Backpacking is a very different beast than vacationing, which means that packing can be a a huge ordeal!
Each time I backpack, I pack a little differently but I have put together a comprehensive list to go off of each time. These are just my suggestions. Take with you as much or as little of these as you would like. It all depends on the length of the trip, the weather, and the destination. Most of my backpack trips are 10 days.
This is long and maybe a little intimidating, but I’m trying to be as comprehensive as possible and pass on everything I know from experience. Use this as a reference.
Before you leave for your adventure:
- Check state department travel advisories http://travel.state.gov/
- Make sure your passport is valid (some countries won’t let you board the plane if your passport expires in 6 months)
- Check CDC health advisories. You may need some vaccinations.
- Enroll in STEP https://step.state.gov
- Advise credit cards of your travel plans.
- Print tickets, maps, itinerary. You won’t always have access to wifi.
- Back up your phone in case it gets lost/stolen. My boyfriend has now lost his phone in 3 different countries!
Backpack:
- Carry on is limited to 22″ x 14″ x 9″
- A frame backpack with hip straps will help you carry the weight comfortably. I prefer a volume of 40-60 liters. This may be different based on your body size and type. Try before you buy. Get one that fits and is lightweight. I totes recommend checking Eastern Mountain Sports, REI, and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
I bought mine at EMS and I LOVE it.
Clothes:
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- Clothing takes up a lot of space. The strategy to pack everything into a carry on is to pack only a few items and hand wash your clothes at the hotel/hostel or just be dirty. I try to pack 3 pants and 4 shirts for my 10 day trips.
- For materials, avoid cotton if you can. It won’t dry in time, you’ll pack it wet, and it’ll smell disgusting when you take it back out. Synthetics dry very quickly so you can wash them frequently. They can however retain odors. Linen works. Spandex clothes like yoga pants dry quickly but are easy for mosquitoes to bite through. Wool is great because it’s naturally odor resistant. You can get very lightweight wool suitable for tropical humidity and heat from Icebreaker or SmartWool. But wool clothing can be expensive so I like to buy wool socks off of Ebay and Amazon (unused!). Some companies sell defected items for cheap. These are usually just spelling errors, etc. The product is still usable, durable, and effective. They are still pricey but much cheaper. I especially like wool because for a 10 day trip I can pack 4 pairs of socks and be set. You can re-wear them once or twice. Also, if you are doing a lot of hiking or walking around cities (which I recommend because it is beautiful and cheaper), wool socks will save you from blisters.
- In regions with mosquitoes/malaria, it’s highly recommended you treat your clothes with permethrin. This is pretty cheap and easy to do. It’s safe for humans and very effective. ***Is poisonous to animals when wet so apply this and keep away from pets or animals until it dries.
- Pack:
- Shoes – Don’t skimp here because you’ll be wearing these all the time and carrying everything on your back. I recommend trail runners or hiking shoes. I love my Keens. I got them at Dick’s Sporting Goods. I recently got a pair of Merrells I love that I bought on Amazon. Like backpacks, try before you buy.
- 2-4 pairs of socks
- 2-3 sets underclothes
- 2-3 shorts/pants – Hiking pants are good. Some zip off, which looks dorky but minimizes your packing volume.
- 3-4 shirts
- Sunglasses
- Lightweight rain shell or poncho. I love This One from Columbia on Amazon because it folds up tiny and is warm. It doubles as a pillow when you need to sleep on the floor.
- Swimsuit
- Watch
- Sun hat
- Flip flops
- Cotton bandana
- PJs
- Towels- towels take up a ton of space! When trying to pack minimally but also trying to pack everything you can into a backpack, towels are a hassle. I like to use Packtowl’s because they fold up super tiny and take up almost no space. Now, these are not super soft and may even be annoying but I find them to be worth it to save space for my souvenirs!
- Wallet – make sure you have your ID, credit cards, and enough cash. I carry a money belt that goes around my waist and my bf carries a neck pouch wallet.
- Water purifier- Some countries in Central and South America don’t have the cleanest water so you might want to clean it before you drink it. I like using Aquamira. It hasn’t steered me wrong yet!
- Passport
- Schedule
- Phone
- Phone charger
- Keys
- Lightweight flashlight or headlamp. Some countries I have visited experience blackouts. A flashlight has come in handy quite a few times.
- Water container/Camelback/daypack for walking around cities or hiking. I have one like THIS and I love it.
- Ear plugs for the airport, planes, and loud hostel neighbors.
- Snacks/gum (recommend 1 granola bar per day of travel. Sometimes you just don’t know when you are going to have your next meal or for the cases you are experimenting with local foods and it doesn’t go your way.
- Earbuds
- Camera. I love my Elph 360. Very small and takes decent pics!
- Kindle/books
- Nail file (not metal)
- Travel journal, notepad, pencil- keep the memories alive by jounaling!
- Sleeping pad or yoga mat (optional for sleeping in the airport)
- Pads/tampons/feminine products.
- Birth control.
- Toiletries: read below.
Toiletries:
- The TSA limits liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes to as many 3.4oz containers as you can fit in a 1 quart ziplock. They’ll make you throw it out if it’s not in your ziplock.
- In addition to toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc:
- Bug spray (20-30% Deet)
- Sun screen
- Medications and Rx (bring in original containers). And check each country. My bf wasn’t allowed to bring some of his meds to Asia.
- Body wash/shampoo (can be used for laundry, or you can pack tide pods separately)
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Razor
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper (You would think everywhere you are going will have toilet paper. You would be wrong)
- First aid kit
Like I said, this is just suggested. Take it or leave it, but no matter what you choose to pack or not to pack ALWAYS pack a positive attitude and some flexibility!