Planning your next trip can be hard, but sometimes deciding what to wear can be that much more difficult. Today I will be breaking down the essentials of packing when backpacking, with the hopes that I can make your trip planning that much easier.
What Backpack Do I Use
Picking the right backpack for your trip is essential. Sure there are some giant backpacks that can carry everything you will ever need, but then you may get hit with carry-on fees on flights while hauling about a bag that would weigh down even the most conditioned athletes.
The backpack that I use is actually my school bag in high school and university. It makes a great laptop bag, and has held up against all the elements as I travel around the world. These are the dimensions: 20.5″ Hx14″ Lx 8.5″W. I don’t think it is in production anymore, but I have linked the only website I can find with the bag so you can get an idea of what I use.
I have taken this bag on over 100 flights across 30+ airlines with it stuffed to the brim and I have never had to pay for it, except when I flew with Norse Atlantic last year round trip from MCO to LHR. They said my bag was too large and made me pay $80 each way for my round trip flight. If I wanted to add food for my flights it was going to be an additional $50 between two meals (one way). Even though the flight may have been $200 cheaper than the next closest round trip, I ended up overspending and missing out on food. I would recommend flying with anyone else as you will get food and many other amenities, and they won’t complain about the size of your backpack.
I also have a tiny backpack that I got while in Luxembourg which I will use to fill with souvenirs. It is generally small enough that it can be counted as a purse, but just large enough that I can bring a water bottle, portable charger, and snacks while exploring the city or hiking.
What Do I Wear
Deciding what to wear can seem daunting at first, but this list should help narrow down your choices. First you have to look at the weather of the locations that you will be visiting. For my upcoming trip in a few weeks the temperature ranges anywhere from low 30Fs (-1C) to high 60Fs (20C). For this trip I will want to pack on the warmer side so that I can be comfortable while walking around.
Here is everything that I will be wearing:
- Three Pairs of Joggers
- One Pair of Jeans
- Four Short Sleeve Shirts
- Four Long Sleeve Shirts
- Eight Pairs of Socks
- Eight Pairs of Underwear
- One Pajama Set
- One Hoodie
- Comfortable Walking Shoes
The shoes that you select are extremely important when backpacking. When I go on my trips, I generally walk anywhere between 25k and 35k steps a day. Just know that the shoes you decide to wear on your trip will most likely need to be replaced after you get back home.
To pack everything in the backpack, all you need to do is roll up each clothing item individually and begin stacking them inside the bag.
After everything is added, there is room in the backpack to bring a windbreaker or other clothing items that you may deem necessary. If I am backpacking in the middle of winter I will always bring my windbreaker and some gloves for extra layers.
If you are traveling in warmer conditions then the backpack will be much lighter as you can ditch a lot of the bulky winter clothes.
Toiletries for Travel
Bathroom essentials are something that can be very different for guys or girls when deciding what to pack. Please note that this is what I will be bringing on my trip and you should adjust your essentials as needed.
I buy all of these items in a mini version which is great for flying. You can find these mini items at Walmart or Target pretty easily. I did have a hard time finding mini shampoo at Walmart, so I had to stop by Target to get my shampoo and conditioner for the trip. The prices will be a little more expensive, but everything was in stock when I went. You can also buy mini clear bottles that are empty for around $1.00 each, and fill those with your own products.
This is what I am packing:
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Mouthwash
- Deodorant
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Bodywash
- Fingernail Clippers
- Razor
- Beard Trimmer
I would recommend putting the shampoo, conditioner, and bodywash in a Ziplock back in case it explodes while flying. That will protect your backpack and other toiletry items from any unexpected mishaps.
Remaining Essentials
You’re almost there! The bulk of the items have been packed.
Here is everything else I recommend bringing on your trip:
- Charger
- Adapter
- Earbuds
- Portable Charger
- Wallet
- Passport
- AirTag
- Padlock for hostel lockers
- Cash
Most hostels that I have been to usually like payments in the form of local currency. There are also lots of small shops where you may prefer to use some small bills instead of a card, or street vendors who only take cash. For a two week trip I would say that you would need $200-$300 in cash to convert as needed. I would also bring an additional $200-$300 in cash in case of an emergency such as losing your wallet.
You’re All Set!
Congratulations! You have now packed everything for a backpacking trip around the world. Whether you are going for one week, two weeks, or two months, this list covers everything you may need. Yes, you will have to do laundry on a weekly basic. But that is a sacrifice that must be made when going on extended trips while trying to travel light.
If you would like to check out my YouTube channel I do have a video example of packing for a backpacking trip here.
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