Experienced shoestring travelers know what to pack for a hosteling jaunt, but for those setting off for the first time, don’t forget to pack these five hostel essentials.

1) Earplugs

200 ct. Earplugs – $23.00

There’s nothing worse than the huge fella in the bed below keeping you awake with his nasal orchestra. We can’t suggest anything to stop the bunk vibrating, but a pair of good earplugs will give you the chance to nod off.

I swear by the cheap foam versions available from most pharmacies and airport stationery shops. They’re affordable, re-usable and easily replaceable.

Keep them somewhere handy – you might not need them every night, but when you do, you’ll want to have them near at hand.

Soft plastic earplugs can be more effective, but they do not fit everyone comfortably.

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12 European languages in a pocket-sized phrase book?!

The essential language guide for backpackers traveling around Europe, carrying around a copy of Berlitz’s European Phrase Book is invaluable.

Since you can travel to most European countries in just under 2 hours from neighboring countries, having a handy guide to quickly help you navigate the new locale easily pays for itself.

Languages covered include Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, and Turkish.

Be sure to grab your copy today!

Price: $8.95 | BUY

Here are ten odd, even downright outlandish travel items that are amusing yet surprisingly functional and easy to pack.

1) Built-In Bottle Cap Opener Sandals

Reef BYOB Sandals – $45.95

If you are heading to a sunny, tropical destination, you must bring along these fashionable Reef sandals with a built in bottle opener. They are great to have should you find yourself craving an ice cold brew while sunning on the beach.

Lightweight and comfortable, you can easily slip them on and off while passing through airport security.

Find these and many other great beach products at www.reef.com

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It seems like airlines are placing new restrictions on luggage everyday. With bag space at a premium, consider packing items that have more than one use.

Reduce clutter and free up space with these 10 multipurpose items.

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Wanna know what the backup digital camera is for many amateur and professional photographers?

Look no further than the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5K digital camera. In fact, any of the Panasonic models will do.

Spitting out images that rival digital SLRs, its 9-megapixel resolution supports poster-sized prints. Consider the Nikon D40 Digital SLR camera has only 6.1-megapixels, this simple point-and-shoot camera supports 9-megapixels. It has a 10x optical Leica zoom lens with a new Panasonic Venus Engine that reduces noise, continous auto focus (AF) and face detection anywhere in the frame.

View your pictures on its 3.0-inch LCD and try one of many predefined shooting modes; from soft portrait to aerials to candlelight to night scenery; with its intelligent scene selector.

So it came as no surprise when fellow photographer Nerds Eye View and I unknowingly pulled out the same backup camera on a recent trip!

Price: $285.02 | BUY

Photo by cmariani

Weeding out “greenwashers” from companies that strive to be “green” can be difficult for the average consumer. There are a number of dedicated companies with policies and practices in place which make your health and the health of our environment a top priority.

Here are ten companies that deserve to call themselves green:

1) On the Fly

Their Ecovending SmartKarts run on battery power and offer locally produced environmentally friendly foods in the Washington, D.C. area. On the Fly’s decision to use local suppliers reduces their carbon footprint and provides support for the local economy. Their takeout bags are made from cornstarch, food arrives packaged in bamboo containers and utensils are made from potato based products. By providing free range chicken, organic produce, and snacks such as protein drinks and bars, On the Fly is a great example that “fast food” can be healthy.

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Today’s favorite travel item is the Moleskine Pocket Journal, recommended by Ben Polansky, co-founder of Matador. Ben carries one of these around everyday, but finds them really useful when traveling.

This hard cover, pocket-sized book is a genuine Moleskine. It was developed by a small French bookbinder and was made available at many stationery stops in Paris for over 100 years. Very popular with artisans, travelers, and literary types of that time – Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, just to name a few – today, the Moleskine enjoys the same preference amongst avid travelers and writers.

Read about the Moleskine’s history, or better yet, purchase it below.

Price: $10.95 | BUY

[Photo credit at end of article]

Since Jeeves came on the scene in 1996, the web has quickly become an indispensable resource of know-how for travelers of all motives and means.

However, many hostels still have unreliable wireless connections, and there’s usually a line for their £3 per hour Easy Internet booths (which are suspiciously sticky).

Here’s where the mobile web comes in.

The iPhone’s real innovation is not technology. The programming language behind it, Objective C, has been around since the early ’80s. Rather, it makes that technology fully portable without muting its potential.

Think you can’t afford one? Your collection of increasingly plebeian travel gadgets probably cost you much more.

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Today’s gear review comes from Matador editor and community member, David Miller

The “mid” is the ultimate shelter and the only tent that is comfortable to live out of for extended periods of time.

Why? It is infinitely adjustable, can adapt to any terrain, and has no floor, which means you can cook in it, set up chairs in it, set it up over snow, then dig down to create an entire living room, sleeping area, etc. It can be set up high enough to fully stand up in, or half-buried in the ground for shedding snow or sandstorms. And it’s the only tent (again, because of the no-floor design) that can be set up as a sun shade and it doesn’t turn into an oven.

The one drawback is that the megamid is not a free-standing tent. It takes more skill to set up than traditional tents, sometimes involving clever knots, folds, hanging from objects, etc, especially in wet terrain. You’ll also need a mosquito net if you’re in buggy areas.

But once you get dialed in with the megamid you’ll find it’s the ultimate shelter, a true modern tipi – David Miller

Price: $179.50 | BUY

Note: – Mountain Hardwear sells a larger, 4-person tent similar to the Megamid called the Kiva Lite.

Price: $275.00 | BUY

Sleek and ultra lightweight, get ready to hit the trails with the streamlined Vaude Ultra Trail 20.

Made with 450D polyester and a total weight of just 1lb 10oz, it holds up to 20 litres. Its Aeroflex suspension system makes it very light and breathable all the while being absolutely waterproof.

As part of its safety features, it includes a sternum strap with a built-in whistle in addition to reflective hits which illuminate you while biking or hiking in the dark.

Also works great as a light daypack for sightseeing while traveling.

Comes in one size, in black.

Price: $99.95 | BUY