What we've packed
Getting carried away on what to carry.
TRAVEL OBSERVATIONS
I'm one of those strange folks who really enjoys packing. There's a delightful challenge in finding creative ways to use one item for multiple uses and to Tetris your stuff into small spaces.
Like my other favorite activity, wilderness backpacking, world travelers tend to weigh (literally!) the pros and cons of each item to take down to the ounce. The internet is absolutely chalk full of lists, blogs, vlogs, guides and gurus for what to pack for long-term travel lifestyles. Not surprisingly, a whole cottage industry of specialized travel equipment and supplies has emerged to serve this sub-group.1 There really is no single way to pack for this sort of thing, as it all comes down to preference and values. That being said there are some golden rules (of thumb) travelers tend to follow, including us. Here are the ones we had in mind while packing.
First, less and lighter is better. I find this to be critical the more you venture off the beaten (and paved) path-- and we intend to venture off the beaten path often! We are far from the lightest travelers out there but did work hard to fit our stuff into one carry-on backpack and a small daybag each. And in doing so, we hope to force ourselves to travel light and also save a bit on airline luggage fees and risk of lost bags.Second, cotton is not king. If you follow rule-of-thumb one, you may be washing (likely hand-washing most of the time) a limited number of clothes items quite often. Cotton is slow to dry, heavy, and bulky. We packed a lot of synthetic and wool items, athletic tops, leggings, Smartwool socks and the like. There are pretty limited opportunities to wash and dry clothes on the go. Sure, there are laundromats around, but you have to find them, pay for them, and be able to wait around a few days to retrieve your clothes. I'm sure we'll use them on occasion, but certainly not every time we need to wash clothes. So far, we've also stayed a few places that have washing machines, but none have dryers. Not to mention virtually everywhere we are going will be both hot and humid. This makes quick drying wear all the more essential. That being said, I did bring one pair of lightweight denim shorts, as they're comfy, indestructible and more "normal" feeling than the technical clothing we have along. No regrets!
Third, go with dry, and here's why. ;p Dry meaning solid or dry versions of toiletries. For this trip I tested and took along teeth tablets (instead of toothpaste), shampoo and conditioner bars (instead of bottles), a sunscreen stick (instead of a bottle, you get it), and a foundation stick. This was partly to avoid having to carry heavier liquids and the pain of putting them in and out of the baggies of 4oz only bottles required for plane travel. It was also a great excuse to try several of these out for regular use since most of these dry products have less packaging and plastic waste.
Finally, bags in bags in bags is best. Making use of packing cubes can help organize and compress your clothes. While ziplocks, sacks and kits of various sorts keep your other stuff safe and organized. They've been an absolutely lifesaver so far in avoiding chaos in tiny Seoul hotel rooms with no hooks, hangers, closets or dressers.
In this end, there is something kind of amazing, and also perhaps chagrining, about the fact we will be able to live with one carry-on backpack worth of stuff for many months, while at home I have five bags twice that size packed full of clothes! Travel does help illuminate how much one really needs to live in relative comfort, and how much we end up just filling up the available spaces around us by default. Got room in that back closet? Go ahead and buy that extra party dress! Got a two-car garage? That second car would be convenient that one time it's raining, and your husband has an in-office meeting. The lesson? In life, don't get weighed down by too much stuff, and deliberately choose smaller spaces, no bigger than what you need to feel comfortable and do the things you love most.
For those who, like me, love dialing down into packing details, what follows is my (nearly) complete packing list. For those who don't care, have a lovely day and begone with you!
What I2 packed:
Clothes:
6 shirts, including mostly conservative sleeveless athletic or Smartwool, but also one lightweight rayon button-up long-sleeve
3 shorts, one trusty Lululemon spandex with pockets for working out, 1 nylon hiking shorts, and one 1 trusty old black jean-shorts
2 pants, including one Athleta black leggings with pockets, and one casual Athleta pants with pockets (Athleta has this travel wear on lock)
1 quick-drying Royal Robbins travel dress with (you guessed it) pockets
5 pairs underwear, mix of fancy Patagonia, under-armor variety and regular cotton-esque types6 socks, mostly Smartwool or Darn Tough brand of various lengths
4 bras, 2 regular, 2 sports1 pair short jammies
Saloman Speedcross trail runners (I went a little out of control researching and trying on shoe options, but came back to this very popular brand and style in the end)
Brooks sneakers (yes, I brought sneakers and hikers, we plan to do a lot of both!)
Teva mush sandals
Marmot lightweight rain jacket1 lightweight scarf/sarong
Patagonia R1 pull-over hoodie I've had for ages
My trusty Rab down jacket (maybe I won't need it in these hot places, but its kind of a security blanket for me)
1 baseball cap
2 bandanas
1 lightweight neck gaiter (unclear I will ever use...but in case it gets cold, or I need an improvised eye mask?)
Tech:
Microsoft Surface (a used 4th gen, but still very exciting!)
Surface charging cord
tiny mouse (I can't cope without a mouse)
several foreign plug adapters
multi-dongle charging cable
3 headphones, 2 corded, 1 cordless earbuds (perhaps excessive, but audiobooks will be my main form of entertainment)
this nifty travel power strip
Cell phone (I got the Google Fi plan as the international data plan is about as good as it gets)
phone charger
Toiletries:
travel toothbrush
teeth tablets
5 floss sticks (would be enough for all 5 months if Shadie didn't borrow and lose them...)
3oz lotion refillable container
deodorant
4 Burts Bees chapsticks (I'm addicted)
tweezers
nail clippers
10 Qtips
hair ties
shampoo/conditioner bar
small hair gel (to control my out of control hair in humidity)
UV 30 foundation
mascara (for when we are getting fancy in Teva sandals and a dress)
lipstick (for when we are getting extra fancy)
Misc.:
1L water bottle
passport bag
extra silicone-safe ziplock bags
U-locks
a notebook
headlamp
pens
4 small carabiners
Med cabinet:
Bag of repackaged over-counter medications (Ibprofin, dramamine, Loratadine, two anti-itch creams etc.)
A few first aid ready items (bandage, strong pain killer, Hydrocortizone)
A few travel prescriptions recommended by travel clinician (malaria meds, anti-biotics)UV filter (aka magic wand)
tiny sewing kit
tape (medical and duct)
hand sanny
face masks (in Korea at least, they are required everywhere still, including outdoors)
Bags:
Osprey Fairview 40L, by far the most popular travel backpack around, and for good reason, although it has its flaws
Gregory 20L backpack
A super cool magnet wallet which I wear as a purse when a backpack isn't needed
4 packing cubes of various sizes, mix of Eagle Creek and nameless Amazon brand
2 chico style grocery bags (super useful for some reason)
Footnotes
1) All this travel equipment specialization, unfortunately, makes this industry not very environmentally friendly on the whole. Products made for a niche and only occasional use really are the antithesis of where the product industry needs to go. That being said, there are some companies in this space that appear deeply committed to lowering their carbon footprint and impact on the earth. From Patagonia and Osprey, who uphold very substantial promises not only to use low impact materials, but also repair and return products to use many years after first sale. To WELdental and Vida Bar, which make come only in paper or aluminum containers and non-plastic packaging. If one can adopt use of such products in everyday life, they could indeed be the better environmental choice.
2) I've tried to include mutual and shared pack items, along with my personal stuff. Shadie had a similar approach to packing, but with more, you know, dude stuff. Maybe he'll post a detailed list if you ask real nice.
3) I'm including a few brand names if I particularly like them, especially for this travel.
