Travel Gear & Services for Life on the Road

When we started our life of full-time travel, we had no idea how difficult it would be to live out of a suitcase. Sure, we  started this new life as relatively experienced travellers. We had hiked up Mount Kilamanjaro, trekked across the Alps, bused our way across the Baltics and explored almost every country in Southeast Asia.

However, all our travel had been made up of relatively short trips, no more than two weeks at a time, and we were used to only using carry-on luggage. 

We had zero experienced with long-term travel and fitting all our worldly possessions into a couple suitcases.

All this to say, when we left Singapore in October, we were carrying way too much stuff. Our excess included dress clothes we would never wear; litre-sized hair care products; and raw materials for DIY beauty products (yes, I’m still embarrassed about those last two items). 

Technically we were still working within the luggage allowance for our flight but we could barely manage our two extra large, extra heavy suitcases and two knapsacks plus two dogs and their carrier.

In fact, one of our suitcases was so heavy that I had trouble lifting it at all so Gillian needed to do all the hauling on and off trains and cabs. I always feared being stranded on my own with a set of luggage that I was incapable of shifting more than metre or two. We actually broke a wheel off not one but two suitcases in the first six months due to the wear and tear from holding so much weight.

One year later and we are now bone-fide long-term travel experts. After hard-won experience, we know exactly what we need for life on the road and the best gear to hold it all. No more carting around unnecessary nice-to-have items; we’re down to the essentials while still striking a balance between utility and comfort and just a pinch of style. 

Our Freedom Years is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Here are some of our selects.

American Tourister Luggage

After destroying both our suitcases in the first six months, we were very selective when it came time to replace them. We chose midrange American Tourister suitcases because they have solid bodies built for a reasonable amount of wear; the price was right; and they have a 10-year warranty. 

Luggage Scale

We never travel without this handy scale. Even with our ongoing downsizing efforts, our luggage is always just a little too close to the maximum allowable weight. With our scale at the ready, we never find ourselves at the airport check in desk, desperately shifting shoes and other heavy items from our main luggage into our backpacks in hopes of avoiding an overweight surcharge.  

Packing Squares

An absolute essential, particularly for people like us who are constantly skirting the maximum allowable weight for luggage (see above). Packing squares keep our clothes organized as we shift around our luggage contents in hopes of fitting in just a few more items. Gillian loves her packing squares so much that, when we arrive at our Airbnb, she simply plops them in the bedroom closet, unzips and enjoys an instant set of drawers. 

Patagonia Refugio Pack

When I chose a backpack, I wanted one that could do it all: safely hold all my valuables and a really huge lunch for travel days; stylishly stow an extra sweater, a tripod and a few snacks for excursion days around a new city; and switch gears into sports mode for big hiking days. This backpack from Patagonia does it all, with pockets to spare. 

Patagonia Atom Sling Bag

This is my companion piece to my backpack. My original intention was to have a small holdall to sit with me in the plane, providing me with easy access to my passport, eye mask, earplugs, phone, water bottle and any other comforts I need for a long flight. However I quickly discovered that this sling bag is perfect for short jaunts around the city and can easily hold a water bottle, umbrella, wallet and any other odds and ends I need while out and about.

Cloth Bags

We’ve already sung praises of our cloth bags as part of our kitchen essentials and on-the-go meals but, in truth, they’re just as helpful for general packing needs. We can use them to hold any odds and ends that need a home on travel days: laundry, technology, tea and coffee, toiletries, and any other small items. 

Travel Services

Our journey didn’t just begin when we booked a one-way flight from Singapore to Poland. Instead, there was months of advance planning and lining up the right resources and services to support a comfortable life of slow travel. Here are a few of our must-haves for life on the road:

Apartment Rentals

Airbnb is our go-to source for cost-efficient apartment rentals. Long before our arrival date in a new city, we spend hours reviewing the listings to find just the right place to call home for a month or so. The cleanliness and comfort level of an apartment can really make or break the quality of a long-term stay.

We have a checklist of items we look for in each rental — including wifi, well equipped kitchen, laundry, and lots of natural light — but are always willing to be flexible for a place that promises to be unique and special in some way.  

VPN

While it’s healthy to put down our phones and computers on a regular basis, in truth we are almost always online, particularly as we navigate new cities and countries.

After much research, we chose Surfshark as our VPN provider, based on both the quality of service and the low monthly rate versus competitors. Having a VPN allows us to use any WiFi in any country safely and securely. We also use it to double check airline prices from multiple country websites hunting for deals.

Use this link for 83% off the 24-month plan

Global Data Plan 

Speaking of being online, it was critical to us to have one service provider for all our internet access, no matter where in the world we are. Another option is to pick up a SIM card when we arrive in each new country. However, this is not convenient for us as we are typically juggling a lot of heavy luggage and two anxious dogs. Instead, we buy the data package we need — often on sale — right from the Flexiroam app and simply turn it on the moment we arrive.

Download the app using this link to earn 100MB free data.

Budgeting

Setting and adhering to a budget is a cornerstone of our approach to sustainable travel — and it’s part of the reason we were able to achieve financial independence in the first place. We experimented with a few approaches but eventually landed on You Need a Budget for budget tracking. Although it can be set up to work automatically, we manually log every expense so that we have a clear view of what’s been spent and how much is left each month. 

Try YNAB free for 34 days