Amazing Must Have Travel Gadgets for Smart Travellers and Backpackers

Setting off for a few months is really exciting. I mean… once you’ve packed your bags of course. In my previous article, I listed the usual things you should not forget to pack. But if you want to make your life easier, here’s a list of crazy useful must have travel gadgets for your adventures in Asia and elsewhere.

They are not the conventional things you see on the typical checklist, though. Some of us like creative ideas but not everyone knows where to start and what will be frustrating during their travels.

Well, I rely on the ingenuity of some people who have been there and done that and because they saw problems with the situation, they came up with solutions to those problems.

If you are a true explorer and suspect that you may find yourself in slightly rougher places than 5 star hotels, these creative travel gadgets are going to come in really handy.

You can thank us later!

Travel backpack with wheels

Right, you’ve decided that you’re going travelling. There’s just one thing on your mind, should you get yourself a backpack and travel like a backpacker or stick to the suitcase? Well, no need to compromise on your travel style. Thanks to the ingenious idea of a hybrid travel backpack with wheels you can decide later what will be more practical. And this is why it comes as number one in our must have travel gadgets!

Start your preparation with settling for nothing less than the best luggage that will accompany you throughout your trips across the globe. Read our post on the best backpacks with wheels for travel to know which ones are the most durable, comfortable and, if you’re on a string budget, most affordable!

Collapsible Water Bottle

Your water intake is going to skyrocket in Asia. Your hunger won’t match your thirst. Although water is cheap, you will end up collecting unnecessary bottles of water, especially for your day trips. There are many places in Thailand where you can refill water bottles with fresh filtered water for dirt cheap. Once done, fold it up. Win-win. You won’t need to carry plastic bottles around and Earth will thank you for your little contribution!

It’s ideal for day treks to less accessible places and overnight camping, not to mention that you won’t need to be carrying empty plastic bottles around once you’ve finished drinking. Collapsible water bottles, also known as foldable water bottles won’t take up much space in your bag. Some of them can hold up to 5-10L but personally I’d rather go for a size that replaces a typical plastic bottle you’d buy in a convenience store. You will see the difference it makes when you can save up that extra 1-2L in your daypack – one of our favourite must have travel gadgets! 

Reusable Menstrual Cup

Ladies, believe it or not, this is one of the best inventions of a humankind! Tampons aren’t easily accessible in some parts of South East Asia and are more expensive than in the West. Did you know you can use this cup over and over again? Small, hygienic, reusable, comfortable. Saves you money in the long term and is just perfect for hiking trips. Seeing that it’s a solution to a monthly recurring issue, wouldn’t you just want to add it to your must have travel gadgets?

This tiny item is great not just for backpackers but anyone who is keen to travel and enjoy themselves to the fullest. It works well even with heavy periods and its eco-friendly advantages outweigh any drawbacks that I’m yet to discover. If you move about and happen not to buy a 6-month supply with you, you will appreciate this leakproof, washable and totally reusable menstrual cup that takes barely any space.  Click here to find out more about period cups and choosing the best reusable menstrual cups for travel.

Alternatively, you might want to try reusable Bamboo Sanitary Pads for Menstrual flow.

Anti-pollution mask 

If you’re doing proper sightseeing and planning on walking around Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City or Phnom Penh during peak time (it is always busy there), you are going to thank us for it.

Speaking from our experience, it is very hard to breathe when the only thing you can inhale is fumes around you from the tuk-tuks or motorbikes! If you’re staying in Asia for a few days, it may not be a big issue but if you’re considering backpacking or moving to Asia, the pollution can really damage your lungs. Especially if you happen to be travelling in the midst of burning season! If you need more guidance on how to pick the best anti pollution mask for Asia, read our article here.

Anti pollution masks are good not only for Asia. If you like running and cycling in the big cities, you will find it very useful, especially during colder months, when the air tends to be colder. In fact, you can probably benefit from it a lot more than just holiday in Asia. Ever since we got our own anti pollution mask, notice more and more people using anti pollution masks for cycling I think it doesn’t surprise you anymore why we added it to our must have travel gadgets!

Neti pot 

You may find Neti Pot just as useful as we do. Neti Pot is a natural nasal irrigation for the blocked nose. Once you’re out here, you will most likely experience the love of locals for blasting freezing cold and dry air from air-con units inside the buildings.

Step outside and the humid heat will hit you in no time. The temperature and humidity difference between the two is very significant, especially during the hot wet season. Add to it pollution particles in the air.

Using Neti Pot would effectively get rid of dust and pollen in my nostrils and it’s so natural, just saline water. In Asia, I would use it on a daily basis in the evenings whereas in Europe the air quality is pretty good so you may only need it when you catch a cold (or are cycling on the congested London roads!).

You won’t need it if you’re going for a few weeks but Neti Pot will work magic for those planning to stay in various places for a few months. Locals are familiar with the problem as it’s very common around humid and polluted places. One of the pharmacists in Thailand told us that due to seasonal burning, pollution particles can severely affect children’s lungs which results in an increased number of cases with asthmatic children and pulmonary diseases.

It’s a precaution and of course you don’t need one but trust me, you will thank me for keeping your lungs clean despite having to smell fumes lingering in the flat, humid air on a daily basis! Using it for a minute a day after a day out will clear out your nasal passages and prevent pollution particles from getting further into your lungs. It won’t be useful in Japan but you’ll benefit from it if you’re anywhere else in Asia. Add Neti pot to your must have travel gadgets now!

Water filter

Depends on what and where you’re going to go. For the bigger cities in Thailand, it is not necessary at all, especially if your goal is to do the usual touristy parts. What if you are a backpacker or a nomad who likes exploring less known places? Water filters are one of the most useful and definitely must have travel gadgets for adventurous travellers who want to keep their health in check, especially that it takes barely any room but can save you from unnecessary hours of pain.  

Many places in Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia and rural parts of Thailand may use contaminated water due to bad sanitation system in place. Don’t even get me started on my brief food poisoning episode in Ho Chi Minh City! All thanks to the poor sanitisation. I wish we had got it when we travelled to Asia for the first time! You know your body best but if you can’t get the bottled water around, a simple device like water filter will protect you from various bacteria in the rainwater or even springs in the remote places like mount Rinjani. 

Portable Mini Projector 

This is NOT any form of an essential item but… let me tell you why you will fall for it. we brought our projector from England because we already had it and simply because we are so in love with it! If you like watching your good old series or documentaries, this little gadget will give you 1000 times better experience than the laptop and won’t weigh much either. Whilst it’s not exactly an essential item on your must have travel gadgets, it’s definitely a useful item to keep you entertained in the evenings! 

We took it with us on the assumption that if we struggle finding affordable accommodation, we can find a simple room with wi-fi. All you need is online anyway and having an empty wall in the room will turn your room into a mini cinema at no cost whilst the room price can drop by quite a bit. One investment pays off in the long run!

Let us know which ones out of our must have travel gadgets seem to be most useful to you and where are you planning to use them (if you haven’t yet!)

These useful gadgets are so going to going to pay off during your travels around Asia!