Hey guys,
Hi Foxy,
There's a few suggestions over in the Travel Gear forum:
Don't forget you can always buy any toiletries or first aid stuff as required – no need to take 'just in case' items that will weigh you down!
I'm going end of jan and I've got an 85 litre. Bit bigger than most but i don't mind carrying the extra weight , just go with what you think you can carry
Tom
Hey,
Thanks for the response guys, both posts have been a big help
Foxy
An 85 litre backpack for travel is utterly incomprehensible to me. I can't imagine lugging that boat anchor around.
I travel independently for indefinite periods (several months at a time) via hotels/hostels through 3 climates with a carry-on size 46 litre backpack with LOTS of room left over - all the cinch straps are yanked to their tightest dimensions so the backpack is really only about 35 litres.
That's including a set of nice clothes to crash an Embassy party or high-end club, normal day-to-day casual and hiking wear, beach clothes, personal hygiene products and everything else you need to be safe/comfortable plus a laptop, digital still/video package and all the peripherals.
I have a separate daypack that fits inside the main backpack. I use it to carry all my essentials when the main backpack is in an overhead bin, etc.
It's easily doable and you'll see LOTS of experienced backpackers doing the same - and in warm climates going even lighter. Seeing other travellers - especially smaller women - struggle with 70 - 80+ litre backpacks (usually with additional huge daypacks!) is insane.
Going light makes sense to me because it allows me to keep my backpack with me (almost) all the time - it's carry-on size for aircraft, it doesn't need to be checked into the baggage space under the bus where it's out of my sight and out of my control - and it's obviously way easier/faster to navigate a crowded train aisle, keep with me inside the taxi, stow in a small boat, fit into a tuk-tuk, onto the back of a motorcycle and a million other situations.
Everyone's needs/requirements are different though... different strokes for different folks...
Good luck and travel safe.
Cheers,
Terry
Wow that's awesome terry, very informative. Thank you very much for your advice, I will definitely take it on board
Thanks Foxy.
Keep in mind my last comment though... Everyone's needs/requirements are different... different strokes for different folks...
Tom @ #3 with the monster backpack might be 2 meters and 115 kg of solid muscle, plus he's hauling free diving and climbing gear too. Or he might never be leaving the gringo trail and off the beaten path. Or he might be on a WHV where the backpack doesn't move for weeks.
Travelling super light/efficient is not for everyone. We don't all travel the same way, thank God.
Have fun.
Cheers,
Terry
Terry is absolutely right. Traveling light is easy. If you need something overseas, you usually can buy it. The one notable exception is medicine, particularly if you need a specific prescription drug. Over the years, I find that, for me, two or three extra shirts (preferably quick-dry) is perfect, along with two pairs of underwear (also quick dry), two pairs of merino wool-silk hiker socks; and a pair of convertible pants. I also carry a raincoat; and a fleece (or down) jacket or vest. Also essential for me is an LED flashlight, a crushable hat, a pair of flip-flops, a universal sink stopper; and a bar of detergent soap (usually available in developing countries … I buy a couple of extra bars before going home). I use a soft-sided bag that’s small enough to carry on any aircraft, including a bush plane. Inside that bag is a lightweight, sturdy, rolled-up waterproof daypack that can be unrolled and used on hikes to carry water, food, camera and raincoat. Each of my trips, usually lasting two or three months, is different, so I tailor my packing list. But I always limit myself to no more than 7 kilos in the main carry-on bag; and no more than 5 to 7 kilos for my laptop and camera bag (a 25-liter or a 35-liter backpack). That way, I never have to check bags for flights; and I have complete flexibility. If you need an extra bag to bring back gifts and souvenirs, you can always buy an inexpensive one overseas. P.S. Many people don't think much about socks, but they are important, particularly if you're going to be on your feet for hours.
I'm currently rtw'ing on 7kg of baggage, including hiking gear for my main event in New Zealand and cold weather gear for Korea next.
My pack is I think 35L or so, in which I carry a daypack.
If anything I have too much stuff this trip - a couple of shirts I haven't worn, and a usb battery pack to recharge my android phone which I haven't needed.
Saying that the 7kg isn't all I'm carrying when in a country - there's food too; snacks and drinks add up and I've the makings of a few meals, so a bit more space in the pack is useful.
Travel light and don't be laden down by your stuff. Dump the stuff you don't use, use devices that share the same charger, bin most of the silly toiletries.
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