thecurioussparrow

Must-Have Gadgets and Accessories for Backpackers in 2025

Whether you’re off on a weekend city break or about to tackle a mountain range with nothing but your trusty backpack, choosing the right gear makes ALL the difference. I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) that clever, compact, and practical gadgets can turn a stressful journey into a smooth and enjoyable adventure. 

I’ve rounded up my favourite must-haves for backpackers in 2025, tried and tested on my own travels, chosen for their simplicity, usefulness, and the fact that they don’t take up precious luggage space. From the backpack itself to the little extras that make life on the road easier – like packing cubes, reusable water bottles, noise-cancelling headphones (essential on overnight buses and long-haul flights!) – this list is full of items I never travel without. Some of them are on sale at the moment, so act fast to grab some bargains!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). This helps to keep the blog running and growing, with lots of free content for you to enjoy.

Table of Contents hide
1 Backpack
2 Portable Travel Safe
3 Laptop
4 Reusable Water Bottle
5 External Hard Drive
6 Universal Travel Adapter
7 E-reader
8 Noise-Cancelling Headphones
9 Portable Power Banks
10 Digital Camera
11 Travel Toothbrush
12 Eye Mask and Ear Plugs
13 Hiking Shoes
14 Packing Cubes

Backpack

Your backpack will be your main travel companion, so you need to make sure you choose wisely. There are hundreds on the market, but I have to say I love my Osprey Fairview 40 litre backpack! I’ve had it since 2019 and it’s so comfortable as it’s specifically made for women’s bodies. There are tons of zips, compartments, padding, and good back support. It complies with the normal carry-on luggage restrictions too so I can take it on as hand luggage. Osprey also offers a unisex version. There are bigger choices for backpacks, but for me the ideal size is 40L.

As well as your main backpack, you will want a day bag for everyday use. For this, I recommend the baby version of the Farview/Farpoint, the Osprey Europe Unisex Daylite Plus. It is super practical with two bottle holders, comfortable straps, a padded back, a laptop sleeve, lots of zipped compartments, and most importantly is very lightweight. It’s advisable to also get a waterproof rain cover for both your bags! 

Portable Travel Safe

Keeping your valuables safe is extremely important, so for peace of mind I recommend a travel bag safe. Pacsafe is a leading brand in this field, and their Travelsafe Mobile Safe is a good choice for backpackers. It’s lightweight, waterproof, and has stainless steel wire mesh to prevent it from being easily cut. This is of course not a replacement for a proper industrial safe, but it deter opportunistic thieves. I often use mine in my accommodation when I am out for the day.

Laptop

Laptops are often essential travel companions for backpackers these days, whether for working, writing, binge-watching Netflix or reading my site for travel tips! You’ll want to take a lightweight one with you, that is likely 13-14 inch so it fits in your luggage. 15” still would in most cases, but they are often heavier and can be a bit cumbersome to travel with.

For Windows users I can recommend the Acer Swift Go 14. It’s budget-friendly, compact, and works well for everyday uses. What I love most is how slim and portable it is – it slides easily into a backpack without adding much weight, but still packs enough power for blogging, photo editing, and video calls. The bright 14” is great for working outdoors or in dim hostel lounges, and the battery life lasts ages — perfect for those long travel days when you can’t find a socket.

For Apple users, you can go for the Macbook Air. The new Macbook Air with M4 chip was released in 2025 and is even more powerful and faster than previous iterations, making it a good choice for those wanting to do slightly more demanding tasks. Another excellent option would be an iPad Pro. This has a great screen, is lightweight, super portable, and can also be used with a portable bluetooth keyboard and mouse.

Reusable Water Bottle

Unfortunately not everywhere in the world has safe tap water. Depending on where you’re travelling, you may want to grab yourself a reusable water bottle with a filter. These water bottles filter out contaminants, microplastics and other nasty things you don’t want to drink. It means you can stay healthy and reduce the amount of plastic bottles you need to buy. Win-win! 

External Hard Drive

Taking lots of pics and videos on your travels? Then you will want an external hard drive to keep them safe. Samsung solid state drives (SSD’s) are excellent quality and the size of credit cards, making them perfect for backpackers. For extra peace of mind, check out the T7 Shield, which is extra durable and waterproof (just in case you and your backpack accidentally fall in the sea together!)

Universal Travel Adapter

Travel adapters are another must-have as not all countries use the same plugs. While you can get a simple adapter for just one device, it’s much more practical to get a multi-purpose one. These allow you to change the plug style to fit with where you are, and often have several USB slots (both A and C) for extra convenience. FSTravelP offers a range of devices, while Anker has a nice and compact option.

E-reader

As much as I love the feel and smell of a physical book, it makes far more sense to use an e-reader when travelling. I have been an Amazon Kindle user for decades, and take mine with me nearly everywhere I go. The latest model is the Kindle Paperweight, which has 16gb storage capable of holding thousands of books, a 7-inch screen, has up to 12 weeks of battery life, and is waterproof! There is also a slightly cheaper 6” version with fewer features.  

Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Some noise-channeling headphones can be the difference between having a pleasant journey or a terrible one. Especially if you get stuck next to a crying baby or loud snorer on a flight or long busy journey! My Soundcore by Anker noise-cancelling headphones have served me well, and are a decent size so don’t take up much room in my luggage. For an even smaller option, maybe check out some noise-cancelling ear-buds. These don’t last quite as long as classic headphones, but they charge relatively quickly and are super portable.

Portable Power Banks

If you are carrying a decent amount of electronics with you, the last thing you want is to run out of battery. To avoid this disastrous scenario, grab yourself a power bank. These are very handy on long journeys, as not all buses or trains have power outlets. I’ve been happily using INUI power banks for years. This brand has a range of products, with varying charging speeds, weights, and sizes. 

  • INIU Power Bank (ultra-thin and light with a high-speed charge) – (£18.99) £16.99

Digital Camera

If you’re looking for a compact camera that delivers stunning photos and crisp 4K video without weighing down your backpack, the Canon G7X Mark III is an absolute gem. It feels a bit old school to travel with a digital camera, but I really like travelling with mine. It’s a bit of an investment but I appreciate how easy it is to use, how lightweight and compact it is and that the image quality is miles ahead of a smartphone.

Travel Toothbrush

A lot of people will opt to just take a manual toothbrush with them on their travels, but for me they simply aren’t a replacement for an electric toothbrush. I once forgot my electric toothbrush so had to pick up a manual one and I was full of regret…and sore gums. Look out for one that can be charged via USB so you don’t have to bring a charging base, like the Philips One. This also comes with a nice little carry case to keep it clean.

Eye Mask and Ear Plugs

If you’re a light-sensitive sleeper like me, I strongly recommend the 100% Silk Gritin Sleep Mask Set. Hardly any light passes through this eye mask and it’s really soft and comfortable. It comes with earplugs – another must-have! I have been in far too many hotels and hostels over the years that have poor quality soundproofing (or seemingly no soundproofing at all!). Sadly a lot of ear buds are rubbish, but I have also found the Ohropax to be very good at blocking unwelcome sounds.  

Hiking Shoes

Even if you’re not a hardcore hiker, you might want to invest in some good-quality shoes for your next backpacking trip. Whether confronted with heavy rain or rough terrain, hiking shoes often come in handy. I love my comfortable Jack Wolfskin hiking shoes and wear them for all long-distance walking, hiking and anywhere with muddy, uneven ground. For men, my husband can also recommend the Merrell Moab range, which are super comfortable and supportive. 

Packing Cubes

Once upon a time I used to screw all my clothes up, shove them in my bag, and be done with it. Then I discovered about packing cubes, and now use them for all my trips. They really do help save space and are great for organizing. There are plenty of choices out there, in a variety of colours and sizes.

There you have it — my go-to gadgets and accessories that have earned a permanent spot on my packing list. Every single item on this list has helped me stay organised, comfortable and well-equipped on the road. For more ideas, check out my post Backpacking Packing List: How to Pack Light and Travel Smart and Minimalist Packing Hacks Every Traveller Should Know.

Let me know if there’s a travel necessity that I missed from my list, or where you’re headed to on your next backpacking trip. I always love to hear from you guys!

Ciao for now

Izzie, the Curious Sparrow

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