Meanwhile, please enjoy the backpacking guide I've authored just for you. Also, my cruise guide is finished and headed your way on Monday.
Cheers!
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Undoubtedly there are numerous travel writers who have guides on how to pack your travel backpack, what to bring and how to keep it all organized.
Well.
My way is better. (At least for me).
Here it is. Ready?
1. Subdivide and Conquer:
The trick to maintaining your sanity whilst living out of a backpack is organization. I like to categorize, compartmentalize and subdivide my packing space.
For instance, nothing in my pack is packed "loose." I don't just shove things in the pack. One of the best investments I made for backpack travel was a set of stuff sacks. About six or eight of them. Different colors. Divvy up your stuff however it makes sense to you. One stuff sack (or two) for shirts. One for pants, another for unmentionables, one for electronic adapters, etc. Like so:
The Toiletry Bag
Don't you just love my "C" bag? I'm not the type of girl to buy a bag with my initial on it, this one was a gag gift from a dear friend and has actually been used quite practically as a toiletry tote for a number of years.
And don't just fling things about in your toiletry bag either! Air pressure wreaks havoc on toiletries. You've all experienced the exploding shampoo bottle at one point. Avoid a repeat by not filling the bottles completely full, allowing room for the contents of your bottles to expand in high air pressure situations. Also, ZIPLOCK BAGS ARE YOUR FRIEND. Seriously. It may seem a bit ghetto, but I can't tell you how many times packing containers with liquids or gels in a ziplock have saved my butt while traveling. I won't leave home without them.
See?
2. Pack heaviest to lightest.
It's a weight distribution issue. Frame packs are made to sit on your hips. Pack your heaviest items at the bottom of your pack and the lightest on the top - so the weight rests on your hips and not your shoulders. It will save you a lot on Chiropractic bills later. Yes, I go to a Chiropractor. I heart my Chiropractor.
3. Keep things like sunscreen, toilet paper (yes, you should take a roll with you to third world countries!), bug repellent, et al in a highly accessible compartment (or in your day pack).
4. Take a day pack.
I don't want to carry my huge frame pack with me everywhere, so I ditch it at every opportunity. On flights I check my frame pack and carry on my day pack. It can be a bit awkward when you have to carry both at the same time, but generally that's just through airports so it's not bad. If you don't need a lot of space in your day pack (if you don't carry your DSLR and three lenses with you everywhere like me) get a small day pack that can be clipped to your frame pack without a lot of hassle.
Pack in your daypack:
-Electronics (Camera, phone, laptop)
-Makeup (Girls)
-Socks (I'm a habitual sandal wearer, but airplanes are COLD)
-Your travel wallet, passport, money (Or wear this wallet on your person)
-Camelback bladder. I love my Camelback packs and bladder.
-Copy of your Itinerary (Also keep a copy of this in your frame pack, along with photocopies of both sides of your travel credit cards and passport, to assist you in the eventuality of theft)
-Any other in-flight entertainment or luxuries you might want: Books, magazines, snacks, sweater
5. Get a lock.
'Nuf said. Nix that. I'll say more. For this trip I purchased both a combination lock (not to be used for flights as the type I purchased is not TSA approved) and a metal mesh security net made for my frame pack. I chose the security net because I'll be sharing rooms with strangers on this trip and want to secure my belongings.
6. Take a towel
Just do it. You can thank me later.
7. Love your backpack; buy a travel cover for it.
Use it for flights, bus rides, etc. It will save unnecessary wear and tear on the body and straps of your pack. Because we've all had shredded luggage at one point or another.
8. I know it sounds extravagant, but truly: Take half as much stuff as you think you'll need and twice the cash.
Got it? Hopefully you've found some helpful tips amongst those. As an added bonus:
Some things I ALWAYS Pack for international trips.
-Flashlight (torch) and spare batteries. Usually I use a headlamp.
-Voltage Converter
-Plug adapter kit
-Extra ZipLock bags. Gallon and Quart sized.
-Power strip. (Seriously, think about it: you've got four things to charge and one plug adapter.)
-Two pairs of shoes. Usually a pair of hiking boots and a pair of Chaco sport sandals (LOVE them!). I generally walk as much as possible when I explore and this is hard on the hoofs. Changing shoes really helps keep my feet happy. Well, that and a foot massage.
-Tide pen (I'm clumsy and accident prone. The Tide pen was a game-changer for me.)
-Tide travel packs.
-Antibiotics
-Excedrin
-Poncho (To cover my frame pack in case of wet weather)
Happy Packing!
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