Back when I first hit the road abroad, Lonely Planet’s guidebooks and phrasebooks were always in my bag. In fact, I remember combing through the Lonely Planet guide to Sikkim, a small state in India wedged between Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan, to learn about its local history, culture, religion, and language.
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The Lonely Planet guidebook didn’t just give me a quick overview—it framed my approach to travel. Namely, that travelers should invest time and effort into learning about their destination.
Fast forward twenty years, and Lonely Planet is still an authority on travel as intercultural exchange—amongst many other topics.
During a recent interview with Lonely Planet’s Brekke Fletcher, we reflected on the most modern frontiers in travel. Namely, I was thinking about the new Apple AirPods that can translate conversations in real time.
Theoretically, it should make conversing easier for parties that don’t share a common language. Realistically, it will probably rub many locals the wrong way—after all, how hard is it to attempt a few little phrases? While live translation technology can be helpful (especially in more dire circumstances), it can also put a wall between travelers and locals.
What other kinds of tech get in the way of immersion? In honor of all things analog, let’s take a look at five pieces of travel gear that you don’t ever need to charge.
Analog travel gear for the adventurer in you
Guidebooks
There are three reasons for you to keep a physical guidebook with you on your next trip. First, solid guidebooks (like the Lonely Planet version) come with language resources. The guidebook will include the small phrases that you need to survive and make connections with locals, along with pronunciation tips.
Second, most guidebooks also include a map of the area’s most prominent tourist attractions and neighborhoods. That map will come in handy if your phone dies or you lose service. It might even make your trip slightly more exciting to navigate the old-fashioned way.
Third, and maybe most importantly, guidebooks aren’t driven by influencer fads. You won’t see the same viral list of things to do and places to go. In short, it’ll help you escape your ‘bubble’, especially if you’re visiting a hyper-popular destination.
Aside from Lonely Planet, Rick Steves and DK Eyewitness are two other well-known brands offering guidebooks.
Collapsible water bottle (and maybe a bowl)
Why am I suggesting water bottles as analog travel gear? Because many water bottles today come with tech features. Some brands, like LARQ, offer water bottles with purifying and tracking features—which is only necessary if you’re an adventure traveler.
Consider this your reminder: You don’t need a techy water bottle that will track how much you’re drinking while you travel or use UV light technology to purify your water. You probably don’t even need one with extra insulation.
I recommend keeping a collapsible water bottle like Hydaway with you that you can use when you need it and pack up and forget about when you don’t. The same with a collapsible bowl—you can use it to put together a late-night hotel meal or while hiking, then condense and re-pack when you’re done.
Travel journal (don’t forget a pen)
There’s a travel journal for every mood—and every packing situation. Whether you want a pocket-sized travel journal that lets you jot down ideas on-the-go or a dynamic journal with visuals and places to slot in photos, you’ve got choices.
I’m a chronic journal-er, so I always look for travel journals that are lightweight, easy to pack, and come unlined. My favorite journal right now is one that I picked up while on vacation in Venice, so keep an eye peeled if you see any stationery stores during your travels.
Cameras
You don’t need a film or digital camera to travel. However, I think non-digital cameras are one of the best pieces of travel gear for keeping you off your phone. I began traveling before smartphones were a thing—meaning I had to lug around a large digital camera or an even-heavier film camera with me. The photos are, hands down, the best I’ve ever captured.
Aside from great photos, the appeal of having an analog camera with you (I’m including digital cameras, so long as they aren’t part of your smartphone) is that you’re more intentional about when you snap photos. It’s easy to start walking around like a zombie with your smartphone’s camera app open, mindlessly compiling images. A physical camera changes that dynamic.
One of my favorite finds over the last few years is the Camp Snap, a digital camera that doesn’t have a screen. You can take it with you throughout the day to snap photos, then check them out by plugging the camera into your computer later on. Sort of the best of both worlds.
Carabiner
In case you haven’t heard, the humble carabiner is one of my favorite pieces of analog travel gear. You can use a mini-carabiner for a surprisingly wide range of things, from making your bag truly un-robbable to hanging things in a cramped hotel room. I’ve also used carabiners to attach small bags to a larger bag (to create a mega-bag, if you will) and to organize a wily pile of charging cables.
