Off on an adventure: What I’m taking on my trip

Out with backpacking, you're probably wondering what you need to bring. You're likely already thinking about how heavy your bag will be once you've packed everything you want. There are so many different things that need to go with you and can go with you!

When I first started backpacking, I thought a lot about the fabrics of my clothes. I went to stores to find linen shorts and light tank tops. Linen rolls up really well and is lightweight. It does wrinkle sometimes, but most clothes do. I also took sportswear with me because they're often thin and light.

Think about how many pairs of shorts and shirts/tank tops you'll need per week. I usually bring three pairs of shorts and one pair of sports shorts. As for t-shirts and tank tops, I had a bit more than four. I think I brought about eight tops in total. They're so small that they fit just fine. This was more than enough because I often took my clothes off during the day when I was at the beach. After a week, my laundry bag was always full, and I'd take it to a local laundry service. The next day, my clothes were washed, ironed, and neatly folded!

Bikinis, Socks, and Underwear

Besides clothes, you'll also need bikinis or swim trunks. I brought about four bikinis since I wore them so often. I also had socks with me, only short white sneaker socks. I brought five pairs of those. They get dirty pretty quickly. I often wore my shoes and socks when I went out for the evening, went out to eat, or went for a long walk. It's nice to have enough extra pairs with you. What difference do a few extra socks make for the weight?!

You also can't forget underwear. Or would you rather walk around naked? That’s an option too! Personally, I like to have some underwear with me. I always bring enough for a week, but preferably more. If you have more space in your bag, bring a bit more. You can always buy new ones or throw old ones away along the way. Underwear isn't very expensive.

Shoes, Accessories, and Special Outfits

Other essential items include shoes. I recommend bringing one pair of shoes and a pair of flip-flops. You really don't need more. Extra shoes take up a lot of space and it's not fun to carry them everywhere. It's also nice to have a hat, sunglasses, or a cap. If you're heading to a sunny place, you'll be in the sun a lot and it's nice to have something to wear on your head.

When you're traveling, you'll probably want to have a nice dinner or go to a party at some point. So definitely bring a nice dress or two outfits suitable for going out. You’ll have room for these in your backpack. It’s also handy to bring something warm, but not too much. It’s not often cold if you’re heading to Southeast Asia. It can be cold in Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa, depending on the time of year. So, check the weather. When it gets cold, it's nice to have a sweater with you. I wouldn’t recommend a hoodie since the hood takes up a lot of space. A sweater is fine for your backpack. It's also great for the plane since the air conditioning is usually high. A pair of leggings or lightweight track pants is also useful.

Towels and Bags

You definitely need a towel. I initially bought a quick-drying towel, but after a month, I threw it away because it didn't dry well and started to smell. I didn't want to dry my clean body with that. I bought a regular towel instead, like the ones you probably use at home. I had two with me. I also brought a hammam towel for the beach; it's light and made of a thin fabric that dries quickly.

If you're going to the beach, it’s handy to have a small bag. Also, if you don’t want to take your entire backpack with you, an extra bag is useful. I recommend bringing a good backpack. When you're on the go, you often have things you want to keep within reach, like a laptop or iPad, water, food, and so on. That’s why it’s nice to have a good backpack. I also had a small waist bag for my passport, money, cards, and phone. This bag hardly ever left my side, except when I was sleeping.

Toiletries

The last really important thing is your toiletries. You need to brush your teeth and wash yourself. I used a toiletry bag that you can hang in the shower; there’s often little space to put your toiletries. In my toiletry bag, I had lots of bars: a shampoo bar, conditioner bar, and a soap bar to wash my body. They’re small and light, and they last a long time. I usually use those from Lush. They smell so good! It’s so much easier than lugging around large shampoo bottles. You can, of course, put shampoo in small bottles, especially if you’re backpacking for less than a month. But if you’re going longer, you’ll need new supplies all the time, and it’s cheaper to buy for a longer period. With small bottles, you're constantly refilling and it becomes more expensive. So, I definitely recommend Lush bars! And don’t forget one of the most important products you need: sunscreen and aftersun! Don’t forget these at all.

Extra Essential Items

Besides the basic things I mentioned above, there are a few extra items you really shouldn’t forget:

• First Aid Kit: Bring a small first aid kit with band-aids, disinfectant, painkillers, diarrhea medication, and your personal medication. Always handy for unexpected situations.

• Reusable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated and save money with a reusable water bottle. It's also better for the environment!

• Universal Adapter: Essential for charging your electronics in different countries.

• Power Bank: For charging your phone and other devices on the go, especially useful during long trips.

• Locks: For securing your backpack and lockers in hostels.

• Earplugs and Sleep Mask: For a good night's sleep in hostels or during long bus and train journeys.

Now I've described the most important items for your backpack. Not too bad, right?

I hope you’ve packed your backpack well with the essential items and made things comfortable for yourself. Happy backpacking!