Backpacking Packing Guide: What to Bring & How to Pack It
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When it comes to packing your backpack for a trip, the two key aspects to keep in mind are: lightness and versatility.
Unless you have special needs, don’t go over 15kg, ideally 10kg. That way you’ll avoid unnecessary aches, airline surcharges and the temptation to take a taxi instead of walking.
Leaving for a week or a year makes no difference: clothes can be washed. Finally, remember that this is meant to be a complete list that lets you travel light while being suitable for almost any kind of destination/climate. So it’s up to you to use common sense and avoid bringing hiking boots or heavy clothes if you want to spend a month of sun and sea in Thailand.
Below you’ll find some videos (in Italian, but you can turn on the subtitles) where I show what I took with me on various trips:
- My ideal travel backpack, used on my last two trips to Asia.
- My two backpacks for a 6-month trip through India and Nepal.
- A minimal setup with a single 28L backpack, used for a 6-week trip to Morocco.
What follows is a general list; if you want to see exactly what I carry, you’ll find the detailed, constantly updated list on this page. When I’m on the move, I always put the compressible backpack inside the bigger one. That’s about 14 kg in total, but I’ve always managed to get it through as carry-on. Given its compact size, the backpack doesn’t draw attention. Nobody has ever asked me to weigh it. That said, the camera bag plus tripod weigh 4.5 kg, while the laptop, mouse and two hard drives weigh another 1.8 kg. Basically, without all the extra gear that most travelers don’t need, the weight is about 7.7 kg.
Backpacks and various bags
Before starting with the actual list, let’s talk about the most suitable “containers”.
Large backpack (40-60 liters): especially if you’re traveling in hot climates, 40 liters is more than enough. The Osprey farpoint 40 is an excellent backpack designed specifically for traveling, well made and with a handy front opening, and it can also be used as carry-on.
Small backpack (10-20 liters): mainly for day trips. When I’m moving from one destination to the next, this is the backpack I never let out of my sight: it holds my documents and electronic devices. I’m a happy owner of a north face borealis; other good options are the Osprey daylite and, if you’re after lightness and portability at the expense of pockets and comfort, the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil and the Osprey Ultralight are two excellent options. Over the years I’ve switched to traveling with just one backpack, but I still bring a compressible backpack with me: I use a 16-liter Matador On-Grid.
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Dry bag: it’s one of those things that aren’t essential, and I’d only consider it if you’re planning certain activities like kayaking or canyoning; either way, I’d think twice before putting it in your backpack.
Tip: if for any reason you think it might come in handy and you don’t need a small backpack that’s particularly comfortable for long walks, you could use the dry bag as a daypack.
Cotton bag: to use as a bag for dirty things. If you put dirty clothes in a plastic bag they’ll smell even worse. Also useful for shoes.
Toiletry bag/medicine bag: one is as good as another, but if you need to buy a new one, get one you can hang up.
Packing cubes: to keep your backpack as organized as possible and save space.
Travel case: to organize chargers, cables, adapters, SD cards and so on.
If you want something carefully designed, of excellent quality and with a lifetime warranty, take a look at Peak Design’s products: Shoe Pouch, Tech Pouch, Wash Pouch (small version) and packing cubes (review on my YouTube channel, in Italian, but you can turn on the subtitles).
List of clothes to bring on a trip
In general, if your budget allows it, I recommend merino wool clothing which, thanks to its many properties, is particularly well suited to travel.
Hot and temperate climates:
A pair of convertible pants: if you plan to travel only in hot climates, this should be your only pair of long pants. Maybe add a pair of jeans for going out in the evening in climates that aren’t exactly tropical.
For women: a pair of leggings. They’re versatile and suit different climates, great as pajamas too, and rolled up they take up little space.
Two pairs of shorts: one pair of sports shorts and one for going out.
T-shirts: 4-5 T-shirts should be more than enough. If your budget allows it, I recommend merino wool.
Tank tops: very useful in hot climates, and if the temperature drops they’re comfortable under a sweatshirt.
Thermal top: to use as a base layer, it keeps you extremely warm without adding much weight.
Technical fleece: these keep you extremely warm and are super light. Personally, I prefer one with a hood so I don’t need to bring a beanie.
Rain jacket: it’s worth investing a bit of money in a breathable technical product, otherwise you’ll get the sauna effect.
Hat: personally, I don’t consider it essential. In cold climates a hood easily replaces it, so it’s probably more useful in extremely hot climates to protect yourself from the sun.
Socks: I recommend merino wool, as you can wear them several times before they start to smell: three short pairs and one long pair.
Underwear: 5 pairs of underwear should be more than enough.
For women: bras, and I recommend a sports bra, which is much more comfortable to wear, especially when you’re on the move with your backpack.
Swimsuit: just one, please.
Money belt: a great solution, unlike the classic fanny packs everyone knows about.
Merino wool neck gaiter: I bring this even to climates that aren’t exactly cold. It’s extremely useful and versatile and, being merino wool, it breathes really well. It can be used as a sleep mask, to protect yourself from dust on a scooter and so on. One of my favorite gadgets.
N.B. With the clothes listed so far you can travel light practically anywhere, as long as temperatures aren’t too low (thermal top, fleece and rain jacket layered on top of each other are more than enough to keep you warm in many situations); if you’re preparing for a trip to really cold climates, consider the following items and, of course, use common sense, maybe bringing an extra sweatshirt and leaving your shorts at home.
Heavy jacket: the jacket won’t affect the weight of your backpack, since you’ll probably be wearing it all the time.
Hat: for lovers of minimalism, the jacket’s hood does the same job.
Gloves: buy ones that aren’t too bulky and, ideally, water-resistant.
Long pants or jeans.
List of footwear to bring on a trip
Flip-flops: always bring them, whatever kind of trip it is (for hygiene in the shower); in tropical climates I wear them practically all day. Havaianas seem to be indestructible.
Hiking shoes: absolutely recommended if you’re planning more than a few hikes, but for the occasional walk a pair of sneakers with a decent sole should be more than enough, and much more versatile.
Sneakers: I always bring them; they’re suitable for pretty much any situation.
Technical sandals: even though I’ve never used them personally, I see them as a great alternative to a pair of shoes, especially in tropical climates.
List of accessories to bring on a trip
Padlock: buy one with a combination, ideally TSA-approved.
Sunglasses: useful in every situation, from the sea to the mountains. I recommend polarized ones that aren’t too expensive, since they can easily break when traveling.
Water filter: in developing countries, where you’d otherwise have to buy bottled water, it can save you a lot of money.
Sewing kit: certainly not essential, but on long trips I always bring it, given how little it weighs.
Swiss Army knife: I don’t bring it anymore because I usually travel carry-on only, and you can’t keep it in your carry-on, but if you check your backpack it can be worth bringing.
Mask and snorkel: I strongly recommend them for certain destinations; renting them can be expensive.
Water bottle: if you don’t go for one with a built-in filter, get one with a wide opening so the inside can be cleaned easily. Recently I started using the Katadyn Befree 1L (600ml version), as it’s much more compact and easier to carry than the LifeStraw. The LifeStraw Peak Series is slightly heavier and sturdier but, above all, it can be used as a normal water bottle if you have access to drinking water for long periods.
Earplugs: dorms can sometimes be really noisy. Also useful for camping, especially in strong wind. If you sleep on your side, I strongly recommend trying Mack’s: they’re made of wax and when you wear them it’s as if you weren’t wearing anything. These are my favorite earplugs.
Spork: I always bring it.
Notebook: a small notebook and a pen to jot down travel notes and/or thoughts.
List of camping gear to bring on a trip
Obviously this is all gear that, because of its weight and volume, you should only bring if you think you’ll really need it.
Tent: even though I like camping, I’d only recommend it for certain trips. Basically, it’s only worth it if you use it regularly. Essential if you’re traveling by hitchhiking.
Hammock: a more compact alternative to a tent.
Sleeping pad: obviously not essential but highly recommended, especially at low temperatures, to insulate you from the ground.
Sleeping bag: buy it based on the climate you’ll be facing.
List of electronic devices to bring on a trip
Universal adapter: essential. I recommend one with USB ports so you can charge several devices at the same time, like this model.
Flashlight: get a headlamp with a rechargeable battery and, ideally, water-resistant.
Smartphone: it can fully replace a compact camera and should be more than enough to “stay online” without needing a tablet or computer. Remember to bring the “pin” to remove the SIM if you think you’ll need it.
Tablet: great for watching a movie or just goofing around, but certainly not essential, since it’s basically a smartphone with a bigger screen.
Computer: only bring it if you need it for work, otherwise it’s just dead weight.
USB stick: given how little it weighs, it’s always a good idea to have one.
Power bank: useful so you never run out of battery; around 10000mAh should be more than enough.
Action camera: certainly not among the essentials, but great for activities like kayaking, snorkeling and so on. GoPro is by far the best, but also the most expensive.
E-book reader: if you’re a reading fanatic, you won’t be able to do without it.
List of toiletries to bring on a trip
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Sunscreen (it can be expensive abroad, especially in developing countries)
After-sun lotion
Cotton swabs
Bar of soap: much more compact and lighter than shower gel; they also sell shampoo bars and travel cases.
Deodorant
Razor (this one is the most compact I’ve managed to find, and it even charges via USB!)
Lip balm
Nail clippers
For women:
- Tweezers
- A menstrual cup, which can be a good alternative to pads and tampons
- Face cream
- A small pouch for jewelry (earrings, necklaces, bracelets), which, if you don’t bring it from home, you’ll surely end up buying during the trip, especially in countries where it’s really cheap.
List of medicines to bring on a trip
Personal medication: for asthma, diabetes and so on.
Band-aids
Disinfectant
Anti-diarrheal medicine
Probiotics
Paracetamol (acetaminophen)
Anti-inflammatories
Mosquito repellent
Cream for infections, e.g. gentamicin
List of documents to bring on a trip
Personally, I like to keep all my documents together in a waterproof pouch, which goes straight into the locker, if there is one, as soon as I get to the hostel.
Plane/train/bus tickets
The address of your hostel (even a fake one, just for immigration)
Passport
Driver’s license
Emergency cash: euros are fine, but dollars are more widely accepted.
2 debit/credit cards: make sure they’re enabled for use abroad. The best cards for traveling
Student card: make sure it has a photo, otherwise it may not be accepted.
Photos for any visas
The details of your travel insurance
Other useful tips
- Roll your clothes instead of folding them and you’ll save a lot of space.
- Packing your backpack the same way every time will help you be faster, and if something’s missing you’ll notice right away.
- Bring a change of clothes in your carry-on in case your checked luggage gets lost.
- Keep a copy of all your documents saved online on a cloud service such as Google Drive or iCloud.
- If you’re traveling as a couple or with a group of friends, avoid bringing the same things twice, for example medicines.
Planning a trip? Check out these posts:
Which travel insurance to choose
Which travel backpack to choose
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