Packing for long-term travel is enough of a dilemma without having to concern yourself with which unique activities you might end up doing and how much specialised gear you should take with you.
If, like me, you seek out adventure when you travel, you can easily get carried away with your packing. Before you know it, your backpack is crammed to the brim with fins, snorkel, hiking poles, gaiters, camping gear, crampons, and footwear for every possible eventuality, and there’s no space for the essentials.
In reality, you really don’t need that much gear. Most tour operators will give you the option to hire all of the appropriate equipment, and some will insist you use theirs even when you have your own. I didn’t even take a sleeping bag on a seven-month trip in South America, despite hiking some of the world’s best scenic routes.
My friends and I did the W trek independently, but we were still able to rent a tent, sleeping bags, cooking equipment, plates, cups, pans, walking boots and waterproof trousers from local outfitters before we set off. If there’s a will, there’s a way and the extra effort involved in hiring gear once in a blue moon is worth it to prevent you having to carry and constantly re-pack a 25 kg backpack.
Having said that, there are a few items that every adventurous backpacker should consider carrying with them…
WATERPROOF DRY TUBE BAG
For anyone who loves watersports, these bags are extremely handy. Make sure you choose a good make that can be fully submerged in water and remain 100% waterproof.
They’re designed to float – in case your bag goes overboard – and the clip means that you can attach it to fixtures for added security. These bags are not only useful for water sports like kayaking and waterfall rappelling, but for those nerve-wracking water taxi journeys when you don’t quite trust the driver not to lose your luggage over the edge of his boat.
You can also put your valuables inside a dry bag during particularly heavy monsoon rains. And if you’re still not convinced, they work perfectly as wash bags – especially when there’s nowhere in your shower cubicle to place your clothes and towel that isn’t directly in the path of the water stream.
CLINICAL STRENGTH ANTIPERSPIRANT
Rexona Clinical is a super effective antiperspirant and deodourant for people who need the best. And trust me, when you’re exercising almost constantly – be it via adventure sports or simply sightseeing – in the hot and humid climate of a foreign country; when you’re spending over 24 hours on the same bus; and when you’re hiking for days with no access to a shower, you do need the best.
This product comes in men’s and women’s varieties and has an anti-skin irritation moisturising ingredient as well as patented odour-fighting technology.
LIGHTWEIGHT RUCKSACK
This style of rucksack is particularly useful if you’re into running. When you’re out exploring on foot for a full day in an unfamiliar place, it’s amazing how many items you’ll want to take with you.
Aside from a few litres of water, a map will probably be required, in addition to some food, money for emergencies, extra layers of clothes and your camera. For this reason, I find that a 25-litre bag is about the right size for most eventualities. A lightweight running rucksack will also double up as a useful and comfortable day bag and will barely take up any space in your backpack, unlike a conventional rucksack.
I have sworn by the brand Inov-8 since I first started running. Their gear is fantastically well designed, with reflective strips to make you more visible at night, plenty of accessible pocket options (including for hydration bladders) and adjustable padded straps that hold your bag in one place even when you sprint.
They’re incredibly light, breathable and waterproof and you can scrunch them into a tiny ball for easy storage in your backpack.
SLEEPING BAG LINER
I wouldn’t advise taking a sleeping bag on a long-term backpacking trip because they take up a lot of space and you will be able to hire one easily that is probably more suitable for the local weather conditions.
I would, however, suggest you take your own sleeping bag liner with you. Not only do they provide a barrier between you and the rented sleeping bag that has cocooned hundreds of unwashed travellers before you, you can also use them in your hostel bed when the bedding they’ve provided is too substantial for the heat.
Silk bags are a good option because they are light and comfortable but machine washable, more breathable than cotton and less easy for mosquitos to bite through. Also consider a rectangle-shaped one over a mummy design as they give you more room to reposition your limbs.
TAMPONS/MOONCUP
When it comes to toiletries, the general rule is that you really don’t need to bulk buy before you travel because you can find pretty much everything you need overseas. Except for tampons, that is.
Tampons are ridiculously hard to come by in a lot of places. In South America they’re almost taboo. Even in Australia, pharmacies only tend to stock one brand and frequently have none left on their shelves. So, if you’re planning to travel long-term, you have two options: either stuff a few months’ supply into your bag and restock at every rare opportunity, or give the moon cup a run for its money.
The moon cup is great in theory – cheaper in the long run and more environmentally friendly, but I’d definitely recommend giving it a trial run before you rely on it in a country with less than ideal bathroom facilities…
MP3 PLAYER DESIGNED FOR SWIMMING
How many times have you been to the beach when travelling and spent half the day worrying that your MP3 player will either go missing or get water damaged?
Have you ever wished you could continue to listen to your favourite holiday soundtrack while you’re swimming in waterfall pools or relaxing in natural hotsprings?
Wouldn’t it be great to exercise in even the heaviest downpours during the tropical monsoon season and to still be able to listen to music?
With an MP3 player designed for swimming, you can! Not only that, they’re small, resilient and usually designed so that the earbuds will stay put even when you’re being super active.
BUFF/BANDANA
When you don’t know exactly what activities you’ll find yourself doing, an item like this comes in really handy because it’s multifunctional.
It keeps you warm when it’s cold and cold when it’s warm, and depending on how you wear it, can do a pretty good job of accessorising an outfit as well.
According to its manufacturers, the Buff can be worn as a scarf, balaclava, scrunchie, foulard, mask, neckerchief, pirate cap, beanie, saharaine, hairband, wristband, diadem or headband.
That’s so much choice I don’t even know what three of those words even mean! What I do know, though, is that you will find a use for one of these while you’re backpacking, whether it’s to keep the dust from your mouth as you cycle steep mountain roads or sandboard massive dunes, to protect your lungs as you explore silver mines, caves and polluted cities, or simply to hold your increasingly uncontrollable hair out of your face.
SPORTS SUNGLASSES
Sports sunglasses are perhaps not the trendiest item – unless you make a statement with the wackiest pair of Oakleys you can find – but regular sunglasses just don’t cut it when you’re leaping over boulders or dangling from a zipwire.
If you intend to do more than just city sightseeing and sun baking, you need a pair of sunglasses that will stay firmly attached to your head.
The technology of sports sunglasses is quite astounding. There was once a time when you only had to worry about whether there would be UV protection. Now, you can get high-definition optics, which prevent image shift and provide a clearer and sharper image, polarised lenses for glare protection, impact resistance technology or geometrics that extend your peripheral view. The choices are mind boggling.
WATERPROOF CAMERA HOUSING
In this age of digital cameras and social media, most of us see ourselves as budding photographers and taking amazing photos is part and parcel of travelling. So why limit yourself to the above-ground scenery?
With so many fantastic places to dive and snorkel around the world, and so many cool emerging water sports (ever been sledging or played SUPBall?), you’ll be able to capture some really unique and inspirational shots with waterproof housing for your camera.
Alternatively, check out the waterproof cameras and video recorders that are entering the market. Just be careful not to buy a device that is so futuristic in its technology it won’t display your videos on your mini traveller’s netbook!
I totally agree with you on the sports sunglasses (and all other products fir that matter :-) ). I’d go for at least category 3 or 4 if you are planning on doing mountain trekking, as the sun at high altitude is so strong that normal sunglasses wouldn’t be able to protect your eyes properly.
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I got some sports sunglasses for running and never wear them. I think it’s because I went for a cheap brand I found at the London Marathon Expo. Also, I break and lose sunglasses so regularly there’s almost no poing me having them! The newer designs really do look impressive though. I might take my own advice and look at getting some!
This is a smart list thanks. I agree with Arienwen that you need to buy good quality products to take with you and you should test them before you pack. Another item we seem to ignore and suffer for it is sun creams. I had more than once suffered with sun burn when I least expected. You should keep a small tube that you can use for your face.
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I completely agree. That should be on EVERY traveller’s list, even if they’re not pale and susceptible to sunburn, like me!
I’m not a very adventurous traveler yet… But I hope I’ll need to come back to this post soon :)
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Ah, you’ll get sucked in! There was a time I would never have believed I’d ever do a bungy jump and now if I see a high building the first thing I ask is whether it’s possible to jump off it!
I’ve been on one and two week backpacking trips so I would definitely defer to you for a 7 months trek! That’s fascinating that you relied on renting some of the essential gear as I have always been one to be prepared 24/7 and self-reliant. i.e. the basic survival necessities of sleeping back, tent, cooking stove, water, etc. So, I really enjoyed how you did that, Arianwen, though I still think I would trust my own instincts and bring my own. However, what a HUGE advantage to be able to rent! Could you count on the sleeping bags being clean on the inside? You gave me a great reminder about getting a waterproof/underwater camera….thank you! Have a great weekend, our friend! :)
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I think when you backpack for 7 months, you really do only want to take the bare minimum. Stoves, tents and sleeping bags leave little room for anything else. It depends where you go. If your entire trip was just about hiking and camping then I can see advantages to taking your own gear, but I was surprised by how many of the 4- to 5-day hikes in South America carried all that gear for you. The W trek was the only one we had to carry it on, and gear is so easy to rent there.
I’d recommend taking a very lightweight sleeping bag liner if you’re worried about how clean they’ll be.
As for underwater cameras, I hope you find a good one. I have my reservations about the Go Pro. As it has no LCD screen or viewfinder, you can’t see what you’re videoing and I often find I’ve missed things, especially when diving. The videos also don’t play on slower computers like netbooks, so it’s not ideal for a travel blogger! Let me know what you end up with!
Nice set of tips here and I agree that if you are travelling for a period of time then hiring items is the way to go. I always believe in the mantra of travelling light but I’m so poor at it.
Clinical strength deodorant is not something I’ve heard of before but sounds like a good idea. Is this only available from the chemist?
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I’m poor at it too! But at least I don’t lug my tent and sleeping bag around with me! I think the clinical strength deodorant is available in stores like Priceline in Australia and New Zealand, where I am at the moment. The UK equivalent is Sure. I assume you could buy that in Boots/Superdrug, but I haven’t been home in a while to check. I’m not sure about the States…
As I former backpacker I wish this kind of stuff was around when I was traipsing around the world, especially the waterproof MP3 player (really showing my age now ha ha)!
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Haha. I know! I actually don’t have anything like this myself, but I’m so tempted. If I wasn’t putting all my pennies towards the travelling itself, I’d have gone out and bought a waterproof MP3 ages ago!
great list of essentials to have while travelling! I agree on the sleeping bag. I’ve never had issues when taking just the liner and even though I do actually hate them (I get entangled in them always!) they are essential when you are not so sure the bed is clean… And I love that waterproof mp3 player!
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I agree! I get caught up in the liners too! My favourite invention is those sleeping bags with arms and legs, although I’ve never had the pleasure of sleeping in one! :)
Great list. I’ve always been a little on the fence about a sleeping bag liner as the good ones are REALLY expensive, but maybe I do need to shell out for one. There have been a lot of times when I have been a bit suspicious the bedding, especially in some dodgy hostels.
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I have to say, I took a liner to South America and only used it a handful of times in 7 months. The main reason is that I find that they really restrict your movement. It was nice to have it for those few times that I rented a sleeping bag though. And I’ve also travelled to places in Asia that didn’t provide bedding. It’s good to have a liner just for modesty in situations like that – or when it’s really hot and all they give you is a thick duvet. At least they pack up small.
I also have Spork and earplugs on my list!
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Great additions to the list! I love Sporks! I’ve taken earplugs with me before and never used them though. I think I’ve just become accustomed to sleeping in noisy places!
Great list! I’ve been wanting to buy a waterproof camera case for some time. Somehow they scare me a bit in that I don’t trust them 100% haha. Which brand would you recommend?
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I think the decent brands are very trustworthy – they cost enough! I have to admit that I’ve never owned waterproof housing myself. I have a GoPro for diving and I’ve had a few issues with it. It started freezing up and not storing photos the other day, but it seems to be working again after updating the software… I also find that with the GoPro, if you want it to do a decent job, you need a lot of accessories, like a filter to make diving photos less blue, an LCD screen and a backup battery pack (which, by the way, you can’t use at the same time). It really starts to add up. I trust my regular camera a lot more, but I haven’t looked into housing for it. The real dive professionals have monster cameras that probably cost a fortune, so you have to be pretty serious about it! I would say that 90% of the divers I’ve met use a GoPro…
Have you tried the mooncup? My sister loves hers and is always trying to convince me. I bought one but I’ve yet to try it. But gosh, you are so right about tampons in Oz and NZ they are basically medieval. Not looking forward to that.
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I have tried it. I think they’re a great concept because they’re more environmentally friendly and cheaper, but (sorry for the details!) I had issues with it sometimes leaking, and when you’re travelling, you don’t always have the facilities available to rinse it out, which can be a big issue. I stopped using mine, but you might have more luck!
The dry bags are also great because they are folded at the top so they are both waterproof and pickpocket-proof !
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That’s a good point! It wouldn’t be easy to just dip your hand in and grab something!
Great post Arianwen, I love reading your blogs as I’m planning a 12 month trip starting later this year so checking out your website gets me excited! Do you have any recommendations for a good coat? One that will keep you warm when you need it (e.g. hiking in El Chalten) but easy to pack when you don’t (e.g. Rio carnival!)
Thank you Matt. Your trip sounds very exciting! I actually took a very lightweight waterproof. It’s really thin and takes up next to no space in my backpack. The brand is Montane. Then when I was hiking in the colder places I had layers like a fleece and a thermal marino wool thin jumper. If you buy a thin jacket like mine, make sure you try it on with lots of layers underneath! It does get very cold in the Andes, especially at night. I found leggings to be really useful too, especially on the over-air conditioned buses. I ended up buying hats and gloves in Peru since I started my trip in much warmer places and didn’t want to carry loads of warm clothing around with me. On one of the Peru hikes, they took us to a market so we could each by two metres of plastic. Then we folded it over, cut a hole in the top and made ponchos that covered us and our bags! They looked ridiculous, but they really do the trick! I hope you have a great time. Let me know how you get on, and feel free to comment/email if you have any more queries.
Great tips thanks! I’m actually starting in Peru and then taking a similar route to your South America route from there, so I’ll probably take anything small like gloves with me. I also like your tip on the clinical strength antiperspirant, I remember coming back from Kenya a couple of years ago I had a very sweaty two and a half hour bus trip to the airport, and then having to spend the next 16 hours flying home feeling less than pleasant (although was probably even worse for the people sat next to me on the plane!) And yes I’ve found your facebook page so I may well take you up on that offer!
Sounds like a great trip. I can’t get enough of Latin America! One thing I will say – you won’t have many hot bus journeys there. Always take a jumper and walking socks onto a night bus – even a blanket if you can find one! ;)