Bansko - Gear

These vegan-friendly hiking shoes are ideal for Bansko’s trails—lightweight, breathable, and designed for all-day comfort. The grippy outsole gives solid traction on both rocky paths and forest tracks, while the supportive cushioning helps on longer hikes.

Sturdy yet vegan-friendly, these men’s hiking shoes balance traction and comfort for Bansko’s mixed terrain. They’re built with synthetic materials only, offering durability without compromising on ethics. Expect strong grip on inclines and cushioning that absorbs impact.

Lightweight and adjustable, these collapsible hiking poles are perfect for tackling Bansko’s uphill climbs. They pack down small to fit in your bag, and the ergonomic cork handles keep your hands comfortable during long hikes. A solid add-on for stability, balance, and reducing strain.

Bansko looks even more spectacular from above: peaks, forests, and winding rivers. The DJI Mini 4 Pro is powerful enough for cinematic aerial shots but weighs under 250g, making it easy to carry and often exempt from extra registration. Great for capturing the Pirin Mountains in all their detail.

There are so many amazing hikes in and around Bankso. If you intend to hike regularly, AllTrails is a very useful app. The free version is sufficient for well-marked trails. If you're a more serious hiker, the paid version gets you offline maps, weather overlays, terrain previews, and more.

We use SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance to protect ourselves in case we face an unexpected medical emergency. In addition to covering medical treatment and hospitalization, their policy also covers lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency evacuations.

It can be a hassle to buy a new eSIM every time you enter a different country. That's why we use Saily's Global eSIM, which provides coverage in all the countries we regularly travel to. It's great to land in a new destination and already have data.

Using a VPN is essential to protecting your digital life when moving through unfamiliar networks. We use NordVPN to encrypt our connection on public wifi—whether in airports, cafés, or coworking spaces.