ESSENTIALS FOR LONG ROAD TRIP FULL

For bulkier items, we sometimes found that folding them took up less space but, for everything else, you've got to roll. Rolling your clothes not only saves a lot of space, it helps to reduce the inevitable amount of creasing which can occur when storing everything in a backpack. fold debate, there really is one clear winner. If your bag is already overstuffed before you leave, then you simply won't have the space and will start to resemble a pack donkey with a plethora of bags balanced upon your person.ĭe Niro or Pacino? City or Utd? The Beatles or the Stones? In the roll vs.

ESSENTIALS FOR LONG ROAD TRIP FULL

The reality is that you're hard-wired to try and take more than you really need and sticking to this means you will cut down on at least a few unnecessary kilos.Ĥ) Test it out before you leave! If it's too heavy in your mum's kitchen, then it will be far too heavy when you're pounding down a dusty road searching for a hostel in Nicaragua or Bali.Ĥ) Don't leave with a full bag - you will need space as you travel and will naturally want to pick up some things when you're travelling. If you're like us, then the best piece of advice we can provide is to:ġ) Focus on what is 100% essential to your trip your health and your well-being on the road is more important that focusing on a philosophy which restricts you too much.Ģ) Making a pre-packing list to try and understand what sort of activities you’re going to be undertaking on your trip and what the likely climate will be – this will help you establish the range of items which are necessary.ģ) Lay out all the items that you think you might need at least a week before your departure - and then cut this down by at least 30%.

Fundamentally, we would rather carry a little more than go without we want to be able to have outfits appropriate for different settings and climates and never want to be limited to being the traveller in a cool bar in Buenos Aires wearing hiking boots, shorts and a fleece. Indeed, without knowing it, for our two-year trip through Latin America, we adopted a wholly anti-minimalist philosophy - the 'stuff as much as you can in your rucksack until you fall over' philosophy, if you will.Īs with everything, it's about balance (and not just the type that means Emily won't fall over when walking with her rucksack).

There’s definitely a trend, which we totally understand, promoting a minimalist or ‘hand luggage only’ approach to packing.Īlthough we were mightily impressed that some other long-term travellers have managed to fit their entire lives in one piece of carry-on, it simply isn't for us. Having them at the tops will allow you to quickly settle into any new hostel and, by always storing them here, it makes it very easy to pack them all up before you leave for the next place. These are the essentials which you'll pull out and need every day. Top-third: Easy access items, such as toiletries, travel towel, hoodie, hostel spice box. This can include hiking clothes, winter, medical supplies, non-essential cables or chargers. Middle-third: The things you don’t need right now, but will need later on in the trip. Side-pocket 2: T-shirts, vest, light-weight tops, skirts or dresses.īottom-third: Day-to-day larger/bulkier clothes like trousers or shorts, shoes, shirts or jumpers and laundry bag.

As you can see, this is why we recommend picking a certain style of backpack! On shorter trips you probably won't need such a large daybag, but for long-term travel (especially if you're doing overnights or long hikes), you'll actually value bringing something a little larger and more practical.Īfter many tweaks along the way, the more organised member of Along Dusty Roads (cough) settled on the following structure for our backpacks for any trip where we're moving around a lot or travelling for more than a couple of weeks. Your backpack should always be complemented by a smaller (20-30L), versatile lightweight daypack which will store your valuables, act as your carry-on for bus and plane journeys and accompany you on day-trips. We always recommend that you buy a backpack after having had the chance to try it on for size in person don't just buy the one that has nice colours and brand name you recognise. Adequate back support is important and picking the right backpack should be viewed as an investment any decent one should last for at least five years hard backpacking. Not only will it keep everything dry, but when storing your bag on buses it makes accessibility for wandering hands a little less convenient / tempting it also lengthens the life of your backpack dramatically.

Try to find one with an easy-to-operate rain cover.

Essentials for long road trip