Packing List - Gear

Essential Gear Items

Backpack or Duffel. It is very important to make sure it fits well and has the functionality you need. Wheeled luggage adds extra weight and is generally not necessary. To find the widest selection of backpacks, daybags, and toiletry kits we recommend shopping at eBags. Get 10% Off and Free Shipping on Your eBags Order over $35 Today
A waterproof pack cover. Should be sturdy and in a darker color.
2 – 3 packing compressors for shrinking bulk in pack and keeping clothing dry.
Day Bag. This is your daily, sightseeing bag when not in transit. Inside it goes your guidebook, pen, journal, sunglasses, water bottle, sunscreen, camera, pocket knife, and any other things you need for daily excursions.
1-3 small luggage zipper locks for your pack zippers.
PacSafe wire mesh slash protector. For locking your bag up when you’re out.
A motion-sensitive bag alarm. Very useful for sleeping restfully. Highly recommended.
Travel sleep sack. These are very useful when bedding is less than clean or it’s slightly cool in the room. This one compresses to a very small size.
A money belt. Bring a couple of different types if you like.
Travel Health Kit (see Health Kit pack list).
Toiletries Kit (see Toiletries pack list).
Multi-use pocket knife tool. A Leatherman tool or Swiss army knife is a must have!
Small flashlight.
A good pair of UV blocking sunglasses.
2 pairs of eyeglasses if you wear them.
Portable seatbelt. As discussed in the safety section, you can to buy some webbing and make one yourself. Make sure it can withstand your body weight in a crash.
Enough small rope for a makeshift drying line for your clothes. A couple of clothes pins can be handy as well.
Small bottle of liquid laundry soap or packet of laundry powder. You can re-stock on the road.
Sewing kit. Very helpful but make sure you know how to sew as well!
Patch kit for pack, raincoat, sleep sack, etc.
Duct tape. Handy for quickly patching holes and rips.
Krazy Glue or any strong, quick-drying adhesive.
A few passport-sized photos for obtaining visas.
Guidebook to first destination.
Language Phrasebook for destination. We recommend Lonely Planet Language Guides.

Optional Gear Items

High-absorption travel towel. One of these towels can fold up very small and can be useful to have when you find yourself without a towel.
Mosquito net and permethrin. If you’re planning on being in a malaria-prone area, having both of these is crucial.
A thick wire cable combination bike lock to wrap around any stable part of your pack and a stationary object such as the Master Lock Cable Bike Lock Set, Size: 4 X 5 Feets - 1 ea. This is in addition to a PacSafe wire mesh protector.
A can safe such as the Barbasol Shave Cream - Diversion Safe for hiding valuables.
Pepper spray or mace such as the Key Defender (OC), Violet. See our Travel Safety section.
A GPS unit can be a nice small addition to your gear if you like to go out and get lost.
Plastic eating utensils. These can be handy in non-western countries when western-style cutlery isn’t readily available.
Any camping gear (tent, portable stove, sleeping bag, etc.) is only really necessary if you’re going to be doing a lot of camping. In many places, it’s fairly easy to pick up camping gear for a certain area.