I travel slowly. Not the romantic slow-travel marketing kind that means “stay in an artisan B&B for a week,” but the kind that shows up as lingering in a neighborhood until I can tell the story of its corner shop, learning to navigate a city by bus routes instead of tourist maps, and carrying a small set of tools that let me live well wherever I land. Over years of packing and unpacking, testing gear until it either proves itself or goes in the bin, I’ve arrived at a compact, durable travel kit that supports slow exploration — not just comfort, but curiosity.

What “slow exploration” asks of your kit

Slow exploration isn’t about being lightweight to the point of deprivation; it’s about versatility, repairability, and the sort of reliability that lets you focus on paying attention, not fixing things. A travel kit for this kind of travel should:

  • Be robust and repairable (zippers and seams matter).
  • Offer multi-use pieces rather than single-purpose gimmicks.
  • Include items that make everyday life simpler: good light, clean water, a reliable bag.
  • Fit into routines that help you set down roots quickly: cooking a meal, doing laundry, writing in the morning.

    • The backbone: bags and organizers

    Start with a bag you trust. I use a Farpoint 40 by Osprey for longer trips and a Tom Bihn Synapse 19 for day-to-day exploration. Both balance comfort and durability; both have sensible internal organization and zippers that still work after twenty thousand miles. For slow travel, choose something with a good hip belt and a carry-on-friendly size — you’ll want to be able to stay mobile without leaving home comforts behind.

    Inside the bag I use small organizers:

  • Sea to Summit Packing Cubes (medium and small) — lightweight, breathable, and easy to wash.
  • Rothco 4x6” pouches — great for receipts, tickets, and small bits of paper you’ll inevitably collect.
  • Brass or stainless steel carabiner — hangs a water bottle or a hat from the outside of the bag without fuss.

    • Clothing: a slow capsule that’s easy to care for

    My clothing philosophy for slow trips is durability, neutral colors, and layers. I aim to wash infrequently and dry quickly. Staples in my kit:

  • Patagonia Capilene crew — breathable base layer, dries fast, smells less after days of wear.
  • Uniqlo AIRism boxer briefs — affordable, durable, and quick to dry.
  • Arcteryx Atom LT Hoody — warm, compressible, and works as both jacket and pillow.
  • Merino wool socks from Darn Tough — a lifetime warranty, and they’re actually comfortable for walking.

    • Choose wool and synthetic blends that resist odor and handle frequent washing. Bring three tops, two bottoms, one versatile jacket, and one nicer shirt for evenings. The fewer moving parts in your wardrobe, the easier it is to feel settled in each new place.

    Essentials that make slow travel livable

    These are the small things that keep life moving smoothly:

  • MSR PocketRocket 2 — a tiny stove that boils water fast. If you like local markets, a small stove lets you cook simple meals in a rented room and linger over tastes.
  • Sea to Summit X-Bowl and Collapsible Cup — compact, sturdy, and handy for street markets and picnics.
  • LifeStraw Personal Water Filter or GRAYL Ultralight — depending on destination. I prefer GRAYL for city travel where I want the convenience of a filtered bottle; LifeStraw is unbeatable in remote areas.
  • ExOfficio travel towel — quick-drying and compact.

    • Repair kit and basics

    Slow travel is at least partly about staying put long enough for small mending jobs. A tiny repair kit can save a day of stress:

  • Sewing kit with heavy-duty thread and a leather needle
  • Tenacious Tape (see the small roll) for quick tent/jacket repairs
  • Gaff tape — more versatile than duct tape in travel situations
  • Zip ties, a small multitool (Leatherman Wave or Victorinox), and a compact headlamp (Petzl Actik Core)

    • Tech that supports curiosity, not consumption

    I keep tech minimal but powerful enough for research, journaling, and maps. My choices favor longevity and repairability.

  • refurbished MacBook Air (M1) — light, long battery life, easy for writing and photo processing.
  • Kindle Paperwhite — distraction-free reading.
  • Fujifilm X100V or iPhone with an Moment Wide lens — the X100V is a delightful all-in-one for slow visual work; phones are fine if you prefer fewer devices.
  • Anker PowerCore 20,000mAh — reliable power bank; I carry a USB-C PD charger to speed up charging.

    • Bring cables in a small case and label them with washi tape. Back up photos every few days to a portable SSD (Samsung T7) so a single lost device doesn’t erase a month of wandering.

    Paper and pens — the underrated essentials

    For slow travel, I keep a small analog practice. Carrying paper changes how I pay attention.

  • Moleskine Cahier — light, pocketable, and perfect for field notes or sketches.
  • Lamy Safari fountain pen with cartridges — comfortable to write with and easy to maintain.

    • Write one short observation every morning. It becomes a gentle structure and a record you’ll be grateful for later.

    Health, hygiene, and local living

    Pack smart for long stays rather than short hops. A small pharmacy and hygiene kit go a long way.

  • Small first aid kit with blister plasters, ibuprofen, antihistamine, and an electrolyte mix.
  • Solid shampoo bar and a small bottle of diluted laundry soap (Dr. Bronner’s in a travel bottle).
  • Reusable menstrual cup or travel-sized supplies if needed.
  • Sunscreen (think mineral-based) and a lightweight sun hat.

    • For slow stints in one place, buy fresh produce and staple items locally and use your stove and bowls to feel rooted quickly.

    Quick reference table: my go-to items

    ItemBrand/ModelWhy
    Carry bagOsprey Farpoint 40 / Tom Bihn Synapse 19Comfort, durability, organization
    StoveMSR PocketRocket 2Compact, fast boil
    Water filterGRAYL Ultralight / LifeStrawSafe drinking water anywhere
    CameraFujifilm X100V / iPhone + Moment lensHigh-quality images without heavy gear
    Repair kitTenacious Tape, Leatherman, sewing kitStay self-sufficient

    How I pack and why it works

    I pack by routines, not outfits. Everything gets assigned to a routine slot: “walk kit,” “cooking kit,” “sleep kit.” That makes unpacking fast and sets up a home base in any room. I leave aesthetic excess behind and keep items that earn their place by either saving time, improving comfort, or enabling curiosity. If a thing has only one function, it tends to be the first thing I cut.

    Finally, accept imperfection. A small stove may not replace a full kitchen; a single pair of shoes may not suit every mood. The point is to have a kit that keeps you in the world rather than shutting you out of it — gear that encourages you to stay, look, and live slowly.