Many are curious about what gear and clothing we were using on our adventure. Since the six of us have different needs and roles, we’ll respond separately. Here are some of my favorite items that offer reliability, give me comfort, and have held up to the test of traveling around the world:

Shoes: My Keen sandals were the first thing on my packing list. Gotta have shoes to take care of your feet in all types of weather. I love my Keen sandals and am proud of my corresponding tan lines too. Have worn these nearly every day during our journey.

Watch: My Timex Ironman is a staple. Easy to use this water resistant timepiece in all environments. Offers multiple functions at a great price. I use the alarm, timer, and backlight most frequently. First thing I do when we get settled in a plane flying to a new region is to quickly and easily reset my Ironman to match the upcoming time zone. Not all of the kitchens we use have clocks or timers, so the timer comes in handy when cooking too.

Jacket: Knockout Sports Kangaroo pouch jacket. Hooded light-weight jacket with large zippered ‘kangaroo’ pouch across the belly. Great for securely storing and maintaining easy access for important items and documents during travel.

Rain jacket: Colombia rain jacket. Looks great, wears great, easy to pack, roomy pockets, great hood. Long in back to cover the caboose. Love it!

Shirts: Dickie T-shirts with breast pocket. Comfortable, rugged and durable. Hold their color and display little wear and tear despite washing and drying in every imaginable type of water / soap / temperature. Keep my phone in the pocket to listen to podcasts while doing dishes – handy.

Sunglasses: My Oakley prescription sunglasses have been with me much longer than this trip. They’re great in fending off glare and helping my vision regardless of environment – sands of Oman, seas on the Great Barrier Reef, or on safari in Africa. I wear them all the time. Functional, comfortable, and good looking.

Pants: REI trail pants are the only long legged pants I have with me. They are comfortable, durable, easy to clean, easy to pack and look good. Hold up very well and show zero wear. They also dry quickly.

Shorts: I’m not a style hog, but my Docker shorts are comfortable and look good with any shirt or jacket. I’m traveling with a navy blue pair. I chose Navy blue over khaki colored in the likely event of food stains. I own these regardless – part of my normal wardrobe.

Underwear: Hanes boxer briefs – bought a new compliment before departure. Variety of colors. Easy to fold/roll to maximize limited packing space

Cap: ‘47 Brand Minnesota Twins cap – fits my squash perfectly while showing off a little hometown love. Readers can see me wearing it in some of our blog photos. This was a replacement model as my original cap has matured to a level to be worn for ‘special events’ (like painting and mowing lawns) only. Unfortunately this version was forgotten under a rental car seat, or more likely stolen by keen-eyed and sticky-fingered thieves who value quality and comfort, earlier in our trip.

Day pack:  I enjoy my gray Jansport backpack as my day bag. I use it as my carry-on, for day trips, and to carry paperwork, books, as well as odds & ends like phone chargers and power chords. It’s big and roomy with lots of pockets and compartments. A great compliment to our other bags and packs that really increases our carrying capacity.

Backpack: Eagle Creek 65L clamshell backpack. I love this pack! I have the biggest pack of the bunch and bought it with the intent to check it during our many flights. It has so many features that it has its own YouTube video. In particular, I love the clamshell configuration with separate zippered halves, the exterior eyelets for travel locks, the travel bag feature which ensures that straps don’t get caught in airport conveyor belts, and exterior pockets to store quick-to-grab items like my rain jacket or stocking cap. Adding on to previous research, a big thanks to the lady at the REI in Woodbridge who patiently answered all my questions and helped outfit me with the right pack.

Packing cubes: I have never used packing cubes prior to this trip. They certainly come in handy as I’m able to organize by type of clothes or by combinations. For instance, I keep my sleepwear in one cube. If we arrive to our new place late in the evening and need to hit the rack, it’s easy to find all my sleepwear. Using them also helps me track when I need to do my laundry.

Communication devices: I love the compatibility, flexibility, and commonality of Apple’s iPad and iPhone. This is what we’re using and it’s working out great for us. Didn’t compare, contrast or try anything else. Great and easy to use for texting AirBnB hosts, calling family, FaceTime with friends back home, quick snaps to catch that elephant who mysteriously appeared out of nowhere, manage photos and videos, alarm to get up in time for that next flight, and audio capability for podcasts. It’s also easy to find chargers anywhere – recent personal examples are a coffee shop in Istanbul or an Uber driver in Athens.

Stocking Cap: I always have my black Carhartt stocking cap with me to respond to temperature drops or to guard against chill. It’s what I want and need in a stocking cap – easy to stuff, looks good, durable, helps me maintain my body heat.

Laundry Bag:  USAFA issue. Green. If you know, you know. Helps us collect, isolate, and manage our dirty laundry.

Toiletry Bag: Last but not least is my Lands End toiletry bag with initials embroidered on the side. This is more of a creature comfort than travel necessity. A thoughtful gift from my wife, it’s with  me wherever I travel – Bangkok or Boise, Myanmar or Minneapolis, Des Moines or Dublin – it’ll be with me.

These are items that I enjoy and am using during this trip.