The essential items every backpacker should have

Every backpacker goes on an adventure with his or her own unique gear to make their travels more comfortable or easier. What is useful and practical to one traveller may not be so useful and practical to another.

There are some things that you should have that make the core of essential travel items you should pack for your travel adventures no matter what – no matter the country, landscape, season and climate. The best essential items are ones that are multi-purpose, reduces travelling costs, increases your comfort, reduces stress, and are incredibly useful in numerous situations, especially unexpected ones.

Want to be a smarter traveller prepared for any situation?

Here are recommended essential travel items you should pack and have in your backpack while exploring the world.

Anything that can be multi-purpose is a fantastic and practical thing – this what a dry bag excels in.

A dry bag, often waterpoof and in numerous litre volumes like 10L or 20L, is lightweight and more durable than the average plastic single-use plastic bag.

Dry bags are versatile, being able to be used in numerous useful ways such as storing laundry bag (put dirty laundry inside it; put clean laundry it by making the bag inside out), food, swimwear, miscellaneous trinkets, shoes, hopes and dreams, and so on.

Travelling over a long time across different rigorous terrain and environments will more than likely result in a rip or two in your trousers, pants, shorts, underwear, socks, jersey, jacket, and even your backpack.

Don’t throw out any clothing that has rips in it – simply repair it.

Sewing is a fantastic skill to have, whether you’re travelling or not, so if you don’t know how to sew, you should learn now.

A great travel companion on your travels, an eye mask is fantastic for those long haul journeys whether it’s by plane, bus, or train, day or night. You can sleep better with minimal natural or artificial light interference.

The eye mask is also great in hostel dorm situations to lessen the chance of being woken up by that nonchalant and disrespectful guest that decides to turn on the bright lights late at night or early in the morning!

The eye mask often goes hand in hand with…

Is that ghastly dorm guest snoring painfully like a speeding and rumbling freight train?

Use some ear plugs so he sounds quieter like a slow moving freight train!

Finding the right ear plugs can be a matter or trial and error until you find ones that fit your ears perfectly and actually reduce noise to a comfortable or tolerable level.

An eye mask and ear plugs are a great combination while travelling long distances, especially by plane and bus. They are especially great in hostels, especially in a large dorm situation with a lot of people coming in and out at night and early morning, potentially creating a lot of noise.

Sandals, or flip-flops, are appropriate footwear for the beach and a comfort saver after using a shower, especially in hostels where there are often no bathmats – just puddles of water.

Trust me – your feet will thank you for not giving them some fungi.

Chances are, you will come across rainy days during your travels.

This is when the packable waterproof jacket comes in and saves you from a wet soaking!

A packable jacket is one that can fold and pack into itself into a neat little package that is compact and light, being able to fit easily somewhere in your daypack or backpack. You could also pair it with a packable waterproof trousers/pants if you want.

A packable waterproof jacket is quite multi-functional as it tends to be also windproof, providing adequate protection from moderate and cold winds to provide some relief from the cold.

It is more eco-friendly and aesthetically pleasing than wearing those hideous and one-off clear plastic ponchos you see tourist groups of middle-aged people wearing!

Save on space, weight, and towel rental costs at hostels by bringing your own microfibre towel.

Microfibre towels are great as they are lightweight, often compact, and dry quickly enough to be ready for your next shower.

While travelling, it’s vital to have your own padlock (whether it’s a number combination or key-based padlock), or rather, multiple padlocks to use for securing the zips on your backpack(s) and also lockers at hostels.

Some hostels allow the hiring of a padlock for a refundable deposit or for a fee. Some, however, require you to buy a padlock! Avoid such costs by having your own padlock.

Are wet wipes (or baby wipes) and tissues essential for all travellers?

Well, that’s debatable but they are inexpensive, multi-purpose, light-weight and the kind of thing you’re glad to have than not. And they’re refreshing on a tired face after an overnight bus or train journey – just remember to get the ones that are biodegradable.

Wet wipes can also be part of your first aid kit if you want, speaking of which…

Staying on top of your health is critical while travelling so having a first aid kit is essential, both for yourself and others who may need some help.

Your first aid kit should cover most common ailments and scenarios, such as headaches, diarrhoea, fever, nausea, minor cuts, bruises, insect bites, back pain, and dehydration.

Needless to say, if you have a medical condition, then you know it’s vital to travel with your necessary medication and have enough of it for the duration of your travels.

Keep original pill packaging boxes

It doesn’t matter which country you travel to, it’s best practice to keep the original packaging boxes housing pills (such as paracetamol) so border and customs officials know what the pills are to avoid potentially illicit drug-related questions and/or a more thorough search of your luggage!

Packing cells, especially compressible packing cells, are an organiser’s dream!

They allow compartmental organisation of different things into something much more orderly – you could have all underwear in one cell and shirts in another cell, for example. It makes make packing and unpacking faster and easier (especially if you need to show border or customs officials the inside contents of your luggage).

Compressible packing cells are ones that you can squash down (often through zips) the contents and cell so the cell is significantly more compact in size. This helps you save on invaluable luggage space in your backpack.

Summary

Every backpacker travels with unique gear to suit his or her own needs.

But make sure you pack these essential items to make your travels more comfortable and, ultimately, to be a smarter and savvier traveller:

• A dry bag: Multi-purpose and highly useful for many situations.
• Sewing kit: Easily repair rips in clothing and even your backpack.
• Eye mask: Block out light and sleep better on those long haul journeys.
• Ear plugs: Filter out excessive noise, like the snoring of that guy in your dorm!
• Packable waterproof jacket: Compact and light-weight, such a jacket is versatile and functional in wet or windy weather.
• Sandals or flip-flops: Perfect for lounging around in and for navigating the wet bathroom floor after a shower.
• Microfibre towel: Light-weight and compact, don’t travel the world (and universe) without it.
• Security padlock: Keep your valuables safe, both inside your backpack and inside lockers.
• Wet wipes and tissues: Useful in numerous situations that calls for cleanliness or freshening up.
• First Aid kit: Be prepared for unexpected minor health issues (such as diarrhoea) while travelling.

That’s the recommended essential items you should pack for travelling to be a smarter and better traveller.

Are there other core and essential things you would recommend for a general backpacking traveller?

Let other travellers and myself know in the comments below!

Know someone who packs useless stuff instead of more essential and practical stuff for their travels?

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