I've updated my packing list (I've added a few electronics since I first wrote it in 2002) and posted it on my blog. It took three posts for the whole list, but I get all the stuff in one small backpack and a day bag. I use essentially the same list for ten days or ten months - for longer trips I take more pills, and for shorter ones I don't take spare batteries, but otherwise the list doesn't change.

The posts are linked, the first is here: http://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/...take-part-one/

Excellent list! I can't believe you fit everything into a backpack and a daypack, wow!


My only question is about the luggage sealant/patches. Why those instead of duct tape? Do yours attach to the bag permanently? I ask because the ones I've seen in the past were little more than squares of duct tape.

Duct tape would probably work fine. I think it may be one of those UK-USisms. I grew up in England and never even heard of duct tape until after I moved to the US.

I know it looks like an awful lot of stuff, but once you organize it into bags it really doesn't take up much room.

Ahh, I hadn't thought about the UK vs US thing. I've grown up always using duct tape (I spent a lot of time on a horse farm) so it's the first thing I always reach for to fix anything.


Even if it doesn't take up much room when organized, I'm still impressed!

I love your list!
Two questions-
Why's a waist pack a security risk? I agree, it's less secure than a money belt (or neck-wallet which I prefer), but I think it's way more secure than a day pack.
Also- do you pack a nightshirt or pjs? I'm always tempted to pack 2 as even light ones don't always dry overnight.

Waist pack - too easy for someone to slit the belt.

If I expect to have a room mate at some point, or will be on a night train, I pack the top half of a shalwar kameez - basically a long T-shirt. Thanks for picking that up - I'll add a note on the clothes section.

You may have these on your list but can't remember seeing them
but they are excellent in certain situations, moist toilet wipes.

No,I manage with TP and Purell.

thursdaysd~ I really like how you put that together! First off very impressive that all that stuff goes with you in those two small bags (eletronics and everything!). I love how you formatted your information, not a cut & dry "pack list", but also why some things weren't a good idea, other things worked better, or items other people might include that you don't (like a hat). Thank you for sharing that excellent information. btw you look very nice in the photo, i like the clothes you chose. kindly, suze

Why thanks, suze! I hate having my photo taken, but I've never taken a picture of all the "stuff", so it seemed the next best thing. The trousers are from Travelsmith, but the top is from Coldwater Creek and the shirt from Chicos - they've all got quite a few miles on them now!

I know you do long haul traveling to adventurous places (I'm more a two weeks vacation at the beach kind of traveler at present) and I can see how a few great pieces of clothing like those, could take you a long way. Seeing the photos really helps people better visualize (be able to believe they can do it!) packing light. Again, with thanks.

Nice list and blog. I manage to travel light which makes life so much easier. I don't buy travel clothes but always try to buy things that pack/travel well. Shoes are my main concern; I'd rather take more shoes than clothes.

More shoes than clothes makes perfect sense to me! I always walk a LOT when I'm traveling. I like to be able to have a couple comfortable pair to change back and forth between. Or if one pair doesn't work out for some unexpected reason. While I could wear the same old black t-shirt for a few days in a row and be OK with that.

Thank you for the list. I am loading up a backpack for a trip to Peru. About how much did your main pack weight? How about your daybag? Did you bring another small bag to bring home souvenirs in? Thanks

My main pack usually weighs in at airports at just under 10 kilos. At that point all the electronics and pharmaceuticals and the guidebook for the next stop are in my day pack, so that's quite heavy. I'm not a shopper, and I generally only buy souvenirs (more often gifts) at my last stop. Or I just buy jewelry (travels in the day pack) and fabrics (fit in the main pack). On a long trip, I've been known to mail things home - surface.

Thanks for the reply. I test packed today and my main pack weights 21.6 lbs and my purse/camera bag weighs in at 5 lbs. I am not traveling with a computer, just a camera, iphone and Sony reader so my electronics are not as heavy as yours.

Way to go, BabsB - congratulations!

It still feels very heavy and I am worried about buying too many treasure's! I keep thinking about what I am packing and of course I keep second guessing my choices. The weather in Peru is still rainy but I wonder if taking the rain pants is worth the 10 Oz. The silly binoculars are about 1 3/4 pounds so I wonder if I should buy a lighter one. Round and round I go!! Keep your fingers crossed that they get the back way into Machu Picchu open by March 23rd.

Are you hiking? If not, I wouldn't bother with the rain pants. I used to take a small pair of binocs, but they still weighed heavy, and I kept forgetting I had them, so now I leave them at home.

I always wonder what people can possibly need for a one-week trip that requires 2 or 3 full sized suitcases.......great recommendations, thank you!!