It took me over 15 years to wear out my first Marmot Jacket
I bought my first Marmot jacket in 2001. I bought the rain pants at the same time and they're still going since they're not used as often. With pitzips and breathable, waterproof, ripstop material, it's a great jacket. Marmot Precip Jacket
And the rain pants to go with the jacket.
I don't use the rain pants as often as the jacket so my original pair are still hanging in. They're light and roll up really small so I take them on most trips that will involve a lot of outdoor time. Marmot Rain Pants
This is Tracey's Find of 2016
Demi Hugger is a travel strap. Sounds simple but it's really, really useful. It securely attaches most travel items such as a backpack, laptop bag, purse, shopping bag... to your roller bag making carrying all your gear easy. Get the Demi Hugger on Amazon.
WiFi Almost Anywhere for just $8/day
I use the Skyroam hotspot for travel out of Canada. After purchasing the unit, you pay $8 a day for unlimited data. You can connect up to 5 devices to Skyroam and it crosses borders with no SIM card, no hassle. With Skype and What'sApp on my phone I can call, text and go online.. Skyroam hotspot. Pay-as-you-go for global travel.
Countless miles since 2006
My Swiss Gear carry-on has been through Europe, India and other parts of Asia, and most of North America and it has performed flawlessly. The zipper is strong. The wheels are great - and I've dragged it over seriously tough terrain. I swear by Swiss Gear. Here's a link to a variety of their products.
I loved my Merrells. But since a knee injury it's all about my Eccos.
I've had a number of pairs of Merrell sandals in my life and I have found them to be comfortable and durable. But after wrecking my knee I need a sandal with more support. I now wear the Ecco Yucatan. The Merrell Sandals here. Here's my ECCO Yucatan Sandal.
I walked out of the store onto the trail in my Berghaus.
I bought these Berghaus hiking boots on my trip to the Lake District of England in 2009 and I'm still using them. It was November so I was hiking in the rain and through streams. These boots were a perfect fit from the get-go and waterproof. BERGHAUS Ladies Boots
This is a great camera bag.
The Lowepro Passport Sling Camera Bag is great for men and women – it looks just like an ordinary city bag but functions like a day pack and travel bag. I love it. Lowepro Passport Sling Camera Bag
Safe Water without Single-Use Plastic Bottles
The Grayl Ultralight Water Purifier is perfect for all kinds of travel. I'll be taking it any place where I'm not confident in the water. I've used it for camping and it worked great though you do need to have a stable base on which to plunge the filter. A kayak is not stable enough. Get it on Amazon.
The Loctote Portable Safe & Backpack
The Loctote antitheft sack is a safe and it's a backpack. Take it with you or leave it in your room locked to an immovable object with your valuables inside and everything will be safe. Available on Amazon.
I love my Vaude Backpack
Unfortunately, this isn't my pack exactly but it's pretty close. It seems that my pack was designed for the Canadian store where I bought it. Regardless, Vaude backpacks are smart and sturdy. This one, like mine, is 45 litres +10 making it the right size. I can't overpack. Designed for women, the frame is adjustable and there are zipper pockets in the hip belt. Here's a wide range of Vaude backpacks
Travel Books
If you're looking to get a travel guide for your destination consider buying the ebook version or just a chapter. You'll save money and weight that way.
Yes, this is my book...
The Solo Traveler's Handbook, 2nd edition
The 2nd edition of The Solo Traveler’s Handbook offers more stories and tips on solo travel fun and safety. Part how-to manual and part travel literature, it will help you venture out with confidence to discover yourself as you discover the world!
In the seven-plus years since I started this blog, I’ve published more than 1,000 articles on solo travel. While it’s a wonderful resource and forges a sense of community amongst solo travelers, it is sometimes difficult for readers to find the information they’re looking for. This is the why I wrote The Solo Traveler’s Handbook. You’ll find all the basic information you need to travel solo in one place. Read the reviews.
**Available in paperback $16.99 and most e-readers for $9.99**
The Luxury Traveler’s Handbook proves that luxury travel doesn’t have to be expensive. Written by the founders of the online travel and lifestyle magazine, LiveShareTravel, it’s a show-and-tell guide on getting luxury
for less.
The Cruise Traveler's Handbook will protect you from the many common mistakes made when purchasing a cruise, keep your costs under control and help you get the most of your time on board and on shore.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a book I've mentioned a number of times on Solo Traveler. To learn why I think it's a great book for solo travelers read 10 Reasons to Read The Alchemist.
Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door 2016 This is a great resource to help you get beyond the common tourist destinations in Europe. I used this book when I did my 10-month trip through Europe.
The Career Break Traveler’s Handbook is your indispensable tool for dreaming, planning, and finally taking your trip of a lifetime. Filled with tips, stories, and photos from around the world, the Career Break Traveler’s Handbook will both excite you and prepare you.
The Family Traveler's Handbook will help all parents, single and otherwise, get the most out travel with their children. It takes on the tough kid issues and will help you ensure that you enjoy the trip too.
Moleskine Ruled Notebook Despite being online so much, I still use a moleskin as my diary. Recording my travels by hand somehow connects the words to the experience in a more meaningful way.
The Food Traveler’s Handbook shows you how to use food as a focus to discover the world. You'll learn how to eat safely in developing countries, source cheap, delicious streetside meals and discover how use food to connect with a local culture.
The Adventure Traveler's Handbook will guide you to exciting new ways to take on the world and help you do so safely. It offers a mixture of on-the-ground tips and inspirational stories for both new and experienced outdoor explorers.
Seven Years in Tibet This is a great book and a great movie. It reflects the fascination of the west with Lhasa in one person's story.
The Volunteer Traveler’s Handbook guides shows you how to find, vet, and choose your ideal volunteer experience. It offers practical advice, first-person narratives from many volunteers, beautiful photography, and expert interviews.
The Creative Traveler's Handbook provides the first-ever travel guide on creative travel worldwide. Chock full of inspirational stories, travel tips and advice, it offers everything you need for planning and managing your next creative escape.
Trespassers on the Roof of the World: The Secret Exploration of Tibet. A non-fiction work that traces the west's historical relationship to Tibet and Lhasa.