The Gear Pro Travelers Won’t Leave Home Without
With thousands of days on the road between them, these athletes, photographers, and sports announcers know a thing or two about packing for the long haul
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Adam Clark, Photographer
Shimoda 40 Explore Backpack ($280)
“Since I never leave home without a camera bag, this pack has become part of me. We go everywhere together, and it does everything I need it to, whether that’s a backcountry ski trip or a commercial shoot in New York City or a vacation with my girlfriend. It’s lightweight, and because my back rarely sees a day without a pack, every ounce counts. It also has perfect little zippers, pouches, and spots you need for your phone, accessories, or whatever you’re into but still looks sleek. Plus, at 6'3″, I’m pretty tall, and it fits me perfectly.”
Amie Engerbretson, Skier
Rumpl Puffy Throw Blanket ($129)
“I take my Puffy with me just about everywhere. The blanket is always in my car should I need to warm up or just have a comfy place to sit. It’s also a must in my beach bag, picnic basket, and camping setup. If I have an overnight flight, I strap it to my carry-on because I hate being cold on the plane, and when I am dirtbag traveling in winter, I throw it in my ski kit because you never know when you’re going to be couch surfing.”
Lucy Bartholomew, Ultrarunner
Le Bent Ultra Light Socks ($17)
“These are the socks I use for all my training, racing, and traversing around the world. They’re super lightweight, and that means I can fit more of them into my luggage. They’re made with a blend of bamboo-derived rayon, merino wool, and nylon, so they keep your feet warm in the cold, but they are also breathable and quick-drying in the heat.”
Rosy Hodge, Surfer and World Surf League Analyst
Eagle Creek Pack-It Compression Sac Set ($30, Set of 3)
“I highly recommend these compression packing sleeves. I got them for Christmas from my mother-in-law three years ago, and they are going strong. I often have to pack for six-week trips with different climates, and just I shove everything in them, squish out all the air with my knees, and zip them up. I’m always surprised by the amount I can pack in a small space using these sacks. Trust me, I’ve taken them to max capacity.”
Morgan Maassen, Photographer
Glove.ly Solid Touchscreen Gloves ($25)
“As a photographer and filmmaker, I often find myself in cold places, so having lightweight high-quality gloves always helps appease my poor temperament for low temperatures. The killer feature is that they work perfectly with touchscreens, so when shooting on my Red camera, I can still control all functions via the LCD, or if I’m in transit, I have no problem fiddling with my iPhone.”
Jonathan “Redbeard” Jones, Fly-Fisherman
James Brand The Chapter Serrated Knife ($275)
“Us Aussies know what a real knife is, and James Brand has that fine art down. Whether I’m on the water fishing or on an expedition, I trust my James knife till the very end. From the smart serrated edge to the clean design, these blades can handle anything you put them through.”
Leila Hurst, Surfer
Mayde Towel ($129)
“I love my Mayde towels. I travel with them everywhere. They’re made from lightweight Turkish cotton that’s absorbent and quick-drying, which is great for throwing in your bag at the last minute and using after a good surf session.”