Got summer travel plans that include outdoor adventure? You won’t regret making some upgrades before you hit the road. From adventure-ready luggage to a universally compatible device charger to a snorkel mask that actually won’t fog (!!), I’ve tested some superb gear so that you don’t have to. Check out our 2025 essential summer travel gear that’s actually tested and approved.
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Image by Gonex
This spacious rolling duffle bag will make an excellent travel companion for your summer adventures. I recently used it for my checked bag on a trip to Puerto Rico, which required gear for hiking, swimming, snorkeling, caving, and more. Gonex’s 33-inch rolling duffle is lighter than my old luggage, which is a plus when you’re trying to stay under that 50-pound airline limit, and it holds more than my old bag did, too. I found that even after I packed my items (including not only clothes but also snorkel gear and several pairs of hiking shoes), I still had some extra room to store toiletries for my whole family.
Since this bag will see a LOT of use in the coming years, I appreciate that it’s made of wear-resistant material and waterproof fabric. It has plenty of compartments inside and outside, and it has straps inside, which are helpful for locking down your stuff. With a 100-liter capacity, it’ll give you space to bring what you need and leave some room for souvenirs.
Image by Gonex
Believe it or not, this deceptively tiny Gonex carry-on luggage held all the clothes my son needed for a 10-day trip to Puerto Rico. I still can’t believe how much it holds! He absolutely loved having his very own suitcase to roll around in the airport, and if a young child can maneuver it around easily, so can you.
For short trips, Gonex’s 16-inch underseat carry-on luggage is a fantastic option to enhance your travel experience. It’s made from durable, waterproof fabric, it has smooth and silent spinner wheels, and it offers smart organization features, such as a large exterior pocket, an internal mesh pocket, and convenient elastic side pockets.
Image by Ruko
Will you be packing a camera, a drone, a GoPro, a tablet, a laptop, or other tech gear on your upcoming summer vacation? If so, you’ll need to consider how you will charge these devices internationally. Thankfully, Ruko offers an international charger kit that’ll make charging multiple devices simple.
Ruko’s 65W USB C Charger Kit comes with a 4-foot USB-C to USB-C cable, two converters (UK/EU), and a compact carry bag. It provides support for universal 100-240V voltage, making global travel more seamless. Plus, it can charge up to three devices at the same time, which is great when you come home from an adventure-full day and you need to charge up multiple devices.
Takeya Sport Water Bottles – 22 oz (Adult) and 18 oz (Kid)
Image by Takeya
Image by Takeya
Leakproof, stylish, and capable of keeping your water cold for 36 hours, Takeya’s sport water bottles are the ultimate summer-travel gear. My daughter and I upgraded our water bottles to Takeya bottles before our recent summer family vacation, and we used them more than anything else. Horseback riding for hours? Had cold water. Hiking in a rainforest and swimming in a waterfall? Was perfectly hydrated. Spent all day on a boat snorkeling in the salty ocean? Sipped from fresh cold water constantly.
Don’t underestimate how crucial your water bottle is going to be on a fun vacation full of outdoor activities. If you’re not hydrated, you’re not going to have fun.
Image by ProShot
Have you ever dreamed of a snorkel/dive mask that’s truly not going to fog up on you? I certainly did. Well, I found one. ProShot’s Tidal Mask offers advanced anti-fog technology that actually works. On a recent snorkeling trip in which I spent hours snorkeling in the ocean and mangroves, I only remember clearing it once.
ProShot says the inside lens has a replaceable anti-fog film that protects against fog for up to a year. For touch ups, it comes with anti-fog spray, which I used for everyone else’s mask—because I certainly didn’t need it for mine. I appreciated the fit of the Tidal Mask, which didn’t pull or snag, making my experience as comfortable as possible. I also loved that the mask comes in a hard-sided case, perfect for travel.
Image by ProShot
If you’re planning some underwater fun this summer, ProShot’s Touch 2.0 Universal iPhone Case should be in your gear bag. I loved having this along during our summer vacation to Puerto Rico; it allowed me to capture wonderful moments swimming with sea turtles and eagle rays.
This housing is waterproof down to 50 feet, and, while using it, the touchscreen on your phone is still accessible! To use, download ProShot’s underwater-camera app, insert your phone into the case, and then use the two side buttons to toggle between modes—photo, video, selfie mode, etc.—and then actually take or start/stop photos and videos while underwater. (You can select which modes you want to be available beforehand.) Once you get the hang of operating the case and the app, it becomes very easy. However, I recommend doing a test in actual water before your real trip so you don’t miss an important moment fiddling with the tech.
The Touch 2.0 case wasn’t flawless in my experience, but it was definitely worth having it. I had an issue during one snorkel excursion when the app froze up on me. Eventually, I realized that if I came to the surface, used the touchscreen to close the app and then reopen it, it was good to go again.
Compared to using a GoPro, it was harder to see the screen underwater. At times, it was difficult to see exactly what I was filming. However, I prefer to look with my eyes and then just point my device in the right direction and hope for the best, because the real-life experience is more important than the video evidence.
After use, my phone came out perfectly dry every time. I used ProShot’s pink snorkeling filter (from this pack) to help color correct my underwater photos and videos in realtime. Though not perfect, if you prefer to capture underwater photos and videos with your phone, try ProShot’s Touch case!
What’s your favorite piece of summer travel gear for outdoor adventure?
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