Our Gear
As we’ve traveled through across the country, we’ve relied on various gear for our road trips, stays in hotels and Airbnbs, and hiking adventures. Our goal here isn’t to push products on you, but to share what’s worked for us and hopefully spark some ideas and conversation about what might work for your own travels.
The right gear can make all the difference in making adventures more comfortable, easier, and safer. Whether it’s a sturdy backpack, reliable shoes, hiking poles, or a compact camera for capturing those unforgettable moments—we hope our gear choices give you some inspiration. Got recommendations of your own? Don’t hesitate to get in touch!
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Explore by section below to find the gear we use for different parts of our adventures.
Happy exploring!
Airbnb / Hotel
GL-iNet Beryl (GL-MT1300) – Travel Router

The Beryl is small, lightweight & slips easily into travel bags. We name our Beryl the same as our home network to avoid reconfiguring phones, cameras & laptops to use the hotel or Airbnb Wi-Fi. With Wi-Fi 5 compatibility, it’s perfect for hotel & Airbnb internet connections, while its built-in VPN securely tunnels all traffic for peace of mind.
Eufy C120 Security Camera

The Eufy C120 camera offers subscription-free peace of mind while traveling, recording directly to a local micro SD card. Enhanced motion detection ensures security, while two-way audio allows communication with our pets at our travel accommodation while we visit National Parks. It’s a reliable way to stay connected and in the loop.
VIKKEN Go+ Travel Bidet

After fully embracing bidets at home, we didn’t want to give them up while traveling. The VIKKEN Go+ is compact, portable, battery-powered (charged via USB-C), and comes with its own 200ml (6.75oz) water reservoir—though it can also connect to soda bottles if more water is needed. Our butts have never been cleaner while on the road!
Beach
Academy Sports + Outdoors Folding Wagon

A folding wagon makes beach trips so much easier. No more back-and-forth hauling stuff across the sand—it carries all your beach essentials in one go. The oversized wheels handle sand like a pro, and it’s lightweight and easy to clean when the day’s done. Plus, it folds up for simple storage and transport.
Cameras
GoPro Hero 11

The GoPro Hero 11 is our “go anywhere” camera. Its videos and photos are absolutely stunning, and the stabilization is unbeatable. Small and lightweight, it’s been with us on epic adventures like climbing Half Dome in Yosemite and kayaking on Lake Tahoe. It always delivers, capturing every moment in incredible detail.
GoPro MAX

The GoPro MAX is our most versatile camera—it’s like having three cameras in one. It shoots 360-degree footage, GoPro HERO-style video, and photos all in one compact device. When we’re hiking, the views can be so stunning that it’s hard to know where to aim the camera. With the MAX, we don’t have to choose—it captures everything around us!
DJI Mini 2

A photography drone opens up a whole new world of perspectives, and the DJI Mini 2 is perfect for the job. Its compact design and lightweight build (under 250 grams!) make it easy to bring along, and the extra batteries and propellers in the bundle mean more flight time to capture those incredible moments. While we can’t fly drones in National Parks, the Mini 2 is a great addition to our photography gear as we explore the country.
Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Camera

The Sony Alpha a6000 is a fantastic travel camera—small, lightweight, and perfect for capturing stunning landscapes. Its interchangeable lenses make it super versatile, and an extra battery is a must for those long shooting days. Even though it came out in 2014, it’s still a solid choice, and you can often find it (or newer models) for around $500.
Car Travel
BESTEK 300 Watt Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter

The BESTEK 300 Watt Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter is a must-have car accessory. It plugs right into the car outlet and delivers enough power to charge larger devices or several smaller ones at once (up to 300 watts). The pure sine wave technology is safe for sensitive electronics, and its compact design fits perfectly under the seat when not in use.
Hiking
America the Beautiful Pass

For a single fee, the America the Beautiful Pass gives you access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites, including national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and more. It’s a great choice for frequent travelers who want to save on entrance fees while helping support conservation efforts nationwide.
AeroPress Go Travel Coffee Press

We’re coffee enthusiasts who need our fix even while hiking or staying in campers and yurts. The AeroPress Go travel coffee press is perfect for us. It makes smooth cold brew on the trail and hot coffee when we have access to a kettle or fire. We use five filters to ensure the water doesn’t seep through while steeping, but the result is always a delicious cup of coffee. Plus, it packs away into a compact container, making it easy to toss into our hiking packs!
Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles

The Cascade Mountain Tech hiking poles are Sam’s favorites. They’re lightweight, made from carbon fiber, and adjustable, making them versatile for tackling everything from flat surfaces to steep inclines and descents. Their durability has been outstanding; we’ve used them in muddy conditions, climbed Half Dome, traversed the Grand Canyon, and explored Olympic National Park.
Altra Lone Peak 7 Trail Shoes

The Altra Lone Peak 7 trail shoes are Sam’s go-to for hiking. With a 0 mm heel-to-toe drop, they’re perfect for tackling rugged trails. And that’s exactly what we’ve done—hiking across the U.S. with incredible traction. Despite weighing just over 1 lb, they provide great support. The only downside is they aren’t water-resistant, so his feet get wet when crossing streams or hiking in snow.
Sunday Afternoons Sport Hat

As a redhead, Sam sunburns easily, so we spent a lot of time finding a hat that provides full sun protection for both his head and neck. The Sunday Afternoons Sport Hat offers exactly that, with a 4″ wide brim, a 5″ neck cape, and UPF 50+ protection. It also features ventilation, a chinstrap, and an adjustable fit. Plus, it has a wicking sweatband, is water-repellent, and is even ponytail-friendly.
Mylar Thermal Blanket

At higher elevations, temperatures tend to drop. For day hikes like ours, our backpacks don’t have room for thick blankets. We use thin mylar thermal blankets because they’re lightweight, durable, waterproof, windproof, and they retain up to 90% of body heat. Plus, they are inexpensive and typically come in packs of 4 or more.
Deuter Speed Lite 24L

Although it’s no longer available, Sam still loves his Deuter Speed Lite 24L day pack. It’s incredibly lightweight (under 2 lbs) and includes features like a padded hipbelt and adjustable load-lifter straps, which help make the load feel lighter. We typically pair it with a 3L bladder, and there’s more than enough room for a full day, such as our 16.5-mile hike and climb of Half Dome. The Speed Lite CV25 looks like a solid comparable option.
Black Diamond Headlamp

Though it’s no longer available, we love our Black Diamond Revolt 350 headlamps. They’re perfect for early morning starts or day hikes that stretch into dusk. With up to 350 lumens, they provide bright, reliable light with multiple modes, including proximity, distance, and strobe. They’re USB rechargeable, weather-resistant, and durable. For a comparable modern option, check out the Black Diamond Spot 400-R.
OCOOPA Rechargeable Hand Warmers

When hiking in cold weather, your basics like hat and gloves are key, but sometimes you need extra warmth—especially when handling your camera. Our OCOOPA USB-C rechargeable hand warmers do the trick. With three warming modes, they keep our hands cozy and double as a 10,000 mAh power bank for our devices, keeping us warm and charged on the go.