Not everyone has the courage to pick up a backpack and hike the mountains. As they do, they pack their lives in the backpack and prepare themselves for the best backpack travel.
So, if you have managed to pluck the courage for your backpack travel diaries, it is time to know what you should pack.
We asked a few expert travelers about their backpack routines, and these are things you should keep in mind.
What Kind Of Bag Should You Go For?
Backpack travel includes stretches of traveling with very little comfort. There might be days where you just get one bed in a hostel to sleep.
Although cost-cutting, it doesn’t give you the luxury to get everything out of your bag and then put it back again.
You will have to be quick with access. That is, knowing where everything is and how to reach it. So, these are the kinds of backpack travel bags that you should be getting for your trip.
- A Rucksack – They have a lot of pockets where you can keep everyday items like phone chargers, power banks, and toiletries.
- Bigger Zipper: A bag with a big open zipper so that you can open it completely. This will give you a clearer view of the items within.
- The size of your backpack travel bag: Do not carry more than you can handle. If you are packing for more than five days, less than 50 L will do. They are great for a winter hike. However, if it is more than three weeks and you are likely to carry a warm sleeping bag and a tent with extra poles, a 70 l bag is more appropriate.
- Get Packing Cubes: Packing cubes are small zip bags that help you organize each item properly. You can label these cubes based on the items in them. Getting colorful cubes also helps you color-coordinate your items. Therefore making it accessible to you.
Packing Made Easy
Not every one of us is a last-minute packer. However, I must admit I have been guilty of doing so a few times.
Gladly, it doesn’t mean throwing all your items in a bag and calling it a day!
- You will definitely pack quickly, but RIP you trying to find anything when in need. This is why packing the right way is very important.
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Also, knowing how to ace the last-minute backpack travel hacks!
Tip 1: I Never Fold – Roll All The Way
No, your backpack doesn’t lack space. You are just not folding them right!
- Get all the items and roll them up into a cylinder.
- Since they use less surface area, you should be able to pack more.
Tip 2: I Always Pack In Cubes
Other than buying cube bags for your miscellaneous items, you should also have a cube system for your clothes.
- Suppose you are about to backpack travel, there is no need to make too many changes. One for each day, and two spare changes should be enough.
- Pack your bottom, top, undergarment change, and socks together for each day. Place it one after the other.
- If you can, pack them inside ziplock bags. This will protect them from sudden rain.
Tip 3: Never Mix Dirty With Clean
You might wear the same shirt again, but repeating undergarments can increase the chances of infection.
This is why, for all my long hiking trips, I carry a spare bag to put all my dirty undergarments.
Let’s face it: you cannot always get a washer and a drier to clean your dirty garments because that is a luxury.
Cleaning them with your hands can be a nuisance. Especially if you are in a damn area, your clothes might not dry.
Tip 4: Keep What You Need The Most In The Top
I cannot recall the number of times I needed my toiletries, and they lay in the exact bottom of my rucksack.
Especially when I really needed to brush my teeth or wanted to run a comb down my hair.
So, always keep your necessities on top. Even better if you keep them in the side pockets and keep the bag for your clothes only.
Tip 5: Everything Should Be Small Portioned
No, you will not need the full-size product!
We all go through the delusion before traveling that we will need that full bottle of shampoo. Turns out, you didn’t even have the time to wash your hair properly throughout your trek.
So, always carry travel-sized portions when it comes to necessities.
Important Items That Should Be With You For Your Backpack Travel
Here are some of the common things that you should have in your backpack travel bag at all times. Especially if you are planning to move through the wilderness.
- Thin towels because paper towels are not always the most sustainable kind. You wouldn’t want to litter the wild.
- A travel wallet that is thin and easy to carry.
- Waterproof covers for your electronics. In the wild, you can never control the weather.
- Necessary paperwork such as your Level 5 TEFL and identification in a waterproof bag.
- A strong flashlight and batteries to support it.
- List of important cell numbers in case you lose a phone. Trust me, it happens more often than you think.
- Spare undergarments.
- Waterproof flip-flops. Not every accommodation will provide you with spare bathroom sandals.
- Medicine and prescriptions if you need to get more.
- A flask for hot water.
- A couple in Tiktok named Reene and Tim are known for hiking their way through the Canadian mountains and always talk about carrying a mini stove. They dehydrate their food items and then reheat them later. This way, they always guarantee to have a healthy, nutritious meal. You might not have a food hydrator, but you can always buy dehydrated items for a quick meal.
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