Packing light is one of the top questions I get about my RTW career break.  We all know that person who drags a mammoth rolling suitcase on vacation and many of us have encountered the smelly guy who brags about only carrying a daypack.  I like to think that there’s a happy medium that anyone can accomplish.

Packing Tips:

  • Backpack size is important. People often comment on how small my pack is (Marmot Diva 35 2,100 cu in and a $70 backpack to boot!), but they forget that I’m 5′ 3″ and 125 pounds.  If you’re small, your pack should be proportionate to your size.
  • Ziploc bags are your friend.  Gallon size freezer bags are great as cheap/disposable compression bags.
  • Don’t let your toiletries get out of control. Chances are, if you’re going to be gone for a year, you’re going to have to replenish your shampoo etc anyway.  I pack 2 oz bottles and then repurchase every few months.
  • Bring what you’ll use. Don’t let the “experts” say what you can and can’t pack.  If a blow dryer is really important to you, then buy a travel one and bring it.  Besides, I’ll probably ask to borrow it! ;)  My “Packing Nazi” no-no item is a pair of jeans.
  • Think about layers.  How do you pack for snow in Japan and surfing in Australia, for museums and shopping in Barcelona and mosques in Istanbul?  It’s all about layering. And a scarf goes a long way.
  • Skip the hiking boots. I’ve met so many backpackers over the last year, with the obligatory pair of huge hiking boots tied to the side of their pack. My anecdotal research tells me that most of them have only used them once if that, and it could have been done in running shoes.  So if you don’t already hike in hiking boots, you probably won’t need them.  I hiked for 6 hours in the mountains in Morocco with my Diesel slip-ons.
  • Leave room for purchases. I pack 1 scarf and 1 skirt, and always come home with about 4 scarves and 3 sundresses!  It’s fun to pick up clothes along the way, but I try to save most purchases towards the end of my trip.  By the time I came home from Morocco in November, I was lugging an extra: 2 huge pieces of material/blankets, 5 scarves, 2 dresses, 1 leather purse, a leather belt, 10 pillow covers, and a cardigan.

The Ultimate Packing List

Clothes/Shoes:
Diesel tennis shoes (or running shoes)
Havaianas flip flops
jeans
North Face hiking pants
cargo khakis
3 pairs shorts (2 short, 1 long)
Helly Hansen Fleece or hoodie
Columbia Packable Windbreaker with hood
7 tank tops
3 tees
1 skirt
2 long sleeve shirts
1 button-up camp shirt
2 bikinis
2 bras
10 undies
4 pairs of socks
leggings
Pashmina scarf

Toiletries etc.
REI toiletry bag
2 oz shampoo / conditioner
3 oz mint body wash (keeps the mozzies away)
toothbrush / toothpaste / floss
razor
nail clippers
deodorant
face lotion
face sunscreen
concealer
eyeliner
mascara
Burt’s Bees chapstick
Ibuprofen
Misc. travel meds
small pack of tissues
Antibacterial hand gel
REI Quickdry towel

Electronics/Fun Stuff:
iPod
ipod charger
iPod Lego block speaker
Swiss Army knife/usb drive
SD card USB reader
Black Diamond headlamp (way cooler than a flashlight)
camera
camera battery charger
Otter Box for camera
extra 1 GB SD card
watch
universal adapter
PacSafe Wrap Safe Lock

Other:
REI mini Clothesline
Sea to Summit Silk Sleep Sheet
laundry kit (soap and sink plug)
Travel Guidebook
Reading book
Moleskine Cahier pocket journals
sunglasses
money belt (which I’ve never actually used)
passport
photocopies
visa photos
insurance info
Moleskin 2008 info journal
Mildew free wet suit bag

The following items didn’t make the cut, after my first 4 months on the road packing list:

  • cell phone
  • collapsible water bottle
  • Malaria meds
  • beanie
  • fleece (I switched to a hoodie)
  • Nike running shoes (I switched to Diesel city shoes)

What’s on your packing list?

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