or, On traveling round the world with less than ten kilos in luggage.

I did an extended trip across several climate types, and learned a lot about packing.

The guiding goal while packing was weight. I did all I could to keep the weight in my backpack down. Ultimately, excluding a couple of heavy things, such as hiking boots, which I was actually wearing a lot of the time and books (usually two, my guidebook, and a book I was reading. This weight would fluctuate, as I switched books out) my backpack weighed just about eight kilos. It was around 13 kilos with everything in it, such as books, boots etc. That may not seem like much, but I weigh about 60 kilos, so thats almost a quarter of my body weight that I have to carry around with me. It’s a lot. My goal is to eventually get it down to 10% of my body weight, though I’m not sure thats possible (unless I put on weight).

This is the first in a five part series about travel packing, and the strategy I use.

Each post in the series will explore one of these aspects of packing and traveling:
- Backpack
- Clothes
- Electronics
- Medical kit
- Miscellaneous

So, to start with:

Backpack
Obviously one of the most important things. I have the Eagle Creek Voyage. This is the most amazing backpack in the history of backpacks. It is very comfortable to carry, is exactly the right size, comes with a handy day-pack attached that you can zip off. For some reason Eagle Creek stopped making these; had I known, I would’ve bought another, for when this one wears out.

Things that were important in a backpack, for me:
- Dimensions. It was important that the backpack be carry-on compatible. I tend not to check in luggage. Currently, most airlines require carry-on bags to be within 9 x 14 x 22 inches. Also, I would have to stash my pack under or on top of a bus a lot of the time. The smaller size lets you sometimes take it with you on the bus, and have it under a seat.
- Front panel loading. Many packs tend to be top loading, which makes getting your stuff at the bottom hard. This one zips open all the way around the front, which makes getting things in and out from any part of the pack easy.
- Lockable zippers. So I can use a travel lock to lock my bag.
- Capacity. I didn’t want a pack that was too large or small. You pick backpacks based on the volume of stuff they can carry (in liters) rather than the weight they can carry. I thought 45 (backpack) + 20 (daypack) liters was the perfect size. Know that if you have a larger capacity pack, you will fill it up. And then you have to carry it around. Most people don’t use or need a lot of things they carry, so having a medium capacity pack forces you to think through your packing list, and pack smart.
This pack had a lot of cool features I haven’t seen in too many other packs, such as the ability to zipper away all the straps when you’re not carrying it on your back. This is useful for when you need to check in your bag, it turns into a compact little bundle with no straps hanging out.

Pack covers can be useful to keep your stuff dry, but in a pinch, a garbage bag will do. Don’t stress over it too much. I didn’t get a pack cover, I did use a lot of bags, sometimes over the entire pack, sometimes, just my stuff inside the pack was in bags. No significant problems, most packs are fairly water resistant anyway.

You obviously also want a pack you’re comfortable with, thats the correct size for your back (an incorrectly sized pack can cause back trouble and be uncomfortable) and that you like looking at. You’re going to own it for a while. Best way to get one is to go into your backpack emporium of choice and try some on. Have a knowledgeable person fit you for a pack. Try it with some weight in it, with the hip belt and sternum strap on. And enjoy your new traveling companion, it’s going to last you a while.

Locks
Two TSA (United States Travel Security Administration) travel compatible combination locks.
One for my main backpack, one for my daypack. The kind that airport security in the United States can open without breaking open, if they want to. It only needs to be compatible with the United States, fortunately. Other countries haven’t reached that level of paranoia yet. They’re useful when you leave your backpack in a hostel, storage, or almost anywhere. They’re flimsy, a thief can just yank them off if motivated enough. Most thieves in hostels are of the kind that just pick up stuff lying around or off the tops of backpacks. It greatly reduces the odds of being stolen from, because it increases the amount of effort a would-be thief has to take. I prefer the combination to the key kind, it saves me having to keep track of keys.
Cable Lock: Allows me to lock my backpack to my bed, a luggage rack on a train, bus etc. I don’t have to worry about my bag being picked up and run off with when I’m not in my room or if I step away to go to the bathroom.

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Also in this series:
Travel Packing 1/5: Backpacks
Travel Packing 2/5: Medical Kit
Travel Packing 3/5: Electronics
Travel Packing 4/5:
Travel Packing 5/5:

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Do you have suggestions? Advice? What would you take with you on a trip? Leave a comment!