My Marmot rain coat helped me survive the monsoon season in India and Southeast Asia!
After wandering the globe non-stop for the past seven years, I’ve become a pro at packing the most essential and useful items for my adventures:
1. Quality Rain Gear
Invest in a quality raincoat with zippered underarm vents to allow air flow in hot conditions. It also serves as a top layer for insulation in cold weather and helps with wind. There is a HUGE difference between waterproof and water-resistant. The latter soaks quickly and takes DAYS to dry.
Also, invest in rain covers for your bags. My Osprey day pack cover doubles as a camera cover in wet conditions when I still want to shoot. It’s always handy to have a disposable poncho that fits over you and your day pack, too.
Budget Tip: Check end of season sales at outdoor stores for deals. I got my Marmot jacket above for half-price at REI, when I was shopping for something else!
2. Headlamp
The headlamp is the single greatest invention after the burrito. Invest in one with adjustable brightness, direction and a red light option, which doesn’t attract bugs. It frees up your hands to search through luggage, hike or put up a tent in the dark. When you are camping and have to pee at 3 a.m., it will save you. Phone batteries die. Phones also fall in toilets and don’t have red light options. Trust me, it will change your life.
3. Stainless Steal Water Bottle & Water Filter
Plastic bottles are bad for both the environment and your health. Invest in a good insulated reusable stainless steel water bottle like Klean Kateen. Avoid aluminum and anything that’s not BPA free. Stainless is easy to clean and most importantly—keeps beverages colder longer.
Invest in a quality water filter. I recommend Sawyer’s Mini Filter. It’s tiny, inexpensive and easy to use. I’ve been using it for the past six months in Central and South America. Both items will save you a fortune in airports. Simply filter the bathroom sink water.
4. Dr. Bronner’s Magic Liquid Soap
Dr. Bronner’s is chemical free, biodegradable and smells great. Use it as body wash, dish soap and laundry detergent. Trust me, no other soap will make you or your clothes smell so fresh!
Travel Like Alfred: Always pack your shades!
5. Sunglasses
Be kind to your eyes. Pack a pair of sunglasses with both 100% UVA and UVB protection. Don’t be tempted by the $3 Ray bans at the street markets in Asia. They aren’t real and will fry your retinas.
6. Peanut Butter
Grab a jar of natural peanut butter from Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods for $3 before you leave. It’s the best snack for camping, hiking or long bus trips. If you don’t like peanut butter, pack protein bars (not those sugary cereal ones) or hemp protein powder. (Protein bars should have a 2:1 ration of protein to sugar.) Trust me, it’s safer to eat peanut butter than most train station food. Grab fresh bread, bananas and honey for a yummy treat.
7. Combination Locks
Pack a couple sturdy luggage combination locks for your bags and hostel lockers. (Avoid those giant high-school-locker style ones because they are always too big for storage lockers.) Use them on your daypack to deter pickpockets in high theft areas and on public transport. TIP: Set the combination to your birthday so you won’t forget it.
8. Inflatable Neck Pillow
This saves me on every form of transport and takes up no space. There’s nothing worse than getting off a flight with jet-lag AND a stiff neck. It also doubles as a great camping pillow. Add clothing in the middle for extra padding. I’m in love with this Sea to Summit one!
9. Sunscreen
Seriously. Sunscreen can be difficult to find in remote parts of the world and even urban cities like Barcelona. It’s usually outrageously overpriced. In Asia, they add bleach to sunscreen because they value white skin. Save your money and health. Pack a good supply of natural zinc-based sunscreen with you. Aveeno and Neutrogena make natural zinc-based sunscreen for babies that’s easy to find. I packed this Ology zinc sunscreen that you can by at Walgreens or Amazon, for my trip and totally love it!
10. Quick dry towel or Sarong
I carry a small quick dry towel with me. Despite the size, it can dry your whole body, work as a hand towel and clean up spills. Some girls swear by sarongs – they are a towel, dress, skirt, blanket, changing room and mop all in one! I’m a big fan of these Sea to Summit towels.
What’s on the top of your packing list? Share in the comments below!
