Our Favorite Travel Gear

Updated May 8, 2025 03:52PM

If you’ve been daydreaming about all the trips you’ll take come summer, it’s time to turn dreams into reality. But with so many options—from hiking and biking to rock climbing and outdoor yoga—it can be hard to prioritize. Fortunately, there’s one place you can go to tick off your entire summer bucket list: the 2025 Outside Festival. Located in Denver, this two-day event blends adventure, fitness, and community with soul-soothing music from big names like Khruangbin, Sylvan Esso, and Lord Huron.

It gets better: REI just launched a sweepstakes giving away a trip for two to the 2025 Outside Festival. Enter to win, then start planning your summer of adventure. To give you a head start, we’ve put together this list of ten travel must-haves.

Travel Duffel

REI Co-op Big Haul 34-Inch Rolling Duffel

Finally: a duffel that comes in all-wheel drive. REI Co-op’s burly Big Haul roller bag sports oversized wheels and a sturdy chassis designed to handle cobblestones, gravel, and anything in between. Add to that a TPU-coated 400-denier shell and a set of sturdy grab handles, and you’ve got a bag that’s expedition (or festival) ready.

Backpack

Cotopaxi Allpa 35 L Travel Pack

A do-it-all daypack belongs at the top of your packing list, and the Allpa 35 L really does do it all. A burly TPU-coated 840-denier nylon outer shell defies scrapes and scuffs, and the interior is fully sectioned off with zippered mesh panels. The network of pockets keeps gear impeccably organized, and a plush hipbelt makes for effortless carry.

Toiletries Bag

Peak Design Wash Pouch

Yes, your quart-size plastic bag will work as a ditty bag. But if you’re serious about travel, it’s time for this upgrade. Made of waterproof fabric, the Peak Design Wash Pouch sits upright on a counter or hangs from a towel bar via a hidden hook. Its four-liter capacity is big enough for a long trip, and the TPU-coated nylon is a breeze to clean.

Headphones

Shokz OpenRun Pro2 Headphones

These techy headphones combine bone-conduction technology with more traditional air conduction, lifting the high notes and dropping the low notes for a more immersive audio experience. The OpenRun Pro2’s noise-reduction feature filters out transit chatter, and the open-ear design keeps you alert to your surroundings whether you’re crossing busy streets in Barcelona or sneaking in a run around your Denver hotel.

Insulated Bottle

Owala FreeSip 24-Ounce Vacuum Water Bottle

Staying hydrated is tough in any time zone, but it’s even tougher when you’re switching between them. The genius of the Owala FreeSip is its push-button top, which keeps the built-in straw germ-free, all while enabling effortless sipping. That makes it much easier to keep drinking, whether you’re on buses and trains or exploring high-elevation trails. Now add vacuum insulation and a carry loop, and you’ve got the perfect summer bottle.

Versatile Footwear

HOKA Transport Shoes

Travel often involves pounding concrete and standing in long lines, both of which can be hard on the joints. Fortunately, well-cushioned footwear—like the HOKA Transport—can defend against fatigue. The Transport’s 5mm heel-to-toe drop helps roll your foot forward into the next step, and its soft EVA foam absorbs impact. Another nice touch: eco-conscious materials like recycled polyester and sugarcane-based foam.

Travel-Ready Pants

REI Co-op Trailmade Pants

Breathable enough for hiking, stylish enough for sightseeing, and soft enough to wear as pajamas, the Trailmade Pants are the perfect all-in-one travel trouser. Its four pockets are each big enough for a passport, and the adjustable elastic waistband defies slippage whether you’re crushing a steep trail or dancing to a music festival encore.

Lightweight Fleece

Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody

It can be hard to find a hoodie that’s both packable enough for travel and insulated enough for chilly airplanes and cool evenings above treeline. Enter the R1 Air Full-Zip. This 100 percent recycled fleece is warm, quick-drying, and equipped with three zippered pockets. Pull it out for a cozy night around the campfire or stuff it in a pack pocket for an emergency layer on long hikes.

Packing Cubes

REI Co-op Expandable Packing Cube Set, Small/Medium/Large

Whether you’re living out of a duffel or just trying to keep your favorite socks from wandering off in your tent, packing cubes are the secret to staying organized on the go. REI’s set is better than most because each durable nylon cube features an extendable zipper, so you can add or subtract volume as needed, and a mesh panel lets sweaty gear breathe.

Smartwatch

Garmin fenix 8 AMOLED Sapphire

How’s this for a magic trick: The fenix 8 makes the worst part of traveling—the logistics—the best part. With an intuitive display, precision mapping, turn-by-turn directions, on-the-go texting and calling, and up to 29 days of battery life, this smartwatch is designed to keep you seamlessly on track, no matter where your adventures take you.

REI is the nation’s largest consumer co-op, with a growing community of 24 million members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and outstanding customer service. More than a retailer, REI is a purpose-driven and values-led company dedicated to enabling life outside for all.