After traveling the world for over a decade, what I put in my bag has changed a lot. Much of this change has to do with carrying a lot of gear for vlogging, but it also reflects how much I have learned about packing since I set out in 2016.
I have traveled with large duffel bags, 60-liter backpacks, 30-liter backpacks, carry-ons, and everything in between. Over the years, I have learned different packing techniques.
Today, I want to share this knowledge with you.
So, what should you pack for your trip?
As little as possible.
Packing light is a cliché, but there is a lot of truth to it. The more I travel, the more I realize I need less stuff. Currently, everything I need fits into one backpack (for recommendations based on my years of experience testing backpacks, check out my best travel backpacks here).
I like to write down everything I think I need and then cut it in half. I always ask myself, "Will I use this enough to justify the weight?"
Most of the time, the answer is no.
I only take the essentials, and if there is something I truly need, I buy it on the road. It is not that hard to find medicine, clothes, or an umbrella abroad.
Also, I try to stick to the same climate on my trips so that I don't have to carry different types of clothes. I wouldn't want to carry a sweater in Thailand! But plans can change, and in that case, I'll pick up a light jacket or sweater. I keep it until it becomes a burden to carry, and then I give it away.
Also, since you can do laundry abroad, I like to carry enough clothes for 7-10 days, wash them, and then repeat. You don't need to overpack because you can wash what you have.
So, for the long answer, what should you pack? Below is my suggested packing list — though you should adapt it to your needs.
(Note: This is focused on travel to a non-winter climate. If you are going somewhere cold, you will need to make adjustments accordingly.)
Table of Contents
1. Equipment
- Laptop
- Smartphone
- Universal power adapter/converter
- External battery/portable charger
- Kindle (if you are an avid reader who wants to avoid the hassle of carrying books)
- Camera (if you want more than just smartphone photos)
For more gear recommendations, check out this post on the best travel gear.
2. Clothing
- 5 t-shirts
- 1 long-sleeve shirt
- 1 pair of jeans (heavy and don't dry easily, but I wear them a lot — a good alternative is khaki pants)
- 1 pair of shorts
- 7 pairs of underwear
- 1 swimsuit
- 1 pair of flip-flops
- 1 pair of sneakers
- 8 pairs of socks (I keep losing my socks, so I pack extras! I don't know where they go!)
- 1 pair of dress shoes (they are heavy to carry, but when I visit friends, we often go somewhere that isn't sneaker-friendly. This depends on the destination. I do this more in Australia and Europe, less elsewhere.)
- 1 dress shirt (for going to a respectable place in the evenings)
- 1 pair of black socks
3. Toiletries
- 1 toothbrush
- 1 tube of toothpaste
- 1 pack of dental floss
- Deodorant
- 1 razor
- 1 small bottle of shampoo
- 1 small bottle of body wash
- 1 towel (always pack a towel!)
4. Small Medical Bag
- Bandages
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Antibacterial cream
- Eye drops
- Tylenol
- Hand sanitizer
For more information on first aid kits, check out this detailed post on how to pack a first aid kit for any destination.
5. Miscellaneous
- Key or combination lock (everyone should have one!)
- Headlamp (believe me, it comes in handy)
- Ziplock bags
- LifeStraw (water filter)
Special tip: Buy a small backpack so you don't tend to overpack. Subconsciously, we like to fill empty spaces, so if you have a large bag, you are more likely to overpack just so you don't waste the empty space. By getting a smaller backpack, you will only have to take the essentials — it’s a mind game that works very well!
I realize this list leaves out nothing for me. I am sure many people will read this and say, "What about X?" or "You don't really need Y." This works for you, and this list works for me. Tailor your list to your travels.
The reason I wrote this post is not because I think there is one perfect way to pack, but to answer frequently asked questions about what I pack and why. This is my list, and it fits my "chase the sunshine, live in hostels" lifestyle.
But the main point I want to emphasize is that you really don't need much when traveling. You never need as much as you think you do.
