Whilst backpacking you’ll probably end up staying in a lot of hostels which, whilst amazing, can often leave something lacking in the realms of comfort and services.
This blog will provide you with some must-pack items to take with you on your backpacking adventures. It’s the Amazon wishlist I wish I had before embarking on my first trip. I now take all of these items with me wherever I roam.
If you order any items using the links in this blog, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I hope that you will find the list helpful and that it will save you some precious time when organising your next trip.
Item 1 – A Serious Travel Organiser
My travel organiser is probably my favourite item on the list. I got the one pictured below for my birthday some years back and now it comes on all trips with me.
With convenient pouches for all the items I could ever need for my travels, it’s a no-brainer. Keep all your hostel bookings, spare change and passport in it to stop yourself losing anything. Sadly, I couldn’t find the exact one I have on sale anymore, but don’t let that stop you from buying a similar one and living your best organised life.
Item 2 -A Dual-Use Form Of Comfortable Seating
Picture it. You’ve found the hostel of your dreams online with the fun squishy chairs and hammocks and quirky seating, and you can’t wait to chill there. But there’s a problem. Everyone else saw it too, and that’s why every time you leave your room all the good seats are taken. Rather than skulk back to your room to sit drearily on your bed, be prepared by packing a blow up rubber ring. Sure, it’s not a sofa, but once I got this out at the hostel I felt rather smug. I even had a guy try and steal it a few times. GET YOUR OWN!
A rubber ring also doubles up as a great piece of equipment in the pool. Of course, you could go down the lilo route, but it takes up way too much space in the backpack. Grab a rubber ring, enjoy it, and if you need souvenir space – gift it to a fellow traveller before you fly home.
Item 3 – Waterproof Holders
At some point you’ll probably want to go for a swim, and you’ll be faced with the decision of leaving your phone and other valuables with a total stranger, on the sand, or back in your hostel. Sadly, your stuff isn’t always there when you get back. For this reason, I purchased some waterproof phone holders.
These holders were perfect for me and allowed me enough space to get my phone and some cash inside. I actually wore this inside the mud caves at Phong Nha in Vietnam and was very surprised that even the mud didn’t get through, as well as the water. It was also great because it went around my neck so I didn’t have to clutch it the whole time. Get yours here.
Item 4 – A Wetsuit That Fits
Forcing your body into a wetsuit is NOT an enjoyable experience. Especially if you are over a size 10 and currently in a country where bodies over that size are not considered the norm and catered for as standard.
If ’ve had a few humiliating experiences of being watched by groups of strangers as I try and get my thighs in a tiny wetsuit. As much as it would be great to have providers of activities have wetsuits that fit “larger” figures, unfortunately it’s not always the case. After being made to feel like the largest person on earth in Thailand, I vowed to get myself a wetsuit to take anywhere I think i’ll need it. This wetsuit is a great choice.
Item 5 – A Durable Rucksack
There is nothing wrong with a suitcase, but I must say it’s so much easier to travel with a rucksack for me personally. Especially if trekking or hiking is involved.
My trusty rucksack has been with me for 14 years. I love it so much that i’ll probably cry when/if it ever breaks. The best part is it’s many compartments that make it feel like your using a suitcase. My bag has been to Tanzania, Kenya, Germany, Portugal, Thailand and more without any signs of breaking – even when stuffed to the brim with souvenirs. Get yourself a rucksack like this one. You won’t regret it.
Item 6 – Blister Plasters
These are LIFE SAVERS. I’m not an expert to speak on how they work, but they feel like magic. As someone that’s not prone to getting blisters I didn’t see why I ever needed them, but I’m glad my mum talked me into it. Wearing flip flops on a sandy beach in Portugal caused the sand to rub… blister plaster needed. Hiking across an open plain in Tanzania in high heat and walking boots? Blister plasters needed.
Trust me. You’d rather have them and be prepared than have to whack a big standard plaster on them.
Item 7 – Snorkel
Not going to a beachside location? It doesn’t matter. Pack a snorkel! The photo below was actually taken in a lake in Slovenia and we had the most fun with them. I bought a standard snorkel as I like having separate eyes in mine. My partner went for an all in one snorkel.
Even if going snorkelling isn’t your intention, it’s so much better to have it than not to. We had no idea that we would end up snorkelling in a random lake, but we did, and we saw so many fish. I think everyone else at the lake was quite jealous they didn’t have their snorkels too!
Item 8 – Head Torch
You don’t have to be camping to need a head torch. I originally purchased mine because I was camping, but since then it’s stayed in my backpack for every trip. It’s so handy to have and you never know when you need a powerful light that’s not your phone.
Need a solid example as to why a head torch is necessary? Whilst working with a volunteering team in a rural community in the hills of Nicaragua we experienced an earthquake that took out all the power lines. I immediately put the head torch on and was able to safely guide the team out of their rooms into the open. Once the aftershocks passed, I tied the head torch to a tree branch overhead so that we could all congregate below it and see each others faces. Without the head torch we would have all been in darkness and a lot less calm.
Item 9 – Decent Sunglasses
Stop buying knock/off sunglasses from random stalls that break within the same week that you buy them. It’s wasteful and probably costing you more than you realise. I was a serial purchaser of cheap and cheerful sunglasses until I calculated that I’d probably spent over £100 on them and feared the amount of plastic waste I was causing! Instead of buying 10 pairs for £100, buy some high quality sunglasses that will last you a long long time.
Item 10 – Microfibre Body Towel
I love my micro fibre towel so much that I actually use it every time I shower, even when I’m not travelling. It’s lightweight, absorbent, and great for my curly hair maintenance.
Since my hair is so big I use the body towel on my head, but if you have straight hair you can get away with this smaller one. If you find you love the towels as much as I do then just get both. They take up so little room in your bag you could even pack three if you really wanted to.
Item 11 – Practical Shoes
I love a pair of practical shoes. There’s my steel toe cap shoes for when I’m volunteering, my hiking boots for the climbing adventures, and my lightweight boots for long distance walks.
Appropriate footwear is SO important when you’re travelling. Whilst you may want to wear your flip flops or trainers everywhere, investing is a solid pair of shoes that are fit for purpose will protect those precious toes and ensure you are comfortable no matter the activity. Leave your flashy shoes at home and buy yourself some practical shoes!
Item 12 – Zip-Off Trouser-Shorts
Trousers that turn into three quarter lengths AND/OR shorts are a genius idea. For me, they are the perfect clothing item for when you aren’t too sure what the dress code is. I currently own 4 pairs! (I’m wearing a khaki pair in the image of me in a hammock above) With the ability to be worn as part of a casual or a smart outfit, these trousers will not let you down. (M
Item 13 – Cluster Hanger
Even if you don’t intend to do any washing on your travels, a cluster hanger still has its uses. Hang up your wet flannels to prevent them getting smelly, keep your cables together, or hang it from the top bunk and drape a towel over it to create a privacy screen. This hanger is perfectly compact for your rucksack. I also have two of these IKEA hangers on my washing line at home.
Item 14 – Head Covering
It doesn’t matter which country you are going to, a head covering (i don’t mean hats) is an essential item if you are expecting to visit religious buildings. I’ve been in churches, mosques, and temples around the world that all require a head cover and was glad I had my trusty scarf on me. There’s no need to get anything fancy, just something like this that you can easily pop on your head to show respect.
Item 15 – Lonely Planet Books
I’m sure there are other great publishers out there, but I find the Lonely Planet books to be incredibly useful. Before I head out on my adventures I grab a lonely planet book for the country I’m going to and do a little revision. Most books contain basic phrases as well as suggested things to do and maps. They really are a one stop travel shop.
Need More Ideas?
And that’s my must-pack list for the savvy backpacker. Let me know if you want more tips before you embark on your next trip. I could go on forever with lists of gadgets and gizmos I simply couldn’t travel without.
As mentioned, if you buy any of the items linked in this blog – I’ll gain a commission at no cost to you. I only share items I’ve personally tried and tested in the hope that you will have a more comfortable trip. Happy shopping!
TravelJems 