The following are the main items purchased for the trip. Besides clothing and a small 9″ Asus laptop, this is pretty much everything I took with me.
Little Trees Air Freshener
After only bathing some days, and picking up hitchhikers, you’re going to need this one, trust me.
Highly Recommended
Big Agnes Encampment 15-Degree Sleeping Bag
Pretty good sleeping bag, comfortable, but definitely not 15-degree rated. Without extra blankets, you will freeze in that kind of weather.
Recommended
Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Sleeping Pad
Your back is going to thank you, and you might even escape without pneumonia.
Highly Recommended
REI Passage 2 Tent
Light, durable, easy to set up, water-resistant bottom. Very good value.
Highly recommended
eBags Medium Packing Cubes
Given as a gift by my friend Paul, this was probably one of the most used and handy pieces of equipment. Allows you to store more in your backpack and easily sort out your clothing.
Highly Recommended
REI Campware Mess Kit
Seldom used, but well-made. Good value.
Recommended
Bialetti Moka Express
The one, the only. Great coffee, really quickly, as long as you have a flame.
Highly Recommended
Husky 100-Piece Mechanics Tools Set
Luckily didn’t have to use it. But good tools nonetheless.
Highly Recommended
Meal Kit Supply MREs
6 different types of meals. 2 of them are inedible. But the deserts are pretty good. If you’re starving, it will come in handy.
Meh
Rio Adventure Roll-Top Table
Great lightweight table. Takes a lot of space if you don’t use it often.
Recommended
Wenzel Banquet Chair
Cup holder AND plate holder. Comfortable. You will need a chair.
Highly Recommended
Bond Mini Shovel
Came very handy for digging the car out of mud. Light and durable. Great weapon.
Highly Recommended
ARB Recovery Strap
Make sure it’s rated for your car’s weight. Great quality.
Required
First Alert Auto Fire Extinguisher
You don’t want to explain how your car burned down. Also required by law in many countries.
Required
3M Safety Vest
Required by law in most countries.
Required
Tripp Lite Auto Inverter 375W
You can always use extra outlets. This inverter worked great.
Recommended
Mechanix Wear M-Pact Gloves
They make digging the car out of mud a whole lot easier.
Recommended
Grounded Extension Cord
You might need it.
Recommended
Hopkins FloTool Siphon
Apparently used to siphon gas or something. If you have a newer car, with an anti-siphoning gas opening, fahgettaboudit.
Meh
Emergency Warning Triangle
Yes, you need one.
Required
Orion Safety Flares
Fun and scary!
Highly Recommended
ProfessionalTire Repair Kit
Yes, it works. Used once in Bolivia. It works. You need it.
Highly Recommended
Stanley Jump Starter with Compressor
You can charge your phone, it has a flashlight, it fills up your tires and oh yeah, jump-starts your car.
Highly Recommended
Scepter Jerry Gas Can
Pretty good, doesn’t smell too badly inside the car. A nightmare figuring out how to use the spout/nozzle.
Highly Recommended
Scepter Water Can
Lost the cap somewhere halfway through Mexico. Useless. There’s water everywhere. If not, you have the SteriPEN.
Meh
GoPro Hero + Suction Car Mount
Great little camera. But you already knew that. Too bad it can’t record any sound once the waterproof case is on.
Highly Recommended
Canon 70D Digital SLR
First camera to auto-focus as you’re shooting video. Inexpensive if damaged/stolen.
Recommended
Mefoto WalkAbout Monopod
Get steady shots with your DSLR.
Recommended
Uniden 16-Mile Two-Way Radio
Didn’t really use them, but you never know.
Recommended
Gerber Prodigy Survival Knife
Great knife and sheath. Inexpensive.
Highly Recommended
MSR Alpine Spatula
Are you going to be cooking? I don’t know.
Recommended
MSR WhisperLite International Stove
Make sure you get this International version so you can use gasoline. Works like a charm. Bottle needs to be purchased separately.
Highly Recommended
8×21 Compact Binocular
Nope, didn’t need them. Also, monkeys will steal them from you.
Meh
REI Wool Hiking Quarter Socks
Good quality. Don’t start smelling for at least 3 days.
Highly Recommended
Black Diamond Revolt Headlamp
Works great, very bright. Big ass button turns it on all the time when you don’t want. Like in your backpack, and then the batteries are dead.
Highly Recommended
Eddie Bauer First Ascent Big Tahoma Pack
Veeeerrry spacious. Quality materials. Comfortable.
Highly Recommended
SteriPEN Traveler UV Water Purifier
You will need this.
Required
Laceration Kit
Just in case. Got mine from a travel doctor.
Recommended
Mustang Survival Personal Flotation Device
Are you going to be on a boat?
Meh
Adventure Medical First-Aid Kit
Basic kit, but it works.
Required
Sawyer Clothing Insect Repellent
One for your skin, one for your clothing, tent, sleeping bag, etc. Didn’t get bit once.
Highly Recommended
Mosquito Net
If you open your car doors too much. Or sleep in a hammock.
Recommended
Hostess Twinkies
Sugar, energy, sugar, energy. Did I mention the creamy filling? Added bonus: Nobody has seen these south of Mexico. BIG hit with the border guards.
Highly recommended
DeLorme InReach Explorer SE
This thing will let you send a text/SOS message from the middle of the jungle. Works great, although I cracked the glass screen on my first night. Make sure you buy the GEOS evacuation plans.
Required
Eddie Bauer First Ascent Maximus Duffel 80L
Great materials and zippers that didn’t break or open, no matter what I stuffed inside. Water-proof bottom.
Highly recommended
Candy
For the kids.
Highly recommended
Polaroid Polarized Sunglasses
You will not believe how much easier it is to drive long distances with polarized sunglasses. The yellow tint helps in foggy/rainy conditions.
Highly recommended
ITMB Canada waterproof maps
Google Maps pretty much took care of the maps situation, but it was still good to have a back-up, and be able to plan ahead on a paper map.
Highly recommended
Apple iPhone 5s 32GB + T-Mobile
The iPhone was basically the computer of the trip. Email, photos, music, navigation, was all done with it. Thank God for T-Mobile and their international plan that gave me free unlimited data and texts. We need more cell phone companies like T-Mobile.
Highly recommended
Barbour Sapper Jacket
Lots of pockets. Warm. OK construction (too bad they’re not made in England anymore). Water-resistant.
Highly recommended
Salomon X Ultra Mid GTX Hiking Boot
Great, light, water-proof boots. Very comfortable. Basically wore them every day for 6 months.
Highly recommended
Gerber Fire Starter
Never had to use it because, you know, cigarette lighters, but it puts out one hell of a spark.
Recommended
Coleman Twin LED Lantern
Used many, many times. Never had to charge it. Works great. Heavy.
Highly recommended
Gerber Gator Combo Axe II
The saw actually came in handy a couple of times. Very sharp. Also, a great weapon.
Highly recommended
Black Gorilla Tape
Not just duct tape, but Gorilla tape. Used for everything. Amazing stuff.
Required
