If you are hostelling take a backpack, otherwise
a suitcase is good for hire cars and hotels.
Backpacks are more suitable for walking, hiking
and are easy to maneouvre on and off transport.
Check they have adjustable and padded straps,
lower back support (particularly for females),
are multi compartmented and have a detachable
day pack, and can be easily locked with small
padlocks. Don't skimp on these, because it
is hard to get replacements on the road. Try
to avoid top loading packs as you will have
to unpack everything each time you need something
on the bottom. Travelpacks are a combination
backpack/shoulder bag. The backpack straps
zip away inside when not needed. These can
be made reasonably theft proof with small
padlocks on the zipper areas. Day packs that
can be unzipped and taken on the plane or
for short travel are useful. Keep enough clothing
in these (changes of underwear etc) to last
a day or two if you lose the rest of your
luggage.
In some countries (like in Europe) people
are quite particular about footwear and if
you want to blend in smart, comfortable and
casual is best. Try to bring no less and no
more than two pairs as they do take up a lot
of room and are heavy. One pair should be
good for day to day walking or hiking and
possibly adaptable for night wear. Waterproof
sandals are good for beaches, showers and
other casual sight seeing in warmer climates.
In most hostels bedding is neither required
or allowed due to bed bugs or sanitary reasons.
However a sleeping bag, small woollen blanket
or sheet can be handy for overnight train
trips, ferries and buses. Shawls are particularly
useful, easy to pack and surprisingly warm
for their size.
The season you travel will influence what
you take. Layers of clothing are better than
big bulky items, far warmer and more multi
purpose if the weather changes etc. It is
best to be prepared for a few climatic changes,
particularly wet weather at any time of year.
Here's a list of items you can buy but it
may be better to take your own:
- underwear, socks
- lightweight towel and swimming gear (this
can also double as underwear)
- a pair or two lightweight cotton pants
- a pair of shorts or a skirt
- a few t-shirts and shirts
- a warm sweater
- good walking shoes
- good sandals for showers and beaches
- a coat or jacket
- a raincoat, waterproof jacket or umbrella
- first aid and sewing kit
- a padlock
- Swiss army knife - preferrably with a corkscrew
and bottle opener, is handy for protection,
cutting food, doubling as scissors etc
- torch (flashlight)
- sunglasses
- toiletries including toothpaste, toothbrush,
soap etc
- a few plastic bags or other bags to store
wet/dirty clothes
- own toilet paper (for some countries)
- tampons and condoms are available almost
everywhere but more so in western countries
- tent and sleeping bag if you want to save
money camping. A woollen shawl is useful.
Other optional items: compass, torch / flashlight,
calculator for currency conversions, alarm
clock, adaptor plug for electrical appliances,
clothes pegs, wet ones / handkerchief, sterlising
lotions, reading materials, journals, copy
of important documents.
A proven method is compartmentalising. Put
in a small bag for underwear, one for shirts,
pants, and other things, and it's like having
four dresser drawers inside. You always know
where everything is. The key is to mix and
match. Choose a colour scheme so you can wear
everything together. Go for thin layers rather
than bulky jackets and coats as these can
then be used individually when the weather
is warmer. You can wash underwear so just
take enough for several days. For women choose
a colour scheme for your clothes. This way
you can mix and match with a number of items
so you feel like you are wearing a new suit
every day. Blues, whites and blacks are best
for this. And for toiletries buy the smallest
bag you can find. Put in a toothbrush, toothpaste,
razor, soap, sunscreen and hairbrush. These
are your essentials. Then choose one lipstick
that can match all your clothes, one small
eyeshadow compact, foundation, one face wash,
one cream (for hands and feet) and you should
be done.
Here are some culling methods: 1.
Put all the clothes you want in a pile and
divide it in half. Divide this pile in two
and work on the smaller pile. This is what
you take. 2. Pick an
outfit for a cold day, hot day, wet day and
throw in underwear, socks, shoes and toiletries
and you're done. 3. Get
an experienced traveller to help. 4.
Pack your bag two weeks before you depart
and live out of it, removing an item every
day.
