Hi guys, what's your favorite travel gadget? can you suggest some of your best and shouldn't miss? I'm going to buy those

My favorite is my Surefire flashlight. It provides a bit of self-defense, but mostly it just comes in very handy. It's amazingly bright. I've used it to look down old wells, wander around the unlit insides of castles, etc.


I also like the Light My Fire spork. It's just cool



Finally, I need to have a compass with me, even with a map. Some old cities look the same in every direction, so I need it to get my bearings.

- Mike

Here's my 2 latest favorites:
http://www.travelgearblog.com/archive/cell-phone-charging-shoes.html

This one you can't buy that I know of, but you can make it.
http://www.travelgearblog.com/archive/diy-backpacking-s...from-a-beer-can.html

The Leatherman Charge.



(Not shown on the left is a rope blade and a branch saw.)

Some folks find they don't use a tool. I find I use something from the tool almost everyday. I've fixed shoes, opened "unopenable" German train windows, lowered "unlowerable" chair beds, tightened my glasses, Retrieved change, altered umbrellas, hotwired(with permission) cars, and shaved kindling. I am NEVER without this thing.

D

quote:

Originally posted by MikaL:
This one you can't buy that I know of, but you can make it.
http://www.travelgearblog.com/archive/diy-backpacking-s...from-a-beer-can.html

Actually: Vargo Triad Titanium Alcohol Stove

Nice find Markus! I've PM'd ya too.

If you guys are into ultralight DIY alcohol stoves you shold check out http://zenstoves.net/Stoves.htm .

I like the Firefly stove from Mo-Go-Gear, windscreen, stove and stand together wiegh 1.2 ounces. Its perfect for cooking with your Ti Mug.

http://www.gossamergear.com/cgi-bin/gossamergear/Fire-Fly.html

I've made one alcohol stove in the past but never got as far as using it due to the lack of elegant pot support solutions. The stand in Dusty Road's post is one of the best I could find, but I lack the tools to make one of them. I'm one of those lazy schmucks that would just pay the $35 for a titanium version

I often get into the trap of buying too much gear and worrying more about gear than planning the overall trip. But I've learned that the most important thing for me are SHOES. My requirements are; comfortable, gore-tex, looks. In the past I had a pair of MOntrail Hurrican Ridge XCR's:

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/5671831/c/19627.html

I always change out the factory insoles for a set of aftermarket ones and these shoes were incredibly versatile, comfortable, and had great traction. However, they don't last long and now the gore-tex leaks. I can still wear them regularly for comfort (just without the water resistance).

For my upcoming grip to Tanzania/Kenya, I've purchased a pair of Salomon Extend Mid XCR's:

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/4507510/c/31987.html

I just started breaking them in this past weekend and so far, they're great.

Leatherman Wave is always a pleasure to use.

While working in a hostel in Italy I would construct wondrous repairs on peoples rucksacks with hot glue sticks, a lighter (obviously) and nylon tie wraps.

Love my little travel speakers and

Looking forward to trying out the orikaso origami crockery

Sit in cup kettle was a bargain 2euros in athens - invaluable to a tea-drinking brit

Can't pick a fave - all pretty useful

elv

a headlamp. I use it a lot when travelling. I wear it like a necklace at night so I never have have to search for a flashlight if I get up in the middle of the night.