backpacking and travelling packing tips

My advice is, don't take more than you need too. You can buy almost anything you need locally. If you are following the travellers circuit then you wont be able to get away from clothes markets and cheap merchandise.

1. Lay out everything you think you need.

2. Take a step back and view the mountain of stuff. Then take a look at your 65 litre backpack - never in a million years will it all fit in, well not without futuristic space compression technology.

3. Arrange the mountain into three piles (and be honest!) - 'have to takes' (passport, first-aid kit etc), 'would like to takes' (that trendy jumper) and 'other' - for 'stuff' you should know better about (that £1000 Global Positioning System that also cooks a mean fried breakfast). Now comes the good bit with regards to streamlining... Throw away the 'other' pile. Throw away the 'would like to takes' pile. you should now be left packing about half of what you started with.

4. Actually throwing away the 'would like to takes' pile is a bit strong. There may be some good semi-essential items in here, so have a thorough look through and choose the best-of-the-best.

5. Be very careful what you pack behind your back as the last thing you want is something bulging or sticking into you whilst walking 10 miles through downtown New Delhi :D

6. Waterproof backpack covers are an excellent addition to any backpack to help keep the contents dry. I also line my backpack with a large black dustbin bag before packing (take extra dustbin bags to replace it as and when).

7. Always pack to the corners, you'll be amazed just how much crucial space is gained.

8. Pack your towel, a T-shirt and some underwear near the top of the backpack in easy reach. It's not unknown for Cambodian bus trips to triple in time.

9. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS pack sharp items in your backpack (check-in luggage)...NOT YOUR HAND LUGGAGE!! You will be amazed at what they class as sharp so if in doubt, pack it in your backpack... you don't want to get stop boarding your flight.

10. Try and leave home with your bag only 3/4 full... you will easily fill the extra quarter whilst travelling (many times over).

THE MOST IMPORTANT BACKPACK TIP...

The weight is NOT borne on your back!!! Your hips and shoulders should do the work.

I lost count of the number of times I've seen people staggering around semi-hunched over with their backpacks waist band undone or flapping around loose. That waist band is there for a reason and believe me it's not a strange, bizarre or mystical one. It's to take the weight off your back. A LITTLE HINT: if after swinging your backpack onto your back it feels a touch heavy, trust me it will be after 30 mins!

Lift the waist band whilst tightening so that it is sitting on the top of your hip bone and pull it REALLY tight. You should feel the backpack sort of lift up and away from your shoulders - trust me, it will feel about half the weight! Now adjust the shoulder straps to pull the top nearer to your head and you're ready to rock and roll.

A hand on the heart,

If you come across people hunched over or being pulled back by an out of control backpack, let them in on the secret of the waistband... together, maybe we can make travelling less painful...

- Matt.

page last updated: 28/04/2008

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