I'm not normal in terms of what I pack and how I dress when I travel. Instead of taking lightweight, quick-drying, synthetic travel gear, I tend to take fairly heavy cotton clothes, and wear jeans most of the time (even in hot countries). I usually travel with a pair of jeans and a pair of khakis, and T-shirts and polo shirts round out my clothing. To many, these will seem like horribly impractical choices, but for the most part they're conscious decisions to dress in a way that it likely to be culturally inoffensive.
When I first visited Europe, it was easy to tell who the (North) American tourists were. If someone was wearing shorts, wearing a T-shirt with a slogan on it, wearing white socks, wearing baggy clothing, or wearing sneakers, chances are they were American. There's no denying we dress like slobs and stuck out like sore thumbs. There's also no doubt that most Americans were oblivious to this, and I actually appreciated it when I went to some of the stricter sights (such as St. Peter's in the Vatican) where dress codes were enforced and (mainly American) tourists were turned away if they had bare knees or bare shoulders. Of course, the same tourists would visit other churches where the rules weren't enforced in the same inappropriate clothing, but it was still gratifying to see their insensitivity and disrespect pointed out to them at these places.
Pretty much everywhere you go in the world, you'll see a similar pattern: relatively conservative local dress standards, which are then ruthlessly flaunted by tourists. This is especially disappointing when in many places the locals clearly find it important to dress neatly and tidily, and the dress standards of many tourists (and especially "travelers") is embarrassingly sloppy in comparison. Throughout Southeast Asia, for example, you'll find tourists in tank tops and skimpy shorts at all manner of tourists sites (and I don't like beaches, but I imagine it's even worse near the coasts), including visiting temples. What's worse is when tourists think it's interesting to ape the poses of the statues of Buddha they encounter—can you imagine the outrage if Chinese visitors to churches and cathedrals like St. Peter's posed for pictures while mimicking Christ on the cross?
So my suggestion, when you travel, is that you make a point of looking at how locals dress, and figure out what their dress standards seem to communicate. When I was in Mongolia, for example, my dress wasn't that much different that locals, but I noticed that there were shoe-shine boys everywhere, and that all of the shoes I saw were neat and polished. My leather boots, in comparison, were extremely dusty, so I had them shined and quickly bought a cheap shoe-shine kit from the supermarket (unsurprisingly, there was a big section for shoe polish). I mean, "travelers" like to complain that they're not treated like locals, but this isn't too surprising when we make no effort to fit in and follow local standards. (The flip side of this is people who wear things that they like to pretend are authentic local gear, like Thai "fisherman's pants," which I have never seen anyone but a self-proclaimed "traveler" wear.)
I don't think this means that you have to dress like a local, but I do think it means you should consider how your attire comports with local customs, and be respectful of those customs and mores. And at the very minimum it means you should carry a scarf and other clothes with you so you can cover your shoulders and knees when you enter holy buildings.
Buy before you leave & shop at Amazon (if you're in North America)
For the most part, I would recommend buying everything before you leave. Clothing in other parts of the world often fits different, caters to different tastes, or has different standards of quality. And for things like electronics, you are unlikely to get better prices than you can get from buying online at places like Amazon.
It may seem strange that things are cheaper on Amazon than they are at a market in China, where the product is likely made, but it's true: Amazon has economies of scale that few other retailers can match, combined with a business model of foregoing profit margins in the pursuit of market share. Maybe you can save a few percent on made-in-China products if you know where to shop in China (and that's a big 'if'), but those few percentage points in savings will be more than wiped out by the time and effort required to track down the markets and vendors that offer competitive prices.
I'm not saying you should blindly trust in Amazon's pricing, however: for individual products it's certainly possible that another retailer will be selling at a lower price, or that Amazon regularly sells at a lower price. You can guard against this possibility to a significant extent by installing Price Blink and the Camelizer for your web browser: Price Blink checks the prices on other sites, while the Camelizer checks Amazon's pricing history.
It may seem strange that things are cheaper on Amazon than they are at a market in China, where the product is likely made, but it's true: Amazon has economies of scale that few other retailers can match, combined with a business model of foregoing profit margins in the pursuit of market share. Maybe you can save a few percent on made-in-China products if you know where to shop in China (and that's a big 'if'), but those few percentage points in savings will be more than wiped out by the time and effort required to track down the markets and vendors that offer competitive prices.
This
may make sense when you see it laid out like this, but it's still very
weird to go into a Walmart or Carrefour in China and find out that they
are charging more for rechargeable batteries, for example, than Amazon or your
Walmart at home charges. But embrace the reality: it will save you
money.
I'm not saying you should blindly trust in Amazon's pricing, however: for individual products it's certainly possible that another retailer will be selling at a lower price, or that Amazon regularly sells at a lower price. You can guard against this possibility to a significant extent by installing Price Blink and the Camelizer for your web browser: Price Blink checks the prices on other sites, while the Camelizer checks Amazon's pricing history.
The Bag
I don't like backpacks. I also don't like the term 'backpackers.' Because, let's be honest, backpacks are almost never necessary, or even advantageous. For Europe, you could probably travel with a roller bag if you have durable wheels. Even in places like SE Asia, you're not carrying your bags that far. Heck, unless you're camping, your really don't need a technical pack with hip straps to tote your gear the 500 meters between your bus/train/subway stop and where you're staying. But that's just me: I don't need hiking equipment, and to some degree it I would feel like a poseur if I used one. I know, I'm weird.Instead, I've used duffle bags. The have much larger openings than backpacks, making it easier to get to your stuff. Some of them have additional pockets and compartments that make them even more convenient. For the majority of my trip, I used a North Face Base Camp duffle bag.
Deodorant & dental floss
Neither of these are widely available in China, so best stock up beforehand!Duct tape and/or clothing repair patche
Things break, jackets rip, stuff happens. MacGuyver yourself out of a jam with these. Amazon sells small packs of folded duct tape, as well as patches designed for clothing.
Can opener
You can buy tiny, folding can openers for a couple of bucks, and they're really handy to have around.Pins, postcards, miniature flags/stickers, or other small souvenirs from home
You will meet nice people and kids along the way, and you'll want to give these nice people something. Of course, you also won't have a lot of space to lug things around, but pins and postcards are small and relatively lightweight. People also love to see photographs of your home country, so try to keep some old pictures on your memory card so you can show people. Even the most banal shots, like random street scenes, or inside your house, will likely be interesting.Electronics
Flashlight
I used to use an incandescent mini-Maglite, but the new crop of Cree-powered LED flashlights offer huge improvements in light and efficiency. Something like this mini Hausbell, which is small, light, waterproof, and with a variety of battery options is a good bet, or opt for the LED version of the mini Maglite.
I used to use an incandescent mini-Maglite, but the new crop of Cree-powered LED flashlights offer huge improvements in light and efficiency. Something like this mini Hausbell, which is small, light, waterproof, and with a variety of battery options is a good bet, or opt for the LED version of the mini Maglite.
AA batteries and charger
Rechargeable Ni-MH batteries and a compact charger are hugely convenient for powering AA devices like your flashlight. I use a little Braun electric razor when I'm traveling, and it takes AA batteries so it's convenient for that, too.
Kindles
do one thing and they do it well. They're readable in the sun and the
battery lasts for weeks. More importantly, they let you carry a complete
library for less weight than a single book.
Smartphone
A modern smartphone is indispensible. GPS, maps, internet access, email, a secondary camera for both stills and video, as well as the ability to make cheap phone calls if your device is unlocked. If you actually plan on using it as a phone, make sure you get a GSM model and make sure it is unlocked, as this will let you pick up a SIM card in just about every country and make cheap calls with it. An unlocked Moto G is a good cheap option, even if the camera is on the weak side. If you want the best in image quality, the iPhone remains the gold standard.
Whatever smartphone you have, be sure to use an app that lets you use offline maps that you can download when you have a wi-fi signal and use even when you don't. Nokia's Here and maps.me both offer good offline options.
The problem with smartphones is that they tend to have really bad battery life. I've met people who carry both a smartphone as well as an unlocked feature phone to make actual phone calls, as it's much easier to keep the battery charged and available for when you need to make calls.
A modern smartphone is indispensible. GPS, maps, internet access, email, a secondary camera for both stills and video, as well as the ability to make cheap phone calls if your device is unlocked. If you actually plan on using it as a phone, make sure you get a GSM model and make sure it is unlocked, as this will let you pick up a SIM card in just about every country and make cheap calls with it. An unlocked Moto G is a good cheap option, even if the camera is on the weak side. If you want the best in image quality, the iPhone remains the gold standard.
Whatever smartphone you have, be sure to use an app that lets you use offline maps that you can download when you have a wi-fi signal and use even when you don't. Nokia's Here and maps.me both offer good offline options.
The problem with smartphones is that they tend to have really bad battery life. I've met people who carry both a smartphone as well as an unlocked feature phone to make actual phone calls, as it's much easier to keep the battery charged and available for when you need to make calls.
Cameras and lenses
I traveled with a D300, a 18-200 zoom, and an 85/1.8. If I had to do things over again, I would have considered taking a series of prime lenses and/or a cheap backup lens (such as the $100 18-55 basic lens sold in entry-level kits), as if anything goes wrong with your kit during your trip you are unlikely to be able to find an adequate replacement with any ease—especially if you shoot anything other than Canon.
The biggest consideration for me is image quality. There are many dimensions of image quality, but for me the most important is dynamic range, with low-ISO performance a distant second. Take a look at DXO's ranking of cameras along these dimensions and you'll see that Sony sensors (used in both Sony and Nikon cameras) tend to dominate. Buying today, I would probably get a Nikon 750.
Integrated GPS is also something I would insist on, as it is much more rewarding to and memorable to know exactly where you were when you took a picture. If the camera you're looking at doesn't have GPS built in, you can usually get an external GPS unit. For the D750, an external unit would be required.
Are DSLRs too risky?
Because I want the highest image quality possible, I'm likely to continue traveling with a DSLR or other interchangeable lens camera. Some people worry that traveling with a big, conspicuous camera will make them a target for thieves. I've never worried about this, though, as I think that people are generally targeted based on how vulnerable or easy they are. Armed muggings might be an exception to this, but I think they tend to be pretty darn rare and can be avoided fairly easily with some common sense (e.g., keep your camera in your bag when in sketchy neighbourhoods).Personally, I've never felt targeted or imperiled because of the gear I carry—indeed, the closest I've come to someone trying to steal my camera is a surreal incident where a 50-year-old Norwegian guy slowly pedaling his bike reached for it for it while I was walking down a pedestrian street in Oslo in the middle of the afternoon. Part of this may be because I have a bag that doesn't scream "camera!" and part of it may be because I don't carry my camera prominently on my chest when I'm not using it.
So I definitely wouldn't let fear of theft deter me from carrying good gear, and I certainly wouldn't chose not to take a DSLR on those grounds.
Compact/backup camera
To be honest, you cell phone is probably the best option for this. As everyone all over the world now uses their cell phones as cameras, there's nothing conspicuous about taking pictures with cell phones, and their size and accessibility means you'll probably take pictures of everyday life with them that you might not pull out your SLR for. In all honesty, I wish I had taken more pictures of these sorts of scenes, as many things that seem somewhat banal when immersed in a foreign culture (from what a typical street looks like, to what shops sell or the cars on the road) become much more significant when you're no longer there.Lenses
My 18-200 is basically an all-in-one lens, and it's a decent one at that. While it might be nice to travel with just one main lens, there are compromises, however. Despite having image stabilization, it's still not great in low light. Despite being well designed, it's still not as sharp as a prime lens. It also has a lot more distortion than prime lenses do (although built-in software corrections largely fix both distorting and vignetting in modern bodies). Most problematically, when you develop a problem in your all-in-one lens you develop a problem in all your lenses. Mine developed an alignment problem at some point, meaning that the left half of the frame was much blurrier than the right half (not that I noticed until I got home and started properly reviewing my pictures). This alignment problem gradually worsened until something inside the lens snapped, leaving me with a completely disabled lens and no replacement options other than the 85/1.8 I was also carrying, which was hardly useful for landscapes and the like.If you're on an extended trip through areas with few camera shops (Central Asia definitely qualifies), it makes sense to carry a backup lens in case things going wrong. While it would have been easier to get replacement Canon gear, even this is really available only in the capital cities in the 'stans, so it would be prudent to carry some sort of backup.
Spare batteries and chargers
The truth is that you can get power just about anywhere. Even in gers (yurts) in the middle of Mongolia, you can plug your electronic device in next to their solar-powered flat-screen TV and power up your gear. But despite this, you also want to have backup power in case you forget to charge everything or it isn't convenient to do so for a while. Batteries are cheap, and you have no excuse for not carrying a few around with you. I carried four or five batteries for my D300, even though I never needed more than two, and I don't regret it because at less than $5 each they were cheap insurance. Even more importantly, I carried around two chargers, both of which were much more compact than the one that came with my camera: this proved to be prescient, as one charger died only a couple of weeks into my trip.
Memory cards
I don't care where you're going or how easy you think it will be to buy stuff there, buy all your memory cards before you leave, at a place like Amazon or B&H photo. I made the mistake of thinking I would be able to pick up some cheap gear in Hong Kong (a reasonable thought given that that's where dx.com is based), but it was impossible to find a place that offered the product selection or prices of dx.com. I finally found a place in a specialized computer center in Kowloon that offered prices just a shade above the Amazon prices, but it took a significant amount of time and energy to track them down.Computer
Before I left on this trip, I thought I would rather do it without a computer, and possibly without a smartphone, as I didn't want to to be distracted or to have an additional layer of technology between myself and my environment. I've seen people completely immersed in their iPods when traveling, and completely ignoring the world around them, and I didn't want to be like this.
On the other hand, if you take a lot of pictures or if you want to blog, traveling with a computer is really the only way to keep up with things. That's the sad truth.
Macbook Air 11" (2013 or later) + external drive
They're pricey, but there's no question in my mind that a Macbook Air is by far the best computer for traveling. They're light and durable, with much great performance and incredible battery life (especially those released after 2013, when Intel's energy-saving Haswell processors debuted). The 2013 and later Airs get 9 hours of battery life for the 11" model, while the 13" models get an amazing 12 hours. The downside is that the onboard storage is somewhat limited, and upgrades are expensive (partly because everything is solid state, and partly because Apple grossly overcharges for memory and storage upgrades). For the base product, however, Airs are actually a good deal for the size, weight, performance, and battery life they offer. Strong resale values also mean that you'll be able to get a large chunk of your money back if you decide to sell in a couple of years.For those who take a lot of pictures, an external hard drive is indispensable. You may even want to pack two, so that you have a backup of your pictures at all times (especially since cloud-based backups will be infeasible given limited internet bandwidth even in the places you are likely to be able to get wi-fi).
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