Travelling the globe introduces you to numerous encounters, whether people, animals, or diverse creatures. Some interactions are pure joy, others may deceive or betray, but there’s one constant companion, regardless of the challenges and choices: your trusty backpack.
Nurturing this precious relationship and increasing your chances to ease your life on the road relies on knowing what are the backpacker travel essentials. Do you want to avoid carrying useless items, provide respite to your cherished back, and don’t end up in those “I wish I had packed this” scenarios? Let’s open the backpacker graal guide at Chapter 2 and dive into the ultimate backpacker travel list adapted to your needs. So, open your backpack, warm up, and prepare to pack as if your very existence depends on it.
Determine your purpose to craft your own ultimate Backpacker's Travel Checklist
For some basketball players, the GOAT might be Lebron James Michael Jordan. For us, fellow traveller community, it can be Marco Polo. Legend whispers that after each of his Asian odyssey, Polo meticulously categorises his discoveries and information into three piles: the essentials to survive, the interesting, and the useless.
For us, humble backpackers, we can get inspired by this wisdom, and realise that our backpacks should only carry the essentials, depending on the location we aim to explore and the diverse features of our adventure. For the ones who sat in the last row and haven’t understood yet, it’s about assessing what you will need (and not might need).
Yet, I acknowledge the challenge it represents, and your life deserves to be easier. That’s why, if you ever feel a bit of laziness running through your veins and don’t want to read the whole article, this quiz offers you a tailor-made backpacker travel list about what you need to pack depending on your destination, adventure style, and exploration features.
What will your adventure be?
Let’s begin with the starting point: your expedition probably aligns with one of these four categories. From the hiking adventure or the brief thrilling escapade to the immersive and extended exploration and the leisurely urban discovery (or potentially a harmonious fusion of them all), the choice is yours.
Dreaming of a hiking week?
Do you plan to conquer peaks, immerse in nature, and forge a special bond with Mother Earth? Your essentials: a reliable tent, a comfy sleeping bag, bigger flasks, and robust hiking shoes. Don’t forget to add specific toiletries for this nature-immersed escapade.
Opting for a Short Adventure?
If your quest spans 1-2 months, consider it a brief journey. Weather stability lets you tailor your gear to usually one identified environment. Pack accordingly for the specific conditions, from medicines to toiletries and camping gear if needed.
Engaging in Medium-Long Term Exploration?
Preparing for a journey lasting 3 months up to years? Versatility is key. Clothes and accessories should adapt to diverse situations. Your toiletry bag, a lifesaver in uncomfortable situations, must hold the essentials for the unpredictable.
Leisure/Big Cities Discoveries
Whether your adventure is brief or extensive, bid farewell to camping gear and colossal hiking boots. Survival tools become unnecessary as you can access them easily if needed.
Mixed Trips
Toss them into your backpack blender, hit start, and observe the final result weirdly smelling and strangely attractive.
So now that you have determined what kind of odyssey yours will be, and you have correctly selected what travel insurance will be the best for your needs, we can confidently advance to the next part.
The game changer advices
Before we enter the real game, let me give you simple advice that could revolutionise the way you pack. These aren’t hidden gems or knowledge I claim to have discovered but trust me, by applying them you will be grateful to have encountered this page in a serendipitous moment.
Pack the useful, not the nice to have
No, you’re not going to a fashion show (unless you’ve lost your way). You don’t have to look like a homeless guy either, it’s just about picking up the right clothes and accessories you WILL genuinely need.
Laundry over extra weight
Your back and legs will thank you later. Every kilo in your backpack is a load to carry. Every gram counts! Opt for a lighter load and do laundry on the go rather than packing ten outfits.
Embrace versatility over single-use items
Pack essential accessories and clothes that serve multiple purposes. For the rest, go minimal and lightweight; you can always pick up affordable clothes on the road for a style upgrade at second-hand shops.
Keep a free space to bring Mommy a memento or add potential camping gear
A golden rule that I sometimes struggle to follow. I’ve often regretted not having room for newfound treasures. Don’t follow the same path.
In cold weather, pick layer up over bulky jackets
Versatility strikes again! Bid farewell to fluffy, thick, and warm ski jackets unless you’re planning to spend most of your time away in low-temperature places. Opt for layers like thermal shirts and sweaters to stay alive.
Keep your gear dry
Never, ever toss wet clothes into your backpack. It’s a guaranteed ticket to another full laundry session. The same goes for rainy weather, a rain cover to shield your backpack will be your best ally.
Digitally secure your documents
An absolute must, and the time to do it is now! Scan and store your crucial documents: passport, ID, driver’s licence, insurance, student discounts, and credit cards; in a digital vault accessible anytime, anywhere.
Prepare to unlock the secrets of the Ultimate Backpacker Travel List as we push open the doors, revealing insights you may have overlooked in your preparations. Place your hands on each door and push them with the curiosity and determination of a true explorer.
The Ultimate backpacker travel list
To start on your adventure, my fellow wanderers, it demands more than just enthusiasm; it requires the right gear. In the backpack’s universe, you should equip yourself with three kinds: the regular travel backpack, the daily pack, and the trusty bumbag (or similar). Join me as we explore each, unravelling their unique features and guiding you on the perfect pick based on your expedition’s needs.
Your Sidekick: The Backpack
When scouting for the ideal travel backpack, consider these vital factors:
Size Matters: Sorry to disappoint some of you, but size does matter. For a month-long adventure, a modest 30-40L is plenty. Extend your expedition beyond a month, and opt for 50L up to 70L, depending on your physique.
Quality Speaks: Quality matters, and quality backpacks cost more. The good side is that it usually lasts longer without any scratches, if you take care of it. However, if your wallet follows a strict spending diet, I got you! Brands like Forclaz, Decathlon, or Quechua offer a recommendable quality-price ratio, ensuring durability without breaking the bank.
Comfort is Key: Logic, will you say. Opt for comfort over spikes that give you unintentional tattoos, your back will thank you.
Purpose-Driven Choice: Let your journey’s purpose dictate your backpack selection. It’s the silent architect of your travel experience.
What are the Backpack features to look for?
Waist Strip: Useful and comfortable by distributing weight to your waist.
Laptop Compartment: A necessity for digital nomads or lovers of pen and paper.
Front Loading: Say goodbye to the hours diving in the depth on your backpack to find your last clean underwear
Lockable Zippers: Avoid potential thefts with lockable pockets.
Internal and external Compression Straps: Witness the magic of how much you can pack more than you thought with internal or external straps.
Good Carry Handles: A nod to versatility or a break from the routine – your call.
“I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.”
Your henchmen: the daily pack and the bumbag
A daily pack reveals its greatness on a day trip, surrounding exploration, or beach afternoon. Imagine how painful it would be to carry your whole backpack when all you need is a swimsuit, flack and towel. For the ideal daily pack, opt for the following features:
- Between 20 and 30L
- Easy to fold, to potentially put it in your backpack when travelling
- Comfortable
The bumbag will be the robin of your Batman adventure. I make sure to carry my wallet, phones, keys and everything that has value within it everywhere I go. It secures your essentials against your body, making it difficult to steal. So do not hesitate more and adopt a robin!
Your odyssey's Wardrobe: The essential Backpacker travel clothes
As we advance into this maze, we end up in a big room containing a vast wardrobe filled with clothes and accessories. The choice is now yours to carefully pick the one that will accompany you along your way. Scams lurk in the shadows and beg you to choose them over the useful ones. Don’t be tempted and walk straight into the backpacker essential travel clothes, the pile that really matters to you:
- Waterproof & Windproof Jacket: Seek a lightweight, versatile jacket that offers good protection against wind and rain, ensuring you’re prepared for the most unpredictable climates.
- Buff: An underestimated companion, the Buff can transform into a beany, scarf, or cap, adapting to diverse conditions.
- 1 or 2 sweaters: Depending on the size of your backpack and the length of your trip. The ideal would be a thin one and a thicker option for added warmth.
- 1 or 2 Long-sleeve shirts: Same principle, to protect against cold, sun and insects.
- 2 or 3 versatile tee shirts: Pick those you could wear in several situations.
- 5 up to 7 underpants and pairs of socks: Depending on the length of your journey, try to mix short and long pairs of socks.
- Thin Hiking Trousers: Opt for trousers designed for long walks, protecting against insects and sun. It beats sweating in jeans any day.
- One belt: You are still not allowed to wander without shorts or trousers publicly, little pervert.
- 1 or 2 shorts: To embrace the sun, be at ease during activities and keep those calves tan.
- Proper hiking shoes – Depending on your travel purpose and destination, but still a great companion to have
- Flip-flop: Always a good idea to let those feet breathe some fresh air after hours spent stuck in your shoes.
- Ready-for-Anything Outfit: It gives me chills when a dirty backpack is able to transform into a normal human going out. Don’t be a fashionista, combine pants with a shirt, and you will be good to party worldwide.
- Sunglasses, Bunny, and Cap: Shield yourself based on your destination’s needs.
The Backpacker travel essentials tools to ease your odyssey
Once your wardrobe is finally complete, a wave of satisfaction submerges you. However, don’t rest yet! The quest is far from being over. Numerous tools and accessories exist to enrich your daily travel experiences. Whether helping in overcoming struggles or enhancing the overall adventure, these items are, in my view, indispensable:
- Flack + Filtering flack (LifeStraw/Grayl Geopress): Ensure you can carry at least 2 litres of water consistently. Opt for a sturdy flask over disposable plastic bottles for durability, cleanliness, and eco-friendliness. In regions where tap water isn’t safe (check yours here), a filtering flask ensures safe hydration, saving both money and the planet’s beauty.
- Headlamp: Your steadfast companion in the dark.
- Microfiber Towel: Quick-drying and space-efficient, a backpacker’s dream.
- Combination Locks: Safeguard your belongings and follow the holy principle of the Hostel Guide.
- Knife: The Swiss army knife is compact and multifunctional, the versatile king. Remember to put it in your checked luggage when flying.
- International Power Adapter: As the world doesn’t have a common agreement about plugs, be ready for diverse standards.
- Power Bank: A lifesaver in critical moments.
- Thin rope: Transform a simple rope into your drying solution, whether camping or lacking drying areas.
- Carabiner: Or how to upgrade your backpack to carry even more stuff.
- Pens & Notebook: Write down is a great exercise, and documenting your journey is invaluable.
- Pillow sheets – Act as a laundry bag or, if combined with a sweater, can create a pillow from scratch.
- Ear plugs & Sleep mask – To ensure peaceful nights against the hostel’s dark sides and pitfalls.
- Lighter – To light the heart of your loved ones, illuminate a moment, or share a good spliff.
- Backpack Rain Cover: Protect your gear from the elements and keep your stuff dry.
The Backpacker toiletry travel list
At this point, we’ve meticulously determined our purpose, selected potential group or solo travel destinations, and carefully packed our cherished clothes. Yet, there’s a crucial component we can’t overlook: the toiletry bag. Do we want to perpetuate the image of the stereotypical dirty backpacker? Let’s avoid that stigma.
Choose a toiletry bag with pockets to organise storage, ensuring easy access to the desired product or accessory.
First category: Daily Bathroom Necessities
– Fresh toothbrush and toothpaste
– Deodorant
– Shampoo/soap
Second category: Weekly Bathroom Essentials
– Nail clippers
– Clippers or razors with blades
– Condoms, for those playful moments, stay covered.
Third category: Medicine and Occasional Use
– Blister dressing
– Band-aid
– Antibacterial
– Tiger balm or a similar product
– Medication for flu, headache, and diarrhoea
– Physiologic serum
– Small scissors
– Tick remover
– Tweezers
– Strong insect repellent
– Sunscreen
The SlowSight Soul Tips:
- Consider compact, eco-friendly solid soap and shampoo for space efficiency.
- Use small cups/boxes for products like toothpaste or vaporub to optimise space and avoid taking the whole bottle (you could ask for a refill anywhere).
Remember, your tiger balm and blister dressing won’t be enough for a broken arm. Don’t forget to wisely choose a travel insurance tailored to your needs and budget, it will help you to end up broke and injured.
Potential useful gears and accessories
Consider adding these optional gears and accessories to your backpacking arsenal depending on your destinations, desires, and activities. While not essential, they can elevate your experience if space permits and can be useful along the way.
Hammock – There is no greater pleasure than to arrive on a desert beach and put your own hammock between trees.
Sleeping Bag: Optimal for outdoor nights under the stars or camping adventures, offering warmth and protection wherever you lay your head.
Sleeping bag liner – To cover the shitty and dirty mattress present in some accommodations or avoid sweating all night because you were only provided with an extra thick blanket.
Venom Extractor: Safeguard against potential wildlife encounters.
Jump rope & Yoga mat: It is sometimes hard to stay in shape while backpacking the world. Chances are that if you go for a medium long-term trip and are like I am, a sport addict, these two are great allies for this quest.
Multiplug: When travelling with friends, help to avoid great debate about who should charge his phone first.
Packing cubes – Useful if you have money to spend and are messy to tidy up what’s within your backpack’s borders
Esim: Navigate the digital realm seamlessly while traversing the globe, sidestepping the hassle of hunting for local SIM cards (which can be fun or a pain in the ass) with versatile eSIM options.
Card Games: the best tool to forge connections with fellow adventurers as there are many card games for backpackers, even more, if coupled with a couple of beers.
It's now time to travel!
Here we are, going out of this maze, zipping up our backpacks and preparing to launch the adventure of a lifetime. Close your backpacker guide and remember, it’s not a fashion show. You must take what will be useful and not what you think will be.
So, pack your dreams and quirks before taking the first step to write your own journey. Will it involve exploring the world by staying in hostels, travelling solo or in a group, or budgeting all your way trying to survive? The choice is yours, intrepid traveller, but one thing remains certain: you will create lifetime memories.
Bon voyage!
Wander with Purpose – Connect with Heart!
