Gear for Your Gap Year

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If you have the funds and the time, traveling before you start college can give you important perspective and real-world experience. So go, travel the world—but bring these key items. 

The foundation of any successful trip is a rock-solid pack. The Farpoint 55 is stocked with features to make your trip easier, like a detachable smaller daypack, hideaway shoulder straps, padded top and side handles, and a dedicated laptop compartment. 

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Away from an outlet? This lighter-size cordless charger can restore your phone to full power. It attaches directly to a USB port and takes about three hours to juice up. The best part: you can charge your phone and the Flip 10 simultaneously, thanks to a smart two-way USB port.

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Impromptu swims in a remote river or lazy afternoons at the local pool call for a lightweight packable towel. We love this one from REI because it’s inexpensive and absorbs up to eight times its weight in water. After drying off, simply wring it out and clip to the outside of your pack and it will dry in minutes. 

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No matter where you’re traveling, we recommend always bringing a rain jacket. The waterproof Precip has pit zips, which let you dump excess heat. Plus it packs into its own pocket.

Men's Women's

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If you’re traveling through large cities where scam artists frequent, it’s a smart idea to have a wallet that blocks RFID scanning devices, which can steal your credit card information from afar. This bi-fold wallet is large enough to fit five cards and a few bills. 

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Keep your grooming items in one place for easy transport. This bag is compact, with an interior zippered pocket for organization. The sides and bottom are padded for extra protection. 

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Don’t rely on dirty, drool-stained hostel pillows. Pack your own, like this compressible one from Therm-a-Rest. It rolls into a built-in pocket and easily stuffs into a corner of your pack when not in use.

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A favorite among avid travelers, the Give-n-Gos are made from a nylon-spandex blend with an antimicrobial treatment, so you can wear them for days. When it is time for a wash, throw them in the bathroom sink with some soap, wring them out, and they’ll be dry in minutes.

Men’s Women’s

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A travel liner provides a necessary line of defense against bedbugs and unsavory stains often found on hostel beds. The poly-cotton Expander liner is antimicrobial, and the square shape is much less constricting than many mummy versions.

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Probably the most crucial item on this list, this plug adapter fits electrical outlets in 175 countries, so you can keep your electronics charged no matter where you go. If you need a three-prong adapter, we recommend this one. 

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