Considering that I almost never travel with more than 9 kg (19 lbs) of stuff, my complete list of travel gear is probably much smaller than you were expecting 
However, for 12+ years this is all I’ve needed to keep me traveling comfortably and over the past few years, running my internet businesses as well.
If you have any questions about the gear listed below or any other gear that’s not on this list, feel free to send me an email and I’d be more than happy to reply!
Backpacks
Kelty Redwing 50 Backpack
REI Flash 18 Daypack – This daypack is tiny when rolled up but when I’m ready to use it, I can easily fit everything I need for a day trip. It’s lightweight, easy to carry, I can open and close it with just one hand and it only costs about $30. Overall, it’s just a brilliant daypack.
Tip: When traveling to certain countries, consider placing your backpack in a potato or rice sack before boarding any long-distance buses or trains. This disguise helps keep potential thieves away from your stuff!
Computer
Acer Aspire TimelineX AS1830T-6651 – This 11.6 inch laptop has blown my old Sony Vaio away in terms of performance, making it my new laptop of choice. For just over $600 US, I ended up with a powerful, amazingly lightweight and portable machine, which is a perfect combination for the world traveler.
WD My Passport External Hard Drive – After a long debate over which hard drive to purchase, I finally went with the My Passport, and I’ve been more than happy with my decision as it has performed exactly as I’ve needed it to. It’s also super-thin and weighs practically nothing.
Tip: When traveling, consider putting pieces of duct tape or even stickers all over the outside of your laptop. This helps make your computer appear less valuable than it really is, which again, keeps potential wrong-doers away from your valuable gear.
Camera
Panasonic Lumix ZS20 Digital Camera – Ah, what can I say about my Lumix ZS20. I absolutely love this camera, as it has been the ideal companion for someone who wants great photos but doesn’t feel the need to spend $1000+. Photo quality is excellent, as is the video quality, there’s a 20x zoom and the camera is slim and light. This amazing thing is capable of turning anyone into a respectable photographer, making it $349 well spent.
XShot Camera Extender – It’s such a simple, yet wonderful, idea. Lightweight and it takes up no space at all, this piece of travel gear instantly allows you to capture photos of yourself with ease and to take shots from angles that otherwise would be impossible. Definitely a very cool, must-have piece of travel gear!
Other Gadgets
Telecomsquare Mobile WiFi Router – This is the easiest way to ensure that I am connected to the internet while I travel. I just sign up online, receive my device via mail and then I turn it on once I arrive at my destination, giving me unlimited WiFi as I wander around. And when my trip is over, I just drop the device in a prepaid FedEx envelope and send it back. Too easy.
Samsung Nexus S Unlocked Phone – I spent a long time researching phones and I could not be happier with my final decision. This Android phone has simply been incredible and performed perfectly everywhere in the world I’ve taken it.
NeatReceipts Mobile Scanner and Digital Filing System – If you run a mobile business, this thing is more than ideal. I pop every receipt into the tiny scanner & it files it away according to tax category. And just like that all of my expenses are tracked.
Random Items
Crocs Modi Flip Flop – My search for the perfect travel sandal ended once I found these Crocs. Lightweight, comfortable and surprisingly tough, I’m hooked on these things and am now a loyal customer.
Himalaya Healthcare Face Lotion / Neem Face Wash – I’m been a huge fan of this company and these products for over 10 years now. Not only do I use these items quite religiously myself (if you don’t use face wash, give it a shot and you’ll be convinced!), but my family and friends always ask me to buy a variety of Himalaya products for them every time I’m in India. Now it’s all available online and I stock up every time I’m back in the US.
Chandrika Ayurvedic Soap – Ever since I stumbled upon this popular ayurvedic Indian soap on my first trip to India, I make sure to have a bar of it in my backpack at all times. I don’t know how to describe the feeling, but your showers will never be the same once you try this soap. Plus, it’s not tested on animals and consists only of pure vegetable oils.
Squeaky Green Solid Shampoo by LUSH – I don’t want to hear it about this one either. Just try it. The thing lasts for 80 uses and can also be used as soap and shaving cream in a bind. And it’s tiny, making it the perfect travel companion.
Moleskine Red Pocket Notebook – I was hesitant at first but it didn’t take long for me to become addicted to carrying around my sleek-looking red Moleskine notebook everywhere I go. It’s great for jotting down all of the random thoughts that enter my head as I wander around the world.
Lenmar AC5 World Travel Adapter Plug Set
Sea to Summit Tek Towel – I bought this travel towel last year and it was my first one, so I don’t have anything to compare it to. However, this towel takes up almost no space at all, dries super-quickly and has proven useful more often than I would have imagined. For $20 (for the medium size) it’s worth sticking one of these in your backpack.
Back in 1999, I left home for a 3 month trip to Asia that has still yet to end.
“Any man who can hitch the length and breadth of the galaxy, rough it, slum it, struggle against terrible odds, win through, and still knows where his towel is, is clearly a man to be reckoned with.” – Douglas Adams
Hey Matt – Few say it better than Mr Adams when it comes to travel!
Hi Earl,
I’ve recently graduated from high school and subsequently dropped out of college. I work day to day saving what I can to one day travel the world much like you. But enough of my story, I’m curious about how you communicate with others. Do you have a cell phone that you carry with at all times or do you use internet resources like Skype and instant messaging formats?
Hey Lider – I do have a cell phone with me but I almost never use it to communicate with family and friends back home. Usually I just jump on skype and make my calls from there. It is by far the easiest method of staying in touch with everyone and these days, you can find an internet connection almost everywhere in the world!
Thanks for the advice! I’m going to Australia soon with little saved, but know that I’ll be okay!
I noticed in this list you have the Sea to Summit DryLite Towel but in your “How Does A Permanent Nomad Pack?” you have listed ’1 “Tek Towel” travel towel (20 x 40 in.)”.’
Do you currently use the Tek Towel or the DryLite and which do you prefer?
Hey Michael – Sorry about that and thank you for pointing it out! I do use the Tek Towel (not sure why I listed the other one) and have now updated the Travel Gear page and link.
As a newby to your site, I was looking at all the links and the one to your Red Pocket Notebook doesn’t work. Just fyi. Really enjoying reading all the helpful information so far! Hubby and I (& the 6 bambinos) just made a library trip and are planning our “Family Sabbatical” soon and very soon! Btw, my husband has a Kelti backpack and he’s had it since ’87! It still looks great! Will be talkn to ya’ as we plan to leave Texas…
@peanutplus7: Thanks for the heads up about the link…I’ve just fixed it! And that’s good to know that your husband’s backpack has survived for so long, hopefully mine will do that same. I imagine it will as it has taken a beating already and still looks quite good. And definitely send me any other questions you may have as you begin to plan your trip!
I have a question about the kennsington travel adaptor
Is it US electrical converted to UK, european, and other.
I am looking for a adator that will convert by Australian Power plugs on lap top etc to US, European, UK and other Systems
Hey Geoff – It actually is a complete universal adapter so you can fit in any plug and covert it into any other. So it would work with your Australian plugs as well!
Hi Earl, what jacket(s) do you wear when going to cooler climates?
Hey Michael – I normally carry around just a normal Northface fleece to keep me warm, however, I rarely travel to cold climates
Earl,
Curious to know whether you pack a sleeping bag and/or tent with you at all? Looks like from some of the videos that you have posted on your site that you don’t worry too much on minimizing costs by camping. Do you travel with a sleeping bag/sac? Have there been times where you have had to camp/pitch a tent somewhere? I’m curious because I would love to travel Europe and/or Asia someday and I’m interested in how people do it i.e. do some people camp? stay in hostles? Is it best to at least be on the safe side and bring a sleeping bag just in case?
Thanks man!
Hey Doug – I actually don’t carry a sleeping bag or a tent, or a sleep sac for that matter. I can only remember a couple of times when I wandered into very remote areas where I wasn’t sure if there would be any places to stay and I had rented a tent/sleeping bag for those particular outings. But apart from that, I’ve never needed anything as there are more than enough hostels, budget hotels, guesthouses and now, couchsurfing.com opportunities in every corner of the world!
Earl -
Stumbled upon your site while googling PDC. Love what I’ve read so far – and I think my daughter wants to follow in your footsteps.
I’ll be going to Italy later this year and have a question about your / the Kensington adaptor – is it both an adaptor and converter or just an adaptor? Many countries – as I’m sure you know – are not 110 / 220 like the US.
Thanks in advance.
- Bill
Hey Bill – Thanks for the comment! The Kensington Adaptor is not a converter, just an adaptor. But these days, a converter is really no longer necessary as almost every charger (for laptops, mobile phones, cameras, etc.) is capable of handling the entire range of voltage. For example, if you look at the ‘brick’ on a laptop power cord, you’ll see that it says 110-240 volts. This is the standard these days, thus eliminating the need to lug around a converter.
This is totally something I want to do when I finish college. But I’m curious about how girls go about it? I’m assuming you’ve run into a few nomad girls by now and I’m wondering do they bring around hair and makeup supplies or do they just go without and rough it?
And what about safety? Is it more dangerous for a woman to be traveling the world than it is a man?
Hey Kathryn – I’ve run into more than a few female nomads! There are plenty out there and I’m quite sure that they don’t worry too much about makeup while on the road
As for safety, the world is a much safer place than most people imagine, even for solo females. In general, you just need to use the same common sense you use at home while traveling. That’s normally enough to stay away from trouble. Of course, there are some places that are more challenging for women but overall, there’s nothing stopping you from wandering all over this planet as well!
I just found your blog, and think I’m in love with you. Just sayin’
Happy travels!
Hi Earl,
Beside all this stuff, do you carry important documents? I assume you have your passport but is there anything else as important that you should carry? Another thing, in another post of yours I saw you carry few clothes on the road, do you often find places to wash them or do you just buy new stuff after a while? One last thing, how about a pocket knife, have you had any experience needing one or not at all?
Hi Earl,
I am planning to travel around the world like you do in less than two years. I will be taking with me a laptop, a smart phone and an eBook reader. I wonder how you make sure that those are not stolen while traveling. In the past, I simply put them in a safe box but I was staying in good hotels where there is always safe boxes. Now I will be staying in cheaper place and I am not sure if I will be able to find safe boxes there. What is the alternative? Do you bring your laptop with you all the time?
Hey Richard – I don’t really worry about that stuff and have never had anything stolen in my 12 years of travel. Usually I just leave my laptop and kindle in my room and if I’m staying in a hostel, I’ll lock them up in the safe that they provide. Other than that, I just leave them on my bed or in my big backpack while I’m out wandering around and I never carry my laptop with me. So far this has worked for me as the world is a much safer place than we imagine
That scanner looks pretty cool.
Hey Earl! I’ve just been getting into your blog, and I am blown away by this. I am 19 and psyched to start college after taking a year off to do a NOLS Semester course and travel to Costa Rica, Panama, and Peru! I am hoping to do a 5 year masters program at WPI and then start traveling! This summer, however, I am going to Italy and Holland for 2 weeks each, and I was hoping to test out my packing skills to see how little I can manage to travel with. I see that this page is over, actually exactly, a year old and I was wondering if you have updated the contents of your backpack?
Hey Halsey – Thanks for the comment! And while the page is over a year old, I have updated the content list regularly, any time something changes. So the list is current!
Hey Earl,
What do you do about clothes? And when you first started out, did you just sell everything you owned or put it up in storage? Also, would it be harder for a married couple to travel together regarding finding places to sleep, getting jobs, meals, etc? And one more thing, what if you’re on medications? How do you make sure you keep up with your prescriptions, especially if you get a job like working on a cruise ship? Sorry to bug you! Big fan
Hey Kaila – When I first started out I really didn’t have many things. I had just graduated university, I didn’t yet have an apartment of my own and so I had yet to collect anything. All I had were some extra clothes, some books and a box of junk
As for clothes, I carry what I need and whenever it’s time for new clothes, I just buy them wherever I am. You can find anything you need in any corner of the world these days. As for it being harder for a married couple to travel, that’s definitely not the case. As a couple you can book hostels/guesthouse/hotels and eat in restaurants/cafes just like everyone else 
With medications, you can make sure you take enough with you from home for your trip and at the same time, I found out that in many countries, they will accept a prescription from your doctor at home. Your insurance may not cover it but you can always get your medicine. If you were on a cruise ship, you simply would make sure you have enough medications for the duration of your contract or else you can always get a refill whenever the ship is in port somewhere.
It’s all much easier than most people imagine!!
Bonjour Earl and Doug, Years ago, I bought a thin silk sheet in Vietnam and transform it as a sleep sack. Easy to do, cheap, takes up little space,very light and dries quickly. Save me many times ;0)
Hey dude,
It was time to get a new digital camera and I didn’t want to spend a ka-gillion dollars. After reading your post I decided to check out the Panasonic Lumix ZS20 and absolutely love it!! When I was home a few weeks ago my parents saw my ZS20 and decided to go get one too. Thanks for the recommendation. It’s a shame you don’t get commissions.
Now I’ve got to get the hang of my x-shot.
Safe travels in India!
Christopher
Hey Christopher – Glad you love this camera as well! And it’s an absolute bargain these days…
And too bad we didn’t have an XShot while you were paddling us around Lake Bled back in Slovenia. That would have resulted in some good shots for sure
I’m absolutely in love with your site. It reminds me so much of my travel to countries like Africa and being terrified the first time not knowing what to expect then being surprised at having had a wonderful adventure and eye-opening experiences. I did learn, if anything not to leave home without multiple packs of Kleenex and hand sanitizer. I’m planning to travel in order to learn more about health care in various countries. Did you find a lot of alternative ways of battling common ailments like colds, stomach upset, etc especially among the locals?
Hey J.E. – Welcome to the site and I am always open to trying out local methods of dealing with certain ailments. The most unique one I found was putting hot cabbage in your socks to deal with frozen feet during an Eastern European winter. Didn’t try that one out though!
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Hey earl,
step 2 is getting married! Which we will this October! After that we will be ready to travel! Except we really want to do what you do and have a small income while we are doing it to keep us out there. We’ve saved up but now are wondering what ways we can realistically make some money. Neither of us have degrees but are willing to work! Tour guides, blogging?, etc. just thought I’d get a opinion of any couples you’ve seen. We are 25 years old. Thanks!
Love love reading your stuff. Me and my fiancé have been dreaming of traveling the world our whole lives. But wanted to get married first. So step one, we found each other.
Erica. Texas USA.
Hey Erica – There are many couples out there doing the same thing as I am. A few off the top of my head are NeverEndingVoyage.com, UncorneredMarket.com, ThePlanetD.com. Luckily, there are thousands of ways to earn a little income. The tricky part is being determined enough to face the challenge of getting started. If you can overcome that, anything really is possible!
Hey Earl
I’m curious…How many pairs of clothes do you carry? I made the classic mistake of grabbing a massive travel bag and stuffing it as full as could go. After six months solo traveling it’s a pain to drag around and is hardly inconspicuous at 18kg. Thanks!
Hey Saskia – Here’s a breakdown of what I usually pack: http://www.wanderingearl.com/how-does-a-permanent-nomad-pack/