Backpacking Packing List:
Clothing, accessories
and other essentials

Let`s start with some basic rules for your backpacking packing list:

In this article you`ll find:

Clothing
What should I pack?
Accessories
Other essentials

On most international flights, the luggage allowance is limited to
20 kg (44 lbs) per person. But that doesn`t mean that you have to pack that much. Make sure you have room to fill in new clothes, gifts etc.

If you do overload during your trip, you can always send your stuff home with postal services.

Don`t bring items like guide books and hiking shoes if you are not going to trek or read that travel guide for a long time.

Note: It`s better to pack too little, than too much!!!

There is always an opportunity to buy most of the listed items on this page locally.

Clothing

Choosing the right clothes...

You should bring clothing in cotton for 3 good reasons:

Cotton breathes
It draws heat away from from your skin to keep you cool
Cotton absorbs body moisture

Closet clothes Backpacking

You can also bring a few clothes in viscose and linen.

I love wearing linen shorts and viscose dresses, because the materials breathe like cotton and are comfortable wearing. However, these curl up after washing. It`s your choice.

You should bring clothing in light colours. Dark colours (dark blue, black, dark green, dark brown etc.) absorb heat and make most people attractive to mosquitoes. On a side note, white clothing gets easily dirty.

Bring clothing that are quick and easy to wash and dry.

Choose loose-fitting clothing to help keep you cool and comfortable, avoid armpit marks and to conceal your money belt. It`s also a sign of respect for local clothing customs.

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What should I pack?

Here`an example of a packing list for a 4-months journey:

Two (maximum four) t-shirts or tops
One or two long-sleaved shirts
Two shorts with zipper or button pockets (long and loose)
One skirt (it must reach to at least your midcalf, for visiting temples)
One sarong (use it as a skirt, beach mat, sheet, tube dress, scarf, curtain)
One dress
Warm hoody/fleece sweater/thin jacket (for cold nights)
One thin pyjama pants
Two swimming shorts/bikini sets
Six-eight undies/boxershorts
Two pair of socks (for trekking as well)

Use long-sleaved shirts

For female travellers, use a bikini top instead of a bra. Bikini tops are a must-have because they don`t take any space in your backpack, light to carry and comfortable wearing. Find bikini tops that support well.

Clothing to consider:

Thin rain jacket or poncho (practical during the wet season).

Thin cargo pants

Bring cargo pants if you know you`ll be trekking for a long time in the jungle. It will protect you more from insect bites, leeches, ticks, snake bites etc.

DON`T bring:

Jeans

The temperature in Asia is mostly hot and clammy, and your body will most likely be too bloated to fit in them. Also jeans are heavy and take ages to dry. Instead buy "Aladdins" or fishing pants locally. They`re comfy, loose and come in different colours.

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Can you get your laundry done

A cheap option is to buy washing powder so you can wash undies and clothing at the guesthouse!

If you don`t want to wash them yourself, check if the guest house you`re staying at provides laundry service (most of them do). Otherwise, family shops will do your laundry in a couple of hours or maximum a day. Most places charge you for per kilo. Look for signs on the streets! Depending on where you are (cheaper in North-Thailand than South), the prices vary from 10-30 B per kilo. These prices may change.

Accessories

Daybag for daily and evening use (I prefer sling bags)
A pair of sun glasses
Bandana
Caps
Safety pins
Sewing kit
Scarf (Use it to protect you from the sun, dust and to cover your head in temples)
Eye-mask
Kleenex tissues or other brands
Ordinary glasses
Cleaning rug for your glasses
Glasses case
Monthly contact lenses
Contact lense solution (you can buy them locally as well)
Contact lense case

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Other essentials

Towels made of microfiber (lightweight, take little space and easy to dry)
Swiss Army Knife (choose a multi-functional knife)
Flashlight (e.g. Mega Lite) + spare batteries
Padlocks or cable wire lock
Extra money purse (to keep different currencies separated)
Money belt
Ear plugs
Plastic tape for bottles (tape liquid bottles to prevent outburst in your backpack)
One book
Notebook + pens
Deck of cards (for between flights and waiting for local transport)
Spare candles
Toilet paper (when using public toilets and there`s no toilet paper)
Transparent plastic ziplock bags (easy to keep order and compress items)
Photos of your family, boy/girlfriend
Very thin duvet cover

Quick tips:

Padlocks

Use ear plugs to isolate noise outside your room, crickets at night and the air-conditioner! (Air-conditioners can be loud and annoying).

You should not bring more than one book. Buy, sell, rent or trade books in Asia, e.g. Bangkok on Khao San Road or Soi Rambutri.

Spare candles are practical during power outage, and also for places with no electricity at nights, e.g. Si Phan Don (Laos). Don`t overstock, you can buy them locally.

Don`t bring items with great sentimental value. If you bring photos, make copies before leaving home.

Bring your own duvet cover for 3 good reasons:

When you sometimes arrive in the middle of the night in a new place, the guesthouse has mistakenly forgotten to leave a duvet. Even better, the guesthouse does not provide service at night…
There is a duvet(cover) at the guesthouse - but either it`s stained, filthy, too short, too narrow, too thin or too thick.
It protects you from bed bugs!

I got this tip from a well-experienced travelling companion. At first I was sceptic, but I don`t regret it all.

"But doesn`t a duvet cover take a lot of space and weight?"

Yes, it takes some space and weight in your backpack, but in my opinion it`s still worth it.

Choose a thin, light, old duvet cover and roll it tightly.

I needed it most of my time in Asia, because the standard there wasn`t always # 1. So I was glad that I brought it. I met some travellers in Vang Vieng and told them about it.

They were like: "Why didn`t I think of that..."

You`ll likely thank yourself for bringing one, especially if you`re on a tight budget and can`t afford mid-range accommodation the whole trip.

And when you`re done using it, throw it away before returning home...

Additional items to consider:

Basic make-up

I brought my whole kit with foundation and concealer and more, but I didn`t need it because of the heat and humidity. I didn`t see female backpackers use make-up either. Settle for a mascara and lipgloss to allow you the luxury.

Binoculars

You can bring small binoculars if you know you`ll be trekking a lot, and watching animals and birds.

Blow-up travel pillow (not a common backpacker-item, but good for long journeys)

I brought mine once, but only used it once.

DON`T bring:

Travel iron (heavy and takes space)
Travel hairdryer (your hair will dry up within 30 minutes because of the climate)
Expensive jewellry
Electrical hair trimmer set (Instead, go to local barber shops)
Manicure and pedicure set (Go to local salons)
Wearing expensive jewellry will just attract thieves!
However, if you can`t travel without, bring neutral jewellry.
For instance: I recommend bringing a pair of coloured earrings or in wood. Thieves won`t see the difference between fake silver or not. Keep in mind that you`re going to places where poverty and theft are huge issues. If you lose them, you`ll regret you brought it.