Must-Haves for the Solo Traveler
Tier 1: My Basics
These three items are the first things I look for when preparing to trek around the city and across oceans.
Herschel
Herschel bags are weather-proof and stylish, and I’ve been in love with them since I was eighteen.
Herschel bags run the spectrum on bag styles, ranging from a sleek, city style to a rugged, camper’s taste. Most bags feature a padded laptop sleeve that protects my macbook and Ipad while still leaving space for several outfits and my hydroflask. From Tote bags to Messenger bags, I have a Herschel bag for every mood, and I haven’t looked at another brand since. I guess you could call me loyal 🤭
The Traveler’s Company
Next is my Traveler’s Company notebook set, which includes my journal and passport. Traveling with a passport even if I’m not crossing the border has become a second sense as a Latino man lately. In the same way I carry my wallet I carry my passport.
These notebooks hold everything, from daily planning to stickers i find along the way. The focus on thin, minimal notebooks is perfect for keeping notebooks dedicated to spans of time or specific trips. Made with MD paper, these pages catch gel so sweetly, I sometimes write nonsense because I like the sensory feeling of the glide of my pen and pages that don’t rip and tear from the ink in my pen sketches. Additional inserts include dotted paper, watercolor paper, various diary styles, and an insert to hold all your various ephemera. For all the stickers without a home, the pages are made of sticker backing so they have a place to hang!)
Tile Trackers
My Traveler’s notebooks, like many other things, have some type of Tile Tracker on them, because I would literally be losing my diary, except this one doesn’t have a lock.
Batteries built to last, bluetooth tracking, and a very minimal premium price, I normally don’t lose anything but my temper, but anything tangible has a tile tracker in or on it. 📍
Customization
If you’re a solo traveler, these customizable items need to be on your list. Herschel bags, Tile, and Traveler’s Notebooks offer an immense library of permanent and limited styles. I have a handful of Herschel bags that are no longer in production, and I feel that much cooler when I use them. They’re also super identifiable in luggage carousels and make for an interesting conversation starter if you ever run into someone with the same bag or tile as you.
Who wore it best?
I’ve passed countless hours talking to people when I notice we have the same of anything. Dare I say, I feel more comfortable starting a conversation since we have the same tastes! Many of these items can be found in congregated lists like this one, providing a one-stop experience for any novice or experienced traveler looking to re-vamp their setup.
Tired of having the same carry-on everyone else does? So am I. Grab your Herschel bag and let’s explore the world together safely. Maybe we’ll have matching bags?
