Top Travel Gadgets 2014: Essential Additions to My Globetrotting Gear After 4+ Years on the Road
Having traveled continuously since April 2010—nearing five years by next spring—I've refined my packing list through real-world experience. My backpack's basics remain consistent, with occasional clothing updates, but my travel tech kit has evolved dramatically, incorporating innovations unavailable when I left London.
Unlike some luxury travelers like Jill Starley-Grainger, who rely solely on smartphone cameras, my professional photography needs demand dedicated gear: lenses, filters, and more. Camera phones simply don't deliver publication-quality images for my articles and publications.
I began with four or five heavy books; now, a slim Kindle holds 3,000. My initial netbook, a step up from a bulky Toshiba laptop, soon faltered under heavy use. Thankfully, slimmer, lighter laptops emerged, minimizing pack weight. A tiny MP3 player gave way to an iPod Touch—slightly larger but versatile for music, podcasts, photos, notes, offline maps, Wi-Fi, and apps during long journeys.
These essentials are irreplaceable. This year, two electronic gadgets transformed my travels:
Portable Charger
This compact device charges USB-powered gear like iPods, iPhones, Kindles, and some cameras. After years of battery anxiety, it's solved dead-phone woes. I now carry a second unit doubling as a flashlight—a true 2-in-1 winner!
High-Capacity Flash Drives
From my first 128MB USB stick to today's 128GB models, progress is astonishing. These pocket-sized drives store thousands of photos and backups, slashing space and weight versus external hard drives. They're discreet, increasingly affordable, and ideal for travelers.
Non-electronic favorites include:
LSTN Headphones
Quality matters, but so does ethics. LSTN partners with the Starkey Hearing Foundation, restoring hearing for each pair sold. 
Crafted from wood (ebony, cherry, or beech), they deliver superior acoustics. Despite no official noise-cancellation, they effectively block traffic, cafes, and chatter without leaking sound—even at high volumes. Lightweight, stylish, and priced at $99 on Amazon.com, they're a traveler's dream. 
Go-Go Galoshes
These foldable, ultralight galoshes saved my New York summer and Niagara Falls trip. Ideal over shoes during sudden downpours, they slip on easily sans flip-flops. Negligible size and weight make them tote-perfect; they shone on the Hurricane Deck.
Versatile Tote Bag
A stylish alternative to backpacks for urban exploration, this sturdy, rollable bag adds zero weight or bulk—pure genius!
For my complete digital nomad packing list, check out the full guide!
