By Brian Dohrn | Dohrn Travels | Essentials for Traveling
Looking for tried-and-true gear to make your next road trip, camping weekend, or lake getaway a breeze? Whether you’re hitting the highway, pitching a tent, or just relaxing on the dock with a Bloody Mary in hand—this list has you covered.
I’ve personally tested every item below—from road trips across the Midwest to off-grid camping. These are the products I keep coming back to—and I think you’ll love them too!
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Jump To:
- 🏕️ Camping & Outdoor Gear Essentials
- ✈️ Essentials for Traveling
- 🎣 Fishing Gear Must-Have Essentials
- ☕ Essentials for Traveling: Drinkware & Coffee Gear
- 🍹 Cabin Cocktail Travel Essentials
- 🦟 Insect Protection Travel Essentials
- 🧴 Essentials for Traveling: Sun Protection
- 👣 Footwear Travel Essentials
- 🔌 Camera, Tech, Gadgets, & Other Travel Essentials
- 🧭 Ready to Explore Essentials for Traveling?
🏕️ Camping & Outdoor Gear Essentials
Tent’s up, fire’s lit, and you’ve got the gear that makes setup and breakdown a breeze.
- Ozark Trail Camping Chair – Comfortable and packable; perfect for the fire ring.
- Titan by Arctic Zone Collapsible Cooler – Keeps drinks cold without the bulk.
- Folding Table – Ideal for food prep, cards, or your morning coffee.
- RTIC Cooler – Rugged and reliable—holds ice for days.
- Camping Utensils Kit – All-in-one kit for campsite cooking.
- Serta Raised Air Mattress – Sleep like a champ, even in the tent.
- Coleman Tent (8 Person) – Perfect for weekend or longer camping trips.
- Coleman Tent (4 Person) – Easy to set up—perfect for shorter camping trips.
✈️ Essentials for Traveling
Whether you’re crossing state lines or hopping on a plane, these help you pack smart and travel light.
- Lightweight Foldable Backpack – Great for hiking or day trips in town.
- Compression Packing Cubes – Stay organized and save space in your suitcase.
- Vacuum Storage Bags with Electric Pump – Compress your gear and keep it dry.
- Microfiber Beach Towel – Fast-drying and compact—perfect for lake days or hostels.
- Cruise Luggage Tag Holders & ID Holder Set – Tough, bright, and easy to spot.
- Reusable Ice Packs – A handy cooler essential for road trips.
🎣 Fishing Gear Must-Have Essentials
New to fishing or planning a trip to the lake? These are my go-to picks for catching panfish, bass, and walleye.
- Ugly Stik Spinning Rod Combo – Tough, affordable, and perfect for beginners.
- Monofilament Line – Simple and reliable for all kinds of fishing.
- Snap Clips – Make swapping lures easy and fast.
- Spinner Baits – Great for trout fishing, a must-have classic lure.
- Northland Jigs – Proven winners for panfish or walleye.
- Baitholder Hooks – Ideal for live bait like worms or minnows.
- Spring/Slip Bobbers & Stops – Essential for adjusting depth when fishing.
- Split Shot Sinkers – Simple weights that get the job done.
- Fishing Pliers – Remove hooks, cut line, and crimp like a pro.
🎣 Want to dive deeper? Check out my full Beginner Fishing Setup Guide for a complete gear breakdown!
☕ Essentials for Traveling: Drinkware & Coffee Gear
From sunrise sips to sunset spirits, these help keep your drinks at just the right temp.
- Yeti Tumbler (Hot Drinks) – Keeps your coffee piping hot.
- Yeti Tumbler (Cold Drinks) – Ideal for summer cocktails.
- Yeti Can Koozie – Your beer’s new best friend on boat or beach.
- ThermoFlask – Versatile for water, iced tea, or Gatorade.
- Peet’s Coffee – A bold brew that travels well.
🍹 Cabin Cocktail Travel Essentials
Planning a lakeside happy hour? I keep these in my kit for an Old Fashioned or for your favorite cocktail.
- Whiskey Ice Molds – Extra-large cubes melt slower, keeping drinks cold without watering them down.
- Luxardo Maraschino Cherries – The gold standard of garnishes—sweet, dark, and syrupy.
- Angostura Bitters – A few dashes of this classic bitters brings it all together.
- Mixing Glass Set – Stir like a pro with this stylish set.
- Whiskey Glasses Set – Elevate your social hour with these cocktail glasses.
- Whiskey Smoker Kit – Adds a smoky flair that elevates any Old Fashioned into craft cocktail territory.
🦟 Insect Protection Travel Essentials
Nothing ruins a peaceful hike or evening bonfire like a cloud of mosquitoes. These work:
- Bug Soother Original Insect Repellent – Great for kids and pets.
- Buggins Original Insect Repellents – Light scent and strong protection.
- Buggins Performance Insect Repellent (25% DEET) – More powerful protection with DEET.
- Sawyer Picaridin Spray – Non-greasy, long-lasting defense.
🦟 Read my full review: Best Insect Repellents for Outdoor Adventures
🧴 Essentials for Traveling: Sun Protection
Whether you’re hiking a dusty trail, lounging lakeside, or diving into ocean waves, sun protection and water gear are a must.
- Badger Reef Safe Sunscreen – SPF 40 – Reef-safe, unscented, and water-resistant mineral sunscreen.
- Quick Dry Water Shoes – Quick-drying and comfy for kayaking, beach days, or boating.
- Sun Hat – Lightweight and breathable sun hat for all-day shade.
- Columbia PFG Tamiami II Long-Sleeve Shirt – Lightweight long-sleeve shirt with built-in sun protection.
- Columbia PFG Terminal Tackle Long-Sleeve T-Shirt – Lightweight, UPF 50 sun protection fishing long-sleeve shirt.
👣 Footwear Travel Essentials
For lounging, walking, or running around the campground:
- Crocs – Comfy, waterproof, and campsite-ready.
- Birkenstock Sandals – Soft and squishy for relaxed evenings.
🔌 Camera, Tech, Gadgets, & Other Travel Essentials
Small items that add big value to any adventure.
- GoPro Hero – Compact, rugged camera for epic shots on the trail, water, or road.
- Compact First Aid Kit – Don’t leave home without it.
- Waterproof Phone Case – For kayaking, fishing, or rainy hikes.
- Snorkel Combo Set – Great for beach or lake exploration.
- USB Multi-Charging Cable – Perfect for road trips or hotel rooms.
- Fire Starters – Easy and mess-free.
- Small Lantern Light – A good addition for cabins or tents.
🧭 Ready to Explore Essentials for Traveling?
I’ve tested and traveled with everything listed above—from backwoods cabins to cross-country road trips. When you shop through the links on this page, it helps support Dohrn Travels—and I truly appreciate that.
Let’s make every trip more comfortable, fun, and memorable—gear up and go!
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