Luckily for me, 2009 was a year full of travel. I was fortunate enough to travel abroad to Japan and South Africa, as well as widely across the United States. On each and every one of these trips, I reached for the same combination of gear: The Marmot Cache, The Kompressor and the Endless Road Carry On.

I like to travel light, avoiding checking baggage whenever possible. Unless I am traveling internationally for a climbing trip, these three pieces of gear are all I bring. The Marmot Cache protects my laptop and has plenty of pockets for chargers, phones, pens, iPods or whatever you are bringing. I especially appreciate the deep, hidden, zippered pocket for my passport and the key clip for my car keys (which I always worry about losing).

For all my nationwide travel, and even my trip to Japan, I use the Endless Road Carry On. It's the perfect size for a week long trip. I can fit just the right amount of climbing gear, clothing, and a Kompressor Pack (for the climbing gear once I'm at my destination). The Endless Road Carry On fits in all overhead storages no problem, rolls like a champ when you're running through the terminal, and holds up extremely well (like all Marmot gear) to constant abuse. The Kompressor Pack is SUPER light, packs very small, and is big enough to fit a day's worth of climbing equipment. When your trips are back-to-back-to-back, I find it easiest to simply never unpack. These three pieces are always with me no matter where I am going.