General Packing Tips:

• Take only what you really need. Do you need two light jackets-- nope, chuck one. Things that might come in handy, you don't need.

• Clothes that are thin, are a lot easier to back, so layering clothes for cooler weather saves more space than stuffing that extra thick jacket in your pack.

Packing List -- Clothes

For warmer weather:

• 1 Pair of Jeans
• 1 Pair of Shorts or a Skirt
• Either an additional, pair of jeans, shorts/skirt or a nicer pair of pants, depending on climate and your style.
• ~5 T-shirts
• 1 pair Pajamas, or other sleeping clothes
• 1 Sweat Shirt or light Jacket
• 1 Light weight Rain Coat/Wind Breaker -- Something to keep the rain/wind off you
• 1 Swim Suit -- If the weather's warm enough
• ~5 pairs of underwear
• ~3 pairs of socks
• 1 pair of sturdy shoes
• 1 pair of light sandals

If you're traveling to a cooler local, or during the off season:

• 1 pair of jeans
• Another pair of pants, either jeans or trousers
• 1 pair of Pajamas, or other sleep clothing
• ~2 long sleeve t-shirts
• ~2 short sleeve t-shirts
• 1 sweatshirt or light jacket
• 1 light weight water resistant/windproof jacket you can wear over your light jacket
• 1 pair of gloves and a hat
• ~5 pairs underwear
• ~5 pairs socks
• 1 pair of sturdy shoes/boots

Packing List -- Accessories:

• Sleep sheet -- In case your hostel doesn't provide linens. You can either buy one, or make one by folding a queen sized sheet in half, then sewing up the bottom and half way up the open side so it resembles a sleeping bag.


• Packing Cubes/Toiletries Organizer -- Helps you pack a little bit more efficiently, but if you're cheap you can get by with Ziploc bags.


• First Aid Kit -- Just basic supplies, band-aids, antiseptic wipes, a pain killer etc. You can carry them in a small zip-loc bag.


• Money Belt -- Keep your passport, rail pass and most of your money etc. in it. Leave a days worth of cash in your wallet so you aren't going in and out of the belt all day.


• Decent Flashlight


• Swiss Army Knife -- Remember to put it in checked luggage


• Bungee cord & Drain Stopper -- Use the drain stopper to wash your clothes in a sink, and the bungee cord as a clothes line. Great for doing laundry in your hostel.


• A quick-drying towel -- So you don't have a damp, smelly backpack.

Electronics:

• Do you really need it?
• Can it be insured under your travel insurance?
• Is it small and light?
• How distraught would you be if it got lost/stolen

If you're taking electronics with you, definitely see if they are covered by your travel insurance, and if they aren't, inquire about adding them.

Also, be wary of where you place them, don't leave them in your pack/under your bed overnight, put them in a locker.

Some things to look for in a backpack?

• The biggest is whether it is comfortable or not with 30 pounds of gear in it. 30lbs in one backpack can feel like 50 in another, so make sure you try them on before you buy.


• Get one that fits your body -- Not only will you look ridiculous if you have a huge pack, but it'll also be a pain to lug that thing all over. I'd say about the largest you would want to buy is 4800 cubic inches.


• Does it have an internal frame? So you don't have giant metal rods sticking out of you pack to get caught on everything.

Buying a pack:

Before you buy a pack, make sure you thoroughly research it. Check online to see what other people have said about it.

Also make sure you've tried it on with 20-30lbs of stuff in it, so you know what it feels like.

Be sure to shop around once you've decided on a pack, a lot of these packs are very expensive so look around to see if they're cheaper anywhere else.

Check online stores, and even eBay for the pack you're looking for, you can probably shave a sizable chunk off the price tag.

Some Places to Get Backpacks:

-- eBags.com has a number of good backpacks, look at Gregory, Mountainsmith and High Sierra brands.

-- Don't underestimate eBay, you can get some backpacks really cheap on there. I needed a second smaller pack, and was able to get one off eBay for around $30.

-- Some good deals on Eagle Creek backpacks that I recomend.

Suggested Backpacks