🧳 Gear Up and Go: Travel Tech Recommendations
Welcome to our evolving catalog of the travel tech, tools, and apps we’ve discussed on the Gear Up and Go podcast. This list highlights many of our favorite finds to make your travel smoother, smarter, and more enjoyable. For full context and additional recommendations, be sure to check the show notes from each episode.

🧰 Packing & Planning Tools
Packing Apps

• Packr – https://apps.apple.com/us/app/packr-travel-packing-list/id1208312901
• Pack Point – https://apps.apple.com/us/app/packpoint-travel-packing-list/id896337401

Organizer Pouches

• Electronic Organizer Travel Case – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CLKJ7QJZ

Trip Planners

• TripIt – https://www.tripit.com

🚗 Car Rentals

• 15 Secret Ways to Get Cheapest Car Rentals – https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/ground-transportation/how-get-cheaper-car-rentals
• NerdWallet Rental Tips – https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/find-cheap-car-rental
• The Rental Radar – https://therentalradar.com/one-way-car-rentals

🧳 Luggage & Cases
Luggage

• Yeti Crossroads 23L Backpack – https://www.amazon.com/YETI-Crossroads-Backpack-Slate-Blue/dp/B07ZJRLF5R
• Monos Carry-on Pro Plus – https://monos.com/products/carry-on-pro-plus
• Smart Luggage Guide – https://www.travelandleisure.com/style/travel-bags/smart-luggage-with-removable-battery
• Carry-On vs. Checked Bags – https://travelpro.com/blogs/the-travelpro-blog/pros-and-cons-of-carry-ons-vs-large-suitcases
• What Size Suitcase Do You Need – https://globite.com/en-us/blogs/news/what-size-suitcase-do-you-need
• Best Luggage Brands – https://www.travelandleisure.com/style/travel-bags/best-luggage-brands

Compression Bags

• AmazonBasics Vacuum Bags – https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Vacuum-Compression-Storage-Bags/dp/B07RSCK4XS

Tech Cases

• Pelican 1510 – https://www.amazon.com/Pelican-1510-Case-Foam-Black/dp/B0002SKHIK/
• Pelican V730 – https://www.amazon.com/Vault-Pelican-Multi-Purpose-Electronics-Instrument/dp/B0CVQS6Z2Y/
• Apache 4800 Case – https://www.harborfreight.com/4800-weatherproof-protective-case-x-large-black-64250.html

AirTag Holders

• Elevation Lab TagVault (4 Pack) – https://www.amazon.com/Elevation-Lab-TagVaultTM-Surface-Adhesive/dp/B09ZVPWKK3
• ElevationLab 10-Year Airtag Case – https://www.amazon.com/TimeCapsule-AirTag-10-Year-Battery-Case/dp/B0D1LHBZGL

🔋 Power & Charging
Car Chargers

• AINOPE 72W USB C Charger – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09N9CSBC9
• Scosche CPDCC40 USB C Charger – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QSP4DC6

Charging Cables

• Type C Nylon Braided Cable – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FQJZQSY
• Anker USB A to USB C Cable (2-pack) – https://www.amazon.com/Anker-2-Pack-Premium-Charging-Samsung/dp/B07DC5PPFV

Power Banks

• TSA-Approved Power Bank Guide – https://www.belkin.com/company/blog/tsa-approved-power-bank-travel-guide
• Charging Tips – https://www.scosche.com/blog/post/charging-a-power-bank-essential-steps-tips
• GaN Charger Review – https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/peripherals/this-gan-charger-let-me-finally-ditch-my-bulky-laptop-charger-and-its-43-off-right-now

💻 Travel Laptops & Wi-Fi
Laptop Reviews

• RTINGS Travel Laptop Picks – https://www.rtings.com/laptop/reviews/best/travel
• PCMag Best Laptops – https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-laptops
• Tom’s Guide – https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-laptops
• Ultraportables – https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-ultraportable-laptops
• Gaming Laptops – https://www.rtings.com/laptop/reviews/best/by-usage/gaming

Portable Wi-Fi & eSIMs

• Top 5 Hotspots – https://bestconsumerinsight.com/top-portable-wifi-hotspots/
• Monito’s Top 8 – https://www.monito.com/en/wiki/best-portable-wifi-hotspot-for-travel
• Starlink Mini Kit – https://www.bestbuy.com/site/starlink-mini-kit-ac-dual-band-wi-fi-system-white/6589861.p

eSIM Apps

• Airalo – https://www.airalo.com
• Saily – https://www.saily.com
• Nomad – https://getnomad.app
• Ubigi – https://cellulardata.ubigi.com
• eSIM Price Comparison – https://www.cloudwards.net/best-esim/

🕵️‍♂️ Online Safety & VPNs

• What is a VPN – https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/what-is-a-vpn/
• Best VPN 2025 (CNET) – https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/best-vpn/
• Best VPN 2025 (Tom’s Guide) – https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-vpn
• iCloud Private Relay – https://support.apple.com/en-us/102602
• iCloud Setup Guide – https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud/set-up-icloud-private-relay-mm7dc25cb68f/icloud

🎧 Headphones & Earbuds
Top Picks

• Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 – https://shokz.com/pages/openrunpro2
• Apple AirPods Pro 2 – https://www.apple.com/airpods-pro/
• Apple AirPods 4 – https://www.apple.com/airpods-4/
• Bose Noise-Cancelling Headphones – https://www.bose.com/c/headphones/noise-cancelling
• Apple AirPods Max – https://www.apple.com/airpods-max/
• Sony XM5 – https://electronics.sony.com/audio/headphones/headband/p/wh1000xm5-b
• Loop Earplugs – https://us.loopearplugs.com/collections/all
• Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 – https://www.amazon.com/Turtle-Stealth-Wireless-Multiplatform-Amplified-Headset/dp/B0DB9HZVZV/
• HyperX Cloud II – (search via brand/store)
• Pixel Buds II – https://a.co/d/hVF40R5
• Walker Ear Buds – https://a.co/d/8IIbavG

Headphone Advice & Reviews

• TechGearLab Headphones – https://www.techgearlab.com/t/headphones
• How to Choose Earbuds – https://www.techgearlab.com/topics/audio/best-earbuds/buying-advice
• Best Earbuds 2025 – https://www.techgearlab.com/topics/audio/best-earbuds
• Best Over-Ear Headphones – https://www.techgearlab.com/topics/audio/best-over-ear-headphones
• Best Gaming Headsets – https://www.techgearlab.com/topics/audio/best-gaming-headset

🛫 Airport Lounges

• Lounge Review – https://apps.apple.com/us/app/loungereview-airport-lounges/id6449420693
• Priority Pass – https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/priority-pass/id406878019

🌐 Public & Hotel Wi-Fi Safety

• Is Hotel Wi-Fi Safe? – https://www.aura.com/learn/is-hotel-wi-fi-safe
• Roamify Best Practices – https://www.getroamify.com/blogs/stay-safe-on-hotel-wifi-best-practices-for-data-protection/
• ZDNet: Public Wi-Fi Tips – https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-use-public-wi-fi-safely/
• iCloud Relay for Safari – https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/iphone/iph499d287c2/ios

🍴 Food Apps for Travelers

• HappyCow – https://apps.apple.com/us/app/happycow-vegan-food-near-you/id435871950
• Too Good To Go – https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/too-good-to-go-end-food-waste/id1060683933
• AroundMe – https://apps.apple.com/us/app/aroundme/id290051590
• Highway Dining – https://apps.apple.com/us/app/highway-dining/id564396379
• LocalEats – https://apps.apple.com/us/app/local-eats-deliveries/id1207860698

Nutrition Articles

• Healthy Eating on the Go – https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/healthy-eating-on-the-go
• Vacation Meal Prep – https://workweeklunch.com/vacation-meal-prep/
• Meal Planning for Travelers – https://dhwblog.dukehealth.org/meal-planning-for-travelers-six-ways-to-stay-healthy-on-the-go/

🎮 Entertainment on the Go
​Streaming & Video

• Netflix – https://www.netflix.com
• Prime Video – https://www.primevideo.com
• Disney+ – https://www.disneyplus.com
• YouTube Premium – https://www.youtube.com/premium

Podcasts & Audiobooks

• Pocket Casts – https://www.pocketcasts.com
• Overcast – https://www.overcast.fm
• Audible – https://www.audible.com
• Libby – https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby

Reading & Games

• Kindle App – https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/fd/kcp
• Apple Books – https://www.apple.com/apple-books/
• Pocket – https://getpocket.com
• Apple Arcade – https://www.apple.com/apple-arcade/
• Good Sudoku / Mini Metro / Monument Valley (App Store/Steam/Google Play)

🗺️ Maps & Navigation

• Google Maps – https://www.google.com/maps
• Maps.me – https://maps.me
• Gaia GPS – https://www.gaiagps.com
• HERE WeGo – https://wego.here.com

🎟️ Local Events & Leisure

• Bandsintown – https://www.bandsintown.com
• Barglance – https://www.barglance.com
• Untappd – https://untappd.com​