OK - this is definitely a can of worms and you could write books about it...
The proraso brush is made out of boar
There are IMO huge differences between types of brush hair (badger, boar, horse, synthetic) - but you should read up more about them and then ultimately try them out to see for yourself. Everything I or anybody else for that matter can tell you will not substitute for personal experience.
Badger: the most expensive but also the most luxurious, retains water and heat very well
Boar: there are basically 2 companies (Omega - your brush - and Semogue) - cheap, but need a longish break in period. Hair soaks up water (rather than the knot), do not retain water and heat so well
Horse: only one company (Vie-Long), so hard to get what you really want, cheap, some great brushes IMO, but many don't like them
Synthetic: new kid on the block, retain no water and heat, relatively cheap, easiest to lather, lacks facefeel
There is a reason why some brushes cost 2$ and some 200 (or even 300, 400, 500...). Are they worth their price tag? Well only you can decide...
As for your travel brush: I think synthetic is a great choice, as it dries way faster than natural hair ones - ideal for the road. They also are the easiest to lather.
Some I have tried and can recommend:
Whipped Dog - comes in different sizes and relatively cheap - and shipping to Australia is only 5$
Stirling - comes in 2 sizes and again is relatively cheap - shipping is more expensive but it can be combined with some great soaps
RazoRock Plisoft from
Italianbarber: haven't tried it myself but get's great reviews, cheap and shipping to Australia is modest.
Plisson: the original of this type of hair (3rd??? generation synthetic hair) - you can only get it from them directly and is definitely the most expensive choice
There are many more - the boss here (
@Monsta_AU ) also recommends the one from Body Shop - it's way too prickly for my taste - but you can go into a store here and have a look/feel for yourself.