Travel Gear & Essentials I Actually Use

kingtolentino.com is reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our site, I may earn an affiliate commission with no extra cost to you. This will help me run my website and channel to provide more content to everyone.

Over the years, I've tried and collected quite a bit of gear for traveling, creating content, eating out, and now traveling with our family.

This page is a collection of the gear and travel essentials I actually use or have personally tested. Some have been with me for years, while others are newer additions to my setup.

I don't recommend buying everything here. Start with what you actually need, and upgrade when it makes sense for you.

Some links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. I only include products based on my actual experience or testing.

My Current Travel Gear

Here's the gear that's currently part of my travel setup. These are the things I actually bring, use or rely on when we're traveling, shooting content, eating out, or exploring with our family.

Sony a6500 with kit lens
This is my main camera.

I use it for: Photography / Vlogging
My experience: Bought this with 3 considerations in mind: First is budget – it is cheaper than Canon 80D. Second is frame-rates. It has 120fps in 1080 and 4k in 24fps. Lastly, it’s weight. There are newer models in a6 series that has an upgraded features and better for vlogging like a6400 and a6600.

Check Current Price → Sony a6400

Sony SEL15F14G
This is the prime lens I use

I use it for: Photography / Vlogging
My experience: Its 15mm wide-angle lens is good for tight spaces. The F1.4 gives an amazing bokeh. Lightweight.

Check Current Price → SEL15F14G

Insta360 X5
360 Action Cam for run-and-gun shoot.

I use it for: Vlogging / Underwater
My experience: Invisible selfie stick, 8K 360 so I don't need retakes.

Check Current Price → Insta360 X5

Rode Micro II
Microphone for videos.

I use it for: Vlogging
My experience: While this mic is omni directional, it is cheaper than shotgun mic or those in professional tier.

Check Current Price → Rode Micro II

Joby Gorilla Pod 3K Pro Kit
Tripod

I use it for: Vlogging
My experience: Perfect for mirrorless camera. Versatile tool specially if you don’t want to carry a tripod or in a run and gun style of shooting. The quick release plate is useful from changing in a vlogging style to handheld shooting. The downside is that it is heavy if you’re using it for quite some time.

Travel & Content Creation Gear

Traveling is also how I create most of my content, so my camera setup needs to be practical enough to carry around while still giving me the quality I need for photos and videos.

Aside from the items listed under My Current Travel Gear section, here are my content creation gear:

Filters

Hoya Variable Neutral Density Filter
lens filter

I use it for: Photography / Vlogging
My experience: Most of my videos require me to go out when the sun is at its peak. This is the solution for those scene with harsh light

Check Current Price → ND Filter

Storage and Memory Cards

Samsung T5 1TB Portable SSD
SSD

I use it for: Backups
My experience: While Samsung T5 SSD is small and sleek, it is not weather or shock proof. Still very useful for a content creator.

Check Current Price → Samsung T5 SSD

Sandisk Extreme Portable SSD
SSD

I use it for: Backups
My experience: small and rugged, best for travel.

Check Current Price → Sandisk Extreme Portable SSD

Sandisk Extreme Pro
Memory Card

I use it for: Photography / Vlogging
My experience: for best result, use the recommended memory card for your camera.

Check Current Price → Sandisk Extreme Pro

Important: Don’t buy cheap storage and memory cards. A failed memory card can cost you much more than the money you saved.

Restaurant & Café Gear

A big part of our travels is looking for good food and coffee. These are the smaller pieces of gear I find useful for restaurants, cafés and food trips.

Sony a6500 with kit lens
This is my main camera.

I use it for: Photography / Vlogging
My experience: Bought this with 3 considerations in mind: First is budget – it is cheaper than Canon 80D. Second is frame-rates. It has 120fps in 1080 and 4k in 24fps. Lastly, it’s weight. There are newer models in a6 series that has an upgraded features and better for vlogging like a6400 and a6600.

Check Current Price → Sony a6400

Sony SEL15F14G
This is the prime lens I use

I use it for: Photography / Vlogging
My experience: Its 15mm wide-angle lens is good for tight spaces. The F1.4 gives an amazing bokeh. Lightweight.

Check Current Price → SEL15F14G

Rode Micro II
Microphone for videos.

I use it for: Vlogging
My experience: While this mic is omni directional, it is cheaper than shotgun mic or those in professional tier.

Check Current Price → Rode Micro II

Joby Gorilla Pod 3K Pro Kit
Tripod

I use it for: Vlogging
My experience: Perfect for mirrorless camera. Versatile tool specially if you don’t want to carry a tripod or in a run and gun style of shooting. The quick release plate is useful from changing in a vlogging style to handheld shooting. The downside is that it is heavy if you’re using it for quite some time.

I don't bring my full travel-vlogging setup every time we eat out, so there are times that I only use my phone. I won’t place it in this list as my phone is not the latest or the top of the line :D

Travel Essentials I Bring on Trips

These are the practical things that make traveling easier. Some are gadgets, some are simple everyday items, but they're the things I find useful when we're spending a full day exploring.

Hydration and Heat

Hydroflask
Refillable tumbler for hydration

I use it for: Travel / Everyday carry
My experience: Keeps the drinks cold or hot for a longer periods.

Check Current Price → Hydroflask

JisuLife Handheld Fan Pro 1
Portable fan

I use it for: Travel / Everyday carry
My experience: This makes my day to day travel much more comfortable.

Check Current Price → JisuLife Handheld Fan Pro 1

Beach and Outdoor

These are the things I bring depending on the trip:

Dry bag / Waterproof Bag
This keeps all my gadgets safe and dry.

I use it for: Travel
My experience: Whether its’s beach, hiking or water activities, I always bring different sizes of dry bags. Also, you can easily roll it up when you don’t need it. While I have Sea to Summit dry bag, I also use the local ones.

Check Current Price → Dry bag / Waterproof Bag

Low Volume Mask and Snorkel
A must for every beach trip.

I use it for: Freediving / Snorkeling
My experience: Bought this almost a decade ago and still use it for every beach trip. Exploring underwater is way better when your mask actually fits and doesn’t leak.

Check Current Price → Aquamundo

Family & Baby Essentials

Traveling with a baby definitely changed the way we pack. We now bring a few things that we never had to think about before. These are some of the baby and family travel essentials we've actually found useful during our trips.

Kikkaboo Stroller Autofold Joy - Army Green
Stroller is non-negotiable when travelling with a baby/toddler

I use it for: Baby Essentials
My experience: One-hand auto-fold, lightweight, clean design and solid quality.

Check Current Price → Kikkaboo

JisuLife Stroller Fan
Portable stroller fan

I use it for: Baby Essentials
My experience: A must because it keeps baby cool and comfortable during hot days.

Check Current Price → JisuLife Stroller Fan

Gear and Travel Essentials | Unboxing and Review

These are gear and travel essentials I’ve unboxed and reviewed:

Where I Buy My Gear

As a guide, I only buy expensive items from the official store because warranty/authenticity matters.

Shopee

• everyday travel items

• accessories

• small electronics

• travel gear

• baby travel items

Official Stores

• cameras

• memory cards

• expensive electronics

• products where authenticity/warranty matters

International Stores

For products not easily available locally.

Before You Buy

FAQ

Coming soon…

Where Are You Going Next?

The gear is only part of the trip. Explore our Philippine and international travel guides for DIY itineraries, food trips, hotels, activities and practical travel tips from our actual experiences.