 | See it Safe
Buy new: $6.49 I ditch my leather wallet and slip driving license, credit card and cash in one of these, loop it around a belt and keep it in my pocket. Keeps the rain and water out. 2.5" wide x 3.7" high x .75" deep
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 | Gerber 22-80010 Infinity Ultra LED Task Light, Green
Buy new: $17.20 These flashlights are amazing; bright, light, reliable and won't turn on by accident. Being waterproof to 10 ft means it survives damp and humid conditions. Single AA battery lasts for ever. Tough casing.
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 | Suunto A-10 Compass
Buy new: $12.14 We were in the middle of a long hike in the jungle, it was raining, no GPS signal and no sunlight...and I didn't have a simple compass. I take one with me now - just in case.
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 | STUDIO OIL PASTELS SET/12
I throw in the travel-friendly 12 pastels pack. Nice colors, easy to use. Box is cardboard with a plastic liner wrapped in a cardboard sleve; mine have survived many a journey.
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 | ExOfficio Men's Give-N-Go Boxer
Buy new: $17.50 - $25.00 Forget the cotton, these are the way to go. Comfortable, quick dry, easy to wash. Try the boxer brief as well.
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 | Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens
Buy new: $449.79 / Used from: $350.00 There are smaller cameras of course, but I just like a real viewfinder and quick shutter release. Great pics, long battery life and cheaper than a Canon G11 (the other obvious choice).
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 | Sandisk Ultra II SDHC 4GB SD Memory Card (SDSDH-4096, BULK Static Pack, No Reader)
Buy new: $13.53 / Used from: $11.48 Load up on a few of these to keep your options open
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 | Moleskine Plain Notebook Soft Cover Pocket by Moleskine
Buy new: $9.60 / Used from: $11.26 These are lovely journals; perfect for keeping track of where you've been. I like the plain notebook to allow for both sketching and writing. Comes in soft or hard back versions - I like the small one to be flexible to fit in my pocket hence the softback verion. 5.5 x 3.5 x 0.6 inches
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 | Petzl E02 P e+LITE Emergency Headlamp
Buy new: $29.95 This little headlight is a gem; billed as an "emergency" light, I take it on all my trips because it's small, lightweight, comes in a secure plastic egg-shaped case. Red and 3 white LEDs, easy to vary brightness.
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 | Timbuk2 Click Messenger Bag (Dark Brown/Jewel/Dark Brown)
Buy new: $54.95 Forget a backpack when it's hot and humid. This is a small shoulder bag, space for camera, journal, water bottle, wallet etc. Mine's the old black version with a grab handle on top; it's as good as new after multiple trips.
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 | Columbia Sportswear Men's Omni-Shade Booney Cap
Buy new: $24.95 I prefer this to a baseball cap when it's hot and especially if it starts to rain. It's not meant to be waterproof, but it works in light rain. Kinda goofy, but beats a bare head. Easy to stuff in a bag when not needed. Essential.
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 | Keep it Clear
Buy new: $7.50 Medium sized for license, credit cards, cash and keys. Light, easy to cary, waterproof and floats. Excellent at keeping out dust and damp. Size: 2.7" Wide x 4.3" High x 1.3" Deep
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 | SealLine EcoSee Clear Dry Bag
Buy new: $16.95 - $32.95 Throw your camera, keys, small towel and spare shirt into the 5 liter dry bag, roll down and clip to your kayak or boat. I only use the 5L, bu tassume the bigger versions work just fine too.
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 | Moleskine Plain Notebook Large by Moleskine
Buy new: $12.21 / Used from: $11.00 Same product but larger version for easier writing and larger sketches. Hardback makes it easier to hold and sketch or write longer notes. This is the large: 8.3 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
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 | Cretacolor Artino Basic Sketching Set-10 pc
Buy new: $19.99 Basic Sketching Set with artist's pencils (Monolith Graphite, Nero, Charcoal, White Pastel, Sanguine Oil, Sepia Light), Sanguine Burnt Stick, Sketching Coal, blending stick and kneadable eraser. Comes in a metal tin in a cardboard sleve. Nice small set to take with the Moleskine.
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 | Carabiner Compass
Buy new: $7.30 Another option to make sure you always have a simple compass handy. Clip to a bag and forget about it...until you need it. This one has worked well so far.
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 | Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Water Bottles
Buy new: $8.49 - $31.99 Stainless is the new way to go - no leaching, no paint, great tasting water. Take one, decant from large bottles and cut out the small plastic throw away bottles.
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 | Sigg Traveler Classic Water Bottle (0.6-Liters)
Buy new: $18.99 - $28.00 Another steel option, good seal, outer color can chip.
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 | Adventure Medical Kits UltraLight & Watertight .9 International Kit
Buy new: $7.99 - $38.50 I tend to carry the minimum first aid in Costa Rica because it's relatively easy to get things from the pharmacies. This is a good kit though. Waterprorof bag is nice to have but can get in the way when getting things out quickly.
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 | Wigwam Men's Merino Wool Comfort Hiker Crew Length Sock
Buy new: $7.99 - $33.45 I wear Merrill hiking shoes all the time and these socks are great. A bit warm if you have hot feet. I used to take white athletic socks and bring them back in ziplock bags!. These are way better.
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 | Domke F-34L 19-Inch Protective Wrap (Red)
Buy new: $14.87 I wrap my D40 in this and drop it in a daypack. Smaller and lighter than a case, works great. Bright red is easy to locate in the bag.
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 | Domke F-34M 15-Inch Protective Wrap (Yellow)
Buy new: $13.78 / Used from: $12.99 I use the smaller wrap for a spare lens in yellow. Couldn't be simpler.
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 | Domke 722-11Y F-34R 11-Inch Protective Wrap (Yellow)
Buy new: $12.63 Simple for smaller lenses. Cheap, light, easy.
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 | Patagonia MiniMass Bag (Spring 2010) Bitter Chocolate One Size
Buy new: $70.00 Alternative to the Timbuk2 and still way better than a backpack. Haven't tried this one, but the grab handle and similar size makes it a good option.
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 | CUTTER ADVANCED PUMP 7% PICRDN
Buy new: $1.99 Good alternative to DEET products
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 | Cutter Advanced Insect Repellent, 1 Oz. Pump
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