Backpacker Packing Tips
When packing for a long backpacking trip you need to make some seriously smart decisions. You can’t just pack everything you have, not even close. You’re going to have to be incredible selective and pick your favorite items to bring with you.
In terms of clothes it is always a good decision to pack multi use clothing. Tank tops for example are perfect for wearing on their own in hot weather or layering underneath other clothing in cold weather.
Sweaters and sweatshirts also should be color coordinated with the clothing that will go underneath. Don’t pack a sweater that can only be worn with one shirt.
Same with pants. Best to pack one pair of your favorite jeans that you will be comfortable wearing daily, but that can be paired with a nice top for going out. In terms of sports wear a light pair of leggings is perfect for outdoorsy activities.
To keep everything organized packing kits are going to be your next best friend. On my first backpacking trip I did not have packing kits and my backpack was a mess all the time. I would literally need to take everything out just to find the one thing I needed.
Not any more. With 4 packing kits, I have divided my clothes up now. In one small packing kit I’ve got my underwear, socks and bathing suits. In another one I have all my pants/shorts/dresses. In a third one I have all my tops. And the last one is for all my active wear. The clothing gets rolled up and zipped into neat and compact packing kits.
If you want to take the organizing even further you could even get printed labels made for you packing kits. Labels will make it even easier to identify what clothing is where if you forget, or if all your packing kits look exactly the same. You could even stick a printed label on your backpack (or suitcase) so it is easily identifiable at the airport.
To make backpacking easier and more convenient it is important to make smart packing decisions. Bring the minimum that you need. Trust me you will not need 3 pairs of jeans and 8 different tshirts. One pair of jeans will do just fine.
Just make sure to bring your favorite, most comfortable clothing and you won’t even mind that you don’t have that much to choose from every day.
In terms of shoes and toiletries bring what is functional and what you need. I am currently traveling with 5 pairs of shoes, which is most likely already too much, but being a girl I just couldn’t cut down on those. I’ve currently got my sneakers, tevas open sandals, flip flops, sandals and keds flats. I suppose I could leave my Tevas open sandals at home… I’m covered in most situations (outside of a snow storm and serious rain). I also might be overdoing it on the medicine that I bring, but I always want to be covered and don’t want to be running around trying to explain my symptoms in a foreign language when I’m sick.
When you’re carrying everything you have on your back, daily, you’re going to be happy you cut back on a lot of belongings. What you definitely don’t want is to be carrying around a 50 pound backpack for 20-30 minutes at a time.
Bring the minimum that you need. You’ll thank me later.
