Packing for travel should not be tricky and I have read many articles on the internet about what some people (experts) believe are the most necessary items to pack for their holiday. The responses were a mixture of common sense items along with the absurd (silly) things.
I have traveled the world on all continents with the exception of the Antarctic and I find it a bit amusing to see what some travelers will pack for their trip so the advice I have been reading gave me pause to reflect on this topic and after much thought and years of very practical experience I decided to weigh in on the subject.
First I should share a bit of background with you. During my non-enlightened, initial days of world travel many years ago, when I had no clue about what was really required, I did what a lot of people will do, I over packed, and a lot of this included items which I actually believed would be great to have but after three years of carrying all of this equipment, the realization hit that all I was doing was carrying things I only used one time in those first three years. The short list is; Inflatable air mattress (used to float in ocean & swimming pool, never to sleep on), wire mesh backpack security system (used two times to secure my 103 liter capacity backpack to keep it from being stolen while gone for short adventure excursions). The total combined weight of these two items was 6 kilos. There was more but I will not go into my own stupidity.
Since I am a travel photographer as well as a travel writer, I require photographic equipment and all the things associated with doing that work. There is no way around your photo gear, if you are a professional photographer, most likely you will have a heavy camera body and at least two lenses, possibly even more.
Along with the photo equipment there is the laptop computer on which these images are edited and stored; maybe a backup drive and a good quality laptop with the proper monitor can be very heavy.
I realize that most of you reading this post are not professional photographers, camera technology has come a long way, and it is not necessary to have a professional camera with more than one lens. Also, you will probably not be doing any photo editing as you travel but to make my point about this, the combined weight of my specialized backpack with all of my gear comes in at 9.5 kilos.
There was also the type of luggage I used, first it was a backpack which I used until it was stolen by an airport employee at the Jo’Burg airport after checking it in with the airline. I arrived in Buenos Aries with nothing but the clothes on my back two days before Christmas.
The Warsaw Convention rules of compensation for this type of loss is less than special; you are allowed $20 USD for every kilo of checked weight. In my case the back pack alone cost almost $400 USD not to mention the contents. The contents are not covered under The Warsaw Convention for loss of luggage.
Many years ago, backpacks were the luggage of choice, wheeled bags were just coming on the market but most travelers, young & some older ones had a backpack. Wheeled bags were for the much older, high-end tourist (traveler). However, this has changed and now it seems the reverse is true, and you now see more young travelers with wheeled bags and fewer travelers using backpacks. Backpacks are still used but it seems that some travelers are able to pack just a few things and keep the total weight to no more than 10-12 kilos.
After the loss of my backpack, I was forced to make a decision, try to replace it in Buenos Aries (the prices are unbelievably expensive & selections are limited) or get a smallish duffle bag so I could carry only the basics until I could return to the US a year later and purchase a replacement. I decided on the smallish duffle bag, and it was such a liberating experience but not without its issues.
I had been travelling for three years and by this time the wheeled bag was now becoming very popular, and I decided to purchase one and compare the difference between using a backpack and the wheeled bag.
The conclusion, at least for me was, each has its place in travel depending on how much you carry, your age, where you are going, what you are doing, how long you plan to travel and if it is practical to roll a bag along a jungle track over roots and rocks.
Remember, I still had my photographic/computer equipment, and a tripod along with the other luggage.
But now for the heart of
this subject.
What is actually important and necessary for travels? There are countless web
sites which discuss this subject but after reviewing them, they all basically
told the same story or a variation of the same thing and a lot even included
some sort of packing list or guide, however, there is no one source and each
individual will have different requirements and needs.
Therefore, the following is my opinion only, and does not necessarily cover
everything as it is impossible to do this, especially because each individual
will have unique requirements and ideas of what is essential.
One must
consider a number of things that I will list below when making the decision on
what to take and what to use as luggage.
1. Your age.
2. Where you will go.
3.
How long you will travel.
4.
Special requirements such as medical
needs.
5.
Type of travel such as trekking or
other specialized activities.
Each of
the above factors plays into what you will need but for the basics the list is
very simple.
1. Prescription medicines along with the
doctors’ written prescription. Make sure you carry an adequate supply for the
duration of your travels as many countries may not have the specific medicines
you must take. Even having the doctor’s written prescription does not guarantee
much when outside your home country but it can be of assistance.
2. Basic pain meds (Ibuprofen &
Paracetamol) but in limited quantities as these can be purchased worldwide.
3. Antibiotics for intestinal infections
when the food you just ate is raging out of your arse. For this I always
suggest that a person carry Ciprofloxacin which is one of the absolute best
antibiotics for dealing with intestinal infections. It is the only
antibiotic which can be tolerated by most people with allergic reactions to
other antibiotics without dangerous side effects. However, make sure with
your doctor that you can take this without the potential of serious problems.
4.
Plasters (bandages) of mixed size.
Have enough to take care of the total time you will travel.
5. Antibiotic ointment for cuts. I
recommend one specific type which might require a doctor’s prescription
depending on where you live. If you can find Terramycin ointment which is
manufactured by Pfizer Pharmaceutical Company, this is the absolute best possible
topical antibiotic for almost all skin cuts and abrasions. It will make
the difference between a fast-healing wound or a severe infection.
6.
You should also consider taking a
small bottle of antibiotic eye drops in the event you have some sort of eye
infection such as "pink eye".
7. A small quantity of anti-acid chewable
tablets for the occasional stomach gas attacks when the food you just ate gives
you “heart burn”.
8. Of course, there are the other medical
items which one might need but remember that in most cases, some non-prescription
items are easy to purchase in most countries, some prescription medications can
even be purchased without a doctor’s prescription depending on the medicine and
country.
9. If you wear prescription glasses, a
spare pair is not a bad idea in the event you damage the ones you have. I have
done this personally and had to scramble while I was in India for replacements.
10. Insect
repellents can be very critical depending on where you travel. There are a lot
of these products which make claims to ward off the pesky mosquito; however, I
have found only one product which is actually effective. This item is
known as DEET. In some products it will say that this ingredient is
included but it is the percentage of DEET which is critical. The higher
the percentage the more effective. I personally carry 98% DEET products
which are not easy to locate but whether you are trekking in the Amazon or just
sitting in a village in SE Asia, you do not want to be the food of choice
by the mosquitoes, especially due to the facts that you can contract Malaria or
other mosquito borne diseases, some of which have no cure.
11. I also
recommend that you take something for anti-itch in the event you do not bring
the repellent. If you can find a 1% Hydrocortisone cream
I suggest that you carry at least one tube. It is also handy to have
medications for allergic reactions to pollen. In my country I can find a
product which has an active ingredient called Diphenhydramine. This
will be very effective for those with allergies to pollen, dust, cat hair and a
range of other things which will make you sneeze. It will also make some sleepy,
but this ingredient will not do any harm. This medication is not easily found
but I can state from personal first-hand experience that it will be a lot more
effective than the synthetic brands at the pharmacy or chemist.
12. Electronic
devices are items not to be overlooked. You may need adapter cables, other
countries use a different type of wall socket, therefore, you will need special
adapters to keep some devices charged. Extra batteries for any type of camera
which is not a mobile phone type device. For some, bringing a hair dryer can
also present issues as some will work with overseas power and some will not.
Outside of the above recommendations, which are mostly common sense, we must discuss the balance of what a traveler will need. These items usually fall into the category of clothing, type of foot wear, beach wear (you should be able to figure this out), diving equipment (rent if possible unless you are on a very specific diving trip), and an entire list of items a person would need depending on where they go, what they do, how long they will travel and what kind of experiences are in mind.
For most people on short holidays, this should be relatively easy, but the main factor, regardless of where you go, or how long you will travel, do not over pack.
For women, you do not need to bring your entire stock of shoes, dresses or high-end fashion wear unless you are on the type of holiday that absolutely requires such items. Women should be as practical as possible. I do understand the requirement to look beautiful, but do you really need to wear all that makeup as if you were going to a job or party?
Men on
the other hand are usually less inclined to over pack; to the contrary, men tend
have the habit of taking less than is needed in most cases unless they are
packing condoms.
Regardless, men or women, always remember this one fact, if you need something, more times than not, you can find a store and purchase what you need and in some cases, it will cost less than if you got it back home and dragged it around the world. Of course, if in the case of a well-endowed woman who forgets a bra, trying to find the correct size in a S.E. Asian country could be extremely difficult. Also, if you need something while in an S.E. Asian country, just remember that by nature the Asian form factor is much smaller than that of the average western individual when it comes to clothing. This can also be true if foot wear is needed and you have a larger foot size.
If you are going to be trekking in the mountains where the temperatures are low, bring a multipurpose, lightweight jacket, one that is water proof, made of breathable materials and if possible has a removable inner lining. Also, depending on the climate, you might also need a lightweight jacket, so try to understand the climate you will be traveling in.
Foot wear is also a very critical factor so do not be cheap when purchasing foot wear. You will be on your feet a lot, either hiking or just walking about the cities or the beach. If you are hard core trekking, purchase high top, waterproof boots. These will provide good ankle support, last longer, and endure the areas where you might be trekking in high waters. The composition of the material which makes up the sole of the boot is also important, so look for a sole which is made of Vibram material as this is more durable and it will last longer.
In addition to the style of shoes/hiking foot wear one also needs to consider the applications, in what conditions you will be using the foot wear. Will you be in areas of extreme moisture such as jungles or just walking the streets of Prague? If in rainy, high moisture conditions I recommend that you purchase foot wear made of 100% leather, not suede. Mesh style foot wear in these conditions will not help you with the water. They might be less weight and even look good but when you discover that your feet are soaked after only 30 minutes of trekking then you will regret even thinking about the weight or how nice they looked on you in the store.
There are many good brands of boots on the market but when you are selecting a pair, try on as many different brands as possible to get the best fit which includes how it feels when walking and how well the top seals and supports your ankle.
Due to the above, I personally wear Asolo Power Matic 200 GV boots which are full grain leather and during one trekking trip in the rain forests of Borneo I was able to walk in the ankle high water without any leakage and my feet remained completely dry at the end of a 5 hour trek during a torrential rain storm.
I have used these boots exclusively and though I found others that maybe looked better for one reason or another (cost), when it came to overall fit, I would always end up purchasing the Asolo boots.
Head wear is essential as well. Regardless of what you wear, have something to cover your head, especially if you are follicle challenged (bald).
Clothing is important depending on where you will go and what you do. You can purchase a very expensive style of shirt, lightweight, with openings in the back for ventilation but I have found that this is not much better than a cotton shirt and a lot more expensive. If you have plenty of money to burn then I guess it is alright to buy name brands such as Patagonia, North Face, Columbia or other expensive clothing but regardless of what you purchase, buy something that is made of a natural fiber. Natural fibers breathe much better. I prefer 100% cotton products. I also prefer shirts with button fronts and at least two pockets with either button or Velcro sealing. You will be carrying things while you walk around, either in the cities or elsewhere and the last thing you need are your pockets full of stuff.
Pants, we all need pants, at least one pair of long pants should be in every bag. Why you ask, I am good with shorts you say. If you ever end up in a situation where you are walking through the woods with thorny bushes, insects, biting flies, or just take a fall during a trek, then the long pants will save you a lot of trouble.
I see a lot of people wearing “cargo” style pants with so many pockets. It is a wonder that they stay up after the pockets are loaded with all of the things one will put into these. Also, cargo pants are a thief magnet due to the valuables one will put in those pockets and some pockets do not have any zips or any way to secure the pocket and in some cases even Velcro sealing will not stop a determined thief.
I also read a lot about lightweight pants that will be more comfortable in the
hotter climates. In some cases, this might be true but when you arrive in any
country where the humidity is extremely high such as SE Asia, then regardless,
this type of pant will be no more comfortable than a pair of jeans.
There are web sites that mention convertible pants, the type that you can unzip
the legs to make shorts or zip them back together for long pants. I personally
had a pair of these, and it made me look like a total idiot, however, that was
my opinion. I guess there is a place for this type of pants but not in my
luggage.
Finally, about clothing, you can either look like a total tourist by what you wear or look like a “seasoned traveler”. I prefer the seasoned look as it makes me less of a target for the thieves in the world. To look seasoned, I do not wear any clothing with advertising logos or overly bright colors. The color choice for me is personal and I usually wear earth tones, browns, medium blues, whites, off whites but never reds, greens or other colors that say, “here I am, a tourist, come steal from me”, or “this is my first time here, come take advantage of me”.
Fanny
packs are everywhere; however, these can be either a wonder or curse. The
wonder part is how much you can put in these; the curse is how easy these
little packs are to steal your cameras, phones and other important items from.
These can also be easily cut by someone with a knife in that tightly packed
street you might be walking down.
Wallet security. Sounds simple but how this is handled can make the difference
between fun and disaster. I use a method that is very unique and simple. I take
my jeans to the tailor and have them make a button hole on one pocket then sew
a button to the inside of the pocket and I have an instant and easy to
close/open security system. I will always do this to the left front pocket
because it proves better than the right pocket where they have at tiny change
pocket.
The
bottom line on wallet security is, never ever, carry your wallet in the
back pocket.
For men who carry their wallet in their back pocket. Do Not Do This!!! It will be gone very quickly if you find yourself in a large crowd or on a crowed subway system. Put it in your front pocket or some other place but just not in the back pocket. Be smart with this.
- Power plug adapters for every country but I do not recommend using the ones that are universal because if you loose it you will be searching for a replacement. I recommend that you purchase the five most commonly used adapters which will give you connectivity through out the world.
- This one is or can be the difference between a good holiday and a disaster. Make sure that you have more than one way to access money from the ATM machine or make purchases. I have personally witnessed an ATM machine swallow a card because the user forgot his PIN number after trying to input it too many times. I have also personally witnessed the magnetic strip on the reverse side of credit cards erased because it was too close to a magnetic source and the ATM machine reads the magnetic strip, not the implanted smart chip on the card.
- Electrical power strips. Useful but heavy if traveling for lengthy trips or charging 25 items at once.
- Electric coil for boiling water.
- Coffee brewing machines.
- Ventriloquist dummies.
Pack the essential items based on the five (5) factors mentioned earlier because when you are handling a lot of luggage due to over packing, you will regret not being more reasonable about what you packed.
Over-packing
will present some unforeseen issues. In today’s
flying, many airlines will charge for checked luggage, some will charge for
carry on luggage then some will charge for excess weight for luggage.
Not only is this an issue, you, the traveler must handle this luggage in airports, on streets, some taxi services will charge for luggage and there are other areas where this becomes an issue. In some countries, the rail systems are excellent, however, you must put that excess luggage on the train, find a spot to store it and deal with it again if there are any train changes which do occur.
In some countries, the railway platform is lower than the rail car which means you are lifting that heavy luggage to get on and some stops are very short, which does not allow much time to do that and there are other passengers behind you waiting to get on.
In summation, packing for travel should be logical and reasonable. Circumstances, time frames, activities, medical needs, and a whole host of other factors must be considered when packing for any travels, either domestically or internationally.
With
that stated, I believe in one cardinal rule; DO NOT OVER PACK,
use good common sense, lay out what you intend to pack, then ask yourself, do I
really need all of these items and if the answer is no, then do yourself a
favor and leave the excess behind.