Making a great backpacking packing list for your trips can be a nightmare. There are many factors you need to consider like weather, kind of destination, your travel style, etc. All this makes you struggle on how to fit all you need in your bag.
So you ask yourself, what gear should I take backpacking?
After all our years traveling, we have collected the best tips and hacks we use to make the perfect backpacking packing list wherever you go. Regardless of the duration of your trip, we guarantee you, you’ll be packing for your next trip like a pro.
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We’ll tell you what things you need and the ones you don’t to try to make it as light and functional as possible.
12 Essential Items For Your Backpacking Packing List
As backpackers, we are have limited space and making good choices in our gear is essential.
In our case, and because we travel with photography gear, we even take fewer clothes than most of the people. But there are a couple of tricks so this is not an issue, which will tell you later down.
For now, we want to tell you the most essential gear you should consider packing.
#1 A Great Backpack
To start making the perfect backpacking packing list, you have to start with the backpack.
To choose the best travel backpack, it will depend on your travel style and needs.
For us, the 45L travel backpack from Peak Design makes the trick perfectly. It has 45L, which is enough for us, can compress into 35L to use as a day pack, and the options are simply perfect.
One of us uses the and the to have it all perfectly organized. They work so well and compress your clothes even more to reduce the space. The bag and the cubes could not work better together.
The other one uses the same backpack but with a different configuration: the to fit all the camera stuff and electronics, and a for clothes.
We used to travel with Osprey backpacks before, which also makes a great choice.
#2 A Goretex Jacket.
There is not a complete backpacking packing list without a good Goretex jacket. Regardless of where you go, it will keep you dry. Because you don’t want to start any journey soaking wet, do you? This can definitively spoil your trip.
So our recommendation and after years of experience, a good Goretex jacket is great for all situations. The investment is well worth it and this is not just for traveling. You can also use it in your day-to-day.
Try to go for one easy to pack not too bulky, like the ones we have recommended.
#3 Goretex Shoes.
We just said that being wet sucks and is not a pleasant sensation. Especially if what it is wet, are your feet.
That’s why a good pair of Goretex shoes are always our favorite option for functionality and comfort.
We are adventure people, and we love getting into muddy places, adventure in dirt roads to look for nice photo spots and explore. So these shoes become really handy.
We reckon they are not very sexy, but hey, we are talking about being functional and versatile here, remember? If you travel with them on, you can carry a second pair or your favorite trainers in the back.
In most of the cases and for express trips, we only take these with us because are all purposes shoes for traveling.
#4 Microfiber Towel
Regular towels are heavy, inefficient, and take up a ton of space. Instead, use a micro-fiber dry towel.
Micro-fiber towels are made by travelers for travelers. They are super light, and most importantly dry very quickly.
#5 Travel Adaptor
There are simply too many countries with different kind of plugs and voltages.
That is why you need this travel adaptor. One adaptor to rule them all! And what is even better, it is equipped with 2 USB ports so you can plug-in even more stuff at once!
#6 Travel Belt
We all know how important our passport and money is when traveling. That is why we need something where to keep them safe.
With a travel belt, you can have access to them easily, while is hidden. This one, in particular, is waterproof and have enough place to store and hide your belongings like your iPhone, keys, money, credit cards, documents, passport and more.
It is definitively peace of mind and a great thing to have.
#7 Water Bottle With Filter
We bought this one for our year traveling around the world and it has been one of the best things we bought.
We used it to fill it with water from the tap in places where it was not recommended to drink, and thanks to the filter we never got ill or had an issue. And not only that, I took it with me for Annapurna trekking and filled it from rivers on the way and wherever I found running water.
The way it works is, once you fill the bottle, the straw filters the water as it goes through so that there is no risk of being ill.
Not only you can use it everywhere but also, it helps you save lots of money in plastic water bottles and it helps the planet.
#8 Power bank
What would we do without this on our trips? Power banks can be a lifesaver on these long trips where you are unable to find a spot to charge your electronics and also when you travel to certain countries and you experience a power cut.
This can be the only way of resuscitating your phone or to get the hold of your electronics.
With this power bank, you can charge your phone full battery up to 3 times. Thanks to its compact and flat shape it doesn’t take much of your luggage space so you can always keep it in your bag.
For us, it is definitely one of the essentials for your backpacking packing list.
#9 Travel Friendly Laptop
On these times, most of us travel with a laptop.
Is a great tool for us to work remotely if needed, for photographers for transfer and edit the pictures and for bloggers to write good stuff.
A travel-friendly laptop should not weight much and should be fast. We don’t want to waste extra time because of the laptop when traveling.
We have been using the MacBook Pro for a while and it has been a great investment. The 13″ provides us with more than enough for blogging and is good enough for editing our pictures and videos.
We have tried many before, and we are aware that this is not the cheapest. But again, is well worth the investment if you ever need to work remotely.
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#10 Travel Camera
We all like to capture video and photos from our trips one way or another.
The good thing with GoPro, is that is affordable, and the auto mode makes a great job for both photo and video. This makes the GoPro 7 a great travel companion, together with its compact size and quality.
There is no camera out there like the GoPro for adventures. With the 7, you need to bring less stuff with you since is waterproof itself without the need of a housing, and the best of all? The new stabilizer. Now, that makes a difference in your footage!
You can also check here the best mirrorless cameras for travel
#11 Padlock
Padlocks are a versatile tool in many ways.
You can lock your bag up when you need to. Simply connect the lock between the two zippers you have a thief proof bag.
They are also very handy for hostels. In some hostels they provide lockers, and in many cases, they either don’t have a lock or you need to pay for one. With a padlock, you can easily solve this issue and another thing less to worry.
#12 Headlamp
A headlamp is one of those things you normally forget about. But let me tell you something, we have used this more than most of the other things on the list.
When sleeping in hostels and you don’t want to disturb people, when hiking after sunset, when leaving early for a sunrise shooting session, etc.
This takes really little space and can be an extremely useful tool.
Backpacking Packing List- Documents Checklist
Together with the essentials above, the documentation is of vital importance. That’s why we want to make sure you don’t leave anything behind. We like to keep all the important ones on our travel belt.
- Valid passport
- Copies of your passport x4
- Passport photos for visas on arrival x6
- Travel tickets (flight, hotels, train, etc)
- Debit Cards x 2
- Credit Card
- Some dollars (internationally accepted)
- Driver’s license
- Personal ID
- Vaccination card (if needed)
- Travel Insurance
Essential In Your Backpacking Packing List- Travel Insurance.
Regardless of where you go, you should never leave without good travel insurance. If anything goes wrong in your trip, with baggage, damages, etc, is good to have insurance for peace of mind.
These days there are many good options and affordable options to cover your trips and gadgets.
In our case, we have been using World Nomads since we started traveling and they have been awesome. Great support, coverage, and price.
Tips For How To Pack For Any Trip
Make a list
The first step should always be this to keep things organized. Make a list with all the stuff you are planning on taking. Once you got it, then you will need to see if it is realistic and you need all that.
Pack light
Try to pack only what you think you will really need. Leave the rest behind, you can always buy stuff in case you need it wherever you go. Just think how good it is that you can take your bag with you as cabin bag and also to easily move around with it.
Use all the dead spaces
What are the dead spaces? Spaces which bulky create, preventing to put some more things on that space. It could be because of the shape of the object or the size.
For example, when packing shoes, fill them with socks or any other stuff that can fit into them.
Use packing cubes
We did not know about them until our first trip around the world, and what a discovery!
They are great to easily organize your stuff and also to compact them. Because of their symmetric form, is easier to place them into your luggage and have it tidy and separated.
Roll over clothes
We read this before, and from our experience, rolling out clothes rather than folding then makes a difference. And not only that, but it will also help to reduce shrinks! Best trick ever.
Invest in technical clothes
Merino wool should be your first choice over cotton: They are lighter, will keep you warm in cold weather and cool in hot weather, dry faster and some of them are anti-odor and even have SF protection for the sun.
Layers are the key
Dressing with layers is to wear several pieces of clothing on top of one another. That means you can and should, leave your bulky jacket behind. Most of the winter stuff is just so bulky. Instead of using a t-shirt a jumper and a massive jacket dress on layers. Use many thin, warm layers rather than a few thick layers. It will insulate better and allow you to strip off layers if the temperature climbs and will save lots of space.
Darker colors over light
Why? Because chances to see stains on darker colors are normally smaller than on light colors. And we all know how whites attract dirtiness! This will also simplify your color palette to make them more wearable all the time.
Pack versatile clothes
Pack only stuff you can use for several things. i.e; I got really comfortable and good looking trekking shoes I use to walk in any city and for all my trekkings (instead of adding an extra pair of trainers). Since it was the bulkier of all I had, I always wear them on me while traveling.
Never pack for more than a week.
Let me explain. When you travel for a couple of days, all that we have said previously apply to help you with the backpacking packing list.
But what if you travel for more than a week? In that case, you should pack as if you were going for a week. The only difference is that you will have to do your laundry more often. Buy some fabric wash, and you can do it yourself anywhere.
Use a backpack which qualifies as carry on
This is not only going to save you money now you don’t need to check-in your baggage. It will also allow you to have it on sight all the time and for sure, will be more manageable to move around.
You can check the post the best travel backpacks to find your match.
If you want to learn how to pack light step by step with pictures, check this post.
What Should I Pack For A Year Traveling?
As we mentioned before, packing for a year should be exactly like packing for a week.
Actually, we find it harder to pack for a long weekend that for a month or more, true story!
Below you can find the list of everything we packed for a whole year traveling.
This was traveling into different kind of weather and destinations- from the heights of the Annapurna to the heat of India, which makes it even harder.
For Her
For Him
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Casual cotton shirts x3
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Summer dresses x2
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Pair of denim shorts x1
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Pair of cotton shorts x1
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Denim trousers x1
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Cotton scarf x1
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Thin cardigan x1
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Flip flops x1
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Pairs of merino wool socks x3
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Underwear x7
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Bikinis x3
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Bed linen
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Antibedbug sheet
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Headlamp
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Snorkel mask
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Sunglasses
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Toiletries
Gadgets
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Hard drive 1TB
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Chargers
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Smartphone
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Long sleeve shirt (with sun protection and anti-mosquito) x1
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Underlayer trousers (pajama or when cold trekkings) x1
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Pair of jeans (flexible and lighter than normal ones) x1
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Swimsuit x2
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Toiletries
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Fabric hand washer
Gadgets
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Hard drive 1TB
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Chargers
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Smartphone
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Drone DJI Mavic Pro – long discontinued; the closest thing DJI sells now is the Mini 4 Pro, which at under 249 g sits just under the 250 g mark that triggers drone registration in most countries
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Tripod
Backpack VS Suitcase- Quick Comparison
In case you are not fully convinced about the backpack or second thoughts, here we have done a quick comparison.
Since you are reading this post, most likely you are traveling with a backpack. But if you are having second thoughts or would like to know a bit more about the pros and cons, keep reading.
Traveling with a backpack or suitcase should be determined by the kind of trip and the destination you are planning.
We have seen many people struggling to push their suitcase on dirt roads in the Phillippines, in the middle of the jungle in Thailand, and in so many places where there are just no roads. In this case, a backpack is a better choice.
If you are going to more developed places and not planning on moving a lot, then suitcases are a great choice. So it really depends a bit on how you plan to move around and where.
If you need to move a lot or are planning a long trip, we have seen that backpacks worked better to be on the move. On the other hand, if you are spending most of the time in a single place, the suitcase will work.
In any case, and as all in life, is about trying and see what is more comfortable and works the best with your travel style.
Backpacking packing list overview
Hopefully, by now you have a better idea on what essentials you should take to your trips and also have learned about a tip or two on how to do the perfect backpacking packing list for your trips.
It is important you only take with you your essentials and leave the rest behind. Remember you can always buy most of the stuff you need on your destinations.
Do you have another tip which is worth mentioning? Let us know in the comments below.
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