Photo credits: Rolf Potts

I’m not much of a gear-geek — and I tend not to bring much with me when I travel — so my selections are pretty simple.

Eagle Creek Voyage 65L

I’m a big advocate of packing as little as possible. In Vagabonding, I advise people to take a very small pack — one they can fit into the overhead bin of an airplane.

This Eagle Creek bag has worked best for me in this regard. It’s small and simple, and it has a removable daypack that I use constantly.

It doesn’t fit much unnecessary gear, and that’s kind of the point. Last summer, I traveled through Uganda, Kenya, Sudan, and Ethiopia with this pack, yet I never felt like I was missing anything.

Canon PowerShot SX110

I went through a phase where I didn’t take many photos on the road, since I felt like the camera was getting in the way of less self-conscious interactions.

I missed having the visual record of my travels, however, and now I tote a camera again. This one is small but powerful, and it seems to suit my needs well.

Moleskine X-small soft-cover notebooks

For well over a decade, I’ve been carrying small notebooks in my pocket — not just to record travel notes, but to keep notes at home as well. These Moleskine notebooks are small and flexible and durable — great for keeping in a pocket for weeks at a time.

They’re also kind of expensive, but most stationery stores in the developing world stock an equivalent — usually a plastic-covered variation of the pocket-notebook that works just as well.

Nylon stuff sacks

These bags are cheap to buy in camping stores (you can even make your own, if you know how to sew), and they help me keep my backpack-gear organized. They also fit into a pants-pocket when they’re empty — which makes them good for impromptu shopping trips, beach excursions, and such.

Ziplock bag full of vitamin C and multivitamins

This is a new addition to my gear, but I find it useful for keeping my health in order. The multivitamins help supplement my diet when the on-the-ground food situation is less than ideal. The vitamin C is good for fending off illness — I tend to take two pills a day if I’m taking a long plane ride, train or bus trip someplace.

More on Rolf Potts

Rolf Potts has reported from over fifty countries for dozens of major venues, including National Geographic Traveler, the New York Times Magazine, Outside, Slate.com, National Public Radio, and the Travel Channel.

Rolf is perhaps best known for promoting the ethic of independent travel, and his book on the subject, Vagabonding has been through ten printings and translated into several foreign languages.

For more Matador Network interviews with Rolf, check out the articles below:

• Interview: Rolf Potts On The Future Of Travel Writing
• Rolf Potts: On His New Book, “Letting It Flow,” And The Stories
• Rolf Potts: Backpacker Culture Is Not Destroying Civilization
• The Art Of Long-Term Travel: An Hour With Rolf Potts

Canon XH-A1 Camera

At the moment I am looking at getting a new camera, the Canon XH-A1. I like this camera because it has a 20x lens, a great optical stabilizer and despite its small size, has the same imaging sensor as the more expensive XL-H1.

For my style of filming, I like a camera that doesn’t look expensive and allows me to get candid street shots without detection. I’ve looked at reviews of various HDV 1/3 chip cameras, and all are fairly similar in picture quality. For me, the Canon wins out mainly on the strength of its class winning huge zoom lens.

I also use a hoodman for the LCD monitor, and my custom made shoulderlander, so I can rest the camera on my shoulder and get nice steady shots.

Laptop

High Definition requires quite a bit of computer grunt – at least 2 GB, preferably 4 GB of RAM. I’ve been a Mac man since 1998, when Apple revolutionized video editing by bringing out the iMac, the first computer built from the ground up to handle Firewire loading of video footage.

I have an Apple Mac Book Pro and edit with Final Cut Pro Studio.

My style of backpack filmmaking requires minimum gear which I must carry when I travel. On the ‘El Camino’ in Spain, I walked 750km with 17 kilograms of gear. On my last trip overseas, I was lugging close to 30 Kilograms including a laptop.

Microphone and Tripod

My travel kit includes one microphone (Sennheiser ME 66) and one lightweight tripod (Velbon CX-586)

This influences my filming style. I don’t have a proper fluid head tripod so I tend to avoid panoramic shots or having to take them from my shoulder.

I’m actually thinking of reducing my sound equipment even more and just getting a hardwired XLR lapel microphone, or a smaller Rode shotgun.

The Sennheiser is a great microphone but is difficult to disguise. Not something you always want to be carrying when filming in the rough end of town.

To the untrained eye, 1/3 chip mini DV or HDV cameras capture footage that looks the same as their more expensive 1/2 chip big brothers. But where they do fall down is in scenes of high contrast.

To avoid this problem, I travel with a small light kit – the Paglight C6.

Cowboy Hat

Finally, one of my most important piece of kit I travel with is my old Akubra Cowboy Hat.

Seriously, sometimes I believe wearing my Hat has saved me from being mugged, people don’t know how to take a guy traveling round the world in a huge hat!

It gives me a crocodile hunter-like mystique.

With Fall Out Boy. All photos courtesy of Justin Thompson.

Here’s what he cannot live without on the road.

Swiss Gear Backpack

I’ve had my backpack strapped onto my back nearly every day for the past three years of touring the world.

Its contents vary but typically it handles two Macbook Pro laptops, aNikon D60 camera and an extra lens, a Diana F+ 120mm film plastic lens camera, some sort of snack, some hair product, a spare T-shirt, and my iPod nano.

It goes everywhere with me.

It’s sturdy, dependable, and really comfortable.

iPod Nano and Nike+ Running System

I use a Nano primarily because it’s the iPod that works with the Nike+ running system.

I try to run in almost every city I can – and being on tour with Fall Out Boy, I have been to a different city almost every day for the past three years while we are on tour.

I love getting out to see a little bit of each city and the run gets me exploring.

iPhone

Awesome for traveling. Having google maps and directions at all times is great. Constant Twitter updates on our travels (follow me on Twitter: @JustinAThompson), email, text, and camera all at your fingertips at once is also great.

The built in iPod isn’t bad either. You really learn to appreciate a multipurpose tool like this when you are out traveling with limited space for a million gadgets.

Video Camera

I travel with my Panasonic DVX100B. This thing is a true road warrior.

Sure, there are many newer, fancier cameras out there but this rugged beast has traveled with me for years and has seen hundreds of hours of footage.

Very reliable.

Still Camera(s)

For still photography, I carry around a Nikon D60 with various zoom lenses.

I started out just shooting video but picked up photography when we got out of the States and into some really cool scenic stuff.

In many cases I just wanted pictures for myself. That led shooting concert photography as well since I had all the gear out with me.

Now I spend just as much time shooting photos of bands (candid and on stage) as I do shooting video of them. I also shoot film on a Diana F+ plastic lens camera for fun – I develop the film myself.

I shoot mostly color slide film and cross process it in color negative chemicals.

Supra Shoes

These are my favorite shoes on the planet.

Walking around a ton of different cities, my feet see a lot of miles. I love having these things on my feet. They are the freshest looking shoes I’ve seen. I pack as many pair of them as I can fit in my suitcase.

Not only are they comfortable but some of them look so crazy that when people see them, they ask “What the hell are THOSE things?”

I’m currently rocking the Gray Patent Leather TK’s, Army Blue Muska Skytops, Green Patent Skytops, and Gray Wool Cuban lows.

Airborne

Somebody is always sick on tour. And that shit spreads like wildfire. I always keep a pack of Airborne in my backpack and pop one every time I hear that someone around me is sick.

Macbook Pro

I am a Final Cut Pro editor primarily, and since I edit while I travel, I use a Macbook Pro laptop.

I got my first one roughly two years ago and recently got a brand new one and I travel with both. Taking out two laptops at airport security isn’t fun but the good outweighs the bad.

Skullcandy headphones

These are super stylish and sound great. I listen to a lot of music when I travel, and have tried a LOT of headphones.

Skullcandy headphones are affordable and for the price, they sound amazing. I currently use a pair of White TI’s with a faux fur headband and ear cups.

Black and Decker Power to Go

Rad.

Charge one of these up and you’ll have a portable power outlet anywhere you go, any time.

I have used this to get some extra time on my laptop, to charge my phone when an outlet isn’t available, to charge my camera batteries in emergencies.

Great to have around.

More on Justin Thompson

Justin Thompson has been traveling the world with the rock band Fall Out Boy for the past three years documenting their travels through photo and video.

He is from Chicago, but also spent some time living in LA and working on various film projects.

He directs music videos and is hoping to make a full length film in the future.

Photographs courtesy of Everything Everywhere

The perpetual nomad being the widely popular blog, Everything Everywhere, Gary Arndt has been traveling nonstop since March 2007. His global adventures have taken through 70+ countries so far, including 23 countries in Australasia/Oceania alone, and he shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.

iPod Touch

This is by far most useful thing I have on me. It is just behind my wallet and passport in importance.

It serves as my watch, music player, communication tool, photo album, notepad, and much more. I spend a lot of time on trains and eating – listening to podcasts and audiobooks.

One of the first things I want to do when I get back to the US is to get an iPhone so I can take advantage of the other features the iPhone offers.

ExOfficio Boxer Briefs

I’ve spent 2.5 years traveling around the world and I’ve had only 4 pairs of underwear. These really are amazing. Easy to clean and they take a beating. They also double as my swimming trunks.

Mountain Hardware Convertible Travel Pants

I have used 3 pairs of travel pants. The Mountain Hardware convertibles were the first ones I purchased and are the ones I’m still wearing. Though almost worn out, they’ve lasted longer and have been more rugged than anything else I’ve used.

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Nikon D200

I do a lot of photography while traveling. I have taken over 50,000 photos with my D200 since the start of my trip.

While I’m probably ready to upgrade at this point, this camera has served me well. The 18-200mm VR lens is also a great all purpose lens if you are trying to travel light.

17″ MacBook Pro

You can’t really do serious video/photo editing from internet cafes. You have to have your own laptop. Though an heavy item, it has been well worth it. I’ve saved a lot from not having to use internet cafes plus it enables me to blog and use Photoshop no matter where I am. With this you also need to carry a cable lock for safety reasons.

A Stocking Hat

No matter where you go, it will probably get cold at some point. The simplest, lightest item you can carry with you for cold weather is a hat. I’ve used it in places you don’t normally think of as cold such as Hawaii and Easter Island.

Sandals

Unless it is really cold, I always wear sandals. I started my trip with a pair of Cachos and ended up with a pair of Tevas. Not having to wear (read “wash”) socks is very handy.

More from Gary Arndt

Gary with village kids on Rennell
in the Solomon Islands.

According to him…

The idea of traveling around the world wasn’t something that gradually dawned on me. It all rather happened in an instant. Once I had the idea, I knew it was something I had to do. That happened about two years before I left on my trip.

Follow his travels at Everything Everywhere.

Photo of Maria Taylor courtesy of shinealightnyc

Martin Acoustic Guitar

In case I need to write a song or sing myself to sleep.

CHI Hair Straightener

Because I’m over the curls for now.

Blackberry

Because it’s crack to me.

Mac Book Laptop

Because I need to be connected to the world wherever I am.

Target Socks and Underwear (From the kids’ department)

So people around me don’t get mad.

Cargo Under-Eye Concealer and Eyeliner

So I can pretend like I’m younger.

Relpax Headache Medicine

For my hangovers or my unrelated migraines.

Emergen-C

Can never have too much Vitamin C…actually, my friend OD’d on Vitamin C once.

A bottle of Sonoma Valley Cabernet

To keep me warm and happy.

Corkscrew

To keep me warm and happy.

More on Maria Taylor

Catch her live this spring in support of her new album, LadyLuck, and be sure to check out her new video which also features REM’s Michael Stipe on vocals.

Photo courtesy of Tony Vincent

“I enjoyed the opportunity to perform live on stage 6 nights a week on Broadway and London’s West End whether it was as “Roger Davis” (RENT), “Judas Iscariot” (Jesus Christ Superstar), or “Galileo Figaro” (We Will Rock You) because it allowed me to have my days free to spend time writing songs and focusing on my own music….

“That’s where I found real creative freedom and could remain grounded in the reasons I moved to New York in the first place. Being in the public eye each night also gave me an opportunity to work with some of the city’s really strong writers and artists.”

The Pack

Tony carries a Bak2Pak hybrid laptop bag which combines the practicality of a messenger bag with the ease of a backpack. The bag can be converted from a low riding backpack to a single-strap messenger bag, and comes with tons of compartments, including a top-loading padded pocket for laptops.

Bits for the Road

MacBook Pro

This machine rarely leaves my side…used for emailing, web updates, blogging and getting down musical ideas.

Palm Treo 680

I’ve become a texting-freak…since when I was doing We Will Rock You London in 2003. I pine for an iPhone, but just can’t make the leap to AT&T.

Audio Magazines

I’ve always got 2-3 audio magazines in my bbp pack.

Lyric Sheets

I’m a big culprit of spacing on lyrics, so I’m constantly reviewing lyrics…even to my own songs!

Pulltap

I’m a bit of a wine-guy so I always have a pulltap in a bag that I check (not exactly my “backpack”… but you’ll get arrested if you start wielding one of these in the cabin).

Läkerol Pastilles

I don’t know if these help or if it’s completely psychological, but I always have one of these pastilles in my mouth when I’m singing. Many boxes accompany me while traveling.

Photo courtesy of Tony Vincent

Think Thin Bars

These protein bars are killer…..you never know what food the flight is going to be serving or how long it will be until your next meal.

Adidas Running Shoes

I have a bit of an OCD-thing about staying in shape, so I always pack my running shoes to get in a run before a show or an early morning workout.

Notes/Cards

A recent note or card from my wife – travel is really hard on relationships, so I make it a point to surround myself with things that remind me of my wife. This helps me to keep her in the loop, to pray for her daily and to love her well…even from afar.

More on Tony Vincent

Also an accomplished singer/songwriter, be sure to check out his music below:

Official home site – www.tonyvincent.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/people/Tony-Vincent/775583289
MySpace: www.myspace.com/tonyvincent
Fan Site: www.tonyvincentworld.com

Photo Credit: Jason Mraz

Her one-of-a-kind job description is to ” keep the positivity flowing, keep our bodies clean and limber and to make our ever-changing surroundings a little more pleasing to all of the senses.”

Here are the things that she can’t live without on the road.

Fabric

A tapestry or fabric to hang in the dressing room or hotel room. It is often used to cover the “idiot box” and also to give the room a sense of home and to have some sort of grounding.

Aromatherapy

Lately I favor a diffuser and different essential oils, but an aromatic candle will do the job.

Healing stones

Black onyx (repels negative energy) and rose quartz (heals emotional wounds and opens the heart to unconditional love) are a couple of my choice ones.

iPod Stereo

So portable and easy to pop in and change the environment with your own choice of tunes for the moment. Random Dance parties and sing-a-longs are sure to follow.

Shiva Shakti Tonic

A spiritual tonic made by Ayurvedic extraordiniare, John Holmstrom of L.A. It cultivates compassion in body, mind, and soul by burning the toxic ama in the body.

It is only taken on days when it is really needed, but I bring it along everywhere.

I gave some to Jason before he left for the Grammy Awards and it kept him feeling the love all day and night long.

Wildbars

A raw, vegan superfood bar made by Ancient Sun Nutrition that picks you up, keeps you going, and gets your creative juices flowing.

Made with a full serving of cacao and wild blue green algae and it tastes like a candy bar.

You gotta try this!

Vitamineral Green

A green superfood powder from Healthforce Nutrition – 100% whole food, pure, raw vegan.

We love to make morning Green Shakes with this as the main ingredient, but a tablespoon or two in O.N.E. coconut water is a delight as well.

This product has changed the lives of more than half of our band and crew.

Yerba Mate

A South America tea that boosts immunity, cleanse and detoxifies the blood, tones the nervous system, combats fatigue, and stimulates the mind.

Without caffeine!

I love it iced on hot days too and favor the Guayaki Mint and The Mate Factor Dark Roast.

Yoga Mat

I love my Jade Harmony travel mat. It is super thin and light to carry, made from all eco products and is the perfect stickiness, even when practicing on a gravel driveway in 100 degree heat.

There is always a way to fit in some yoga anywhere, anytime.

Travel Hula Hoop

Our friend, Mandy in San Diego sent us off on this last tour with hula hoops that collapse!

She made them herself and really thinks she needs to start marketing them. They fit into our luggage and you can even sling it over your shoulder and walk about town with it folded up until you strike the fancy to hoop it up.

Best thing ever!

I’ve begun to think of my hula hoop as therapy because you really have to let go and put yourself out there – even though you know you’ll possibly look ridiculous.

Photo courtesy of Lara Dunston.

I actually don’t use a backpack everyday, as I try not to stand out as a traveler and prefer to be mistaken for a local.

The Bags

I use a Samsonite Sahora Upright Spinner which I’ve had for 3.5 years and it’s absolutely brilliant although looking a bit battered now, as my husband, travel photographer Terence Carter, and I have been traveling constantly since January 2006, so time for an upgrade I think.

I carry a Borealis backpack by The North Face in my Samsonite so if we’re doing a trek or heading into the backcountry for a while, I whip that out and we’ll store the Samsonites with the bulk of our gear at a hotel.

For day-to-day travel around towns and cities, I carry a huge leather shoulder bag.

I’ve never found the perfect bag so I’m working with a renowned Italian family of leather-makers to create a bag that looks stylish but is also strong and super-practical with lots of pockets and inserts for all those essentials professional travelers carry with them.

So, what goes inside?

13-Inch Widescreen MacBook

I have just upgraded and the new girl is gorgeous! My last one served me well for 3 years, so it was sad to say goodbye but she was never quite the same after falling from the top of a cupboard in a hotel room in Chiang Mai.

I never travel anywhere without my laptop – I do absolutely everything on it: writing books and stories, checking email, organizing my photos, maintaining my blog, doing our accounts.

It goes absolutely everywhere with me – it even came trekking through the hill tribe villages in Thailand.

And this one is even lighter! (I also carry a bunch of USBs and portable drives for backing up data: see Terry’s post on that process.)

Motorola MOTORAZR

I carry several cell phones – one for my main number in Dubai, one for Australia (only because phones are locked there), and one which we use to pop in a local SIM card, which we’ll buy if we’re working in a place for a few weeks or longer.

We find using local SIMs to be the cheapest and easiest way to make calls by far and locals prefer to call people back on local numbers so it makes research easier.

We have quite a collection of SIMs now! I have a couple of Nokia phones but my favorite is the Motorola MOTORAZR.

iPod

I have an i-Pod mainly for recording audio interviews, but also for listening to music from my i-Tunes library (my CD collection is stored on the laptop, of course), and learning languages.

At the moment I’m using Earworms by Berlitz to improve my Italian, and it’s just brilliant – it truly is as revolutionary as they say!

Point-and-Shoot Camera

My compact camera of choice is a Canon G10 PowerShot. Terry has quite a collection of pro-Nikons of course, and I get the hand-me-downs when he upgrades, but I find myself using a compact more because I’m so busy taking notes and my photos are memory shots mainly.

I also like to have something I can sneak into restaurants! The Canon is fantastic in low-light and the picture quality is brilliant.

My only complaint is that the LCD screen cracked in the time between the guy in the store packed it away and I unpacked it at the hotel, and they wouldn’t replace it. The screen really needed to come with a protection panel.

Notebooks and Journals

I don’t go anywhere without a few notebooks. I don’t use Moleskins. I’ve used them before and tried several different types but they always fall apart. They’re not made for our kind of traveling.

I wish they were because they look so good, but they simply don’t do the job for me.

I’m probably one of the few travel writers who’ll admit that. I opt for spiral bound, pocket-size notebooks with recycled paper and recycled cardboard or plastic covers, and when I find something I like, I’ll get half a dozen.

The last lot I bought in Italy, the ones before in Amsterdam but at the moment I’m using some I picked up from a supermarket in Australia and they’re fabulous.

Spiral bound is essential because I staple business cards, receipts, tickets, tags and even serviettes with the relevant notes or review, so when the editor comes back to me to check a number, I have all the info together.

About Lara Dunston

Australian travel writer Lara Dunston has been ‘based’ in the United Arab Emirates since 1998.

Although she and husband, photographer/co-author Terence Carter, have actually been traveling the world constantly since January 2006, bouncing across the planet from one assignment to another; the closest thing they have to a ‘home’ is their storage unit in Dubai.

Lara has had scores of articles published, everywhere from National Geographic Traveler to USA Today, and has authored and updated over 40 guidebooks (most with Terry) for Rough Guides, Footprint, DK, and Lonely Planet among other publishers.

Lara and Terry have four books coming out in the next few months on Calabria, Northern Italy, Cyprus, and the Italian Lakes. They are currently in Australia writing books. Lara reflects upon the stuff she finds cool (and not so cool) about travel, the travel media, and travel industry at Cool Travel Guide.

Photo courtesy of Travel Channel

From pastoral dirt roads in Nicaragua to the busy streets of India, without fail, these are the items Samantha Brown needs to bring with her while she shoots take after take of her ever popular travel show.

Two “Pinky” balls

These are sold in just about every toy store. Are you ready to feel the best you’ve have felt on the road?

Place two balls next to each other on the floor. Lie down on the balls so that they are at the base of your neck and aligned with your spine.

Bend your knees and push so that the balls roll down your back, over your buttocks, and down your legs.

For deep knots, just hang out putting all your weight on the balls – pure bliss.

Now where’s that Enya CD?

A Jar of Peanut Butter

I’ve been traveling with peanut butter for years.

With my empty stomach, I can go from a grown, mature woman to a grumpy six year old in 10 minutes.

Armed with peanut butter, I can easily buy pretzels, crackers, or carrots (and in emergency cases, just dip my finger in the jar).

Peanut Butter is not only healthy, but also keeps you satiated.

I’ve just stumbled on a company called P.B. Loco where you can order online flavors like European Café Mocha, Sumatra Cinnamon and Raisin, and CoCo Banana!

A Sweater or Sweatshirt

Even if you are going to Hawai’i, I recommend bringing one.

We over air-condition everything.

When I’m in a 55 degree restaurant, I’m always wondering, ”Isn’t this the cool weather I was trying to escape?”

Earplugs

You don’t need $250 noise canceling headphones worn by the band members of Fortune 500.

Just the run-of-the-mill, bright orange, foamy kind will do.

They won’t shut out all the noise, but just enough to take the edge off of listening to your three-year-old’s favorite children’s CD for the 700th time.

It also allows you to psychologically be in your own private space, even if that is only in a two foot wide seat of a mini-van or airplane.

Melotonin Supplements (For Adults)

This is a completely natural sleep aid.

Melatonin is produced in your body, but we lose it as we get older.

There are no side effects like with prescription or over-the-counter sleeping pills.

I take them because many nights I find myself in a different hotel bed, plane seat, or time zone.

How does it make you feel? Your muscles totally relax like you just took a long hot bath.

Swiss Army Knife with Corkscrew Opener

Anything that’s issued as standard equipment to NASA astronauts has to be good for your family’s summer “Liftoff”.

I recommend the model with the corkscrew.

You have spent an entire day traveling with the kids.

You’ll really need that glass of wine.

Soap

I don’t like anti-bacteria gel.

The high number of times I need and use it, my hands are so completely dried out by all the alcohol.

Good ol’ soap is still better than anything.

Remember to wash your hands for 15 seconds to kill all the germs.

Pick a fun song so you know when those fifteen seconds are up. Mine is “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine”.

Disposable Wipes

These days, doesn’t it seem like every brand makes their product in a “wipable” form?

Nowadays, wet wipes are travel essentials and not just for cleaning up baby bums and children’s faces!

A good anti-bacterial wipe is perfect for hotel rooms, airplanes, and restaurant bathrooms.

Wipe down that hotel phone before you order an extra cot!

Resealable bags

Need I say more. I honestly “ziplock” everything.

My clothes go in extra large bags that – with the help of my body weight – I can squeeze out all the air from so that my wardrobe for a week resembles freeze-dried cream chipped beef.

I put creams, gels, and hairsprays in them. If there is a leak, it is contained.

Many times, my luggage has sat out on the tarmac in the pouring rain and has been soaked through so at the very least, put your most special outfit in an resealable bag.

For more information on Samantha Brown, including her taping schedule, you can visit her page on the Travel Channel website.

Photo by Jordan Hoskins

Matador Goods caught up with podcaster extraordinaire Craig Martin to find out.

Apple Powerbook G4

Back in 2005, I bought my first computer ever. Everything before then had been cobbled together from friends’ cast-offs.

I had very tech-savvy friends so their cast-offs weren’t too bad!

My Apple 12″ Powerbook G4 still runs OSX 10.4 and is the backbone of our podcasting efforts.

We record most of our shows directly through Garageband, then export to iTunes before using the Levelator and MacMp3Gain to clean things up for publication.

Zoom H2

The Zoom H2 is a versatile recorder with some great options. Four microphones located within the head allows for 90, 120 or 360 degree sound recording with the option for four-channel surround sound.

The Zoom H2 can take SD cards or plug straight into your computer via USB. We now use it for all Skype calls, field recordings and studio (in hostels!) shows.

The package we bought came with an SD card, wind filter and two stands.

One thing not included is a decent protective case. We remedied this with a hard sunglasses case from an airport store in London.

Sennheiser Headphones

I almost deafened myself on our first long-haul flights during the iPod era.

We were going to be taking lots of flights again at the end of 2006 and it was around the same time we were starting up the Indie Travel Podcast, so it was time to invest in something suitable.

After trying several styles and brands, I settled on the Sennheiser CX 300 as the best balance between quality, price and the rigors of life on the road.

Pentax Optio W30

Recently updated as the W60, the Pentax Optio is our point and shoot camera of choice. We’re far from being professional photographers: we want something that works quickly, takes suitable shots and will survive the journey.

The thing that really got us into the Optio is that it’s waterproof straight out of the box.

We’ve been able to take cool underwater photos and videos in pools and seas around the world.

There’s nothing neater than coming across a big fish and being able to quickly snap a photo of it with your point-and-shoot camera.

LaCie Rugged Hard Drive

Our biggest problem, human error aside, is storage space.

We want to keep archives of all our original and edited material. The LaCie Rugged hard drive has been serving us well so far.

Its lightweight metal build and rubber protection around the casing helps it bounce…and everyone who’s handed luggage to an airline representative knows it’s going to bounce at some stage.

Photo courtesy of Samantha Brown

For Valentine’s Day, Brown has generously opened up her suitcase to share her recommendations for traveling lovebirds.

1. Ugg Boots: Put these on and instantly relax. A long lazy morning could easily stretch into the afternoon.

2. A scented candle to create the mood.

3. Games: Uno, Boggle, Bananagrams, etc. There are also romantic board games. One of my favorites is a game called “Getting to Know you…better.”

4. Edible clothing: Hey it’s one way to lighten your luggage for your return trip.

5. Room wine: Bring glassware and a wine opener.

6. A small picnic basket or backpack: Order take-out and bring it back to your room. After dinner activities are at your discretion.

7. Favorite movies that you and your honey love snuggling up to.

8. Antacid: There’s an ugly side to romance and that includes heartburn, indigestion, or unexpected lactose intolerance brought upon by rich foods, dessert, and wine. You definitely need to have a back-up plan.

And Brown mentions one must-not: “Your addiction to technology.”

“Turn off your Blackberry and make a commitment to one another that you’ll both check your email or messages only at an agreed upon time. The rest of the trip should be focused on each other.”

Samantha’s All-Time Favorite Must-Have: Earl Grey Creme Flavored Black Tea

“[On my travels] I always bring this tea and my own porcelain tea cup,” Brown told Matador. “No matter where I go, I have to start my day with a hot cup of tea.”

Community Connection

Looking for where to take your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day? Check out Samantha’s Top 5 Valentine’s Day Getaways in the US.

For more information on Samantha Brown, including her taping schedule, you can visit her page on the Travel Channel website.

Photo by Ryan Libre

Often, when someone finds out I’m a photographer their first question is, “What gear do you use?”

So let’s see what’s in my bag…

Digital SLR Camera

I go through camera bodies way too fast.

I am currently shooting with a Nikon D90.

It is the only DSLR that takes movies at any price, yet is affordable for most travelers.

It has almost every feature I want and I can access 95% of them without searching through the menu.

Fixed Lens

More interesting than cameras are lenses.

The lenses you use have a much bigger effect on the final image than your camera. One thing every SLR shooter needs in their bag is a fast fixed lens.

That is a lens that does not zoom, but is small, light, has great depth of field and shoots well in low light without a flash.

I use the Nikkor 50mm F/1.4. Fixed lenses are also cheaper than zooms. The non-pro version, the 50mm 1.8 sells for around $100!

Wide Angle Lens

When I wanna get really close to my subject and still show a lot of context I use my Sigma 10-20mm ultra wide angle zoom.

At 10mm this lens is close to fisheye and you get a cool curvy distortion around the edges.

At 20mm it is still very wide but gives a more normal perspective.

Great to have them both in one lens.

Flash

I don’t use a flash a lot, but when I need one my Nikon SB-600 works wonders.

Even off the camera it knows wirelessly what lens I’m using, all my camera settings and even how far away my subject is!

You can also change the flash output in camera and it puts out more or less light no matter where it is located.

Takes most of the hard work out of using a flash.

Circular Polarizer

A Circular polarizer filter can do amazing things.

Polarizers can take reflections off glass or water, make skies bluer, make fall colors more colorful and much more.

A good start towards kicking the Photoshop habit.

Mini Laptop

Lastly, Ebony, my little black beauty. This mini-notebook has a six hour battery, the latest Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, three USB ports, an SD card reader and a built in webcam. I got mine for just $500, including the upgrade to 2GB of RAM.

After talking about the gear I use with curious travelers they often wonder where my big telephoto zoom lens is. I don’t have one and it hasn’t hurt my portfolio at all.

I follow Robert Capa’s advice, “Get close, then take another step.”

Next time you meet a photographer please do them and yourself a favor by asking, “What projects are you working on? ”

Matador Life Editor Tom Gates lies
amidst the innards of his backpack.

Matador Goods is starting a “What’s In Your Backpack?” series and I’ve been asked to take it for a road-test, since I’m about to do a lap around the world.

The innards of my bag are currently spilled out on the floor and I’m about to make decisions about what stays and what goes.

Here are some of the things I can’t live without:

Aquis Adventure Microfiber Towel

This will be my first journey with a fast-drying towel. I bought it because it is the most disgusting color imaginable – kind of if Prussian Blue tongue-kissed Orange Red.

Lewis N. Clark Compression Packers

I took heat for picking on The Ziplock People recently but I must confess that I always carry one of these. They’re especially handy at the end of a trip, when there’s just no more room, no matter how much you squeeze. They’re also a lifesaver if you threw up on your clothes at Glastonbury Festival.

Price: $9.99 | BUY

Nintendo DS Games

Spend two weeks on ebay doing this: look for DS auctions ending soon and bid $1.01 for every game still unclaimed at a $.99 first bid. I snagged about 10 games for $30 this way, getting especially lucky with some that had no shipping charges.

BUY on ebay

US Army Survival Handbook

This was a birthday gift and I am dying to read it. I’m fascinated by the diagrams of how to signal an airplane with a compact mirror, or what to do if stuck in a sea with sharks (“Don’t urinate.”) Hopefully this teaches me all of the things that I missed while smoking weed during Boy Scouts.

Price: $12.95 | BUY

Kiehl’s Eye Alert

Women, gay men and touring musicians all know that this stuff actually works. Don’t be a hater.

Price: $20.50 | BUY

Polaroid PoGo Instant Mobile Printer

My friend Easyread turned me onto this awesome idea – he thought it would be a cool way to meet local folks on his upcoming trip to Myanmar. I can see kids grinning as they’re handed a print of themselves in seconds.

Read our review of the Polariod PoGo Instant Mobile Printer.

Price: $99.95 | BUY

Ben’s Tick & Insect Repellent

This bottle is only 1.5 oz and is easy to stash. It’s also 30% deet. I find that when I’m trapped in Bugland, all that is available seems to be brands that are “Skintastic!” and hardly work.

Price: $5.39 | BUY

MAX191218 – Portable Speakers

There’s just no need to get fancy with the iPod speakers. These are cheap ($23), sound surprisingly good and weigh a pound. I won’t be crying if they get lost or broken, which happens to most sets anyway.

Price: $22.72 | BUY

Rand McNally World Map Classic Edition

A sensational map for ten bucks. This is obviously not something that a normal person would carry around for a year, but my copy has been circled with all of the places that I might go before 2010. It’s my mascot.

Price: $9.95 | BUY

Zip Pulls

Many airports will let you put these on your bags, whereas they won’t let you put a lock on it. They may be just enough of a pain the ass for any corrupt baggage handler to leave your bag alone. They’re also great in a McGyver situation, when you’re just looking for something to hold something together.

Price: $5.81 | BUY

Moleskin Mini Notebooks

I am digging these. They’re much smaller and thinner than normal notebooks and very easy to pocket.

Price: $6.99 | BUY

iGo powerXtender

My pacemaker of choice. It’s small, runs on AA’s, and keeps my iPod juicy.

Price: $6.95 | BUY

Pacsafe Treksafe 100

I picked this up when I saw that it was so cheap on Amazon ($85). It’s got most of the Pacsafe safety standards and a surprising amount of room. I like that the top compartment opens from the rear, with both zippers easily clipped together for more security. Tons of pocket space, durable, and feels like it can survive just about anything.

Price: $84.95 | BUY