We all have secretly held on to a list in the back of our minds of the places we want to go and the things we would find. How will you ever get to those places if you are not properly equipped, prepared and ready to take the trip?
These are some must-have items to get so that when the opportunity to trek Macchu Picchu, raft the Grand Canyon or climb Everest presents itself, you’ll be ready to pick up and go.
High-Quality Boots
Salomon Men’s Quest 4D GTX Backpacking Boot
Wherever you plan to go, adequate footwear is essential. Investing in a pair of durable, high-quality mountaineering boots is a wise option. A good boot will be lightweight, provide excellent arch and ankle support, but also have enough flexibility to provide additional comfort.
Research the materials that the boot is made of to cater to your desired destination. A thick leather boot may be great for exploring alpine terrain and wading through rivers, but synthetic options can be better in desert-like climates. Investing in a good pair of boots will give you years of use, and you can change the insoles to get a longer life out of them without having to buy new boots after knocking off one of your bucket list trips.
Sunglasses
Oakley Men’s Holbrook Rectangular Sunglasses
This may sound like a no-brainer, but having a reliable pair of sunglasses is pertinent to being ready for adventure. We put our eyes under enough strain with so many hours of screen time a day, we don’t need the added solar stress when riding camels in the Sahara. Bring backup lenses while you are checking each adventure off the list, in the event that one gets scratched by a camel hoof or you need a different tint due to the lighting conditions.
GPS Tracker
Garmin Oregon 600 3-Inch Worldwide Handheld GPS
Staying found is one of the most important backcountry principles to live by. You never know when your sherpa may lead you astray while climbing Everest. Having your own GPS device allows you to always know where you are at all times.
Drone
DJI Phantom 3 Standard Quadcopter Drone with 2.7K HD Video Camera
Purchasing a drone is useful for taking your adventures to a new level. A drone can serve as a tracking device, an assistant hunter, a cameraman and all-around sidekick. Purchasing a drone to take with you while you raft through the world’s deepest canyon will enable you to get the best photos that a machine of its kind can offer.
Solar Panel
Anker 21W 2-Port USB Solar Charger PowerPort Solar for iPhone 6/6 Plus, iPad Air 2/mini 3, Galaxy S6/S6 Edge and More
While you are completing your list, you will want to make sure your devices are charged and ready for action. If your adventures take you to remote areas, bring along a small solar panel to charge your phone, iPad or any other device you decide to pack along.
Solar panels are now made to be small enough to fit in your backpack. Our favorite gear secret is that a charging station now comes in the form of a BioLite stove. The stove allows you to burn wood to heat your food with a smokeless flame, while offering a charging dock for anything that uses a USB plug in.