The Four Best Travel Purchases I’ve Ever Made (2025)

What a Stretchy Belt, a Waterproof Pouch, a Folding Hook, and the Right Damn Backpack Taught Me About Moving Freely Through Southeast Asia

Image created using eloquent AI prompt engineering

Forget influencers pushing overpriced nonsense. These four items changed how I travel, survive rainstorms, and breeze through airport security without ever yanking off a belt again.

Free read → No paywall. No fluff. Just the story

Key Points | TL;DR:

• Arcade Adventure Belt: Stretchy, metal-free, and so good I bought two.
• YETI Sidekick Dry Bag: Bulletproof, waterproof pouch for Songkran and surprise downpours.
• YETI Crossroads Backpack 27L: Compact, tough, perfect for one-bag wanderers.
• Muji Folding Hook: The unsung hero of every rainy café, roadside noodle stall, and bathroom door with no damn hook.
• Some links are affiliate links. No fluff — just gear I believe in.

I didn’t come to Southeast Asia searching for the perfect travel gear. I came to escape the cold grip of American anxiety, the weight of old grief, and a culture that tells you more is always better. But somewhere between airport scanners and monsoon…