The ultimate travel packing list to help backpackers maximize space and travel around the world conveniently.
So you’ve made the life-changing decision to backpack around the world. Outstanding! You'll never look back!
But now you need some travel packing tips to know what to do Carry it with you And make the most of limited storage space on the road.
The first time I went out with a backpack I'm overpacking. I did this because I had no idea what to pack or how to pack.
It got so bad that at one point I bought some wheels for my backpack so I didn't have to carry it.
Now how bad that was! This totally defeats the purpose of being a “backpacker”! Very lazy and a complete rookie mistake.
Years have passed and now I am wiser and know better what to bring. Here are some tips I learned the hard way that will make your first backpacking experience so much easier!
Now, show me your travel packing tips!
packaging cells
These are our friends—our best friends. We have had top loading backpacks for a while now and having them has been a lifesaver. When you put something in the bottom of the bag, all you have to do is pull it out cell That's it!
I have 4 batteries (they are different sizes). One for shirts, one for pants/shorts, one for underwear, and one for random items. I can blend in with them a lot.
No matter what type of luggage you choose, these are the best things ever! The best way is to lay it flat rather than rolled up. Buy on Amazon!
Compression bag
Great for compressing larger items of clothing such as sweaters/sweaters or sleeping bags. We compress the sleeping bag into a small compression bag to make it smaller.
They are especially useful when we have to carry heavier clothing for colder climates that you may not be carrying every day. Buy on Amazon.
travel microfiber towel
Unless the sun is shining and it's very hot where you're traveling, everyone needs a towel to dry off after a shower. We tried several microfiber towels, and our favorite was the suede-like material. It dries you better and dries quickly itself. get a towel here.
Multi-wear trousers/shorts
During the day I wear them as shorts, but at night I turn them into pants. All I had to do was unzip the legs. These pants/shorts combos are awesome.
They usually have a lot of pockets, which while not the most stylish, are very useful when you need to carry a lot of different items (passport, wallet, map, etc.).
They come in a variety of styles, so you'll be able to find a common color that goes with everything. They are also lightweight and usually dry quickly. Buy your convertible pants on Amazon.
quick drying clothes
You can wear a shirt one day, wash it at night, and wear it again the next day without worrying about being “that” smelly traveler!
We have a lot of quick-drying clothes and love how practical they are. We each only brought three shirts, one pair of pants (which convert to shorts), one pair of swimming trunks and four pairs of underwear.
They both dry quickly and serve their purpose perfectly. Doing your own laundry at night can also help you save money.
Silk lining
One thing you can never escape are mosquitoes! Sometimes your residence doesn't have a mosquito net to protect you from mosquitoes, so sleeping in this liner can help.
They are lightweight and fold down to next to nothing. Oddly, some accommodations provide you with carpets/blankets but no sheets. The cheaper ones have nothing but beds!
If you're worried about cleanliness, a silk lining can help you relax. They're also great for covering yourself up on hot nights. We also put them in our sleeping bags to help keep them clean. Buy a silk lining.
Universal plug, clothesline, washing powder
This saves us a ton of money and time waiting for laundry to be done. We washed our clothes in the sink of the accommodation and hung them on clotheslines in as many places as possible.
Some hotels will note that they don’t offer laundry services, but at the end of the day, there aren’t many shirts and underwear. If you make doing your own laundry part of your daily routine, you'll always have a clean wardrobe to wear – and some extra pocket money! Buy your travel laundry kit here.
sarong
I know it's weird, but I use my sarong all the time.
It can be used as a beach towel, to cover shoulders or legs when visiting temples, as a rug on the floor, as a blanket to keep you warm on the bus, as padding for fragile items, and more. Or you can get creative and turn it into a trendy piece of clothing.
Lightweight rain/windproof jacket
One thing you can't control is the weather. In many tropical areas, it can be a sunny day one moment and pouring rain the next.
The weather has a mind of its own. We have lightweight rain jackets that pack down and take up virtually no space.
They fit conveniently in the top pocket of your bag in case a storm hits. Don’t leave without a North Face raincoat.
Folding backpack/shoulder bag
When we first started traveling we had a large 80L backpack and a smaller 20L front pack. Each. When you have a lot of free space, it's easy to fill it with things you don't need.
Now we carry 40L or 50L backpacks, which is still too muchEnough. you will want one Small backpack to carry your belongings on long hauls and day trips. We find that pocket folding backpacks serve this purpose perfectly.
The only problem with this type of bag is that you need to be careful about the weight you put into it. Perfect for simple items such as sweaters, passports, iPads, iPhones, and more. Those valuables you want to take with you instead of throwing them in the cargo hold. Buy a foldable backpack here.
backpack rain cover
These basic covers fold up to nothing. You have your lightweight jacket to protect yourself from the rain, now you need to protect your belongings!
If you really want to save money, a large, sturdy trash bag will work too. Short trip? Just buy a cheap rain cover. Long trip? Buy something more durable.
Flip-flops/sandals and a pair of hiking/walking shoes
When backpacking, you don’t need heels, flats, dress shoes, or fancy boots. All you need is a pair of flip-flops or sandals and a pair of walking shoes to get around town.
If you hike frequently, invest in a pair of boots designed specifically for that activity. These are the only shoes we travel with and all we need.
In the summer, you do tend to live in flip-flops, so you may need to change them a few times. teva sandals Great, we use and recommend all the time Salomon hiking boots.
Do you have your own travel packing tips? Leave a comment below and let us know what you would recommend for first time backpackers!
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