It’s that time of year again… yes, gift guide season. That’s why we teamed up with REI to create our Ultralight Travel Wish List. In this guide, we’ll talk about a bunch of great items that will help you travel extra light.
Humangear GoToob Bottle (3 Pack) – $26
Liquids are heavy so the last thing you want to do is take full bottles of things like shampoo, conditioner, and body wash along with you. That’s why these GoToob bottles are an excellent option. Yes, they are a little expensive but these things don’t leak.
Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Cube Set – $40
A key to traveling light is organization because that’s the only way to keep your sanity when living out of a small backpack or suitcase. That’s why these super lightweight packing cubes come in so handy. They weigh next to nothing, they’re water resistant, and they compress to help free up space. There are a few other packing cube brands that are cheaper but these Specter cubes are the lightest.
Get the Eagle Creek Specter at REI
Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Wallaby toiletry kit – $27
Hostel and hotel bathrooms in Europe are usually tiny with very little (if any) shelf space. That’s why we love hanging toiletry kits. We like the Pack-It Specter Wallaby because it’s ultralightweight, big enough to fit all the essentials, and the fabric is water resistant.
Get the Pack-It Specter Wallaby at REI
Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack – $160
Osprey makes some of our favorite travel backpacks. The Farpoint 40 is a great choice for people who want to travel light but still want plenty of room for all their stuff. The M/L version only weights 3 lbs. 2.7 oz — which is pretty good for a 40L pack that’s both sturdy and comfortable.
Get the Osprey Farpoint at REI
Pacsafe Retractasafe Cable Lock – $17
This playing card-sized cable lock is perfect for detracting would-be thieves from snatching your bag — it’s ideal for securing your bag when you’re sleeping on a train or in a hostel. It’s not going to stop someone who is really intent on taking your bag but it will stop someone from doing a quick grab-n-go.
Get the Pacsafe Cable Lock at REI
Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket (Men’s and Women’s) – $140
The Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket is a favorite for many experienced travelers. It’s crazy lightweight, it compresses into a tiny ball, it blocks the wind, it’s surprisingly warm on its own, it makes an excellent mid-layer under a heavier coat, and it looks pretty stylish (in our opinion). Ohh and it also has a lifetime warranty. The Nano Puff comes in a Mens and Womens version.
Get the Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket at REI
Darn Tough Socks – Around $15
Keep your feet warm all winter with Darn Tough Socks. In addition to making really good merino wool socks, Darn Tough offers a lifetime warranty and they’re all made in the US.
Fjallraven Kanken Pack – $80
A simple backpack is essential for day-to-day travel but so many daypacks are ugly and look like they belong in the wilderness. That’s why we love the retro style of this Fjallraven backpack because it feels at home in an urban environment.
Get the Kanken Backpack at REI
Silk Travel Liner Sleep Sheet – $80
Hostels and hotels aren’t always the cleanest of places — especially when you’re traveling on a budget. That’s why sleep sheets are great. It’s basically a comfortable barrier between you and who-knows-what. Silk is best because it’s soft and lightweight but you can also get cotton if you want to spend less (it’s just heavier and bulkier).
Get the Silk Travel Sleep Sheet at REI
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