What To Pack For A One Month Backpacking Trip
Woohoo! You’ve decided you want to go on a backpacking trip. You’ve booked your plane tickets, have a rough idea of your route, and booked your first hostel. Now comes the hard part: packing.
This guide will help guide you on what to pack for a one month backpacking trip.
From picking out the perfect backpack, to filling it with the clothes and gear you’ll need, this packing list will help make your backpacking adventure a success!
Packing
- A backpack. I highly recommend either purchasing a backpack in stores, or if you are buying it online making sure that the website has free return shipping. Since everything you will be bringing with you for the next month (or longer) will be in this bag you really want to make sure that it is good quality and fits you right. I’m 5’3 and use an internal frame
- Carry on/day bag. Because of it’s convenience and subtlety, I bring my goodol’ JanSport bag everywhere I go. I love the simplicity of it, and I use it as both my carry-on bag on flights and as a day bag for sight-seeing. You can get
- Luggage lock. Especially if you will be staying in hostels, you’ll want to keep your valuables in a locker while you are out and about. Some hostels will charge you to rent a lock, and others require that you bring your own. Get a
if you are going to lock your checked bag on flights.
- Packing cubes. Man, do I wish I had these in Europe! Not only would I have saved heaps of time re-packing my bags before traveling to each destination, but my clothes and everything would have been 100000 times more organized! Instead, I used the shove-shoes-and-dirty-clothes-to-the-bottom-and-clean-clothes-to-the-top method (my whole bag ended up smelling like feet and sweaty clothes after a week. Ew.). I can’t wait to use
- Hanging toiletry bag. I say hanging because one little handle or hook on your bag can be the differencebetween keeping your toiletries dry and having your bag get soaking wet in the bathroom (yes this has happened to me, and having to shove a wet toiletry bag into your pack before leaving for your next destination really blows). You can pick one up on Wal-Mart or feed your online shopping addiction (like me!) by checking out
Tech
- Portable Battery. After having purchased one of these before our Europe trip, I will never travel without one again. They are perfect for charging your gear on the go. You won’t have to worry about your phone dying on long bus rides, or your GoPro running out of batteries while sightseeing. For a budget friendly option,
If you are going to be camping or hiking longdistances in the wilderness,
is waterproof, dust proof, and runs on solar power. You simply clip it onto your bag while out and about and the battery charges up in the sun. You can then use it to charge your tech.
- Portable Wifi Device. I always travel with Teppy, an affordable wifi device that supplies reliable coverage all around the world! Use discount code EVERYDAYAVACATION for 10% off your order!
- GoPro. I love myand pictures. I use it every time we go hiking or kayaking. It’s super user-friendly. I recommend purchasing it with a selfie stick
because it bends, allowing you to get different angles, and comes with a tripod. Plus, it only costs $10!
- Adapter. You can find a cheap universal adapter online.
because it has USB ports, making it easy to charge your phone, portable battery, GoPro, and laptop all at once!
- Laptop + case. This may not matter as much if you aren’t blogging or making a living online, but as a photographer and blogger I bring my laptop everywhere. If you do decide to bring your laptop,
to protect it from getting wet or dinged up in your pack (I have it in black!).
- Headphones. I love my
. Definitely a must have for plane, train, and bus rides!
- Camera. I shoot with a
and LOVE it!! Now, the newer
Clothes
Although I won’t go completely into outfits to pack for a one month backpacking trip, there are a few items I’d like to mention:
- Basic is better. Pack clothes you can mix and match. That way, you’ll have more of a variety of outfits to choose from.
- Rain Jacket. Especially if going somewhere in the rainy season. I couldn’t have done the hikes I did without one in Costa Rica and the PNW!
because it’s lightweight, and and can be layered over a winter coat in the winter to keep you dry. Even I bought the men’s version for more comfy, loose fit!
- Bathing Suit. Don’t forget a swimsuit! On my Iceland trip, I forgot mine which prevented me from going to the Blue Lagoon.
- Hiking Boots or Sneakers. If you are going to be doing any hiking, don’t forget to bring your hiking boots or sneakers! I use these
For a complete clothing packing list, check out these blogs:
-
Travel Fashion girl has a great list for clothing to pack for Europe and other destinations, AND she has one for every season! And for the dudes, Travel This Planet has a clothing packing list for you!
Accessories
- Sunglasses. I love my
!
- A scarf. Perfect for adding variety to your wardrobe. A scarf can make that outfit you wore yesterday seem like a completely different getup!
- Cross-body purse or wallet. (makes it harder to pick-pocket or steal)
- (Cheap) jewelry. I say cheap because bringing your expensive jewelry adds the risk of getting stolen, left behind, or lost. I brought some Forever 21 necklaces and rings along with me to dress up boring outfits.
Necessities
-
Passport + 2 paper copies (one for your purse and one for your backpack, in case your passport gets stolen)
- Driver’s License
-
Visas
-
Credit cards
-
Insurance
-
Paper copies of flight/bus/hostel confirmations
Toiletries
- Toothbrush + Toothbrush Holder. I love the
that fold into a case to keep your toothbrush nice and clean!
- Medications. Don’t forget to fill your prescriptions before your trip!
- Make-up.
- Travel First Aid. I can’t tell you how many times this has come in handy for me!
- Brush. I love my
- Razor & shaving cream.
- Shampoo, conditioner, and soap. Check out
. They are rubber, so they can mold into your toiletry bag without being bulky! Another option is to purchase an all-in-one shampoo/conditioner/soap. We use
when I go backpacking, however it does dry out your hair so I usually pack conditioner as well.
- Deodorant. You can purchase travel size deodorant at the store.
- Travel Towel. If you are going to be hosteling/couchsurfing/camping, a travel towel is a must! Purchase one that is lightweight and dries quickly
- Travel Blow Dryer. I always let my hair air dry, so this isn’t something I ever think to bring. However, if traveling to cold destinations a
can be a life saver! There’s nothing worse than walking around in the snow with soaking wet hair, trust me! Save yourself the trouble and spend the $15 on a mini blow dryer. You’ll be happy you did!
Optional Gear
-
A lightweight sleeping bag
. By far my favorite investment. It’s a bit pricey, coming in at $300, but is great for camping, hostels, and lounging in the hammock. I bought mine when this model first came out and used it throughout Iceland at hostels (they charge for linens there) and for the nights we slept in the car under the northern lights. However, if you are not going to be in Northern Europe (Norway, Iceland, Denmark, etc.) then linens will be provided at the hostels so unless you are planning on camping out a couple of nights you won’t need to bring a sleeping bag.
Have you ever been on a backpacking trip before, or is this your first time? Have any questions for us, or anything to add to the list?
Would you like to see a complete clothing packing list for one month?
Leave a comment in the comments section below!
Safe Travels,
Sara Vozel
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