Must Bring Items Guidelines for Budget Backpacking

First I would like to declare that I am an amateur backpacker and very keen to learn and still improving. Find traveling very good to increase my not just knowledge, but self alert and self reflections.

I am writing this to share my experience, and also as a checklist for myself the next time I am going for BUDGET backpacking trips.

Of course, we may say, need to bring clothes la, toiletries, medicine and etc that name it, but without a checklist, I would always miss out some items and only realize when I reach my destination or when I am in the middle of the sky.

This list may not suit everyone of us, but at least, these are the things that I thought would be useful to bring along on JUST ENOUGH basis, as my bag is only 40 litters, and travel with it most of the time.

I will start from the basics to the least important ones.
If you have extra inputs, feel free to comment below.

1) Cash and Credit Card -- A must have no matter where you go, unless......
- I believe in spend within limit is very important, so before I even plan for the trip, I would roughly plan and allocate a budget to be spent during that trip. I wouldn't betray my body just to get free trips like lately there's a very hot topic by netizens.

- Do a thorough research on the currencies, price of the food and items, accommodations, and set a budget before going, can save up a lot of money and time, can save on the currency exchange rates, or being "chopped" being a tourist. I have experience that just follow my friends on how much they going for currency exchange, and ended up overspent, or came back to change back my local currency and wasted a small sum of money.

- Bring small sum of own currency, or US Dollar if any, to be exchanged if really needed, but try to avoid changing a large sum of money in foreign countries, as they tend to con tourists, just be extra careful.

- Divide the money into small portions and only put them in wallet or purse that going to be used on that day, others, keep them in separate places. Never put all eggs in one basket, and bring it out everywhere. Try to use a travel money pouch if any.

- Activate the overseas usage of credit card, and make sure set the limit lower to prevent hard attack and big hassle if worse case, met a credit card fraud. Bank tend to charge very higher for foreign currency transaction or cash withdrawal, so try avoid that too.

Examples: Destination currency, own currency, credit card with overseas' activation and low limit, travel money pouch.

2) Photocopied IDs -- Either Passport or national ID or driving licence.
- Always have a few copies of photocopied IDs along, this can prevent bringing out own passport during accommodation check in or certain verification or registrations, or touch wood, still have an ID even the passport is lost or stolen.

- Try not to bring out passport in too crowded places or not so safe places.

3) Garments -- thin, light weight, durable, multipurpose and easy dry.
- No matter where we going, we wouldn't want to bring a big luggage that full of our clothes only. We are saving the weight and space for easy transit and for souvenirs, isn't it? So thin and light weight clothing would come in very handy. Bring less, and may try to get some local clothing to blend in their culture, so that not too stand out as a tourist.

- Durable and multipurpose. Be mindful that every country and every tourism spots has her beautiful culture and some with dress code, I ever saw a girl wearing a pair of hot pants and are not allowed to enter the tourism spot, so did the boyfriend who was with her, isn't it very disappointing? So, I would bring along a piece of wrap skirt/shawl (any weather country), that can work as a long skirt, a strapless dress, and even as a blanket, towel, headband, and face mask in dusty area when desperate. I have also got myself a hooded sun protective jacket from Uniqlo (bought it during summer season), which claimed to have UPF 40, and cost me about USD28 during offer period, that not only protect me from UV, also keep me cool and covered.

- Bring clothes that easily dry, no matter it was due to sweat or rain or for drying after washing, especially going to hot and humid countries. Be prepared to wash our own clothes, then we can cut down the amount of clothes that we bringing. A piece of jeans would already used up a big space and worse to bring it back wet all the way in our bag. If going to cold country, bring a light weight down jacket rather than fluffy ones, and keep them in compact/vacuum bag.

- I will also bring a cap along with me, as a shade, also nobody knows when I didn't comb my hair (joking).

Examples: (all weather) dry fit t-shirts, shorts, shawl/wrap, cap, sun protective jacket, disposable underwear, dry fit sports underwear, socks, (cold weather) down jacket, long pants/leggings.

4) Toiletries -- just enough, and disposable.
- Be mindful of liquid allowances on the plane, you would not want to bring extra and stopped by the custom and confiscated. Shampoo, toothpaste, and skin care is a must especially for girls, pack them in a zip lock bag to prevent spillage (flight's rule too). Try to replace shampoo with soap bar if possible, because not only soap can be used for bathing, it can be used to clean dirty clothes too, it can also prevent spillage and reduce the challenge of in flight liquid allowance.
Note: I am bringing these because as mentioned in title, I am going for a budget trip, not a hotel luxury trip, all these can skip to just skin care if I am going to a place where hotel would provide sufficient toiletries.

- The best way to bring the skin care products, is to get samples from the sales girl when purchasing your skin care products, they are all packed in 5-10ml which is very sufficient for 1-2 times usage and it will not spill during carriage. BUT, make sure the product is something you are familiar with and not something that will cause skin irritation to you.

Examples: Comb, soap, shampoo, skin care, toothpaste and toothbrush kit, facial wipe (different from wet wipes, as it is slightly oily to moist the skin).

My toiletries

5) Towel -- For personal hygiene also maybe to keep you warm
- There are a lot of passages out there, saying how dangerous is hotel towel and things like that, some of the hostel, they do provide towel too. But I would think twice before I use them on my own body. So a piece of light & fast drying microfiber travel towel (I bought a good quality one, about USD 8.00, I guess a bit overpriced?) is actually very good to bring along. The keyword is FAST DRYING, cause it will be very annoying when the towel is still wet and being kept in a bag and end up stink.

- Microfiber towel absorbency may not be as good as normal cotton towel, but the fast drying is really superb! A must have during travel, especially to humid countries.

- Besides drying the skin, it can be very useful to dry the clothes too. Lie the towel flat, lay the piece of garment to be dried on top, roll them up, and press (or massage) them. The video can be found in YouTube. It can also be used as small blanket or to keep you warm.

- If going to places that's hot, maybe can consider bringing handkerchief too.

Examples: Microfiber towel (or at least a medium sized cotton towel), handkerchief.

6) Lotions/Sunscreen -- to keep you moisture and stay young even after your trip.
- Our skins are very fragile and needed a lot of care. Make sure to bring along the samples or traveling kit or prepacked lotions and sunscreen along. No matter in plane (especially long-haul plane, it will be super dry in the plane), in air-con room, under the sun or wherever, make sure either of them is applied, everywhere of the body, especially those are not covered by clothes. Or will come back from the trip in different color or worse, in different age.

- Knowing that going to be in outdoor most of the time, it is better to travel with higher SPF and make sure keep applying after the stated amount of time.

Examples: Sample lotions or traveling kit, sun screen.

7) Supplement/Medicines -- even you are always healthy like a cow.
- Nobody would wanna go to a trip sick, or sleep in room for the whole day. So vitamins and supplement is a must everyday during/after breakfast, to keep us healthy throughout the entire trip.

- Medicines like paracetamol (a kinda multipurpose medicine for everybody) is good to have, this can help you during emergency, and to prevent buying fake medicines in foreign countries.

- Few packets of ORS (Oral Re-hydration Salt) would also be good to replenish our zinc and ions that we have lost in our sweat or touch wood, diarrhea. Self made would be good too. More info: ORT

- Plasters, few pieces, just in case minor cut or skin peeled due to too much walking. Best with waterproof ones. I usually get 3M one.

Examples: Paracetamol, ORS, Vitamin pills, effervescent multivitamin tablets (but will need a cup/bottle for the soluble tablets), plasters, any medicine/first aid that needed.

ORS

 

My every trip must have, Redoxon Vita Immune.

8) Maps & Contacts -- paper map or either GPS map would be great
- A simple one, or a detailed one, at least must have one, and know where is the location or which direction to head to. Some drivers would try to turn big round and act dunno and bring you to 20km away and come back, in fact, it's just a 2 blocks away distance. Not every airport would provide maps for every area, at most they will provide town/tourism spots ones.

- Jot down a few emergency contacts, or travel insurance panel hospital name & numbers. Get to know police station locations, hospitals, or embassy's contact number or at least someone that can reach out if touch wood, you are really in trouble, especially in a country where there is language barrier.

Examples: Maps (printout or bought from bookstore)/GPS map, emergency contact numbers.

9) Phone, Charger and Adapter -- the always being left out - charger
- They mustn't be a super luxury or high class one, but a phone is a MUST! And make sure it is an unlocked one, if not, get a very cheap one with B&W screen keypad phone at the airport when reach there. This is to call for help during emergency, and to call back home everyday to tell the loved ones that still safe and sound.

- Phone can work as a clock, alarm clock, calendar, and even note taking too!

- After getting the phone, charger is a must to feed the phone, check on the country's power point's voltage and frequency and get the correct adapter.

Examples: SIM unlocked phone (ref: SIM lock), phone charger/cable, universal travel adapter.

10) Camera -- keep as traveling journal, and keep as memories, and to show to the grandchildren

- Camera is a must for me for my every trip and everywhere I go. A 1kg DSLR or a compact camera, or at least an action camera is a must to go out with me, or else that trip would be a waste. It can partly help me in completing my travel journal. BUT, always be careful and stay alert with any gadgets no matter where we are going, and make sure bring them home safely, like my children.

- Bring an extra memory cards and battery if it is a medium term trip. I guess a lot of people would bring along a monopod for selfie too.

- Ever heard a friend bought a SanDisk memory card in a foreign country, with real SanDisk price, but after come back from the trip, the memory card cannot be loaded at all, disaster, right? So make sure you get a genuine and good one, try them out before heading for the trip!

Examples: DSLR camera, action camera, extra battery, memory card, monopod.

My camera set and memory card with spare battery

11)  Slipper -- for in flight and accommodation usage
- I would bring my anti-slip slipper for my trip, a cheap and good one is perfect to travel along (I have one, Fipper, a fanciful Malaysian brand, about USD6, that I already use it for quite some time, and durable). It can be worn in flight to prevent blood clotting in the legs especially long-haul flight, in hostel/toilet, wet places (raining, or  market or going for waterfall, etc).

- For some people they didn't even bother to bring back the slipper after the trip.

Examples: Slipper.

My old Fipper Classic

 

12) Water Container -- a hydration pack is superb to bring along!
- Always have a water container even before traveling, because water can be refilled after custom checking in the airport, refill to bring onto the flight to prevent choking while drinking the water bought in flight, a double or triple charged water, never drink the water in the plane washrooms.

- I have a hydration pack that I bought around USD 16 of the brand Hydrapak 3L. Other brands a little over my budget, and there are a lot good brands out there too, so, try research before getting one. I love it because its not only save space, easy to carry, can be slit into any bags of mine, and with the pipe, I am able to drink water anywhere without hassle, but be sure to keep clean. bought this partly because I can wash it without too many special tools too.

- Hydration pack is not necessary since it is a budget trip, just keep the water bottle after drinking the water is good enough to bring along too, and can dispose them anytime.

Examples: Water bottle, hydration pack.

My super favorite Hydrapak 3L Hydration pack with pipe.
Sorry, it is actually half invisible, therefore can still see thru the cloth pattern underneath

13) Backpack and Bag -- light and comfortable one to prevent back injuries.
- A good backpack is a must to travel as a backpacker, that's the reason the name is called as backpacker, not traveler or "luggager", right? I had research through few brands, and got myself an Osprey Talon 44, not a very good looking, but at least its a very comfortable and light one.

- Another must have item, I believe is a rain cover for the bag. Due to Osprey does not include rain cover in the sales, I might as well get a cheaper German brand one, Vaude, because rain cover, is just to protect from rain, not as important as the bag, true?

- Why I chose Osprey instead of other brands?
Pros:

• I would consider the weight. for the same capacity of bag, it is relatively lighter!
• I like backpack with flexibility, which include the strap adjustment, body rack removal, size adjustment (this bag does not have), etc. My bag has just enough of flexibility for me that I need.
• Comfortable and breathable. I am someone who sweat a lot and it would be very uncomfortable if my back is wet and the bag is so closely stick together. This bag provide quite a good air ventilation design.
• Weight distributions. This bag design is not bad (must wear properly) with the bag's weight distributed around the waist and shoulders.
• There is a small whistle at the front of the bag.

Cons:

• The compartments. My this bag only provide sufficient compartments and I would feel better if there is another divider inside the bag, but the shop keeper told me, 40L doesn't need any divider, it is small and compact enough. The waist compartment is relatively small compared to some other models too.
• The rain cover is not included with Osprey bag, and if were to buy Osprey rain cover, it will be very much over budget!
• The rubber of the body does not seem very durable, a little loose after back from my first trip.

Neutral:

• The budget, Osprey is just slightly higher priced than the other brand that I researched, but the weight has subdued the price.
• Size of 44 is just nice for a 1.6m Asian girl. Good for short to medium term trip, but not a longer term trip. 

 

 The front side view of my Osprey Talon 44.

The back side view of my Osprey Talon 44.

14) Travel insurance -- protect yourself and protect your loved ones.
- I am not someone who really support on insurance, but I will surely get a good travel insurance, just in case I need to be hospitalized or touch wood, anything happen to me, my family will still be able to get a sum of money, isn't it? So, it is good to have one.

- No only for myself, but if flight delay, baggage lost or delay, all are claimable. Just make sure get a good company one, and easy to claim one. Or else you will need to spend another sum of money to get heart attack medicine or HBP medicine. Remember, it is always easy to pay money, but always very hard to get back the money!

- Jot down the phone number, which they will sure provide, and bring along a copy of policy if it is not too heavy.

15) Miscellaneous -- other small things that may consider bringing along.
- Usually I will bring along a piece or two of plastic bags, and another zip lock bag to keep any wet products or things to be separate from my other items, such as dirty clothes and etc.

- A piece of disposable rain coat would come in handy, when it is drizzle, or can be used to wrap anything too.

- After some time of flying experience, it is really good to prepare my own inflatable pillow/rest in the budget airline. If not after the flight, would be more tired and neck cramp, especially few hours flight.

- Prepare a pen & paper, to jot down anything or writing journal, and also to fill in the immigration card, to save some time in the airport too.

- I will always bring along a chocolate bar. In case I could not find any food there, and really out of energy, I still have something to fill in the stomach.

- Lip balm can be quite essential to prevent skin cracks or bleed.

- Face mask, is good especially to a country which the air quality is not as good, or will need to be outdoor most of the time.

- If going to a hot country, it is always a must to fight the heat, I will prepare sunglasses & contact lenses, a fan, foldable fan would be greater and mosquito repellent if needed.

- If going to cold country, perhaps small travel heat packs, ear cover, gloves, are good to have, very much depending on how cold and how much the personnel can sustain coldness.

Examples: Plastic bags, zip lock bags, disposable rain coat, inflatable rest, pen & paper, chocolate bar, lip balm, face mask, sunglasses, contact lens, foldable fan, mosquito repellent, (if cold weather) heat packs, ear cover, gloves.

Note: bear with me, as the pictures below was taken for my camping, Swiss knife is strictly not allowed on the plane.

Cap, sun protection jacket from Uniqlo, sunscreen

Zip lock bag, rain coat, Vaude backpack rain cover, water resistance bag

In picture are the things I used for camping:
From top left corner, foldable fan got from Continental booth, plaster,lighter,  plastic bag, torch light and battery, glow in dark, Swiss knife, rope, mosquito repellent and ointment,  power bank.

Snacks for my camping trip, I will only bring chocolate bar for traveling.

Hope you enjoy reading this passage and can help you in packing, feel free to leave comments and happy traveling!
Last update 13/11/14


If possible, I will try to write another passage on "Things to Take Note of During Solo Backpacking".