Packing is tricky, especially if it’s your first time on the road. It takes a while to find the right balance.
Some pack too much, some pack too little. Personally, I’m in between. I don’t take that much but I do have a bag that would get minimalists crazy. But, with more than 175 cities traveled, I believe I can have a respected opinion on this one.
I usually take two backpacks: one big 60-liters one which I carry in my back and one smaller pack which I take in the front. It’s quite the standard for most backpackers these days, and probably the most flexible and comfortable way to travel.
But what exactly? Here it is:
Clothing
- 5 T-shirts (may take more in summer.)
- 2 Shirts to go out.
- 1 linen Shirt (if summer.)
- 1 Sweater (light) and another one (heavier) if in winter. May take an additional one if it’s really cold.
- 2/3 Pants. 1 Jeans, 1 colored/stripped/themed, 1 seasonal (linen in summer, thicker thing in winter.)
- 2 Shorts + Swimwear (summer), just one if in winter.
- 1 Light Jacket (classy – leather, linen, etc. depending on the season.)
- 1 Heavy Jacket (in winter)
- 1 Rain Poncho.
- Plenty of Underwear and Socks.
- 2 Belts (one zipper-belt to hide money, one to go out.)
- 2 Scarves or 2 Handkerchiefs depending on the season.
- Gloves (if going to cold places.)
- 2 Shoes, the most comfortable I can get. Used to take hiking boots but they take a lot of space. Usually one of these is sandals.
- 1 Pair of flip flops.
- Cap, wool hat and sunglasses.
And nothing else. It’s not really as much as you might imagine and it all fits in the big pack. Plenty to dress up and I can survive around week without washing anything.
Tech Stuff
- 1 Digital Camera (it’s small, just to take the usual tourist photos) and I usually take one pen drive to store the photos and keep the memory free.
- 1 Ipod (I got the 80gb normal one loaded up with music, movies, audio books and photos.)
- 1 Cell phone (unlocked.) Gives me the chance to buy cheap SIM cards everywhere I go to. Would love to change it for an unlocked Iphone soon (to surf the web, games, etc.)
- 4/5 Movies in DVD.
- Electrical Adapters (if applicable.)
- Sometimes, just sometimes, I also take my Laptop (with mouse.) – I would take a netbook if I had one.
Other Stuff
- 2 Notebooks (one diary, one to write down important stuff) plus a couple of pens.
- All my documents (ID, Driver’s license, etc.) and at least 2 color photocopies. Travel insurance and address and phone for hostels and the Italian and Argentinean embassies everywhere I’ll go (may seem too much – but it really takes only 20′ and can save A LOT of trouble.)
- Credit and debit cards, plus a lot of money in cash (U.S. dollars or Euros, in 20s, 50s, and 100s – and always new bills with no writing on them.)
- One book (which I can change for another one in most hostels.)
- 2 Locks.
- Spices Kit for cooking.
- 5+ Energy/Protein bars (the more time I travel, the more I take with me.)
- 1 Towel.
- Small Pillow (usually one I take from the airplanes. Vital for long bus/train rides!)
- Toiletry + Cologne.
- Aspirins, band aids and other small first-aid stuff.
As much as it looks, it’s only 10 to 12 kilos on the big one and 5 or less on the smaller one. This leaves me plenty of extra space for souvenirs or for new clothes I buy on the way.
What do you take with you? Do you have any suggestions? Have your say and leave a comment below.
Photo credit: simax
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow!
So you would need a boyfriend or something like that to carry the souvenirs (he will be so happy). When I left once backpacking for 3 months I had 9 kilos all together when I left home and 19 when I came back… 
I didn’t miss anything and had lot of space for souvenirs and gifts to bring home that still remind me about the trip I did (I even had some gifts from my home for the people I met during the trip in those 9kg).
This sounds really a lot for me! I mean 12+5 kilos is what a normal girl can carry (divide your weight by 3 and take still few kilos off) without bigger problems. And adding souvenirs to that (think about the girls) would be killing.
Ok, but this everything of course depends on your trip, your experience, the place where you go, what you want to do, how you travel and do you travel alone or with a friend(s). Of course your list is a general list and needs to be modified by every person for their needs. I just wanted to comment the weight that sounded a lot for backpacking. I have carried quite some more when hiking a week in forest carrying my food, tent etc. with me. Because there its just very needed to have all that stuff. And I have had much less when I went to a student meeting and we spent the nights in hotel and the days in plenary room.
So, but how would I improve your list thinking on backpacking in general.
Clothing: Linen is really tricky material because it rucks up. So either you would need a iron or choose something else… Then I was wondering what I would do with one short in the winter…
But maybe I get lucky on the trip and there is a beach party somewhere. Then about the jacket(s). I would recommend a gore-tex jacket (without fill). That keeps the wind and water away whenever you need it to do so. And in winter you just put a fleece under it and no need to feel cold (except if you are in Argentina maybe 
). Then you can cut the funny rain poncho and a thicker jacket out (the gore-tex jackets are also quite light). Now if I plan to be in the cities and go out etc. I would also take a light extra jacket that is less sporty. For shoes I take my normal walking shoes for the city sightseeing (I hate buying shoes, so I have only shoes that are comfortable to walk), and then sport sandals/shoes for sport activities (sandals in the summer, shoes in the winter) + flip flops that are just nice and easy in the summer, on the beach and in the public showers. And last but very important. Wool socks! Not everywhere the floors are so warm as in my home country and I hate to wear shoes. So whenever I take my shoes off (peoples homes, transportation..) I put my wool socks on.
Tech: Remember to take the chargers!
Other: If you like cooking its a really good idea to take your favorite spices from home, since it might be difficult to get them in your destination. Your promise about cooking something from your home country might be ruined because you just can’t find the right spices. Share the toiletry and first-aid if you are traveling with a friend (easier if same sex). Other quite useful things that I always carry are small forehead flashlight (for electricity cuts, tents, any place where its dark and you need to find something in your backpack), freshen-up towels (you may even “take a shower” with these if necessary) and hand sanitizer (keeps the viruses away, but also cleans easily your hands of whatever when there is no water).
Anyway, I would say the most important is to have a good backpack (50-70 l, not from the local super market) and not pack it full at home. List all the stuff you need and then think if you really need it. “I might need” sounds something that you can leave out, except if its first-aid. Little by little you will find out what you need and how to pack it. I roll all my clothes (takes less space and the stay less ruckier). I have lot of colorful bags that I use to separate my clothes and other stuff in my backpack. Need a new pair of socks? Just find the yellow bag! And have a bag for dirty clothes as well!
I see I got a bit too enthusiastic with this, but maybe my tips will help someone. Now I will let the next one to comment and give his tips!
As a minimalist, I’m still not offended by what you packed…seems like you’ve got it pretty well figure out, actually!
I’ve reduced my load a little bit more by making use of things that allow me to use less of other things. For example, I don’t need to bring a book because I read only ebooks on my iPod. I don’t need to bring quite so much underwear because I have workout shorts with an inner lining that wicks away sweat and clings (these also double as swim trunks). My workout shoes are Vibram Five Finger shoes, which don’t require socks. Etc etc etc.
Like I said, though, you’re doing a hell of a job already. Reduce more if you get sick of lugging what you’ve got around, but otherwise you’re already carrying significantly less than most travelers I’ve seen!
.-= Last by Colin Wright: Home Is Where the Porn Is =-.
Thanks for your comments guys! Big value!
@ Taru
Nice to see you here! And wow, that takes the prize as the longest comment ever jaja. But you have good advice, thank you! I like the colored bags… If I were less lazy I would definitely do that! And I was forgetting about the freshen-up towels and that hand liquid – Good point! I usually take both. These two saved me of getting 318423 eye infections every time I got my contacts off.
Buut generally girls have bag that are even bigger than boys =P I bet that for the sake of one more dress many girls are willing to take the the extra kilos. I still remember my friend Jovana with her 80l+ backpack back in Austria! And 9kg of souvenirs is a record Taru!
The jacket is tricky. You are absolutely right that those new ones are worth it! I’m just not so in love with them. I rather wear those bigger, heavier but classy-looking coat (I’m an idiot with this, I know). But normal people should follow your recommendation. The jacket is the one-thing that takes the most space in the bag.
Last, you got a good point with the backpack’s quality. I paid quite a bit for mine and recommend anyone to do the same. Buy the best and it will be worth in the long run!
@ Colin
I’m glad that things are better with you already! And good to know that I won’t get minimalists mad with this one =)
The multi-useful things are a good idea. I never got beyond tech for this, but the shoes and workout clothes sound good. I actually never took my running shoes and all when I was backpacking – just to Brazil but because I was there for the long term and with a bigger bag. But I’ll write this one down for the future!
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