Backpacking Tools / Gadgets – When you are traveling, do you ever wish you packed clever travel gadgets that saved you time, money, stress, and space in your luggage?
Are you a backpacker looking for useful gadgets for backpacking that are extremely useful and smart, that made your backpacking adventures so much better?
Lately, I have been on a backpacking kick because with the restrictions in traveling across the world presently, I wanted to explore the great outdoors, and take a break from the stress that I think many of us have had enough of lately.
These travel gadget lifesavers for backpacking are fantastic tech and no-tech travel accessories that are compact, lightweight, and are part of my essential backpacking travel list.
If you are looking for cool travel gadgets that will make for a safe and simple minimalist backpacking adventure, then keep reading for products that you will wonder why you never had them before.
15 Awesome Travel Gadget Lifesavers For Backpacking
Smart Travel Scarf
When traveling light, you want to make sure you can pack everything you need in a backpack or carry-on suitcase.
But, when you are playing a tourist in a foreign city, do you want to be carrying along with you a backpack or purse to carry along important items like a passport, credit card, or smartphone?
Sure you could wear a money belt, but they are bulky and uncomfortable to wear. That is why a smart travel scarf is a solution.
Why you need the travel gadget for backpacking and traveling:
First, a smart scarf helps keep your most valuable items completely hidden and safe which means no worrying about pick-pockets.
A smart scarf can easily store your cash, lipstick, credit cards, phone, keys, passport, and more. Plus the infinity scarf design ensures your scarf won’t accidentally fall off, so you won’t lose anything important.
Plus, It’s the best kind of scarf for backpacking, running errands, walking the dog, or hiking at home!
My Choice for a great smart travel scarf is the Super-soft and Lightweight Zero Grid travel scarf with zipper pockets that have button snaps at either end which let you customize the look, fit, and feel. The patented design of this cozy infinity scarf with pockets provides warmth, and endless ways to wear – scarf, wrap, shawl, hoodie, travel blanket, you name it! Plus there’s a reflective loop for easy hanging.
Composed of 38% Polyester, 57% Rayon, 5% Spandex, the incredibly soft tri-blend fabric provides warmth but is also breathable – the ideal scarf for varying weather, temperatures, and conditions.
Solar Charger
Even when we want a break from it all and try to disconnect while we travel, tech gadgets can have a huge impact on your comfort, enjoyment, and safety.
Unfortunately, the battery life on most devices we can’t live without is subpar.
While having a power bank can help in these situations, but what happens when you are out in the wilderness with no electricity for miles.
That’s why when I am backpacking, I pack a solar charger to ensure that no matter what happens, I will always be connected on my backpacking adventures.
My pick is the BigBlue 3 USB Ports 28W Solar Charger which is incredibly versatile and durable.
What I like about this solar charger is the three output ports, a weatherproof port protector, and an expansive but lightweight array of panels to catch every last ray of sunlight.
Plus the Bigblue is light enough that it can easily fit into a camping backpack, hiking daypack, or emergency kit.
This is a travel gadget that is a must for a backpacker that enjoys time away from the hustle and bustle of city life, but still, is connected when you want to be.
Collapsible Daypack
A packable daypack or collapsible daypack is an ultralight backpack that neatly fits in any type of luggage, backpack, or even in a pocket.
Many come in a variety of sizes with different types of features to them just like a regular backpack.
Wherever your travels take you, it’s helpful to have extra storage for goods you pick up along the way. A daypack packs away into its front pocket, taking up virtually no space until you need it.
Eagle Creek makes a quality packable daypack( pictured above) that has built with breathable mesh shoulder straps allowing for all-day wear without worrying about any sweat marks on your shirt.
I like Eagle Creek products because Eagle Creek offers a Lifetime Warranty that covers workmanship and materials against defects for the entire life of the product.
Joby GorillaPod 3K Kit
A travel tripod is a great way to improve your travel photography.
When you travel with a camera to capture vacation memories whether it be a smartphone, a compact camera, or a professional DSLR camera, the best way to capture better travel photos, is with a travel tripod.
Adding a travel tripod to your travel photography kit can help you take better vacation photos without a lot of effort.
I use the JOBY 5K kit, because JOBY is a well-known brand for their GorillaPod mini tripods with flexible legs that can be positioned and even wrapped around things.
Camp Stove + Device Charger
For us to have fuel throughout the day, we have to eat. But for your electronics to work throughout the day, it needs fuel as well.
One of the cool travel gadgets for backpackers that I have come across lately is built to provide fuel for your electronics while you are giving yourself fuel.
The CampStove 2 is a portable camping stove that cooks meals and boils water in minutes while charging your devices.
Make wood-fired meals and charge devices at the same time using sticks and twigs found around your campsite so there’s no need to carry additional fuel.
After a year of camping, and only finding this great portable cooking/charger a few months ago, I now wonder how I lived without this great backpacking device.
Oh, I know how I did it, I drained my car battery every camping trip trying to charge my devices.
Portable Bluetooth Speaker
I know that when I am hiking alone through the wilderness, I like listening to music as I explore the outdoors. I guess it gives me a feeling that I am not alone on my journey.
That’s why I travel with a portable Bluetooth speaker with me, because when I am off in the wilderness, I don’t feel isolated, and I think it makes other animals around me know I am around, so stay away.
I own the JBL Clip 3 which is an ultra-portable, ultra-rugged, and waterproof Bluetooth speaker that is small in size but with a surprisingly big sound.
This durable speaker has a fully integrated carabiner clip that you can attach to your clothes, belt loop, or backpack, making the Clip 3 your outdoor companion on every adventure.
Another great feature with The Clip 3 is IPX7 waterproof and offers 10 hours of playtime, powered by a 1000mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery, allowing you to bring your music with you.
Plus, the Speakerphone takes crystal-clear calls from your speaker with the touch of a button, thanks to the noise and echo-canceling speakerphone.
Rechargeable Heated Insoles
This is the perfect gadget for the backpacker who loves to hike during the off-season.
The ActionHeat battery heated insoles are the perfect option for anyone with cold feet!
Whether you are hiking your favorite trail in the Poconos or walking the streets of Paris on a cold winter day, you will love the warmth and comfort of the ActionHeat insoles.
With built-in, ultra-fine heating panels strategically placed under the toes, they are the best-heated insole option on the market.
The easy-to-use controller has 3 heat settings and the insoles can last up to 8+ hours while reaching up to 140F with a push of a button.
The only problem I have with these insoles is the remote only controls the heat settings, doesn’t turn the power on /off.
But, I have no problem with that since I have started wearing these insoles on film sets right now, and they are a dream for keeping me warm in wet locations.
UV Water Purifier Cap & Insulated Self Cleaning Water Bottle
Humans need food and water to survive. At least 60% of the adult body is made of water.
A human can go without food for about three weeks but would typically only last three to four days without water.
No matter where you are, no one should drink contaminated water that’s full of dangerous bacteria.
This groundbreaking, UV Light Water Purifier System screws directly into the included bottle and fits most standard cola-top bottles, delivering immediate water purification results for even the most questionable, bio-contaminated water sources.
Plus it stops bacteria and mold from breeding in your water bottle. Auto activates every four hours to keep your water pristine and the bottle mold-free.
I don’t go anywhere without my CrazyCap UV Water Bottle. It has saved me so much money from not buying bottled water, as well has probably saved me from trips to the doctor from the questionable water I have drunk from it.
Portable Washing Machine
When you are backpacking, you want to limit the number of clothes to pack and only bring essentials.
Well, the good news for those backpackers who pack light, is there is a great and compact laundry solution enough to fit in your back pocket.
The Scrubba Wash Bag is an ultra-portable washing machine that makes your journey easier. This convenient, pocket-sized travel companion allows you to travel lighter and helps you save money, time, and water.
Whether you travel regularly and like to pack light or just want to save on hefty hotel fees for washing a pair of socks or underpants, the Scrubba Wash Bag will save you its value in just a few trips.
No need to turn your pants or panties inside out or double up on your hiking clothes. This laundry bag for travel has all you need for a machine quality wash in just minutes and it only weighs 145 grams!
Portable Safe
Whether if you are traveling with a carry-on suitcase or backpacking around the world, you want to hide any valuables, electronics, travel gadgets, and important documents from thieves.
And there is a travel bag that I love that can secure your valuables, wherever you go.
The portable Pacsafe Travelsafe is a 5L safe that packs 360° wire eXomesh® technology and stainless steel locking cable to anchor your things to any immovable object, keeping your tablet, phone, passport, and more protected, while you’re out embracing life’s adventures.
What this bag is good for is, in the absence of a room safe, to secure your small valuables to an immovable object.
It is not a guarantee your goods will be 100% safe – it just means a thief savvy enough to look for people who leave their objects unsecured will see your stuff in this bag, decide they don’t feel like messing with it and move on to a more vulnerable target.
Microfiber Towel
When you are backpacking anywhere around the world carrying a clean towel with you is a necessity.
Now, if you are backpacking around the world traveling from city to city either staying at a Hotel or VRBO, sure they might have clean towels available to you, but how clean are they?
One great traveling (and hygiene) tip that I can offer is to always have a couple of facial and bath towels in your backpack.
While sharing can be fun with most things, a shared towel isn’t one. So when making your packing list, make sure you include a microfiber towel for your next trip.
I pack with me on every type of travel the Rainleaf Microfiber towel (pictured above).
Why? Because it’s lightweight, dries ridiculously quick, and it’s perfect for camping/backpacking.
Plus, it has a little hook on the corner that you can fasten and unfasten so you could just tie it up to something and let it hang out and dry for a bit if it needs it. Just an awesome little thing.
Solar Shower Bag
Who doesn’t love to have a shower after a long 8-hour trek through the forest?
But what happens if you fall in the mud and you are covered from head to toe, with no relief for days?
That’s where a Solar Shower comes into play.
Solar showers are made out of three simple materials.
First, an insulated shower bag that absorbs the heat. Second, a hose where the water will flow. Third, a showerhead that releases the water.
Depending on the insulated bag’s capacity, solar showers can hold 2 to 5 gallons of water. If the sun is shining brightly enough, the water can get up to temperatures ranging from 133 degrees to 120 degrees.
This temperature is warm enough to feel the heat but not warm enough that it can burn you. Since they have such a simple design, solar showers are typically used by camps, outdoor pools, and other places.
Aside from that, they are also really portable, like the Advanced Elements Solar Shower (pictured above), and are easy to move and carry around.
2-in-1 Phone Charger Lanterns
Looking for the perfect travel gadget for backpacking that can recharge your smartphone and light up an area, then the LuminAID PackLite 2-in-1 Phone Charger Lantern is for you.
Recharge anywhere with the power of the sun. Simply place your lantern outside with the solar panel facing up to use sunlight to power your lantern.
This 2-in-1 product is both a lantern and portable phone charger, making it an essential part of any emergency prep kit.
At less than 10 oz, this device doesn’t weigh down your bag. The design allows them to pack down to 1″ thick but inflate into a full-sized lantern.
LuminAID lights were designed for disaster relief first. Waterproof and dustproof, our solar lanterns hold up even in the harshest conditions.
Waterproof Flashlight
Let’s say you are an adventure hiker, that just came across a dark and damp cave.
What do you do? Do you go inside and explore? If you do, you should have a waterproof flashlight with you just in case that can withstand the elements that mother nature can produce.
I used the Outlite A100 Portable 2000 Lumens Handheld LED Flashlight (pictured above) which offers an adjustable focus that is capable of giving intense an intense spotlight for a long range of view.
It can light a distance of up to 600 feet. It has a high-efficiency LED chip that allows it to give out bright light. You have access to 5 light modes and an SOS emergency mode with this beacon.
This waterproof flashlight incorporates a skid-proof and water-resistant design and is one of the most impressive handheld flashlights that you can buy.
Backpacking Cutlery Set
Cutlery Sets for backpacking are great eating tools that help minimize the use of plastic on the road and help cut down the number of plastics we use while we travel.
>>> Read my article on Zero-waste travel to see what you can do for the world as you travel.<<<
If you are tired of using the same low-quality plastic spoon fork or knife at home or outside while traveling, camping, while in school, college, or ordering takeaway then you should try these exclusive quality long-lasting Titanium Cutlery set.
This set works great at all places & occasions don’t matter it’s home or Outside.
The Cutlery set comes with a Screw to hold all of them together which will help them not to rattle or lost while you are taking them with you for a picnic, travel, or camping.
The Cutlery set after Screwing, they are put in the Carabiner clip to keep them safe for life.
Summary
When you break it all down, there are so many fantastic travel gadgets for backpackers, it’s hard to stop at just fifteen.
This list is all the products I use when I backpack or travel with, and I hope that these accessories will be your favorites as well.
Are there any backpacking travel gadgets I missed on this list that should be added? Let me know in the comment section below as I would love to hear from you.
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About the author: Trent (IMDB | Youtube) has spent 10+ years working on an assortment of film and television projects. He writes about his experiences to help (and amuse) others. If he’s not working, he’s either traveling, reading or writing about travel/film, or planning travel/film projects.
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