The Best Backpack for Travel Bloggers + 10 Must Pack Essentials

Thanks to American Shield for gifting me this awesome Granite 25 backpack to review – stoked to take this all over the globe with me!

Ever since I was a little girl, there are very few things in life I love more than traveling. There is something so exciting about exploring new customs, foods, music and shopping and I have to admit, since I got my first passport, I am addicted to collecting new stamps and want to fill every page!

When I am traveling the globe, convenience is key for me. That being said, as much as I would always love to pack like a minimalist, when I am on work-related trips (which is basically 99% of the time), minimalism is not really an option. I often joke that blogger is another word for sherpa.

So along with my bikinis, sandals and sunhats, it is important for me to bring my day to day blogging essentials along like my laptop, camera, external hard drives, polaroid camera, travel diary, portable and universal chargers etc. That is why I was stoked to try the Granite 25 backpack by American Shield.

Typically on vacations and work trips I would carry my Louis Vuitton Neverfull bag because it is so lightweight and roomy, but lately I have been going on a lot more back-country kinds of trips and so I need a bag that is designed to handle the road less traveled, while keeping my electronic equipment safe without being to heavy or bulky. I also love that a backpack keeps my hands free to take photos, hold my coffee…ya know, the important stuff! 🙂

From a purely aesthetic point of view, I really like the Granite 25, and feel like it strikes the perfect balance between stylish and functional. The drawstring and flap combination keep the contents of my bag dust-free and secure in high-theft areas. Another huge plus is the padded laptop pocket in the back of the bag which is great for airports because I can slide my laptop in and out of my bag easily, and I don’t have to repack my entire life after airport security.

In addition to sharing my favorite new travel backpack, I wanted to include some of my must-pack travel essentials like my favorite travel journal and face mist, to more work-related all-stars like the camera I take with me on the road, and my favorite gimbal for making videos with my iPhone.

Be sure to check them out in the lookbook below!