Here are 6 fun gadgets for backpacking and travel that you can easily throw into your pack the next time ya hit the ground running. Do ya need ’em? Probably not. But will they make your transition from the comforts of home to the bare practicalities of life out on the road a little bit smoother? Easier? Perhaps even a bit more fun? Absolutely!
1.) Belkin RockStar 5-Jack Multi Headphone Audio Splitter
Great for listening to IPods, IPhones, or MP3 players with friends on buses, trains, planes – you name it! Stuck inside your hostel during a monsoon? Crack open your laptop and watch a movie together! With the Belkin RockStar 5-Jack Multi Headphone Audio Splitter, activities involving earbuds no longer have to be experienced alone!
2.) Belkin 3-Outlet SurgePlus Mini Travel Swivel Charger
What I appreciate the most about the Belkin 3-Outlet SurgePlus Mini Travel Swivel Charger is obviously it’s swivel ability, but also that all three plug ports are 3-pronged. Fantastic at home instead of a bulky power strip, and small enough to pack for your stay in hostel rooms, or in transit on buses and trains with outlets, etc. If traveling outside of the U.S, be sure to grab a power adapter as well. My personal favorite that I’ve used for a few years now is the Yubi Universal Travel Power Adapter, which I review here. These two gadgets combined are the perfect pair for traveling abroad! Check out “Mac Deezy’s” review below! He’s pumped about his Belkin!
3.) Trakdot Luggage Tracker
Trakdot Luggage Tracker adds a little more piece of mind for those terrified of losing their suitcases or backpacks in transit. This device is operated by cell towers, not gps. So there is no, “line of sight” necessary for it to perform effectively. In the video review below, the Trakdot is shown being linked to an Android phone. However, IPhone also has a Trakdot App.
4.) Anker PowerCore+ Mini
Anker has some fabulous portable chargers. This Mini is rated as Amazon’s Choice, and for it’s price-point and fantastic compact size, I can see why. This “Lipstick Sized” portable charger comes with it’s own small mesh pouch and USB charging cable. If you’re interested in a solar charger, check out this gift that keeps on giving – The WakaWaka! Take a second to check out my review here. It’s absolutely my favorite charger while I’m out backpacking!
5.) Philips FLEX Wireless Portable Bluetooth Speaker
The top and bottom of this handy little speaker pops down into itself, making it pretty compact and easy to pack. It plays up to 12 hours straight, which means it would probably outlast you at your next epic-but-still-small-enough-to-only-need-a-portable-speaker party!
BONUS ITEM!
Spectacles – Sunglasses for Snapchat!
Okay, so I’ll be honest – I’ve not used these. I haven’t purchased a pair, and if I’m being super truthful with you, I don’t plan on purchasing a pair. HOWEVER, with that said, not everyone likes the same things I like. Just because I don’t see these as necessary or practical, doesn’t mean they aren’t fun or that I wouldn’t play with them if one of my friends had a pair. Actually, I’m pretty sure that I would. There also may be a targeted age group here, and perhaps I’m on the higher end of that age group. But I do use Snapchat! So I’m not that old! I like to share cool new gadgets with others and get their opinions. Do any of you have a pair of these? Or anyone you know? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below!
These are all super useful. Thanks for the great info! I’ll be sure to include some of these in my next trip 🙂
Right on, Rachel! Happy you found these useful!
This was an insightful post. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks and you’re welcome!
Hello Courtney
This is such an interesting post, these are such cool and lovely gadgets. I am so surprised to learn about the multi headphone audio splitter, such a handy thing and also the luggage tracker. I really enjoyed reading this and learning something new. Thank you for sharing.
No worries! Happy ya enjoyed it and thanks so much for stopping by!
I love all those ideas. I especially like the audio splitter, what a great idea. I actually do quite a bit of travelling and it would be perfect. Thanks for all this info. I know where I will be doing my Christmas shopping.
Happy to help, Bill! Look forward to seein’ ya around!
Cool stuff. I particularly liked the Trakdot. How many times have I lost or misplaced something from being in a hurry or simply thinking I have grabbed everything. Nice products.
So true, Ronnie. Thanks for stopping by!
That headphone splitter is an awesome idea. I had this thing as a kid called a boostaroo, it had a single double A battery that boosted the sound as well as split into three different headphone jacks. I had completely forgotten about it until now. This would come in super handy on a plane too, to share watching a movie with your wife or something.
Aww a Boostaroo lol That sounds cute! I’ll have to Google it, I’ve never heard of it before. But yeah, these split audio jacks are fantastic!
I often get confused while packing for travel, mostly when I have to pack light. You seems to have a great and spot on list for backpacking travel. Next time I travel, I would simply follow your list. This will spare me the last minute packing stress.
The more times you pack for lightweight travel, the better you get at it. My first 5 month backpacking stint that I did through Europe, I packed a ridiculous amount of stuff. I ended up trailing my things behind me like breadcrumbs across the continent! And the country, climate, and culture will also influence what you choose to stuff in your pack. These items here are just some gadgets I found to be helpful while away from home!
Love the page! It’s so awesome, and the drop box full of useful content. As a traveler myself I will be utilizing this page to my advantage and will stay informed by your future posts…very useful!
Hey Jaye! Happy you’ve found it a worthy page to return to!
I have a couple of portable chargers but neither of them will completely charge my iPhone 7 – they both will add only about 35% charge. Will the Anker charge an iPhone 7 all the way? Thanks! ❤️
The Anker Mini will charge your iPhone 7 one full time, and then a little less than half (1.4) Which will suffice for most any emergent situations. However, if the compact size isn’t a priority, and you’re wanting a portable charger that will charge your iPhone 7 multiple times, perhaps check out the Anker PowerCore 10000. Nearly 3 times the size of the Mini, yet still smaller than your iPhone, the PowerCore 10000 is capable of three full charges and some change. Almost 4 portable charges? Still not bad for it’s size! Hope this helps! 🙂
Great list of gadgets here!
100% agree about the charges. Also, I’ve been meaning to get something like the headset audio splitter. Will consider what you recommended.
I’ve heard about the spectacles and am intrigued by it. The thing is, I use Instagram more than SnapChat, so I did a quick Google and apparently you can use this Instagram: http://www.redmondpie.com/how-to-use-snapchat-spectacles-with-instagram/. Not sure if I’d still get it thought. Hmm….
Oh wow, that’s interesting that you can use them with Instagram — I use SnapChat and Instagram equally as much, and I’m still not super sold on the Spectacles. But I am curious how people feel about them that own a pair!
Great post. The Mini Battery & 5 jack splitter are really cool. I can totally see how they would come in handy on long hikes. Looks like you are all set for great adventures. Best of luck to you.
Thanks, Eddie! Good of ya to stop by
I’m like you, in a sense that there are those creature comforts that I like to have with me to make my trips as pleasant as possible. A portable speaker is a must. Everyone likes to hear music and when your chilling on the beach the sound of the crashing waves can drown out your phone … not that it’s a bad thing 🙂 When me and my friends travel, we typically like to rent somewhere comfortable away from the noise so we have somewhere quiet to sleep. We also like to have parties so we can get to know… Read more »
Awww man! That sucks about your buddies Bose! Even though the Belkin’s got a surge protector, remember that it’s not universal. So you’ll most likely want something like the Yubi to pair it up with if you’re traveling abroad 🙂