Long-Term Travel & Transit​ 

Reliability is proven by anything designed that can withstand its used by date without servicing, and continues to perform without issues well past any time frame to replace functioning parts recommended by the original manufacturer. I'm an old school believer of any product purchased to do what it was designed for and last for years. Most cheap wing bling products out of China without warranty may look good, but in reality do fail when you need them to work. There are also some serious flaws with high-end western made products as well, although replacement warranties or repair are usually covered by the manufacturer. Investing in any expensive product today should be thoroughly researched before purchasing!
Most of the items and products below have been used many times over through the continents. I've given my own ratings on each item for reliability and function on a scale of 1-10 You get what you pay for - choose wisely. 

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Cheap wing-bling backpacks with trendy colours are a dime a dozen and are usually made in the far East. Cheap made quality backpacks will eventually fail and fall apart starting with zips and stitching. The majority of low grade made backpacks will fail overland transit abuse in the thick of it somewhere en-route through continents. This also applies to shoddy made daypacks. Cheap made junk will fail when you least expect it too. Innovated designed backpacks and daypacks made in Europe or the USA don't come cheap for good reason. Quality made Backpacks and daypacks will normally have 2-5 year full replacement warranties. Baggage contents like laptops, Photo-Gear, and other fragile items will eventually rattle and vibrate to bits if not properly protected - it begins by using reliable designed backpacks and daypacks.

​Overland Travel Baggage - In Transit​  

Carrying everything - including the kitchen sink - isn't recommended for long-term overland journeys through continents. I've been a sucker to this for decades, and still continue lugging around far too much weight.
Large backpacks will always end up on rooftops of bush-buses travelling through isolated rural regions in Africa (the Sahel, DRC, Ethiopia), South America (Amazonia region), Asia (Indian Himalaya, Nepal, west Pakistan, Afghanistan), and certain regions in the Middle East. During transit, buses stop along the way picking up locals with even more luggage that gets stacked on top of everything else. Backpacks and contents can only withstand so much abuse if handled by local bus-bus operators who normally treat baggage rough as guts. 
This issue is magnified when locals load up their own possessions, yet simultaneously walk on top of everything else at the same time. Off-loading luggage tends to be done as fast as possible, with locals throwing everything off the sides of buses, trucks or boats, not caring whether it lands upside down or sideways. After a few months of this type of treatment, any fragile content inside baggage is history, and cannot be replaced if you're in the middle of nowhere. There's also a good chance of losing baggage shoved on bush-bus rooftops due to high-speed and vibrations along bush track highways. Rural transport vehicles are wrecks at their best with drivers concentrating only on what's in front of them - never behind them. Some basic bush-bus transport don't have rear view mirrors anyway, so if baggage falls off without other passengers spotting it - kiss it goodbye.
An example not long ago, was my own tripod bag, it had fallen off the roof from a vibrating 4x4 bush-jeep, I witnessed it myself bouncing and cart wheeling end on end on the road. Luckily, the tripod bag wasn't run over and squashed from other vehicles. The Manfrotto MBAG8OP is probably one of the toughest made tripod bags made. There was zero damage to the bag or the contents! 
Travelling light with two large sized daypacks is another option. They can be carted on board any type of transport, and thrown under seats or shoved in tight places where they're out of harm's way. One can keep an eye on them at the same time. It saves the hassles of getting off and on buses to check if the luggage is still there. In certain regions, transiting at night with luggage on the roof is definitely a no brainer - it wont be there in the morning, or if it is, half the contents will be missing.
The smaller the amount of luggage there is, the easier it is to manoeuvre through regions without having to deal with the logistics of on-off loading, or fighting for limited space with locals -  whose luggage has first priority. Deciding to carry any surplus weight, including photo-gear really depends on whether it will be used in relation to its weight - it's an individual choice one has to decide.

Mifi Mini Router - Fast 4G Connection

At times everyone experiences slow unresponsive wifi  internet connectivity in hotels, backpackers and at many cafe hangouts. The best way around this issue is to travel with you own  mini Mifi router. Mifi modems are easily connected to 4G networks using a local sim card. Using a laptop to connect to the internet using Mifi modems can't get easier. If there's a cell tower close-by, one can stream, browse, upload and surf all day long on 4G without any lag time. I personally use a Vodafone Mifi modem and have tried and tested it in Asia with positive results. Rating 10/10  

​Solar Power Cell - In The Middle of Nowhere​

Everything running on battery power needs a boost of juice from somewhere, or from a device to extract the juice - yes? But what if one is within a region for extended periods of time without access to charge devices? The Solio solar cell bank will take care of it - no matter where you are, if sunlight is available. Charging the Solio battery bank is simple - just place it on a window with the suction cup that comes with the kit, or anywhere and let the sun do the charging. I've used the early version Solio 1 since 2009 for charging different items. It's still working in 2019. Newer updated Solio designs are available. kits come with a full selection of plug-in attachments.  Rating 9/10  http://www.solio.com

Laptop Reset - LAN Cable

One can be lucky enough not having to do a factory reset with laptops during any overland travel. Having a LAN cable guarantees a quick stable connection if any laptop requires a factory reset. Heavy downloads are another issue when wifi signals are weak, or overloaded caused by congested usage in packed out hotels, or backpackers.  Normally, a hard line LAN connection can be found wherever there's a modem, which can be usually found near reception areas. A LAN cable should be at least 1 metre in length, and of good quality. This quality made LAN cable shown above was purchased in Belem-Brazil as a backup emergency if required. Rating 10/10

Waterproof Binoculars - Quality 1st! 

One great travel accessory that comes in handy on the road is a pair of mini binoculars. Viewing distant wildlife or bird watching with a pair of binoculars will make a huge difference viewing any subject. Purchasing good quality binoculars depends on the make, model, and manufacturer. Quality includes, construction, glass optics, and if waterproof.
Cheap made wing bling binoculars are usually with fancy looking designs and trendy colours. They normally have poor quality glass giving blurry unsharp visibility ending-up as paper weights after 3 months. The images above show a  pair of German made Minox waterproof binoculars (10x25). This set was originally purchased second hand in 2008. The Minox are still in perfect working condition (2020). Minox products are well known for their quality optics and reliability. Rating 10/10

​Spilt Coffee, Beverages & Dust - Key Board Protection ​

"The fastest way to fry a laptop's motherboard is spilt juice entering through the keyboard"  

Laptop keyboard protection on the go. Have you ever spilt tea or coffee on your keyboard and fried it? Or had the experience of waiter staff spilling beverages over your laptop? I've had some close calls, and have seen others who weren't so lucky. A really good safety solution in any public environment is an ultra-thin transparent keyboard cover. A protective cover will also stop invisible dust particles from entering inside a laptops keyboard section - which can accumulate very quickly during travel. For Mac users, the Moshi brand, shown above has a lifespan of approximately 3-4 years before perishing symptoms begin to show. The Moshi cover can be hand washed with soap and water when required, and air dried ready to use again in minutes. Avoiding direct sunlight will stop the protector from perishing sooner. Don't travel & transit through continents without one protecting your keyboard - some have regretted that choice.  Rating 10/10

15" MacBook Pro Retina 2012 Up - Heating Issues

Those who still own and use 2012-2015 MBP retina laptops that suddenly have heating issues i.e. fans constantly running at high speed, or slow sluggish performance will usually think the cause was from an updated OSX version, or other updated program applications. This maybe the case, but after so many  years, the accumulation of dust inside a laptop will clog the fans and will need a blow out. At the same time a fresh dab of thermal paste on the CPU and GPU modules will also increase performance keeping them cool. To complete the task it involves disassembly of the bottom cover, disconnection of the battery plug, and removing the heat sink cover. It also requires an iMac-Apple screw driver, 1 gram of thermal paste, 99% alcohol fluid, cloth, and soft brush (or compressed air). The above service may sound tedious and complicated, but it's actually easier than what it sounds. Here's the Best YouTube link covering the process step by step created by Dario Prski. It's advisable for dust removal and fresh thermal paste on CPU and GPU modules in early MacBook Pro laptop versions before heading off into the unknown in the middle of nowhere. 
Below is a screen-shot from Dario's YouTube video showing the mass build-up of accumulated dust from 2 years of activity usage of a MBP Laptop. ​

Back-Up OEM Camera Batteries 

"It's advisable to stock-up with a few spare batteries before heading off-shore"

There are those who have used 3rd party camera batteries for years without issues, but there are others who have had camera bodies exploding to bits because of using wing bling cloned batteries. One question arises if insurance coverage actually covers the use of using 3rd party batteries in cameras - it's worth to read the insurance fine print policies on this issue. Other problems with 3rd party batteries are the lifespan, and battery drainage. During the course of over-landing through countries and continents most photo-gear is usually used in remote or extreme regions where there may not be a power source to recharge batteries for days on end. This is where batteries are put to the test, and relied upon to perform with minimal issues. Using batteries in zero+ minus degrees will deplete battery energy levels very quickly. One has to think seriously if 3rd party batteries are reliable enough in the middle of no where. The only 3rd party battery brand that has had good positive results is Wasabi. Personally, I use OEM batteries, and have actually just purchased 3 Nikon EN-EL4a batteries replacing 3 other OEM batteries that have been working for 6 years. Rating 10/10

Point & Shoot - Which One?

Whether point and shoots are used as the main camera (smart phone camera + Point & Shoot), or as a secondary backup for those using DSLRs - these little lightweights always come in handy somewhere during overland journeys. Point & shoots are useful for on the go snaps while in transit mode in bush-buses, trains, or in any other transport rattling across countries. There's an increasing trend capturing location shots, street snaps and video through continents using lightweight photo-gear. Mini point and shoots today are barley different having the same advanced technology from one brand to another. Most reputable designs have 4K video, Raw, with touch or pullout display monitors. I personally travel with a point & shoot using it as a backup with DSLRs. The Fuji and Leica shown above were used through various overland journeys across Asia and Africa. The Sony RX100V gets a 9/10 Rating. The Sony 100V captures great snaps and has 4K video. Two, or even three batteries are recommended with this model when . The downside using most point & shoots is if they're suddenly dropped to the ground - rendering them as paper weights. 

Small point and shoots are capable of capturing great random street snaps almost anywhere. The above image only took a few seconds of interaction  time to grab the attention of these locals at a busy intersection. I even caught the attention of the police looking at what was happening. 

Are you already travelling with a DSLR? if so, having a little lightweight point and shoot as well, will always come in useful as a backup secondary camera for capturing on the go snaps during transit journeys. At times. a point and shoot becomes more convenient to use in certain locations.     

The above quick-snap was taken while grabbing a chai, there was zero-time to adjust settings. The slow 1/20th of a second @ f/1.8 easily managed to capture this closeup shot without blur.   

The Sony RX100 V is a great little point and shoot for both closeup or wide captures (24mm-70mm equivalent). The above hotel snap was taken from inside a moving vehicle just for fun. It was captured wide open @ 1/15th of a second. The Sony RX100 V gets 9/10.

The image above was captured from inside a moving vehicle. On most occasions, I return to the same location on foot with DSLR photo-gear. Below, a narrow side-street that had a dozen or so young locals sitting, hanging out together. It took under a minute of interaction time to round them up to grab this snap with a Sony RX100 V. Anythings possible using any photo-gear - no matter the brand with basic interaction skills.

Protect Yourself - Is it Needed? You Decide!

It's no joke, protecting yourself is required wandering around after dark in many countries today, If not - you're a fool. This is an issue when travelling on buses, and trains transiting through the night with baggage, and photo-gear without security. Foreigners have different outlooks on how to protect themselves travelling solo through Africa and SouthAmerica. Mace, pepper spray, an extendable baton, a taser or stun gun, or even a base ball bat are tools of defence that may or may not work to stop an all out mugging, robbing-rape-assault. This also depends where and what continent it is. For instance, South America  has been a robbing paradise for decades, and continues with foreign tourists being mugged and robbed non-stop around the clock everyday. No other continent matches it. Local police, news media, and tourism companies sweep tourist street thieving under the carpet. Local street thieves, organised gangs, and bandits all know fresh plane loads of European, north American, Canadian, Aussies, Kiwis and Asian tourists arrive into the continent daily. The potential of fresh targets to rob, mug or rape are endless. Even foreign tourists are into robbing other tourists, because it's so simple to do. Remember, this is about the dark-side of South America, and else where which barley scratches the surface by western "solo travel bloggers" - they're all too busy wanting to sell you the happy side of travel-bliss to earn their cash flow of whatever tourism click bait they have on offer - it's the truth!
The easiest way of avoiding confrontation, is by travelling with others, although being held-up by highway bandits during transit won't help. Observing, analysing and using your own instinct to think, act, move, to defend yourself within seconds is required out from the areas of  "safe-zones'. This becomes the an automatic procedure travelling on your own. Knowing basic instinct, using little hesitation, the reaction time to protect or defend yourself and your baggage becomes quicker, and faster over a short period of time.
Some reading this may disagree, ignoring the above as overkill, thinking it's not at all like this - you're being over cautious? Too careful! Watching out all the time, my baggage and stuff isn't worth fighting for, or it's not that dangerous! 
OK, so how many foreigners leave their hotel rooms unlocked while out and about or when fast asleep? or place baggage in safe lockers? or don't feel safe out and about in certain regions with photo-gear? If you own or rent a vehicle off-shore,  do you leave it unlocked with keys in the ignition anywhere in South America or Africa? At hotel and backpacker establishments, no one hides personal valuables hidden under bed pillows. imagine any region without safe lock-up storage and zero security.
This is why South America, and the majority of Africa are the robbing mugging paradises on the planet. This is mainly the root-cause and fault from other docile foreign tourists who allow themselves to be robbed and mugged, which could have been avoided in the first place.
The cycle of mugging, robbing, and assault is constantly very active year in-year out. This has made it even more difficult for the many real solo overland travellers out there - who do value their safety and baggage, who analyse, act, and use their instinct to protect and defend themselves, and whatever belongings they may travel with.
The image above shows an original stun-gun I had purchased legally in South America in the 80's. It got me, and my photo-gear through South and Central America to New York city overland - taking 18 months, without one thief robbing my stuff. It would of been a different story if I didn't travel defensively protecting what  possessions I travelled with. Since then, on 3 different overland journeys through South America - nothing has changed, It's business as usual for thieves, street gangs, and bandits picking off their victims as they wish. Daytime street thieves and the more aggressive night thieves have failed to take anything I have travelled with. Other westerners I've met en-route in South America and Africa weren't so lucky - call it ignorance, or the lack of knowing what surroundings having criminal activity. Those out there in possession with stun-guns should leave them behind in countries where it's legally permitted. Entering Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or the UK with a hand held stun gun is illegal. Rating 10/10

One second zapps with a stun gun on a fresh venomous snake, scorpion or spider bite will decrease heart beat and swelling within minutes, and probably end up saving your life if in the middle of nowhere in wilderness regions. Holding the stun gun directly over the bite and zapping 4 cross lesion shocks, rotating the contact points around the bite is sufficient enough.

Sunnies - Protect Your Eyes

Everyone needs a dose of natural vitamin D from sunlight from time to time, but penetrating UV rays directly into the eyes for to long will cause irreversible long term damage to the retina. A good quality pair of sunglasses is recommended in any outdoor environment without cloud cover. Purchasing cheap wing bling brands should be avoided unless you want to go blind earlier than expected. This includes those who purchase pairs of sunglasses only for their trendy colour design. Any quality sunnies will have 100% UV protection, and come with a long term guarantee, or warranty. Ray Ban and Oakley brands have had a good track record for decades. Both brands are still designing quality sunglasses with different budget price levels.  Both Ray Ban and Oakley receive a 10/10 Rating  

Ray Ban sunglasses have a good track record for their quality frames and glass. Ray Ban's Wayfarer model was recently updated with a smaller modern mini front glass design with the original solid frame. I recently updated on one these models replacing a pair of of older RayBan biker glasses that were purchased in 1997. That's 21 years using the same pair of shades throughout the planet - reliability can't get better than that.  Rating 10/10

Wearing no eyewear protection in high altitude white-out regions will quickly give most people snow blindness (photokeratitis) within a short period of time. A set of wraparounds with adequate UV coatings will keep eyes safe in snowy landscape terrain, polar regions, and when trekking within snow clad mountains. Snow and glacier googles are other options for snow boarders and skiers. The set of wraps below from Decathlon were used for 4 weeks in heavy thick snow terrain giving 100% eye protection.  Rating 10/10

Rehydration Fix in Transit 

Drinking litres of bottled mineral water everyday may sound good, but it actually doesn't replace or add any minerals when perspiring or sweating. A quick healthy fix to replenish lost minerals is either a glass of fresh squeezed lime, or lemon juice blended together with Himalayan salt, or a packet of rehydration salts mixd in a litre of water. I've meet many foreigners through the years in transit who were totally drained of energy showing symptoms of body mineral loss. Guzzling down litres of bottled water may quench your thirst, but it will not replace lost natural body minerals. 
The above image shows a street vendor preparing a fresh rehydration fix with freshly squashed lime juice and a sprinkle of pure Himalayan salt. Mini packets of rehydration salts can be purchased in pharmacies or from side street kiosks throughout most of Africa, Asia and South America when necessary.   Rating 10/10 

Domke - Protection Wrap-Up​ 

Domke Wraps protect anything from scratching itself to bits in transit mode - A small investment that pays off Big Time 

Domke wraps are the ultimate solution to protect fragile items like camera bodies and lenses, external hard drives, and other sensitive equipment from rubbing, grinding and scratching inside baggage during any travel or transit journey. Domke wraps are available in various sizes, and are also colour coded for easy identification if multiple items are wrapped and packed together. Domkes are quick and easy to use - just place the item in the centre, and flap each side over the object, and seal it tightly using the sewn in velcro tabs on each corner. I've used Domke wraps for years to protect camera lenses. Rating 10/10   Domke Wraps

Overland Travel - Sub-Zero Zones

Cold affects people in various ways, even if wearing clothing designed for sub-zero temperatures. Locals living within cold climates around the planet all share one thing in common - they use thick blanket rugs wrapped around them to keep the cold out. I've done the same countless times when staying at locations for weeks on end. Purchasing a thick blanket for $10 bucks will keep wind-chills at bay and stops the bone rattles. On departing from cold regions, giving blankets away to someone else is always appreciated. Rating 10/10

​Travelling into high-altitude regions with extreme sub-zero temps will require more than wrap around blankets. Lightweight feather down jackets are essential to protect from the cold bite of temps below minus -10C. Both Decathlon feather filled jackets below, including layers of thermo clothing were used during mid-winter at altitudes averaging 4000 metres with sub-zero temps between minus -10C to -minus 30C. Rating 10/10

​​Lonely Planet - Useful or Not?​

Decades ago the LP Shoestring versions were written by "hardcore overland" travellers who put their sweat and effort collecting all the necessary information required to transit and travel through a continent. Today, LP has become more like a pina colada beach book, which has slowly slid downhill when the BBC had purchased LP from Tony Wheeler in 2007. BBC flicked LP down the road, and resold it to NC2 Media in 2012. In my personal opinion, the only useful information LP always did have - which has rarely changed for any country, are the map diagrams covering bus, train, Embassy, and budget accommodation locations.
All these places still exist in the same areas of most cities since LP was first created in the 1980's (Shoestring), and still remain in the same locations today. Personally, I haven't carried LP guide books in my baggage for decades, and prefer gathering all my information fresh from the locals themselves, or from other foreigners transiting from a direction I'm heading towards, which has always worked - Fresh information is always Best. It's up to the individual to decide if a fat thick overweight book has enough ingredients between the covers to lug around through a continent.  
Even worse, are the "travel blogger" generation, with new ones popping up every 2 minutes online. Many mirror image themselves off following the footsteps of LP, writing about fancy hotels, food, bars and beaches, and lest we not forget - constructed selfies at trendy locations that enhance themselves more than the location itself  - wow "so cool" yes?   
In reality, one only needs to quick reference Tony Wheeler's 1973 "across Asia on the cheap" to understand that most overland travel routes, cities, accommodation locations, and transit points still remain exactly in the same place and have never moved - I do wonder sometimes if the majority of millennial and Gen Z travel bloggers actually know anything about overland travel and transit history through the continents?, or even comprehend that everything they blog and post about today has already been done repeatedly countless times before they were born? but hey, there are a few good solo overland travel bloggers out there - they know who they are. LP  Rating 2/10

The above page was randomly chosen from a 2007 11th edition LP. It's not much different from the latest 2019 LP version on areas, locations and places to stay. Most fixed transit points of entering or exiting major cities, towns or villages remain the same. Nothing much has changed or moved regarding where the majority of backpackers are located. Even central city train stations and bus locations still remain where they have always been for decades. India, Japan, Egypt, Nepal, Iran, Thailand, South Africa, Peru, Bangladesh and Chile are quick examples of this.
This also applies to the majority of most major cities and locations around the globe, unless a super strong pole shift moved everything overnight. If you were to research any original "Shoe String" editions from the mid 80's before LP became fashion, travel locations have never moved and still remain as they were 4 decades ago.
The only changes or additions worth to mention are of an expanded network of backpacker establishments and eateries within the same locations, which are usually sprawling out from the original tourist ghettos like Khoasan Road in central Bangkok (established in the early 1980's). Wildlife regions, national park reserves, road routes, including the majority of global archaeological sites still remain virtually unchanged.
​The snaps below are quick examples showing nothing much has changed, remaining exactly the same through the decades within the same locations.   

If you're into the latest accommodation, trendy cafe hangouts, or bars and beach locations - Lonely Planet is for you. The majority of overland transit points from A to B still remain in the same places as they were 4 decades ago. Towns, cities, coastlines, and historical locations haven't moved, nothing much has changed - only hyperactive "travel bloggers" repeating the same parrot jargon amongst themselves, which has already been done a hundred thousand times before they were born.  

Airline Carry On Baggage - Getting Ripped Off?

The global airline industry earns mega billions each year ripping everyone off with baggage weight surcharges. Did you know that most commercial passenger jets would allow each person to board with 40+kg of luggage without any issues? Checked and carry-on baggage weight allowances is a joke, and all the airlines know it. The difference of each passenger's weight alone is proof of this. If a flight has one third, or even half of its passengers weighing 50-60 kilos, while the other half are averaging 90-110 kilos, then where is the logic of excess baggage weight?
This is the airline industry's cash cow. They would prefer to keep their baggage tariffs as it stands without change. Airlines have no way of regulating a passenger's weight, because it then becomes discriminatory of each person's individual weight - imagine the up-roar with passengers who are overweight, or obese. Only Tonga airlines regulate their passengers' weight with surcharges. In all fairness, a passenger's weight should determine the amount of how much baggage each passenger is allowed on any flight without charge.
Those who do have fragile items like external hard drives, or photo-gear, extra camera lenses, and prefer them on board, a legal grey area that airlines don't regulate still exists - as yet. All that's needed is a jacket, or a coat with lots of pockets. Fill the pockets up with whatever is legal to carry on board (no batteries, and the usual bans), and walk on through wearing the jacket to your seat. Once the flight hits 30,000 feet, then off-load everything into your carry-on baggage, or in to an extra empty bag. I've done this countless times - without any issues. You do get smiles, and smirks from security check controllers when putting everything though the scanner, but it's not an issue. Some countries like the USA may have weird rules and regulations with this procedure, but in Europe, the Pacific, Asia, Africa, and South America the security check controllers don't blink an eyelid. The image above shows the amount this particular jacket held on one particular flight (2 mac minis, 8 lacie hard drives, 5 std hard drives, 1 UDMA hard drive, 1 Sony power bank, 1 RRS mini tripod kit, and 1 classic iPod). This link is a custom airport jacket, another alternative  https://youtu.be/hviF2sr4aq0 
If you want to save hard earned cash for better purposes rather than wasting it on rip-off kilo surcharges most major airlines charge - try the above. 

Overland Travel - Soft Drugs In Transit

Since the 1960 hippie days, travelling through Asia smoking weed and hashish was normally a part of anyone's daily habit. Locals smoked, so what was the problem? Today, cannabis rules are rapidly changing, with many countries relaxing restrictions. The chances of being corrupted smoking weed in countries that are considered "grey areas" like Colombia, India, South Africa, Turkey etc will depend on who's doing the busting, and where the location is. Normally, a bust begins by the help of local street sellers who earn a percentage of any tip-off. The more foreigners caught in a single bust has better payout commissions. Depending on the type of drug, a payout will be much higher for cocaine than weed. In western countries cannabis laws fluctuate with New Zealand, Singapore, and Japan having super strict laws banning weed, and utensils with hefty fines. Foreigners caught with large quantities of cannabis or used utensils like bongs and pipes may receive jail time before being deported.
Travelling into the above mentioned countries may require a drug test depending how you look and present yourself on arrival. Airport drug dogs will automatically smell out checked-in baggage for residues of hash, weed, or other drugs, including dogs that are trained to sniff all passenger seats just after dis-embarking. Bringing in unused or used chullims and pipes will get you on the first available flight out of some countries, and probably black-banned to re-enter for a year or two. Foreign visitors travelling overland through any country carrying drugs, or in possession with used utensils today is a no-brainer.
Random drug searches, beach bar busts, backpacker busts and individual pavement busts are more common than most realise. I've lost count over the decades of how many foreigners I've seen who have been randomly searched and busted, and had to pay large sums of cash to avoid arrest. Even though countries like Morocco, Lebanon, Peru, Nepal, Bolivia, Cambodia, and Paraguay have an over supply of home grown drugs, many foreign visitors can easily be manipulated and convinced by local street sellers that there's nothing to worry about. Smoking and carrying a stash of weed for personal use maybe legal in your own country, but think twice if it's actually worth the bribe payouts or even jail time in other countries which may include deportation and lengthy black-bans that have caught many foreigners off-guard off-shore. 
UK, Australian, New Zealand customs have various techniques of establishing if foreign visitors have been in contact with any type of "illegal drug". The smelling of airline passenger seats by drug dogs after disembarking, and the swabbing of smart phone displays catch many out. This can then be used as evidence at the discretion of custom officers. Depending what type of drug was used off-shore, and whatever customs may find stored in smart phones, laptops and external hard drives will determine the end-result - this includes all social media activity  - scary stuff -Yes?  welcome to Orwell 84!   

Boots In Transit Mode - Which Brand?

Don't be fooled by Appearance and Packaging. The reliability of any product today no matter what brand it is should be well researched before splashing out cash. The warranty of any product should also be questioned before purchase, especially if the warranty will be valid for repair or replacement worldwide no matter what county it is. Warranties are the most important factors when purchasing boots if they happen to fall apart in the middle of nowhere - and need repairing or replacing. This is important for those who are travelling and transiting through continents for long periods at a time!
The following is an except email reply from Sportiva Italy, in regards to a pair of  Lhoste GTX  boots that fell apart (sole separation) during the middle of an overland travel and transit journey in Asia (Singapore to Nepal)
"Unfortunately, as per our usual procedure, we don’t have the possibility to accept claims from final customers. We can only advise you to turn directly to the shop where you bought them, so that they can make a proper evaluation and decide whether to forward a claim request." 
How does the above help anyone with failed Sportiva boots who are already travelling and transiting in South America, Africa, or Asia?

In today's market the choice of choosing the ultimate all round hiking boot that has comfort and reliability are many, although some top brands have failed lately with design flaws that have made customers look elsewhere. La Sportiva is one boot manufacturer that is guilty of shoddy workmanship. I can say that, because I've had three failures with three different designs of La Sportiva boots with three different issues , in three different continents - over a period of three years. La Sportiva is well known for their mountaineer and hiking boots, which are famous for being a tough robust design. Pulled stitching, rusted eyelets, and sole separation (delaminating) were never an issue, but La Sportiva as of late have all three of these issues on many of their different boot designs. The images shown are three different pairs of La Sportiva boots in which all three failed - each pair within 1 year of usage. The black GTX Lhoste - made for the U.S. market was the worst culprit. The entire sole separated at the front and rear of one boot, which happened while in transit mode over-landing through the Indian sub-continent. La Sportiva's customer service was also appalling when contacted. Personally, I would not recommend any La Sportiva products due to poor construction, and cheap materials that are being used. The rusted eyelets show that La Sportiva are minimising costs by eliminating stainless steel eyelets that were used on their earlier designs. 
​One must also be aware if purchasing La Sportiva products from any non-affiliated La Sportiva stockiest which will automatically void any warranty. A cheap wing bling Chinese manufactured pair of boots costing $5 bucks may have been a better choice, especially for the amount a pair of La Sportiva boots cost, and how long they take to fall a part. Reliability is an investment policy for any company - including a company's brand name, and especially for those who purchase a well-known brand design that's advertised to do the hard yards - something that La Sportiva has sadly failed on miserably. Comfort Rating  9/10, Reliability 1/10  Customer Service 1/10 

Evidence - 3 Different Designs of La Sportiva Boots  

"Reliability is an investment policy for any company - including a company's brand name & Customer Service"

La Sportiva Karakorum boots that have failed from design flaws. The stitching and sole separation (delaminating) were the main issues. La Sportiva have minimised costs by eliminating stainless steel eyelets with cheaper coated steel eyelet clones on many of their newer designs. This will result in rusted eyelids if boots come in contact with salt water or within thermal volcanic areas. The left image shows sole separation, and rusted eyelets. The right image shows material separation from poor stitching, the eyelets on this design were stainless steel.  

The above and below images are a  pair of La Sportiva Lhoste GTX boots that were purchased brand new in New Zealand. They were the replacement (at my own cost) from the previous pair of La Sportiva boots which failed from delaminating (sole separation) after 11 months. This pair of Lhoste GTX boots had pulled completely apart without warning - while in transit mode through India. Crampons were never used, and they never touched salt water. Notice the tread - it's hardly worn. Contacting La Sportiva head office from the middle of India while en-route heading north to Nepal requesting a quick solution (repair/replacement) was denied - origin of purchase only! That's like a kick in the guts when you're already down - Thank you La Sportiva for your great customer service. Your boots don't get any positive acclaim on this page due to the lack of "final customer claims" for those who have purchased La Sportiva boots, and have had major failure issues with them while off-shore!
I'm certainly not the only customer over the last decade who has complained about Sportiva failures:   Mountain Project1   Mountain Project2    Mountain Project3   Katanas   UKC 1   UKC2   Amazon: Fit great, but fell apart after 2 uses.  March 2016 Out of the box these were amazing feeling boots. A good amount of support without being to stiff or heavy. After the first use however the rubber rand around the toe started to peel back. After the second use the sole started delaminating from one boot and the rand was peeling back on both boots. I called LaSportiva and got no support, they said to take them back to where I bought them. Lucky for me I bought them on Amazon Prime and was able to send them back without any issue. I have since spoken with other people in my field (public lands management) who had similar problems with this boot. I was really disappointed in the quality for such an expensive boot.
La Sportiva Raptor GTX complete failure

Multi Charger & Batteries - What's Good?

There's more than enough different make and model battery chargers on the market to sink a ship, but one brand stands out for its reliability with different battery size options - the Intell-charger i4 from Nitecore. This particular model will charge all battery sizes from the miniature Li-Ion through to the 69.3mm length 18650 battery. I've used this model since it was introduced a few years ago, and has worked like a charm without issues. The Japanese made Sanyo eneloop 1900 mAH rechargeable batteries are probably the best pick of the bunch, which also comes with a 5 year warranty. To keep Airlines happy, and more importantly without loosing expensive rechargeable batteries by airport security staff scanning checked in baggage, it's advisable to place all loose batteries in protective cartridges. An added measure to please airport security is to attach electrical tape over the positive poles of each battery. I've done this several times with a pile of batteries without any loss or seizure by airport security staff departing on flights from Europe, and the Pacific. Rating 10/10  Full data specification on the Intell-charger here

Travel & Transit - Adaptor Plug

Sick and tired of cheap wing bling plug-in adapters? The Swiss made Skross is a multi-fit power plug-in adapter that's robust quality, and won't fail any test. I've used 2 for the last 6 years without any issues. Several models are available, and can be purchased off e-bay.  This particular model from Skross does not have an earth slot for Australian and NZ plugs. Removing the earth pin by hacksawing it off is a quick fix - which I've done to a multi plug extension that has its own auto circuit breaker. Rating 9/10  http://www.skross.com/en

Large Backpacks - Which Make?

Never purchase a backpack just because you like the colour - It's a No Brainer and Big Mistake!

As the saying goes - you get what you pay for - yes? Backpacks with a fully adjustable harness system made with quality material and stitching are the main values of any backpack. Those who have done the mileage through continents, or who have mountain trekked know how important a reliable backpack is, and probably stick to their own favourite brands. Cheap made wing bling backpacks have the three usual flaws in craftsmanship - the harness system, stitching, and material. A good harness is fully adjustable to a person's back. A bad harness on anyone's back lugging 18kgs will eventually give back, and spinal pain after a few hours within rough terrain environments. The failure of shoddy material and stitching is another main issue with cheap designed backpacks, which fall apart after a few months of aggressive transit abuse. Cheap branded backpacks are not recommended for long term travel and transit through the continents. When a backpack failure happens, it's usually somewhere in the middle of nowhere. A broken harness caused by weak stitching happens. Local transport operators will also test your backpack to the limits when baggage is loaded and off-loaded from bush buses, boats, and vehicle boot compartments. Any fragile contents inside a backpack will become vulnerable and damaged if not placed and packed down properly. This has been an on-going issue that many find out when the damage has already occurred. Quality backpacks use rain-proof material which can sustain heavy downpours all day without a drop of water penetrating through the outer layer. A protective cover wrap is the "new" deception, which has actually flawed many backpack designs to use thinner, and weaker materials. The Macpac brand from N.Z. has been around since the 70's, and still manufacture some of the same classic designs today. The Macpac Torre is one of them, and has always been a favourite with highland trekkers and mountain climbers. The Torre has a single tube compartment, with a waterproof outer layer. The harness system is superb, which uses a swivel quantum design that rotates in harmony keeping the balance weight, and load at corrected angles.  A quality pack will always out last any cheap brands out there. Reliability come first - make sure to choose wisely - it's your back that will suffer in the long term. Images: Macpac Torre that was used in Europe, New Zealand, and though out South America for 12 months - Rating 9/10 

Cactus Backpack - 5 Year Global Warranty 

Cactus N.Z. is one manufacturer that stands by their products - no matter what. The Patrol Backcountry backpack is designed for rugged outdoor regions in any environment. It was initially made as a snow pack to carry optional items, and accessories for outdoor extreme sports. The Patrol pack has a single tube compartment, with a top flap pocket, and three slim outer pockets. I have used one of these for the last eight years, which has done the hard yards lugging 20kg throughout South America, Africa, and Asia. It's the only backpack that has handled all types of abuse thrown at it. The material and stitching has never failed nor faltered, and the pack has never used an outer cover transiting overland through the continents - This is one tough backpack! Cactus NZ gives a full 5 year warranty on this model no matter what happens to it. Rating 10/10   Cactus Website

Voltage - Power Bank Backup

Charging on the go can't get easier than traveling with a good reliable power bank in the middle of nowhere. There are many brands to choose from, with the majority having a 3.7 volt 10,000 mAh Li-on battery. Don't leave home without one if you're transiting with a pile of electronics that require a boost of juice. They come in handy especially when cell phones are used for recording videos and time-lapse clips - which will drain cell phone batteries in no time. Rating 10/10 Images: Sony brand mini power bank  

Music Gadgets In Transit - What's Good?

Most travel and transit journeys on public transport through South America and Africa will have their own supply and taste of music on board. There's actually no escape from salsa or reggaeton in most parts of South America which adds to the overland transit ambience, especially on a bus at 2am in the morning at full volume. Over the years I've had my fair share of different "on the go" audio accessories and music storage with some that were useless and a few that have survived wear and tear in transit. One surviving storage device that's still operating as it should, believe it or not, is the classic 160GB iPod. The overland mileage this iPod mounts to is tens of thousands of kilometres through all the continents - not only once, but a few times since it was purchased more than a decade ago. It's been brutalised, abused, and even dropped a few times in its life, and it's still working and functioning with no issues, and still uses the original battery even today. The iPod classic is great on long haul transit journeys and stores 160GB of audio tracks. It can also function to any speaker of choice via bluetooth with an added LDream transmuter unit. iPod Classic rating 10/10
The amount and variety of headphones on the market today is a like maze. I personally use a set of cheap wing bling headphones for most overland transit journeys, and a mini Bose set at hotels, backpackers, or other accommodation when noise is an issue. The Bose headphone set puts out good sound quality and comes with a durable protective hard case. Rating 10/10  
An external speaker is pushing the limit of extra baggage and weight that's not really necessary, but there are some really good mini speakers on the market that are worth their weight and price tag. One brand is the JBL bluetooth Charge 2, 3 0r 4. It pumps out quality sound on steroids as long as you want 24hr non-stop. I've used one through Asia for the last 3 years with no issues - apart from its extra weight it gets a 9/10 Rating.  

Apples iPod Classic is still the number one mini music storage for overland travel and transit in 2019. A standard  iPod can hold 160GB of music, and if needed, be updated with a 256GB, or even larger flash drive from OWC Mac Sales.

Hand Made Wayuu Mochila Bags - COLOMBIA​

The Colombian Mochila is the most versatile shoulder bag design globally. They're all hand crafted and made by Indigenous Indians within rural regions in Colombia. The design and their shape are virtually impossible for any thieves to put their paws inside them when attached over the shoulder! Nearly every Colombian has one. Each bag design motive represents the region where it was crafted. Adding an inside liner makes these bags last for decades. The mochila in the image on the left was purchased in Bogota 30 years ago, and has done the hard yards over-landing throughout South and Central America, USA, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Pacific, and it's still in great condition - That's Quality! All 3 bag designs shown above originate from the Northern regions of Colombia. Colombian handmade mochilas can be purchased directly from local indigenous themselves. You can also have your own unique colours and design. The waiting time to complete a finish mochila will depend on the volume of orders. The cost difference is also heavily reduced than what most boutique shops charge through the country that stock them.  Rating 10/10 

SD & Compact Flash Storage - On The Go

There are many options and ways to store video and camera raw files, with everyone having their own personal preferences. Backing up your photos, videos, and other data from compatible memory cards with a Hyper Drive Colorspace UDMA is a good option. The Colorspace UDMA has a couple of good advantage over other storage devices. It can be purchased as a bare shell, and can accept almost any hard drive in to its mainframe - including solid state drives of any GB capacity. The UDMA runs its juice from an integrated 2600mAh lithium-ion battery, which can be recharged vis a USB connection. The latest UDMA design uses an Ultra Direct Memory Access interface to transfer data at speeds up to 27 MB/s. The HyperDrive's color LCD screen enables viewing of JPEG and RAW files on the device. A built-in Wi-Fi functionality eliminates the need for an external wireless adapter, and enables the transfer between compatible devices at speeds up to 150 MB/s. Rating 9/10 Image: An early version of a Sanho Colorspace UDMA which has travelled overland in my baggage through the African, South American, and Asian continents since 2009. It's still working perfectly (Jan 2018), which shows how reliable the design is -  An investment that I can personally guarantee 100% satisfaction!  

Extreme Sub-Zero Mid Winter Gloves 

Are you travelling to high altitude sub-zero mid-winter temps? A couple of different design gloves are necessary for normal use, and photography. Icebreaker have ultra thin gloves with embedded grips that work well holding on to stuff in extreme freezing cold environments. They can easily fit inside thicker gloves when on the go wading through snow carrying photo-gear. Open flip gloves (mittens) are another option, but exposing fingers too long below -30C (-22F) becomes unbearable after a few minutes at altitudes above 4000 metres. I've used the designs shown below in extreme cold, with all three showing positive results. Rating 9/10

Cell Phones - Flaws and Limitations!

Cell phones today have probably reached their limitations as far as image quality goes. Maybe Raw is down the pipeline? I really don't care what other junk they come with. I only use cell phone cameras for location snaps, transit on the go videos, or during rare occasions without a camera. I've tested the above models. They all have their own downsides for quality and reliability. The iPhone 5s 1G/64GB maybe old, but still good for snaps. It takes good videos, including Time-lapse captures. The 5s is small, light and probably the best from the above 5 smart phones. The BB Q5 camera for its age produces reasonable daytime images and videos, and can also handle drop tests all day long. The newest version BB Key2 has an Android operating system, it takes average images in daylight and suffers like most smart phones after dark producing grainy images. The Asus Zen, also an Android operating cell - a bang for the buck, it takes reasonable quality images and videos in daylight. The Chinese made MI gets the lowest rank, even though it comes with a large megapixel camera - the only good images it does take are selfies - which isn't one of my addictions. Chinese smart phones may already have additional integrated malware which can be used to extract data without the user knowing it. Without any doubt, the older iPhone 5s comes out as the overall winner from the above 5 for capturing images and videos. The 5s still has the Apple backup of keeping it alive with OSX Mojave software updates. This YouTube link from June 2017 shows a few of the "famous smart phone brands" being put to their limits in drop and throw tests. The Blackberry KeyOne was the only cell phone that survived all tests without a protective hard case cover.

Smart Phone Drop Protect 

Have you ever regretted not protecting your smart phone from drop damage? Every day 1000's of people think about it until it's too late, and end up with a damaged smashed phone beyond repair. Some are lucky enough to have 3-4 drops before a phone completely fails. A small investment in a protective case will keep any smart phone from being damaged. Overland travel and transit journeys through continents will test most smart phone addicts beyond the limits over the boundaries to grab "that snap" no matter the difficulty. The classic iPhone 5s is still a great little pocket smart phone to travel with for taking videos, time-lapse, and images on the go in 2020. The OSX 12.1 update will get any 5s working and functioning like new, I still use a 64GB 5s because of its compact design, and the finished quality of what it can do. rating 9/10 

 Smart Phone Holder - On The Go! 

A multi fit RRS (Really Right Stuff) smart phone clamp attached to a mini handgrip holder ready for on the go snaps and video. The handgrip is also used as a screw bit tool holder with a selection of different bits stored inside the holder. Taking videos out af a moving bus can't be safer or easier.

Because the iPhone 5s can be updated with the latest IOS 12 software, it makes this model a great overland travel smart phone for capturing awesome images, videos, and Time-lapse. The RRS (Really Right Stuff) universal accessories for smart phones ensures images are captured without any issues.  

Looking for a reliable smart phone clamp? The RRS mini multi-adjust phone clamp will be the last one you'll ever purchase - It comes with a 5 year warranty replacement! You won't find anything better that can match this quality USA made product. Rating 10/10

Lightweight - Gore-Tex Tunnel Tent​​

Choosing the right tent for long term over-landing is relatively simple. It must be lightweight, small and compact enough to fit in a pack, waterproof and fast to assemble. Many tents have too many pegs and hoops to deal with - and take forever to assemble them. This becomes frustrating if arriving to a location in the dark after a day's slog. Single skin tunnel tents are a good choice; they are extremely robust, breathable and lightweight. A good example is this classic Macpac Gore-Tex tunnel tent (lightyear), It has 2 hoops, 3 pegs and weighs only 1.1kg.
​It takes under 2 minutes to fully erect or dismantle. The lightyear accommodates 2 people and can handle high altitude, and strong gusts if positioned in the right direct. I had purchased the Macpac Lightyear way back in 1982, and has seen and done some hardcore usage throughout the planet. Those that have this model know their value.  Rating 10/10

Tripod Bag - MBAG80P

The Manfrotto MBAG80P has been a proven reliable tripod bag since it was purchased in 2010. The concept design was thoroughly thought of using padded ballistic nylon, thermoform padded interior, and full length robust zipper. The MBAG80 has survived traveling overland through countries and crossing continents with zero issues! It's been packed to the brim with extra stuff during transit weighing in at 10Kg+ without fuss or bother. Without hesitation, the MBAG80P gets a  10/10 Rating.  More on the MBAG80P in the Photo-gear page

Laptop Dust Vibration & Malfunction - It Happens!

A laptops weakness is dust, dampness and vibration. laptops will always fail when you least expect them to. There's no escape from these issues when traveling through the middle of nowhere, if laptops aren't properly protected. Any long-term overland travel journey through any continent will test laptops to their limitations. Laptop failure happens all the time. Causes are many, with dust, dampness and vibration right up-there as major issues. The collection of dust particles can build up easily unnoticed on laptops very quickly. Laptop cooling fans clog-up and fail from piles of dust. A damp humid environment together with dust and vibration can cause motherboards. or other circuitry to fail.  Have you checked your laptop lately? if not, place it in natural ambient sunlight at different angles to check for dust build-up like the image shown above. You maybe surprised to notice more dust than you imagined. If dust particles aren't blown off, it will eventually end-up inside, and create issues in the future. ​

If you think your laptop is good, maybe it is - when placed on tables at home, or in other comfy zones. Most laptops have limitations of how much abuse they can handle. Laptops were never designed to take extreme torment for long periods of time. Some bone breaking overland transit routes off the tarmac will vibrate a laptop to bits if it's not securely packed. Laptops are the worst item to lug around - period. Over-landing through continents using basic transport - which I must express can be at times - rough as guts, will eventually destroy laptops not properly protected. Rattling vibrating dust filled transport, together with heat or damp conditions over long periods are all causes of laptop failure.
Some wonder why their laptops won't turn on or shutdown after a 2-3 day journey bouncing in all directions in dusty environments with unprotected laptops. It really does show what computers are capable of - which is not much as far as reliability goes when they leave a desktop. Even if laptops were to use protective casings or wrapped up deep down inside a pack - they're still unpredictable at a moment's notice. I've seen laptops on rough bush-bus journeys that have slipped out of daypacks from overhead storage smash to bits on the aisles. I've seen countless laptops from other foreigners through the continents that have been damaged due to the lack of not having adequate protection during transit.
A neoprene laptop sleeve with an outer Sea to Summit thin skin wrap will at least keep laptops safe from moisture and dust during transit. There is also a military case option for some models - link below. When any laptop is opened within humid, moist or damp regions, atmospheric vapour and other invisible elements gain access through the keyboard or heating vents. Over time, a build-up of decay increases on the logic-board and terminals. Wet humidity soaking on a monitor will eventually cause screen fogging. Spilling any forms of liquid onto laptop keyboards is another instant death. Shutting the computer down, and disconnecting the battery immediately is something of a by-gone era. Today the majority of laptops are impossible to open quickly enough to discontent the battery, with most having battery terminals soldered together. Those using older models can resuscitate their laptop with replaceable parts.
Laptops that have been drenched by spilt drinks or fluid must be thoroughly dried out first. The procedure of air drying each removable component must be done. A hair dryer will speed up the process if you're in a rush. Laptop memory sticks should be placed into anti-static bags. The assembly procedure is recommended within a dust free environment. Newer laptops with SSD are impossible to dismantle completely - make sure your insurance is up to date.
On a positive note, there's a few tablet designs on the market that can handle the great outdoor environment. One model  is the Yuma tablet by Trimble. This little machine is tougher than tough, surviving every test literally and physically. I used a Yuma through South America with positive results. It was test dropped, kicked and walked on, washed down a river, buried in snow, and baked in scorching heat. No fancy laptop or iPad would have survived what the Yuma went through for 16 months - and still function. The downside of this version was the limited storage capacity, the workstation, and adaptors that took up travel baggage space.
In general, laptop failures are common just sitting quietly on desktops, so imagine the added abuse, the bashing, grime, dust and vibration over landing up and down and across continents. Travelling with any fragile equipment without proper protection is just increasing the risk factor of total malfunction quicker  - especially laptops! There are many out there who know what I'm talking about.
Macbook slim military case option  https://youtu.be/sTovH0lnqUg

Silicon USB/HDMI/SD Port Plugs For Laptops

Have you ever wondered why USB terminal ports on early laptops after fail to work? - Corrosion. The usual cause is Dust mixed with moisture which eventually builds up inside the ports. You could be lucky that it's only a faulty cable. The easy solution to keep laptop USB/HDMI ports dust and moisture free is a set of multiple silicon port plugs. There are cheap wing bling port plugs on the market which are totally a waste of time to use and should be avoided - they just fall out after a week. I found a good quality set at a local computer shop years ago, they're still doing a great job on a Macbook pro. Rating 10/10

Immersion Rod - Quick Boil

How many times have you wanted a hot drink in the middle of the night at a cheap hotel during transit? There's also nothing like waking up in the morning sipping on a hot cup of tea or coffee before venturing outdoors. A mini immersion rod does the trick. There are many different makes and models on the market, but reliability and safety using cheap versions are dangerous, and should be avoided. I've tried various models which have either melted the socket pin casing or sizzled the internal wiring in the handle compartment. The mini Monex immersion rod shown above has so far proven to do the job it was designed for without melting of falling apart since 2016. It has a solid thick pin socket casing with a heavy duty handle that can be disassembled if necessary. The coil is also double the size of similar designs of the same length.  Rating 10/10

IP67 Rated Tablet - Yuma 1 From Trimble​

The Yuma SSD tablet is a tough unit that has an IP-67 rating for drop, extreme heat and cold, and is waterproof. The Yuma 1 version lacked storage space, so external hard drives were necessary. A laptop on the other hand has ample storage, but like all laptops, they're fragile within extreme conditions with no IP-67 ratings. Extensive overland transit journeys within extreme regions with different climates (including bump and grind) will destroy laptops if not properly protected. The Yuma 1 could handle any punishment that was thrown at it. 

​The Israeli IDF use versions of the Yuma tablet, including other military around the planet. The Trimble Yuma design is a reliable unit out in the field. The updated Yuma 2 version has an IP-65 rating. The newest Yuma 7 released in 2019 has an IP-68 rating.  Reliability Rating 10/10  

Downpours and Windblown Regions 

A small microfibre mini rain jacket like the North Ridge model shown above really comes in handy when a sudden downpour occurs. They're also handy for stopping cold freezing wind chills penetrating through clothing in mountain regions, or during winter season. Mini rainproof jackets can be usually purchased at any reputable camping store. I've used this one on many occasions from sea level to 4800 metres with good results. Rating 10/10   

Silica Gel - Stop Fungus! ​

If you're hanging out in sub-tropical environments, and travelling with camera gear, then silica -gel will do the job to suck all the moisture out of camera bags. Camera lens optics are vulnerable to get fungus spores within hot humid environments. It only takes a spec of damp dust trapped inside on a lens optic for fungus spores to begin contaminating across an optical glass like a spider web within weeks.  Orange silica gel crystals keep fungus controlled with photo gear in any environment. I can personally say these dry silica packs do work. This particular brand will  last about 5-7 days before needing a recharge in a microwave. Depending on the amount of moisture and humidity, the dry packs may need to be recharged earlier. The crystals will slowly turn from orange to brown. The cartridges can be placed directly into any microwave for 30-60 seconds, or remove the silica from the cartridges into a glass bowel, and microwave the gel for 60-90 seconds if using 10+ packets or more. It's important to allow the silica to cool down before re-heating again. The process will need to be repeated at least 5-6 times. Heating the gel in a oven is another option. Silica gel is an alternative to dry box storage. Photo-gear can also be placed in quality "sealed" travel suitcases with silica cartridges instead of a dry-box. Another option on short duration 2-3 week journeys are small sealed silica packets, which are normally used for food products. Throwing a pile of these inside camera bags will absorb, and keep any moisture at bay up to 3 weeks, but cannot be recharged or reused. Rating 10/10

Dropped External Hard Drive - Quick Fix​

Have you accidentally dropped an external hard drive lately? And now it just clicks, or hums without booting? And the hard drive is full of data? One of the causes is the driving arm head becoming stuck somewhere on the disc, and needs to be pulled back into its start position. A torx screwdriver and a dental hook tool are required with a work space clean from dust before disassembly. 
​The image snaps will hopefully help anyone with this problem. Retrieve and extract the data to another hard drive, and use the damaged hard drive for a paper weight. Note: this quick fix DIY is done at your own risk

Hands Free - Headlamp In The Dark​

Headlamps are far superior than using cell phone lights in the dark. Two free hands are better than one in any situation in the middle of the night. Most quality branded headlamps on the market have almost the same concept and futures in their designs from mini to mega lighting. Some have unbelievable "ultra-powered " lumens that can light up the night sky like daylight 600 metres away. If you’ve ever been stuck out at night without light, you’ll know the importance of a reliable headlamp. The Petzl brand has been around for decades with a wide range of lumen powered headlamps. My little el-cheapo - shown above was purchased in South Africa, it's waterproof, full metal construction, and runs its juice on a single AA battery. It's done more than its fair share of night work up and down Africa and across Asia since 2011, and it's still doing what it was designed for - giving light when it's required (Jan- 2020). Rating 10/10  - Another alternative is a mini Lum Cube . If one is based long-term somewhere in the continents like I am, a heavy duty MagLite D Cell with a powerful LED bulb will always come in handy for spotting wildlife, breakdowns in transit, and emergencies after dark. My MagLite D Cell shown below has been a proven reliable torch since the mid-90's still going strong.  Rating 10/10

Rugged Outdoors - Fire Steel Starter​

Heading in to the bush, or hiking, trekking, or hunting for a week or or two requires some basic emergency items in the pack just in case they're needed. One very small crafty tool that will come in handy when lighters and matches fail is a Fire Steel to light a fire. These can be purchase in most camping shops. Rating 9/10 This YouTube video explains more on how to use a Fire Starter     

Solid Mini Pod In Transit - An RRS Product​  

Looking for a good Mini Tripod? The RRS (Really Right Stuff) pod can be used to hold almost anything because of its quality and robust design. It can be used to mount most point and shoot cameras, mirrorless cameras, and certain cell phones (an adapter head and frame is required for cell phones). The RRS mini pod is crafted from metal, and CNC machined to perfection. The holder shown mounted to the mini pod is also an RRS design which has a dual purpose - A comfortable hand grip to hold a cell out of a window on a moving bus in transit when taking videos or snaps, and used as a precision tool bit driver with a selection of tool-bits that are stored inside the holder itself. It has an o-ring sealed removable twist bottom to protect, the tool-bits inside the holder when in transit. The tool-bits are CNC machined designed for photo gear repair, and stripping down camera lenses and bodies. The tool -bits can be used on most equipment out of Japan that may require re-tightening or to disassemble an item - USA Made.  Rating 10/10  More images here on this versatile RRS mini tripod pod and tool- bit holder.

For on the go overland travel or stationery anyway around the planet, the RRS (Really Right Stuff) mini tripod will do what it was designed for. The ease of setting it up can't be easier in any environment. When using the RRS extension holder,  a universal  3/8 - 1/4 inch adapter fitting maybe required, like shown in the image below on a Sony RX100 V.   

In Transit - Headwear

Buff Hoodies are the perfect solution for protection against extreme outdoor elements. The original Buff sleeve was designed in the early 90's for the sole purpose for neck and head protection. Buffs can be worn as a warmer in cold temperatures, and used as a sun scorching protector in hot regions. Wearing a Buff will also keep long hair from becoming clogged up with dust and grime during transit mode - especially on local bush-buses operating on dirt roads with open windows. I've been using Buffs through the continents for years with good results for what they were designed for. Rating 10/10 

Overland Travel & Transit - FIRST AID Kit

Something that we don't really worry about carrying until the moment when needed is a minimal first aid kit. When over-landing through the continents there will be times when a first aid kit comes in handy. Transport accidents, hiking fatalities, beach, ocean, desert and savannah cuts, and bites are a part of a long list of hazards that may eventuate from one minute to the next. Here's a quick list of what I usually carry for emergency purposes - A tick extractor, band aids, plaster tape, eye drops, neosporin powder, antiseptic cream, portable water purifier, alloy wrap sheet, vitamin B&D, garlic, ginger, manuka honey, tiger balm, liniment cream, tweezers, mini scissors, sharp knife.      

A knee compression brace pad is one item I've carried for years - and have used at times when hiking or accidentally knocked a knee cap. Rating 10/10

Survival & Camping  

Carrying a knife today can be complicated, but it's still legal if stored and packed in luggage. In the West, knives are frowned upon having different rules and regulations to blade lengths, which in some countries has dwindled down to 2 inches. When travelling through South America, Africa, or Asia one automatically notices the amount of different knives, machetes, and axes which are seen being used daily in markets and many street locations. The mini Swiss knife has always been a popular option to travel with, but it won't do all the tasks larger blades can handle. My reliable Bowie knife can open a can of food in 5 seconds. Choosing a quality knife depends on the steel it's made from which come with different price tags. Good knives are constructed with Damascus steel, an ancient process that's been around for 17 centuries which involves forging together multiple layers of steel to create a very strong blade. Most camping shops sell firearms usually have a large selection of knives to choose from. knives can be easily purchased through the continents for camping purposes, and then given away before on returning to western countries that have restrictions prohibiting the importations of certain knife designs. Switch flick blades and spring inverted knives should be avoided unless you're looking for trouble. The banning of carrying knives in public places is understandable in western nations that have high crime gang culture,  but don't blame the knife - it's the person who's holding the blade that commits the crime. 101 useful things a knife can do.

W49 Bowie Knife - 1981-2020...

A good quality survival knife for bush camping is hard to find these days. Many knives on the global market look good in appearance, but fail for their intended purpose when put to the test. The image shown is a classic Bowie W49 blade, which is a fine example of a heavy duty "old school" blade that can out perform most other knives on the market today. It can chop, and split wood, peel potatoes, chop up pumpkin, cabbage and other vegetables, fruit, slice fish, chop meat, and when razor sharp it can even slice a piece of thin paper in two. The W49 Bowie shown was purchased in 1981. It has travelled mega mileage, over landing through Africa, Asia, South America, Europe, USA, Australia and the Mid-East many times. Russian custom immigration officials at Moscow airport wanted to seize it on arrival. Iranian customs immigration land border officials wanted to purchase it. South Korean and Chilean officials didn't wink an eye-lid. The blade has even sliced and chopped date branches faster than a hydraulic cutting machine in Israel. It's now 2019, and this classic Bowie W49 blade is still a part of my overland transit baggage thru Asia. ​Large knives are not illegal to travel with if the knife is packed in "checked baggage" at airports. It is still legal to travel with a large blade overland crossing borders in Africa, Asia, South America, and the Mid-East. As long as knives are packed away in baggage when using local transport - there are no issues to deal with. It's not advisable, or even legal in some countries to carry a large blade inside a day pack with easy access to use it on the street (The UK, Australia, NZ). It's still legal to travel with long bladed knives when hiking, trekking and for camping purposes in most countries. The overland travel and transit history milage of the Bowie only covers the times it was taken on long-term journeys with many other overland transit trips that are not listed.   Rating 10/10   

Firearms

With the correct firearm licensees and permits, airlines allow the transportation of firearms on board flights. Pelican rifle cases are among a few top high quality brands that are approved by airlines. Gun cases must be securely locked with the owner holding the master key. Five kilograms of live ammunition is usually the maximum allowance packed in checked baggage. The problems and issues that do arise are the restrictions of each individual country that may or may not allow certain calibre's and rifle designs into the country. This has to be thoroughly researched before boarding any flight with firearms. Rules, laws and regulations with firearms are constantly changing every year. Travelling overland transiting through any continent with firearms is illegal and virtually impossible to do. The seizure of firearms with a lengthy time in a jail cell will result.

Photo Gear - A Rick Hemi Design

Sometimes, you have to make your own concept product that can with stand time itself. This Hemi rest-bag design was first scribbled on paper back in 2006 as a prototype. It was then marketed online, and sold at various retail shops with good success. I've been using the same old rest-bag since it was first made in 2006 - within "difficult" environments proving its reliability sustaining zero issues to workmanship and design. Traveling with it empty is lighter than a feather. On this  overland journey, dry sawdust was easily sourced to fill the bag. 
The rest bag is constructed with waterproof Codura fabric, velcro straps, YKK zip. (it's simple enough to make up your own rest-bag)
Camera lens rest-bags are useful saving precious time setting-up tripods at certain locations in tight spots in urban areas, or for sudden roaming wildlife. Using heavy lenses on rest-bags - like the 3.3Kg AFS Nikon 200-400 f4G VRII becomes more sustainable than hand-holding. No more missed shots, easy to position, safer and lower within any environment.
Image - Nikon D3 and AF-S 200-400 f/4G VRII lens in sub-zero temps 2020 - Hikkim region @4300M (14100 ft), average mid-winter daytime temp minus -12C. Photo-gear was used with zero issues at recorded temps of minus -25C. ​

In Transit - External Hard Drives

Cloud storage is great when there's an internet connection. In general, fast broadband is non-existent, or only running on 56k juice within many rural, or isolated environments throughout South America, Africa, and Asia. Uploading data to cloud storage will only function properly with a reliable fast line connection. Travelling with a couple of external hard drives is recommended if hundreds of raw files are collected each day. Connecting to cloud can always be done later when arriving to any city that has an active broadband service. Image: Lacie external hard drives  Rating 10/10 ​

Two Handy Items In Transit

A spare pair of replacement hiking bootlaces do come in handy in regions where good quality bootlaces are hard to find when they're needed. They're also a good substitute to hang washing and damp clothes on in a room. Normally there's always something solid in rooms to tie up a set of laces to hang clothes. Rooms with ceiling fans are best and will quickly dry clothing in no time. Using your own solid lock is recommended for added security of any room that has an outside bolt-shaft. Make sure the lock has spare keys and are also taken when out and about. Rating 10/10         

Multi Band Walkie Talkies

Walkie talkies are a luxury that are only needed for those who travel in pairs, but if traveling solo they can also be used at isolated locations with others during trekking, climbing, or any region with minimal sat/nav/cell communications.
A set with a 40+km range are recommended for locations that are built up, especially within mountainous areas. Mobile cell signals are useless in certain cases throughout the sub continents of Africa, South America and Asia. Walkie's are a good emergency backup if needed.
Don't flash these around in sensitive areas that may have military presence, or you may lose them, including a rigorous interrogation that may waste a day of your time.
​As of yet, Walkie's are not classified as sensitive equipment in most countries - except India, Pakistan, Iran, Saudi, Sudan & Russia. 
I have used the set shown - a pair of Midlands for more than 10 years with great results in mountainous regions. Most good brands today can be purchased at hunting shops. Rating 10/10  

CapeTown Amman CapeTown Overland - 1st Gen iPad 

The only reason why this iPad had survived an overland transit journey from Cape-town-Amman to Cape-Town was by using a good protective cover. If you want your gear to survive any hardcore transit trip - protect it, if not, screaming won't help when something fragile like iPads, laptops, or smart phones fail because of the lack of protection. This classic 1st Gen iPad had really gone through some serious torture from when it was first purchased. It's been dropped, walked on, knocked, bashed and bumped through its life span during transit mode - and it's still working and functioning perfectly even today, only because of it having a protective cover.
I've lost count on how many foreigners I've seen on the road that could have saved their laptops, cameras, lenses, and cell phones from instant death. If they had of invested on the necessary covers protecting their equipment, their gear would still be functioning.
In many cases, it's others who destroy other peoples stuff, caused by sudden mishaps. Spilling liquid on laptop keyboards in cafes, or dropping cameras on pavements, or smart phones suddenly slipping out of the hand happens when least expected.

There are some pretty cheap trashy laptop shell case skins on the market today with some falling apart just by looking at them. Good quality skins may cost triple the price, but if it's reliability you're looking for, the option of paying a little more for quality covers will pay-off lasting for years. The above, a ultra thin carbon skin by Ion is certainly one design that stands out from wing bling models. It's made from polyurethane and crafted on a highly durable lightweight polycarbonate sheet. It does the job protecting a monitor's casing from general wear and tear. The Ion skin has protected several laptops clocking up many years of overland travel without issues.  Rating 10/10

Dust & WaterProof Protection - Bag Your Gear 

Sea to Summit thin skin bags will keep dust and water at bay no matter what environment it is. They come in all shapes and sizes, and in different colours which makes it easy to identify packed items if multiple bags are used. Like Domke wraps, Sea to Summit bags are designed for one purpose - to protect and seal anything from getting wet. I've used these for years, and found them useful in high altitudes, wet weather conditions, and dusty environments. Rating 9/10   Sea to Summit

Warm Lightweight Clothing - ICBREAKER 

Icebreaker clothing is a brand that's made especially for the great out-doors lifestyle. Their designs are worn by Snow boarders, skiers, and mountain climbers around the globe. One of the main advantages of Icebreaker clothing are the different thickness layers which can be peeled off as the temperature rises. For example, a pair of Icebreaker 150 ultra thin long john thermos will keep your body warm through the night. Icebreaker clothing can also be worn for up to four days without giving off any smell or odour, and can be washed and dried under an hour in sunlight. Another great positive  of the Icebreaker brand - especially for overland travel and transit is their lightweight compact size.
​I've worn and used Icebreaker clothing for many years through all the continents in various climatic conditions with excellent results and reliability for wear and tear. Some of my tank tops are 10 years old and still going strong. Icebreaker clothing can be purchased online, or at reputable sports shops in Europe, USA , Australia and NZ  Rating 10/10

Photo Gear - In Transit​

Choosing the right photo-gear is a necessity for any long term over-land journey through the continents. Good used equipment can be found on eBay. Some of the best deals for photo-gear are from Japanese top rated eBay sellers, they're honest, reliable with great customer service. KEH Camera USA is another good source with a huge inventory of used photo-gear. You probably already know what you need - and what you don't need. 

The vast choice of photo-gear has become an endless tsunami each month with updated designed camera bodies and lenses hitting the global market. Don't become hypnotised by all the newest camera equipment that may or may not be better than what you're already using. The camera industry has always been in competition with itself which is nothing new. If you're camera-gear is working the way it should producing positive results - why replace it? There are some "classic" body designs that are still sought after because of their proven track record of reliability. The Nikon D3-D3s-D3x  series from 2007-2011 will wear you out. They were produced with large sensors with an unbelievable shutter count that can reach up to triple or more than their expected lifespan of 300,000 actuations. I've been using a D3 and D3s for six years through the Asian continent for random street photography, landscape, and wildlife. Both bodies have been used in extreme temperatures well below sub-zero to 5oC, hot humid environments, including monsoon rains with Zero issues. The two bodies are still being used today, and won't need replacing until something drastically malfunctions with either of them.  NASA and ISS had used the same bodies for years in their space programme - there were reasons for this in 1 word - Reliability Rating 10/10

There's not one lens on the market that can capture and cover everything as we wish. Wildlife lenses vary from 400mm up, while landscape, portrait, and street photography will usually require certain focal lengths with low light capabilities. Nikon through the decades have produced some amazing quality lenses with some dating back to the early 80's that can still perform as good or better than the latest models on the market. There's more on the above lenses in the photo-gear page with a variety of image captures the lenses have taken for those researching what maybe of interest to use.

Travelling overland through continents carting around a tripod isn't everyones cup of tea, although I can personally say I wouldn't leave my country of origin without one - period. A tripod will become useful for heavy lenses (3kg+body), night and astro photography, and wildlife. There's a large choice of light weight carbon fibre tripods and heads that can be used for long-term overland travel. My own tripod, a Gitzo CF series 3 with a Markins centre hub and Wimberley WH 200 head weighs approximately 2.5 kg, and can easily hold a 6kg AF-s 600mm f4 lens and pro-body.   

Robust BackPacks - Protect Your Gear 

Solo travel and transiting with a lot of photo-gear through any continent will test your ability in many ways that will either make or break your stuff. Equipment should be packed to handle all types of extreme wear and tear. Dust, dirt, grime, dampness, and vibration are the common elements that destroy equipment. Quality made backpacks and tripod bags using additional body and lens protection wraps will ensure maximum safety for photo-gear in transit mode. The above image shows my own photo-gear in transit across India (Sept 2017) on a train using a 2nd class upper 2 tier sleeper. The same equipment has also transited through Nepal, and Bangladesh without issues with the latest overland transit trip in India.

Slimline Kani Pack - 800mm lenses With Attached Pro-Body

The reliability of any product design will ensure longterm overland travel transit journeys will be without the need of early replacement or quick fix bush repairs in the middle of nowhere. The Kani pack and photo-gear in this image has clocked up thousands of kilometres of overland transit since 2016 without any damage or issues. Over landing through Asia, Africa, South America, and Middle East with an 800mm f/5.6 lens without having the proper protection will destroy the lens within a short time period.
​The Kani L 300L lens pack is certainly a wise investment to protect large long prime lenses within any environment! Reliability Rating 10/10

Looking for Interaction? - Keep Your Smart Phone in Your Bag!

Today it's common to see western foreigners glued and addicted to their smart phones and laptops through the continents. Yes, there's always time to catch up on social media, but think about the interaction just from a simple backgammon set, and what it creates without any fuss whatsoever. Interacting with strangers and locals of all different age groups without the need of social media works. The worn out set shown above has done the hard yards through all the continents for years , and if it could, it would be able to write a book over the countless conversations it endured.  Rating 10/10

Background Image: Salar - Bolivian Altiplano