Packing can be a joyful process before get on the plane, and also can be stressful. All of a sudden all stuff in your place looks very handy and very important for every reason you can think of. But, we need to think straight and see what really is and what isnāt. We all know the major items to pack: Passport, Visa (if you need), Backpackers Insurance, Money and Guidebooks.
Every traveler has different details in the packing procedure, here I introduce you five small but powerful items that you might want to take on your next backpacking trip.
Handkerchief
My friendās mum once described it as āa New England old manās cotton handkerchiefā, while I was feeling mine in my pocket. Hip or not, I found handkerchief is very handy for travel. My flowery handkerchief-why all the handkerchief is so not pretty?- is usually hanging on the shoulder strap of my backpack. I wipe my face while hiking, strap it around my neck when Iām biking and blow my nose when Iām sick. One more reason why handkerchief is a powerful item is because itās environment friendly. All the things above are doable by tissue, but it doesnāt create a trash.
Pocketknife
Kitchen knife, bottle opener and scissors all at once! Pocketknife is often considered as a clichĆ© travel item. āHow many times do you think do you need a pocketknife while traveling?ā is frequently asked question, but itās totally up to an individualās travel style. For me, it was always useful. Especially if you are an independent traveler who is planning to camp at some point, you would want to pack it.
One thing to remember; a pocketknife is not allowed in airplane. If you have ācarry-on-onlyā travel strategy, this item is not for you.
Travel mug
As a person who enjoys hot beverage, Iām glad the travel mug was located in my backpack. Mine was the one combined with French press. It gave me a chance to be location independent with my morning coffee and tea. Drinking hot tea on the canoe in the middle of the lake was a memorable moment. Also take out coffee with your own travel mug gets more discount from a coffee shop.
Elastic band
In every pocket of my backpack, I always have a bunch of elastic bands: thin and thick. It is useful when you fix something, save your food, make sure the container doesnāt spill, when bottom of the hiking pants are bothering you, temporary lock for the backpack zippers, organize small things in the backpack and tie my hair back. If you didn’t pack any, produce band is working very well (usually it comes with asparagus).
Sarong
Sarong has been the best travel buddy in any season; it is fashionable and efficient at the same time. It is a sundress and a towel at the beach, a scarf for a cold day, and a blanket for overnight stay in the airport. Sarong is travel friendly as well; much smaller volume than a towel, and it dries quickly. Especially for female travelers in Asia, sarong is a great item to show your respect in religious places. You can easily purchase it at a local market in any country in Asia.
I absolutely agree with you!
Another thing i wont forget is hand sanitizer.
Good thing that we can easily bought it in most places š
I traveled with hand sanitizer in Malaysia few years back, from my doctor’s suggestion but I hardly ever used it. But I understand the needs time to time. I have a little bottle I bought in Cambodia, and I will bring it next time!
You are absolutely right, all those things can be very useful when you travel! And I agree with Valentina the hand sanitizer is also something is a must in your backpack!
Thanks Charlotte! I always worry about little things than big things in my backpack. For example, shampoo, clothes even shoes can be bought anywhere in the world, but sometimes those little elastic bands are extremely hard to find!
Great recommendations. I love the sarong. It comes with me wherever I go. Even Dave uses the sarong a lot. I haven’t brought the elastic band before (only the ones for my hair) I’ll make sure to add it to my next travels. great idea!
Sarongs are the best! Glad you liked elastic band idea. You would love it. Trust me. š
Elastic bands! So small yet so many uses!
Yes to elastic band! š Thanks Jodi!
I always have a bandanna on me. It’s so useful for hair, general mess, emergency bandage and also for letting me keep taking photos in light rain – just cover the camera with it, leaving only what you need open to the elements.
Hey Vanessa! Glad you are agreeing with me. Bandannas are cool.
These are great things to pack. I didn’t realize you could get a discount for bringing your own coffee mug. I’ll have to remember to pack one on my next trip.
Yes, I experienced it quite a lot. Maybe not many places in SE Asia, because well, coffee is already like $.50, but especially US and even Korea.
I love carrying rubber bands. I like to roll up my clothes and tie them up with the rubber bands. I also use it to organize my wires. It’s really great.
Exactly. I love to roll up my shirts too. I’m preparing to bring more rubber bands this time. š Great item!
Great tips! I never thought to bring a rubber band– I’ve always been reliant on duct tape to fix rips and well, anything š
Maybe I’ll try duck tape this time!! š
I’ve never brought rubber bands but I am the master of the multitool/pocket knife on a trip.
Rubber band rocks. I’m looking some for my next trip. Pocketknife saved me on the US trip. It was a beer bottle opener, kitchen knife and trusty accessory in my hiking trip! š
I totally agree except I would substitute an elastic band for duct tape. Not so great for tying your hair back…but great for everything else! Fix a torn sleeping bag, seal a bag of pretzels, patch a shoe, repair a failing camera filter… duct tape to the rescue!
I really have to consider to bring duck tape this time. And few rubber bands for my hair! š
Handkerchief! Hell yeah! So I’m not the only one… š
No you are not. š
Plastic bags! Handy for carrying extra gear, keeping wet stuff separate, making a bin if you need to…Excellent!
Yes! I love plastic bags, especially zip-lock bag. They are wonder!! š
Love the rubber band idea!
me too! Thanks Allen!
Great item! It was a beer bottle opener, kitchen knife and trusty accessory in my hiking trip!
I quite agree that a handkerchief is really useful especially when you’re traveling. But I always had a problem keeping them. So I just bring a roll of tissue now so that I could throw it after use.I throw my waste responsibly though. š
Flight rules just changed to allow tiny pocket knives onto planes. They always turn out to be more useful than I would expect. Except the screwdrivers, usually.
I love having my handkerchief for Malaysia in my pocket when I’m going hiking or walking the hot streets in Vietnam. I also need my travel mug for coffee everyday.