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Be My Travel Muse

Solo Female Travel

Everything I Travel With

09/07/2013 by Kristin 65 Comments

It has been nearly a year since I initially took off on an open-ended journey in Southeast Asia with nothing more than a carry-on-sized backpack.  While I may travel light, that doesn’t mean I don’t have plenty of awesome gadgets, useful protective products, and essential items that I simply can’t live without.

Here are the tried and true items I was (and still am) incredibly glad to have along with me on my travels:

Computer

My MacBook Air 13-inch ended up being a great investment.  The computer runs smoothly, I don’t have to worry about viruses abroad, and is incredibly light.  It easily slips into my carry-on backpack and holds battery power for quite a long time.  It makes me happier than a computer should make a person.

Photography

I have been asked quite a few times what camera I use to take my photos.  The truth is I actually travel with four different cameras.  Yes, even with my small amount of luggage, I still manage to flash-pack quite a bit.  I mainly use my trusty Nikon DSLR 3100 to get the amazing landscape and temple photos I am so often asked about. It has since been replaced by the D3300:

55-300mm Zoom Lens

My GoPro camera with a red filter is my go-to when filming underwater videos, specifically during SCUBA diving:

If I simply don’t want to carry around a big, heavy camera, I’m most likely snapping photos with my unlocked iPhone 4 or Canon PowerShot:

Packing

Though I truly, honestly feel that a backpack is the sort of thing that needs to be tried on and purchased in person, as there are so many straps involved and height and weight matter quite a bit.

I highly recommend trying on several packs with weight in them and wearing them around the store for 10-15 minutes.  After doing this with a few packs, you’ll know which is right for you.  I recommend REI as a great place to find the right pack.

Perhaps even more important than the pack itself is how the items inside are organized.  I can’t stress enough how helpful packing cubes are for this part.  My double-sided packing cube is perfect for keeping my clothing items rolled up tight and separated by clean and dirty:Eagle Creek Travel Gear Pack-It Cube

The other essential organizational item is my Toiletry Bag.  While pretty generic, it keeps my shampoo, extra deodorant and razors, and first-aid kit well organized:

I really like having a Pacsafe messenger bag, especially in towns like Phnom Penh where motorbike snatchers and slashers are a constant threat.  I remember a friend warning me about the possibility of my shoulder strap getting cut, to which I replied, “Well, they can try, but they’re going to fail,” given the wire running through the strap. The non-flashy look of it also made me less of a target.  Perhaps even more useful, the pack is equipped with hidden pockets that block RFID readers from getting your passport and credit card information:

Protecting My Gear

There is a fairly surprising lack of lockers and safe storage spaces for bags in Southeast Asia.  I tend to stay in dorms, and even when I am in a private room, I feel a lot better when my bag is locked up.  I almost never see other travelers with these products, but they are a huge contributor to my peace of mind, and take up very little space:

Pacsafe Bag Protector

I slip on the rain jacket, wrap my bag in the PacSafe bag protector, then use an additional lock to lock it to a bed or any other object in the room that is fixed to the floor or wall and would be difficult to remove:

Kryptonite Combination Lock Cable with LED light

I also changed out the Nikon strap of my DSLR camera in favor of a Pacsafe camera strap that is generic-looking and very difficult to cut:

My Kindle ended up being one of the best things I brought with me.  It stays charged for at least a week if not more, even with daily use, and cuts down massively on space as it’s light and can carry so many books in one.  Plus, I like to highlight certain passages in books I read so that I can go back and re-read things that really inspired me, and the Kindle makes that very easy to do electronically:

I use DeVita solar moisturizer every single day as SPF and facial moisturizer.  Even in the humid Southeast Asian climate, it doesn’t make me break out and keeps me from getting leather-face:

Lastly, (girls only) let’s be real, a Diva Cup simplifies my life during one very annoying week out of every month.  It’s more environmentally friendly, much easier to deal with than hunting for tampons constantly (which can be near-impossible to find in certain countries), and is way more reliable on long-haul bus rides as it can be worn for up to 12 hours at a time:

 

Booking Flights and Hostels

There are times when I wing it and just show up to a town and look around for the right hostel, and there are times, such as during the lantern festival in Chiang Mai, that booking ahead is essential.  I prefer booking through Hostelworld for Hostels and Budget Accommodation when I do book ahead.  It makes it very easy to find the highest-rated hostels for the cheapest price in most major and even not-so-major cities.

For flights, I like Expedia the best. I find them cheapest. I say that with no agenda or sponsorship from them. I mean it.

Travel insurance-wise, I use World Nomads. It’s not expensive and since they have an adventurer option, the activities like SCUBA diving and trekking that I love so much are covered. I also like that if I have a major issue, they can fly me to a country with good medical care where I can get it sorted out.

Each and every one of the things listed on this page are items and services that I use myself and recommend to my friends and family.  For the entire past year, I’ve been traveling around the world and testing each of these items regularly.  This list will surely grow over time, but for now, these select few products make the cut.

*Every time you make a purchase through one of these links, you help keep me traveling, blogging, and providing great free content.  Each purchase you make, no matter how small, contributes in a big way to keeping me on the road. Thanks for your support!

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I'm Kristin, and my vision of a better world is one where more women are empowered and living out their dreams. Solo traveling is the best method I've found to become the best, bravest version of me. This site is all about how YOU can have the adventure of a lifetime in an easy, fun, approachable way, so that you can feel empowered, too. Want to learn more about me?

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Comments

  1. Rika | Cubicle Throwdown says

    09/07/2013 at 4:58 pm

    I’m always so impressed by how people pack! I’m getting better, but I don’t think I could live out of a 35L backpack (especially with four cameras!) Well done!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      09/07/2013 at 5:16 pm

      Thanks! It’s a challenge but worth it.

      Reply
  2. Victoria Ellen Lee says

    09/07/2013 at 9:16 pm

    Super impressed that you manage with a 35L bag! After lots of ummimg and erring I got a wheeled backpack before I left for my trip. Best packing decision I made!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      09/08/2013 at 11:57 am

      There were definitely times when wheels would have been very nice!

      Reply
  3. Toni says

    09/08/2013 at 11:07 am

    Thanks for the tip about the red filter for the GoPro – I never would have thought about it Kristen 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      09/08/2013 at 11:52 am

      Helps sooooo much

      Reply
  4. Jo (The Blond) says

    09/09/2013 at 4:59 am

    I got excited about the Diva Cup and the read that it’s only for the under 30s. Damn it! It seems like working holiday visa is not the only thing I’m missing on due to my age :/

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      09/09/2013 at 4:17 pm

      There’s also a version for over 30 but age is just a number so who gives a sh*t what the packaging says? Get it girl!

      Reply
  5. Aimee says

    01/10/2014 at 7:36 pm

    I love the Diva Cup. And yes, it comes in 30. It can take a little while to get used to, but it’s worth it!

    Reply
    • Aimee says

      01/10/2014 at 7:37 pm

      Was supposed to be under 30 & over 30 sizes, but the comment box didn’t like the symbols.

      Reply
    • Kristin says

      01/13/2014 at 5:46 am

      Yep, takes a while to get used to but it works really well once you get the hang of it 🙂

      Reply
  6. Sean Stanton says

    01/14/2014 at 3:10 pm

    Hey love the site, great info you’ve given me loads of ideas of places to go when i go traveling this october.
    I was wondering where did you store your bag/laptop when you where out travelling for the day. Is it safe to leave at hostels???
    I’m thinking of bring a macbook and SLR like your self, kinda worried about them.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      01/14/2014 at 7:51 pm

      Use the lockers at the hostel and when they’re not available I’d suggest a pac safe wire mesh bag as mentioned in the post

      Reply
  7. Jimmy Dau says

    03/12/2014 at 4:49 am

    That LED light on the lock is genius! Would you say that the packing cubes are only handy for organising things or can they actually save overall space as well?

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      03/12/2014 at 11:48 pm

      Packing cubes are probably the most important thing on this list. They compress clothing and create space.

      Reply
  8. Pablo says

    03/12/2014 at 9:10 am

    You should add to the list vacuum bags for your clothes. I used them. Solid.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      03/12/2014 at 11:47 pm

      Once you open them how do you seal them again without a vacuum?

      Reply
      • rob says

        05/30/2015 at 10:07 am

        You roll them from the open end and it squeezes the air out which cannot then get back in, they are brilliant, very inexpensive too, search travel compression bag

        Reply
        • Kristin says

          05/30/2015 at 3:14 pm

          I will! Thanks

          Reply
    • Molly says

      10/30/2015 at 11:46 am

      I use large ziplock bags! WAAAY cheaper than “official” vacuum bags and they work great. Best part? If they get lost/stolen/torn they are cheap to replace. You can also travel with tons of them as they are so thin. Lifesavers!

      Reply
      • Kristin says

        10/30/2015 at 3:29 pm

        I haven’t ever used a vacuum bag but the packing cube I bought was maybe $24 and I’ve had it for over three years now despite the constant abuse I put it through. Love it!

        Reply
  9. Kenneth says

    03/12/2014 at 10:58 am

    Like many others, I am impressed you only carry 35L. Thank you for this list as it made me think about my list and how I could further improve it.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      03/12/2014 at 11:46 pm

      I used to. Now I do have a 70L because I’m in cold climates. I miss my 35L SO MUCH, though. If you are going to be in warm climates definitely go as light as possible.

      Reply
  10. Dave Briggs says

    03/12/2014 at 11:07 am

    Just wondering how your are finding your Kindle since you wrote the post. Have you noticed the battery life steadily declining, or does it still keeps its charge?

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      03/12/2014 at 11:45 pm

      Well, I had it for about a year before leaving on the plane on the last flight home in August. After managing the whole ten months of traveling without having anything stolen or losing anything, I left it on the darn plane! i loved it so much I got another one and 7 months later I haven’t really noticed it losing charge.

      Reply
  11. Evan says

    03/12/2014 at 2:12 pm

    thanks for sharing. I’m getting ready to pack all of these things for my trip to SE Asia!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      03/12/2014 at 11:43 pm

      Are you taking off soon? I remember your email from this summer when you were prepping. Have a blast!

      Reply
  12. CBrennan says

    03/20/2014 at 1:01 pm

    Hi, love your blog. It’s been really helpful as I set out to plan a 6 month trip to SE Asia!

    I was wondering if you think your 35L bag is the max that you could have to use it as a carry on. Most of the selection I see in Canada where I live is either 30L or 40L bags, but I don’t want to push it with the size (and 30L is probably smaller than I can manage).

    In your travels, have you seen many other travellers getting away with using a 40 L as a carry on?

    Thank you and happy travels:)

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      03/20/2014 at 7:47 pm

      Almost nobody else traveled as light as I did, but I never regretted it. I think 35L might be the max but best ask the airline you plan to use. When I few Air Asia i just wore the bag on my back when I checked into flights and when they asked if I was checking any baggage I smiled and said no. No more questions asked (that will vary by location, though, and how much of a power trip the agent is on)

      Reply
  13. Liz says

    04/18/2014 at 11:23 pm

    This is a great post, thanks for all the tips!

    How did you carry your DSLR when you travelled, was it always around your neck, or did you pack it away? Did you ever wish you had a bigger shoulder bag where you could hold your camera? I’m planning a 2 week trip and am torn between comfort (packed away) versus access (around my neck or in a messenger bag) 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      04/19/2014 at 12:08 am

      I carried it in my messenger bag. It fit just fine in there. I wouldn’t carry it around my neck unless I was actively using it.

      Reply
  14. Caitie says

    05/18/2014 at 12:03 pm

    Hi,
    My name is Caitie, (a fellow Newport Beach resident) who is taking off to travel this January. Thanks for the packing list, I have traveled SEAsia before, but always sort of used whatever since I was living there and only really did week trips around the area, but now planning for a longer trip, I have found this list really helpful. I will make sure to use your links to purchase:) Question, how do you like your REI travel pack, is it really big enough? I know I don’t want to have to check bags with air asia, what is your experience with that?

    Thanks and if you want to check out my travels, my website is balancedbackpacker.com

    Happy Travels

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      05/20/2014 at 8:28 am

      It was excellent for my first year of traveling. I’ve had to upgrade since going to colder climates but I miss the small simplicity of that bag. I never checked it with Air Asia, i just carried on.

      Reply
  15. Julia says

    06/17/2014 at 2:59 pm

    Hi! thanks for these great tips! I will be traveling through SE Asia in September and am reading everything on ur blog. I’ll be sure to use the links you provided to buy some of this gear. I am wondering how you dealt with vaccinations. Based on the CDC website I would have to spend a fortune getting all the recommended vaccines. Any suggestions? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      06/18/2014 at 8:30 am

      Hi Julia, thanks for the kind words! Yes, I’d suggest going to your county health care clinic because they’ll be the cheapest. Do that as far ahead of your trip as possible because they tend to book up. I went into detail on this post: https://www.bemytravelmuse.com/travel-healthcare-immunizations/

      Reply
  16. Emily says

    08/06/2014 at 6:20 am

    Do you use any other equipment with your go pro? I have one but am unsure what accessories to take with me for SCUBA diving and the like. Do you use a wrist housing? One of those pole thingys? And thanks for the tip on the red filter! I’m a huge diver so that will seriously come in handy.

    I’m leaving next month to travel with a 38 L pack but I’ll be in Nepal (for lots of trekking) and Northern India when it’s cold (Nov/Dec/Jan) so hearing you upgraded for cold weather has me worried! lol

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      08/06/2014 at 5:25 pm

      I actually just hand hold my camera when I dive. I have a chesty harness as well but use that more on motorbikes and at music festivals since your BCD is covering where the harness would go.

      It’ll be hard to fit everything for cold weather, but it was hot at the lower elevations in Nepal where I stashed my bag. I took a much smaller one trekking and ditched all the stuff I bought in Pokhara. It will be hard to do the treks in December though, as weather may snow it out.

      Reply
  17. Sarah says

    09/05/2014 at 11:17 am

    Hi, thanks for the great tips!
    I’ve just ordered a Diva Cup. But I’ve got a question about it…how do you sterilize the Diva Cup on the road? Or do you just wash it of with clean water and soap?

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      09/09/2014 at 6:58 am

      There is a diva wash but I use water and soap.

      Reply
  18. Sheri says

    09/25/2014 at 9:36 am

    Hi Kristin! How do you carry your camera AND your extra lens? Do they both fit in your pac safe bag? I want to bring my dslr but often use my wide angle and another lens. I love that pacsafe you use, but can’t see being able to have both lenses in there. Also, how is it on your shoulder? Does it dig in after a while or is it comfy? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      09/25/2014 at 10:04 am

      I put the bigger lens at the top of my carry-on bag, so I didn’t really carry both at the same time. If you wanted to do that, you could get the PacSafe 15L backpack which is now my extra bag if I have larger luggage and can’t carry everything on or keep it with me. It can get heavy on the shoulder if you have a lot of heavy things in there but generally I find it comfortable.

      Reply
  19. Mollie says

    10/22/2014 at 11:00 am

    Hi Kristin! 🙂
    I love your blog- so clear and helpful for everything! Thank you!
    I wanted to know… what size of Pacsafe Bag Protector did you take for your 35 L backpack? I’ll be traveling in Asia for 2 months with a 35 or 40 L backpack and I want to buy the bag protector online but have no clue about what size I should get it in. Any ideas?
    Also, i have always traveld with compression sacs… they work well, but do you think the cubes are better? I usually traveled with a 65L backpack because of the sleeping bag and warm clothes for Europe, so I want to maximise space in my tiny backpack 🙂 Thanks a lot!!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      10/24/2014 at 9:38 am

      I haven’t tried a compression sac but I just happen to be a big fan of the packing cubes. I think my pac safe is for a 75L because I wanted something to fit bigger bags too. It still works just fine, you just have to close the top loop a little tighter and loop it around a few more times.

      Reply
      • Mollie says

        10/27/2014 at 10:10 am

        Thank you for the info 🙂

        Reply
  20. Jodi says

    11/03/2014 at 2:49 pm

    1. Great blog!
    2. About insurance, do you have JUST travel insurance or do have both travel and US insurance? I worry that if I got sick or injured and needed to come home for more treatment, I’d be screwed.

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Jodi says

      11/03/2014 at 2:53 pm

      PS. I’m going on a very long term “till the money runs out” trip. At least a year.

      Reply
      • Kristin says

        11/04/2014 at 5:55 am

        Man, in that case, I personally would get rid of US insurance. Of course that’s your choice and has to be up to you, but that’s just what I would do 🙂

        Reply
    • Kristin says

      11/04/2014 at 5:54 am

      I did not maintain insurance in the US because it was $360 per month for me due to my shoulder surgery. I couldn’t get approved for anything because they considered me to have a preexisting condition. I do have insurance in Germany now, though, because it’s required for my visa. That said, travel insurance will fly you to an appropriate country to get the treatment you need, so I knew if something went wrong in Cambodia, for example, I could go to Singapore and get fixed up – better healthcare anyways!

      Reply
  21. Cathy says

    11/25/2014 at 10:35 pm

    Hi Kristin, where did you buy your backpack? It looks like something I’m looking for!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      11/26/2014 at 9:18 am

      REI 🙂

      Reply
  22. Bianca says

    02/01/2015 at 6:28 pm

    Hi Kristin!
    Great post 🙂 lots of useful tips that I’ll definitely keep in mind when traveling to southeast asia this summer.
    I do have a question. I’m thinking of taking my travel backpack on as a carry-on. I’m worried about it getting stolen or lost during my trip, as well don’t really want to wait for it if I’m catching another flight when I land. When you travel, do you check-in your luggage, or take it on the plane with you? If you do take it on as a carry-on, what are some of the liquid restrictions? I’ll be flying out of Toronto, Canada with KLM and landing in Amsterdam for a layover, then off to Bangkok. I don’t know how realistic it will be to take the bag on as a carry-on if I’m bringing toiletries with me (sun-screen, toothpaste, contact solution, etc.).
    Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated! 🙂
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      02/01/2015 at 11:35 pm

      I take it carry on and the limits for liquids is 100ml (3oz) per bottle.

      Reply
  23. Janey says

    04/02/2015 at 3:37 pm

    Hey Kristin!

    I’m planning my travels, almost all booked and ready to go! Hitting Asia and then onto NZ so far – one way ah!
    I’m going in on a working visa to NZ after asia – do you think i can still manage with packing so light?

    Thanks 🙂 I love your blog by the way!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      04/06/2015 at 3:51 am

      Yeah, especially if NZ is your last destination. You can buy stuff when you get there or buy a duffel and fill it with SEA cheapies at the end of that part of your journey 🙂

      Reply
  24. Bella says

    04/07/2015 at 5:45 pm

    Hi Kristin,

    Found that blog post and it just matched with my situation right now! 😀

    I have only one medium sized backpack but it is working pretty well since I’m exploring the west coast in USA so it’s pretty warm 😉

    Happy Travels 🙂

    *I live in Munich let me know if you need a tour guide *

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      04/17/2015 at 8:58 am

      Wonderbar and I will take you up on that!

      Reply
  25. Saramaile says

    06/25/2015 at 12:11 pm

    I feel like I have read somewhere on here how heavy your 35L pack was, but I can’t seem to find it. I’m heading to SE Asia in a couple months and it looks like the weight for carryon restrictions has made it so even such a small bag won’t be allowed on. If you remember at all how heavy your pack was it would be a great gauge for me. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      06/25/2015 at 12:31 pm

      It’s pretty heavy, and I’ve been asked once over the course of over 100 flights to weigh it. If I had to check it because it’s overweight for a carry on then I always have a smaller bag with me that I could put my valuables into if needed. I wear it when I check in so not to arouse suspicion and it usually works out just fine.

      Reply
  26. Marc says

    01/07/2016 at 4:58 pm

    Love the list and I think I have some work to do to become your way of packing and traveling.

    Reply
  27. Renata Emma says

    01/16/2016 at 5:17 pm

    Hello Kristin,

    I’m super-excited about my forthcoming SE-Asia trip on my own, for 4 months, starting on 25th of February… started to organize 2 months ago. And the thing is, you have a huge impact on this whole idea. Your blog was the very first, which crossed my browser about 2 ys ago.. Since that, it has been saved among my favorites…… and slowly, slowly the urge grown by reading you, till i actually brought my ticket to Bangkok.
    yeeeeey. Happy me. Dont even remember when was i so lifted and enthused about anything on this level the last time.
    I’m reading your book right now, its a brilliant one, thank you!
    And here comes the question:
    Did you only use the metrosafe 200 as your daypack? Didnt you find it too small or uncomfortable? Coz i need to figure out asap what sort of daypack to get, and checked out the metrosafe, but found it too small and uncomfortable on my shoulder if i packed it full with the minimal of gear i assume i’d need. Or did i miss the information, and u had also a little backpack and varied these two, which to use? And please, tell me please about the drinking water over there. Tap water? I need lot of water. I love water.
    Thank you sweety! Thank you for everything so far!!
    Blessed travels (;

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      01/17/2016 at 9:46 am

      THAT IS AWESOME! Thanks so much for the kind words and for letting me know this! Feels so good to know I had that kind of an impact!

      The metrosafe bag was all I had. Max I just had a camera, phone, and wallet in there. If that’s too heavy take a string backpack that compresses easily (like this one http://amzn.to/1JSHunl)

      I love water too! You have to drink bottled in Southeast Asia, though. You could bring a steripen too but I never saw anyone doing that. Maybe they should, though. It would save a lot of plastic 🙂

      Reply
  28. Rachel says

    09/17/2016 at 11:50 pm

    Great post! I’ve been debating about the Diva Cup. It sounds great, but I’m curious about using it in countries like India that don’t always have clean, running water. How do you clean it in places like these? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      09/18/2016 at 1:29 pm

      I wash it with the water that comes out of the shower and sink.

      Reply
  29. Kristin says

    04/21/2017 at 7:09 pm

    I had a bigger one, a 50L so that I would be able to use it for multiple bags.

    Reply

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