Wheelie case – for city breaks and short holidays, we always try to pack to a minimum in a small, carry-on case. This means we have to be strict with what we take, it saves hold fees and means we don’t risk losing our stuff or waiting at baggage.
Rucksack – if we are doing multiple destinations or festivals, we always use a rucksack. Travelling around on different forms of transport, makes a rucksack an essential bit of KIT. You probably won’t buy many in a lifetime – they will become your trusted travel companion, wearing the scars of all your adventures. Therefore, it is important that you invest in one that will endure all you will put it through.
Our rucksack rules:
- Do your homework. Good quality rucksacks, that are lightweight and hardy, are expensive. Look online, watch the promotional videos and read the reviews. Most importantly, go into a store and try them on. They all fit differently, and you need to find one that’s as comfortable as possible. The best rucksack brands design them for women and men’s torsos, for back length etc. Don’t simply choose a rucksack based on brand name and colour.
- Big is not always better. There is nothing worse than lugging around a backpack that you can barely carry, that you dread putting on and that’s full of stuff that you haven’t even worn. We have done this, and it is no fun. We have even sent stuff we don’t need home by post just so we don’t have to carry it! See our Essential KIT list. Choose a rucksack that is big enough for the essential stuff and comfortable to carry.
- Small travel bag. When you are carrying a large backpack – you need a small, comfortable travel bag in the front for your valuables, travel documents, passport, snacks, phone etc. We think it extremely uncomfortable to have a large backpack and another smaller one on our front! Choose cross body, waist – whatever suits – but not a double rucksack. That’s our preference – I am sure others will disagree.
- Packing cubes. What did we do before packing cubes! I cannot be without them. These vary enormously in price. We avoid the very cheap ones as these can sometimes feel like plastic and we don’t want our clothes to sweat. We like smaller ones – the whole point is to organise your packing. So better to have swimwear in one, socks in another, running kit in another etc.
Essential Travel KIT List
Wherever you travel, there’s some essential items that we always include. While some elements are obvious, we hope you will like this checklist for your own packing.
- Essential items and valuables in a small bag: wallet, cards, passport, GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card), phone, headphones, ear loops, travel insurance documents, car/house keys.
- A small zip folder or A5 display book with all tickets/reservations/schedule etc. – we are old school!
- Personal toiletries
- Sun cream and moisturisers
- A small, comprehensive first aid KIT in a waterproof bag
- Travel plug – phone wires – chargers (in a compact bag/case)
- Underwear – depending on size – at least a week’s worth
- Plastic bags with a zipped top – for food, wet clothes, protecting valuables from sand/water – countless uses
- A small amount of handwashing liquid – less than 50ml – for any smalls that need a freshen
- Your favourite tea bags if a tea drinker
- A lightweight, travel mug – so you don’t have to rely on tiny teacups in hotel rooms
- A high-quality waterproof bag – at least big enough for valuables
- A small, packable and fully waterproof raincoat
- A small fleece – we usually wear this on the plane
- At least one pair of light-weight pair of trousers – sometimes it’s cold – sometimes you have to cover your legs due to culture or religion
- At least one long-sleeve shirt and vest top
- Comfortable walking shoes/trainers (worn on the plane)
- Flip flops
- A packable rucksack
- Locks, bottle opener, pack of cards…
- Kindle or book
- Sunglasses/glasses/contact lenses/solutions
- For women – a thin scarf – big enough to cover your head or shoulders when visiting any religious sites
- Microfibre towel/head towel
- A small lightweight sun cap
- A small beanie and gloves (depending on the location)
- Local currency – particularly small change for tipping
- A neck pillow – we invested in one that rolls into its own small bag
- A light-weight head torch
- A basic running KIT (shorts, bra, vest, socks) – we like to run – we often wear the trainers on the plane and wear our Garmin watches.
We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us. 