We’ve written about what we consider to be “backpack essentials” for a trip around the world, but we thought we must put together a travel packing list to show exactly what’s in each of our backpacks. Obviously, there are differences between what Nick packs and what I pack, so this post will be all about what a woman must pack on a journey around the world.
My 60L mountain equipment Co-op luggage entry backpack.
However, before you even attempt to start making a travel packing list, you’ll need to choose a backpack and then purchase the essential travel item: packing cubes. These little things are amazing. They keep your clothing squished down (so to take up less room in your bag) and keep everything organized. Priceless.
Mesh packing cubes.
The a lot of crucial things a woman must pack when travelling are her intuition and Diva cup (see below for details). However, if you only brought those 2 things, you’d be freezing cold, but at least you’d be having a comfortable period!
In all seriousness, here’s my travel packing list For women embarking on a long trip around the world, from tropical to freezing cold climates:
(Note: I’ve considering that upgraded my backpack to an Osprey Kestrel 32L, check out my review of it here)
Tops:
1 x thermal, base layer, long sleeve shirt
1 x tight-fitting fleece
1 x lightweight, waterproof, windproof jacket (make sure it can roll up very small)
2 x tight-fitting undershirts/tank tops (great for wearing underneath other tee shirts when it’s cold, or by themselves when it’s hot )
2 x cotton t-shirts
2 x loose-fitting, flowing, 3/4 sleeve tee shirts (ideal for travelling in conservative places, wearing to bed or throwing on over a bathing suit)
1 x dressy top for going out at night
2 x bras
1 x bathing suit
A normal looking travel shirt, lightweight, flowing and long’ish sleeves. worn with hiking pants & shoes.
Bottoms:
1 x thermal base layer pants
1 x black leggings
1 x hiking pants (lightweight, quick drying, with side pockets)
1 x capri pants
1 x loose capri pants (with a draw string top, comfortable)
1 x short’ish skirt
1 x sarong (perfect as a blanket, scarf, skirt, dress or cover-up at the beach. So lots of uses)
5 x pairs of cotton underwear
1 x pair of warm socks (for cold climates and trekking)
3 x pairs of thin, quick drying regular socks
One of my normal travel outfits: hiking pants, t-shirt with tank top underneath, sunglasses and bandana, perfect!
A beach outfit: skirt, t-shirt sunglasses and flip-flops. good to go.
Shoes:
1 x pair of flip-flops (just a basic pair, when/if they break, just get some new ones along the way)
1 x pair of hiking/walking shoes (Merrell and Solomon make strong shoes)
Accessories:
1 x bandana (ideal for covering up unwashed hair!)
1 x headband
2 x scarves (these can add some style, conceal your hair in conservative places or be held over your head to make shade while walking through the desert)
1 x travel purse/cloth bag – picked up along the way
1 x pair of sunglasses
1 x toque (for non-Canadians, this is a wintertime hat or beenie) – gotten along the way
1 x pair of mittens/gloves – gotten along the way
Hair elastics and bobby pins
Lots of travel bracelets, anklets, rings and necklaces accumulated from different countries
Toiletries:
1 x toothbrush
1 x small tube of toothpaste (buy small tubes rather than carrying a big one)
1 x 2-in-1 bottle of shampoo/conditioner (small-sized ones are available on the road)
1 x bar of soap and soapbox
1 x deodorant (available in all countries)
1 x bottle of sunscreen (available overseas but it can be quite pricey)
1 x small bottle of hand/face lotion
1 x razor and blades
***I don’t choose to carry make-up when travelling. I don’t think there’s any need for it, but if you must, then just bring a tube of mascara and maybe some lip gloss.
An outfit for a lot more conservative places: long, loose tee shirt and pants
Other:
1 x Diva Cup – This little silicone menstrual cup has been a lifesaver each month while travelling. It takes the place of pads and tampons so you don’t need to pack hundreds of tampons or worry about where to get them. You just insert the cup and you’re covered for 8 or a lot more hours…ideal for long, overnight journeys. A must-have in every woman’s backpack.
1 x fast-drying, anti-microbial towel (many guesthouses won’t have towels)
1 x pillow case (I put it over gross hostel pillows and you can stuff it with comfy clothing to make your own pillow ona bus ride)
1 x bed sheet (Nick and I each carry one. Again, for putting over gross hostel beds, keeping warm on an overnight journey or laying down for a picnic)
This is a what a heating coil is!
1 x headlamp
1 x small packet of laundry detergent for hand-washing your clothing
1 x heating coil – We learned about this incredible item only recently. It’s a small coil that plugs into the wall. You place the coil bit into a metal cup of water and within minutes the liquid is at a rolling boil. We’ve boiled eggs in a cup, boiled hot water for instant noodles, oatmeal and drinks!
1 x lightweight, stainless steel travel cup (great for mixing instant oatmeal, having instant coffee, tea or cocktails even!) – gotten overseas
Preparing a salad on our lightweight, stainless steel plates.
1 x stainless steel travel plate (ideal for eating messy foods on a bus, train or having a picnic) – gotten overseas
1 x multi-use knife (used for multiple things, obviously)
1 x medical kit (click here for our full list of items)
Electronics. I carry a laptop, an external hard drive, an Ipod and a camera.
Large/Heavy items purchased Along The Way:
1 x mosquito net – depending on where you’re going, this may or may not be a must-have. Some countries supply them, but they normally have holes in them or smell rotten. We gotten ours when we arrived in South Africa and used it all over the continent & in parts of SE Asia.
Me trying out a sleeping bag in Kathmandu, Nepal.
1 x down filled, -10 degree sleeping bag (used for trekking in the Himalayas, purchased in Nepal)
1 x pair of trekking poles – unless you’re planning to do lots of severe hiking/trekking, you won’t need these. Mine were gotten in Nepal for trekking the Himalayas.
Guidebooks. get them as you need them, otherwise your bag will be incredibly heavy. Alternatively, download them to your laptop, Kindle or Iphone.
Going camping or Trekking? check out our What to pack for a Trekking & camping trip post!
***Notes:
*We don’t (usually) carry a tent, but if you were going somewhere specifically indicated for camping, it would be worth bringing a lightweight one.
The name of the game is lightweight, fast-drying clothes. regularly have that in mind while packing.
Bring clothes that you can mix & match, that way you’ll feel like you have a lot more outfits. I tend to choose green, brown, beige, gray and black when choosing colours and then maybe add a bright scarf or something to make it look a bit nicer and a lot more feminine.
I don’t recommend bringing any hair product, make-up, a blow dryer, a hair straightener or jeans! denim is heavy and takes forever to dry.
I typically leave my good clothing at home so I don’t have to worry about them getting stained, shrinking or deteriorating from taking a laundry beating!
You’ll regularly be getting new clothes, leaving old ones behind and dropping the worn-out ones! So if you think you forgot something, you can get it overseas, don’t worry.
Me in India, absolutely not wearing a short skirt anymore!
Ok, I think that wraps up the list of what’s in my backpack. the most crucial thing is to be mindful of the different cultures and customs in each country you’re visiting.
I may wear a skirt and t-shirt in the Philippines, but I’ll change into long pants, long-sleeved tee shirt and scarf before arriving in India. Be respectful and you’ll have no unwanted or negative attention coming your way!
Everyone’s travel packing list is different. everyone has their personal “must-have’s” but this trusty list has worked for me for my 3 years of travelling the world, hopefully it’ll do the same for you.
Guys, check out: The complete travel packing list For Men.
What do you think? What are necessities in your backpack…did I miss anything?!
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