The Best Gear for Travel
Pack Hacker is a resource for the lightest, best looking, and most functional travel gear.
Travel Gear & Packing Guides
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How to Choose the Best Carry-on Travel Backpack for You
The best travel backpack is unique for each person. We break down how to choose your perfect one bag carry-on into 5 easy sections, plus, we include packs like the Osprey Farpoint, GORUCK GR2, Peak Design Travel Backpack, and more! (Updated for Fall 2018)
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How to Make the Most of Merino Wool Travel Clothing
From t-shirts & sweaters to underwear & socks—Merino wool is soft, naturally breathable, & stink resistant, making it a magical fabric for travel.
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The Best Camera Kit for Your Travels
This guide covers how to choose the best travel camera. Find your best camera for travel whether it’s a smartphone, a compact point and shoot, or a DSLR.
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Vegan World Travel Gear Guide
Our vegan travel gear guide is the ultimate way to maintain your diet & lifestyle on the road. From fueling your travels with plant-based meals, to choosing vegan-friendly gear, we cover it all.
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Travel Gift Ideas
You could give a bunch of Starbucks gift cards, or you can give friends & family something from our favorite travel gift ideas guide. It can be hard to know what to buy for the travel junkies in your life but, lucky for you, we’re experts in this sort of thing.
Tested Travel Gear
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V-Neck Tee by Wool & Prince
The Wool & Prince V-Neck Tee is a great option for both travelers and minimalists alike, providing comfort and plenty of wears between washes (without the stink). Although the fit seems slightly larger than true-to-size, this is easily one of the top Merino tees we’ve tested to date. We particularly love the 22/78 Nylon/Merino Wool blend, which feels great and has less pilling compared to other, similar options.
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Kanna (Women’s) by Vivobarefoot
For such a lightweight pair of shoes, the Vivobarefoot Kannas are remarkably comfortable and we’ve been impressed with their versatility and packability. While the craftsmanship isn’t the best we’ve seen, they offer a superb option for any one-bag traveler looking for a pair of shoes that won’t take up half their pack.
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Transit30 by Matador
For a weekend trip or as an extra bag to pack along when space is tight, the Matador Transit30 is a reliable and ultra-compressible duffle—with just a bit of wear over time.
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Synapse 25 by Tom Bihn
If you’re looking for a customizable travel pack with superior internal organization, the Tom Bihn Synapse 25 just might be the perfect choice. A result of years of tweaking and collaborating, this innovative pack continues to impress us—even if we’re not the biggest fans of the main compartment.
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Women’s Ember Ballet Fashion Sneaker by Merrell
Three words you don’t usually see together: fashionable, comfortable, packable. Well guess what? The Merrell Women’s Ember Ballet Sneakers are just that! Although, they do scuff a bit easily depending on your use case.
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Ultra-Sil Day Pack by Sea to Summit
Though relatively simple and void of organization, the lightweight Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Day Pack is a durable and extremely packable day pack that just plain gets the job done.
Pack Hacker Blog
How To Eat Like A Local – With Thomas & Sheena
Thomas and Sheena packed up their apartment, bought plane tickets, and started traveling full-time to discover the best cuisines around the world. They continue to share their love for food and culture with others through Chasing A Plate.
Traveling The World As An Indie Game Developer – With Jaayden Halko
Jaayden Halko quit his former job to travel the world and start his own indie game development company. He chases warm weather and finds new home bases all around the globe while doing what he loves.
Blending Passion and Work In Guatemala – With Erica Latack
Erica Latack took her passion for international development to Guatemala where she works for an ethical fashion brand to help provide sustainable jobs and more. She continues to discover beautiful corners around the world while using photography to tell stories about the people and communities surrounding her.
Taking a Belated Gap Year – With Mel McFarland & Sam Sparks
After building satisfying careers, Mel McFarland and Sam Sparks decided it was time to take their belated gap year. They strategically packed their bags, left their jobs, and traveled across the world while documenting their adventures.