One of the biggest challenges prior to our world trip is figuring out how to pack for long-term travel. We must admit that we never backpacked before, so it’s the first time we will be traveling with so little. Usually, we travel with a packed suitcase, but not this time! On top of that, since we’ll be on the road for at least a year, we’ll be doing it for a longer period of time. Talk about trial by fire!
At first this seemed like an impossible task, but as soon as we got used to the idea we felt more liberated. It’s quite a relief not to have to think about every outfit. What first felt frightening, now feels freeing. Here is our world trip packing list, what we’ll carry on our backs during a year of traveling.
Our world trip packing list
Some general packing rules
Opt for a backpack instead of a suitcase
If you’re going to travel around multiple countries and go from place to place, a backpack is your best companion. Not only does a backpack offer the convenience of hands-free mobility, it’s also perfect for bringing your belongings along on hikes or treks. No more wrestling with a suitcase on bumpy cobblestone streets or tricky paths. Its limited space helps you pack smart, avoiding unnecessary stuff. Plus, you can easily store it, which is a big advantage. If you’re always on the move, a backpack is our top pick!
Now, what size does your backpack have to be? We find that for our specific situation, one 50L (Thysia) and one 70L (Kelvin) backpack works. We’ll be traveling across multiple continents, which means: different climates! By going for a backpack that’s a little larger than usual, we give ourselves the space to prepare for multiple temperatures. On top of that, we’ll be taking a drone, tripods, two laptops, … so the extra space is definitely welcome. If you’re only planning on visiting one continent or won’t bring extra equipment, you can probably get by on 35L to 50L. That way, you might even save some extra money since you won’t have to pay for checked luggage. Win-win!
Less is more
A common mistake is wanting to pack too much. We get it, you want to be able to wear the perfect dress for the perfect sunset, and have the freedom to change outfits at the last minute. But let us tell you: You really don’t need 5 sweaters, and those 5 pairs of shoes can stay at home, too. The less you pack, the less you have to carry! Your back will be grateful.
Another advantage that packing light brings, is that you’re less likely to pay extra for the surplus weight of your backpack! Airlines are becoming stricter on not allowing you to exceed your luggage weight, at least not without paying for it. By packing only the bare minimum, you won’t have to stress over whether you’re going to exceed your luggage weight!
Choose neutral tones
Simplify your wardrobe by opting for neutral tones like white, black, and beige. Not only do they look chic, but they also simplify the process of mixing and matching. It follows the ideology of a “Capsule Wardrobe”. It’s the idea of only having clothes, shoes, accessories,… that you actually wear. Think of it as a minimalist collection of clothes that can be put together in different ways to cover a variety of outfits and occasions.
Gone are the days of buying one green, patterned sweater that only fits with that one pair of similarly patterned pants. Make as many combinations with the few clothes you have. It’ll be all the more fun!
Be prepared to do a lot of laundry along the way
Pack with the expectation of washing your clothes often, and choose fabrics that dry quickly. To get an estimate of how often you’ll be doing laundry, take the amount of underwear as a guideline. No one (we assume) wants to run around in dirty underwear, so when you’re running out of underwear it’s time for laundry day! Don’t take your socks as reference, as these can be washed in the sink and hung out to dry. You could do this for underwear, too, but we prefer our underwear squeaky clean.
The tip about fabrics also applies to towels, by the way! Make sure to bring at least one “travel towel” with you. By “travel towel” we mean a super thin, microfiber towel that takes up almost no space in your backpack. Granted, they’re less soft and comfy than your regular bath towels, but they dry in no time!
Use packing cubes
Packing cubes are your organizational superheroes. Maintain order in your backpack and find what you need without having to search through a chaotic pile of clothes. It’s such a relief to know where to look if you want to find something. We already mentioned them in our preparation guide, but we can’t stress their importance enough!
On top of that, they also “force” you to be thoughtful about what you bring, how much you bring, how much space your items take up,… They help with organizing your backpack and ensure you only bring things that’ll fit in a cube.
Don’t worry too much
Forgot something? No problem! The world is filled with shops and almost everything is readily available. Phone charger, extra pair of shoes, beauty products, clothes, non-essential electronics… Whilst these things might seem important, you can totally live without them! Or if you absolutely must have that extra pair of shoes, why not visit the local mall at your destination? There’s a solution to every problem.
The only things we urge you to bring are your passport, wallet, and prescription medications (if applicable). With these in your backpack, you’re good to go. The key is to keep it simple, pack smart, stress less, and enjoy the journey. We know we will! Make sure to read our world trip preparation guide as well to be as prepared as possible.
