🎒 GIO'S TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
Travel Gear I Personally Use & Recommend
Living overseas long-term is very different from taking a two-week vacation.
After more than 10 years of living and traveling throughout Southeast Asia and Africa, I’ve learned which products are worth packing—and which ones aren’t.
Everything on this page is something I personally use or confidently recommend. If I wouldn’t travel with it myself, you won’t find it here.
No paid placements. No filler. Just gear that has earned a place in my bag.
If you’re preparing for an international trip or planning to live abroad, these are the travel essentials I recommend first.
⭐ My Top Recommendations
🔌 EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter Charges multiple devices in almost any country. This is the only adapter I travel with to keep everything powered.
🎒 Pacsafe Vibe 25L Anti-Theft Daypack Keeps your valuables secure while walking busy cities or traveling. I use this when I want peace of mind in crowded areas and transit days.
BAGSMART Carry On Luggage 22x14x9 Airline Approved with Spinner Wheels,Lightweight 20 Inch Luggage with TSA Lock,Expandable Hard Shell Carry On Suitcases
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (newest model), streaming device, with AI-powered Fire TV Search, supports Wi-Fi 6E, free & live TV without cable or satellite, find shows faster with Alexa+
✈️ Onward Ticket Provides a real, verifiable flight booking for visa applications. I use this when I need proof of onward travel without buying a full ticket.
EPICKA TripCozy Compression Packing Cubes - 6 Set Durable Travel Organizer Bags with Mesh Top, Expandable Travel Accessories for Carry on, Luggage, Suitcase, Backpack
Pacsafe Vibe 150 2.5 Liter Anti Theft Sling Pack
BESTEK 220V to 110V Voltage Converter, 300W Step Down Power Converter with 3 AC Outlets & 4 USB Ports(PD20W), International Travel Voltage Transformer for US Appliances, UK/EU/AU/India Plug Adapters
Ekster - Aluminum Cardholder Wallet - Metal Aluminum Wallet for Men - Fits 12 Cards, RFID Blocking Layer, Ultra-Thin, Minimalist, Push Button, Swift Card Access, Expandable, Trackable
INIU Smallest 20000mAh Power Bank, 22.5W PD Fast Charging Portable Charger with Detachable Cable, Flight-Safe Battery Pack with LED Display for Travel Xiaomi iPhone Samsung Google, Mini Size
👕 Clothing
DAVID ARCHY Mens Underwear Boxer Briefs Lightweight Breathable Soft Moisture-Wicking with Fly Underwear for Men Multipack
Hylaea No Show Running Athletic Anti-Blister Wicking Coolmax Socks, Seamless Anti-odor
Arctic Cool Men’s Instant Cooling Active Shorts
Arctic Cool Men’s Crew Neck Instant Cooling Moisture Wicking Performance UPF 50+ Short Sleeve Workout Shirt
❄️ Cooling Towel for Neck & Face Helps you stay cool during hot, humid days outdoors.
I use this when walking or exploring in the heat.
CNBQDD Mens Hiking Pants Quick Dry Water Resistant Lightweight Nylon Cargo Pants Breathable Work Travel Pants with 6 Pockets
Under Armour Iso-Chill ArmourVent Adjustable Hat
Rdruko Men’s Quick Dry Hiking Shorts Lightweight Running Gym Outdoor Active Shorts with Zipper Pockets
🎒 Bags & Security
🔒 Pacsafe Cable Lock
Secures bags and gear when you need extra peace of mind.
I use this to lock my bag in hotels or cafés.
🧳 EPICKA Ultra-Lightweight Packing Cubes (4-Pack)
Keeps clothes and gear organized while traveling.
I use these to pack efficiently and avoid digging through my bag.
🎒 Pacsafe Metrosafe LS200 Anti-Theft Shoulder Bag
Secure crossbody bag for carrying essentials in busy areas.
I use this for city days when I want something lighter than a backpack.
Pacsafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Carry-On Travel Pack
travel inspira Luggage Scale, Portable Digital Hanging Baggage Scale for Travel, Suitcase Weight Scale with Rubber Paint, 110 Pounds
💼 Unisex RFID Money Belt & Passport Holder
Keeps cash and passport secure and hidden while traveling.
I use this in crowded areas or transit days for extra security.
TakeToday Collapsible Water Bottles 21oz (600mL), Foldable Platinum Silicone Travel Water Bottle with Straw & Carry Strap, Leak-Resistant Screw Lid, Wide Mouth, BPA-Free for Hiking, Camping, Travel
🌍 Living Abroad
💸 Wise – International Money Transfers Send and receive money internationally with low fees and real exchange rates. I use Wise to move money between my U.S. and overseas accounts because it's fast, secure, and saves me money. ✔ Low transfer fees ✔ Real exchange rates ✔ Hold multiple currencies ✔ Fast & secure transfers
🔒 Surfshark One – VPN & Online Security Protect your privacy and secure your devices wherever you travel. I use Surfshark One to access my U.S. accounts, stream content, and stay safe on public Wi-Fi. ✔ Secure VPN ✔ Antivirus ✔ Unlimited devices ✔ Identity protection
📱 T-Mobile – Stay Connected & Get $100 I've used T-Mobile for years because of its reliable coverage and great international features. Sign up through my referral link and you may qualify for a $100 Virtual Prepaid Mastercard® after meeting T-Mobile's requirements. ✔ Up to $100 referral reward ✔ Nationwide 5G coverage ✔ International roaming options ✔ Great for travelers
💳 Capital One Travel Rewards I use my Capital One card when traveling because it earns rewards and has no foreign transaction fees, making it a great choice for international travel. ✔ No foreign transaction fees ✔ Earn travel rewards ✔ Worldwide acceptance ✔ Great for travelers Apply using my referral link below to see the latest welcome offer.
🛡️ SafetyWing – Travel Medical & Health Insurance I use SafetyWing for affordable travel medical insurance while living and traveling abroad. It's designed for travelers, digital nomads, and expats who want reliable coverage wherever they go. ✔ Affordable monthly plans ✔ Medical emergency coverage ✔ Coverage in 180+ countries ✔ Ideal for travelers & expats Get a quote or sign up by clicking the image above.
❤️ Christian Filipina – Serious International Dating If you're looking for a meaningful relationship, Christian Filipina is the dating site I personally recommend. It's focused on connecting people who are serious about finding a long-term partner. ✔ Serious relationships ✔ Verified profiles ✔ Easy to use ✔ Trusted international dating site Click the image above to learn more and get started.
📬 Virtual Mailbox Service Lets you manage and receive mail while living or traveling abroad. I use this to handle important mail when I’m outside my home country.
💙 PinaLove – Meet Singles in the Philippines If you're interested in meeting Filipinas, PinaLove is one of the most popular dating sites for connecting with singles across the Philippines. It's easy to use and a great way to start conversations before or during your visit. ✔ Connect with Filipina singles ✔ Easy to use ✔ Popular throughout the Philippines ✔ Great for travelers and expats Click the image above to learn more and get started.
🎥 My Vlogging Gear & Editing Software
🎥 DJI Pocket 3 Compact camera for smooth, high-quality video while traveling. I use this when I want stable footage without carrying a full camera setup.
🎤 DJI Mic Mini (2 TX + 1 RX) Wireless Microphone Delivers clear, reliable audio for vlogging and travel videos. I use this when recording on the go because it’s lightweight and easy to set up.
🎬 Filmora Video Editing Software Simple video editing software for creating polished travel content. I use this to edit videos quickly without a steep learning curve.
🎥 DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro Adventure Combo Rugged action camera for capturing stable footage on the move. I use this for travel and outdoor shots when I need something tough and compact.
🎤 DJI Mic 2 Wireless Lavalier Microphone Captures clear, professional audio for vlogs and travel videos. I use this when I want the best sound quality while recording on the go.
👜 Skyreat Osmo Pocket 3 Protective Case Protects your Osmo Pocket 3 and accessories while traveling. I use this to keep my camera safe and organized in my bag.
DJI Osmo Pocket 4 Creator Combo, Vlogging Cameras, 4K/240fps Vlog Camera, 3-Axis Stabilization, Active Track 7.0, Mic + Fill Light Included + 128GB Memory, + Selfie Stick + More
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