Pack less gear and get travel insurance.

Over the last ten years or so, the way people travel has changed. We even have new fancy terminology for it. 'Flashpacking' and 'luxury backpacking' is used to describe a ‘new breed’ of backpacker.But it’s not a different breed at all. This breed still hungers for adventure and meeting new cultures... what has changed is the world around it. These changes mean easier, cheaper travel. It also means we are able to travel better and with less gear than ever before:

Lower airfares means that people are able to travel for shorter periods of time
This is particularly true for Australians. That means you generally don’t need to pack as much stuff in preparation for all kinds of situations as you once used to.

Hostels are becoming more like budget hotels in terms of service levels, while still providing a social way for travellers to connect.
The whole hostel experience is much more luxurious now than it once was. You no longer need to come prepared with sheets, sleeping bags and picnic products.

Changes in technology have enabled travellers to stay instantly connected without a hassle, from not only friends and family back home, but also banks and insurance companies.
The need for high level security products is no longer critical. If you’re worried about travel security, the best advice we can give you is to take out travel insurance.

As one customer who rang after her trip told us,

'The anti-theft bag you sold me would have been great if they hadn't taken the whole thing'.

No product is foolproof; the only thing that will keep you fully protected from theft is a good travel insurance policy.

Carry your banks, insurance company, and embassy contact details with you in case anything happens and you’ll be ok.

Globalization in general, as well as internet banking, has allowed travellers to access their money easily and instantly from anywhere in the world.

Back in the day, you had to travel with a combination of traveller’s cheques and cash with you.ATM’s and the use of credit cards are now readily available worldwide.

Money belts, while probably still useful for solo travellers in high risk travel areas, are no longer essentials for the average traveller.

Yes things have changed from the times that the travel gear industry emerged.I remember travelling through India in the 90s when I had to line up for hours just to send a telegraph to communicate to my family back home. That's how primitive things were when we first launched gogogear.

So what is the point of this post? Well, things have changed. Past travel advice and packing lists are no longer relevant.

You no longer need a multitude of just-in-case products.While other companies are expanding their ranges to include everything under the sun that might have to do with travel, we're streamlining.

Our range has changed with the times:

• Less security and hard core gear.
  
• No more products that you can now find cheaply at your local supermarket or department store. Things like toiletry bags and travel toletries.
  
• More travel comfort products and more gear to keep you organised while travelling.
• Better performance alternatives to products that we feel are still essential for travel.... like travel towels.
• Lightweight alternatives. Travelling light means travelling easier and more comfortably. Lightweight travel products and versatile products that allow you to pack less, make sense.

Pack less stuff, more money, and get travel insurance.That's our professional advice.

While this controversial post won’t make us friends in the travel products industry, our commitment is to our customers.It’s also slightly selfish.It makes us feel great selling only products that we truly believe in.

Happy tracks!