Not sure what to take?
If this is your first backpacking adventure, then it can be quite a daunting task trying to think of every item you could possibly need. We, like most, were under the impression we were going into an uncivilised world where there’s no water, internet, or shops. Wherever you go, there will always be shops around to buy things you actually need. With our experience, we’re able to show you what a real minimalistic backpacking checklist looks like.
You may think it doesn’t look like a lot, but in reality, you’re always going to have access to water or a laundry service. So why take an entire week’s worth of clothes? We made the mistake of taking the biggest bags, a silly amount of clothes, survival kits, and a whole range of ‘good ideas’ that really hindered us. A lot of backpacking checklists out there will give you options and recommendations, maybe too many, and you’ll be more unsure than before you visited it.
No matter if you’re going for 1 month, 3 months, or indefinitely – if you can survive for a month on this checklist, then you can survive for 12 months, it’s that simple. Being a minimalistic traveller like us, the quality always beats the quantity.
The checklist
Backpack
On our first adventure, we bought one of the biggest backpacks we could find, an 80L backpack, with a 20L daypack that attaches on. Not long after having set off, we realised that bigger isn’t always better. After our journey had ended, we opted for a much smaller 40L backpack – Forclaz Travel 100 – 40L travel backpack.
One benefit of having a smaller backpack in hand, is that you’ll be able to carry it on planes with you; there’s no need to check-in and put luggage in the hold. Our new backpack is smaller, lighter, sleeker, and all round more convenient. Even on buses, it’s small enough that it doesn’t have to go in the hold, so we can always have it with us, which is essential when you have valuables inside.
Clothes
For most general backpacking travel, we’d recommend:
- 3x underwear – go wild.
- 3x socks – any comfortable socks will do. Bear in mind the amount you will be walking, and a nice woolly pair can be nice on a cold outing.
- 3x t-shirts – in general, most t-shirts will work fine, but we always go with quick dry t-shirts, for when the rain catches us out, or we wash them ourselves. We’re fans of Trespass’s quick drying t-shirts as they have nice travel related prints.
- 2x shorts – shorts are useful for when the Sun bursts through the clouds, or whether you decide to go for a swim. Any that are suitable for these events are fine.
- 1x trousers – we recently got some Trespass quick dry cargo trousers, which actually look pretty smart, and they’ve been great in the rain.
- 1x waterproof/jacket – a lightweight waterproof jacket is always a good shout, especially this one we got from Trespass that you can fold up into a small bag. You can’t go wrong with compact clothes, the less room it takes up, the better it is (within reason). You may also like normal jackets, which can be a good idea if you need to cover up in some culturally sensitives areas (temples, etc.).
For a lot of clothes, you’re going to want to lean towards quick drying. It helps deal with sweat better, and also dries quicker should you be in a wet situation. Quick dry is king.
Whatever you do, don’t pack denim or jeans. They’re heavy and aren’t compact, and if you get them wet, you’re in for a long, wet time. I wore jeans once when climbing a mountain on a wet day…it was not a fun climb.
HOT/COLD?
If you’re definitely going to colder or warmer climates, then there are a few other items you should consider.
Cold:
- 1x under-layers – I recently purchased some thermal base layers from Trespass, and they’re super cosy. They’re actually good enough to wear themselves, without any clothes over the top.
- 2x woolly socks – these are useful for those cold days and nights, you can’t go far wrong with any wool socks.
- 1x coat/hat/scarf/gloves – these depend on how cold you go. If you’re staying in cold areas most of the time, then it’s good to invest in some warm clothing, even if it means it’s heavy or takes space up – because you’ll be wearing it, not packing it. Woolly garments and those with Thinsulate are usually safe to bet on.
Warm:
- 2x vests – good for topping up the tan (wear sun cream) and letting the breeze pass through. Light and comfortable will be your saviour.
- 2x bikinis/swim shorts – if these aren’t already incorporated in your packing, a few more of these are handier in warmer climates.
- 1x sunglasses – if you want to look like a cool dude whilst watching the sunset.
Shoes
On our first journey we took flip flops/sliders, but this time we’re taking hiking sandals. These can fulfil the same purposes, as well as support our feet more while travelling/hiking (with hot countries in mind). If you’re going to a cold country, sliders may still be good for showers/indoor use.
Adidas Terrex Swift hiking trainers – These hiking shoes aren’t ankle boots, which was perfect for the terrains we were going to. They’re very comfortable, durable, and we wouldn’t hesitate to get them again.
Teva Hurricane hiking sandals – During our travels in hot countries, there were many times we wished we didn’t have bulky hiking shoes. We wanted something more open, but our sliders/flip flops weren’t any good. This time around, we’re going to be ready for the hot treks with these durable sandals.
Insoles for hiking trainers – Many people, including ourselves, have slight walking requirements when it comes to our feet. My feet overpronate when I walk (ankles go inwards), therefore it’s essential for me to have insoles in my shoes that support my feet. I’d recommend checking out Superfeet using their insole finder, to find the right fit for you.
Daypack
For a daypack, we’d recommend this Gonex 20L packable backpack.
This backpack is packable, so it’s small and compact, yet spacious enough for daily needs or for a day trip. It has slightly padded straps, whereas drawstring bags are no-go as they hurt your shoulders after some time.
Bottle
Joe’s bottle: For this journey, I went for a Kemier Collapsible Water Bottle. It’s made from silicone, so it’s squidgy and lightweight, and you can fold it up when not in use so it takes less room up. There’s a button to open the cap to prevent leakage, and a small button to inflate it again.
Mat’s Bottle: Mat stuck with the Super Sparrow insulated stainless steel water bottle. It’s a solid bottle that comes up with either screwable top or straw, and really keeps your drink hot or cold for a long time, whatever the weather.
Bum bag
You might not think there’s any more cliché than a backpacker with a bum bag/fanny pack, but they’re really useful, and I dig them. In fact, after using one for my entire journey, I continued using it when I got back home. They’re more difficult to pickpocket, allow you to be hands free, and you can have everything in one place (phone, keys, money, cards, passport, mask).
MyCarbon Travel Money Belt – This bum bag has a flap design. The front lifts up (in which I carry phone, mask, plasters), and underneath is a second compartment. There are a few slots that you can use to separate cards, and this is where I keep my money, cards, and passport. It’s also RFID protected, so no hi-tech pickpocket can scan your cards via contactless.
There are alternatives, based on what you require to have at hand in your bum bag, but this one is solid and I’ve used it for a couple of years non-stop.
Dry bag
When travelling in Asia, we went on plenty of scuba dives and boat tours, and we were concerned about our electronics sustaining liquid damage. We either had to cover them with towels, or ask a stranger very politely to use their dry bag.
Waterproof dry bag – When it comes to being in a wet environment, dry bags are god sends. However, they are location dependent; they’re going to be more useful if you go on boat tours or excursions, which usually will be in warmer countries. Saying that, if you don’t want to leave valuables unattended and you need a shower, it’s the perfect solution.
Towel
Bodhi Microfibre Towel – Despite not always feeling great on your skin, microfibre towels are infinitely more convenient than cotton towels. They’re super compact, and they dry very quickly. When you’re travelling and on the move all the time, quick drying materials are your best friend.
Toiletries
Toiletry requirements will differ from person to person. In general, where possible, use hostel/hotel supplies to save your own. Don’t buy big bottles as you will have access to shops while travelling, they’ll just take up more space and result in more weight.
The most common toiletries travellers need are below, and you can choose your preferred brand.
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Nail clippers
- Soap
- Deodorant/roll-on
- Shampoo
- Plasters
- Medication – if you have a repeat prescription, bring enough to last. I went to the GP and was able to get a 7-month supply of medication for my journey.
Here are a few things that YOU may need:
- Razors
- Shaving gel
- Makeup
- Condoms
- Malaria tablets – best to see travel pharmacy before leaving to high-risk countries.
- Mosquito repellent – I’d choose spray over bracelets or other methods. We used one by Smidge and it was very reliable.
- Travel sickness tablets
ALL of which you can buy while travelling, so don’t overstock.
Electronics
This entirely depends on your intentions while travelling. For our first journey, we only took phones, chargers, an underwater camera, and power banks.
This time we’re working whilst travelling, so we’re taking:
- Phones
- Laptops – Smaller the better, we’ve both gone with 13-inch laptops, 1 Dell XPS 13 and 1 MacBook Pro.
- Power banks – Invest in a decent one as sometimes it’ll be your life line. I had the previous model of this power bank, and it lasted forever, would recommend.
- iPad
- GoPro
- DJI drone – I’ve gone with the DJI Mini 2 as it’s extremely lightweight (249g, so avoids a lot of regulations) and very compact.
- Relevant chargers and battery packs for the above devices.
Travel Insurance
A thing many people miss out since they don’t want to pay so much for potentially nothing. However, it’s always, always worth it!
Make sure it covers your needs, and unfortunately you’re going to want to read all the small print, because these insurance companies will try and wriggle out of paying at any turn they can. Ensure it covers gadget loss/theft if this applies to you – most don’t come with this included. When looking for travel insurance, I look for low excess fees, medical costs of at least 1 million pounds, legal coverage, baggage loss, and cancellations.
Previously, I had opted for the cheapest option, but upon further inspection several months later, it turned out I wasn’t covered for much. Luckily, I didn’t need to use it, but if I did, well…
Important – if you have a pre-existing medical condition, it’s vital you declare it, otherwise your entire policy could be void. You need to read the small print like a hawk. Some companies will allow you to take out cover, but then in the small print say if you have a pre-existing condition, the insurance cover is void – makes no sense.
COVID-19 specific – Keep in mind that many insurance companies don’t cover you for any missed flights/inability to enter countries due to not being vaccinated, or not being allowed entry due to COVID-19 regulations/restrictions. Keep an eye on your government’s recommendations/destination country’s entry policy.
Visas
One of us is British and one of us is Polish, which means that we have to consider different visa and entry requirements when travelling to different countries.
Visas will depend on your nationality, your destination, and length of stay. For a lot of nationalities, there’s a Wikipedia page for visa policies based on your nationality, check this one for British nationals. Check the destination government/embassy in advance as the visa process may be long and tedious.
Vaccinations
COVID-19 vaccinations are essential right now when travelling to the majority of countries around the world. Most places also accept tests done within 72 hours, but when on the move, this can be very inconvenient and expensive.
When travelling to certain countries, it is highly recommended to be vaccinated for common diseases. Check out Fit for Travel to familiarise yourself with the recommended vaccinations and steps to take. When we went to South East Asia, we needed quite a few vaccines, and it ended up costing quite a lot, so make sure to factor this into your budget.
Bank card (starling/monzo)
It’s a very good idea to get a bank account with zero fees for withdrawals and transactions. We use Starling, but we have heard good things about Monzo and Revolut too.
Ensure that the country (and banks) you are going to accepts the type of card you have (Visa/Mastercard). When we first landed in China, the vast majority of ATMs rejected our Starling Mastercards. Our cash was running worryingly low, but upon further research, it turns out only a few banks accept Mastercard.
If unsure about the accepted credit cards or availability of reputable ATMs, bring some local cash before arriving. We always pay with cash, and we withdraw money regularly from trusted, free-of-charge ATMs to stop any surprises along the way.
Check which banks/ATMs charge fees in that country; even though your bank card may not charge you, the ATM still may.
We still took our local UK bank cards as a backup should we run into any problems with Starling.
All set?
Once you’re all packed, ensure that your bag doesnt exceed weight or size limits for your transport company. If you are travelling by land, these limits are often very flexible, whereas flights are often more strict.
As long as you have your passport, your bank card, and your phone, you can get anything you need out there, so don’t worry about any thing you may be “missing”.
Go and have the time of your life!
