Updated May 5, 2025
Our participants often ask what gear to buy for their GEEO travel programs. How do you pack for the Sahara desert in the winter or for Iceland in the summer? Our staff have traveled to over 100 countries and picked up some travel gear favorites along the way. We want you to feel well prepared for your adventures while also packing light. Read on for our suggestions for most of the items on our packing lists.
Most of our gear suggestions can be purchased at REI.com. They are the largest online outdoor retailer and offer an extensive selection of high-quality gear and clothing for travel. By following the links we provide to the gear on REI’s website, you get the benefit of finding high-quality, GEEO-curated travel gear at a fair price. You will also help generate revenue for GEEO (at no extra cost to you) so more teachers can travel with us.
Here are some of the things that GEEO loves about REI:
- Their Return Policy
- One of the best things about shopping through REI is its generous return policy. For most purchases, you can make a return for a replacement or refund within one year of purchase. You can see REI’s full return policy on their website.
- REI Membership
- If you decide to join REI as a member, you will receive an annual dividend of up to 10% based on everything you purchased from them throughout the year. It’s like a tax return for your travel gear! You also get first access to sales and other REI offerings. See the full membership benefits here.
- REI Credit Card
- While some avid travelers are great at playing the sometimes complicated credit card points game, REI makes it simple. With the REI Mastercard, you receive 5% back on REI purchases, 1% back on everything else, plus your annual member dividend. If you’re making a lot of travel gear purchases, this is a great way to maximize your spending. Learn more here.
GEEO’S Favorite Travel Gear
The GEEO Packing List
The GEEO team works to customize the packing list for each of our programs, and you can find trip-specific packing lists on each of the program pages. For most of our itineraries, you will need many of the same travel essentials, so we’ve curated the below list so you can pack the most affordable, efficient, eco-friendly, and good-quality gear available. The GEEO team will share our tips for ultra-lightweight packing in another blog post soon, but in the meantime, check out these tips from Lonely Planet on how to pack light.
Luggage & Backpacks
As you pack, keep in mind that you must be prepared to carry your own bags and be comfortable carrying them up and down stairs, on and off transportation, and to hotels. As a rule, we try not to have to walk more than 15-20 minutes with your bags, which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 22-30 lb. Most travelers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size. No XXL bags, please! Here are our favorites:
- GEEO’s Executive Director Jesse uses an overhead-sized rolling suitcase combined with a backpack that is small enough to be considered a personal item on planes. He prefers the softsided suitcases made by TravelPro (The top choice of Wirecutter and Outdoor GearLab), in particular this model.
- Farpoint 65 Wheeled Travel Pack: If you are looking for a larger rolling suitcase that can also be carried as a backpack, this is a good option. Please note it is too large for overhead bins.
- If you prefer backpacks, REI’s backpacks are great budget options for a durable travel pack in many different sizes.
- Outdoor Gearlab rated the Osprey Sojourn Porter 46L as the best carry-on backpack for travel.
Daypack
A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage (i.e., suitcase or backpack) per person plus one daypack per person. Here are GEEO’s top picks for daypacks:
- Cotopaxi’s Alpa 35 when packed light fits under most airline seats, so can be used as a personal item. It looks great and has organized internal pockets, a laptop section, and a cover for when it rains. It is kind of big for a day bag. (This is what GEEO’s Executive Director Jesse uses on some of his trips as his personal item)
- Osprey makes durable technical backpacks. Here is their basic, no-frills daypack.
- PacSafe is a good option for travelers who like a little extra security. This bag features stainless-steel wire mesh embedded into the fabric to help protect against slash-and-run theft, plus other security features.
- Katie likes this mini sling. “Comfy, light, water resistant, lots of pockets for organizing, can wear to the front to keep an eye on your things, small water bottle fits in front pocket. Literally my favorite bag that I’ve ever owned. People constantly ask me where I got it. (technically Marshalls for $20, but you know)”
- GEEO’s Marketing Manager Sam likes this collapsible daypack. “It’s the single best thing I travel with because it fits in the palm of your hand.”
Packing Cubes
We love packing cubes for keeping clothes organized and compressed. There are lots of options at REI, but overall best deal is probably the REI Expandable Packing Cube Set – Small/Medium/Large
Fleece top or a packable jacket
Even on trips to warm weather destinations, there are still cold nights and cold flights. For packable, lightweight warmth we recommend down jackets. Here is a link to all of the down jackets REI considers “packable.” The REI Co-op 650 down jackets in men’s and women’s designs are affordable and pack into one of the pockets on the jacket itself. For our colder weather trips, you may consider an 850 down jacket.
Light windproof/waterproof jacket
Outdoor GearLab rated the Patagonia Torrentshell as their top choice for a rain jacket. It packs into its own pocket, comes in lots of different color options and is backed by Patagonia’s excellent warranty. It should be useful for all of our trips. Here are the men’s and women’s versions of this jacket. If want a less expensive option, Wirecutter currently recommends Columbia’s Arcadia II for women and Columbia’s Watertight II for men.
Sun protection
A bad sunburn can ruin your trip. If you want better protection than a baseball hat, we recommend these sun hats. If you are going on one of our programs where you will be in the ocean, we recommend Thinksport brand sunblock as it is reef safe and this package is under the TSA’s 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) limit for liquids in carry-on luggage. For a less expensive, lighter formula when you aren’t swimming near coral reef, Wirecutter recommends Banana Boat Light As Air SPF 50, in a 3oz travel size container.
Small towel and swimwear
For some of our programs we recommend bringing a travel towel and/or swimwear. A great option for a travel towel is the medium-sized version of the REI Multi Towel Lite. It is super light, and can absorb up to 8 times its weight in water. When it comes to swimwear, REI has lots of options for men and women. Keep in mind that different countries may require different levels of modesty on the beach and at the pool, so do your research.
Hiking or Track Pants
On more active travel days or when hiking, you will appreciate clothing made specifically for being active. Our favorites are these Prana pants for men and these ones by Kuhl for women.
Sturdy Walking Shoes
As a teacher, you already know that supportive shoes are everything when you have to be on your feet all day. While this is a pretty personal decision based on your own style, think of the types of activities you’ll do on your trip as you decide what to purchase or pack. Pack lighter (but still supportive) shoes for activities like city walking or heavier-duty boots for rougher activities like multi-day trekking in the mountains. REI has a great selection of footwear, and GEEO recommends finding something you like online and then trying it on in a store near you to make sure it fits well.
Sport Sandals
REI has great options for sandals and you can find their recommendations here. For a slim, but comfortable option, the unisex Cairn Evo 3D Sandals get top marks. If you are looking for a less expensive option, Katie likes the Teva Universal Sandal which comes in men’s and women’s sizes.
Socks
Katie really likes Injinji socks which she says prevent blisters. Durable, cool, wicking, and you can wear them with flip flops (because her bare feet never touch a hotel floor)
Sunglasses
A good pair of sunglasses that block the sun’s harmful rays is very important. Fashion is such a personal choice, so check out REI’s suggestions for sunglasses.
Toiletries
We recommend using biodegradable bath & body products whenever possible in order to reduce your environmental impact on the places you visit. Here are some of our favorite products to pack in your toiletry bag:
- Toiletry bag: Josh likes this Cotopaxi toiletry bag.
- Refillable 2 oz. bottles: Nearly all of the hotels we use provide free shampoo, but many travelers prefer to bring their own shampoo and conditioner. Buy a few of these bottles and refill them with your own products that you use at home. You’ll save money in the long run and keep plastic from getting to the landfill.
- Travel Toothbrush: This clever travel-sized toothbrush has a refillable toothpaste tube that fits into the handle.
- Body wipes: If you need a refresher between showers, use these wipes that are good for your skin and are 100% compostable.
- Hand sanitizer – This lavender-scented hand sanitizer doubles as a body spray to freshen up on sweaty travel days.
- Clean Capsule : Katie likes to bring along this combination of compressed disposable towels and soap for cleaning up on the go.
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- For people with periods:
- While it would be ideal not to have to worry about your cycle while traveling, sometimes it’s unavoidable. There are some great options to avoid lugging around lots of personal care supplies when you travel. Check out this menstrual cup and Thinx for our favorite travel-friendly products.
Health and Safety
REI has an extensive selection of pre-packed first-aid kits here. If you’re going to make your own first-aid kit, we recommend including: lip balm, aspirin, bandages, antihistamine, Dramamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, electrolyte powder, insect repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking, and any other medications you use regularly. It can be hard to find your go-to OTC medications in other countries, so come prepared.
Even though the COVID-19 pandemic has eased, we still recommend bringing a few high-quality KN95 masks, COVID-19 antigen tests, and plenty of hand sanitizer.
Travel Pillow
This pillow has a reserved spot in Jesse’s suitcase. It comes with a zippered bag that allows you to roll it up to a small size. For someone with a bad back, shoulder , or neck, having a good, reliable pillow can be a game-changer.
Money Belt
This one is affordable and blocks RFID scanners.
Reusable Water Bottle
Jesse likes collapsible water bottles so they don’t take up much space when he isn’t using them. This one is collapsable and the same size as a standard nalgene bottle. You may also consider getting a water bottle that includes a high quality filter so you can drink tap water pretty much anywhere. Here is a Lifestraw model. Please do your best to use your reusable water bottle at home and abroad to keep some of the millions of plastic bottles per day from ending up in landfills and oceans.
Earplugs
Earplugs are a lifesaver if you have a snoring roommate. Jesse likes these Hearos brand 33 decible model, but if you have a smaller ear canal, you might want a smaller plug like these.
Snacks
Don’t travel hangry! Packing a few pre-packaged snacks is a good idea. The GEEO team loves Kind Bars, Clif Bars, almond butter, and the occasional gummy bear. You can also buy snacks when you get there, so don’t go crazy here.
Plastic or Silicone Bags
Ziplock bags are great for storing for wet clothing, or you could also get these reusable silicone bags to avoid unnecessary trash.
Sleeping Bag Liner
This sleeping bag liner will come in handy for chilly flights and bus rides and is also great for when you want to be extra sanitary in your hotel.
Electronics Accessories
- This power bank is also a hand warmer, so it serves a dual function that can be useful when traveling.
- Here is a great option for an all-in-one travel adapter so you can plug in almost anywhere in the world. Make sure that whatever you’re plugging into the wall is capable of accepting the amount of power coming through the outlet. See more information here on determining if your device can be safely plugged in.
We hope you’ve found our gear advice helpful as you pack for your GEEO program! As always, feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need a suggestion on a specific piece of gear you don’t see here. Happy packing!
