Since last year, we’ve been effectively living out of our duffels, bouncing between tours, assignments, (and, yes, the occasional birding detour). It’s a nomadic rhythm that’s forced us to get serious about what we pack and what we leave behind. So, what makes the cut? It has to be useful, durable, and ideally, not look horrible in photos (according to me, Rachel).
With holiday deals upon us, we figured we’d share 10 things that have earned a permanent place in our luggage. These are our absolute favorite travel essentials, things that have stood the test of time and adventure.
We’d love to hear about your travel must-haves: comment below to share!
Super tough, extremely sharp, and under $300, these Athlons are the bins we come back to again and again. They’ve survived dust, rain, a few drops, helping us find cats from the countryside of Estonia to the jungles of Borneo . We love that they don’t feel precious, but they also don’t feel cheap. Athlon’s lifetime warranty is fabulous, and we’ve taken advantage of cleanings and repairs when our bins have fallen on hard times along the way.
(These are currently on
Black Friday sale.
)
2. Samsung T9 Portable SSD Hard Drives (4TB)
We have our friend (and fellow cat-chaser) Richard to thank for turning us onto
these solid state drives
back in
Tanzania
a couple of years ago, and now we’re never going back. They’re light, compact, and way more durable than traditional hard drives. Too many times, we’ve seen guests show up planning to save photos to their laptop…only to run out of space by day three. Do yourself a favor: bring a big ol’ 4TB SSD (and maybe a second one to back that first one up). Your future self (and your photos) will thank you.
3. Patagonia Nano Puff & Down Jacket
Between the two of us, we probably own a dozen different pieces of Patagonia insulation, all at some point repaired, re-worn, and still going strong. Whether it’s the Nano Puff or the Down Sweater, we layer one (or both) on nearly every trip, from the chilly hills of puma tracking to cool mornings in the African bush. Patagonia’s repair policy has rescued us from scree-field rips more than once. My only gripe with Patagonia is they only sell this fantastic green Nano Puff color in the men’s cut!
Sebastian may be part lynx, but I’m a soft Californian through and through. This vest has saved me in freezing hides and frigid game drives. The battery is bulkier than I’d like, but I stop caring once the warmth kicks in. If you’re cold-blooded like me, get a second battery. Trust me, it’s worth it.
Both the men’s and the women’s vests are currently on Black Friday sale.
5. Camera Cleaning Kit
Sebastian’s love language is cleaning my camera gear for me, and I’m here for it. But what I have learned through…ahem…observation, is that it is absolutely possible to do it yourself! As you well know, when you spend your days belly-down in the dirt waiting for a bobcat to strike, your gear gets…gross. And basic camera cleaning kit has spared us many a trip to the service center. Seabass has his own methodical routine; perhaps we’ll film it for an upcoming video on YouTube…stay tuned. Here’s what’s in our kit:
Sensor cleaning kit
Lens cleaning spray
Dust blower
6. YETI Water Bottles & Travel Mugs
The only bottle I’ve found that keeps ice water cold for hours, even in the heat of Africa’s dry season. I’m partial to their travel bottles for hot drinks too. We’ve got a handful of Cat Expeditions-branded travel bottles; if you’d like to buy one, send us a message!
7. KUHL Free Radikl Pants (Men’s)
Sebastian wears these basically every day. Stretchy, quick-drying, sturdy…and rare for him to endorse clothing so enthusiastically. We just ordered two more pairs. Enough said.
8. Linen & Tanks from Quince
For the ladies: My go-to travel uniform includes Quince linen pants (I have them in several colors), a scoop neck tank, and this little sling bag that fits my passport, chapstick, and the currency of the week. All affordable, breathable, and surprisingly photogenic.
If you’ve ever watched me melt in a tropical climate, you know I don’t go far without these. LMNT helps me bounce back fast on hot days or long treks. The best flavors, in my humble opinion: watermelon, raspberry, citrus, lime.
10. Clear+ Membership & Global Entry
These are two of our most valuable travel accessories (if you can call them that?). We’d guess these two little memberships have saved us literal days of our lives over the years. If you travel even a few times a year, Global Entry is worth it; some credit cards will even cover the fee. Just remember to renew before you need it.
One last thing: Some of these links may be affiliate links, which means we might earn a small commission, at no cost to you, if you decide to purchase using these links. But we only ever recommend gear we actually use, love, and trust on the road.