I lay myself bare. Sometime ago I posted a message on Facebook that yes, my pack weighs 40 lbs. Many of you said, “TOO HEAVY!”
I have clear weaknesses that need to be rectified even after banning 90% of my possessions. Can you point them out?
Gasp! I require other items not pictured here:
- SteriPEN.
- Sleeping bag liner.
- Doorstop.
- Possible Pacsafe backpack and bag protector.
- Sturdy windbreaker.
- Hiking shorts (pockets).
- Power converter.
- Smartphone (switch out current phone).
A video introduction, pictures… be merciful.
Keep in mind, I am in Canada at the moment, so some of the rules are lax. Wayyy lax.
Offer your comments, I’ll offer a limp wristed defense.
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I haven’t bought anything yet, the Travelsafe 20L was another reader’s suggestion. My plan is to hit MEC while I’m in TO and see what I can find. If I were you, go to Travelsafe’s website directly and order or ebay is also useful. Good luck!
Where did you buy the Travelsafe 20L? I am really finding it hard to find a Canadian shop that has one in stock or is willing to ship to Montreal.
@LengthyTravel – Cool! Thanks for the recommend! I actually have an aluminum water bottle right now, but completely forgot to photograph it. I should add it to the photo gallery. I’ll certainly keep your tip in mind!
You wrote that you prefer to stay away from bottled water for the environment. Did I miss in your list a water bottle? Platypus makes a very cool plastic water bottle (0.5l, 1l, 1.5l options) that roll up when not being used. Super light and convenient. In some countries without potable water, you can just ask any local restaurant, hotel, etc. to fill it up. Some will do it free, some for a very small fee – always cheaper than buying bottled water and better for the environment.
@Akila – I hadn’t thought of a plug splitter. Thanks for the recommend!
@ramblingsaffie – Yup. Ouch. 40 lbs. is a bit much for, huh?
@Shawn – Ah yeah, quick dry towel is on the list. However, my sarong is pretty quick dry-ish. I’ve used that for a towel before. Will consider the quick dry towel option… Thanks!
@Kathy aka mytimetotravel – Thanks for the reminder, I have Beth Whitman’s Women’s Guide to India on hand, and she said the same thing. Skin is not welcome there, the bikinis are further into the trip when I hit beaches in Thailand, etc. The plan is to go bare minimum before India and then buy clothes there, which I’m told is cheap, plus allowing me to blend in more.
We didn’t bring a mosquito net and it’s always been supplied. You don’t need it.
I know you don’t need people to recommend things for you to but I highly highly highly recommend that you bring a plug splitter — you can get it for $3 from Walmart — and whenever you only have one socket in your room (which happens all the time), you can still charge everything you need. The one we used is on our electronics packing list but considering that we carry 30 pounds in electronics alone (!), I am probably not the best to be giving advice on how to minimize. http://www.theroadforks.com/gear/gadget-round-the-world-packing-list
40lbs, eish. Thats pretty heavy!!
By the way, do you have a quick drying micro fiber towel, not all places hand out towels. I highly recommend getting one if you haven’t yet.
Good call on the Jeans, one pair is enough.
BTW – about those bikinis. OK for Goa and guesthouses (if they have pools), but Indian women swim in saris or long shorts and tees. Which reminds me – you should cover your knees and shoulders for SEA and India outside of Goa and Mumbai (respects the culture and will get you better treatment). Do any of your tops have sleeves? And buying shalwar kameez (loose pants and tunic top with scarf) in India isn’t a bad idea – will cut down on the stares and helps you stay cooler.
@Karin – A fellow fashionista speaking to my weaknesses! You know I want to keep the flats! Will I? My irrational brain says if I dump x, y, z – why not? Stay tuned on that one.
I don’t see any harm in keeping the mosquito net, it’s fairly small and not even close to heavy. But, who knows? That might make the cut. Thanks for your advice!
I forgot to say: I agree on the mosquito net. Don’t bother!
First let me say: I really like your style in clothes! I don’t really think it’s too many clothes. (OK, the poncho…but then I don’t like ponchos very much.) One pair of jeans is, of course, enough, wear them on the flights and so on. You can always ditch them if they become a pest.
As somebody who also has problem feet: don’t skimp on footwear. If those sandals are good for your feet, take them. Ditto the walking shoes. There are people out there who practically live in flip-flops, yeah, well, maybe they don’t have foot problems (they will get them later on…).
Ditch the tent! (I’ll join the chorus there.) If you later really feel the urge to go camping in the wilderness of Patagonia, you can organize something there.
Toiletries: as has been said: small sizes. Everything, and then some, can be bought on the way. You’ll have to stock up sometime anyway, might as well start soon.
I don’t travel with a load of expensive electronics, so I can’t give safety tips there. My cameras are old, analog ones nobody is interested in. I never even put locks on anything. Use guesthouse safes, make sure you spread your money and try to avoid carrying a lot of cash. – And, frankly, if somebody is out to steal your stuff, they will. Locks are only good for deterring the quick grab or stealthy fingers, and for that cable binders are secure enough.
Last: Take the ‘pretty flats’. They don’t look heavy and will make you feel good. And that is the main thing!
So many terrific ideas and recommendations, too much to comment on individually any longer. Forgive me for this one long response to the rest of the lot.
Based on your tips and my own ideas, lots will be dumped or sized down by the time I leave for India. :)
- Phone is not essential, but yes, I want an iPhone for sure. Why? It’s handy for lots of other things, plus a phone. It will be unlocked.
- I’m a believer in at least 1 pair of jeans. For now, 1 will go, I promise! (Could eat my words.)
- Okay, tent: not a popular item – should go. I had this ridiculous *vagabonding* image in my head – Michael, you’ve convinced me otherwise. :)
- Toiletries, already working on downsizing.
@Kathy : I have a Diva Cup (hate tampons) there is hand sanitizer. The detergent is that sunlight bar, but no clothesline or uni plug. I never blow dry my hair. And the fleece is for the upcoming Canadian fall. After that, it will be dumped.
- Bathing suits, a bit attached to both – so will be keeping them. They don’t weigh much, I swear!
- Shoes! A clear issue. The problem? My feet are viciously flat and those extra sandals make them feel lovely. The pretty flats do have to go, sigh..
- Good call on yoga clothes doubling as PJ’s. I’ll make it happen.
- Will look into Mac earbuds/mic.
- Ah yes, too many lighting options & lock options, received and heard. :)
- Hats, clearly too many!
- Aha – yes, maybe I do only need adaptor plugs. Will investigate.
- Pack is sweater heavy, but I’m Canadian, that’s my excuse. :)
- Although I heart spicy food, my tummy can be delicate. I prefer to stay away from bottled water (environment) and do the steriPEN. If I regret it, at least it’s not a ginormous item I’m carting around.
- Clothes in general – oui, downsize downsize. My love of fashion must stay quiet.
Thanks everyone for the reality check and practical advice! :-D
Hate to add to the load, but it occurred to me you maybe missing some things – I didn’t blow up every picture. What about tampons, toilet paper, tissues (small packs), Purell or equivalent, universal sink plug, clothes-line, detergent (shampoo will work though), soap and a wash cloth? Do you need a hair-dryer?
Forget the Pacsafe stuff – way too heavy & who wants to pinch your clothes?
Why the power converter? Aren’t your electronics dual voltage? What you need are adapter plugs.
Climbing clips? Why?
One year supply of contact lens cleaner? Are you going to the Antarctic? You can shop for stuff like that.
TWO flashlights? Take a spare bulb & batteries instead. AND a headlight?
FOUR padlocks?
TWO bikinis? You think that fabric won’t dry fast? Same thing with the rest of your clothes – one pair of jeans is more than enough – they’re heavy and they dry slowly.
You don’t need nine pairs of undies – I take four pairs and two bras, with max of three short-sleeved tops and one long. Again, one hat, not two.
You route isn’t up and I forget, but where are you going that you need to take a fleece? Light weight long underwear takes up less room, and again, you can buy warm stuff cheaply if you really need it.
Again, I need to see your route – are you really, truly going to camp? How often and how long? And if so, one tent, not two! If you’re just taking them “in case”, don’t!
You need to look at decanting things like Vaseline into smaller, lighter containers.
My big pack weighs in at 22lbs and my small one (all the electronics and pharma) probably around 6-8lbs. I really don’t want to lug any more. My list is at http://tinyurl.com/23mkbh5
Here’s my 2 cents Canadian worth…
First, have to say we have very similar gear styles so I’m guilty of the same packing crimes. :) Also, travels clothes are a personal thing, my general rule is to bring what you’re comfortable in. Though I always make sure I have 1 bottom and 2 tops that handwash easily and dry quickly in my travel wardrobe. Handy for when you’re moving every couple of days or don’t have access to laundry facilities.
Here goes…
Carabiners (clips): they are handy, but 2 should be enough to handle most of your needs, unless you’re planning to hang a lot of gear off your pac or daybag.
Headset+mic: if you can afford it, pick up Apple’s earbud/mic combo, small, compact and works very well. That’s what I used to skype from my macbook and ipod touch on the road. They doubled as my ipod earphones as well.
Mobile Phone: bring it only if it’s unlocked, can take a SIM card, and is multi-band. Otherwise buy a cheap local handset.
Flashlights: bring the mini one only (you already have a headlamp).
Locks: don’t know how your bags lock, but you should be fine with 1 large and 1 small lock.
Tent: unless your camping 75% of the time, leave at home.
Notebooks: only 1. Can easily be bought as you go.
Jeans: YES! After many trips, with and without jeans, I always pack 1 pair of jeans. Why? Despite what most travelers say, they do help you fit in in many many places. I picked up a pair of thinner quick drying jeans a few years ago and keep them just for travel. They’re no warmer than nylon quick dry pants.
Sweater and Poncho: Pick one, you’re already packing a fleece. The sweater looks like it would have more uses than the poncho imo.
Yoga pants and leggins: can both double as pj bottoms. You can probably afford to get rid of the actual pj bottoms. Yoga pants are great. I wear mine on long-haul flights/trains/buses.
Bathing suit: just bring 1 unless you’re planning to spend several weeks at the beach.
Sun hat=crocodile dundee hat: I’d pick one and leave the other.
Pac safe: I say leave at home, but like all things security related, it’s a personal decision and really depends on where you’re headed.
Mosquito net: I’d pack it, they’re not always provided, and sometimes torn when they are. If you’re like me, and are a bug buffet, definitely bring the net. I didn’t on my last trip and regretted it.
Great move on the MacBook Air. I bought a new laptop before hitting the road last year and got the regular MacBook instead of the MacBook Air because it was cheaper. I should have got the Air :( That extra 2 pounds feels like 10 when it’s 45c.
Love the new look on your site! :)
@Nomadic Chick – In regards to contact lenses – if you run out, glasses can be had in most foreign countries for pennies on the dollar compared to the US. My favourite pair of glasses is a pair I got in Korea for $35 – they’re better than my $300 pair from the US.
Divide it all in half and then you should be good :) Do I see 4 pairs of shoes there??
Two bikinis could just be one and double as underwear when needed as well. Tent? Mosquito net?? unless you plan on camping for a few days dump them. Hostels wont be that hard to find I’m sure.
I think Wes’s pack was 50lb and that’s huge for him, have you walked around with this on for an hour to see if you can carry it? I did it with my pack and it helped ensure I wasn’t over loaded.
My idea was buy stuff on the road if I need it. Take the minimum with space in your pack, your back will love you for it mate.
@Nomadic Chick – Why on earth do you need a tent if you’re not planning on camping? In reality, the only time you need a tent is if you’re out in the middle of nowhere, and the only time you’re going to be in the middle of nowhere is if you’re camping.
Don’t need the steripen either – I lived in a country without potable water for a year and never had any sort of filtration or sterilization device.
You have two pairs of sandals – only need one.
Same thing for bathing suits – why two?
Too many toiletries. You need shampoo, conditioner, soap, and sunscreen. That’s it.
Lose the jeans – they will never dry, and you’re likely going to mostly be in places too hot to wear them. On the other hand, they are good for bartering, as they’re in demand in most developing countries.
One last note: why do you need a phone?
Everyone has hit on the specifics I would have posted, but here is one general comment. You can buy things on the road. In fact, you SHOULD buy things on the road. Here is the blog on my pack list when I started http://mobilelawyer.blogspot.com/2008/12/my-stuff.html
there is no need for things like “a year’s supply” of anything. You aren’t going to the moon. ;) You can buy almost anything you need on the road. Stop trying to plan for everything that MIGHT possibly come up. As to the tent – I traveled for 16 months. Zero planes. Hitchhiking, at times, in very off the way parts of East Africa. And never needed a tent. If you end up needing one on the road. . . buy one there.
On clothes – as others have mentioned — you have too much. You can do laundry in every town. You ARE going to wear stuff for multiple days. And you’ll lose clothes. . . and buy new stuff on the road. Look at your clothing list — and cut it in half. You will not regret it. And if you do — buy a couple 50 cent T-Shirts when you need more.
Whoever said one of everything is spot on. You should be able to cut your pack to about 25 lbs. Easy. And you will be MUCH happier when you have to walk 2 miles to a hostel in 95 degree weather. Which will be on day 3.
Okay with three months on the road I’ll tell you what you have that I don’t and can’t imagine carrying:
jeans: It’s too hot for jeans, they are too heavy and they never dry.
shoes: I have chacos for wear and shower and hiking sneakers – you have too many.
3 hats – if you are somewhere you need one, they will be selling them for a buck. I don’t ever wear a hat but that’s my own vanity.
sweater and poncho – you already have a fleece.
mosquito netting – any place you stay will have one
tent – seriously, no
flashlight – I use my headlamp
Also one mistake I made was too many toiletries and it looks like you have too. Johnson and Johnson is in every country, so is Proctor and Gamble, you may not find your favorite brands but you find something just as good.
For the record I also have a steripen, although I havent had to use it in three months because every place Ive stayed offered water. But for me it’s about reducing plastic waste and its so small I don’t mind carrying it.
@Shawn – Okay, lesson learned. One, not two. Can’t give up the climbing hooks, they have always proved useful for me. Long story. For some reason I can’t get the tent idea outta my head. Must face reality! I probably don’t need it. I thought 2 money belts were useful to spread nonessential or essential items around. But, you make a good point! Lots to think about, thanks for your great input!
Yah, lose the headphones, cut it down to one sweater and one pair of jeans, one money belt, one headlight. Take a hoodie so you can leave the touque. Too many clothes, too many duplicate items! You’ll buy clothes there, local materials suit the climate better than our “quick dry ultra lights”. Do you have two tents? Keep in mind you can’t just throw it down anywhere and campsites are difficult/ expensive to get to. (Usually outside the cities, you need to take a taxi) I rarely met people that used their sleeping bags, let alone tents. Mozzy nets, most places where bugs are a problem will have them, even the $1 rooms. And leave the expensive glasses…don’t take anything you like. It will get wrecked and/or require some vigilance. I sent my PacSafe home, very heavy and I never used it.
I would take the meds…I’m not sure about India but I had trouble finding Advil equivalents overseas. If they are pill form they don’t take up too much weight.
It’s a process to find the right balance of needs/ wants. I like what Erin said about handy vs essential. Handy definitely will weigh you down :)
To be honest I think you have many things that may be handy but aren’t essential. It is a common mistake to take anything that might be helpful but you don’t use very often, but after many backpacking trips we now don’t bother with many things.
In nearly 2 years of travelling (at different times) in different climates and parts of the world we have never needed: steri pen, doorstop, sleeping bag liner, pacsafe, phone, climbing clips, large headphones (we just use small earbuds for ipod and the inbuilt mic/speakers in Macbook for skype), extra flashlight (one headlamp is good), more than one lock each, tent, mosquito netting, shoulder houlster (waist works well for us),or multiple notebooks.
We don’t even bother with a swiss army knife anymore as we travel with carry on luggage now – we haven’t missed it. I would also cut out a LOT of the toiletries & meds (really cheap in India) and put what you do have in small bottles.
You definitely don’t need 2 pairs of jeans. I do like one lightweight pair but only in cold countries. After 8 months in tropical Asia I picked them up for the New Zealand winter. You can cut down on the other clothes too.
The main thing is to remember that most things you can get everywhere. You will just feel so much more comfortable with a lighter bag. I have a 30 litre bag and my partner has a 40 litre and we are travelling indefinitely with 2 laptops and an SLR camera. Here’s our packing list: http://www.neverendingvoyage.com/what-do-you-pack-when-you-are-leaving-forever-our-packing-list/
Good luck!
Here is my review, and yes I did start out with stuff I did not need, but now after so very long, my pack is down to only 20-25lbs.
Most likely will not need to large speaker headphones, I would just get new mac ear plugs with a mic, much smaller and works with Skype.
Will not need the hooks unless you do some rock climbing.
I would go with all small bottles of liquids and then just resupply as needed on the road.
Fleece Jacket = the best call, I love mind and use it all the time.
Jeans = heavy. Pack them only if your OK with the extra weight and slow drying. They will be difficult to wash in sinks and if the sun is not out and under 20*c out they will take over two days to dry.
Ipod = very important for bus rides, hostels etc
Mac Air = good call on the lightweight.
Is your phone, sim card ready, if not trash it. Will you be in a country more than a month, if so then you can buy a cheap phone in that country with a sim card, that is what I do.
Headlamp = good call
Flashlight, you will only need one and that is the small one. What will you do with two? Think one of everything, not two.
The hat is good but it makes you look like a tourist but does block the sun of your are not used to its strong rays. If your someplace where it is very cold then you can just buy a warm hat and then when you go someplace warm just trash it or give it way.
4 Locks, so what are you going to do with 4? Only the large lock and 1 of the small locks you will need.
Pocket knife = You will use it, I use mine to eat a lot of raw food.
That is a large camera, but if you like it and are OK with the size then it cool.
Sunglasses break easy, I have not carried a pair for over 2 years traveling, and yes this includes the middle east, I just allowed my eyes to get use to the normal brightness of nature.
Kick boxing DVD, you would just rather memorize the DVD, I did that with Bikram Yoga.
Business Cards are good.
Tent, only if you will camp, if not trash it. I highly doubt you will run into any situation you will need it unless you will be hiking and camping on your own.
MCE Tent and the Net, again, only if your going to hike and camp.
The net can be good in hotels but only if there is some place to hang it from the ceiling, most places have no hooks.
Waist and shoulder belts? Why have two? the shoulder is better, the waist get sweaty and are uncomfortable, a least for me. Well, you be visiting high pickpocket zones like Spain? You only need 1.
Battery charger, only if your are going to use those types of batteries.
USB stick can be handy
Two file folders? only if your going to be doing a lot of paper filing?
With the toiletries I would buy all small containers and then resupply as needed and only 1 of each.
No point of carrying anything extra, and consider small containers.
Think 1 not 2, except for t-shirts,, socks, underwear, etc, and then only think two or three.
Are you bring some antibiotics with you, they provide a good back up just incase.
@Asa – I admit to being nervous about a steriPEN, but from what I’ve read it works. Yup, 2 votes on the the jeans. Gotta go! And a tent is for emergency purposes. I might have to plant somewhere, one never knows. India is my first international destination, and I’ve heard contact lens solution is scarce, best to stock up I figure. Really everyone – awesome advice. Thanks!!!
@Adam @ Sit Down Disco – Good call on the jeans. The axe is coming on a pair – which one, not sure yet. :) It’s so obvious – clothes & shoes are my weakness. Pooh.
@Leigh – I have tons of sunscreen. It’s a must. No books, really… am hoping to implement a ebook system. We’ll see how that goes. I am having fun reacquainting with my bro and remembering places I grew up. :)
@Kyle – Good point,but I am seriously feeling like the pack is slightly heavy – any advice is welcome.. even if I disagree. :)
@Scott – Thanks for the advice! Since I was trumped from my job, kinda needed to get the contact lenses, if you know what I mean. The mosquito netting is more for my tent, should I need it. But who knows? I’ll probably end up dumping if it becomes annoying. Wondered how effective Pacsafe for the full pack is, now I do. Terrific piece I will keep in mind when I purchase. :)
Don’t worry about it too much. Everybody starts out with too much stuff then decides what is best to keep and to send home. As you go, you’ll find out which things you can do without. Everyone travels differently, so it’s best to decide which things are important to you and ignore the critics.
It’s really happening! For a backpacking trip, in theory your pack should weigh no more than 30-35% of your body weight. So here’s a solution. Bulk up so you can carry more. I know it’s a bad idea but…
Where’s the reading material on the list? How about a few killer long books – tough classics that you can only read a few pages a day. You might be able to get a few months out of one book.
Suntan lotion is bloody expensive on the road so take a big bottle.
Hope you’re having fun.
It doesn’t look like a hell of a lot of stuff to me! I’d normally have that stuff split between my big pack and my daypack. My daypack is 15lbs and my backpack less than 25lbs. Those weights aren’t too difficult to manage. If it was all in one pack, that could be a problem.
However, I would ditch one pair of jeans – they’re heavy and don’t need washing as often as undies and shirts etc.
I don’t know if you have something specific in mind for the tents, but I can’t imagine having to use those! :)
Forget the pacsafe. PITA and not necessary. Just always keep your electronics in daypack with you.
Meds – get rid of tylenol, benadryl and anything to help you when you get a cold. You can always buy it on the road cheaply!
One last thing, I’d get rid of one pair of shoes. They’re bulky and you tend to get into a routine of wearing your fave pair of footwear all the time anyway!
Anyway, it looks like you have it all under control. I always come back with a bunch of stuff that I never use. Last time away in Burma, I probably have one pair of shorts too many and one tshirt too few. 3/5 would have been good and that’s the only clothing I had apart from undies, socks and a rain jacket.
Nice list of stuff. I’d say you’re pretty heavy on clothes. You can definitely lose one pair of jeans, and probably a few of the pairs of underwear. Also, try not to have clothes for specific purposes (i.e., yoga only clothes or hiking only clothes) – everything should serve multiple purposes, so you might want to look at that little closer. If you’re bringing a tent, you probably don’t need the mosquito net, although if I had to chose between the two I’d bring the mosquito net. As noted by the commenter above, don’t bring too many toiletries (including contact solution) as you can find everything on the road as you need it. Oh, and if you have a head lamp you definitely don’t need a flashlight also. And, kudos on the steripen. Bottled water is a scourge so you’re setting a good example.
We had a similar list and while we were traveling ended up sending quite a few things home. 40lbs for a pack isn’t too bad (mine was 15 kilos plus 6 in a side bag…) and everything looks fine. The thing to remember is if you do pack too much you can always mail stuff home, budget for it. We sent 4 packages home in 10 months of things we just didn’t use. The SteriPen was one of them. In Asia, bottled water is cheap and easy, Europe same deal.
For the PacSafe, we had a small one to fit the passports and cards in that I used and a kensington laptop cable. It was the travelsafe100 but it was a bit small. I’d recommend the Travelsafe 20L that could fit your macbook air, camera and other stuff. I wouldn’t recommend the one that goes over the whole pack unless your pack doesn’t have lock holes on it, it’s too heavy. Even still, the 20l travelsafe would keep your valuables safe and they can steal your dirty socks :)
Also, nowhere in Asia did we need a mosquito net where it wasn’t already supplied. Every guesthouse had one. Same in Egypt and Europe.. I always bought a bottle of contact solution while on the go, you can find it everywhere but contact lenses are good to pre-purchase.
Your list looks great!