I’ve Traveled Nonstop for Years: These 6 Gadgets Never Leave My Backpack

I’ve packed for trips in every kind of weather.

Over the years, I’ve bought and tossed a lot of gadgets. A few survived. A few changed how I travel.

Now I travel with six things I won’t leave home without. They’re small, tough, and actually useful.

They save time, stress, and dead batteries. If you want smarter, easier adventures, these are the gadgets I trust.

Here are my top six: tried, tested, and indispensable.

1. Holafly eSIM: Your Instant Connection

Remember the old routine? Land, deplane, and then sprint to find the local SIM card kiosk. You’d stand in a long line with other tired travelers. You’d fumble with passports and tiny plastic chips.

I’m so glad those days are over. The Holafly eSIM is the first thing I set up before any international trip.

An eSIM is a digital SIM card. You can install it on your phone before you even leave home. The setup is shockingly simple. You buy a data plan for your destination on the Holafly app. They email you a QR code. You scan it, and the profile installs in minutes.

When your plane touches down, you just switch your phone’s data line to the Holafly eSIM. You’ll be online before you even reach immigration!

On my trip to Kyrgyzstan, I activated my eSIM using the airport Wi-Fi. I was connected instantly. This allowed me to skip the huge queue for physical SIMs. I ordered a ride and navigated to my hostel with zero stress. That seamless arrival is worth every penny.

Holafly offers unlimited data plans in over 200 destinations. This means no more worrying about running out of data. You can upload videos, use maps, and stream music freely.

It’s a data-only service, so you won’t get a local phone number for traditional calls. But for apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Google Maps, it’s perfect.

It is slightly more expensive than a local SIM, but you are paying for pure, unadulterated convenience.

CHECK IT OUT HERE

2. Insta360 X5: The Ultimate Memory Catcher

For years, I struggled with a classic traveler’s dilemma. Do I live in the moment, or do I try to capture it? 

Pointing a camera means you’re not fully present. The Insta360 action camera solves this problem completely. The new X5 model that I recently upgraded to is one of my most cherished indispensable gadgets for epic adventures.

This camera shoots in 360 degrees. It records everything around you at once in stunning 8K resolution. You can hit record and just focus on your experience. You don’t have to worry about framing the perfect shot. The magic happens later.

Using the Insta360 app, you can go back into the footage and choose your angles. It’s like having a professional camera crew with you, except the camera fits in your pocket.

One of its most incredible features is the “Invisible Selfie Stick.” The camera’s software automatically erases the stick from your footage. This creates mind-blowing third-person shots that look like they were filmed by a drone.

I’ve used it while hiking in the mountains and kayaking through caves. The results are always spectacular.

The X5 is also incredibly tough. It’s waterproof down to 49 feet (15 meters) without a case. The lenses are now replaceable, which is a huge plus for an action camera.

The battery life is also much improved, giving you over three hours of recording time. It gives you the freedom to capture your adventures without anxiety.

GET THE Insta360 X5 HEREn

3. Anker MagGo Power Bank (10,000 mAh, Slim): The Lifeline

There is no worse feeling than seeing your phone battery hit 5%. It’s your map, your camera, your translator, and your wallet. A dead phone can turn a great day into a stressful one.

That’s why a reliable power bank is non-negotiable. My current favorite is the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim).

This isn’t just any battery pack. It uses MagSafe technology to snap magnetically to the back of a compatible iPhone. There are no messy cables to deal with. The connection is strong and secure, so it won’t fall off in your bag.

The Slim model packs a 10,000mAh battery. That’s enough to charge an iPhone 16 Pro about 1.8 times. Yet, it’s over 25% thinner than previous models of the same capacity.

It’s comfortable to hold while attached to your phone. The build quality is fantastic, with a metal frame and a soft, fingerprint-proof finish.

It charges quickly, too. You get fast 15W wireless charging. If you’re in a real hurry, you can use the USB-C port for an even faster 27W wired charge.

This power bank has saved me on countless long travel days. It ensures I always have enough power to navigate, take photos, and stay connected. It’s one of those indispensable gadgets for epic adventures you don’t realize you need until you have it.

GET THE Anker MagGo HERE

4. iPhone 16 Pro: The Travel Tech Essentials Command Center

My phone is the brain of my entire travel operation. And the iPhone 16 Pro is an absolute powerhouse. It’s the central hub that connects and controls all my other travel tech essentials.

Let’s start with the camera. It’s so good that I rarely bring my bulky DSLR anymore. The Pro camera system features a massive 48MP main sensor. It also has an incredible 5x optical telephoto zoom.

On a safari trip, this was a game-changer. I could capture stunning, detailed photos of wildlife from a distance without disturbing the animals. The low-light performance is also exceptional, perfect for capturing cityscapes at dusk.

The iPhone is also where I manage my Holafly eSIM. It’s the device I use to edit and reframe my Insta360 X5 footage. It’s what I snap my Anker power bank onto. And it’s how I track my luggage using the Find My app and an AirTag.

The powerful A18 Pro chip handles all these tasks, including 4K video editing, without breaking a sweat!

The phone is also built for the rigors of travel. It has a durable titanium design. It is also rated IP68 for water and dust resistance, so a little rain or dust won’t hurt it.

The all-day battery life means it can keep up with a packed itinerary of navigating and shooting content.

GET THE iPHONE 16 PRO HERE

5. Baseus 70W Universal Travel Adapter: The Unsung Hero

A travel adapter might not seem exciting. But the Baseus 70W Universal Travel Adapter is a masterpiece of design. It has a hidden superpower that solves one of my biggest travel annoyances: a built-in, retractable USB-C cable.

That’s right, a sturdy, 27-inch braided cable pulls out smoothly from the side of the adapter. No more forgetting your main charging cable. No more untangling a mess of wires from your bag. It can deliver up to 70W of power, enough to fast-charge a MacBook.

This adapter is a true all-in-one solution. It has sliding prongs that work in over 200 countries, covering the US, UK, EU, and Australia.

Besides the retractable cable, it has another USB-C port and two USB-A ports. You can charge up to six devices at once from a single wall outlet.

Baseus also nailed the small details. The prongs are located near the top of the unit. This clever design makes it more stable in loose or worn-out wall sockets.

It also has multiple safety features, including dual fuses to protect your devices. This little cube is the only charger I need to pack.

GET THE Baseus 70W TRAVEL ADAPTER HERE

6. Apple AirTag: Your Luggage’s Guardian Angel

Checking a bag used to fill me with anxiety. Will it make my connection? Will it be the last one on the carousel? Or will it end up in a different country altogether?

The Apple AirTag has completely eliminated that stress. This tiny, coin-sized tracker provides incredible peace of mind.

The AirTag works by using Apple’s vast Find My network. It sends out a secure Bluetooth signal. When any of the hundreds of millions of iPhones, iPads, or Macs pass by, they anonymously report your AirTag’s location back to you. This is incredibly effective in airports.

The best part is seeing your bag’s icon on the map, right there at the airport with you. You can even see it moving along the tarmac and getting loaded onto your plane. That reassurance alone is worth the $29 price tag.

It’s also a powerful tool if your bag does get misplaced. Many travelers have shared stories of showing airline staff the exact location of their “lost” luggage on their phone. This cuts through the confusion and helps speed up the recovery process.

The setup takes less than a minute, and the replaceable battery lasts for about a year. Tucking an AirTag in my checked luggage is now a mandatory step in my packing process.

GET THE Apple AirTag 4 Pack HERE

Final Thoughts

The right technology can transform your travels. It can turn moments of stress into moments of calm. It can help you capture memories you never thought possible.

These six items have proven their worth to me time and time again. I consider them as solutions to the real-world challenges of travel.

So, these are my indispensable gadgets for epic adventures, and I hope they help you on yours.