[Backpacking 101] How to pack for a long distance backpacking trip? | Packing Checklist for Newbie Backpackers

Foreword | Why I Became a Backpacker

I became a backpacker slowly. Since I started to explore the world, traveling has slowly become an indispensable part of my life. The list of places I want to visit keeps growing, the time I wish to spend in every place keeps extending, and my desire to thoroughly explore every corner deepens. Becoming a long-distance backpacker transitioned from being a coincidence to a necessity, dictated by limited time, money, and energy resources.

The first time I considered backpacking was because I had purchased low-cost airline tickets, where checked luggage was charged extra and cabin space was limited. Both the departure and destination airports were notorious for being chaotic and frequently losing luggage. After much effort to streamline my luggage into one backpack, what initially started as a way to save some effort and money turned into a travel style I fell in love with after trying it.

Backpacking is undoubtedly the most free and in-depth way to explore the world. Beyond saving a considerable amount of luggage fees and avoiding the tedious process of waiting at airports, the greatest benefit is that travel becomes much smoother. Whether navigating through the busy streets of a city or exploring the countryside, walking on cobblestones or roads, being lightweight maximizes mobility. Traveling light means that all kinds of transportation and accommodation options become available, making it easier to adjust plans on the fly. I'm more likely to choose public transport and simple lodging, easily moving on to the next destination while effortlessly dipping into narrow restaurants, shops, and streets, gaining a deeper understanding of the local lifestyle and interacting with businesses not typically frequented by tourists. I found that I had more opportunities to explore hidden spots not widely reported in major travel books and discovered the possibility of living more simply.

It can be said that the process of becoming a long-distance travel backpacker is in itself a journey of self-discovery and growth. It pushes me out of my comfort zone, allowing me to gain more precious and enriching life experiences with the most genuine and simple version of myself.

Packing a travel pack | Principles

Packing for a long trip is probably the biggest challenge for backpackers. How to streamline the necessities of life into one backpack is a learning curve. When backpacking, we need to keep it light but still meet all the basic needs. Versatility and accessibility are key fundamentals to consider before you start packing, whether it's clothing or gear. For each item you want to bring, ask yourself if you really need it and if there are other items you can substitute. If it's travel documents, etc., make sure they're digitalized as possible, and that they're always accessible on a cell phone.

Packing lists will vary depending on individual needs and travel destinations, but there are some basic items that every traveler needs to consider:

• Clothing: Choose clothes that can be worn in different situations and climate conditions, with a priority on lightweight, quick-drying, and durable materials. Select appropriate clothing based on the climate of the destination, and utilize layering to cope with changing weather conditions. Opt for colors and styles that can be mixed and matched to maximize the versatility of your clothing.
• Personal Care Products: Save space and weight by choosing travel-size personal care products or pack your own toiletries in refillable vials.
• Emergency and Safety Supplies: Do not forsake these for the sake of saving space. A basic first aid kit, personal safety items, and essential medications must always be carried with you.
• Emergency and safety suppliesDon't give up space for the sake of saving space. Always carry a basic first aid kit, personal safety and necessary medication with you.

Space-saving packing tips

As soon as you start trying traveling with only a backpack, you will definitely need to refine your packing skills. Streamlining your packing involves not only choosing what you pack, but also how you fit those items into your backpack. Here are some of the most commonly used tips to save space and stay organized:

• Rolling instead of folding: Rolling clothes instead of folding them saves space and reduces wrinkles. For more wrinkle-prone garments, wrapping them in a silk scarf or other lightweight item can further minimize wrinkles.
• Using Compression Bags: For larger items, such as jackets or sleeping bags, the use of a compression bag can be a significant space saver.
• Rationalize your backpack space: Keeping heavy items close to your back and placing infrequently used items at the bottom helps distribute the weight and makes the pack easier to carry. In addition, long distance travelers will find that the various compartments and pockets inside the pack are very helpful in keeping things organized and quickly accessible. Think about how to categorize things before you put them in the pack, when the next time you want to use it will be, and if it is something you often use while traveling, put it in a location that is easier to get to.
• Select Multifunctional Items: Even though it's been repeated, I'll say it again: try to bring multifunctional items that can be used in multiple situations, rather than one item for each function.

There are many types of compression bags that you may buy for packing, so if you don't have one at home, you can get a good result by spending a little bit of money. If you don't have a vacuum cleaner at home, you can only compress them manually, for example:

• Travel packing cubes (Shopee)
• Travel Clothing Compression Bag Set (shrimppico- (one trillionth))

Packing list | The must-haves

Depending on the destination, weather conditions, and personal needs, the list of items to pack will always change, so it is important not to generalize, but there are some items that should be considered every time. Below is a basic list of items that I keep in my backpack as an example.

Clothing

Depending on the season, the temperature and the activities you are planning to do, there are many different types of clothing. If you are going to a lot of places and occasions, look for clothes that can be worn in different climates and situations. For example, jackets that are versatile and can be worn with more formal clothes, pants that can be converted into shorts, and quick-drying T-shirts. If you're going for more than a week, you'll have about the same amount of clothes:

• short-sleeved shirt: 3-4 pieces, usually including 3 t-shirts, 1 sweatshirt, these can also be worn as pajamas.
• Long-Sleeve Tops: 1-3 pieces, depending on weather and occasion. In summer, you might only need one for sun protection, while in winter, they are necessary for warmth and can be layered. In this case, choose lightweight, warm materials as much as possible. If formal attire is needed, you might choose a more formal long-sleeve shirt that can be used in any season.
• Underwear: Enough for a week's use, 7-8 pieces are definitely sufficient for more than a week. It's impossible to avoid doing laundry, so opt for quick-drying materials.
• underwearPants: Enough for a week, 7-8 pieces for a week or more is definitely enough, avoiding laundry is impossible, choose fast drying material.
• Socks: Enough for a week's use, around 5 pairs for more than a week. It's impossible to avoid doing laundry, so choose quick-drying materials.
• A Jacket or Windbreaker: Choose based on the climate of your destination. Regardless, prioritize versatility, such as a windbreaker or down jacket that is suitable for both exercise and formal dining without being inappropriate. If the destination is very cold and the jacket is thicker, it's best to wear it on the plane instead of packing it.
• Hat: If you'll be outdoors, sun protection is essential to prevent heatstroke.
• Sunglasses: Also essential for outdoor activities.
• Shoes: 1-2 pairs. Depending on the occasion, usually, I just wear a pair of sneakers or hiking boots, which is enough. Occasionally, due to the occasion or for extended periods, I might need a pair of lighter shoes or formal leather shoes, in which case I would bring an extra pair.
• travel shoes1-2 pairs. Depending on the occasion, I usually only wear one pair of sneakers or hiking shoes on my body, but occasionally I will bring another pair of lightweight shoes or formal leather shoes for occasions or long hours.
• Lightweight Raincoat: To avoid having no place to hide when it rains heavily.
• swimwear: A must-have if you're going to the beach.
• Small Bag: This could be a fanny pack or a small backpack that fits inside the larger one, to protect valuables such as passports, currency, and credit cards.

I usually choose to wear the heaviest set during long-distance travel to keep the backpack light.

Personal Care Products

Save space by choosing personal care items that are small and refillable.

• Mini Travel-Sized Personal Care Kit: For convenience, you can directly purchase a travel kit. If preparing yourself, essentials include small tubes of toothpaste and facial cleanser. It's also recommended to bring a small bottle of shampoo/conditioner and body wash or soap, as you may occasionally encounter accommodations that do not provide these.
• Toothbrush
• Comb
• Skin Care & CosmeticsEveryone has different needs and uses different products, so always bring smaller bottles, or as little as you can carry. However, if you are going to a dry place, lotion is a must-have for general skincare.
• Hygiene Products: Men should remember to bring shaving supplies, and women should remember to bring menstrual products. Consider using reusable products like a menstrual cup to save more space. If you exclusively use sanitary pads, they are sold worldwide and can be purchased locally.
• Hygiene productsFor boys, remember to bring shaving supplies, for girls, remember to bring sanitary products, and consider using reusable products such as moon cups to save space. If you only use sanitary pads, they are available all over the world and can be purchased locally.
• Sunscreen: Choose a sunscreen with a high SPF to protect your skin from UV rays.
• Lip Balm: A must for dry places.
• Personal Medications: If you have any medications you regularly use, such as for chronic conditions or allergies, make sure to bring them along.
• Eye Mask, Earplugs: Eye masks and earplugs are used more often than I initially thought. There are many places in the world that are noisier than where I live. Sleep quality is fundamental to backpackers not hurting their backs.

Electronic Products

• Mobile Phone: A mobile phone is not just a communication tool; it can also serve as a navigation device, camera, and entertainment device. If the phone is good enough, most people won't need to bring a tablet or camera along.
• Adapter and Multifunctional Charger: An adapter suitable for the sockets of various countries is essential. If the charging cables can be used interchangeably among different devices, there's no need to bring too many. Cables are heavier than one might expect.
• Power bank: Battery life is never enough when traveling, especially during long periods of outdoor activities.
• Laptop: This is an item I occasionally consider leaving behind. However, if there's work to be done, research to be conducted, videos to be edited, etc., bringing a laptop is usually necessary. If the weight of the backpack can accommodate it, a laptop can also be useful in hotels, where it often can charge other devices through its USB ports.
• ComputerI will occasionally consider streamlining items, but if you have to work, research, edit videos, etc., a computer is usually a must, and if the weight of the backpack is manageable, there are usually USB outlets in hotels where you can charge your other devices.

For an adapter, I recommend one that can charge multiple devices simultaneously and comes with various international plugs:

• Ceptics World Travel Adapter Kit 2 USB-A, USB-C US Outlets (Amazon)
• Philips Global Travel Plug (Shopee)

If you're often outdoors, you'll need a portable charger with a large capacity. I generally choose ones with more than 20000mAh:

• Anker Portable Charger, 20,000mAh Power Bank (Amazon)
• SP C20QC 20000mAh PD QC Mobile Power (Shopee)

Travel safety

An anti-theft backpack or travel wallet can protect your valuables from thieves.

• Anti-Theft Devices: To protect valuables, I always bring at least one small padlock, or I keep all valuable items in a waist pack close to my body.
• First Aid Kit: Basic medical supplies, including band-aids, antiseptic solution, pain relievers, and antihistamines. If going outdoors, include insect repellent cream or spray. Additionally, when traveling abroad, it's essential to bring allergy medication, cold medicine, and gastrointestinal medicine, as traveling across time zones can easily lead to illness.
• first aid kit: Basic medical supplies, including trip cream, antiseptic solution, painkillers, antihistamines. If you are going outdoors, ointment or spray to prevent mosquito bites. You should also bring allergy medicine, cold medicine, and gastrointestinal medicine, as it is very easy to get sick when traveling across time zones.

If you don't have particularly valuable items, consider purchasing a TSA-approved lock to secure your bag:

• TSA approved luggage lock (Amazon) (Shopee)

More

• Identification and Travel Visa: It goes without saying, but when traveling, you must bring your passport, ID, entry and exit documents, etc. However, it's crucial not to pack these most important items and then forget about them.

Conclusion | Give minimalist travel a try

Minimalist packing is a challenge for beginners preparing for long-distance travel, but it's also a great opportunity to enhance the travel experience and self-evaluation. Carefully selecting and organizing your luggage according to your destination can not only lighten your load but also make your travel more flexible and enriching. Remember, the best gear is the one that meets your various needs. Backpacking is about exploring the world in a lighter and more flexible manner.