What Do We Pack to Travel Full Time?
We started our global nomad life with the bags you see in this photo…that was literally every single thing we own in this world. Believe it or not, that was too much! We’ve scaled it back multiple times already and replaced some items. This week, we’ll scale it back even more, to the grey Osprey carry-on roller bags you see and a small backpack each that will fit under the seat on the plane. In a practical sense, that’s the most you want to take….both for flight costs and especially just the hassle of lugging around too much stuff.
Below we’ll link to all these products on Amazon*. Soon we’ll have a packing video so you can see what “made the cut” as we scale back once again!
We used hard-sided shells to travel all our life and we’ll include a link to the ones we liked, but for full time travel in areas with bricks, cobblestones and gravel roads, we wanted something more durable. These Osprey bags are made of heavy vinyl with heavy-duty zippers and extra large roller-blade type wheels that can handle anything and really go the distance. Read about them on Amazon—they have lots of great features! We have found the 2-wheel system to work better and be more stable on buses and trains. We tuck our backpack back straps over the suitcase ‘s heavy-duty retractable handle to go easy on our backs.
We’ve said goodbye already to a lot of items we loved buy found we didn’t NEED. We’ve also said goodbye to most of our “just in case” stuff—pharmacies are readily available. We generally buy cheaper clothes, like from 32 Degrees, Amazon and Kohl’s when we’re in the U.S., so that we don’t feel bad about dumping/donating them along the way as our seasons change, but lately we’ve each purchased a couple of Merino Wool t-shirts that we love for moisture wicking, light packability and no stink—you can find them in sporting goods stores around the world.
Below are the products we wouldn’t travel without. From luggage to laundry, snorkeling to games, and all the electronics you need, we’ve got you covered. We hope this helps you!
Our Very Favorite Essentials and Packing Tips
(Links to Amazon*—more at bottom of page!)
Pack clothing in layers, about a week’s worth, based on the climate you’ll visit.
Use luggage/backpacks in layers too—that you can tuck inside each other to save space. Our favorite light-layer multi-use every day pack is the Osprey Ultralite Stuff Pack. We use see-through compression packing cubes, a hangable toiletry bag fits so much more and keeps the little stuff organized and backpacks.
Electronics: You don’t need converters, just adaptors, if all your plug-ins are usb or C powered, or dual-voltage. We use an extension cord plug with c and usb, then plug our adaptor #1 and #2 into it. Take one or two of each type of charging cord you need (think it through and get C to phone too) in an organized bag.. You don’t need charging blocks. Always have a power bank charger and phone cord with you so you don’t get stranded.
We shoot all our YouTube videos with our iphone 13 pros and a GoPro Hero8 Black for underwater and neck mount, using a tripod and external storage (see more below).
We carry a 13” MacBook Air, that fit’s easily in a backpack and use as a TV, and we each have an iPad, iphone 13 pro and airpods, and accessories (below). Not everything can be done on a mobile so a laptop is a great idea. Sticking with Apple products helps us integrate them and Apple service is in most countries. You don’t need the lastest, most expensive ones.
Pack only what you need or you’ll throw a lot away. We NEED and USE everything below. Thanks for using our links!*
Pack for Some Fun Too!
Whether your fun is snorkeling like us, or hiking, or reading on a Kindle (see our resource page for nomad inspiration books), be sure to add in the gear you need! After wrecking a pair of water/hiking shoes and not finding snorkle gear for rent at a lot of beaches, we know how important it is to think ahead on these things! If you really want it and will use it, you can eliminate something else to make room in your luggage. We take our snorkel gear out of the storage bag, stuff the fin footwells with socks and the goggles with small items and stretch the fins and snorkels along the side edges of our Osprey carry on luggage. We make it work!
We also throw in a speaker to play music from our phone apps, sturdy playing cards that last and our favorite game Sequence so we always have a non screen-time entertainment option.
What’s your hobby? Your favorite games? Is it a packable priority?
Remember, you’re retiring to enjoy life!
All the Stuff We Really Do Need & Use as Full Time Carry On Travellers:
All an easy click away on Amazon*!
We're using this right now in Bali and will never leave home with out it! First thing to turn to at signs of stomach upset from bad water or questionable food. Suggested to us by a pharmacist.
This Osprey carry-on is built to last...super thick water-resistant material with heavy-duty zippers and a solid handle, it also has 2 large wheels to handle rough roads. It's been good to us.
We always carry these large, thinner, soft Turkish towels that can be used on the beach with a hidden pocket for your phone or key card, can be used as a beach or pool pillow, a sarong, as a blanket on the plane, a picnic blanket, to block light and for many other uses.
AirTags. So you always know where your luggage is, can make it "sound" and track it on your iphone.
TSA Compliant corkscrew.
Most of the world doesn't use dryers--sometimes you don't even have a washer. This suction clothesline works great--just stick the corners of your clothes through the twists.
Chewable version of the cheaper generic version of non-drowsy cruiser favorite Bonine. Remember seasick pills only work when taken BEFORE you feel sick! You can also but bulk of this in non-chewable but these are nice if you take a cruise, ferry or boat excursion (the smaller the boat the more you feel it)
Laundry sheets to handwash in the sink--no liquid so easy to fly with and not messy! A great way to save money when there's no self-serve laundry or you just want to wash a few things to hang dry.
These little eye/makeup remover pads don't take up an "liquid" allocation in your luggage when flying. They are super gentle on my sensitive eyes but work great even on waterproof mascara!
We love this sunscreen stick and it doesn't take up space in the TSA liquid bag in our carry-on luggage. We also use reef-safe lotion when snorkeling but I can't say we love any of them enough to recommend so just search Amazon for good reviews if that's what you're looking for. By the way, this has never gotten melty and it goes on smooth.
Liquid free mosquito repellant wipes. Strong, effective and easy to throw in a bag.
Because sometimes you get nauseous for many reasons and this makes it less gross on planes and boats. Always good to keep a few on hand.
Because the world is full of bugs....
This was our favorite luggage pre-nomad life and it served us well on MANY trips over decades. I loved it so much I even gave it as gifts. Expandable hard-sided bags seem to fit a ton and are easy to spot at the airport carousel. A very reasonable price. I can also personally vouch for the fact they stand by their guarantee--a wheel got caught and broke and they replace the entire suitcase, so save your receipt.
We love these packing cubes that come in a selection of set sizes and colors. The mesh allows you to see what's inside and the zipper compresses your clothing so you can fit MORE while also keeping everything organized. They really the make the difference in carry-on for us.
Part of our tech system--this lay-flay block doesn't make your adaptors hang heavy and fall out--and gives you extra C and USB ports. The extension cord helps when your accomodation's plug is behind the bed or TV or couch. Kept wrapped up tight and smooth, we've never had this confiscated on a cruise yet (if you do they'll hold it for you). I hope sharing this doesn't jinx it!
Our favorite adaptor because it gives you so many USB and C connections and works all over the world. You do not need a separate converter for products charged with USB or C connections. We also carry the Targus adaptor set because of the way some plugs are situated this doesn't always fit.
This Targus world wide adaptor set seems to fit no matter where the plug is located. Bonus if you're cruising--you can use the European and Australia nand every other plug in your cabin in addition to your U.S. ones! And you're all set for hotels also. Note that the 2 flat prong fitting (American) PIVOTS to work in Australia and NZ (took me awhile to figure out).
This compact, short-barreled curling iron packs easy and is dual voltage curling iron works great in the U.S. or with an adaptor (no need for converter). Gets nice and hot. It's 1" around, and a short barrel so took a little practice at first and is best for light curl jobs.
Floating Handle (can also be used out of water) for Go Pro--has storage inside the handle too for a few bucks, chapstick, small accessories.
We're not fancy--we use a little older but still great GoPro Hero 8 Black and it does the job for a reasonable price. Be sure to get the batteries and charger too, as well as the float handle.
You need these batteries and charger if you buy a GoPro Hero 8 Black
What we use for storage with the GoPro
We love this portable charging bank for our phones etc. Easy to see how much charge it has.
To keep our stuff safe and dry while we're in the water at the beach. We also use an ultralight waterproof back on boats from Torpedo7 in NZ.
This is the backpack Tim uses--it holds a ton, including half his packing cubes (it even comes with some but they aren't compression so get the Bagail ones) and everything is easy to access. It's comfortable and fits under a plane seat.
I LOVE this toiletry bag--it fits all my makeup, hair and dental stuff, and I usually stuff in my meds etc for travel days. Airbnbs and hotels never have enough sink space so I hang it on a towel rack or the door and live out of it super easy. I first checked into it because it's popular with flight attendants and I can see why!
NOT AMAZON (no affiliate): This is just the only backpack ever in my life that doesn't hurt my back. The way it's designed is very comfortable. The front pockets are a nice feature I sometimes use and sometimes don't but it has lots of great features!
These reusable, heavy duty ziplock bags get tons of use on a variety of things, from food in our AirBnB to organizing items or storing wet stuff in our backpack or luggage. Regular ziplocks wear out fast on the road--these don't.
Great quality small speaker, because life requires music, right? And this rectagular shape can fit in Tim's pocket easily on a plane to reduce weight.
This external drive holds all our videos because we take A LOT of videos and pics, and our phones fill up. We can park them here until we use them on YouTube and put them into our OneDrive cloud. They are compatible with all our Apple products (and of course non-Apple products) and don't change our file format--important for video editing. Heavy duty and water resistant, with 2T of memory which is a TON for a little drive!!
This Cressi Palau snorkel set has taken us from Grand Turk to the Papua New Guinea and lots in between! We love these travel sets as they not only work great but they fit perfectly along the outside edges of our Osprey bags. An indulgence to carry our own? Maybe, but there's a lot of beaches with no equipiment rental or where you want to snorkel for free and we are always prepared and saving money on rentals.
This Katadyne fast flow (because that matters!) collapsible, easy-to-pack water filter bottle keeps us safe from traveler's belly around the world.
We both LOVE our Humtto water/hiking sandals with closed toes and mesh. They are comfortable and perfect for muddy or waterfall trecks, or those rocky beaches. Just don't put them in a clothes dryer--I did that in New Zealand and they will shrink. But I love them so much I ordered another pair shipped to me!
This cheap, simple milk frother saves us a ton of money by making our lattes at our hotel or rental--just froth up a little milk, nuke it to warm and add your coffee!
These heavy duty, plastic playing cards are safe from minor water contact and come in heavy-duty boxes that are great for travel. We always have 2 decks for our enjoyment!
Because you need entertainment and this game never gets old--it's always challenging our mind! Easy to learn but very strategic, this game is also easy to pack--flat board in backpack against laptop and little bags with pieces and cards fit into nooks and crannies.
Because you should always have a wine corker and we've had this one forever--it also aerates nicely on the pour.
Silicone liquid holders 3 oz with bag.
One of our favorite, most-used possessions, this Osprey ultralite day pack stuffs into a tiny pouch of itself when not in use. Comfortable straps. Great for groceries, picnics, etc.
This neck mount is easy to use for GoPro filming while on a motorcycle, hiking or walking through a crowd.
This tripod and selfie stick in one works great for our YouTube videos and folds up small for travel. Also has a remote button.
A place to keep all your electronic cords and connectors safe and organized.
I have a Kindle Oasis which Amazon has sadly discontinued but this Paperwhite is my second choice, for less eye strain. I read a ton and could never do it on the road without a Kindle! You can check out Kindle books free through the Libby app (attach it to your local home library)
I love this hard protective cover on my Macbook Air. It's not only inspiring; it's often a handy reference!
I have this 2020 MacBook Air M1 13" and it has been perfect for all our needs. We often "watch TV" (youtube, PBS, whatever) on it together. Or I paid it with Airpods to watch alone without bothering Tim while he's editing.
We each use an ipad. Tim prefers it for editing videos on the mobile version of PowerDirector. It's also easier on the eyes for browsing than a phone! I use mine with an e-pencil to keep handwritten notes and and a handwritten calendar in the CollaNote app.
This case works great with an e-pencil holder and a stand for watching videos on the plane.
AirPods for privacy! A little space from your partner once in awhile.
Pick a distinctive airpod case cover to help them be easy to find and less likely to get stolen maybe. I use the keyring attachment to clip them inside by backpack so I can find them easily but no one else can.
Luggage Scale weighs in pounds or kilograms and has lots of uses. Lightweight and easy to use. Always have one -- airline policies change.
You'll be traveling to a lot of wet places, and in boats and the ocean, and you need your phone with you but safe and dry.
These are snorkeling essentials for us! They roll up tiny and weigh very little, but we blow them up for snorkeling to give us a little extra time in the water from easier floating, plus better visibility if boats are nearby (bright ones).
These handy hooks extend your storage area--great place for hats, bags, drying things etc and very heavy. Will stick to magnetic surfaces like cruise cabin walls, refrigerators, etc.