Over the years we have tried and tested a lot of travel gear on our adventures. Here are the products we personally use and recommend. Whether you are hiking in the Cascades, road tripping through national parks, or traveling internationally with little ones, these essentials have served us well.

Jackets

A good waterproof jacket is a must-have for any outdoor adventure. We have been caught in unexpected rain on trails in Mt. Rainier, walking through drizzly streets in Amsterdam, and dealing with chilly winds at Jungfraujoch. A packable rain jacket takes up very little space in your daypack and can save the day.

Men’s: Columbia Men's Watertight II Rain Jacket — Lightweight, packable and waterproof. This has been our go-to jacket for years on hikes and city walks alike.

Women’s: Columbia Women's Arcadia II Waterproof Jacket — Breathable, waterproof with a packable hood. Great for layering in cooler weather.

Kids: Columbia Youth Watertight II Rain Jacket — Same reliable waterproof protection sized for kids. Essential for family hikes where weather can turn quickly.

Toddler Car Seats

If you are road tripping with a toddler, a lightweight and affordable car seat makes all the difference. We needed something easy to install and compact enough for rental cars and flights.

Cosco Scenera Next Convertible Car Seat — This is one of the lightest convertible car seats available, making it perfect for travel. It is FAA approved for use on airplanes and easy to install in rental cars. At a fraction of the price of premium car seats, it is a great travel-dedicated option.

Toddler Travel Pillow

Long flights and car rides are tough on little ones. A good travel pillow helps them nap comfortably and makes the journey easier for everyone.

BCOZZY Kids Travel Neck Pillow — Unlike standard U-shaped pillows, this wraps around and supports the chin so their head does not fall forward when they sleep. It has been a lifesaver on long-haul flights and road trips.

Hiking Shoes

Good footwear can make or break a hike. We have crossed streams on the way to Bridal Veil Falls, scrambled over rocky terrain at Burroughs Mountain, and walked miles through Yosemite Valley. Waterproof hiking shoes with good grip are non-negotiable.

Men’s: Merrell Men's Moab 3 Waterproof Hiking Shoe — Comfortable right out of the box with excellent traction. These have held up on rocky trails, muddy paths and stream crossings.

Women’s: Columbia Women's Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Hiking Shoe — Lightweight, waterproof and supportive. Great for day hikes and longer trails alike.

Trekking Poles

Trekking poles reduce strain on your knees, improve balance and give you confidence on steep or uneven terrain. We started using them on longer hikes and now will not go without them.

TrailBuddy Trekking Poles — Lightweight aluminum, collapsible and easy to adjust. They come with multiple tip attachments for different terrain. A great value option that performs as well as poles costing twice as much.

Hand & Foot Warmers

If you are hiking or sightseeing in cold weather, these small warmers are incredibly helpful. We used them at Jungfraujoch, on early morning hikes at Mt. Rainier, and during winter visits to national parks.

Hand Warmers: HotHands Hand Warmers — Just open the packet and they heat up for hours. Slip them in your gloves or jacket pockets for instant warmth.

Toe Warmers: HotHands Toe Warmers — Adhesive toe warmers that stick inside your shoes. Essential for cold weather hikes when your feet go numb first.

Travel Essentials

These are the items we never leave home without. They keep us organized, powered up and prepared for anything on the road.

Packing Cubes: Amazon Essentials 4-Piece Packing Cubes Set — These keep your suitcase organized and make it easy to find what you need without digging through everything. We use different colors for each family member.

Travel Adapter: Universal Travel Power Adapter — One adapter that works in over 150 countries. Essential for international trips so you can charge all your devices without carrying multiple adapters.

Portable Charger: Anker 10,000mAh Power Bank — A full day of photos, maps and navigation drains your phone fast. This power bank gives you multiple full charges and fits in your pocket.

Dry Bag: IDRYBAG Waterproof Backpack — Keeps your gear dry on rainy hikes, boat rides and water activities. We have used ours on everything from kayaking to monsoon walks in Singapore.

First Aid Kit: Protect Life First Aid Kit — Compact enough for a daypack but has everything you need for blisters, cuts and minor injuries on the trail. We always carry one on every hike.

Photography Gear

We love capturing memories on our travels. Here is the gear that helps us get great shots without weighing us down.

Flexible Tripod: Joby GorillaPod Mobile Mini — The flexible legs wrap around railings, branches and rocks for stable shots anywhere. Perfect for group photos, time-lapses and sunset shots at viewpoints.

Car Phone Mount: Blukar Car Phone Holder — Essential for road trips. Keeps your phone at eye level for navigation so you can focus on the drive and enjoy the scenery.

Action Camera: GoPro Hero Compact Action Camera — Waterproof, compact and shoots stunning 4K video. We use ours on hikes, snorkeling and any activity where we do not want to risk our phone.

Memory Card: SanDisk 128GB Extreme microSDXC — Fast and reliable with plenty of storage for photos and 4K video. Always carry a spare so you never run out of space on a trip.

Comfort & Wellness

Long flights, jet lag and full days of exploring take a toll. These items help us stay comfortable and healthy on the road.

Travel Neck Pillow: Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow — Memory foam that actually supports your neck on flights. Far better than the inflatable ones. Clips to your luggage when not in use.

Sleep Eye Mask: MZOO Luxury Sleep Eye Mask — Contoured design that blocks all light without pressing on your eyes. A game changer for sleeping on red-eye flights and in bright hotel rooms.

Compression Socks: Skicuff Travel Compression Socks — Reduces leg swelling and fatigue on long flights. We wear them on any flight over four hours and our legs feel noticeably better on arrival.

Water Bottle: Hydro Flask Standard Mouth Bottle — Keeps water cold all day on summer hikes and hot drinks warm in winter. Durable enough for years of trail use.

Sunscreen: Thinksport SPF 50+ Mineral Sunscreen — Reef-safe and sweat-resistant. We use this on every outdoor adventure, from exposed ridge hikes to beach days.