Backpacking Fundamentals

So, you’ve decided to book the plane ticket and take a backpacking trip around the world. Maybe you’re searching for adventure, interested in experiencing different cultures, or just looking forward to eating some good foreign food. Whatever your motivation may be, one thing is for certain. If you don’t pack right for a long trip it can be miserable and expensive.

There’s a lot of information out there on what to bring on a backpacking trip, and it can be difficult to sort through everything and figure out exactly what you need. That’s why we decided to bring you a list of our personal essentials which have served us well on trips to over 50 countries and 5 continents over the last 6 years. From the backpack you’ll carry it all in to some surprising must-haves, we got you covered.

Pack Light

One thing is for sure, you want to pack light. You’re going to be carrying around your backpack with you a lot while traveling. More than you think. A major advantage of traveling with a manageable load is that you can use the time before and after hostel check-ins to see the city. That would be difficult to do with a suitcase, but with a backpack it’s easy. We’ll get into the specifics later, but the best way to do this is to limit the amount of clothing you bring as they really add up in weight and extra space.

Be Prepared for Rain

Make sure you read up on the climate of the area you’re traveling to and be prepared for whatever the local weather may bring. You should always be prepared for rain, so make sure you have a durable, light rain jacket and some water resistant clothes. Depending on the climate of the area you’re going to and the weather forecast, it may be wise to bring more rather than less.

How to Choose the Right Backpack

You’re going to be wearing your backpack a lot while you’re traveling, so picking the right one is crucial. It is worth it to spend a few hundred dollars before your trip to get a durable backpack from a reputable retailer because it will last you for years and provide the most comfort. Mine is from Osprey, and I have used it since the beginning of my travel journey in 2019. Since then, it has come with me all around the world and it is still just as good as they day I bought it. Best investment I ever made.

Here are some other important things to look out for:

• Fit First, Always: This is non-negotiable. Most retailers have sizing charts online, but it might be worth it to go into a store like REI to try the fit on in person. Make sure to pay attention to torso length and how the hip belt sits.
• Size: For most backpacking trips, a 40-60 liter backpack should be sufficient. Depending on how long you’ll be traveling for, more or less could be necessary. I have a 50 liter pack and have brought it on the road with me for lots of different trips. It fits everything I need with some space for non-essential items that are nice to have and it’s easy to carry around without fatiguing too much.
• Water-Proof: Most of the backpacks you look at will be anyway, but you should make 100% certain that your backpack is water proof. At some point, you will have to be outside in the rain and it is not always that easy to dry the contents of your bag and electronics can get ruined.
• Comfort: Finally, of course, you want to look out for comfort. Padded straps, a comfy back panel, and a good hip belt will make a huge difference. The best thing you can do is to go into the store and try the bag on.

Travel Wardrobe (Simplicity is Key!)

The biggest mistake we’ve seen backpackers make is overpacking. You really do not need that many clothes. Try to limit it to about 6 outfits total so you only need to do laundry once a week. Laundromats are typically accessible and some hostels have laundry. Remember to keep your climate in mind when packing. My 50L backpack comfortably fits everything below.

• Tops (5-7): A mix of quick-drying short-sleeved and long-sleeved shirts is ideal. You should also bring one or two shirts that are nice enough to wear for a night out. Merino wool is a great option if possible – it resists odors well and dries quickly. I recommend neutral, plain clothing as it is easy to mix and match and will make you appear inauspicious. Avoid brand names that may identify you as a foreigner and a target for thieves.
• Bottoms (4-5): I recommend 3 pairs of “walking around” pants which should be comfortable and versatile. You’ll wear these when you’re walking around your destination. They should be fast-drying and relatively light, so materials like cotton are unideal. I’d also bring a pair of shorts or two for lounging and a pair of pants nice enough to wear for a night out.
• Outerwear (1-2): A lightweight, waterproof jacket is a must-have. A light fleece or packable down jacket is good for colder destinations. I also usually try to squeeze in a hoodie for comfort, but they take up a lot of space and are the first thing out if I’m bringing too much.
• Underwear and Socks (7-10): Quick-drying options are best. Merino wool socks are a worthwhile investment.
• Shoes (2-3): Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes, flip-flops for showers and the beach, and maybe dressier shoes if needed. I wear a pair of OnCloud running shoes which are great. Whatever you have, you want to make sure they won’t give you blisters.
• Extras: I additionally bring a swimsuit, a few baseball caps, a pair of sunglasses, and a warm hat/gloves if it’s not summertime.

Pro Tip: Packing cubes are great for organization. Rolling clothes saves space.

Little Things That Make a Big Difference: Essential Travel Accessories

These little things make a trip much smoother:

• Packing Cubes: Essential for organization.
• Microfiber Towel: Dries fast and is compact. Do not skip this.
• Travel Pillow: Very nice to have on long flights or train rides.
• Combination Lock: You will need this to lock up your backpack in hostels. Do not skip it. Hostels are generally pretty safe places with friendly people but not everybody is well-intentioned and you need to guard your possessions.
• Dry Bag: Protects electronics from water, not necessary for most urban trips.
• Journal and Pen: This is useful for writing down plans, addresses, travel info, and general notes. You’ll be surprised how much you use this. Doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but get something pretty small to carry around in your day back.
• Day Pack: Most good travel backpacks come with this and it’s detachable from the main backpack. If your backpack doesn’t have one, bring a drawstring bag or small backpack to carry items around with you during the day. Very useful.

Staying Healthy on the Road: Toiletries and First Aid

Keep toiletries small and pack a basic first-aid kit:

• Toiletry Bag: You’ll most likely need travel sized items for airport security anyway, but they’re also easier to transport and usually last a few weeks. You can always pick up more if needed.
• First-Aid Kit: Band-aids, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, anti-diarrhea pills, motion sickness pills, any prescription meds, and blister treatment are good to include.
• Hand Sanitizer

Pro Tip: Electrolyte tablets are helpful for staying hydrated in hot climates.

Staying Connected (or Not): Electronics

I recommend bringing the absolute minimum amount necessary. You don’t want to have to worry about your expensive electronics being lost, stolen, or damaged while you’re on the road. That being said, we need a few electronic essentials to keep us connected in our digital world, so here’s what I usually bring.

• Phone and Charger
• Adapter: I have one that converts to adapt to most major types of power outlets around the world. It’s always worked for me and has lasted many years.
• Portable Charger: I bring two so I can switch them out. Charge them every night. These are essential for me so I don’t have to return to my hostel to charge throughout the day and can stay on the go.
• Camera: For most people, this will just be your phone.
• E-reader or Tablet: If you’re on a long enough trip, it’s nice to have something to read or watch during your downtime. You probably won’t really miss this for a shorter trip, though.

Pro Tip: Download offline maps and translation apps beforehand.

Don’t Forget the Important Stuff: Documents

Keep documents safe and organized. I bring a small passport book to hold all of these in, and I generally print our paper tickets for travel as much as possible before I leave home so that I have them handy in case something happens to my phone.

• Passport and Visa: Make sure your passport won’t expire while you’re abroad. Thoroughly research visa laws before traveling. These can sometimes be complicated, but there are a lot of good resources online and travel visas are generally inexpensive if you have to pay at all.
• Travel Insurance Info: Have a copy of your policy. I really recommend buying the travel insurance, the extra money is worth the peace of mind.
• Travel/Accommodation Details: Print or save digital copies. I keep these in a series of envelopes separated by which city the details are for. Most of the time you won’t need them, but it has been really helpful on other occassions.
• Cards and Cash: Remember to inform your bank of travel rates. A lot of people advise to bring some foreign currency with you before you leave home, but I don’t always find that necessary. There’s usually a place at the airport or train station to exchange currency, but I do recommend carrying some cash.

Pro Tip: Store digital copies of documents securely online.

Random But Useful Stuff

• Laundry Bag: For your dirty clothes. I just use a small bag which makes it easier to carry to the laundromat and fits in my backpack for easy transport between destinations.
• Ziplock Bags: For organization. Useful for separating toiletries, electronics, chargers, etc.
• Small Games: I bring a few decks of cards with me everywhere I go and I am always glad that I have them.

So, now that you know everything you need to bring you’re ready to get packing for your adventure. Everything that I listed here is what I personally bring on my trips, but depending on your destination or personal preferences there may be additional things you need to include. For example, if you’re going to Norway in the winter you’re definitely going to want to bring a winter jacket, which I don’t have listed here. No matter where you’re going, if you bring all of these essentials you are sure to be well prepared for your journey.