Updated August 28, 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? After visiting 100+ countries, our staff has collected favorite gear we rely on trip after trip. Our goal is to help you pack light, feel prepared, and avoid overbuying.
Most of our gear suggestions can be purchased at REI.com, the largest U.S. outdoor retailer. When you purchase through our links, you support GEEO at no extra cost, and get trusted, staff-tested items in return. Find an REI store near you
Why we like REI
- Great Return Policy: For most purchases, you can make a return for a replacement or refund within one year of purchase. See the full policy here.
- Membership perks: Earn 10% back annually, early sale access, and more. See REI’s membership details 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. Learn more about the REI credit card.
GEEO’S Favorite Travel Gear
Many GEEO trips require a similar core set of gear, which is why we have created a handpicked list of affordable, durable, and lightweight essentials to simplify your packing.
Need even more ideas? Check out these tips from Lonely Planet for quick, smart strategies to streamline your gear setup.
Go To:
Luggage and Backpacks
As you pack, keep in mind that you will need to carry your own bag—up and down stairs, on/off transport, and to hotels. We recommend a small to medium soft-sided rolling bag (22–30 lb) paired with a daypack. Avoid oversized luggage—that means no XXL bags. Here are our favorites:
- Travelpro Platinum Elite-Softside: This is the go-to four GEEO’s Executive Director Jesse, and top-rated by Wirecutter and Outdoor GearLab.
- 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.
- REI backpacks: If you prefer backpacks, REI has great budget options for durable travel packs in many different sizes.
- Osprey Sojourn Porter 46L: Outdoor Gearlab rated this pack as the best carry-on backpack for travel.
- Cotopaxi’s Alpa 35: When packed light, this bag 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. (Jesse’s pick)
- Osprey DayLite Pack: We love packs by Osprey, especially this lightweight, simple, durable option.
- PacSafe: 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.
- Baggallini Mini bandolera: If you are looking for a mini sling, Katie uses this one by Baggallini, saying it’s “comfy, light, water resistant, has lots of pockets for organizing, and you can wear it to the front to keep an eye on your things. You can also fit a small water bottle in the 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).”
- 4Monster Hiking Daypack: 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.”
- REI Expandable Packing Cube Set – Small/Medium/Large: Don’t forget your packing cubes! We love packing cubes for keeping clothes organized and compressed.
Clothing and Outerwear
Even on trips to warm weather destinations, there are still cold nights and cold flights. Packing the right layers—lightweight, breathable, and versatile—helps you stay comfortable no matter the climate or activity level. Below are our top outerwear and clothing recommendations.
Footwear
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.
- Shoes at REI: REI has a great selection of footwear. Find something you like online and then try it on at the store
- Cairn Evo 3D Sandals: For a slim, but comfortable option, this unisex hiking sandal gets top marks.
- Teva Universal Sandal: This classic comes in men’s and women’s sizes.
- Injinji socks: These toe socks prevent blisters, are durable, cool, wicking, and you can wear them with flip flops (because her bare feet never touch a hotel floor)
Health and Safety
REI has an extensive selection of pre-packed first-aid kits. 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, you may still wish to bring a few high-quality KN95 masks, COVID-19 antigen tests, and plenty of hand sanitizer.
Toiletries and Personal Care
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:
- Nido Accessory 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.
- 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.
Comfort and Sleep
Long travel days and unfamiliar sleeping arrangements can make rest a challenge. A few small comfort items can go a long way toward helping you sleep better and feel more refreshed on the road.
- Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR Neck Pillow: This travel pillow has a reserved spot in Jesse’s suitcase. It comes with a zippered bag so 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.
- COCOON Silk Mummy 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.
- Hearos brand earplugs: Earplugs are great if you have a snoring roommate. If you have a smaller ear canal, Hearos also makes this smaller version.
- HandFan Upgraded Portable Handheld Misting Fan: For staying cool on the move, or in transit, we recommend this rechargeable, folding mini fan.
Sun and Swim Gear
Sun protection and swimwear often come in handy on GEEO trips, even if the itinerary doesn’t seem beach-focused. This section covers simple essentials to help you stay comfortable and protected.
- REI sun hats: If you are going on one of our programs where you will be in the ocean, we recommend
- Thinksport brand sunblock: It is reef safe, and this package is under the TSA’s 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) limit for liquids in carry-on luggage.
- Banana Boat Light As Air SPF 50: For a less expensive, lighter formula when you aren’t swimming near coral reef, Wirecutter recommends Banana Boat, which comes in a 3-oz travel-size container.
- REI Multi Towel Lite: It is super light, and can absorb up to 8 times its weight in water.
- Swimwear: 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.
- Sunglasses: See REI’s top picks.
Electronics Accessories
A few key electronics can make your travel days smoother and your devices more useful on the go.
- OCOOPA power bank: This power bank is also a hand warmer.
- EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter: This all-in-one travel adapter will have you covered for 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.
Other Travel Items
And for everything else travel throws your way, here are a few miscellaneous go-tos that GEEO staff swear by.
- Undercover RFID Money Belt: An affordable money belt that also blocks RFID scanners.
- Flux Water Bottle: A reusable, collapsible water bottle that is the same size as a standard Nalgene bottle.
- Lifestraw Water Bottle: A line of water bottles that include high-quality filters so you can drink tap water pretty much anywhere. 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.
- Snacks: 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.
- Reusable silicone bags: Ziplock bags are great for storing for wet clothing, or you could also get these to avoid unnecessary trash.
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!
