I’ll be honest…I hate packing anything! That being said I’m not the type who travels with a credit card, a good book and nothing but the clothes on my back. When they finally invent the teleport machine I doubt I’ll still be able to do that because of the camera gear. As a backpacker though the golden rule is to go light and keep away from the souvenirs. I don’t shop for myself so I take the extra space for my camera.
What I normally have in my backpack at any given time:
- 2 pairs of jeans
- 2 pairs of shorts
- Sandles or hiking boots: One is worn at all times…as barfooting it around the world can be someone else’s blog theme
- 8-10 pairs of boxers: Sorry I don’t recycle underwear…jeans sure, shirts maybe but as long as I got a fresh pair of draws I’m good to go
- 2-3 pairs socks: I wear sandals mostly right now, so this will change when I travel in colder countries
- 7-8 shirts: normally mostly t-shirts but I do carry 2 button-up’s for when going out
- 1 sweater
- 1 alarm clock
- small flash light
- shaving kit
- water proof bag: use it when going out to the beach and what not, another great item that doesn’t take much room in the bag
- 1 each of the Eagle Creek bags shown below
That’s about all for clothes and all. Yeah I wear a hat, I’m American after all! My toiletry bag is nothing fancy: toothpaste, brush, shampoo 2-in-1, soap exc exc. I don’t take a first aid kit because what’s the point? I mean you can get a band-aid anywhere in the world and if it’s worse then that go to a hospital. Plus let everyone else carry one and just bum off them…something about blood pouring all over the place makes even the stingiest backpacker willing to help with his/her aid-box! lol I don’t bother with the jeans/short combo sets…who really uses those anyways? That’s actually about all, other then the camera gear. It does suck that 1/2 my weight is camera related but it’s what it’s all about, right!
I use the Eagle Creek products to keep things organized in my bag and my backpack is pictured below. Hands down Eagle Creek Cubes are some of the best travel products out there! Great for suitcases to backpacks and they are perfect for pulling out, laying them around for a day or two , then trowing them back in the bag. Give them a try and I promise you will love them (…and no I didn’t get paid to say that)!
If your feeling ultra cheap, unquie or can’t seem to find something that fits your needs you can always try making your own bag. Believe me there are times when I say “Wish my bag had this!” or “If I was going to design a bag it would be like this!” There are some sites out there that can show you how and seem to look like they would work. If you ever do make your own pack let me know and send pictures of it. I’d love to see it and would post it on the blog. Below are some links to help you get started:
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Coyote 4750 Nitesky
New: Purchased at Bass Pro in Springfield, MO, USA
Thoughts: An alright bag with nice outside pockets. I chose this pack because I can gain entry from the top or from the middle of the pack. Not to big, not to small. Didn’t come with a rain cover though, which I had to pick up in Thailand.
- Volume: 4750 in3 / 78 L
- Weight: 5 lb. 1 oz. / 2.3 kg
- Dimensions:
- Length: 34″ / 86 cm
- Width: 16″ / 41 cm
- Depth: 16.5″ / 42 cm
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Rick Steves Travelin’ 7″ Toiletries Kit
New: Purchased at Rick Steves
Thoughts: Love this bag for my gels, toothpaste, razor, brush exc exc. Has a hook so you can hang next to a mirror or something. Folds and packs nicely!
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Eagle Creek Pack-It Folder 17″
New: Purchased new off the net somewhere. Product can be found at Eagle Creek
Thoughts: This little thing is a Godsend! Best invention of the year… whatever year that was. I can fit in 7-8 shirts, fold them and when I need them they are perfect/wrinkle free.
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Eagle Creek Pack-It Shoe Sac
New: Purchased new off the net somewhere. Product can be found at Eagle Creek
Thoughts: Great bag for tossing in those sand filled sandals or muddy boots when you have to check out of your hostel at 6am. Plus I can hang it from the outside of my pack with its loop cord.
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Eagle Creek Pack-It 2-Sided Cube
New: Purchased new off the net somewhere. Product can be found at Eagle Creek
Thoughts: This bag has 2 sides. One is mesh to allow clothes to breath. The other side has a clear view plastic cover which keeps smells in. I use one side for clean clothes and the other for dirty clothes. This is the full size one thats great for jeans and shorts.
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Eagle Creek Pack-It 2-Sided 1/2 Cube
New: Purchased new off the net somewhere. Product can be found at Eagle Creek
Thoughts: Same as the Pack-It Cube above but 1/2 the size. I use this bag for all my socks and boxers.
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Eagle Creek Pack-It Tube Cube
New: Purchased new off the net somewhere. Product can be found at Eagle Creek
Thoughts: Small and non-mesh screen makes good for other gels that won’t fit into the toiletry bag or great for camera gear accessories. I have about 3 of these; one is dedicated for all my electrical adapters and the other two whenever is needed. Keeps me from having to dig around for those little things.
