Chris Brinlee Jr.’s Instagram feed will make you drool. The and ϳԹ contributor spends most of his year on the road—camping in Baja, skiing powder in the Italian Alps, and climbing steep ice in the Canadian Rockies. In fact, since relocating to Lyons, Colorado, from Los Angeles a year ago, he's spent less than two months total at home. We asked him to talk us through the most important items in his camera bag, whether he’s trekking in Nepal or on a boat off the coast of Australia. Here are his picks, in his own words.
Nikon D750 Camera ($2,300)
While a lot of photographers have switched over to the lightweight and nimble Sony mirrorless platforms, I still trust a full-sized DSLR as my primary workhorse. is full frame, has fantastic dynamic range and low-light performance, shoots 6.5-frames-per-second (quick enough for short spurts of action), and can write to dual cards. It’s also proven itself in less-than-ideal weather conditions.
GoPro Hero5 Camera ($400)
The is the best action camera on the market. I like the accurate voice control, waterproofing without a housing, and the ability to shoot RAW photos. I use it for capturing unique perspectives during moments when shooting with a DSLR just isn’t possible.
Peak Design Capture Pro Camera Holder ($80)
If you’ve ever hiked with a camera dangling from your neck, bouncing against your ribcage, you know how uncomfortable it can be. The clip solves the problem by securing the camera to your backpack strap where it’s accessible and comfortable and can't bounce around.
Google Pixel XL Phone ($650)
For my mobile needs, I use a on —a Google product that seamlessly connects multiple networks so you always have service when traveling— and the app to edit photos on-the-go.
LaCie Rugged Mini USB 3.0 2TB Hard Drive ($190)
Big digital files from the Nikon camera require lots of storage. I keep a dedicated backup system at home, but while traveling, I rely on two identical 2TB portable, external hard drives. They are relatively light and compact—yet drop and rain resistant. I always back up files to both, and then have a trusted partner carry one whenever possible.
Goal Zero Venture 70 Battery ($150)
The provides enough power to charge my Pixel XL, GoPro, headlamp, and . At one pound, it's a bit bulky and heavy, but I like that it's waterproof and dustproof.
Cotopaxi Tikal Active Jacket ($150)
I always keep the lightweight, at the bottom of my pack in case the weather turns sour. I like the four-way-stretch fabric, with allows for unrestricted movement, and perforated underarm panels that dump unwanted heat.
LifeStraw Go Filter ($45)
I’m often photographing in the backcountry, or while traveling abroad, so being able to filter water from just about any source is invaluable. lasts for up to 26 gallons, and since it integrates into its own bottle, I never have to buy plastic water bottles.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Stuff Sacks (From $15)
Because I travel so much, keeping my gear sorted is crucial. provide extra organization and weatherproofing for my small electronics.
Joby GorillaPod SLR Tripod ($50)
I don’t use tripods enough to carry a full-size model all of the time. But I do carry the , which is small and light.
Petzl Reactik+ Headlamp ($110)
The is a USB-rechargeable, 300-lumen headlamp that allows me to control the brightness from an app on my phone. I also like that it has great battery life and can be charged on-the-go.