What to bring? Potentially one of the most important (and time consuming) questions when planning travel for an extended period of time. It’s a question that’s both personal and practical; a walk along the fine line between fashion and functionality.
The first place to start is with a little research on the climate, weather and seasons in the destinations you’ll be visiting. Then, consider what you'll be doing there. Will you be hiking and active? Or going out for dinner and drinks in a city? Or both?
After 8 months and 21 countries, we've traveled through every climate imaginable, from hot and humid Southeast Asia, to the freezing wind of Chilean Patagonia. We’ve been active, formal (sort of), and have bounced from cities, to small towns, to eco lodges in the Amazon. Bottom line, we experienced (and were prepared for) a little bit of everything. And we did our very best to stay sorta, kinda fashionable doing it.
Below, our respective packing lists, including the items that helped us most, which ones felt like dead weight, and notes on what we would do differently next time. Hopefully this helps prepare you for looking good on a trip with varying activities and temperatures.
The first place to start is with a little research on the climate, weather and seasons in the destinations you’ll be visiting. Then, consider what you'll be doing there. Will you be hiking and active? Or going out for dinner and drinks in a city? Or both?
After 8 months and 21 countries, we've traveled through every climate imaginable, from hot and humid Southeast Asia, to the freezing wind of Chilean Patagonia. We’ve been active, formal (sort of), and have bounced from cities, to small towns, to eco lodges in the Amazon. Bottom line, we experienced (and were prepared for) a little bit of everything. And we did our very best to stay sorta, kinda fashionable doing it.
Below, our respective packing lists, including the items that helped us most, which ones felt like dead weight, and notes on what we would do differently next time. Hopefully this helps prepare you for looking good on a trip with varying activities and temperatures.
The backpacks & our strategy
We traveled with two, 44-50 liter backpacks. On nearly every bus and train ride, we saw other travelers hauling around packs that were gigantic, but we continued to feel content with our manageable packs. Both easily work as carry on luggage (including Ryanair!), fitting nicely into overhead bins. With laundry service and/or laundromats available nearly everywhere in the world, we kept clean by washing our clothes every 7-10 days. Every three months, we donated a few items to the local Red Cross and picked up a couple of new things, a very exciting moment after wearing the same clothes for an extended period. We also brought a packable daypack and shopping bag, both of which were used every day.
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KELTY REDWING 44 (Ryan's pack)
This pack met all my needs when traveling for such a long period of time. The "Hybrid U-Zipper" allows for both front and top loading, making packing a breeze, and the aluminum frame works great for anything from long walks in the city to hikes in the Andes. |
KELTY PK 50 (Megan's pack)
This versatile zipper-less pack and can be transformed from 50 liters to 35 by removing the front pouch. Although originally purchased for long-distance trail hikes, it also worked well for long term travel with two (small & medium) packing cubes inside. |
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Other Strongly Considered Packs
- Osprey Porter 46: This is an awesome pack for travel, considering it opens like a suitcase and is easy to load and unload.
- Osprey Farpoint 40 or 55: The detachable daypack on the 55 was tempting, but whether it fits in the overhead bin is questionable.
Men's packing list
THE NORTH FACE THERMOBALL HYBRID HOODIE (PACKABLE JACKET) - Although this jacket stayed in my pack for the majority of our trip (we benefited from some very warm weather in most of the countries we visited), it was one of the best items I carried with me. With alternative down material on the torso section, lightweight, waterproof material on the arms, shoulders and hood, this jacket kept me warm and dry throughout Patagonia and many other places. It’s super lightweight at just over 11 ounces and also folds completely into the left front pocket, making it a nice little extra pillow for those long, intercontinental flights.
BUGSAWAY IMPERVIO LONG SLEEVE CREW BY EXOFFICIO - It’s not the most stylish, nor is it the lightest, but this shirt offered some much appreciated peace of mind when traveling through countries where both malaria and dengue fever are common occurrences.
LONG SLEEVE BUTTON UP SHIRTS (3 - one pattern, one chambray, one plaid) - These button ups were a great decision for our trip around the world. They were easily dressy enough for any ‘fancier’ occasions (rare), yet roll up the sleeves and they worked on any (not too hot) normal day. Also great for layering when it’s cold out.
SHORT SLEEVE BUTTON UP (2 - 1 pattern, 1 plain - H&M) - I picked these up in Bangkok, prior to landing in Europe for two months, feeling like I needed a step up from the t-shirts I trounced around in throughout Asia. They proved to be invaluable. Nice enough to stroll around Rome or Berlin, yet ultra lightweight. They took up less room than any other shirt in my pack.
TEES (5 - 3 plain, 2 pattern) - T-shirts are obviously a required item and didn’t take up much room in my pack. Having a few plain options along with a couple patterned tees to switch it up worked well.
PANTS (2 - 1 jeans, 1 cotton jogger) - The jeans didn’t leave my pack until Europe, but once there, were a great option. The joggers are more casual, but also more comfortable, and worked great for travel days and hiking through the Peruvian Andes.
BUGSAWAY IMPERVIO LONG SLEEVE CREW BY EXOFFICIO - It’s not the most stylish, nor is it the lightest, but this shirt offered some much appreciated peace of mind when traveling through countries where both malaria and dengue fever are common occurrences.
LONG SLEEVE BUTTON UP SHIRTS (3 - one pattern, one chambray, one plaid) - These button ups were a great decision for our trip around the world. They were easily dressy enough for any ‘fancier’ occasions (rare), yet roll up the sleeves and they worked on any (not too hot) normal day. Also great for layering when it’s cold out.
SHORT SLEEVE BUTTON UP (2 - 1 pattern, 1 plain - H&M) - I picked these up in Bangkok, prior to landing in Europe for two months, feeling like I needed a step up from the t-shirts I trounced around in throughout Asia. They proved to be invaluable. Nice enough to stroll around Rome or Berlin, yet ultra lightweight. They took up less room than any other shirt in my pack.
TEES (5 - 3 plain, 2 pattern) - T-shirts are obviously a required item and didn’t take up much room in my pack. Having a few plain options along with a couple patterned tees to switch it up worked well.
PANTS (2 - 1 jeans, 1 cotton jogger) - The jeans didn’t leave my pack until Europe, but once there, were a great option. The joggers are more casual, but also more comfortable, and worked great for travel days and hiking through the Peruvian Andes.
SHORTS (4 - 1 board shorts, 1 cotton athletic, 1 waterproof, 1 grey cotton) - Grey cotton shorts for ‘nicer’ occasions, board shorts with drawstring for the beach, a pair of blue ‘multi-purpose’ waterproof shorts that can double as boardshorts for active excursions, and some cotton athletic shorts for sleeping or the occasional run
UNDERWEAR (7 - 5 polyester boxer briefs, 2 cotton boxers) - No need for super expensive, odor resistant underwear. Almost any polyester boxer briefs shouldn’t get too smelly.
SOCKS (7 - 5 low-profile black athletic socks, 2 super low profile socks, 1 warm socks) - I wore the no-show black socks 99% of the time on this trip, but if you’re going anywhere cold make sure to pack a pair of long socks.
UNDERWEAR (7 - 5 polyester boxer briefs, 2 cotton boxers) - No need for super expensive, odor resistant underwear. Almost any polyester boxer briefs shouldn’t get too smelly.
SOCKS (7 - 5 low-profile black athletic socks, 2 super low profile socks, 1 warm socks) - I wore the no-show black socks 99% of the time on this trip, but if you’re going anywhere cold make sure to pack a pair of long socks.
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SHOES (3)
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SPY DISCORD SUNGLASSES WITH HAPPY LENS - The polarized Happy Lenses on these sunglasses make travels in even the hottest, sunniest countries feel and look good.
HAT - Feels like a requirement for any guy traveling in hot places, but that's just me.
FREESTYLE SHARK CLASSIC WATCH - I don't think I took this watch off for our entire trip. Super durable, waterproof, and comfortable in any weather.
HAT - Feels like a requirement for any guy traveling in hot places, but that's just me.
FREESTYLE SHARK CLASSIC WATCH - I don't think I took this watch off for our entire trip. Super durable, waterproof, and comfortable in any weather.
Women's packing list
PATAGONIA NANO-AIR JACKET (PACKABLE) - One of the few splurge items that was 100% worthwhile. Packable alternative down jackets are lightweight, fit in the bottom of your pack and can double as a pillow. My jacket was a little heavier than Ryan’s because I get cold easier, but still light and compact.
LONG SLEEVE SHIRTS (4) - I went with a basic lightweight cotton (like t-shirt material) cardigan that could be worn over dresses or tanks/tees, a button up chambray (matches with everything and cute with shorts or skirts), a lightweight, fitted pullover sweatshirt that was cozy for long flights and train/bus rides, and an ExOfficio BugsAway lightweight hoodie that wasn’t the most fashionable, but did protect from mosquitoes (and malaria/dangue/zika)
TANK TOPS (5) - This may be one too many, but my tanks are small and very packable. I went with 2 plain/basic colors with a cute fit, 3 with patterns (at least 2 should be a little more “dressy” but still a washable material). I donated and bought new tanks a couple of times to switch things up.
TEES (2) - A tank alternative for more modest countries/situations. A black T can be dressed up with jewelry to look more formal if necessary. I like JCrew tissue T’s - they’re lightweight and dry quickly.
PANTS (3) - One lightweight jean (H&M stretch skinny), one casual cotton pant that can be dressed up or down, and 1 legging that is plain enough to wear when traveling or for hikes/runs (an athletic legging is great if it’s not too sporty and can be worn with a long tank/chambray and sandals) I'm a big fan of Prana leggings.
SHORTS (3) - One denim, one basic color OR black and one athletic if you think you will be running/hiking. If not, stick with two.
SKIRT (1) - I went with a black cotton mini. Goes with everything and good for a night out.
DRESS (1 Romper or Sundress) - This will be your favorite item because it’s one piece but a whole outfit. I ended up donating my dress and buying a new romper halfway through.
LONG SLEEVE SHIRTS (4) - I went with a basic lightweight cotton (like t-shirt material) cardigan that could be worn over dresses or tanks/tees, a button up chambray (matches with everything and cute with shorts or skirts), a lightweight, fitted pullover sweatshirt that was cozy for long flights and train/bus rides, and an ExOfficio BugsAway lightweight hoodie that wasn’t the most fashionable, but did protect from mosquitoes (and malaria/dangue/zika)
TANK TOPS (5) - This may be one too many, but my tanks are small and very packable. I went with 2 plain/basic colors with a cute fit, 3 with patterns (at least 2 should be a little more “dressy” but still a washable material). I donated and bought new tanks a couple of times to switch things up.
TEES (2) - A tank alternative for more modest countries/situations. A black T can be dressed up with jewelry to look more formal if necessary. I like JCrew tissue T’s - they’re lightweight and dry quickly.
PANTS (3) - One lightweight jean (H&M stretch skinny), one casual cotton pant that can be dressed up or down, and 1 legging that is plain enough to wear when traveling or for hikes/runs (an athletic legging is great if it’s not too sporty and can be worn with a long tank/chambray and sandals) I'm a big fan of Prana leggings.
SHORTS (3) - One denim, one basic color OR black and one athletic if you think you will be running/hiking. If not, stick with two.
SKIRT (1) - I went with a black cotton mini. Goes with everything and good for a night out.
DRESS (1 Romper or Sundress) - This will be your favorite item because it’s one piece but a whole outfit. I ended up donating my dress and buying a new romper halfway through.
SWIMSUITS (2) - If you’re a bikini gal, be sure tops and bottoms match one another - it’s all about versatility! In hindsight, I would have brought one bikini and one cute full-piece, as some places in Asia are a bit more modest.
1 Nighty or Tank+Shorts for Sleeping - I’m a nighty girl, but if you’re used to sleeping in a tank top and shorts, consider the number of shorts you’re bringing. You can also always sleep in your leggings in cold weather.
UNDERWEAR (10) - They’re tiny, so why not bring a few extra pairs? I mostly went with a combo of lacey thongs and briefs - the less cotton and more lace, the faster they dry. You do not need the fancy (and ugly) traveler panties. Seriously.
BRAS (4) - I typically wear wireless bras (I don't need the support!), so they’re a bit easier to pack. If I was bringing all under wire, I may reduce this to 3. I ended up with 2 black bras, 1 white bra, and 1 stretchy racerback that works with tanks and can double for hikes/etc.
SOCKS (7) - Five low-profile socks with running shoes. Two taller, and warmer, socks for travel days and hikes.
SHOES (4)
1 Nighty or Tank+Shorts for Sleeping - I’m a nighty girl, but if you’re used to sleeping in a tank top and shorts, consider the number of shorts you’re bringing. You can also always sleep in your leggings in cold weather.
UNDERWEAR (10) - They’re tiny, so why not bring a few extra pairs? I mostly went with a combo of lacey thongs and briefs - the less cotton and more lace, the faster they dry. You do not need the fancy (and ugly) traveler panties. Seriously.
BRAS (4) - I typically wear wireless bras (I don't need the support!), so they’re a bit easier to pack. If I was bringing all under wire, I may reduce this to 3. I ended up with 2 black bras, 1 white bra, and 1 stretchy racerback that works with tanks and can double for hikes/etc.
SOCKS (7) - Five low-profile socks with running shoes. Two taller, and warmer, socks for travel days and hikes.
SHOES (4)
- Nike Free Flyknits: Cute, super lightweight and comfortable, these shoes were my other good investment item. Fashionable enough to explore a city, but supportive enough for many, many hikes (including summiting a 15,000 ft mountain in the Andes).
- Flip Flops: Weigh virtually nothing and necessary for any and all beach destinations. Available to buy anywhere tropical if you need a new pair.
- Comfortable but cute sandals: I went with flat sandals that 1) I could comfortably walk two miles in and 2) have a little metallic detail so they can pass as a bit dressy
- TOMS or casual lace-ups: When you’re not walking far enough to justify running shoes but still want to look cute. I started with Classic TOMS, but wore them out and ended up buying a French version of Keds from Paris that served the same purpose.
- Jewelry: Leave your valuables at home, but bring a couple of pairs of basic/inexpensive earrings (I wore big gold hoops a lot) and long necklaces. You can definitely pick up more along the way, but these will add a little style to your outfit and make you feel a little a little less like you’re living out of a backpack.
- Handbag: Go for a small cross-body that is simple and not at all flashy (something like this). I also brought a small carabiner and locked the zipper to the strap hardware in more common areas for pick pocketing.
Technology
SAMSUNG GALAXY S5 & APPLE iPHONE 6 - We’re a split household on the Samsung versus Apple debate. In this situation, having one of each device worked in our favor. The cameras are a little different so we had some nice variation in our photos (we did not bring a separate camera). One note - Apple products are in high demand, especially in Latin America. If you bring an iPhone, buy a case to cover the apple logo as an added precaution.
T-MOBILE WIRELESS PLANS - Ah, the age old travel question. What’s the best way to communicate with people at home while you’re on the road? Some people buy International SIM cards in each country. Many people turn off their data and wait for a WIFI signal. We canceled our respective AT&T and Verizon plans and switched to T-Mobile. Why? T-Mobile’s Simple Choice Plan offers free (as part of your existing plan costs) international text & data in over 140 countries. We constantly texted, streamed music, and used Google Maps (a lifesaver!) while abroad, and paid the same monthly cost as we would at home. And no, we weren't paid or endorsed to write this. It’s actually that cool.
UE MINI BOOM WIRELESS BLUETOOTH SPEAKER - It’s up to you. For us, a portable speaker was well worth the weight. We listened to music in virtually every hotel room and AirBnB around the world. This model is lightweight and the sound quality is awesome.
TOSHIBA CHROMEBOOK 2 & ACER CHROMEBOOK - Unless you’re mixing music or designing art, skip the fancy Mac for a long trip. Chromebooks are perfect for traveling, assuming you have a Gmail account. They're inexpensive and all of your documents are saved online, so in the off chance it’s stolen, everything can be recovered. Plus they're lightweight and travel friendly.
T-MOBILE WIRELESS PLANS - Ah, the age old travel question. What’s the best way to communicate with people at home while you’re on the road? Some people buy International SIM cards in each country. Many people turn off their data and wait for a WIFI signal. We canceled our respective AT&T and Verizon plans and switched to T-Mobile. Why? T-Mobile’s Simple Choice Plan offers free (as part of your existing plan costs) international text & data in over 140 countries. We constantly texted, streamed music, and used Google Maps (a lifesaver!) while abroad, and paid the same monthly cost as we would at home. And no, we weren't paid or endorsed to write this. It’s actually that cool.
UE MINI BOOM WIRELESS BLUETOOTH SPEAKER - It’s up to you. For us, a portable speaker was well worth the weight. We listened to music in virtually every hotel room and AirBnB around the world. This model is lightweight and the sound quality is awesome.
TOSHIBA CHROMEBOOK 2 & ACER CHROMEBOOK - Unless you’re mixing music or designing art, skip the fancy Mac for a long trip. Chromebooks are perfect for traveling, assuming you have a Gmail account. They're inexpensive and all of your documents are saved online, so in the off chance it’s stolen, everything can be recovered. Plus they're lightweight and travel friendly.
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IN-EAR HEADPHONES - An absolute must for long bus/train rides. The $7 Panasonic earbuds on Amazon are always a good bet. HEADPHONE SPLITTER - If you’re traveling with a companion, bring a splitter so you can listen to the same music and podcasts. We listened to and then discussed 3-5 podcasts per 10 hour bus ride. The splitter was key. |
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ANKER POWERCORE MINI CHARGER - There's nothing worse than rolling into a new town/city with two dead phones and no clue where you’re going. Bring a lightweight portable charger for those emergency situations (that happen more often than you may think!).
WIRELESS MOUSE - If you’re working on a computer (or building a website/blog), a wireless mouse is key.
ELECTRICAL ADAPTER SET - Don’t forget electrical adapters for the countries you’re visiting. We purchased a set and used nearly every one.
WIRELESS MOUSE - If you’re working on a computer (or building a website/blog), a wireless mouse is key.
ELECTRICAL ADAPTER SET - Don’t forget electrical adapters for the countries you’re visiting. We purchased a set and used nearly every one.
Miscellaneous
PACKABLE DAYPACK - We left with an awesome Herschel packable daypack (which sadly was pretty decimated by a certain motorcycle crash in Northern Thailand) which we subsequently traded in for another great backpack we found in France.
JOURNAL - A must, especially if you’re not blogging. You will want to remember the little details that you can’t get from photos.
JOURNAL - A must, especially if you’re not blogging. You will want to remember the little details that you can’t get from photos.
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ZIPLOCK BAGS - Bring a few of every size. They come in super handy. Trust us.
DRIER SHEETS - A very important item (to keep your smelly clothes a little less smelly). DISPOSABLE SHOWER CAPS - Put them around the soles of your shoes so the rest of your clothes don’t get dirty. PACKING CUBES - VERY handy to divide clothes - it’s a bit like having dresser drawers on the go. BOTTLE OPENER - Most of the world you can drink beers in public (on the beach, at a park, etc.). But you’ll need to open them first. |
BUG SPRAY WITH DEET - Malaria, Dangue Fever, and now Zica Virus. Do NOT mess around when traveling to countries where mosquito borne viruses are present. Get the strong stuff (with DEET) and use it, especially on legs and ankles, and especially in the mornings and evenings. ExOfficio’s bugsaway line is also recommended as an extra precaution.
CLIF BARS - High in protein and will tide you over until you can find food (a lifesaver for long bus/train rides!)
CLIF BARS - High in protein and will tide you over until you can find food (a lifesaver for long bus/train rides!)
