Original Products In Partnership With Backpack Buddha
Mayan Protection Face Masks
Designed by The Runaway Guide in Guatemala for comfort on long flights or during a long days work.
Recommended Backpacks
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I used the Samurai 50L for many years. It’s made well, has a built in rain cover, is light, and is just the right size. More than anything it’s an excellent value. -
This pack is small and that’s exactly why I like it. It was designed to be the exact airplane carry on size, which will save you loads (around 40$/flight) in baggage fees on budget airlines. Plus it forces you to pack light. Whether your backpacking Europe for a few weeks or going to SE Asia for a few months, this is a true backpackers backpack. -
This is my current travel backpack. I opted for this pack because it has a dedicated space for my laptop, it’s carry on sized, and it’s essentially a portable safe. It has intertwined steel cables built into the fabric and an ingenious locking system, which gives me some peace of mind when I leave it alone at hostels and in hotels.
Recommended Tents
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This tent is a one man three season tent. It costs 180$ but only weighs 3.7 Lbs. Although it’s smaller and costs more than the Kelty Mesa 2, the extra pound makes a difference. If I weren’t so tall, I would have bought this tent. -
This is my tent of choice and the one I’m currently backpacking with. After weeks of research I concluded that it’s price to weight to quality was the best on the market. It’s just 4.9 Lbs, it fits on the side of my Samurai 50L, there’s plenty of room for me inside and I’m 6’2”, and it’s just 122$. -
If I were rich, this would be my tent. It’s considered to be the lightest and most compact tent in the world. Although it seems a little cramped inside, it’s only 1.1 Lbs! Price: 700$
Recommended Sleeping Bags
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If you’re looking for cheap, relatively light weight, and all season, this is the best sleeping bag on the market. I traveled with this bag for years until it got infested with bed bugs and ripped in Nicaragua. Being synthetic, it can get a bit sweaty by the feet. But other than that, it’s compact, includes a compact stuff bag, and will keep you warm through every season. can Price: 45$ Weight: 3.4 Lbs Temp: 20 F
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The Cloudbreak 30 by Marmot is a high quality, relatively light but most importantly affordable sleeping bag. It’s temp rating makes it ideal for all seasons. However, like the Featherlite, it is synthetic which means you can expect to sweat and stick a bit. Price: 168$ Weight: 2 Lbs Temp: 30F -
If I had all the money in the world, this would be my bag of choice. It’s one of the lightest, mot compact, and quality sleeping bags on the market. It’s made of down rather than synthetic material which also makes it much more comfortable. And it’s 30F temp rating makes it perfect from winter to summer. Price: 400$ Weight: 1.7 lbs Temp: 30F
Wilderness Survival
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All the survival gear you want hand picked by my idol, Bear Grylls, packed into one small case. Click to view everything that’s included. -
I love this pocket knife. I used it for many years until I forgot to check my bag and had to give it to airport security. It includes a large knife and saw that can cut through anything. It’s perfect for building forts or making a spear. -
The Life Staw is a personal water filter that simultaneously kills 99% of bacteria and filters out dirt. You can literally drink water from a dirty puddle through it. It’s light, battery free, and cheap.
Travel Clothes & Accessories
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The is the stealthiest, most practical, and high tech travel jacket I’ve ever found. Not only is it an effective windbreaker that you can layer on top of a sweater for extra warmth, but it also turns into a vest. More, it’s got 24 pockets, with specific pockets for all your tech and valuables. Although it is a bit pricey at 150$, it’s the only jacket you’re going to need. Check it out at ScotteVest. -
This adapter works in any country and protects you from any voltage. It also has two built in USB charging ports. Plus it’s pretty cheap. My adapter of choice. -
This is my current travel wallet and it’s incredible slim and convenient. It has a built in pen, a slot for a micro sd card and a slot for my passport. It fits any size currency as well.
Travel Technology
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After researching countless travel speakers, I finally decided on this little power house.Every time I break it out, no can believe how such a small lightweight speaker can produce so much sound. Highly recommended. -
Although I don’t recommend traveling with a computer unless you’re a travel blogger, if you do want to get a computer, nothing beats the MacBook Air. It’s extremely light and durable, and it’s survived 3 years of being thrown onto trucks, Sudanese heat, and Swedish cold. Amazon is offering the smaller and more portable 11″ right now for just 850$! Wish I had waited. -
I never knew I needed a Nook until I bought one. With the glow light, I can read in any light whether it’s sunny or dark. The text looks identical to a paper book and is easy on the eyes. It’s become one of my favorite travel gadgets.
Travel Cameras
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The GoPro takes some amazing video as well as stills. I decided on the silver edition because the video quality seemed as good as the black and a bit better than the white edition. -
The Sony RX 100 is arguably the best compact digital camera. It’s considered to be the closest compact to a DSLR. It takes great pictures in low light. It also takes amazing video thanks to Sony’s image stabilization. This has been my dream camera for year. Although the Sony RX100 M3 was released, it’s not much better than the original, which is significantly cheaper. -
What I really like about the Pentax K50 is that it’s affordable, a great beginner DSLR, and it’s weather, shock, and cold proof. Another camera that I’m dying to put into action on the road.
Recommended Safety & Protection
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World Nomads is the travel insurance company I use and they’ve saved me more than once. They allow you to purchase or renew your policy from any country in the world. Their coverage is extensive and relatively cheap. And when I had my bag stolen on a train in Italy they reimbursed me for the pack and everything in it. It was quick and easy. For a full review on World Nomads, check out Do You Really Need Travel Insurance?
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This portable safe is for some added piece of mind against would be thieves. Just put your camera and laptop and all your valuables in it, and lock it up to a hotel room toilet or to your hostels bunk bed. -
This is not your average under the shirt money belt. This is an actual belt! It’s not just a good way to protect your valuable in case of robbery but it looks good as well.
How do you charge all your electronic gadgets if you’re in the woods or mountains or something? Do you just wait until you get back to a power grid? Or do you have some way ofor making electricity on your own
I use a power bank with built in solar panel :)
Great advice. I love he idea of that PacSafe portable Safe! I may have to invest! :)
Hey, glad it helped. Yea, it’s been a great pack, perfect size, definitely recommend despite the high price.
Have you heard of Chris McCandless? There was a book written in memory of his story; Into the Wild by Jon Krakaeur.
Check it out. So far, from this blog, you have impressed me!
Heck ya, I love that guy and that book/movie. Thanks!
Do you ABSOLUTELY NEED the safety and protection items? Couldnt you just avoid bad situations?
Hey Chris, avoiding bad situations is definitely plan a but it’s not a bad idea to have backup plans :)
Would you say that a tent is a neccesity for the type of travel you do?
Hey Tom, I haven’t been using a tent too much these days as I can afford hostels now. But when I travel in Europe I usually bring a tent with me.
Thanks for the reply…. i was also wondering when you were planning to release your books, can’t wait to buy them
Hey Tom, still working on them. Glad to hear you’re interested though!!! I hope to have Chasing Life done by this fall. I’ll let you know!
i feel a travelpack is MUCH more convenient than a rough sack. there are a few brands out there.. but i personally use the Osprey Farpoint 55, and I wish I used it when i first started traveling 3 years ago. I like it because the pack opens front ways (like a suitcase as opposed to a top loader) , can pass for a carry-on, and has a detachable 15 liter day pack. Though, this is good for traveling between hostels/hotels, it isn’t for camping. Compression sacks and packing cubes are also a must have. They compress all your clothing into a tiny space!
I like that pack too. Anything that has a front zipper is a brilliant pack to me.
your amazon link for the MACBOOK AIR 13″ on the Runaway Travel & Survival Gear page points to U.S. Army Survival Manual: FM 21-76
Hey John, thanks for letting me know!