The ever evolving travel packing checklist.

My first extended trip was in the mid-80’s where I traveled across the US for roughly 15 months.  I had my car and loaded it with essentials:  books, camping gear, bicycle, camera and clothing.  I had more than I needed and didn’t have some of what I did need.

My last trip, for two weeks in Mexico, my pack weighed in at 22 pounds (just under 10 kilograms).  And, yes, I had things I didn’t really need.

I have friends who swear by their roller suitcase.  That works for them.  However, they aren’t pulling it for an hour through small villages in Sumatra looking for the next bus!  It really does come down to personal preference and what it takes for your to be comfortable.  I’ve traveled enough to use different types of clothing, take things I left last time, leave thing I took last time and continue to evolve what works for me.

When I returned home, I took every item out to my pack, laid it on the floor and took photo’s.  Looking at the photo above from a trip several years ago, I no longer take much of that clothing.  I’ve upgraded to Ice Breaker zip neck wool, have ExOfficio underwear and have chosen button up shirts that fit better are more comfortable and more functional.

I recommend this highly!  There is nothing like looking at a photo to bring back absolutely clear memory.

The other thing I do after returning from a trip, I get out my journal and make a list of each item I took on the trip and make  notes about it’s importance.  After doing that inventory,  I  list all items truly essential (for me).  No matter how well I believe I pack light, there are always a few things I take along that I don’t really need.  Finally, if I want to purchase anything new that will work better than what I have, I write that down.  My last trip overseas was nearly 3 years ago.  I had some items that didn’t thrill me so listed what I wanted to look for.  Slowly, patiently, I found what I wanted, returned some that didn’t fit well, bought extra when I found great fitting clothing and added them to my travel clothing.  That’s been my evolution and it’s working really well for me.

Living room not the middle of Vietnam!

I actually have a conversation with myself when making my list that goes something like this.  “Larry, LISTEN TO ME!  This is travel Larry, not living room Larry.  I KNOW what I’m talking about.  Trust me!!!  This is all that is really essential.”  And once I’m on the road and in my first hotel, I appreciate that I listened.  On the road, I need far less than I “think” I will need.  Getting into that mindset at home packing is really helpful to packing light and having what I need!

Each trip is different.

I took rain gear along on my last trip.  It was rainy season.  I never used it.  However, there were moments where had I needed it, I would have really needed it.  My rain jacket weighs 9 ounces.  Traveling to Cusco and being at 11,000 feet, I needed more warm clothing.  Leaving for Thailand and planning to spend time on islands, I didn’t take much warm clothing.  Each trip has it’s own personality and I pack accordingly.

Overview of my packing priorities.

I’m 6’4” and athletic.  No, I can’t easily find clothing when I travel.  I wear size 13 shoes and when my flip flop blew out in Sulawesi, they were not easy to replace.  I did find some in Kuta Beach but they were US prices.  I learned to buy better quality that will last.  My personal preference, I never take jeans and only have one or two items that are cotton.  I know of other people who so love their well worn jeans, they always travel with them.  Personal preference!

My stuff….

A Comfortable Travel Pack

My original backpack which I traveled with for 20 years, was literally bomb proof.  However, after overheating in Bangkok and realizing that was largely due to my pack having virtually NO ventilation, I began shopping for a new pack.  That’s when I discovered my pack was extendable to 85 L and by itself, weighed 9 pounds.  Now, I’m a big strong guy but have no need to carry extra weight for no apparent reason.

Excellent ventilation and adjustability

Living near Boulder, Colorado, there were opportunities to look at a ton of packs.  After talking with several company customer service representatives, I settled on a Deuter Futura Vario 50-10.  It weighs 4 pounds 15 ounces including the rain cover that comes with it.

I liked the fit, love the ventilation and the accessibility.  It’s a top loader with panel access and a separate zipper for the bottom sleeping bag compartment.  A number of external zipper compartments allow me to keep essentials at my finger tips.  I have used this once and the 22 pounds I traveled with included the weight of the pack.  I love it!

It’s right at the edge of carryon limits so, depending on the airline, I can take it on with me.  The last time I traveled to Bangkok and on to Singapore, Bali and back to the US, I had a pack of similar dimensions although much smaller,  I carried it on all my flights.

Companion lumbar pack

I have a lumbar pack I carry with me on flights and buses.  It has enough space for water, books, phone, glasses, snacks and everything I want to have handy.  It doubles for use on the shoulder or converts to the lumbar pack making it really useful for hiking as well.

Clothing

I started traveling with the clothes I owned so took a lot of cotton.  Then I learned how difficult it is for cotton to dry in humid environments and slowly began shifting over to quick drying clothing.  Then, I discovered how differently companies cut their clothes and what felt like the best fit.  Now, I feel really fortunate to know what I can take that will last, dry quickly, feel great and not take up much space.

My general clothing list looks like this:

I’ver always used stuff sacks to organize my gear.  My most recent trip, I took two packing cubes.  One held all my clothes and the other my socks and underwear.   I had stuff sacks for miscellaneous items.

Warmth:   This varies with location.  Often, the Ice Breaker shirt is enough.  Remember that overnight trains and buses can be freezing cold!  That’s where both came in handy in Thailand and Vietnam.

• Fleece jacket
• Ice Breaker wool zip neck long sleeve shirt

Pants and shorts:  Convertible pants, cargo shorts and running shorts for hostels or swimming.  For a longer trip, would add one pair of GoLite cargo shorts.

• North Face convertible pants
• REI cargo shorts
• Nike running shorts
• GoLite running/swimming shorts

Shirts:  these are different weights from super light to medium.  In humid and tropical locations, I love my tank tops.  All are quick drying material, no cotton.

• Columbia t-shirt (2)
• North Face t-shirt
• Tank Top GoLite and Patagonia (3)
• One button up short sleep shirt

Underwear and socks:  Once I learned about ExOfficio underwear, I was hooked.  Comfortable, the hold their form, are easy to wash and quick to dry.

• 3-4 pair ExOfficio
• 2-3 pair wool running socks

Shoes

• 1 pair train running shoes.  Light weight, good traction, quick drying.
• Reef Fanning flip flops.

Miscellaneous

Here are miscellaneous items I take along.  First, I’m listing the ones I consider essential because I always use them.  Then I’ll list some secondary items, those I use on some trips but not on others.

• Petzl head lamp
• Extra batteries
• Baseball cap
• Water bottle so I can minimize plastic bottle trash
• Travel towel
• Neck pillow
• Ear Plugs
• Wet Wipes (for longer trips)
• Journal with pen
• Paperback books

Electronics

Depending on the trip, this varies.  My trip to Chihuahua was only two weeks and I was going to relax.  I didn’t take my computer.

• Sony a37 camera
• Extra memory card
• Two extra batteries
• Card reader
• Lens cloth
• Battery recharger
• iPod with charger cord
• Dry bag for camera
• Camera bag
• Ear buds
• iPhone with charger

Other electronics on longer trips

• MacBook Pro 13″ computer
• Power cord
• Dry bag for computer
• Monster “outlets to go”
• Adapter plug
• Airline adapter for my earbuds
• External hard drive for photo’s
• Occasionally – I’ve taken a Bear Extender for better WiFi connection
• Duct tape!!!  It’s great for treating leech bites!

Occasional items:

• Swiss army knife ( I rarely use this)
• Sunglasses (my eyes seem to adjust but in sunny islands, I take them)
• Suction cup for drain plug
• Cord to hang clothes to dry
• Padlock and keys
• Sun screen
• Insect repellant
• Spot light flash light for wildlife viewing
• Sanitizer spray
• Kleenex
• Toilet Paper
• Small hammock (from Vietnam) with cord

Shaving kit

I’ve adjusted this a lot over the years.  I have focused on staying healthy so have taken preventative items.  The shaving, tooth brushing, and such items are very clear.  Concentrated items last longer and I repackage them into smaller bottles that won’t leak.

From the above photo, there are items that are essential to me and others that are not so important.

Occasional items include snorkeling gear and water treatment.  When I had back trouble, I traveled with biofreeze and arnica heath patches.  The three items in the bottom right are water and snorkeling related.  The Winter Sport sunscreen is “sweat proof” so it works better in salt water.  The green container is silicone for my mustache so the snorkel seals better and the bottle above that is anti-fog treatment.  Tiger balm is available nearly everywhere so I don’t carry it.

What do I take?

• Toothbrush
• Small tube toothpaste
• Kiss My Face shaving cream
• Razor with extra blades
• Shampoo
• Skin cleanser
• Deodorant
• Dental floss
• Brush
• Advil
• Benadryl for sleeping
• Chinese curing pills for stomach issues
• Charcoal tablets
• Four Homeopathic items
  • Arnica (sore muscles from trekking or cycling)
  • Lycopodium (soothing digestion)
  • Ignatia Amara (soothing emotions amidst all the changes)
  • Arnesicum (if you get digestive “tourista” challenges)
• EmergenC packets with electrolyte
• Cell food (oxygenates the body making is less susceptible to anaerobic bugs causing digestive challenges)
• Kick Ass Immune Booster tincture
• Tepezcohuite (from Mexico and specifically to aid healing of skin from sun burn, cuts, etc.)
• MMS…Miracle Mineral Solution
• Tea Tree Essential Oil (anti-viral and bacterial)
• Lavander Essential Oil (anti-viral and bacterial)
• Shelf stable probiotic
• Some chlorella tablets for good nutrition early in my trip

My early trips, I took a lot more.  And I carried it for weeks bringing much of it home with me.  Now, I’m clearer on what are truly essentials, what I can purchase on the road and what I really do use!  Lighter and lighter with a more comfortable and well ventilated pack, the convenience of carrying it while I wander around looking for the next bus or train or tuk tuk or collectivo and not feeling like it’s a huge burden like my old pack often weighing close to 25 kilo, this is my notion of traveling light and enjoying the journey.

I welcome your comments and questions!  Again, this is highly personal so be clear on what works for you, what you are willing to carry and most importantly, get on the road and enjoy yourself!