What’s In My Backpack: General Essentials

You have your one-way flight booked! You have a rough idea of where to go, what you want to see and do, and you look at that backpack wondering how on earth you're going to pack your whole life in there?!

Not only do you have to fit in a couple of t-shirts, trousers, shoes, underwear... But also a camera, a laptop, and all the bits and pieces that come with the technology we are all glued to these days.

On top of all this, you're going away for a while and will likely cross a few different climates, how are you meant to be prepared for EVERYTHING at once, while still being able to lift your own backpack...

So here is the list of things I currently have; having hitch hiked from UK to Lithuania, lived here for 3 months, and a one-way ticket to the other side of the world for 6 days time!

Clothes!

Rain coat x1 - an absolute necessity where ever you go in the world!

Jumper x1

Tshirts (tank tops x3, tshirts x3, long sleeved x1)

Trousers (leggings x2, jeggings x1 (lighter & easier to dry than actual jeans), fleece-lined trousers*)

Skirt x1

Shorts x2

Formal tops/shirts x2 (I started out with none, and caved after 3 months of boring practical clothes!)

Scarf x1

Wooly hat x1

Bikini/swim shorts x2

Bras (normal x3, sports x2)

Socks x8 *

Underwear x10 *

Shoes (sneakers x1, walking shoes/boots x1, flip flops x1)

*Only necessary if your initial plans involved heading somewhere cold, if you decide to after you've left your home country you'll be able to pick up warmer clothes the further into that climate you go.

* Bring enough underwear and socks to last at least a week, be practical and be prepared to hand wash them!

Toiletries!

Eye cover for sleeping x2

Ear plugs - As many as you can fit! An absolute essential for sleeping anywhere, anytime.

Microfibre towel x1

Anti-Mosquito Spray x1

Sun Cream x 1

Anti-bacterial hand gel x1

Perfume/cologne x1 **

Tooth paste/Tooth brush x1 of each

Nail clippers/nail file x1 of each

Spot stick x1 (for those nasty spots)

Make up - Mascara x1, eye liner x1, mirror x1 (back to basics!)

Hair - Hair brush x1, Hair bands x3, Hair clips (big x2, bobby pins x1 box), head band x1

Shower - Shampoo, Conditioner, Shower gel, Moisturiser (x1 of each, travel size)

**Depending on your travel plans. Not necessary for long term, low budget vagabonding, but can be nice if you plan to find work somewhere along the way.

Tech!

Camera x1, batteries x3 (plus charger x1), Lenses x2, Filters x6 (plus filter holder x1 and case x1), SD cards x6, Tripod x1, Portable hard drive x1 ***

Go Pro x1, Waterproof casing x1, batteries x4 (plus charger cable x1)

>>eReader x1 (plus charger cable x1)

Headphones x1

USB x1

Wall to USB adaptor plug x1

>>World Plug converter x1

>>Power Bank x1 (plus charger cable x1) - I have found this invaluable! I wouldn't survive without it!

Phone x1 (plus charger cable x1)

Mini Speaker x1 (plus charger cable x1)

>>Head Torch x1

Laptop x1, Laptop case x1 (plus charger x1)

*** I am a Photographer/Videographer by trade, so these items are only essential for this reason. Though I would recommend taking a camera, nowadays a cellphone camera will probably do the trick, but if you have the money I would 100% suggest splashing out on something like a GoPro; they are good quality, they survive anything and they are convenient to carry around with you!

Other!

Spear glasses x1 (plus case x1)

Swimming goggles x1

>>Hobo Roll x1 (perfect for clothes storage)

>>Two-man Ten x1

>>Sleeping bag x1

>>Sleeping mat x1

Sporks x2

Bowl x1

Cup x1

LED tent light x1

Wet bags x3 (5L, 10L, 20L bags that are waterproof)

Bum bag x1

Note book x1

Pen x1

Cellotape x1

Elastic bands

Duct tape/string x1 ****

Water purifiers x1 (only needed if you're really going off the beaten track)

First Aid Kit - Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Anti-histamines, various plasters/dressing/anti-bacterial wipes, sun cream lip chap, Anti-sickness tablets, Anti-diarrhea tablets, Menstrual Cramp tablets*****

Sewing Kit - Pins (box), needles (box), Safety pins (box), Buttons, Thread x4 (colours that match your clothes preferably), Small scissors x1

**** If you ever need to fix anything or dry clothes anywhere, these two items are an absolute must!

All of this fits into a 65L backpack I bought 8 years ago! As well as the 15L backpack in the top left corner for my camera + 2 lenses +filters and eReader.

A quick note on Dietary Requirements - I am Lactose Intolerant, so I also have a large stock of pills that let me eat diary, for the times there is no escaping it... I have found if you have any dietary requirements, it is the hardest thing to explain in countries where it just is not common knowledge yet - and where you don't exactly speak the language fluently either!