Recommendations you can check.
Budget-travel writer who publishes as Nomadic Matt; author of How to Travel the World on $50 a Day.
12 things
Trtl PillowOther Trtl
That’s why I love the Trtl Pillow. It’s one of the only travel pillows that offers unparalleled neck support.
Kepnes's “My Favorite Gear for Travelers” list; the page carries an Advertiser Disclosure and its Amazon links are affiliate-tagged (tag=nommatstra…).
2026-03-26·nomadicmatt.com ↗
SuavsOther Suavs
They are flexible, light, washable, and breathable. I love them!
Kepnes's “My Favorite Gear for Travelers” list; the page carries an Advertiser Disclosure and its Amazon links are affiliate-tagged (tag=nommatstra…).
2026-03-26·nomadicmatt.com ↗
Flash 55Other REI
My favorite bag is the Flash 55 from REI (I actually prefer the slightly smaller Flash 45, but it's been discontinued).
Kepnes's “My Favorite Gear for Travelers” list; the page carries an Advertiser Disclosure and its Amazon links are affiliate-tagged (tag=nommatstra…).
2026-03-26·nomadicmatt.com ↗
Unbound MerinoOther Unbound Merino
I really love the material, they're comfortable, they hardly ever need a wash, and they last forever!
Kepnes's “My Favorite Gear for Travelers” list; the page carries an Advertiser Disclosure and its Amazon links are affiliate-tagged (tag=nommatstra…).
2026-03-26·nomadicmatt.com ↗
Celiac Travel CardsOther Legal Nomads
If you or someone you love has Celiac disease, these travel cards are a useful resource! (Use the code NOMADICMATT for 10% off!)
Kepnes's “My Favorite Gear for Travelers” list; the page carries an Advertiser Disclosure and its Amazon links are affiliate-tagged (tag=nommatstra…).
2026-03-26·nomadicmatt.com ↗
DryFoxOther DryFoxCo
Instead, get a travel towel. They're a compact, quick-drying solution that every backpacker needs. (Use code "nomadicmatt" for 15% off your purchase!)
Kepnes's “My Favorite Gear for Travelers” list; the page carries an Advertiser Disclosure and its Amazon links are affiliate-tagged (tag=nommatstra…).
2026-03-26·nomadicmatt.com ↗
LifeStrawOther LifeStraw
LifeStraw is an awesome brand that sells bottles with built in water filters. The filters last 5 years so you save money on changing them too.
Kepnes's “My Favorite Gear for Travelers” list; the page carries an Advertiser Disclosure and its Amazon links are affiliate-tagged (tag=nommatstra…).
2026-03-26·nomadicmatt.com ↗
AwayOther Away
Away is my go-to brand for durable, quality luggage. Their hard shell carry-on suitcases are lightweight and fit perfectly into overheard bins, ensuring you have plenty of room for all your gear while still letting you travel carry-on only.
Kepnes's “My Favorite Gear for Travelers” list; the page carries an Advertiser Disclosure and its Amazon links are affiliate-tagged (tag=nommatstra…).
2026-03-26·nomadicmatt.com ↗
GoProHardware GoPro
If you want something better than your phone but still easy to use, get a GoPro. They're durable and take incredible photos and videos without a steep learning curve.
Kepnes's “My Favorite Gear for Travelers” list; the page carries an Advertiser Disclosure and its Amazon links are affiliate-tagged (tag=nommatstra…).
2026-03-26·nomadicmatt.com ↗
Bose QuietComfort 45Hardware Bose
The wireless Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones are fan favorites and my go-to brand. They are comfortable, rechargeable, and do an amazing job at removing background noise.
Kepnes's “My Favorite Gear for Travelers” list; the page carries an Advertiser Disclosure and its Amazon links are affiliate-tagged (tag=nommatstra…).
2026-03-26·nomadicmatt.com ↗
Moleskine NotebookOther Moleskine
I never leave home without one of these. Not only do I use them for work (I'm constantly taking notes and writing down ideas) but I also use them to keep track of my travels so I have something to look back on.
Kepnes's “My Favorite Gear for Travelers” list; the page carries an Advertiser Disclosure and its Amazon links are affiliate-tagged (tag=nommatstra…).
2026-03-26·nomadicmatt.com ↗
KindleHardware Amazon
Personally, I prefer physical books when I travel. However, I can't argue against the convenience and simplicity of the Kindle.
Kepnes's “My Favorite Gear for Travelers” list; the page carries an Advertiser Disclosure and its Amazon links are affiliate-tagged (tag=nommatstra…).
2026-03-26·nomadicmatt.com ↗
Every entry is a verbatim quote and a link to the public post it came from. Nothing is paraphrased. If it is not on record somewhere public, it is not here.
The verdict is what they actually said: loved and liked are explicit; recommended means they told others to get it; uses means they only say they use it; read is a book on their public shelf with no verdict; mixed and disliked are kept too.
A dashed affiliate link, sponsored or their own label means the post disclosed a relationship. It is shown, never hidden.
The shading behind a date shows how dated a recommendation is for its kind of thing.
The shading behind a date shows how dated a recommendation is, for its kind of thing. Fully green is recent. It drains a quarter at a time as the post gets older, and is empty once it reads as dated.
What counts as old depends on the thing. A laptop praised four years ago has been replaced twice; a book loved twenty years ago is probably still loved. The shading is gone after about:
Stripes mean the post carries no date and the date shown is an estimate. No date at all, no shading.