Because I only started to get into backpacking and outdoors activities last summer, I'm fairly new to and easily impressed by the tech that goes into good, high quality travel equipment. Essential for this trip were a few pieces I acquired:
Osprey Manta 30 backpack with 3 L hydration system included. I removed the hydration system for weight reduction for this trip, and the ripstop nylon bag easily held three days worth of clothes and toiletries and charging plugs.
Stuffed in a cool expandable space between the main and secondary pockets was my jacket. More on that in a second. Most valuable during this trip was probably the integrated rain shield which has its own pocket at the bottom of the backpack. When the skies opened over Prague, my camera, tablet, and documents stayed nicely dry.
As for that jacket ... I'm not sure how to describe it. By name its the First Ascent (Eddie Bauer) Accelerant Jacket. But I usually call it frickin amazing.
It's a lightweight material with a water repellent finish so precipitation beads up on the outside rather than penetrating the jacket. The darker color under the arms is a breathable fleece. Underneath the lighter grey is a primaloft insulation.
Also key this trip: nylon travel pants from
REI. Yes, in my size. I know! Gotta love REI. No pictures shown because, lets face it: they're khakis. Really long khakis. Just use your imagination.
