Feeling cooped up at home and in need of some fresh air? If you can swing it, right now's a perfect time to connect with nature and get away from it all with an outdoor adventure.
Just about every adventure traveler will tell you that bringing the right gear can make all the difference for having a successful trip. The key is packing all the essential equipment you will need without having it weigh you down. I’ve put together a list of the most useful lightweight items for any outdoor trip, whether it be an intense mountain hike or just a relaxing night stargazing from your tent deep in the woods.
Multifunctional Gear for Any Adventure Trip
Travelers pride themselves on their own style. Some opt for the newest equipment with all the bells and whistles while others prefer budget items with less flash that get the job done. Below you will find a couple options for each, all of which are highly rated. All eight pieces combined will weigh only a couple pounds, so no need to worry about them bogging you down.
Headlight/Headlamp
Whether you are on a poorly lit hiking trail or the fire is flickering out at the campsite, a headlamp is one of the most useful pieces of gear for the adventure traveler. Freeing up your hands and allowing you to see clearly when darkness rolls in – a quality headlamp is an essential item you should never forget to pack.
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Lighting EVER – LED Headlamp
Features 4 lighting modes, lightweight at 2.85 ounces, IP 44 waterproof rating. Includes 3 AAA batteries, a great basic headlamp choice.
Price: $7.99 on Amazon
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MsForce – Rechargeable Headlamp
Features 5 high powered LED bulbs providing an astounding 12,000 lumens of light. A pivot mount allows 90 degrees light rotation. Weighing it at only 11.7 ounces, the MsForce has a waterproof IPX55 rating and is powered by two USB rechargeable batteries.
Price: Starting at $27.99 on Amazon
Multi Utensil
Reduce waste and unnecessary extra gear with an all in one eco-friendly multi utensil. A lightweight multi-tool has the full functionality you’ll need without taking up valuable backpack space or weighing you down.
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CRKT – Eat’N Tool
This multi-tool has a spoon, fork, bottle opener, screwdriver, and 3 hex wrench holes. Made of sturdy 3Cr13 steel, ultra-light at .8 ounces, includes a carabiner and limited one-year warranty.
Price: Starting at $4.89 on Amazon
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Full Windsor – The Muncher
Made of 100% titanium, the Muncher has 10 functions, including can/bottle opener, flathead screwdriver, spork, and fire starter. Comes with a Hypalon travel pouch with an attached carabiner and a two-year warranty. Weighs only 0.8 ounces.
Price: $49.95 on The Grommet
Related: The 10 Best Zero Waste Items for Eco-Conscious Travelers
Water Purifier
Getting sick on vacation is the absolute worst and getting sick while out in the middle of nowhere is a nightmare. A travel-sized water purifier will help avoid that unwanted situation by killing off nasty contaminants found in questionable water sources. With a reputable water filter like the ones mentioned below, you will have access to clean water wherever your travels take you.
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LifeStraw – Personal Water Filter
Weighing only 2 ounces, LifeStraw provides a compact, ultralight solution for drinking clean drinking water during travel. Removes 99.9% of bacteria and protozoa. Filters 1,000 liters (264 gallons) without chemicals or batteries.
Price: $17.47 on Amazon
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Survivor Filter – Portable Water Filter
Long-lasting with 3 removable and replaceable filter stages. Filters 1,000 liters (264 gallons) and is attachable to most standard water bottles. Removes 99.9% of tested bacteria, staph, and viruses. Meets EPA drinking standards and weighs 3.5 ounces. Two canteen bags included.
Price: $39.72 on Amazon
Multifunctional Headgear
Keep your head and face protected from the elements with a multifunctional piece of headwear. From dusty desert trekking to snow flurries on the slopes, this versatile piece of gear can keep your mug protected. Suitable for almost any adventure trip, a multifunctional headpiece is a must-have, and you can get as creative with it as you’d like.
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Tough Headband – 12-in-1 Outdoor Headwear
Made of 100% microfiber, a highly breathable and moisture-wicking material. Available in several color combinations options and can be worn in 12 different styles. Comes with a Lifetime warranty and top choice on Amazon.
Price: Starting at $10.15 on Amazon
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Buff – Lightweight Merino Wool Headwear
Made of 100% non-scratchy eco-friendly Merino wool and available in 12 color combinations. Weighs 1.7 ounces and is soft, breathable, warm, and naturally odor-resistant. Trusted brand and winner of Backpacker Magazine’s Gold choice award.
Price: Starting at $16.30 on Amazon
Related: Never Wear These Items at the Airport
Polarized Sunglasses
Eye health is essential, and the 5 dollar cheapo sunglasses you got at the gas station probably don’t block out all the sun’s harmful UV rays. Adventure travelers who have spent time on the water, at the beach, or trekking in the snow know how intense sun glare can get. Polarized sunglasses not only reduce glare; they allow you to see more sharply to take in all those beautiful vistas on your hike without worrying about eyestrain or damage.
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Woodies – Walnut Wood Wayfarer Sunglasses
Handmade from real walnut wood, features anti-reflective polarized lenses and 100% UV protection. Includes carrying case, lens cloth, and matching wood guitar pick. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Price: $27.00 on Amazon
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Ray-Ban – Folding Wayfarer Sunglasses
Iconic eyewear brand, sunglasses come with 100% UV protective polarized lenses. Constructed of lightweight durable nylon frame with hinges to allow for folding into smaller travel size. Includes a protective case and lens cloth.
Solar Powered Charger
Even out in the wilderness, it's tough to ignore your modern devices completely. From relying on your phone for its map features to taking pictures to capture the great outdoors, you’ll want to keep that battery full. Unfortunately, that pine tree you’ve posted up next to doesn't have a power outlet. Time to find another way to get that charge: sun, sun, sun, here it comes.
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RAVPower Solar Charger Panel 21W
This #1 Best Seller offers dual USB ports to charge two devices simultaneously. As one of the most compact chargers on the market, it's easy to tote on any trips, especially at its low weight of 1.29 lbs. Constructed of a refined waterproof fabric, this panel should handle whatever conditions mother nature has in store.
Price: Starting at $44.99 on Amazon (Limited time sale)
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BigBlue 28W Portable Solar Charger
If you need something with an added boost, BigBlue's upgraded 28W solar charger is a trustworthy pick for topping up your technology. With 3 USB ports, all your devices can recharge with this easy to carry 1.29 lbs foldable panel system. Includes a 2-year warranty, so you'll feel confidently covered.
Price: $84.96 on Amazon
Related: The 8 Best iPhone Travel Accessories
Microfiber Towels
Without fail at some point during an adventure or outdoor trip, things will get wet and soggy. Whether it’s swimming in a cenote or getting caught in an out-of-nowhere downpour, there will be a time where you could use a towel. That's why a microfiber travel towel is a must-pack for adventurers as they are four times more absorbent than an average towel and dry 10 times faster – at a fraction of the weight. Most brands are priced similarly, so there's no real splurge-worthy option on this handy item.
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Youphoria Outdoors – Quick-Dry Travel Towel
Constructed from the finest blend of microfiber with no abrasive feel. Comes in 3 convenient sizes with a mesh carrying case. These ultra-soft feel and absorbant towels are available in 10 different color combinations.
Price: Starting at $9.99 on Amazon
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TravelSnugs – DrySnugs Microfiber Travel Towels
Made from the highest quality microfiber that is feather-soft. Sold in a pack of 2 (one large & one medium towel) inside breathable carry pouches. Includes hanging loop for quick drying and 100% money-back guarantee.
Price: Starting at $12.95 on Amazon
Sports & Action Cameras
Capture all those epic moments on the road with one of these compact HD video cameras. Mount them to a helmet, dashboard, handlebars, or possibly a drone to take snapshots and fantastic footage of all your travels. Because if you don’t have pictures to prove it… did it even happen?
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AKASO EK7000 – 4K Ultra HD Action Camera
Available in silver, black, and blue the AKASO EK7000 records in 4K HD video and shoots 12MP images. Comes with two rechargeable external batteries. Certified waterproof up to 100 feet (in provided case). Wi-Fi and HDMI capability with a wireless remote included.
Price: Starting at $49.99 on Amazon
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GoPro HERO8 Black
GoPro's HERO8 is kitted out with countless features from the top name brand provider in action cameras. Housed in a reimagined streamline design, the HERO features a voice control option, Wi-Fi & Bluetooth compatibility and captures up to 4K Ultras HD video and 12MP photos, with improved HyperSmooth 2.0 technology.
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