Contents
Extra Clothing
We all pack a generous amount of clothes while traveling, but it is always better to carry a couple of extra pairs in case of emergencies. It may so happen that you have washed your clothes but fell short of time, space, or convenience of drying them. Therefore, you must always carry extra t-shirts, pants, and even a jacket. Most importantly, pack extra pairs of undergarments to ensure intimate hygiene while traveling. A piece of advice would be to avoid cotton clothes as they take a long time to dry. .
Toiletry Kit
Carrying a toiletry kit is a must, and we don’t even need to explain why. You may purchase a ready-made portable kit packed with all the essential toiletries, or you may create your own. Just make sure that you have things like:
-
- Toothbrush And Toothpaste
- Dental Floss
- Body Wash
- Lotion
- Deodorant
- Shampoo And Conditioner
- Hairbrush
- All-purpose Balm
- Sun Protection
- Facial Wipes
- Nail Clippers
And for women, make sure that you have enough menstrual hygiene supplies packed too.
Stuff Sack
Stuff sacks may seem unnecessary, but they prove extremely helpful in keeping things in place and storing them efficiently. A stuff sack is a drawstring bag to store random items, which hikers generally use. But we recommend every backpacker to have a couple of these. You can keep a pair of wet shoes, wet clothes, small items such as quilts, outerwear, food, etc. If not these things, you can also compress your sleeping bag and store it inside the stuff sack.
Medicines/Prescriptions
Never forget your medicines or prescriptions for any reason, and make sure that you have a few of them in every single bag that you take while traveling. It is always wiser to carry a couple of extras if any circumstances such as a delayed return journey. When we say medicines, it also includes your skin and hair care products, in case you have a dermatology treatment going on. Apart from your regular medication, carry some of the generic ones for fever, body pain, cough, and cold, etc.
Walking Sandals
People often think that boots are the only essential footwear when backpacking. But, what they fail to realize is that you can’t wear boots all the time. First of all, boots are too heavy, and wearing them all the time can cause leg pain. Other than that, they may also cause shoe bites and general discomfort. And lastly, they are not convenient enough to be worn for your short trips to the nearby store, or even a simple walk for that matter. Due to all these reasons, a pair of high-quality walking sandals are a must.
Repair Kit
This is yet another ignored essential item. Having a repair kit will assure you that if anything breaks down, you have the tools and gadgets to fix it, with basic repairing skills. You can quickly get a repair kit from your nearby hardware or general store. These kits usually have items such as:
-
- Multi-Tools
- Rope
- Duct Tape
- Stretch Cords And Hooks
- Sewing Appliances
- Scissors
- Knives
- Safety Pins
- Utility Cord
If you look for a more comprehensive one, you can even get tools to fix vehicle issues.
Map
Now, we know that your phone can take over the navigational aspect, but there is no guarantee that your cell phone will work all the time. It may run out of battery, break down, or there may not be any network for internet-based apps to work. At such times, a map can genuinely come in handy and will keep you from being stranded in an unknown, isolated area. Ensure that you keep the map in a waterproof sleeve to keep it from ruining, and if possible, carry a couple of extra copies if you lose the original one.
Other Items To Consider Adding To Your Pack
-
- Satellite Messenger
- Emergency Shelter Kit
- Toilet Paper
- Sun Hat
- Raincoat, Rain Boots, Umbrella
- Reading Material
- Compact Binoculars
- Night Sky Identifier
- Microfiber Towel
- Powerbank
- Compact Stainless Pot
- Fleece Pants, Gloves
- Energy Food (Protein Bars)
- Energy Drinks
- Bear Spray, Pepper Spray
- Adjustable Bungee, Etc.
CONCLUSION
We assure you that this packing list will help you pack better so you can have a harmless yet adventurous backpacking experience every single time. Before you start packing for your next trip, make a comprehensive list of all the items you feel are necessary to have in your bag. Over time you will determine what other things you would like to add for the next trip.
