Travel gear is a minefield of gimmicks and "must-haves" you'll never use. It seems that at least twice a week I get an email or run across an article detailing all the gadgets I need to buy in order to make my next trip extra-special. Thankfully, after years of traveling all over the globe, we have learned a few things -- here's what makes the cut for us.

Big adventures are never accidents. They are the result of curiosity, strategy, and just the right amount of flexibility.

We have packed for trips that started in 90°F heat, hiked through snow two days later, and experienced a rainstorm that felt like a car wash in between. If you've ever packed for Patagonia or Iceland, you know: the weather doesn't care what season it says on the calendar.

You’ve booked your flights, arranged your permits, and packed your bags. But how do you actually get from Johannesburg to the Okavango Delta, from Cusco to the start of the Inca Trail, or from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine? This is where last-mile logistics make or break your trip.

Traveling with three kids has taught us one big lesson: packing is part logistics, part psychology. If the kids feel prepared, we feel prepared -- and that’s half the battle.