On my year long trip I decided to buy a 90L backpack but some would say that’s too much. Because I needed to take some business clothes for seminars and meetings I had to pack a little more than your average traveler. Take into account that I also needed to pack a wetsuit for surfing.
I took a day bag as well which I carry in the front for my laptop and some books. You don’t really need a laptop now in days specially in the continent of Australia and Europe. There are plenty of cheap internet café’s for you to back up your pictures online. See the Tips page for more information on that. A laptop is just another item you have to worry about and if you get robbed you will lose all your files. Below is a list of things that I brought on my year long trip so you have a better idea of what to pack for an extended trip. The best way to pack your clothes is to roll it up. I will link you to a instructional video that I found helpful when I was packing. If you have any questions at all feel free to email me or post a comment and I’ll be more than happy to answer them.
A few packing tips
- Roll up everything. The clothes don’t wrinkle as much and it saves a lot of space. There are many good instructional videos out there. Here is an example YouTube video if you need help. How to Fold Shirts & Pants : Rolling Shirts
- Taking your SLR camera might not be the best choice unless photography is your life. I decided to take a small point and shoot that I can fit in my pocket. It saves space and when you go out at night its easier and safer to carry. They sell really good point and shoot cameras now in days that take great quality pictures.
- Make sure that you pack everything in sections and you know where everything is. Looking for an item you need is a mission when you don’t know where it is and it is not easily accessible.
- Choosing a bag took me a long time and a lot of research. I knew I was going to be living out of this bag for a year so I had to choose wisely. Durability and comfort were most important but I was not looking to spend too much either. I decided to buy a High Sierra Long Trail 90 Frame Pack which has a top cover and a front cover which you can easily unzip and get things from the bottom. So far I have no complains.