What to Pack - Our Favorite Items (Updated for 2024)
None of these items are essential, but they really have made our team’s travels all the better. Some things we can’t live without, but everything on the list is worth having.
Dark Energy Poseidon Pro Battery Pack
Power. There’s never enough while on an expedition. The 10,000mAh battery pack from Dark Energy is not just incredibly durable, it features fast charging to top off your mobile phone at least twice. No larger than most phones, it includes a small flashlight, USB-C port, and when paired to the Dark Energy Spectre 15 watt solar panel is a formidable piece of travel kit.
What we use it for: The minute we hop on a plane to Nepal, it seems like we are using a battery pack of some sort and this particular product has the durability to survive any travels.
Hydrapak Flux 1.5L (BEST BOTTLE EVER)
Plastic is ruining many of the places in the world we love to visit. At Far Xplorer we do our best to not contribute to the problem of single-use plastics, and the Hydrapak Stash is our favorite weapon in that fight. It collapses to near nothing and weighs just a few grams. When collapsed it literally fits in a pocket.
Cocoon Travel Towels (Must have item for us)
Hotel towels always disappoint, and once in the remote parts of the Himalayas, there are no towels at all. We used to travel with one small travel towel and now we rove around with at least three. Perfect for a quick face rinse or full backcountry scrub down, Cocoon Travel Towels have saved the day after a soaking rain storm when we needed to dry off in a tent. Unlike most light travel towels, Cocoon’s towels are super soft, dry quickly, and last for years.
We recommend one small towel for quick face scrubs and one large towel for full body wipe downs.
Cocoon Packing Organizers (All shapes and sizes)
These simple organizers are really are essential to maintain travel sanity. Just about everything in Cocoon’s accessory section is stellar, but their cubes, folders, and other organizers are all favorites. They work like dresser drawers and separate clothing in tight, wrinkle-free bundles. We can reach into a bag, pull out what we need quickly, and not disturb anything else. Genius.
Exped Summit 15 Travel Daypack (We never leave home without it)
When stowed in its own pocket, this super compact daypack almost fits in a closed hand. We carry it everywhere and should we see a souvenir we want to grab, or need a place for an extra jacket, it always comes in handy. Although it’s not an ideal place to store valuables, it’s small, discrete, and perfect for little jaunts around town. We also use it to store charging cables, a water bottle, and earbuds when on the plane as it slips under the seat easily. The zippered access ensures things don’t spill onto the floor. We sometimes use it as a stuffsack for a sleeping bag.
Coast G22 Flashlight (Best $12 Spent)
How many times do you use the flashlight on your phone? That little feature drains valuable phone power quickly. Years ago we started carrying a tiny flashlight on our travels and it’s in constant use. When hotel power goes out (often in Nepal), or even if we’re trying to find our way down a dark street, this tiny light always comes in handy.
Shower Pouches (Worth Every Penny)
There are baby wipes, and there is - the Shower Pouch. Nothing in the personal hygiene world is nearly as good as a Shower Pouch. There are ample options like Dude Wipes, Action Wipes, et all, but the Shower Pouch is the only product designed with a special weave in the fibers to scrape away dirt, sunscreen, and body oil. They are — amazing and worth the price. Buy them here: SHOWER POUCH