How to pack for 12 months of travel

By Joshywashington On December 23, 2009 · 19 Comments

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Nick Vivion looks into his pack to find out what exactly one needs on a year-long trip around the world.

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The backpack; quintessential and indispensable, the search for the ever elusive perfect travel pack never stops! Get one step closer by peeking inside the pack of Rolf Potts. Throw in your 2 cents on the best packs on the travelers forum. Yes, but how many bags should you take? BNT suggests just taking one. Whether you take one bag or several, the key is to pack as efficiently as possible.

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Joshywashington

Joshywashington is a Travel Media Ninja from Seattle who enjoys writing, climbing trees and strong coffee.

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http://www.traveltipsandgear.com Scott

Awesome, I love seeing what people have in their pack.
Wasn’t this posted somewhere else? I coulda swore that I saw this a couple months ago.
Ryan

This is more like a guide on how to travel with a bull’s eye on your back. I mean, really. Breakaway pants? An around-the-neck safety pouch? Only if you want to look like a rookie.
Ryan

Does Matador delete comments that aren’t gushingly positive? Ridiculous.
josh

No silly, your comment wasn’t approved yet. As long as comments are not spam or profane we let it all hang out.
http://www.vineyardadventures.com Robbin

How to pack for 12 months…if you’re a dude.

The joy of bra’s, at least slightly dressy shoes, makeup…

Great video though!
http://ww.onurwaytravel.com Sasha

Great video!!! But I tend to like having a few more pairs of underwear, it’s nice to feel at least a little bit clean!!!
josh

I usually bring flippers, dict tape and a magnifying glass…but I tend to over pack and lug a small nation around with me! The best advice I have heard is,
‘pack you bag with everything you think you need then leave half behind.’

You can always get things on the road, if fact it is better to leave space for clothing you will buy.
LA Backpacker Chick

yup…4 pairs of undies just doesn’t work for girls but great video though!

http://twitter.com/MuldMunin Muld Munin

But at least the undies are smaller ^^

http://www.downtownecommerce.com Downtown Ecommerece Partners

I moved abroad for the last 7 months and I will be abroad for another year or so. As a female…I wish that I could let go of the finer things in life like my favorite shampoo or my flat iron… Amazing video. Maybe on my next vacation.
http://adamgreenmedia.com Adam Green

This is excessive. If you’re a dude, bring 2 or 3 shirts, a pair of pants, a pair of shorts, 2 pairs of underwear, a couple pairs of socks, a raincoat, and some flip flops if the climate is suitable (you’ll be wearing your shoes already). You can wash this stuff at the sink and hang it out to dry every other night. This takes 15 minutes tops. All of this stuff should be quick-dry/moisture wicking/whatever. No cotton.

After that, bring a waterproof digital camera (like the Canon or Olympus ones), and you’re good to go. If you make your living from the Internet (like me), you’ll need a small laptop. Otherwise, you won’t. Fancy smartphones, iPods, and digital SLRs are for people who want to get robbed. You can get a cheap cell phone anywhere. Or you can bring an unlocked one with you.

You can also get towels (no need to ever carry one as hostels have them), soap, toiletries, and winter clothes (when you need them) anywhere in the world. Why haul heavy winter gear around the Caribbean in the summertime? To keep your stuff from getting wet, line your pack with a trash compactor bag (not a standard trash bag – a COMPACTOR bag). Bring 2 or three spares because they’ll rip after 6 months or so.

All of this should weigh less than 20 pounds. Maybe less than 14 or 15 pounds. You’ll giggle at all the newbies (like the guy in this video, maybe?) with outrageously huge packs full of stuff they don’t need. Contingency packing doesn’t make you more comfortable. It just becomes a burden.

Remember: Less is not more. It’s better.
http://adamgreenmedia.com Adam Green

This is excessive. If you’re a dude, bring 2 or 3 shirts, a pair of pants, a pair of shorts, 2 pairs of underwear, a couple pairs of socks, a raincoat, and some flip flops if the climate is suitable (you’ll be wearing your shoes already). You can wash this stuff at the sink and hang it out to dry every other night. This takes 15 minutes tops. All of this stuff should be quick-dry/moisture wicking/whatever. No cotton.

After that, bring a waterproof digital camera (like the Canon or Olympus ones), and you’re good to go. If you make your living from the Internet (like me), you’ll need a small laptop. Otherwise, you won’t. Fancy smartphones, iPods, and digital SLRs are for people who want to get robbed. You can get a cheap cell phone anywhere. Or you can bring an unlocked one with you.

You can also get towels (no need to ever carry one as hostels have them), soap, toiletries, and winter clothes (when you need them) anywhere in the world. Why haul heavy winter gear around the Caribbean in the summertime? To keep your stuff from getting wet, line your pack with a trash compactor bag (not a standard trash bag – a COMPACTOR bag). Bring 2 or three spares because they’ll rip after 6 months or so.

All of this should weigh less than 20 pounds. Maybe less than 14 or 15 pounds. You’ll giggle at all the newbies (like the guy in this video, maybe?) with outrageously huge packs full of stuff they don’t need. Contingency packing doesn’t make you more comfortable. It just becomes a burden.

Remember: Less is not more. It’s better.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Michael-A-Zanette/508670501 Michael A Zanette

I agree with this^. Aside from hostels having towels available. All the hostels I’ve been to in Europe had no towels available. Not sure about elsewhere, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Then again, (especially if you’re travelling in a developing country) you can just purchase a towel over “there” for cheap. Oh and if you actually plan for a winter destination, I’d recommend bringing your own jacket. Other than that, you should be able to get what you need once you get there.

http://adamgreenmedia.com Adam Green

Good catch on the towels bit. I’ve never backpacked through Europe and didn’t realize it was different. In South America, there were always towels at hostels. If that’s the case, I’d add a lightweight quick-dry towel to that list.
http://adamgreenmedia.com Adam Green

Good catch on the towels bit. I’ve never backpacked through Europe and didn’t realize it was different. In South America, there were always towels at hostels. If that’s the case, I’d add a lightweight quick-dry towel to that list.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Michael-A-Zanette/508670501 Michael A Zanette

I agree with this^. Aside from hostels having towels available. All the hostels I’ve been to in Europe had no towels available. Not sure about elsewhere, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Then again, (especially if you’re travelling in a developing country) you can just purchase a towel over “there” for cheap. Oh and if you actually plan for a winter destination, I’d recommend bringing your own jacket. Other than that, you should be able to get what you need once you get there.

http://adamgreenmedia.com Adam Green

This is excessive. If you’re a dude, bring 2 or 3 shirts, a pair of pants, a pair of shorts, 2 pairs of underwear, a couple pairs of socks, a raincoat, and some flip flops if the climate is suitable (you’ll be wearing your shoes already). You can wash this stuff at the sink and hang it out to dry every other night. This takes 15 minutes tops. All of this stuff should be quick-dry/moisture wicking/whatever. No cotton.

After that, bring a waterproof digital camera (like the Canon or Olympus ones), and you’re good to go. If you make your living from the Internet (like me), you’ll need a small laptop. Otherwise, you won’t. Fancy smartphones, iPods, and digital SLRs are for people who want to get robbed. You can get a cheap cell phone anywhere. Or you can bring an unlocked one with you.

You can also get towels (no need to ever carry one as hostels have them), soap, toiletries, and winter clothes (when you need them) anywhere in the world. Why haul heavy winter gear around the Caribbean in the summertime? To keep your stuff from getting wet, line your pack with a trash compactor bag (not a standard trash bag – a COMPACTOR bag). Bring 2 or three spares because they’ll rip after 6 months or so.

All of this should weigh less than 20 pounds. Maybe less than 14 or 15 pounds. You’ll giggle at all the newbies (like the guy in this video, maybe?) with outrageously huge packs full of stuff they don’t need. Contingency packing doesn’t make you more comfortable. It just becomes a burden.

Remember: Less is not more. It’s better.
Anonymous

Its a Great Post, I like it. Thanx for Sharing your ideas and Experience here. I love travel. I like your video. Its a great video. Now I am going to Luzern for Paragliding and that will be my long trip.
http://paragliding-luzern.ch/
Faeabril

fabulous post…I work to really impressed and grateful. Thanks for sharing. I love to read this. Please share more.
Thanks…

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