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-   -   So, what do YOU pack? (https://www.fodors.com/community/travel-tips-and-trip-ideas/so-what-do-you-pack-968965/)

joconnell90 Mar 3rd, 2013 06:10 AM

So, what do YOU pack?
 
Hi everyone,

Soon i'll be setting off on a trip to a variety of different cities across the globe for roughly a 2 month period. I've been travelling before and I soon realized that my rucksack and what I packed were less than ideal.

I'm aware there are numerous list's suggesting what you should bring on a trip like this but, i'm curious to hear from you. What is YOUR list? Any unusual items?

My previous list ( and my views in hindsight):

>Wilderness style rucksack (Bad choice for an urban trip)
>Small daysack
>2 pairs of shoes: hiking boots & light trainers
>Waterproof jacket (very useful)
>1 cotton towel (it never dried!)
>small first aid kit
> lightweight clothing and underwear
>phone, wallet, guidebook, light reading, passport & photocopies
>Mp3 player (great for those long journeys)

Cheers,
Joe.

thursdaysd Mar 3rd, 2013 06:21 AM

My list takes three blog posts, starting here:

http://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/...take-part-one/

joconnell90 Mar 3rd, 2013 06:52 AM

Very comprehensive and interesting, thanks thursdaysd!

november_moon Mar 3rd, 2013 07:45 AM

I don't have a list - what I take depends on where I am going and what I am doing. I do always pack for about a week with the intention of doing laundry as needed. I take clothes that mix and max and resist showing dirt so i can wear things more than once, esspecially pants/jeans and sweaters/sweatshirts. For this trip, layering will be important to handle different climates.

suze Mar 4th, 2013 12:16 PM

Depends where I am going. A trip taking the train around Europe to various cities is a completely different "pack" than going to the beach in Mexico or Hawaii for a couple weeks.

Erika_O Mar 5th, 2013 12:01 AM

For me, it really depends on how long is the trip for and where I go. I would bring these things below for sure beside some basic stuff:

- At least two camera! :)
Old school one: Canon AE1 Digital one: Nikon D90
- Travelary journal. I love taking journals and Travelary is a really awesome one for traveling!
- A book. Usually a novel.
- Ipad. I can not travel without music!

Iowa_Redhead Mar 5th, 2013 07:50 AM

Your list probably isn't too far off from what you might want in cities.

Ditch the cotton towel, yech! :) If you really want to take a towel for some reason get a fast drying towel from a camping store/site. Wring it out and it'll dry within a few hours or overnight.

Instead of hiking boots and trainers, why not go for a pair of walking shoes and a pair of comfy but slightly dressier shoes? Both good for walking but one for in case you need to dress up a bit.

Instead of a hiking backpack, I like to use a convertible backpack from eBags. It's a very similar idea to a hiking backpack but without the frame and you can open it like a suitcase rather than just from the top. I'm debating taking that or their rolling duffle bag (basically a rolling suitcase with a duffle bag top to reduce weight) on an upcoming trip. You might want to stay to carryon size if possible.

Unless you're going to the desert a light rain jacket is a wonderful idea. Pack clothes that can be mixed and matched rather than outfits (all tops go with all bottoms, etc).

Don't forget a camera and memory cards! :)

I always pack duct tape and have pretty much always had a use for it (fixing a bag strap that broke, packing a poofy item into a small bag and compressing it, wrapping my ankle as an ankle brace, bandaid that would actually stay on, etc).

aliced Mar 7th, 2013 03:11 PM

Small flashlight, clothes w/ many pockets (northface, columbia, etc)husband wears black Scottevest which carries everything and keeps us handsfree

LSky Mar 12th, 2013 10:45 PM

There are things that live in my suitcase much like aliced's list and my immersion heater for hot water and tea.

I always bring a couple of paperbacks that I buy used and can throwaway.

Always bring cameras and cards.

catcrazyaf Mar 13th, 2013 07:46 PM

Washcloth, washcloth, washcloth!

tylerf Mar 14th, 2013 10:08 AM

My basic bag would only include these:
- 3 tshirts
- 2 shorts
- 1 jeans (worn on me)
- camera
- Kindle
- laptop
- nailclipper
- towel
- iPhone
- toothbrush
- external HDD
- battery chargers

Anything else can be bought at your destination.

If I'm at somewhere cold, I'll just buy jackets and sweater at a used store.


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