14 Must-Have EDC Travel Essentials (2025 Edition)

Every six months or so, I like to refresh my EDC travel essentials – especially when it comes to travel.

Things change.

Some items get upgraded, others are dropped entirely.

In this post, I’m breaking down my latest EDC travel essentials for 2025 – the gear I pack for every trip, whether it’s a quick work stint, or a longer holiday getaway.

From the tech I use daily to the accessories that make travel smoother, this is a no-BS breakdown of what actually gets used.

No filler, just the good stuff.

1. GRAMS28 Transit Backpack & Voyager Duffle

Let’s start with the bags.

I switch between the GRAMS28 152 Transit Backpack and the 181 Voyager Duffle, depending on the type of trip.

• 152 Transit Backpack: Full-grain leather, timeless design, laptop compartment, great structure, and plenty of zippers/pockets.
• 181 Voyager Duffle: Same quality. More space. Perfect for weekend trips, or any time you need more space. I use it with the GRAMS28 Camera Cube (sold separately) for camera gear.

These bags are built to last decades – literally.

→ Use code OLIUR20 for 20% off at Grams28

2. Two MacBooks: Pro & Air

I travel with either a 14″ MacBook Pro or a 13″ MacBook Air depending on the workload.

• 14” MacBook Pro (M4 Max, 36GB RAM, 4TB SSD): Video editing, heavy work, client projects.
• 13” MacBook Air (M4, 16GB): Lighter, more portable. Perfect for casual work and travel.

Both are beasts in their own right – Apple really nailed it with these M4 chips.

3. Apple iPhone 16 Pro (with Nomad Leather Case)

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro is my go-to camera for most trips – just because it’s the one that is ALWAYS on me.

I won’t go deep into the iPhone’s capabilities here because most of you already know how good it is.

The image quality, ease of use, and sheer convenience make it the perfect travel camera.

For a full review on the iPhone 16 Pro, check out my video here.

I’ve paired it with the Nomad leather case, which is made from real leather and features MagSafe built-in.

Over time, the leather develops a beautiful patina that gives it a unique, worn-in look. It’s one of those products that gets better the more you use it.

4. Fujifilm X100VI

The Fujifilm X100VI is a compact camera that’s part high-end shooter, part fashion accessory.

I picked this up nearly a year ago now, and honestly, it’s one of the nicest cameras I own.

The design is clean, retro, and just looks sick when you’re wearing it.

It has a larger sensor than a phone, insanely sharp image quality, and Fujifilm’s film simulations that give your JPEGs a really unique vibe straight out of the camera.

I mostly shoot in RAW because I prefer editing in Lightroom, but the built-in recipes are fun to play with too.

Truth is, it doesn’t get as much use as it probably should – mainly because the iPhone is just so good now.

But when I’m planning to be more intentional with my photos, this is the camera I reach for.

It captures travel memories in a way no phone ever really can.

5. M4 iPad Pro (11″)

I’ve always been a die-hard iPad Mini fan, but I recently switched from the iPad Mini to the latest iPad Pro M4 11”, and wow – it’s game-changing.

• Tandem OLED display = insane brightness and clarity (up to 1600 nits)
• 256GB storage = loads of space for offline media
• Ridiculously thin and powerful

Perfect for watching HDR content or doing photo edits in Lightroom on the go.

6. Anker Prime Power Bank (165W)

The Anker 165W Prime Power Bank is easily one of my favourite tech products right now.

You may be thinking “it’s just a power bank..?”

But it’s how convenient it is that makes it so powerful (excuse the pun..).

• 2x Built-in USB-C cables (hidden in the strap)
• Charges up to 4 devices at once
• Compact with display for power stats
• 165W power

No digging for cables whilst travelling.

Just plug and charge.

7. Anker MagSafe Battery Pack

For short outings or long days – this Anker MagSafe Battery Pack is always in my pocket to keep the iPhone topped up.

Connects via MagSafe, or you can plug a cable into it.

More compact than the Anker Prime Bank, but still gives me enough juice throughout the day.

8. Travel Accessory Pouch

The Woolnut Travel Pouch is a pouch I only unpack while travelling.

It’s got:

• USB-A to USB-C (for things like CarPlay in rental cars)
• Anker Dual USB-C cable
• Lencent 120W multi-adapter with USB-A + USB-C ports
• Apple MagSafe Duo Charger
• Twelve South AirFly Bluetooth adapter (for connecting AirPods to plane screens)

Like I mentioned, this pouch stays packed with these items, and is only ever used when travelling.

That way I know I always have the items ready for when I need them.

9. Apple AirPods Pro (Over AirPods Max)

I switched back to the AirPods Pro over the Max for one main reason: compactness.

Don’t get me wrong – the AirPods Max sound incredible, and the noise cancellation is next-level.

But they’re bulky, they don’t fold down, and they just take up way too much space when I’m travelling.

I found myself leaving them behind more often than not.

The AirPods Pro on the other hand?

Way more practical.

They do 80–90% of what the Max does, in a tiny, pocket-friendly package.

Great sound, solid noise cancellation, and the transparency mode is still one of the best out there.

For flights, cafes, or just walking around a new city – they’re great.

The battery life is solid, the case charges fast, and they just work seamlessly with the rest of my Apple setup.

Unless you really care about audiophile-level sound on the go, these are just a smarter choice for travel.

10. Goyard Card Holder

This is the card holder I’ve been using daily – and yeah, it’s trending right now, but it’s not just hype.

The Goyard Card Holder is genuinely one of my favourite pieces when it comes to everyday carry.

It’s minimal, super slim, and just looks good.

The signature pattern gives it that luxury feel without being too flashy, and the leather quality is top-tier.

Functionally, it’s perfect for how I carry my cards.

I usually keep it super lean – just the essentials – so I don’t need a bulky wallet.

11. Rolling Square AirCard

This is basically my low-key security system for travel.

The Rolling Square AirCard is a credit-card-sized tracker that works like an AirTag but fits perfectly into any wallet, pouch, or bag pocket.

It’s louder than a regular AirTag, which is actually really useful when you’re trying to find a lost bag in a rush.

And because it looks just like a card, it’s super discreet – no bulky keyring or obvious tag sticking out.

I keep mine tucked into one of my main travel bags so I always know where it is.

It works seamlessly with the Find My app, so you get all the same features as an AirTag – just in a form factor that makes way more sense for certain setups.

12. Apple Watch Series 10 (Slate Titanium)

Still wearing Apple Watch Series 10 daily – and honestly, it’s held up way better than I expected.

The Slate Titanium finish gives it a premium look without being flashy, and despite a few tiny marks here and there, it still looks almost new after months of daily use.

I’ve paired it with the Apple Watch Slate Bracelet, which takes the overall look to another level.

Super minimal, super clean.

It gives the Apple Watch that more polished, almost mechanical-watch vibe that works just as well with casual fits as it does when I’m dressing up a bit.

Function-wise, it’s everything I need.

Notifications, fitness tracking, timers, weather – nothing groundbreaking, but it’s reliable and smooth.

I still wear my other watches when I’m going out or doing something fancy, but for everyday use, this is the one that stays on my wrist.

13. Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses

Originally picked up the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses for a track day I had recently, and they actually worked out quite well, and gave me an easy way to record hands-free without strapping a GoPro to my head.

The cameras sit in each corner of the frame and are decent for quick POV shots or clips when you want to capture a moment without pulling out your phone or camera.

They also charge in the case, which makes life easier, and this pair has transition lenses (depending on the model you choose), so you can wear them indoors and outdoors without swapping glasses.

Especially handy in sunny spots or when I’m travelling light.

These are low-key, functional, and they don’t scream “tech,” which I like.

14. Valve Steam Deck (LCD)

I’ve fallen back in love with handheld gaming lately, and it’s all because of the Valve Steam Deck.

I originally bought the LCD version right after launch, but it sat untouched for ages.

Then I had a long-haul flight coming up and figured I’d give it another shot – and honestly, I haven’t put it down since.

It’s the perfect device for killing time on planes, in airports, or even just winding down in the evening.

It runs everything smoothly, and the library of games on Steam is insane.

You can grab AAA titles, indie gems, or classics – usually for way cheaper than you’d pay on a console.

Right now I’ve got it loaded with:

• Brotato
• Hades
• Inside
• Somerville
• Deep Rock Survivor
• Little Nightmares

All of them run flawlessly, and the experience reminds me of playing Game Boy as a kid – but with grown-up graphics and way more depth.

It’s not exactly compact (it’s a chunky unit), but for what it offers, I don’t mind the size.

It’s now a permanent part of my travel EDC.

No WiFi needed, just fire it up and you’re good to go.

If you’re even slightly into gaming and travel a lot, this thing’s 100% worth it.

Travel EDC

Travel EDC isn’t about carrying the most gear – it’s about carrying the right gear.

These are the products that actually serve a purpose, make travel smoother, and improve my workflow on the go.

Whether you’re a creative, a digital nomad, or just someone who likes nice gear, I hope these EDC travel essentials have helped inspire your own setup.

*Some of the links in this post are affiliate links — which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, and I only recommend items I’ve actually tested.