Backpacking-Packing List: Pack light, do more.

Posted on by cammeer

Let’s talk about backpacking and packing light. We’ve touched on these topics before (see list of articles at the end), but it’s useful to have a comprehensive visual.

Note that when I say backpacking, I don’t mean hiking and camping, Hobbit-style under hedgerows. I simply mean traveling for more than a week out of a backpack, which is totally doable in Spring and Summer.

I’m going to guide you through backpacking essentials I’ve discovered through trial and error. Here’s what I’m laying out for an upcoming EU trip. From left to right:

👖 Clothing for approximately half the trip, if you’re staying in lodging with a washer or sink. For me this was 3 sets of clothing, plus what I’ll be wearing on the plane, plus two sets of something to sleep in.

💦 Rain gear. A lightweight raincoat for rainy days, and an emergency poncho for surprise summer storms.

🎒 Backpack that will squish under a seat or fit easily in the overhead bin. Mine fits under a seat, acting as a personal item and letting me skip all bag fees. If you’re doing any train travel or walking cobblestone streets, you will come to understand why a backpack is a must. Don’t miss your stop because you’re dealing with multiple bags, and ditch the roller if you’re able to.

👜 Day pack with the following features.

  • It should be able to swing around to the front of your body in crowded spaces. Or you should be able to lock the zippers closed in some way.
  • Packable. Be able to fit in your backpack (most airlines and economy tickets typically only allow one personal item).
  • Make sure shoulder straps are comfortable and won’t chafe bare skin.

🧴 *Waterproof* toiletries bag. I have had so many unexpected spills that I usually double up with ziplocs (to protect different items from each other) inside a waterproof toiletries bag. The bag I have is not much different in size from a quart Ziploc, and I’ve never been stopped at security.

💁‍♀️ Dry shampoo. Less time on hair, more time for fun stuff.

🩹 Blister guards or bandaids. Sometimes you need them in transit before you can purchase them at your location.

👚 Packable clothesline, in case only a washer or sink is available. If your clothes are quick-dry and lightweight, you’d be surprised at what dries overnight, even indoors.

🦠 Wipes for dirty whatevers. I’m not a huge germiphobe, but I’d rather not be sick on vacation. These come on handy for so much, from spills to refreshes.

⚡ Energy/electrolyte additives for water make a huge difference in how you feel on hot days, and even help in the morning before coffee. I also love Nuun tablets (not pictured here, but I packed those too).

🧥 Rolling vacuum bags to squish down your larger items. These save more space than rolling alone. The next images are my raincoat and hoodie squished down.

🤐 Variety of ziplocs for waterproofing anything from papers and notebooks to electronics.

🛍️ Plastic grocery bags for dirty laundry or anything, really. Always come in handy.

💵 Money/passport pouch for under clothing. I’ve never actually used one but like to come prepped.

🥽 Eye mask and earplugs. Essential for red-eye flights and unpredictable sleeping arrangements.

🔌 Wall adapter/voltage converters specific to your locations.

🧺 Picnic supplies. I love having a packable, waterproof picnic “blanket” (this one is really just a small, lightweight tarp) as well as a collapsible silicone cup for sharing wine or other beverages.

👝 Stuff sacks in different sizes for organization (cords, snacks, etc.) and grocery shopping.

🔋 Power bank for your phone or other electronics (not pictured). I’ve never been sorry to make room in my daypack for a portable charger, and use one almost every day.

Drop your favorite travel essentials in the comments!

Also check out our other blog posts on similar topics:

In the process of finishing this post, the trip is in progress! Here’s the backpack, fitting nicely underneath the seat on the domestic leg of the trip (on a very standard-sized plane). Ta da!

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