Our Packing List Revealed!

During the last 5 months of travel, we definitely learned what items were super helpful and which items we really should have left at home.

So, in this newsletter, we’re going to share with you some essentials for your next trip!

(Thanks to those who replied to our last email and asked for this info!)

Hello from the best place on earth to see the leaves change! We came home to Connecticut (a state in the USA near New York for those International readers) just in time to experience our first New England Fall in 2 years!

We are SO EXCITED! Although, these allergies can kick rocks! 😡

What’s next?

These past few weeks, we have been preparing for our NEXT BIG THING! If you don’t know yet, here’s a hint!

We’re going to build a shiny, new adventure rig and it’s going to be so groovy! 🌼

We’re renovating a 1973 Airstream!! Ah! It’s truly a dream come true. So, international travel is on hold for now, but we do plan to do some local adventures this fall in New England. Can’t wait!

Starting with luggage…

For the trip, we carried one rolling suitcase (carry on) and one backpack (personal item).

For the carry on suitcase, we went with the Monos Carry On Plus which retails for $275 each. Matt ordered the Storm Grey color and I had the Desert Taupe color.

We chose this one over the Pro Plus ($315 each) which includes a laptop sleeve because we read that you sacrifice space for the front storage.

So, here are our thoughts…

360 Wheels & Rolling: EXCELLENT. Held up great on cobblestone streets and rolling through dirt & gravel. It felt light and easy to carry up and down stairs (this is what Matt said because he always took mine 🥴)

Size & Packing: We had no problem with fitting this bag in overhead storage. But we ALWAYS checked each airlines sizing restrictions. We had to check it on some budget airlines.

Features: We loved all the pockets, compression straps & the TSA lock

We don’t have many cons about the bag other than the fact that it easily scuffs. The desert taupe which is a lighter color definitely shows more wear and tear than the storm grey.

The suitcase came with a cleaning sponge which we conveniently left home. hah! But hey, that’s what stickers are for right?

Even so, we 100% recommend the Monos Carry On Plus!

Savings tip… Wait until a major holiday to make your purchase. We were able to get an additional 25% off our order during a promotion. Also, use our referral link below so you can get $20 off your order.

For a backpack, we both got a Wandrd 21L PRVKE Bag. This bag served as our personal item which carried ALL of our electronics. YES IT WAS HEAVY. But that’s our fault for bringing so many lenses (ahhemm! Matt).

If you remember from our First Impressions of Spain video, Wandrd was the official sponsor of that video and sent us these bags that we picked out.

So, DISCLAIMER: we did not pay for these backpacks but we did choose them and our opinions in this newsletter are 100% honest.

Truthfully, this backpack had all the right features; roll top, hidden pockets everywhere, removable electronics box with dividers & more! We’ve owned many backpacks looking for the right one for our use case and this one is close to perfect.

This backpack fit under the seat of EVERY FLIGHT WE TOOK! It looks big but it’s definitely a personal item.

Our one problem about this backpack is that since the hip strap is removable and not a fixed part of the pack, most of the weight is carried in the shoulders. If you fill the roll top with heavy things, it feels like the weight is pulling you backwards.

So, personally, I️ like the bag! It felt too heavy when I️ stuffed it with heavy electronics but it’s comfortable otherwise. At most, I️ would carry one camera, an extra lens, and a laptop next time.

Matt prefers his Shimoda Bag.

1. Theragun Mini Gen 2 Massager (compact and great for recovery on strenuous walking days)

2. Packing Cubes (our favorite!) (Keeps things ORGANIZED!)

3. Travel Power Strip (was perfect for us as we work digitally)

4. Airfly Pro Bluetooth Adapter (GAME CHANGER, no cords on planes)

5. Travel Power Adapter (Worked great in Europe & ZA)

6. Hydrapak Collapsible Water Bottles (loved how light these bottles are)

7. Ecos Laundry Sheets (absolutely necessary for long term travel, use code MEGHANANDMATT for 20% off your order)

8. Coffee Pour Overs (loved having a backup solution to coffee making)

9. Stasher Bags (they’re just useful especially for stashing leftovers)

10. Noise Cancelling Headphones (saved my life on noisy plane rides)

Bonus: Cooling Sheets (Sijo Home is our favorite!) 20% off

YES WE BROUGHT OUR OWN SHEETS AND NO WE DON’T REGRET IT.

As our newsletter subscribers, you’re entered into a giveaway to win some LMNT electrolyte drinks.

This is a product we wish we packed with us on those hot, sweaty days in the European sun. They’re super tasty and great for recovery!

LMNT has kindly offered to gift 3 lucky subscribers with some packs to try, so share our newsletter with your friends if you think they would like to win some LMNT!

To Enter: Be a subscriber to our awesome newsletter! ✅

We will announce the winner in our next newsletter!