Tim Leffel’s Cheapest Destinations

Travel Gear, When You Can

I’m off to Peru next week, researching updates for The World’s Cheapest Destinations and writing some articles. (Note to self–print this out for reminder to write off entire trip on next year’s tax return.)

When I was a poor backpacker saving up for a 12-month round-the-world journey, buying fancy gear was an agonizing decision. Now that I’m a working stiff going on a long vacation, however, look out! I have been shopping for two months. Starting off, I bought a few things at my local REI store. Mostly things I really needed to try on and break in, like hiking boots.

REI has an online store, but prices aren’t all that competitive and for such a big company, their web site is often a pain in the butt to search on. I’ve had much better luck at Backcountry.com, where they make it much easier for the shopper. It’s also a lot more fun, with thoughtful and humorous product descriptions, photos that let you change the color of the item, and a great newsletter with trip info and gear reviews.

I got this stylish North Face Pamir windblock fleece that is going to set me up right on the Inca Trail at night. I gave it a few trial runs on cool blustery days at home and it was as warm as a big fat parka.

I also replaced my ancient travel backpack, which had circled the globe with me three times. I got something smaller, figuring it would force me to pack light and sensibly. I settled on this sleek (as backpacks go) Eagle Creek one, which supposedly even fits as a carry-on bag if you want to push it. Since mine is ready to burst at the seams right now, I think I’ll just check it.

I also loaded up on cool little gadgets that make your life easier, like a razor that retracts into a lipstick-like tube and a stretchchy rubber clothesline that grips your undies and socks when you need to do a load of sink laundry. I’m carrying one of those oh-so-cool and eco-friendly flashlights that doesn’t need batteries ever. You just shake it up and down for a minute or two and it is charged up for hours. (I got mine on eBay, so I avoided the Sharper-Image level price you see in stores.)

Anyway, I am off, so this blog may be quiet for a few weeks while I sip coca tea and wander through the Andes…