eu-jin’s posterous

Two of my friends are travelling around the world for a year and they asked me about what to buy and pack for an extended trip. I thought about what my wife and I bring for trips and wrote up the following packing list. My luggage for a one or two week trip is pretty much identical to what I pack for anything longer. I don't check luggage unless I'm bringing my climbing or backpacking gear that I'm not allowed to carry on board a plane.

I don't give comprehensive explanations for a lot of my choices but this website does and it gives very sensible suggestions as well. I tend to agree with most of what it says but note that it's catered to a more urban and less active kind of travel than I normally do.

Packs

1. Cilogear 40L Worksack - I like Cilogear packs for climbing, backpacking, and travel; it carries well, is light, and has the right number of features (not too many). Crampon pouch in front is perfect for wet flip flops or a guidebook for easy access. My wife carries a 30L Cilogear pack that we use as a daypack. On the plane, we split our stuff up into the two packs so that we meet carry on limits. Once we get off the plane, we use the 30L for day trips and the 40L for the rest of our stuff. Conveniently, the 40L expands to 60L so it's able to accomodate all our combined stuff, and the 30L compresses down to standard day pack sizes so we aren't carrying a large pack as a daypack.
2. Small messenger bag for plane and bus rides - easier to carry a small messenger bag while carrying a backpack than doing two backpacks turtle style.
3. Combination of small silnylon stuff sacks and mesh bags for organizing stuff - I get the cheapest ones that are the lightest.

Footwear

1. Flip flops - Teva and Reef's occasionally come on clearance annually for < $8 US, which is when I replace my old pairs.
2. Trail runners - great for walking, hiking, or easy climbing. I'm brand agnostic and get the cheapest that fit my feet. I don't like waterproof shoes because they are hot. If I know I'm going to hike on wet trails, I bring a pair of neoprene socks like SealSkinz to wear with my non waterproof trail runners. If it's cold, wear thicker socks. I never wear anything else (in particular boots) unless I am spending extended periods on snow or am doing some technical climbing.

Clothing

I avoid black and other dark colors for all my clothing. They are hot in the direct sun and also make you blend into the background in photos.

1. 3x Long sleeve wool/synthetic zip or crew shirts - Serene and I now mostly use light weight merino wool tops. They feel better and absorb no discernible odours. We particularly like Icebreaker, followed by Smartwool. We like long sleeve shirts regardless of the temperature because of the sun protection; if the wool is light enough, it feels comfortable even in tropical climes. For synthetic clothes, I avoid anything without an anti-odor treatment.
2. 2x Softshell/Nylon Pants - I prefer softshell pants over nylon pants. I get the lightest ones possible, like the Patagonia French Roast Pants (which appears to be discontinued). Essential for pants to have zippered pockets to prevent things from falling out and also for some protection from pickpockets. I usually bring 1 pair of softshell pants and 1 pair of nylon pants. If the trip involves extended climbing or backpacking, I bring 3 pairs of pants. Again, we prefer pants over shorts for sun protection. Also, you can always roll up your pants to become shorts at the expense of looking good.
3. 3x wool/synthetic Underwear - expensive for such small pieces of clothing but well worth it. For synthetic clothes, I avoid anything without an anti-odor treatment. Underwear can double as sleep shorts as well.
4. 1x Synthetic/wool t-shirt - thin and light to sleep in.
5. 1x swim shorts - I use a pair of running shorts with a mesh lining; it doubles as sleep shorts. I might bring an extra one to sleep in.
6. 3x wool socks - thin wool running/hiking socks work well.
7. Rain jacket - as light and compact as possible. Doubles as a windshirt. I use a North Face DIAD jacket that I got on sale, it's ok, not that breathable but it's light (7 oz).
8. Light fleece - the thinnest weight possible. I use a Patagonia R 0.5, which now appears to be a Capilene 4 weight now. Anything of a heavier knit is bulky and inefficient for its weight. Coupled with the rain jacket / windshirt + hat and gloves, I can stay pretty warm down to 40 F or so.
9. Hat - we're big fans of the Outdoor Research Sunrunner. They look a little goofy but offer the best coverage and aren't hot. Get the light color.
10. Quick drying Towel - I like the ultra soft ones from MSR. Get a small or medium size rather than a large one ; you can always wring out.
11. Cotton Bandanna - the only cotton item that I bring. Useful for wiping your face after washing it in the middle of the day or wiping your glasses (impossible with synthetic or wool fabrics).

If the weather is going to be colder, I also bring

1. 2x wool/synthetic thermal leggings - the thinnest ones they have. I have the Mountain Hardwear eXtend tights, but I think the wool ones are nicer.
2. Wool hat - we use Peruvian hats with the ear flaps.
3. Lightweight Gloves - we use Outdoor Research PL 100. Other manufacturers make similar weight gloves.
4. Down/Synthetic Jacket - depending on how cold it's going to be. A lightweight synthetic or down jacket will be warmer and take up less space than a thick bulky fleece. I also like having an insulated hood on my jackets. I have a few of this for climbing that I also bring for travel --- I own and like the Montbell Thermawrap, Montbell Alpine Down, Wild Things EP Jacket.

Miscellaneous

You can buy a lot of these things in the country that you arrive. I don't bring things like knives and sharp objects that require me to check in - I've bought a cheap knife upon arriving in a new country and discard it before I leave.

1. Headlamp - I've had the Princeton Tec EOS for the last two years and have no complaints.
2. Umbrella - foldable and small. Much better than wearing a rain jacket if it's not windy or if it's hot.
3. Sewing Kit - I've had to sew something on every trip.
4. Nail Clippers
5. Rudimentary first aid kit - mostly just bandaids, Cipro (for the runs), Tylenol, Pepto Bismol
6. Hand Sanitizer - bring a lot, but pack in 3 oz containers with your other liquids
7. Universal Sink Plug - washing clothes in your sink
8. Electric Toothbrush - uses AA batteries, we bring rechargeable ones. One of my luxury items.
9. Wet wipes - a few packs
10. Toilet Paper - a roll or more depending on the length of the trip.
11. Woolite - for washing clothes in the sink.
12. Sunscreen - might be hard finding something you like in less developed countries
13. Insect repellent - if required, might also be hard finding something you like in less developed countries
14. Silk Sleeping Bag Liner - in case you're afraid to lie down on the hostel bed ...
15. Travel size toiletries - only the travel size bottles are important since you can always buy toiletries to top them up. Includes dental floss and toothpaste.
16. Sunglasses and spare glasses - very important. I once left my glasses on a rock in Torres del Paine and only realised it 6 hours later. Fortunately, my sunglasses had prescription inserts that I used without the dark lenses in front. I looked pretty goofy for the rest of the trip.
17. Eyeshades and Earplugs - so you can sleep in comfort in noisy places. I use my earphones as ear plugs.
18. Duct Tape - to patch holes in any of my gear. Surprisingly durable patches.
19. Ziplock bags - variety of quart, gallon, and snack sizes. A couple of trash bags are also handy.

Documents

1. Photocopies of passport, visas - in case you happen to lose them and need replacements. Pack these separately from your passport.
2. Passport photos - for visas that you want to get along the way
3. ATM card - we opened an account with our local credit union just to get an ATM card that doesn't charge fees on non-network withdrawals. We've found that ATM cards give excellent exchange rates and you don't have to worry about getting counterfeit notes.
4. Credit card - we got a Capital One card specifically for travel because they are one of the few issuers that do not charge extra foreign currency transaction fees. The 1% cashback doesn't hurt either. Credit cards give about as good exchange rates as ATM cards, which are better than anything you'd get from a money changer.

Electronics

1. MP3 player - smaller the better. Preferably takes AAA batteries.
2. Etymotics Earphones - they work well as earplugs too.
3. Battery chargers for assorted electronics and AA, AAA rechargeable batteries. Make sure they're all universal voltage.
4. GSM cellphone - quad band. Unlocked so that you can buy prepaid sim cards. Only if you're going to a place with GSM of course. Very convenient because you can now give that number to your family or friends and get them to call you. Incoming calls are usually free too. It's also much nicer to have a cellphone because you can call ahead to make reservations while you're on the bus there.
5. Wrist watch - with alarm. Smaller and cheap looking is better than big and expensive looking. Alarm is key to make sure you don't miss your flight/train/bus/local tour etc.

Photo

1. I bring a DSLR and a couple of lenses. I use a Lowepro photo runner slung around my shoulder to carry the body and a lens.
2. I bring enough compact flash to last the whole trip. Compact flash is so cheap these days that I don't see the need to bring portable hard drives (which are also less reliable than solid state drives). I typically bring everything I own, which is about 24 GB worth.
3. Gitzo 1027 CF tripod with Really Right Stuff BH-25 Ballhead - very small and light for a tripod that works well. Not that tall but very light and stable. It's also small enough to travel with easily.
4. Whibal card - white balance card. Saves me lots of time after I get back in post processing the photos for white balance.

Good places to buy stuff from are REI Outlet, REI, Sierra Trading Post, Prolite Gear, Backcountry Gear, Backcountry (and outlet), mgear, ACME Climbing. I wait for the big sales and pick stuff up opportunistically --- choice of colors suffers so I usually end up looking rather bright. I don't consider anything a good deal unless it's at least 30% off, if not 50%.