Lessons from the Road: Gear That Carried Me Across Continents

In March 2025, my fiancé and I left New Zealand planning to settle in the Netherlands. But as soon as we landed, we realised we weren’t quite ready to stop exploring. What was meant to be a relocation turned into a months-long journey through Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia — with everything we owned packed into a few trusted pieces of gear.

We started by visiting family in the UK before heading to Turkey, where we based ourselves in Antalya on the Mediterranean coast, with time also spent exploring the vibrant city of Istanbul. The goal was simple: soak up some sun and reset before tackling colder climates. It was hot every single day — so my Patagonia Micro Puff jacket and Icebreaker base layer tops and bottoms stayed buried at the bottom of my pack until much later. We lived in loose clothing, sunscreen, and sandals, and the Patagonia 1L Hip Bags we brought got constant use for essentials while wandering mosques, markets, and coastlines.

Our next stop was Georgia, where we based ourselves in Tbilisi and headed into the Caucasus Mountains along the Russian border. This was where the cold truly hit — autumn was fading into winter, and temperatures dropped fast. I finally reached for my warm layers, and they were worth the wait! The Patagonia Micro Puff kept me insulated without feeling bulky, and Icebreaker layers became a daily staple, regulating temperature during hikes and travel days.

Icebreaker socks were also a standout — we wore them throughout our time in the mountains and even on warmer days earlier in the trip because they managed odour incredibly well and stayed comfortable across all climates.

My partner stayed warm in his Arc’teryx Atom insulated jacket (with a hood), which offered lightweight, reliable warmth without overheating. His Arc’teryx Beta rain jacket became a go-to too — super breathable and fully waterproof, with a great colour to boot. He wore it regularly in the mountains and packed it on city walks just in case.

My old Patagonia pullover rain jacket from a few years back held up well on this trip — lightweight, packable, and surprisingly durable. If you’re after a current option, the Patagonia Torrentshell is a great choice: fully waterproof, breathable, and made with recycled materials. It’s perfect for mountain conditions or just keeping dry around the city.

From the crisp air of the Georgian mountains, we crossed into Armenia, then Azerbaijan. The landscapes here were striking — dramatic valleys, ancient monasteries carved into cliffsides, and vast open roads. In Armenia, Yerevan’s streets are steeped in history, dotted with Soviet-era relics and backed by views of Mt Ararat. The food was hearty, and the churches impossibly old.

Crossing into Azerbaijan, the contrast was immediate. Baku felt futuristic — all polished stone, flame-shaped skyscrapers, and long, windy boulevards along the Caspian Sea. The experience was fascinating and entirely different from anywhere else we’d been.

The weather turned mildly wetter around this time, so my partner’s Arc’teryx Beta rain jacket continued to earn its place. And our Patagonia 1L Hip Bags — worn cross-body over our shoulders — was perfect for quick access to tickets, snacks, and sanitizer while navigating public transport and border crossings.

In Uzbekistan, we explored the capital, Tashkent, and the stunning city of Samarkand, with its mosaics, domes, and vivid colours. Then we flew into India, where everything intensified: the people, the traffic, the noise, the beauty, and the exhaustion.

It was in India that I became more cautious. I had already been wearing my Patagonia 1L Hip Bag every day, slung over my shoulder and across my body, but in crowded areas, I started wearing it under my clothes, around my waist. I kept my passports, phone, cash, and bank cards in there — all the most important things. And when my day bag was stolen in India, I was incredibly thankful I had them on me in the hip bag. It was small, subtle, and ended up being one of the most essential things I packed!

By the time we reached Thailand and Vietnam, we were moving with ease. I travelled with the Osprey Ariel Plus 70L backpack, and I can’t speak highly enough of it. The harness system is adjustable and super comfortable even with full weight. The internal space is cleverly designed - easy to organise but big enough to carry all my belongings - and the detachable daypack was my carry-on for all our flights. It’s amazing how much fits into that handy daypack - clothes, toiletries, book, snacks - and once we landed, I’d simply reattach it and get going.

Although the Ariel Plus 70L is no longer available, I’d highly recommend the Osprey Ariel Pro 65L as an excellent alternative. It’s slightly lighter and more minimalist but shares the same ergonomic design, customisable fit, and excellent support. These aren’t just bags — they’re travel tools built for long-haul journeys.

My partner carried the Osprey Aether 65L, the men’s version of the same series. Like the Ariel, it’s fantastic — designed specifically to fit male body shapes, with a slightly longer torso, straighter shoulder straps, and different hip belt shaping. The support and balance it offered made even long treks and stacked travel days easier. These packs are durable, easy to access, and versatile enough for both hiking and full-time travel.

On long-haul flights, I wore Skins 3 travel compression socks, which helped reduce swelling and kept me comfortable. My legs don’t usually swell, but on flights over 10 hours, I really notice it. These socks were a game-changer, and I’ll never travel without them again!!

We specifically chose to travel with gear from Patagonia, Osprey, Icebreaker, and Arc’teryx not just for their performance, but because of what each brand stands for. Patagonia is well-known for its environmental activism and commitment to repairing, recycling, and reducing waste. Osprey supports sustainable design and long-lasting gear, with a strong focus on repair and reuse. Icebreaker champions natural materials like merino wool and prioritises transparency and ethical sourcing. And Arc’teryx invests in responsible manufacturing and long-term durability. This was really important to us—it felt good knowing the gear we relied on was built to last, and built with care for the planet.

Next time, I’d definitely bring a Lifestraw 22oz Go 2.0 water bottle — perfect for places where tap water isn’t safe, such as in Asia. I’d also pack Birkenstocks for something easy to slip on, more Icebreaker tops for layering, and Sea to Summit compression packing cubes to make better use of my pack’s space. And finally, a second Osprey raincover — mine doubled as a protective cover when flying (airlines tend to be rough with backpacks), so having a backup just for waterproofing would have been smart. Mine took a bit of a beating after dozens of flights!

Travelling through so many climates and cultures taught us that the right gear really does make all the difference. Everything in our packs had to earn its place — and the gear we chose from Outside Sports, like Icebreaker, Patagonia, Osprey, and Arc’teryx, consistently delivered. If you’re heading off on your own adventure, I’d definitely recommend popping into Outside Sports — the team knows their stuff and helped us find gear that truly went the distance.