18 Things You Don’t Need on Your Packing List
Over the limit? Need to shed a few pounds or fork out cash for going over your weight allowance? This inverted packing list – it tells you what you don’t need – will help you figure out how you can lighten the load.
1. Too much underwear. Or any cotton underwear.
Debby Lee from Tea, Sugar, a Dream: Well, really too many clothes overall. My grandmother once told me, “Bring half the clothes, and twice the money.” And she was right! Three pairs of underwear are all you really need – the one you are wearing, the one you just washed and is drying, and an extra pair. And with less clothing in general, your bags will be so much smaller, lighter and easier to carry. Believe me, carrying less, especially in a back pack, is so much more freeing than having to lug around a large suitcase that is way too heavy and bulky.
And besides, if you realize that you do need more clothes, then use the extra money to buy something locally made.
Nikolas Tjhin from Unearthing Asia: On my last big trip, I learned that I didn’t need to pack my normal cotton underwears for the trip. I got myself some paper underwear which were good for one time use, and that was a great help I intend to follow next time I’m on a trip. It helps because I can live with wearing a slighty dirty shirt and or pants, but an underwear thats not clean is just gross.
2. Soap
Shelly Rivoli from Travels with Baby: An entire industry has been created for little boxes to carry your personal soap as you travel. But when’s the last time you needed an entire bar of soap on a trip? Generally speaking, soap is inexpensive and easy to come by. It’s even free at most hotels (they want clean people in their beds!). I’m always curious to see what the soap will be like where I am headed: the aroma, the shape, the lather. It’s all part of the travel experience, no to be missed.
3. Jeans
Karen Catchpole from Trans-Americas Journey: Not only are they NOT necessary, they’re heavy, bulky and impossible to wash out in a sink and hang up to dry overnight. Leave the Levi’s at home.
Craig Heimburger from TravelVice: Your $200 pair of designer jeans.
4. Books / Reading material
Tammie Dooley from Solo Road Trip: Those two back issues of Nat Geo about the “She-King of Egypt” and “Ice Baby” you’re dying to delve into? The most recent The Economist featuring “The Pandemic Threat, How Scared Should You Be”, and “Obama’s First 100 Days” that you’ve not so much as licked a single finger for and you’re feeling out of touch and guilty because all you’ve been reading are travel blogs? That novel you’ve begun twice and have yet to make it past the 3rd chapter? Pssssstttt…I have bad news — you will NOT get to all of them on the trip upon which you’re about to embark. Leave ‘em at home! Reading material weighs me down in two ways – first it’s heavy. Beyond the now costly weight it adds, the presence of it serves up a heaping helping of guilt (as if there’s not enough of that to go around). I’ve recently decided unless I’m traveling for work with deadlines, I’m not going to post on a trip, answer emails, or tweet (I can’t give up the phone). And I’m tired of packing too much reading material and then feeling guilty about those unturned pages. Let’s reclaim some freedom and unencumbered joy in our travels — just say NO to excess reading material!
Erik Gauger from Notes from the Road: I like to have a lot of information on my fingertips when I travel. Information on restaurants, hotels, directions, maps, plant field guides, butterfly field guides, bird field guides, mammal field guides and more. In the old days, I packed a lot of this stuff. But books are deceptively heavy, especially hardcovers. I learned to make my own lightweight guide out of a moleskine journal. Whether I photocopy, cut and paste, glue or just recreate with pen and pencil, I make my own guide to where I’m going out of the pieces, and the books stay where they belong, back home.
Lauren O’Farell from Purl Interrupted: Being a shameless book worm I always, always pack more than one book. I then end up ditching them in favour of one of the many books my fellow people of the backpack leave in a dog-eared trail behind them. These paper-bodied treasures will most likely be books that are relevant to where you are, creased enough to not have to worry about keeping ‘nice’, and possibly have a vaguely greasy patch of the local delicacy on page 49.
5. Money belt/pouch
Gary Arndt from Everything Everywhere: They mark you as a tourist the minute you use them. Get a pair of pants with a zipper in the front pocket. Much harder to have stolen and you don’t look like a target for every pickpocket or mugger in the area.
6. Towel
Nancy Sathre-Vogel from Family on Bikes: A towel, you ask? Why on earth would a towel be a useless item?
I realize that a towel is one of those items that nearly every traveler on earth carries. We check into cheap hotels and walk to their grungy showers to clean up. And then we need a towel to dry off, right? Wrong.
Don’t get me wrong. We travel with a towel. Two of them, actually. But they remain hidden down in the deepest recesses of our panniers and rarely see the light of day. We simply use our tshirts to dry off with.
So why are we lugging two towels around the world, you ask? For sentimental reasons, I could answer. But the truth is that we carry them only for when it is simply too cold to use our shirts. When we climb up into the Andes and the air temperature plummets and there is ice all around us – then we won’t want to be wandering around with a wet shirt.
But mostly, we are perfectly fine with using our shirts as our towels. And that way we don’t have to figure out how to get said towels dry. And how to get them dry enough to prevent the funk from building up.
Think about it. You might come to the very same conclusion we have!
7. Water filter
Craig Martin from Indie Travel Podcast: I’ve seen water filters, especially the cool, Star Trek-esque straws, popping up on packing lists all over the internet. My question to you is … Where on earth are you going?! Water is drinkable straight out of the tap in many, many locations around the world. And if it isn’t, bottled water is available from the shop on the corner of every street in cities and towns. I’d say 90% of travellers do not need to pack any kind of water filtration device.
There are travellers who need it: people who are going to developing countries … and getting off the beaten path. People who are hiking or mountaineering. People who might need a jungle survival kit. But, let’s face it, you are probably not that traveller: keep your money in your wallet for now and spend it somewhere useful.
8. Jackets
Nomadic Matt: I never take a jacket where I go. I have a long sleeve shirt in case it gets chilly but jackets are bulky and heavy and add a lot of weight to your backpack. If I am going somewhere cold, I will buy a jacket for that time period. When I leave, I’ll donate to a homeless shelter. It may cost a bit of extra money but if you are moving around between climates a lot, it will save you a lot of room. People always over pack on their trip and take everything for every occasion. But, you only end up wearing half of what you take anyways. A jacket is one of those items I find I rarely ever wear. Why carry that jacket from ski season in New Zealand all the way through southeast Asia? You’re not going to wear it. Better to just buy as you need. Plus, donating to charity is good for the soul.
9. Chargers and cables
Dave from The Longest Way Home: Chargers and cables! One for the phone, mp3 player, laptop, camera, aa/aaa batteries and shaver. I used to carry them all wrapped up in a wash bag and boy did it weigh. This was 5 years ago, before some nice people made multi adapters and fast chargers. aaa/aa batteries are now charged with a 15 minute charger that takes care of my torch, camera, shaver, mp3 player. I dumped an old phone charger and got a slim new fast charge one. Now my bag is lighter by 50 %.
I also carry a small multi socket adapter for hostels. These days one walks into one and the few precious sockets usually have queues of people around them with tons of cables and devices wrapped around them. For me I just need one socket and most things are charged in 15 minutes. Laptop and Phone taking 2 hours. But best of all, no more carrying around heaps of cable like a portable electrician.
10. iPod
Greg from Greg Wesson’s Esoteric Globe: I see so many people travelling nowadays with their eyes closed and those white buds in their ears. That is fine and good for a commuter train rides. When riding a bus through the wilds of Costa Rica though, you lose something when you throw in your ear buds and select your “groove out” playlist instead of taking the opportunity to watch the scenery, listen to the sounds of travel and most importantly interact with your fellow travellers and locals. Of course, I could be wrong and this all could be jealousy on my part seeing as I have no mp3 player to speak of… But I am pretty sure I’m right.
11. Vintage Hermes scarf
Laura Motta from Le Blog Laura: I have a vintage Hermes scarf that I bought some years ago. It’s beautiful and I love it, and when I decided to move to Paris, I had plans for it. I imagined being so utterly chic in this utterly chic city in my utterly chic scarf, sitting in cafes and going to parties. But here’s the thing. I didn’t go to Paris to work or to be a fashionable lady of leisure. I was a student. During those dreary winter months, my wardrobe consisted mostly of Old Navy jeans and pilled sweaters. My scarf stayed packed away for the entire semester. It was amazing how my weird cultural perceptions—I’m not sure who wears Hermes scarves in Paris, but penniless students do not—affected my packing list.
12. Zip-off convertible trousers
Geoff from Itinerant Londoner: The most common packing mistake I regularly see other travellers make is to bring those zip-off convertible trousers. Why such a mistake? Well, it’s quite simple. They make you look like an idiot.
Ever wondered why the kids in that remote Andean village come running out to stare and point? No, it’s not because you’re a foreigner. They see that all the time. It’s because you look ridiculous. Really. Just leave them at home next time, and survive on separate shorts and trousers like a normal person. I may sound like a fashion nazi, but honestly, I’m just telling you for your own good.
13. Shoes
Nora Dunn from The Professional Hobo: My boyfriend and travel partner Kelly would insist that you don’t need shoes. A good pair of hiking boots with some flip flops tucked in the pack should do. Personally, I choose to bring an in-between pair, but maybe that’s just because I’m a girl. Depending on the destination, an inexpensive pair of shoes can be bought – and used – abroad, leaving more room in your pack.
14. Huge stash of toiletries
Nora Dunn from The Professional Hobo: A huge stash of toiletries is too much to pack. After initially bringing the slightly scaled-down inventory of a drug store with me for fear that what I needed wouldn’t be available, I am now down to the bare essentials. You can buy as you go.
15. Converter for your electronics
Sherry Ott from Ottsworld: Well, this may sounds strange but in many circumstances you don’t need to bring a converter for your electronics. Sure, I always travel with plug adapters, but never once have a brought a converter. I traveled around the world to 23 countries with 2 cameras with battery chargers, an ipod with charger, a cell phone with charger and a laptop with battery; a lot of equipment that needs electrical power! However, I urge you to read the fine print on your electronics. Most electronics today actually have chargers that convert the various voltages for you. For example, read your ipod charger carefully, in fine print you will see that it says “Input AC 100 – 240 V” – this covers the range of what you need – no converter needed! My best advice is to lay out all of your electronics before you go, and read the chargers/manuals regarding the voltage. You may be surprised that all of your electronics already convert the power. And you’ll be happy to not have to pack a heavy converter!
16. Makeup and jewelry
Cate Dowman from Caffeinated Traveller: What I notice comes from a female perspective. I see a number of women carry makeup bags and jewellery cases when they travel. I guess it depends on where you go and who you travel with, but these are the two items I would never pack unless I was going to a friends wedding. Because I travel alone and often through developing countries, I tend to keep my profile low key for safety reasons. I exchange my watch for a cheap plastic one and seldom carry makeup except for basic items like mascara and lip gloss. I leave the makeup and jewellery for my job, not for my travels.
17. Electric toothbrush or electric coffee grinder
Rachael Hanley from Roaming Rachael: Let’s just face it. No matter where you’re headed, you’re not going to need an electric toothbrush or an electric coffee bean grinder. Sure, keeping your purly whites sparkly and being able to brew a fresh cup of joe straight from local beans seem like good ideas…until Murphy’s law enters the equasion. Then you find that A) you’ve forgot the power cord and converter, B) there is no electricity, C) none of the batteries sold in the entire country are compatible with your device, and D) coffee beans are only grown for export and not actually sold in the country. Any one of the four will turn your favorite portable friend into either a really heavy normal toothbrush or a coffee-scented weight for the bottom of your bag. The basic rule of thumb is this: if looks like it’s from a Hammacher Schlemmer catalogue, leave it at home.
18. High expectations
Bonnie Brewster from The London Spy: It’s better to be pleasantly surprised once you arrive rather than expect too much from a city you’ve never explored.
A Principle
Curtis Foreman from Flashpacking Life: Want to cut down on the number of things you bring on your trip? Here’s a simple suggestion that will both lighten your load and make your trip more memorable:
Don’t pack anything that might be fun to buy once you arrive.
Take this strategy to heart and I guarantee every trip you take will become more enjoyable. (Or at very least, memorable.)
Antibiotics? Bring them. Prescription sunglasses? Ditto. Book by favorite author? Ditch it and go book hunting. I found a wonderful used bookstore on Poppies Lane in the back streets of Kuta, Bali and picked up a copy of Scar Tissue by Anthony Keidis after watching the owner win a game of chess.
Beach towel? Shaving soap? Reusable water bottle? Sunglasses? Jewelry? New outfit? Buy local and meet the locals. Practice your language skills. And don’t be in a hurry to get the transaction done — spending a little time chatting with a shopkeeper is a great way to learn about the best and worst points of the local culture, food, and attractions.
Plus, by buying things after you arrive, you’ll be less likely to waste money on junk that seemed like a good idea before your trip — like that ergonomic, breathable money belt you never actually wore.
What things do you see other travellers lugging around needlessly? What have you learned to drop from your packing list?
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Posted by Eric on May 19th, 2009 in Articles.
#1The Longest Way Home » May 19th, 2009 at 9:07 pm:
Great List Eric! Had me laughing out loud in parts!
@Debby Lee totally agree about too many clothes. My vice.
@Karen I have thin jeans from Spain, They dry overnight. But I agree about the heavy types.
@Greg, totally agree about listening to music while traveling. But I do at night to drown out loud noises!
@Nora Dunn Yep, people with more than one pair should be banned.
@Geoff Zip off’s. I have a pair, never use them as shorts though. Light as heck and dry in 30 mins. One of the best for me.
#2» Lighten your load: learning what to leave at home :: Vagablogging :: Rolf Potts Vagabonding Blog » May 20th, 2009 at 2:44 am:
[...] as many covering what not to bring, which is why I loved the anti-list over at TravelBlogs.com. 18 Things You Don’t Need on Your Packing List is a great guide to what you should to leave at [...]
#3Tammie Dooley » May 20th, 2009 at 5:21 am:
Paper underwear?! — I need some of those! I’ll never look at my zip-off convertible pants the same way again. I still really want a vintage Hermes scarf. And I’m a big fan of not packing soap since I revel in the rebellious state of travel skank for a few days at a time (and yep, it’s so easy to come by anyway). Now that I think about it, vintage Hermes scarves and travel skank do NOT go together. Guess the scarf will have to go. LOL Great article, friends!!
#4Eva » May 20th, 2009 at 6:50 am:
I always find it funny that packing light is associated with backpackers and budget travel (not here, specifically, but in general) – because the second part of the advice in almost all of these listings is: “Buy it when you get there.”
All of this is great if you’re looking to slim down your bags, but it sure ain’t cheap.
#5Alex » May 20th, 2009 at 12:34 pm:
Cool list but I think not taking a jacket could easily be a mistake, buying one will be expensive in most cities, a long sleeve shirt will not help enough in some climates and anyway you can wear the jacket on the airport/plane instead of packing and it provides handy pockets for tickets, camera, passport, cash, etc.
Also, the iPod is a lifesaver on long sleepless flights and if you’re going to a big city you won’t appreciate the sound of traffic anymore than at home… plus once you return there’s likely to be a song you heard often on your trip that can bring back the good memories.
Other than that they all seem like good ideas.
#6Michaela Potter » May 20th, 2009 at 1:36 pm:
I love this list! I could definitely been found guilty of a few of them.
Regarding:
#2 Soap – a great alternative is the Lush product of soaps, that can also be used as shampoo, so cuts down on that added toiletry. Plus they are all natural and their tins are smaller than most soaps. However, they do get a bit messy if they don’t have time to dry out, so it’s good to keep it in a ziploc bag.
#5 Money belt/pouch – Rather than these items or a purse, I carry a very small over-the-shoulder bag that holds just the essentials I hate to be without: passport, money, other id, and hotel/room key. I make sure, though, that the strap is always under a piece of clothing, whether it is a jacket or t-shirt. This prevents snatchers from grabbing it off my shoulder, or in worse cases, “snipping” the strap.
#6 Towel – I love the small “swimmers towels” that are super absorbent. If I’m using a communal bathroom, sarongs then help for covering up. Plus they are lightweight and have a number of other uses.
#7Nora » May 20th, 2009 at 2:17 pm:
Speaking of packing light, I’m actually considering taking a 4 month trip with nothing but carry-on bags! If I didn’t have a laptop to lug around (by choice, of course), it would be a no-brainer. But with laptop as well, sticking to carry-on will be an interesting challenge.
#8Andy » May 20th, 2009 at 3:15 pm:
Frankly, the paper underwear disturbed me and made me wet myself laughing at the same time. Lucky I wasn’t wearing it because we’ve all seen a soggy beer mat so it wouldn’t be pretty.
#9Peter » May 20th, 2009 at 4:05 pm:
Nice list, though some of these I think I’ll still take
Regarding towels, a microfibre towel does the trick for us usually. They’re surprisingly good at drying down and they barely take up any room at all. Love em!
Nora, we managed a two month trip with nothing but a couple of carry-ons. When it comes to packing, I have the philosophy that packing for two weeks is about the same as packing for 2 months. In fact, sometimes it’s easier because on shorter trips you can be tempted to pack so you don’t need to wash.
#10binicon » May 22nd, 2009 at 3:24 am:
I can’t beleive this. Wasn’t the point to make traveling cheaper by reducing the weight of your bag?
Seriously? Buy a jacket and give it away? I guess I need to get a job writing stupid advice to people so I can afford to travel like this.
#11Buenos Sarahs » May 22nd, 2009 at 5:33 am:
Further packing advice is found on my blog. Rather than ship your large items by mail, you should try squishing them. Ever tried to move a manatee? More here: http://buenossarahs.wordpress.com/2008/09/23/moving-the-manatee/
#12What not to pack in your suitcase | Ottsworld » May 22nd, 2009 at 9:57 pm:
[...] 18 Things You Don’t Need On Your Packing List Over the limit? Need to shed a few pounds or fork out cash for going over your weight allowance? This inverted packing list – it tells you what you don’t need – will help you figure out how you can lighten the load. [...]
#13JoAnna » May 23rd, 2009 at 5:19 am:
This is a fantastic post, and I’m glad you asked a variety of world travelers to contribute to it. In regard to the towel issue, I travel with a tiny micro-fiber towel recommended by Rick Steves, and it’s awesome! It folds down smaller than a washcloth, dries almost immediately and has come in handy as a small blanket and something to bundle other smaller items in. I used it as a Peace Corps volunteer and it held up wonderfully – I still have it today. I would never travel with a bulky, full-sized towel, but I always take my tiny towel with me.
#14John » May 23rd, 2009 at 8:50 am:
This is so bad that I have to address each point separately and cross post from Reddit so that you, the author, see this:
1. Too much underwear. Or any cotton underwear: “On my last big trip, I learned that I didn’t need to pack my normal cotton underwears for the trip. I got myself some paper underwear which were good for one time use, and that was a great help I intend to follow next time I’m on a trip.” What the christ? Hot tip: the underwear you prefer at home is what you want to be wearing. If it’s cotton, so be it. Never compromise on comfort.
2. Soap: 2 in 1 body wash and shampoo. QED. Some of us don’t stay in fancy hotels every night, bitch.
3. Jeans: The best way to look like a complete dork: Wear hiking pants with zippers and vents and reinforced areas when you’re doing touristy things. Jeans = comfortable, durable, warm, do not require frequent washing.
4. Books / Reading material: Carry a book, not many. I would say that guidebooks are largely irrelevant now due to the internet, so ditch them unless you’re going somewhere remote.
5. Money belt/pouch: I use one of these to store my passport, spare credit cards and emergency contact information, but I have never worn it. Agreed, but it’s convenient for me to use in the manner that I am.
6. Towel: I have used a shirt as a towel, and it’s not pretty. Are you going to use a clean shirt? You’ve just made it dirty by using it as a towel. Are you going to use a dirty shirt? Then you’re going to be smearing your own wet filth all over yourself. Let’s do that every day for six months, you nasty fucker. Travel towels don’t dry you properly and aren’t big enough to wrap around your waist to travel between hostel bathrooms and your dorm. DO NOT COMPROMISE ON COMFORT. Take a real towel.
7. Water filter: Agreed, unnecessary. Buy purification tablets or bottled water like everyone does anyway.
8. Jackets: “If I am going somewhere cold, I will buy a jacket for that time period. When I leave, I’ll donate to a homeless shelter. It may cost a bit of extra money” A bit of extra money? What a retard. Carry an outer “shell” jacket that’s windproof and rolls up to be small, and use layers underneath that. Or, you know, throw away several hundreds of dollars worth of jackets. The choice is yours.
9. Chargers and cables: The guy contradicts himself and says that he still carries all this shit. You need to charge your fucking batteries, there’s no avoiding it. It’s all plastic crap and doesn’t weigh shit, stop being such a baby.
10. iPod: “When riding a bus through the wilds of Costa Rica though, you lose something when you throw in your ear buds and select your “groove out” playlist instead of taking the opportunity to watch the scenery, listen to the sounds of travel” The sounds of travel? What the fuck are those? The screaming child in the seat behind you? The diesel engine in serious need of mechanical work? I don’t know about you, but when I’m on a 22 hour bus ride in a third world country, I sometimes like to listen to music while I admire the scenery. Or, you know, at night. When you can’t see the scenery. Retard.
11. Vintage Hermes scarf: What the fuck is this? If you’re going somewhere cold, you may need a scarf. Otherwise, leave your designer shit at home, bitch. I don’t care how chic you want to look. All items must be functional.
12. Zip-off convertible trousers: True, but several of the other items in this list suggest wearing hiking or outdoorsy pants, which I put in the exact same category (dorky tourist). Again, if you wear it at home, you’ll wear it while travelling. Some people like zip-off pants. Good for them. Leave them be.
13. Shoes: “A good pair of hiking boots with some flip flops tucked in the pack should do. Personally, I choose to bring an in-between pair, but maybe that’s just because I’m a girl.” God, no. Firstly: hiking boots are not required AT ALL unless you’re going to be carrying 40+ pounds of shit, which is exactly what this blog post is trying to make you avoid doing. Take two pairs of shoes: Runners/cross trainers for hiking and other fitness activities, and casual shoes, for walking around cities not looking like a douchebag, going to nightclubs and generally being comfortable. But hey, clomp around in your big fucking hiking boots in the nightclub, I’m sure it’ll be fun. Loser. You need flip flops for hostel showers. That is not negotiable.
14. Huge stash of toiletries: Define ‘huge’. Some girls (I’m a guy, BTW) need a lot of toiletries. If you’re going to a jungle, you need hand sanitizer, insect repellent, foot powder and sunscreen, minimum. Some of these things are best bought before you leave. I learnt this the hard way buying ineffective insect repellent in a third world country.
15. Converter for your electronics Australia runs on 240V, not like you crazy Americans. I don’t know what your deal is.
16. Makeup and jewelry: As a man, I don’t generally have a need for either of these things. However, if women feel the need to hide their insecurities behind powder-based skin-coloured gunk and translucent rocks, so be it.
17. Electric toothbrush or electric coffee grinder: …Or electric razor (which one guy mentions he travels with), Xbox, HDTV, Rice cooker, nose hair trimmer, disco ball. Who the fuck would travel with their own coffee grinder? Oh, she was being ironic, and the douche that stole part of her article for this list un-ironically put it in the title.
18. High expectations: Or you could be like me, and go with no expectations.
In summary, this article fucking sucks. I have been breaking 13 of these 18 rules (plus the jewelery and voltage converter don’t apply, let’s make it 15) during my 8 months of travels. My bag is less than 10 kilos (22 pounds) and I have things that are really nice, like my own soap. And a towel. And a jacket.
#15Brad » May 23rd, 2009 at 8:50 am:
>Seriously? Buy a jacket and give it away? I guess I need to get a job writing stupid advice to people so I can afford to travel like this.
The trouble with the list is that all travel is different and it depends on the type of travel. The above will be good advice for me when I travel to India for a year. I’ll need a jacket for two months in the mountains and can easily re-coup the money spent on it over the next 10 months of not having to carry it. If you’re going for two weeks, it’s terrible advice.
No shoes? Great if you HAVE to carry hiking boots and can stand wearing them. Awful if you’re not hiking.
No towel? I wouldn’t suggest it on a beach trip where you stay at hostels that don’t provide towels and your shirt will be soaked by the first dip, but it might work for hiking when every pound REALLY matters (like the Andes.)
Ipod + loaned travel pillow saved my neck on the 20 hour bus ride from Windhoek, Namibia to Cape Town, South Africa. I’ll never travel without them both now. If you’re taking planes and short hop buses everywhere, they’re both a waste of space.
Money belt/pouch – I wouldn’t go to a bus station in Nairobi without having my money strapped to my crotch somehow, but I also wouldn’t carry any money I intended to use that day in it. It’s a security thing. You wear it because it’s impossible to snatch or pickpocket something strapped to your torso and tucked into your pants. When I’m traveling in a scary place, my passport and travelers checks never leave my body. I’d tuck them under my testicles if I could, so they took those first. Honestly, no one should travel without a money belt because there are thieves in every country and the last thing you want regardless of your travel type/destination is to be penniless with no passport in a foreign country.
Chargers and cables – Try to get all your devices to support charging by USB. It’s the closest to a universal power standard that exists and then you only need one cable and you can charge from the wall or a computer. Please don’t ever pack a power transformer/converter.
Books – English language books can be tough to find in a country that doesn’t speak English, especially if the backpacker scene isn’t strong. I personally think the Amazon Kindle is the way to go if you can afford it and enjoy reading as much as I do. Also, Lonely Planet sells their guidebooks online in PDF form if you do go for the Kindle. Again, reading material is more important the slower/longer you travel.
The best advice I’ve seen on packing light can be found here:
http://www.travelindependent.info/whattopack.htm
#16Dan Roberts (Xebidy) » May 24th, 2009 at 5:05 pm:
I particularly agree with Gary that a money belt is asking for trouble and also with Craig that you don’t need to lug a water purifier around>
Don’t agree with a towel – I hate those travel towels that fall apart all over your unshaven face; and if I had a vintage Hermes scarf I would just have Charles carry it for me.
#17Aussienay » May 25th, 2009 at 12:03 am:
Great list idea here, there are so many over the top packing lists, it’s better to see what you don’t actually need. of course i’m one to overpack, and wear all my heavy stuff on the plane so i can fit more in my bag hrmmm. As for Nora, if you’re traveling by plane many airlines allow you to carry both a carry on bag AND a laptop bag/handbag….but of course it’s something more to carry. And check out the little netbooks instead of a full size laptop…my friend got one really cheap with a discount and it’s so cute!
Great ideas folks.
#18Nomadic Matt » May 25th, 2009 at 2:59 pm:
ever bought a jacket in india or asia or south america or even europe? They aren’t that expensive (even a cheap one in europe is reasonable). You’ll find jackets cheaper than you would at home.
and why give it away? b/c there are people who need it more than you. charity. it’s a good thing.
#19brazilgal » May 25th, 2009 at 3:14 pm:
I agree with John. This travel list is mindlessly thought. Paper underwear? Very wasteful. And for the ladies, you should bring cotton underwear as cotton/natural fabric is the best to prevent yeast infection. Maybe in the form of thongs if you want to save drying time and weight. And ladies: tampons can be hard to find, especially those with applicators, in less developed countries. My ipod has saved me on overnight buses, entertained others, and draining out local sounds such as drilling in HK, babies crying, screaming ladies etc.
#20feleciacruz » May 26th, 2009 at 6:11 am:
FABULOUS ARTICLE i agree with everyone except paper underwear!! i like my cotton & def need at least 5 pairs!
#21Nik » May 29th, 2009 at 3:55 pm:
Hah~ well allow me to clarify a few points about that paper underwear tip –
First off, it was surprisingly comfortable. And NO, it’s not just because I’m a guy and I don’t care much for those kind of comforts. Believe it or not, it was actually recommended to me by my very own girlfriend. And mind you, she is one that are not able to travel without her pouch of moisturizer, shampoo, soap, and other toiletries.
My point is that, have you ever traveled long distance and had to lug those dirty clothes with you along? It sucks and it stinks. The underwears especially! And in case of emergencies, I’m not gonna wear dirty underwear. That’s just… eww… But a dirty t-shirt? I can just wash it away in the rain (or what not) dry it out and slap them on again..
And finally, you should at least try it out for yourself. It cost me US$5 to buy a dozen of them last time round. By no means a big burden on the wallet. You’ll be surprised they even call it paper, cause it really does feel like normal fabric..
Last.. I have to support Matt’s comment about buying a jacket in Asia.. It’s mind-bogglingly cheap! Think.. US$10-US$20 for a decent usable one..
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#23Jodi » June 1st, 2009 at 8:44 pm:
I am going to have to get on the ‘in defence of cotton underwear’ train. i brought mostly cotton with me, except for a pair of patagonia boyshorts to sleep in. The synthetics tend to fare badly when you’re hiking or sweating, and cotton is way more comfortable (at least for me). Though I must admit I never looked into paper underwear before!
I also love my ipod, mainly because the ’sounds of travel’ sometimes include a horror movie at full volume on a night bus through ecuador – and mere earplugs just won’t drown out the screaming.
I agree on the toiletries/makeup and soap front (big fan of Safeguard’s Eucalyptus soap here in the Philippines!) and also on the money belt – after a year of travel, I’ve never actually worn it once.
I would also add traveller’s cheques – mine have been gallivanting around the world with me, but have yet to see the light of day.
#24Powered by Tofu » June 2nd, 2009 at 4:05 am:
OK, I’m with John and Brad on this one. This is not a good “across the board” recommendation list. It really depends who you are, where you’re going and what you’re comfortable with. I just wrote a post about how to pack for a one year round the world trip: http://www.poweredbytofu.com/2009/05/05/how-to-pack-for-a-1-year-round-the-world-trip/
I travel with a 32L (2,000 cuin) pack and according to this list I’m bringing all the wrong things
1. Underwear: I bring 10 pairs, because clothes you can re-wear before washing, but who wants to wash underwear every night? Not me. And seriously, unless you wear thermal underwear, they don’t take up much space. How big are you’re underpants?
2. Soap: I stay at hostels which don’t provide soap, so I pack a shower gel, since it’s not as messy as soap in a container.
3. Jeans are my ultimate comfort item. If you’re a jeans person, take your jeans! I’ve worn my “totally unnecessary” jeans from Vietnam to Costa Rica. Obviously I don’t hike in them, but I wear them out in the evenings.
4. Books: I don’t travel without 1 reading book, which I then trade for another etc etc. If you don’t bring a book, then no one is going to trade you!
6. Towel: I take an REI quick dry mini towel, for hostels. I’m not a fan of airdrying or paying $1 to rent a towel every day.
8. Jacket: Unless you’re going to Arizona in the summer, take a windbreaker/rain jacket. I use a “packable” Columbia, and have used it in Costa Rica and Thailand during tropical rain storm, in Japan, with shirts layered under while it was snowing, and in Morocco while camping in the Sahara desert.
10. ipod: An ipod is TINY, and as long as you’re not listening 24/7 and ignoring your adventure, it can be the best “pick me up” on a long bus ride or to fall asleep when you’re in a loud hostel room.
13. Shoes: I would change this to say that hiking boots are the last thing you’ll need unless you’re doing a week long trek. I’ve never packed hiking shoes, instead I take trail runners and flip flops. 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.
Cheers and happy packing!
#25Luke Stevenson » June 3rd, 2009 at 4:39 pm:
I would have to disagree with the iPod one – whilst I try and enjoy and engage with people and surrounds on a bus or train trip, when you are traveling overnight and the bus driver is leaning on his horn hor 17.75 hours or an 18 hour trip (as in Vietnam), then having some music to take the edge of that, and the screaming kid two seats behind, is absolutely invaluable.
With regards to the chargers, one of the best investments I made was a US 2-prong to USB iPod Charger in Bangkok (only cost about 25 baht and is the size of the tip of my thumb). It charges the iPod via it’s USB cable, and I also found a USB phone charger for about 50 baht (with a set of attachments for various phone types) meaning I replaced two mobile chargers with a multi-purpose charger which together are no larger than a couple of matchboxes.
#26brian from nodebtworldtravel.com » June 5th, 2009 at 12:13 am:
I would agree with NOT taking the iPod. I did end up using it on a few flights but I had to keep charging it and I eventually lost it. Somebody in SE Asia has a nice 160GB iPod gift from America.
#27Patricia » June 5th, 2009 at 12:33 am:
Travelling without ipod??? The most stupid thing, I´ve ever heard, seriously! Have you ever travelled in an Indian train? Especially during the night? I would have got crazy, if I didn´t have my ipod! And there are definitely more situations, where u could need it…and it´s not heavy at all….stupid “not-to-bring”…as some of them…
#28Blog King » June 6th, 2009 at 9:08 am:
I think that this is a ver good list, but I also think that their are a few things missing. Personally I like too travel alot and taking the right equipment will make or brake your trip. So, things like water proof rolling duffle bags may make a difference as well, as taking some means of communication to the outside world like a computer or cellphone could save yourlife.
#29Luke Stevenson » June 6th, 2009 at 11:05 pm:
@”brian from nodebtworldtravel.com” – Fair call, I guess, but then again, we’ll see if you still feel that way after being on a 20+ hour train ride with a screaming kid shaking the windows in the middle of the night and a guy on the opposite bunk who sounded like he was either drowning or milling steel with a woodsaw with his snoring.
Maybe not an Apple iPod TM as such, but a portable MP3 player which you can load up at a local music store/hostel/internet cafe/friendly flashpacker is a life-saver.
If you can’t afford to lose something/don’t have insurance, you should really leave it at home, but that is the rule for any travel.
#30airfare deals checker » June 8th, 2009 at 10:27 pm:
Passport! you wouldn´t believe how many people I know forgot their passport and they couldn´t take their plane!
#31Bilety lotnicze » June 10th, 2009 at 2:59 am:
Hehe my wife always packs to many shoes – even if its just a weekend trip to one of the european capitals. I just dont get women..
#32Zippy » June 26th, 2009 at 1:52 pm:
The zip off pants may make you look silly, but they are the only thing worth bringing. It’s cold in the morning and boiling in the afternoon and the pants fit the bill. You’ll look silly trying to change into your shorts on the trail, road, or train.
#33Claudia » June 30th, 2009 at 11:38 am:
Well, I can read many opinions here. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts. Some of them are good…others I cant say I could live with them but Thanks for the ideas!! People dont have to be rude while giving their opinions….like the makority above.
#34Michael » July 2nd, 2009 at 8:25 am:
Good list. I disagree with the travel wallet though. Put things that you might need to take out during the day in your pockets (zipped pocket, etc.) but have a hidden travel wallet for other valuables you might need to take along, like your passport, etc.
#35quail » July 11th, 2009 at 1:06 pm:
Sorry, but my mp3 player goes with me. It only comes out though when I’m on a long flight or when I’m spending time in the hotel. It’s radio feature is priceless, and my ability to keep up with podcasts invaluable. It can also be an ice breaker when need be. See another person sporting earbuds? Ask about their player and what they like to listen to.
#36cristiano » July 12th, 2009 at 5:48 am:
its ALL destination specific and dependent upon the manner in which you travel. going from the airport to the hotel without backpacking from place to place, you can obviously bring more stuff. Backpacking around the world for 2-3 years at a time would be an entirely different beast.
Basically- go as light as possible and remember that most everything you need can be purchased in the destination country at often fractions of the price at home in your developed country.
A money belt, the kind that wraps around your waist under your trousers is INVALUABLE if you are travelling in developing countries. raise your hands if youve been mugged in bolivia! hahaha. throw your passport and any relevant documents in a ziploc bag and toss them in. that way if your bag gets stolen you always have your important things on you. post pics of your passport pages online so you can retrieve them at an embassy in a bad situation. obviously you keep the days allowance of cash separate, so you dont reveal your secret stash.
UNLOCKED IPHONE
for me, and in my opinion for my style of travel, Iphone is invaluable- get a solar charger for that and your other electronics, as in developing countries electricity is unreliable and prone to surges that can fry your things. i say iphone because since it has a removable sim card (important if you are from north america), it can be used as a phone around the world to make all sorts of arrangements at your convenience. in addition with the 32 gig one that came out, you can store your music, a few movies, use internet hotspots anywhere and take a few videos of your experiences. it is just a great multi-use tool for international travel. anyone who says it takes you away from the true experience of travel is clearly a masochist, a moron, or an inexperienced backpacker who has never been on a 18 hour ride packed like a sardine onto a loud bus with livestock, exhaust, bad roads, incessantly honking horns, no travel partners, and a language barrier.
universal converter-
since when i travel im gone for years at a time and through various places, an electric converter is essential. mine is plastic, weighs nothing, and is roughly 6 cm x 3.5 cm.
jacket-
considering about half the world is in its winter season at any given time, the long haul traveller will undoubtedly need one.
the solution is simple. i went to my local outdoor/ wilderness store and bought a down puffy jacket. it packs in its stuff sack to the size of a softball and weighs 1 pound. not to mention it is warm as on those cold days either in the himalayas or in europe in winter. an outer shell jacket that is light and waterproof also packs to the same dimensions. if you are going somewhere cold for more than a few days, bring it like this– the jacket is also a great pillow.
Footwear-
DONT BRING BOOTS!!!!! unless you are going specifically to trek and you have the ease to bring them with you. 99%of the time they are absolutely unnecessary. if you are going to a trekking destination like nepal, unless you have particularly large feet, you can easily find boots in KTM. lots of them are used and broken in and reputable brands left behind by other tourists. local boots usually will last a trek or two depending on duration and intensity.
flip flops with straps made of plastic(and therefore quickdrying) are great for hot days and hostel showers. if you are going to be walking in flops-dont go for plastic straps, instead use a soft cloth strap as walking for a few hours in havaianas can rub the top of your foot raw. trainers are a solid choice.
towel–
sure a full size towel is stupid to bring in your pack, but again, you can go to your local outdoor supply store and buy a shammy that dries in NO TIME, weighs nothing, packs flat and takes up zero space in your pack. considering how useful it is its foolish not to have one.
Toiletries/medicine-
when i first started taking long trips around the world, i would have a medi-kit with cures for all sorts of ailments and maladies. now i see that as relatively pointless. even powerful antibiotics like ciproflaxin can be purchased abroad for sososososoooo much cheaper than at home, and without a prescription. for those of you that dont trust their medicines and storage capabilities, fair enough. you can always bring a supply of reliable antibiotics from home. now that said, and providing you wont be away from civilisation for any extended period of time, you neednt pack any other over-the-counter medicines or toiletries as ALL are available where you are going. i bring a toothhbrush, a razor and blades, 30% deet mozzie repellent, glasses,and my contact lens kit. i bring a lasting supply of conact lenses, and a course of antibiotics for upper respiratory infections, and for stomach issues. i DO NOT use them unless it is absolutely necessary.
ladies and tampons-
my ex girlfriend faced this dilemma. having your period on the road sucks, tampons may not be available (but remain expensive). if you arent too put off by your own blood and dont mind a SMALL mess on your fingers, there is a product called the DIVA CUP. it is a little cup that fits snugly over your cervix and catches your blood. you remove it periodically, like a tampon, clean it and reinsert it. my ex gf LOVED this. it never leaked on her, she could sleep comfortably with no spills either. all u need is a water source to clean your hands after the change. it isnt too messy if you are worried. i dont know where to buy it, but a google search will likely provide answers.
it is reliable, reusable, small and can be taken anywhere u go, and you dont have to keep buying tampons, or load your pack with them.
my pack is 45L and it is only ever full when i am trekking for months at a time. usually it is half full, lightweight, and i am always aware of its proximity to me. after 3 RTW trips lasting over 6 years, ive never had a pack stolen. be prepared to lose everything you have, but with good street-smarts you can GREATLY reduce the chances of being a victim.
since i have extra space in my pack, i love to bring a pair of my favourite jeans. true they take forever to dry, take up space, and are heavy, BUT, they can go ages without washing if need be, they are durable and fashionable (in most places these days), they are warm, and if you have been smart about your packing you can afford to bring a luxury item should u choose. I am no ascetic and i enjoy some little creature comforts on my long long journeys.
This article is ridiculous. I hope i helped.
ciao
#37cristiano » July 12th, 2009 at 5:56 am:
oh– and i forgot,
ALWAYS have some toilet paper on you if in a developing country. You never know where you’ll be when your stomach starts to cramp up, you start sweating, and fuids start exploding from your backside:)
#38Jason » July 15th, 2009 at 8:01 am:
I will always bring a pair of jeans if I plan to be in urban areas. Universally they are worn almost all over the world. If you have plans to go out, have dinner or a drink, it’s the best way to not look like a tourist.
#39Turner » July 16th, 2009 at 3:10 am:
I may try to manage with nothing but a day pack at some point, but I’m not exactly in love with bagless travel.
#40BeyondHorizons » July 18th, 2009 at 5:25 am:
What your saying is don’t bring zip-off trousers because it’s not a good fashion statement rather than saying giving any practical reasoning. I guess your advice is only for the the insecure travelers.
#41Akila » July 20th, 2009 at 12:48 pm:
As so many other people have commented, I think that many of these items are essential for me.
#6: I love, love my travel towel — I use it as a towel, a blanket, a sarong, and a shawl.
# 8: I get cold very easily so I must travel with a warm fleece jacket (I even take it with me to the movie theater). I can’t imagine going on any A/C train in India without a jacket.
#12: I like my zip-off trousers. Sure, they aren’t the sexiest, coolest clothing, but they are really comfortable and hold up well.
# 16: As far as jewelry, I take two necklaces and a pair of earrings because sometimes, I like to look nice and these are the lightest way to do so. They weigh less than an ounce and take up practically no room. Maybe it’s girly, I don’t want to look like a schlep all the time!
I just posted my travel list and many of these items are on here: http://www.theroadforks.com/gear/womans-round-the-world-packing-list
#42The Travelers Zone » July 20th, 2009 at 6:57 pm:
this is a pretty good list but there are some things in the list i think i will still take,like ipod,jackets and shoes.
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#44Sarah » July 21st, 2009 at 2:39 pm:
While I admit I am usually guilty of bringing too much, it sometimes cannot be avoided. As a full figured woman who is nearly 6 feet tall, the idea of buying whatever extra clothes I need at my destination isn’t always practical. When I spent the summer in Ecuador last year, I was probably the largest woman in the country at the time! I would rather carry a heavier bag and be comfortable in my own clothes than scour a market for a size they probably don’t have.
#45Austinite » July 22nd, 2009 at 5:22 pm:
MP3 player is a must for long bus rides etc. Get a cheap one that uses AAA batteries so that when you’re battery dies on that 34 hour bus ride from Patagonia to Buenos Aires… Also a Beethoven symphony can add to the thrill of watching the panoramas passing by outside the window. ALWAYS get a window seat!
A couple of small paper-back books is not a bad idea. They can be traded. I agree not to underestimate the “finds” in netherworld bookshops. Leave the guidebooks at home and tap into the backpacker chatter instead.
Jeans. Cuz I don’t want to look like a tourist.
Money belt for the passport and emergency cash. $$$ for the day go in my pocket.
I also try to avoid clothing you’d buy in a outfitter store. I want to look poor and I do want to blend in as much as possible.
#46helen » August 1st, 2009 at 8:43 pm:
We set up http://www.whattowearonholiday.com to help travellers pack the “right” things for the country they are going to, pack less, know what to avoid and what to wear so as not to shout “Look at me I’m a tourist”. It would be great to get feedback from you guys as regular travellers and any updates would be much appreciated.
#47Lilly » August 21st, 2009 at 11:14 am:
This is dumb. What if you’re going somewhere that requires jeans and jackets, like someplace cold. And only 3 pairs of underwear?
#48Allan » September 18th, 2009 at 3:10 am:
don’t forget the ear plugs 5 pr weigh less than an ounce. Invaluable on noisy trips or when trying to sleep in a noisy area
#49William Wallace » September 19th, 2009 at 8:58 am:
Are you crazy 3 pairs of underwear, I personally couldn’t be bothered washing as often as you, also drying off with a t-shirt you have no class or style. An iPod comes in useful when you are bored out your mind suffering another delayed plane or on a boring train journey. There are however a few good tips that are wee gems.
#50Shannon OD » September 28th, 2009 at 11:10 pm:
I love the paper underwear!! I have never heard of them, that’s pretty funny.
As for the jeans – I actually have not for a second regretted bringing a regular old pair of jeans on my RTW trip. I am prone to getting cold and traveling through the UK, even during the summer, made me appreciate having them (with a pair of leggings under them!). I say that it’s a highly personal choice on the jeans and that taking them to Europe is OK – maybe not necessary in India/SEA
Love the others though, and those paper underwear have me scratching my head a bit – must go google them!
#51anonymous » October 5th, 2009 at 3:00 am:
Haha – A serious article, but very funny also. I recently came back from Spain, we had to pay an extra 45 pounds as my wife overpacked. Not really her fault I guess as we were taking our baby but I’m sure some of those extra pairs of shoes could have stayed at home!
#52MattA » October 16th, 2009 at 6:28 am:
Don’t take a towel? “Everyone should know where his towel is!”
http://www.towel.org.uk
#53Simon » December 2nd, 2009 at 4:25 am:
My wife is the same, she is always packing to much stuff and we always have to upgrade our baggage as we’ve found alot of airlines only give 15 kgs.
#54munich fan » December 23rd, 2009 at 2:13 am:
Earplugs are a good to have sometimes. For sure it depends to the location you spend the night.
#55Sam » February 6th, 2010 at 5:57 pm:
Oops pardon me, they’re ICEBREAKER underwear, not Smartwool.
#56Shawn » May 18th, 2010 at 11:02 pm:
Hey… i feel pair of jeans and some t-shirts are enough but most important of all these is “MONEY”, you must have in your wallet:)
#57Paula » May 26th, 2010 at 8:59 pm:
I love travelling light and hate being weighed down with luggage. I definitely agree with ditching the ipod on holiday. Okay, it’s only light and doesn’t take up much room, but it’s too convenient and too easy to fall into the habit of listening 24/7 and missing out on experiences and chanced conversations. In order to fully experience your trip you need to be focused and not ‘lost in your music’.
#58Anny » May 28th, 2010 at 3:53 am:
Great list, but I’m not sure I agree with #8 (sorry Matt!).
Layering is key to travelling light and a jacket is a must for layering. Save room by bringing one jacket, one or two light shirts, and a bunch of small light and easily washable tank tops in different colours. You’ll look a little bit different in each picture with the different coloured tanks, you’ll still feel clean with a new shirt each day without the added weight, *and* you’ll be ready for any change in the weather.
#59WireIndia » May 28th, 2010 at 4:38 am:
If you really wanted to travel light you can go with just your passport, tickets and wallet in your pocket and buy everything but its an expensive way to avoid extra baggage fees!
With regard to zip off trousers, sure they’re practical but as well as not being the greatest fashion statement, they do tend to scream “TOURIST” which is fine in some places, but not if you’re trying to blend in! I guess that’s why you read not to pack them in a lot of travel advice sections!
#60Darcy Perkins » May 29th, 2010 at 3:12 pm:
There are quite a few things I don’t agree with here…
3. Jeans – My jeans a small, light weight and great to wear casually or formally. Jeans beat the shit out of those moronic zip-off pants any day.
4. Books – Not only do I love books (and love to read), but reading a book about the place you are in, or even just one that’s set in the same country/region/city can help you get a much better understanding of the place.
6. Towel – Drying yourself with a shirt is just stupid. Just get a really small towel. Dry it in your dorm or on the back of your pack.
8. Jackets – Jackets or jumpers are great, much warmer than long sleave shirts and can be taken off, done up, or worn un-done depending on the temperature.
10. iPod – I use my iPhone for checking news, checking emails, listening to music, taking photos (when I for some reason forget or cant use my camera), and lots more. Invaluable.
13. Shoes – Not only are boots impractical and stupid for everything except hiking, but they’re also damn ugly.
#61Sophia » June 4th, 2010 at 1:18 am:
Hehehe this reminds me of the time I went to China for a school tip and one of my friends bought the biggest brush and hairdryer along. How practical!
#62MattW » July 13th, 2010 at 10:06 pm:
One rule I follow is: Will I use it more than once a week?
If not, its out… then IF I do need it, buy/beg/borrow it there.
#63Michael » July 19th, 2010 at 8:43 am:
I say stop being a puss. If you can’t carry a well packed bag with all the things that make you comfortable you should stay at home. This is nothing more than a ploy to consume.
#64Ellen » August 3rd, 2010 at 3:00 am:
As a mom traveling with a husband and two children, i did not relish the idea of washing their clothes at the end of busy days of sightseeing. We packed enough clothes for 5-6 days and included stops in local laundromats as part of our cultural experiences. We met interesting people and observed normal daily life off the normal tourist track.
#65Jeremy Powers » August 3rd, 2010 at 3:03 am:
This was some of the stupidest advice I’ve ever read. No shoes? Really? You’re going to walk around Paris in hiking boots or flip flops. What! An! Idiot! Heavy jacket? Mine isn’t. Paper underwear – that idea is more gross than dirty underwear. Zip off pants make you look like an idiot – not as stupid as wearing wool dress pants when it’s 94 degrees in Rome.
Fire them all!
My advice is always bring the expensive stuff: shoes, jackets, pants and minimal electronics . Socks, underwear and t-shirts are cheap, can be had anywhere and disposed of easily. Soap, razors, etc., are nearly free if not free.
#66Bruce » August 3rd, 2010 at 4:41 am:
The one thing I never take is cotton clothing. Cotton soaks up perspiration and takes forever to dry. Washing clothing out in your room is a very different proposition with microfiber clothing as it can be wrung 99% dry and is always dry in the morning. Polyester shirts, soaks, underwear, pants, make for cooler clothing and easier maintenance on the road.
Teflon coatings make slacks stain free and they can last a couple weeks without need for cleaning. Dark colors like black or patterned fabrics do not show the dirt and the wrinkles nearly as much as light solid colors, and dark colors make you stand out a lot less like a tourist in most parts of the world.
I take basic medicine, first aid, soaps, etc. and other items because it saves time when traveling. I don’t want to be shopping for soap or toothpaste or a shirt or shoes while I am spending hundreds of dollars for each day to be traveling. I buy samples and I use my soaps until they are 1/4 size and I can put 3 different bars in one holder.
After badly cutting my hand on a defective coffee pot while in Denver on business and finding that it took the hotel staff 20 minutes to locate the first aid kit and that it only had bandaids I have started to carry a basic kit that includes butterfly bandages, liquid bandage, compression bandaging material, and broad spectrum antiseptic creme. Harder than you might think to get even bandaids in many parts of the world once you get outside the cities.
Outside the cities in many countries, including the USA, the drinking water is not safe to drink and I don’t like spending precious travel time sitting on a toilet or in the bushes swatting away mosquitoes, so a simple filter kit goes with me. In many parts of the world the plastic water bottles are refilled with tap water and the cap glued in place so it is “like new”. Buying water in a plastic bottle from a store in a small village in Asia and Latin America is not guarantee of getting water that is safe to drink. I refuse to support Coca Cola’s theft of local water supplies so I drink only beer or tap water which if suspect has been filtered.
My 4-band Blackberry works everywhere in the world and is my phone, PDA for Outlook contact info, and my GPS. It also serves as my MP3 player and photo book so I can show people pictures of my home area.
When traveling in 3rd world areas what I do make space for in my bag are a couple of new T-shirts from the USA with logos and a bag of balloons. The T-shirts are gifts for the adults and the balloons are gifts for the children. In many areas ballpoint pens are greatly appreciated and a BIC for a school child can be a big deal.
Disagree about comment made about boots. If I can take only one pair of shoes and plan to be all over the city and also spending time on trails, and I try to include both in my trips whenever possible, a lightweight waterproof pair of boots are perfect. Too many people take only street shoes and then are unable to get off the beaten path and away from the crowds and other tourists/travelers or worry about puddles or the rain and expect to go everywhere in a car or bus when so much more can be seen and experienced by walking. Day hiking types of boots that go to just about the ankel are perfect for travel when used with wool or polyester fiber socks – just avoid cotton socks. I buy Chukka style boots which are like “desert boots” and don’t give a military appearance – enough of that with the United States’ 725 military bases around the world.
#67Paula Gjerstad » August 3rd, 2010 at 6:37 am:
Dear John in May 2010:
Such disturbingly nasty language. You disagree with some of the points others made, and find it necessary to curse them out and call them vile names. Why? It doesn’t hurt them, it irritates others (QED) and it makes you look like a true undesirable with opinions that probably don’t count at all. Quit it! I’m surprised there is no kind of supervision of this kind of thing.
Editor’s Comment: The comment by John was actually posted on May 23, 2009. Also, there is supervision over comments. I was not the editor at that time and do not feel the need for editing it at this late date. Though, thank you for your concern.
#68Jim » August 3rd, 2010 at 11:24 am:
I always pack a money belt, but, like some other commenters, hardly ever wear it. Mostly, it is a useful way to keep gathered in one place almost everything I want to put in the hotel safe at night. (Clearly, I don’t do backpacking — I had quite enough of that in the Army, thank you.) As to those zippered “safety” pockets, I have trousers that include them, and I use them, but I don’t entirely rely on them to keep my valuables safe. On the metro in Madrid, a cute youngster almost got everything out of one of those zippered pockets, but failed because (1) he was in training, not yet skilled, and (2) my friend spotted him at work. At home, I called the company that sold me the trousers and pointed out that their zipper opens down! That makes it a lot easier for the user to fetch out a wallet, but the drawback is obvious. The trousers seller. who shall go unnamed, has not changed the design!
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