Your travel may never involve sleeping anywhere except a hotel or hostel room. Even so, taking a backpacker’s self-sufficient approach to packing can make making your way around the world less stressful and more fun. Here are 5 ways to do just that:
Tip 1: Keep your bag portable
Like a hiker’s pack, your bag should let you move out at a moment’s notice under your own power. Ideally, your pack should be carry-on-compliant, so you can bypass luggage carousels and make tight connections. Plus, if it’s never out of your sight, you can be sure nothing has been removed or added.
MEC Agens Sc Duffle/Pack 5026-313
For fancier trips, you may want to look more like a conventional tourist and less like a thrifty backpacker. These bags will keep your secret while still being able to ride on your back for a bit.
MEC Fast-Track 3 Rolling Duffles 5030-440
Tuck a folded duffle into your carry-on for bringing home oversized souvenirs.
Tip 2: Pack light
Fitting everything in a carry-on calls for a minimalist approach to wardrobe – sometimes as little as one outfit on your body and another in your luggage (with extras allowed for socks and undies). Clothes that are compact, wrinkle-free and quick-drying work best.
MEC South Island LS Dress: 5029-555
Try for a single pair of footwear that can pull double duty for business casual and your off-hours, off-sidewalk explorations.
Merrell Traveler Spin Shoes 5033-370
Tip 3: Anticipate hunger and thirst
A couple of food bars in your bag will ensure flight delays won’t force you to fork over the price of a night’s lodgings for an ancient airport sandwich.
Clif Bar Chocolate Almond Fudge Energy Bar: 4009-681
A folding water bottle can be emptied for passing through pre-flight checks, and then refilled.
Tip 4: Heal thyself (and thy gear)
A minimalist first aid kit may save you from playing pantomime with a foreign pharmacist . Or you can stash a few band-aids and moleskins in your toiletries bag.
Adventure Medical UltraLight .5 First Aid Kit 5003-378
Backpackers are big on being able to repair or hack their stuff in the field. The blades on most Swiss Army Knives get the hairy eyeball from airport security, but this compact multi-tool should breeze on by.
Leatherman Style PS Multi-Tool 5029-339
Tip 5: Fend for yourself
A headlamp lets you navigate backstreets and read in bed where electricity is sketchy or non-existent.
Black Diamond Spot Headlamp 5033-810
Depending on where you’re headed, you may also want to run your own personal water and power utilities.
SteriPEN Adventurer Opti Water Purifier 5024-196
Power Traveller PowerMonkey Solar Charger 5027-434
On that subject, travel is all about adapting to local culture. And electric currents.
SKROSS World Travel Adapter 2 and USB Charger 5020-642
Travelling light means you’ll rarely have a full machine load of dirty clothes. So bring your own portable laundromat. (We told you quick-dry clothes were the way to go.)
Every experienced road warrior evolves their own list of won’t-leave-home-without-them items. What are yours?