RETHINK HOW TO PACK: Are all the gadgets and accessories needed?
Times are hard, but traveling doesn’t have to be. We spend hours and hours trying to figure out what to take with us (lol, sometimes who to take), what to wear, what to maybe wear, and what to bring “just in case.” This thought process in itself becomes very tiring and draining. Imagine how many hours you have taken out of your life trying to plan what goes into what essentially are small portable closets. After this article, I hope you rethink how to pack and get back a few hours of your sanity before your next major trip. OK, let’s get started!
The Must-Have Gadgets/Accessories While Traveling:
- CELL PHONE
OK, I will not even try to tell you not to bring your cell phone. I will, instead, add a random mental health suggestion. Mental Health Note: (Time to disconnect)
Remove your secondary work SIM card or leave your work cell phone at home. If you aren’t an owner, partner, or majority shareholder, it’s time to disconnect. They will survive, you will survive, and your team will survive. Get it? Got it? Good! Now let’s move on.
- DRONE
Drones, by far, are my biggest disappointment. I, like you, would have loved to have been able to take tons of various aerial footage in Rome, Sweden, China, and the Caymans, to name a few. Guess what?!?!? You can’t, well, you can, but you can’t fly over the Vatican without risking serious jail time or fines. I can go into all the drone laws and why, but listen; you can’t enjoy it as you would like. Research before you go. Find out local drone laws for each country you visit, but try your best to search as best as possible.
- CAMERAS
OK, I love… loved taking my DSLR with me on trips. I would pack two to three lenses, three extra batteries, four SD cards, a backup hard drive, and a gorilla pod, not to mention a backup mini cam for “quick” photos. After assessing how I used these items after several trips, I realized I didn’t!
Save the DSLR headaches for professionals or hardcore enthusiasts. Even though I have extensive experience and prefer to use my DSLR, I have come to gain more freedom and fewer travel headaches carrying these compact items.
• Cell phone
• Mirrorless Camera
• GoPro
• DJI Mini Drone
• Mini Gorilla tripod
• Extension stick
• Water cases
• Wrist floatation straps
Interestingly enough, all the items above take up little space, all use the same charging cable, and can fit in your pockets for the most part. But definitely in a small cross-body bag.
- TABLET
As much as I would like to give this the same pass, I must break down when/where a tablet is ideal.
Work Trips: Useful, you can use it for various initiatives such as presentations, typing, references, notation, and taking pictures/videos.
Leisure Trips: Hmmm, this is a tough one. If you have a tablet and a laptop, go with the Tablet.
Everything you can watch on your laptop, you should now be able to watch on your Tablet. If you bring your laptop, you don’t need your Tablet, and vice-versa.
- PORTABLE CHARGERS:
Portable chargers are still a thing and still necessary. Having one comes in handy when you least expect it. I would suggest moving towards a more compact version since the accessibility to tap in for power is more present in places most tourists now travel. Bus stations, train stations, kiosks in the middle of the street, at airports, I can go on, and on the numerous places, you can juice up. So still take one, but you can get by with something less heavy and bulky.
MY FAVORITE ELECTRONIC GADGETS
• Cables
• Universal Outlets/Adapters
I will never get rid of having one of these when traveling abroad. Though a lot of places now offer adapters. They either have their own to lend or may have a lost and found box with many adapters from the forgetful travelers who forgot to unplug it before leaving their rooms. Even though this is likely the case, please don’t risk it. Invest in your own universal adapter and use the lost and found as a second option.
• Voltage Converters
If you have a converter, you’re probably not packing light, and it is most likely not a weekend getaway. If you’re not packing light, I hope you stay somewhere where you will “need” a converter for longer than ten days. A converter is mainly used for devices that won’t be able to accept a particular voltage based on your locale. You truly and honestly don’t need it. Unless your electronics are older than 10 years, most now can handle 110v-240v (but don’t take my word for it, read the label on your power adapters or check the small print on your devices).
This means it can operate on both 110 volts in the US as well as 220 or 240 volts internally. Nowadays, a voltage converter is more for people who want to feel like they have come prepared for travel when it is no longer necessary. If you need to bring these types of products, then be mindful of the voltage converter and how many watts you would need to power your device. The more wattage you need, the heavier the device gets, and remember, so does your suitcase. I had this one since 2017 (I have not packed it since 2018, for the record).
Devices that only need 200 watts or less (remember, 200 watts is combined usage, don’t overload!)
Voltage Converter
If you need to bring grooming products with you, this one will work wonders: it is only used to step down voltage currents, which is why it is so compact.
Step Down 220V to 110V Converter
Converters that perform UP conversions are also available, but I have yet to try any thus far, so I don’t have a recommendation. (Please post if you have one for our community!)
There may be exceptions: (which leads us to another part).
• Grooming
Grooming products (hair dryers, razors, etc., etc.)… here is the thing, you now go into a world of finding what works with the voltage output needed, so honestly (DON’T BRING IT). If you need a cordless trimmer, I would suggest the following two.
I would go with:
Cordless Beard Trimmer
or if you want to step up:
5-Star Series Cordless Detailer
I have purchased and used both in my travels; both keep a charge for a good period of time so you can keep your face looking clean for at least a good 10-14 days. (You’re not shaving every day; you are probably going to touch up at night or clean up every 2nd or 3rd day. You are set).
• Hairdryers
This is not necessary. Most places you go have hairdryers nowadays. You can also request one from the front desk if they are not in your room. Save some space, and leave the hairdryers at home!
The best way to rethink how we pack is to realize there are many items we think we need but we can do without. What electronics have you brought on trips that you learned were optional?Comment below and let us know!
If you like this article, make sure to also check out RETHINK HOW TO PACK CLOTHES.
