5 Best GoPro Accessories for Travel, Vanlife, Mountain Biking, Snowboarding, and Outdoor Adventures
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Introduction
GoPros are incredible cameras right out of the box.
But after years of creating content while traveling full time, I’ve learned that the right accessories often matter just as much as the camera itself.
Whether I’m mountain biking through the Rockies, snowboarding in the Canadian mountains, paddle boarding on alpine lakes, trail running through desert canyons, or documenting life on the road, these five accessories consistently find their way into my camera bag.
Some improve footage quality.
Some make filming easier.
Some prevent disaster.
All of them have earned a permanent place in my kit.
If you’re searching for the best GoPro accessories for travel, vanlife, outdoor adventures, content creation, or action sports, these are the accessories I would buy again immediately.
Quick List: The 5 Best GoPro Accessories
1. GoPro The Handler Floating Hand Grip
The Best GoPro Accessory for Water Sports
If there’s one accessory that has probably saved my GoPro from disappearing into the bottom of a lake, river, or ocean, it’s The Handler.
The Handler is GoPro’s floating grip specifically designed for water based activities. The bright color makes it easy to spot while the buoyant design keeps your camera from sinking.
We’ve used this accessory while:
Paddle boarding
Kayaking
Rafting
Swimming
Snorkeling
Boating
Cliff jumping
The peace of mind it provides is enormous.
Instead of worrying about dropping your camera during a paddle stroke or while getting tossed around in whitewater, you can focus on capturing the moment.
Beyond flotation, it also creates a much more comfortable filming experience. The grip feels secure even with wet hands and makes it easier to capture stable handheld footage.
For anyone who spends time around water, I honestly consider this accessory essential.
Best For
Paddle boarding
Kayaking
Rafting
Lake adventures
Beach travel
Boat trips
2. GoPro Dual Battery Charger
The Accessory Every GoPro Owner Should Buy First
If you’re serious about using your GoPro, you’ll quickly learn one thing.
You can never have too many batteries.
Modern GoPros capture incredible footage, but shooting high resolution video, timelapses, hyperlapses, and cold weather adventures can burn through batteries surprisingly fast.
The Dual Battery Charger solves that problem.
What I love most is the ability to charge multiple batteries simultaneously while continuing to shoot with another battery in the camera.
This has been especially useful during:
Snowboarding trips
Multi day road trips
Long mountain bike rides
Full day hikes
Time lapses
Travel days
I pair mine with Enduro batteries, which perform dramatically better in cold weather.
When you’re filming in alpine environments or winter conditions, that combination becomes incredibly valuable.
Best For
Snowboarding
Skiing
Travel
All day filming
Cold weather content creation
3. GoPro Magnetic Swivel Clip
The Most Underrated GoPro Accessory
This accessory gets overlooked far too often.
The Magnetic Swivel Clip is one of the most versatile accessories GoPro makes.
It allows you to attach your camera to:
Backpack straps
Vehicle interiors
Camp chairs
Tent poles
Van cabinets
Clothing
Tables
Metal surfaces
The swivel functionality adds even more flexibility by allowing quick angle adjustments without completely repositioning the camera.
I use this accessory constantly while traveling because it allows me to create unique perspectives that would otherwise require significantly more setup.
For vanlife especially, it’s incredibly useful.
I’ve mounted it throughout our van to capture everything from cooking sequences to remote work sessions and daily life footage.
Best For
Vanlife
Travel vlogging
Campsites
Hiking
Daily content creation
4. SanDisk 512GB Extreme microSD Card
The Storage Upgrade That Eliminates Headaches
A surprising number of people spend hundreds of dollars on a GoPro and then buy a cheap memory card.
That’s a mistake.
The SanDisk Extreme series has become my go to card for GoPro use.
The 512GB version is particularly useful because it allows me to capture multiple days of footage without constantly swapping cards.
When you’re filming:
4K footage
5.3K footage
TimeWarp videos
Timelapses
Long adventures
Storage fills up quickly.
The reliability of these cards has been excellent in my experience.
I trust them with footage from once in a lifetime adventures, and that’s about the highest compliment I can give any storage device.
Best For
Long trips
Adventure travel
Professional creators
4K and 5.3K recording
5. GoPro Shorty Mini Extension Pole + Tripod
The Most Versatile Everyday GoPro Mount
If I could only bring one GoPro mount on a trip, it would probably be the Shorty.
The reason is simple.
It does everything.
The Shorty functions as:
A handheld grip
An extension pole
A tripod
A travel mount
Its compact size means it disappears into a backpack or camera cube, making it perfect for travel.
I’ve used it for:
Timelapses
Sunset photography
Vanlife filming
Group photos
Campsite videos
Travel vlogs
The built in tripod is especially useful because it allows quick setup without carrying additional gear.
For travelers and content creators, versatility is everything.
The Shorty delivers exactly that.
Best For
Travel
Vanlife
Timelapses
Daily filming
General content creation
The Accessories I Use Most Often
While all five of these accessories are worth owning, my personal ranking would be:
The charger and memory card are essential for keeping the camera operational.
The Handler is critical around water.
The Shorty offers incredible versatility.
The Magnetic Swivel Clip unlocks creative shooting angles.
Together, they create an incredibly capable GoPro setup.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Improve footage quality
Increase filming flexibility
Protect your investment
Enhance travel workflows
Lightweight and portable
Durable for outdoor use
Useful across multiple sports
Cons
Additional cost beyond the camera
Easy to accumulate too many accessories
Some overlap in functionality
Who These Accessories Are Best For
These accessories are ideal for:
GoPro beginners
Travel creators
Vanlifers
Mountain bikers
Snowboarders
Skiers
Trail runners
Kayakers
Paddle boarders
Outdoor photographers
Adventure travelers
Final Verdict
After years of creating content across the Rockies, Mountain West, Pacific Northwest, Desert Southwest, and beyond, these five accessories have consistently proven their value.
The Handler protects your camera on the water.
The Dual Battery Charger keeps you filming all day.
The Magnetic Swivel Clip unlocks creative angles.
The SanDisk Extreme card provides dependable storage.
The Shorty delivers unmatched versatility.
If you’re looking to get more from your GoPro, these are the accessories I’d recommend first.
They’re practical, reliable, and proven through years of real world use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best GoPro accessory?
For most users, the Dual Battery Charger is the most important accessory because it significantly extends filming time.
Is The Handler worth it?
Absolutely. If you participate in any water based activities, it’s one of the best investments you can make.
What memory card should I use for GoPro?
The SanDisk Extreme series is one of the most reliable and widely recommended options for GoPro cameras.
Is the GoPro Shorty worth it?
Yes. Its combination of grip, extension pole, and tripod functionality makes it one of the most versatile accessories available.
What GoPro accessories do YouTubers use?
Many creators rely on The Handler, Shorty, Dual Battery Charger, high capacity memory cards, and versatile mounting solutions like the Magnetic Swivel Clip.
