be washed less often.
Shorts
I bring two pairs on warm-weather trips. My main daily go-to is this black all-day style shorts by Abercrombie. These are versatile, good for any occasion. I can wear them during active exploration, or pair with a button-up for a clean look. I love the hidden zipper pocket too, where I keep my wallet, cash and locker key.
I prefer shorts with 5-inch inseam. I'm a short man (and I have nice legs), so short shorts is a better look for me than longer shorts that hover around the knees. I'd argue this looks better on almost any man. If you're still rockin long California-style boardshorts length or cargo shorts, consider making a switch.
The second pair is Anthem Athletics shorts , all black. I've been wearing these shorts for workouts for years. I love the deep zipper pockets, keeping my stuff secure. 7-inch inseam is an option for both of these shorts too.
Pants
This decision depends on the climate. I bring one pair for warm-weather trips and a different pair for cold weather. Warm: thin nylon hiking pants by Kuhl that also look good enough to wear with a button-up. Cold: black jeans.
Anything I might need, I can find in my destinations. On longer trips, I won't pack winter clothes (besides a puffy and hoody) when I won't be in cold climates for the first few weeks of a trip. There's no sense in lugging around clothes I'll never wear for weeks at a time, so I'll buy what I need if I need it.
Undies
I carry five pairs. They're easy to wash, and dry overnight. David Archy is the most comfortable I've ever had, been wearing them for years. They're made from a bamboo material that's soft and breathable. They dry fast in direct sunlight, but drying takes longer without sun.
Socks
If you don't have wool socks, you're missing out. Wool keeps you warm when it's cold, and keeps you cool when it's hot. Wool dries quickly. Wool is naturally anti-odor, anti-bacterial. Throw away all of your cotton socks and replace them with wool. I can wear a single pair for two or three days before needing to switch to a clean pair.
I bring four pairs. I prefer a thinner lightweight over the thicker midweight hiking sock. I wear only crew socks, which goes above the ankle. Black socks only, that's my thing! Darn Tough makes the best socks I’ve ever had.
Shoes
I bring one pair of shoes when I travel - the shoes on my feet. On my longest trip I wore the exact same pair of shoes for three months straight. They didn't smell great in the final week, but they kept my feet safe and happy.
The weight and space savings of having no shoes in my pack is a huge benefit. Shoes are bulky, heavy, annoying to pack. Avoid this at all costs if you can!
I made the switch from barefoot minimalist shoes to Altra Lone Peak trail runners for travel. The "foot-shaped" wide toe box is essential, and the Lone Peaks provide this with some additional cushion that a barefoot shoe lacks.
These shoes dry quickly if they get wet, and they have great traction. These are the primary shoe of choice for thru-hikers. My shoe choice is not a fashion statement, it's purely functional. There's nothing more important than keeping my feet happy when traveling.
I've never done this before, but I'm considering snagging a pair of super thin and lightweight sandals to shower with, for feet health.
Belt
This decision is easy. I weigh the few belts I own and pick the lightest one. My leather belt looks good, but it's heavy. Nobody will notice or care about the style of belt you wear, so go light!
Hats
I always carry a black nylon snapback cap. When the sun's out, I'm wearing this hat. It's easy to wash and dries quickly. But most importantly, it protects my face from sunburns, and it keeps the hair out of my face on windy days. I'd only bring a beanie if it was freezing cold in my destination.
Buff
This amazing piece of fabric doubles as a scarf and an eye mask for sleep. Your neck or ears are cold? The buff keeps you warm. Sunlight waking you up? Buff is your blackout curtain. I found mine on sale at REI years ago. It's black, wool and has a few holes. I'll rock this thing til it dies. Everyone should have a wool buff.
Bandana
A bandana is another versatile item that I always carry. Lately I've been rocking a red one, but the color might change from time to time. The bandana's many uses:
keeps my neck protected from the sun
adds color to my often-black wardrobe
cleans sweat off my face or dirt off my hands
wipes up coffee spills on a train or my runny nose in the cold
Fanny pack
I love my hip-belt pack made by Waymark Gear Co. It's an odd shape compared to most packs, which makes it ideal for awkward rectangular-shaped items, like a Kindle. I'll bring it on a run to hold my phone, money, snacks or camera so they're not bouncing around in my pockets. But I don't carry it around 24/7 like the Euro bros do.
Phone
I have the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4. Why do I love it? This phone unfolds to a larger screen like a tablet. It also has a standard front screen like a regular phone, only slightly more narrow.
Everything is better on the big screen - browsing, reading books, looking at travel photos and maps. Since it's basically two phones, the battery lasts twice as long. I can go a full 24 hours on one charge, sometimes longer.
Snag an eSIM online before you arrive, and you'll have service upon arrival in any country.
Books
While I love my Kindle, I usually prefer to use my phone for books when I travel. It's rare for me to travel with paper books. I can't justify the weight when I can carry a library in my pocket that's always accessible.
Laptop
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11, 14in. The perfect combo of powerful and lightweight at only 2.5 pounds. A full pound lighter than a Macbook Pro, but I can still edit video on this thing. I keep it protected with a lightweight cushioned sleeve.
Camera gear
The only camera I carry is the DJI Osmo Action 4. Along with the DJI Mic 2 pack, and a few extra batteries, my entire camera kit can fit in my fanny pack. For data storage, I use a Samsung SSD T7 shield hard drive, with a tiny memory card case and a USB-C card reader.
Charging
Anker 65W charger can charge my phone, laptop and camera batteries at the same time. Mogics international power adapter, the smallest and most lightweight one you'll find. I use a hair tie to keep the charging block from falling out of the travel adapter.
Earbuds
Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro. I've had these for almost two years now, and I finally understand the hype of earbuds. Tiny, can fit in my pocket, almost weightless, amazing audio quality. The noise canceling is good enough for flights and busy hostels. The only downside is buds can be easy to misplace, so train yourself to not be the type of person who loses things. Easy fix!
Toiletries
No need to deep dive on what I carry, but I'll note a few things. My beard trimmer is designed for pets. It’s tiny, and powered by a single battery, which allows me to avoid carrying an additional charger.
A shampoo soap bar, a must-have, I always carry one. I use this amazing Matador pouch to keep it dry, clean and separate from everything else. I don’t know how they do it, but the dry-through tech really works.
My hair brush is lightweight, and not bulky. This thing backs down to no tangle.
I might bring a few supplements like vitamins D3 and B12, and magnesium.
Towel
I love my mini travel towel. Some hostels don’t provide towels, or charge a fee for use. The fee is usually insignificant, but why pay when I can bring one that's nearly weightless, packs down smaller than a candy bar and dries super fast? Soak with warm water & soap, rinse, and it’s clean in an instant. I like the loop for easy hang-dry. Made by PackTowl (hand size, 16 x 36 in).
Ear plugs
The best sleep system, especially for hostels, is buff eye mask + ear plugs. It blows my mind that some travelers might overlook this. The best ear plugs are silicone, not foam. They won’t fall out in the middle of the night, and they block out more noise.
Water bottle
I’d like to avoid drinking out of plastic, but for travel it’s too convenient. One liter of water by itself weighs 1kg or 2.2 pounds. Adding a full pound with a metal bottle is not worth it when plastic weighs only a few grams.
Even still, I try to avoid buying too many bottles. It’s a fun game for me to see how long I can make one bottle last before I toss it. I refill where it’s convenient, like water fountains, tap water when it’s safe, asking restaurant staff to fill my bottle.
Passport
I don't use a travel belt, or have a secret system of securing my passport. I just treat it like any other valuable item, like my phone or wallet. Be careful with it, lock it up when necessary.
Lock
I always take advantage of lockers at hostels. I never leave my pack sitting out in the room when I'm not there. I'll leave clothes hanging, leave the phone charger plugged in, but never my laptop or camera gear.
I prefer a lock with a key, rather than a combination. Fussing with a combo in the dark is no fun. Key is easy, and I won't lose a key.
Small stuff
The Heroclip Mini is a unique little tool. Its basic function, a carabiner. Its second function, a hook with a rubber tip to hang over the top of a door, ledge, counter. Comes in handy in bathrooms when the wall hooks are missing or broken, and I need to hang my pack off the floor.
The Nitecore Tini 2 keychain flashlight is incredibly bright and lightweight. I carry it on a keychain with my locker key, and it helps on dark streets or hostel rooms.
My favorite budget sunglasses - the Goodr nine dollar pour-overs.
A small plastic baggie is an easy to way to keep tiny stuff in one place, like sim card, mini first aid kit, backup credit card and extra cash.
Organization system
Travelers often make two mistakes - not having a storage system at all, or using too many packing cubes made from heavy material. The sacks and pouches I use are all extremely lightweight items. The minimal additional weight is worth it for ease of packing and unpacking. Organization is so important!
16L Granite Gear zipp sack for all my clothes
Drawstring sack for socks & undies (fits inside the clothes sack)
Basic toiletries bag
Small pouch for small stuff (lock, charger, electronics, extra cash/cards)
Ziploc plastic baggie for snacks
Plastic bag for dirty laundry (from a hotel)
Fanny pack for camera gear
Items that are stored loose inside my pack - puffy, melly and laptop. Items that are stored loose outside my pack - hat, rain jacket, mini towel, snacks baggie and water bottle. Everything else has a cozy home.
Carry less, eliminate stress and go farther!
Everything I make is here — loganletsgo.com
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Here's a fun video of my 2025 travel gear in full detail.
