I chose a top-loading backpack for my travels. Other people prefer backpacks that double as duffel bags. No matter your preference, try before you buy.
I’ve begun packing in haste for two years in Europe. Because I’m not sure where or when I’ll get a place of my own, I want to be as free and unencumbered as possible. That means taking only what I can carry in my 65 litre backpack.
Much like when I’m writing, I’ve been “percolating” about what to take and what to leave behind. Now that the time has come to choose three t-shirts, for example, I find the decision is easy. Other choices are not so easy.
My pile of “must-haves” is still a bit larger than I’d like it to be. I’ve scoured the net for tips and tricks, and it turns out that the best advice for long-term trips is pretty much the same as for shorter ones.
Here are a few backpack packing tips I picked up in preparation for my departure:
Pack light. Very light. There is a direct relationship between the weight of your pack and your experience on the road. Lay out every item you want to bring, then eliminate half. Not sure you should take it? Don’t. Every ounce counts.
Bring a small supply of the basics, then buy local. Need painkillers? Bring a handful, not the whole bottle. They probably sell shampoo where you are going, too.
Choose clothing sparingly. Bring only a couple of changes – fellow travellers won’t care you’re wearing the same thing twice. Where possible, choose lightweight fabrics that dry quickly after handwashing.
Leave electronics at home, wherever possible. Laptops, digital SLRs and other electronics are heavy, cumbersome and a magnet for thieves. Do you really need to lug your laptop around, or can you get away with using an internet cafe? If you do choose to bring any gadgets with you, check the voltage before plugging it in.
Practice packing before the night before. Packing takes practice. It takes patience. And it will probably take you three attempts to get everything in.
Pay attention to the weighting of your pack. Heavier items should be packed both at the bottom and closer to your back.
Don’t fill your pack to capacity. Leave about 30% room to account for everything you’ll be picking up on your journey (extra clothes, souvenirs, momentos from the road). Too much stuff to carry home? Send a box by post.
