1.Silk Sleeping Bag Liner

Let’s face it – some hostels aren’t hygienic, so a quality sleeping bag liner is a must. This silk one is both very comfortable and practical for any climate. As silk is such a breathable fabric, it’ll regulate your body temperature whether you’re in Southeast Asia or Scandinavia, keeping you comfortably warm or cool wherever you are. There are lots out there but Lifeventure’s version, with comprehensive anti-mosquito, anti-bed bug, and anti-bacterial qualities, stands out from the competition.

2. Headlamp

Headlamps help massively with night time activities - like setting up a tent or checking where that noise came from - but many are heavy and just unwieldy. Enter the Nitecore NU10, a simple and lightweight alternative. Weighing just 65 grams, it can illuminate your world with a powerful 160-lumen glow. With just two buttons, one for three levels of white light and the other for a red light, operating couldn’t be simpler. Comes with an elastic headband and USB charger. 

3. Pen Knife

Pen knives may seem outdated, but when you need to get into a tin of food, deal with a hangnail or just cut some tape, they become essential. The Cadet is small and sturdy, with a number of functions and a grip pattern. It has two flathead screwdrivers, a can lifter and opener, nail file and nail cleaner, and a roughly eight-centimeter blade. The sign of any good pen knife: the blade comes sharp enough to slice through paper with little force.