Packing List

I have been fortunate to take some pretty amazing trips in the past….Africa, Europe, etc. in addition to weekend getaways.  I would have never considered myself a light packer, no matter the length of the trip.  I always over packed to ensure I had enough options and always had plenty of back up choices.  Last summer, I spent a week in Alaska with a friend and I had an enormous rolling suitcase and a backpack, while she managed with only a carryon.  So, believe me when I say, packing for a yearlong trip and striving to fit it all into one carryon and a small backpack, was truly a challenge.  But one I had to make a reality.

When I started researching RTW travel, the thing I enjoyed most was reading other people’s packing lists.  Each blog I read gave such great insight as to why they chose what they did, what was most important, and what you can really live without.  After reading so many, I felt ready to start building my own list.

For me, it was important to try and fit nearly everything into a carry-on size bag for a few reasons.

1. No Baggage Fees – fees for checked bags have skyrocketed over the years and every dollar saved on baggage fees goes towards another night somewhere amazing or a few rounds of drinks!
2. No Lost Luggage – not having your bag…sucks.  Lost altogether….shitty.  I hope to be able to carry-on as much as possible, but realize this may not be possible on smaller airlines.
3. Less weight – Everything I pack, I have to carry on my back.  I know myself well enough that if I had a larger bag, I would fill it.  I may be strong, but I don’t need to prove my back strength running after a train, in 100°, while nursing a hangover with a 50lb pack.  Pass.

I read reviews on hundreds, seriously…hundreds of different types of packs and bags.  Did you know there is a difference between a backpack and a travel pack?  Neither did I, until I dove into black hole of gear research.

Ultimately, here is my summary of what I have decided to pack for my year long journey.  I think I have done fairly well, but am sure this will change ten times over as time goes on.  A couple of notes:

• I plan to ‘chase the sun’ for the most part and sticking with warmer climates so that I did not have to pack for different seasons
• If I need something warmer, I know I can pick something up along the way.

So, let’s begin….

BAGS

Osprey Porter 46

This bag is my main pack for the trip.  It is considered a travel pack and is very clean (no straps hanging off).  This pack’s dimensions are the maximum allowed for a carryon for most major airlines.  The backpack straps and hip belt can be tucked away in a zippered compartment, in case you would want to check it or make it more suitcase-like.  One word of caution…even though it is a carryon size, a lot of non-US airlines have a weight limit on carryon luggage, usually around 15lbs (7kgs).

Eddie Bauer Daypack

I took this pack to Africa with my and absolutely loved it.  It folds down into nothing when you aren’t using it and can be stashed in a larger bag.  It has plenty of pockets and storage for day use.

Keen Brooklyn Purse

I LOVE this purse.  It has the perfect amount of pockets, to include several zippered ones, for security.  It can be rolled up and stashed in my day pack when not in use.  But, yet large enough to hold my iPad mini and still have plenty of room.

Wallet 

CLOTHING

I am by no means a fashionista, but I knew that if I was going to be traveling for a year, this was now going to be my lifestyle.  So, I didn’t want to be so practical with my clothes that I wasn’t comfortable with what I was wearing.  Nor did I want to stand out like a huge tourist.  I wanted to be comfortable and be me.  I also knew that I needed to have pieces that would work well together so I could make several outfits that were interchangeable.
Bottoms

All bottoms and scarf will be rolled into one packing cube.

Jeans – super controversial in the travel world, but I wear jeans 90% (outside of working), so why wouldn’t I wear them traveling.  Yes, I know they are bulky and don’t dry quickly.  But to me, it was a no brainer.

Black pants (Athleta) – I absolutely love them!  They feel like I am wearing sweat pants (who wouldn’t want to wear sweats?), but look like a nicer pant.  I can comfortably wear these on long travel days or if I need to dress up a bit.

Capris (Athleta) – To wear as leggings or to workout/hike.  Good to layer for cooler weather.

Khaki shorts – good staple item

Black shorts (Nike Golf) – Great material (drifit) and look decent

Skort (Athleta) – doesn’t cover my knees, but a nice alternative to shorts.  Love the lining built in.

Gym shorts – for sleeping, working out, and lazy days

Tops

All shirts will be rolled into one packing cube

Long sleeved zippered hoodie – for everyday use on planes, trains, etc.

Long sleeved collar shirt – light and airy.  A bit dressier

¾ length shirt – can be used for nicer occasions

3 short sleeved shirts (2 Icebreaker merino wool)

1 short sleeved T – for sleeping and being a bum – representin’ Colorado!

2 sleeveless shirts (Athelta and basic) – yoga tank can be used for working out too

1 tank – for under the collared shirt and beach coverup

1 workout shirt (UnderArmor) – for getting my sweat on

SHOES

Trail Running Shoes (Saucony)

Chacos

iPamema Sandals

UNDERGARMENTS

10 pairs of underwear (5 ExOfficio)

5 pairs of socks (2 Smartwool)

2 sports bras

1 regular bra

Swimsuit

Winter hat

2 Headbands

TOILETRIES

All liquids in quart size clear container. All non-liquids in patterned container

Liquids

Insect Repellant

Sunscreen

Toothpaste

Face lotion

Shampoo

Conditioner

Spot Corrector

Lotion

Hand Sanitizer

Tip:  Start with travel size toiletries if you dont plan to check your bag and purchase larger ones once you get to a location where you will be for a while.

Non-Liquids

Eye Shadow – a girl needs to get pretty every now and again!

Toothbrush

Floss

Deodorant

Brush

Razor

Makeup Brushes

Concealer

Tweezers

Nail Clippers

Chapstick

Mirror

Hair ties

ELECTRONICS

GoPro Camera 3+ Black & accessories (wrist housing, xtra batteries, chargers)

Thumb drives

Plug adapters

Netbook

iPhone/iPad chargers

1TB external hardrive

iPad mini & chargers

iPhone (not pictured)

Timex watch

Power strip

Canon point and shoot camera & chargers

Headphones

MEDICAL KIT

All packed in the Cabela’s Utility Binder

Band aids – assorted sizes

Moleskin

Gauze

Neosporin

Benadryl

Dayquil

Imodium

Dramamine

Ibuprofen

Cipro* – for GI issues

Zofran* – Anti-nausea

Malarone* – for malaria issues.  I have the dosage if I start to show symptoms.  I didn’t want to haul around hundreds of pills not knowing exactly where I was going

Augmentim* – antibiotic

Pepto pills

Burn gel

Hydrocortisone cream

Thermometer

Tiger balm

Cabelas Utility Binder – rather than a traditional tackle box that a lot of backpackers use for med kits, I found this binder with zippered pockets that I am really loving.  The case is firm to pocket the stuff inside too.

Tip:  I took all the prescriptions and pre-packaged pills out and packed them in pill pouches to save room.  May cause issues if customs inquiries what they may be, but I am willing to take the risk to save space.  I just have starter amounts, too.  I can pick up scripts in other parts of the world, if needed.

OTHER

Odds and ends. Half will end up in a small packing cube, while the other half will be in my daypack.

Steripen – to sterilize water in countries where it is unsafe to drink from the tap

Sleep Sheet

Pack Cover

Grocery Sack – to be used for laundry too

Headlamp

Cable lock

Combination lock

Headlamp

Clothesline

Sink stopper

Sewing kit

Utensils

Door stop
Multitool

Sharpie

Duct tape

Rain jacket (Patagonia) – decided to take a rain jacket instead of my ultralight down sweater.  I knew I would be in warmer climates and I would probably run into more rain than super cold weather.

Towel – the super awesome, really plush kind….nope, not at all but it serves its purpose!

Nalgene water bottle

Ear plugs

Sunglasses

Eye Mask

Journal

Not Pictured:

Hat

Face Wash

iPhone (unlocked) – I highly recommend you either buy an unlocked smartphone or else you can pay to have any existing one unlocked through your carrier, as long as you are patient.

Documents (passport, yellow vaccine card, insurance, passport photos, etc.)

EVERYTHING!

Everythin ready to be packed in the main bag!

Whew, and here is everything that will go into the main pack and it all packed up.  It fits!  It actually works pretty well and things are easily accessible.  In total, the main pack weighs 25lbs (11.4kgs).  The daypack is about half full right now.  I am certain this will change as I go and I will get rid of/lose some stuff and probably pick up an item or two.  But, I feel comfortable with what I have so far.  I’ll check back with updates as I get into things!

It all fits!

Bon Voyage!!

So, there you have it!  What have I forgotten, what will I NOT need??

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