The Essential Backpacking Items
- joeltudor97
- Sep 2, 2022
- 10 min read
The time has come where you have to pack your life into a bag and hope you haven’t forgotten anything important.
If you’re someone who thrives off packing light, this will be child’s play. If you’re someone who usually packs their entire wardrobe for a one week to stay somewhere, we’ll get there in the end.
Just for context before we begin, I’m not a traveller that likes to pack super thinly but I also don’t want to be carrying a 65kg monster bag on my back in 40 degree heat, so somewhere in-between. My personal view is that no matter where you’re going and how long for, over-packing causes more problems than not as you constantly lose/damage clothes plus you can always buy clothes in whatever location you find yourself in, so don’t think you need to take everything you own with you!
Let’s begin with the 19 essential items you should take for backpacking South-East Asia (or anywhere else you see best fit)
1. Osprey 40L & Osprey 55L backpacks
You’ll probably be wondering why I included two backpacks – allow me to get into the craftiness of the choices at play here. I ordered both backpacks before my departure and scoured countless forums to see if they would be accepted as hand luggage on my flights.
I ended up opting for the 40L one as it within carry on airline regulations (apart from the long-haul flights from home and returning) however domestic flights seemed to be accepting of the size.
For reference I am 6’2 or 188cm in height and bought the M/L size which felt snug and secure, as did the 55L version but felt considerably longer on my back which is to be expected due it being it’s extra length, plus it distributes the weight far better than its 40L counterpart. The 55L is actually a 42L main backpack with a detachable 13L backpack, although the main compartment is longer than the 40L Farpoint model – something to keep in mind.
As a general guide:
Size S/M – if your back length is between 11.8-20 inches
Size M/L – if your back length is between 20.3-31.5 inches
The 40L has everything you’d need. The padding relieves you of any uncomfortable prodding from your items and so the bag sits comfortably on your back and it’s that deceivingly spacey inside you could bring your family along with you.
There are more compartments than an advent calendar and plenty of both hidden and obvious storage facilities to put away loose items you don’t want to carry.
The attention to detail is phenomenal; there are chest and hip buckles to take the strain off your back, a small hidden whistle, holes within the zips so they can be securely padlocked and It’s rainproof!
Believe me, my bag went through countless tests of being thrown on boats, dragged along pavements and being completely drenched in torrential downpours yet didn’t seem to have one scratch following the trip.
The only downside is that it doesn’t distribute your contents amazingly well like the 55L (since it’s lengthier) so it can bulk outwards if you’re cramming items in; something to keep in mind for when you’re turning round; try not to knock someone out!
I managed to fit around one week’s worth of clothing (t-shirts, light-weight shorts, socks, briefs) and electronics, my portable pharmacy and other essentials which was a tight-squeeze but in the end it was more than enough space. I realised when I was in Asia that I was really travelling light when every other person laughed at how small it was!
It’s a great light-weight option, but I would 100% purchase the 55L backpack instead due to the extra space and detachable backpack which really comes in handy for daytrips and beach days.
The only issue is that it’s totally dependent on the airline you’re flying with and what their policy is on hand luggage size. I was just overly paranoid about them misplacing my bag on the wrong flight so opted for the smaller option, although they’re pretty reliable so don’t worry.
In summary:
Osprey 40L Farpoint backpack
Positives
- Lighter, more compact bag you can take as hand luggage
- Cheaper: RRP £120 / $139 (Amazon) as of 2022
- Great durability, different storage compartments and water resistant (not waterproof)
- Fits within airline carry-on luggage regulations – no waiting for your bag after landing (yay!)
- Plenty of security features
Negatives
- If you like to pack more or buy things along the way, you’ll be wanting more space (like I ended up wanting half-way through my trip)
- No detachable backpack – although you can purchase a foldable day backpack as an alternative
- Can become bulk outwards if you’re tight for space
Osprey 55L Farpoint backpack
Positives
- Far more spacious
- Detachable backpack
- Lightweight for its size due to light metal framing
- Great security features
- Distributes the contents efficiently
Negatives
- May not pass for carry-on luggage
- Slightly higher in price: RRP £155 / $180 (Amazon) as of 2022
Overall, I’d recommend the 55L version just so you can fit more items in and take advantage of the detachable backpack – which is 13L – and is always useful to have. Regardless of your choice, Osprey have you covered when it comes to backpacks!
2. Chest Bag
I could not recommend enough. It’ll make your travelling life far easier and secure.
The amount of times I’ve had no zip pockets or didn’t want to carry a bag during the day and had to run the risk of carrying my valuables in loose pockets; it’s a pain!
Keeping items like your phone, wallet/purse, spare change and passport within your eyeline prevents theft and gives you peace of mind. I wouldn’t be too picky with this item as all you need is one which isn’t too bulky or made of a flimsy material.
I chose the MRang Sling shoulder bag which severed me without fail in Asia!
3. Passport wallet
Another really useful thing to have which keeps all your important valuables in one place rather than dispersed all over your backpack – a passport wallet!
It’s perfect for keeping your passport, boarding passes, bank cards and travel documents together in a zip wallet for added security, although losing your passport means you get to stay which sounds quite good…
I bought a cheap, generic one on Ebay which was my mistake as the pockets starting detaching inside and everything was just everywhere. Don’t do what I did!
One of my travel buddies recommended to me the one he bought, a Wilbest wallet which is slightly pricier at £8.99 but is water resistant and didn’t break down on him during his travels. Again with this kind of item just be sure to read genuine reviews and it’s not something you need to break the bank on.
Side note: I also highly recommend taking extra passport photos which you may need for Visas in certain countries you’re entering.
4. Portable Power bank
It cannot be stressed enough just how much of a lifesaver this is.
There’s nothing worse than being hours away, blissfully exploring whatever tropical paradise you’re in and then your phone dies. Not only can you no longer take more pictures for your Instagram, but navigating your way back to where you came from can become a little more challenging.
I did a lot of research on which power bank to buy as I didn’t want to have to keep charging it up daily due to it being poor quality. After much deliberation, I ended up going for the EC Technology 22400 mAh capacity charger which I was impressed with.
Going for capacity which is lower than 10000 mAh will get you around 1-2 full charge cycles although it’s a little less bulky in size so it’s entirely down to what you prefer; bigger size - bigger capacity or smaller size - smaller capacity.
I had an iPhone 6 at the time and managed to get around 4-5 full charge cycles out of it each time plus it has four small LEDs displaying the amount of charge it has left. The battery pack was a little bigger in size compared to the smaller capacity units though does have three USB ports so you can charge all your devices at the same time – efficiency at its best.
It also has a little flashlight which I’m still confused as to why but I guess that’s one less thing for you to buy!
5. Travel towel
I have to admit, I’m not a massive fan of these for drying yourself as it takes forever - especially in highly humid locations. The material is identical to the cloth you would use to dry a car with and the last time I checked, I don’t have an engine.
Aside from the material, they are extremely lightweight and perfect for lounging on when you go to the beach, plus they take up barely any space in your bag as a regular cotton towel would.
It’s worth noting that they dry incredibly quickly which is ideal for when you’re consistently on the move and don’t want your clothes suffering from the dampness a wet towel brings!
6. First Aid kit
I didn’t buy a whole first aid kit per se, just the individual essentials you get told to take off worried parents, grandparents and so on. The usual over-the-counter painkillers and antiseptic products should be taken along with hand sanitisers and some plasters for when you inevitably cut your toes on some coral in the water.
7. TSA-approved combination padlocks
They are essential if you’re planning to stay in hostels during your backpacking journey.
If you lose things easily and would lose your head if it wasn’t attached, then please don’t get locks which come with a key. I bought three of the number combination locks; two to secure the zips of my backpack when in transit and the other to lock it inside a storage area in hostel rooms.
No one managed to break into them so I guess they did their job but be sure to remember the code or you’ll be the one breaking into it!
8. Address attachments
It was by far the worst day of my whole trip.
I ended up accidentally leaving my day backpack in a taxi Phuket, Thailand which had my main camera, power bank, some money and a couple of items of clothing inside. The worst part? My flight was the next morning and there was no way of knowing who it all belonged to since I left no label with my address or contact details on it.
Lesson learnt!
I highly, highly recommend buying a few of these which you can attach to your backpack, daypack, everything pack. Just everything that is valuable to you. I only had one on my main Osprey backpack but didn’t even think to put one on the daypack which cost me not just valuable items, but so many precious photos and videos saved on the camera which I lost which I was even more gutted to lose.
Don’t let it happen to you!
You can find them for really cheap anywhere online although if you’re particular about the look of them, I’ve done the searching for you. Enjoy!
9. Dryfit clothing/Thermals
The perfect garment for all types of weather. Feeling chilly? Throw on some thermals. Fancy going for a workout? Throw on some thermals. Going on a hike where you go from hot to warm every five minutes? You know the rest.
It’s a good idea to pack some lightweight clothing which doesn’t take up much space in your bag and also dries really quickly when it’s been washed. The humidity can make you extremely sweaty and when this is the case, cotton isn’t your best friend.
Nike’s Dri-Fit material is very effective in keeping you cool and not sticking to your body in intense heat like cotton usually does and if you’re going to colder climates, packing thermal base layers would save you tonnes of space instead of packing thick hoodies and jumpers.
10. Foldable day backpack
As mentioned when recommending which backpack is best for your travels, if you opt for the 40L but still want a day backpack which it does not come with, this is the perfect option.
I figured I could kill two birds with one stone by purchasing the cheaper backpack and a foldable day back separately which worked really well. I was conscious of the material quality since you’d think it would have to be extremely thin to fold up and carry fairly heavy items.
After researching and comparing many alternatives, the Gonex 20L Packable backpack was the winner due to its ability to carry a large amount and fold itself into a convenient little pouch which kept storage space at a minimal in your main bag. The material is alarmingly thin on first impression, however it handles heavyweight devices and clothing with no rips or tears whatsoever.
Just ensure you don’t put any sharp items in the bag as you don’t want to be puncturing it.
There are also really cool colours to choose from! So, I went with black.
11. Spare phone charging cables
I must’ve lost around four cables and magically gained two so you’ll undoubtedly lose them or forget them along the way. I found that it’s worth buying the extra-long cables just in case the plug socket is too far out of your reach when you want to lie in bed whilst in your hostel updating everyone back home with the “remember me?” message.
12. Comfortable walking shoes
Make sure you take care of your feet because you’ll put doing some serious mileage during your trip!
You’ll be walking long distances constantly for long periods of time so you don’t want footwear which is going to rub your heel and give you those pesky blisters.
I religiously follow and love Adidas’ Ultraboost shoes. They are by far the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn and although they can be on the pricey side, they do take some damage so keep in mind that they probably won’t be looking so fresh-faced on your return.
Your feet will be in good hands with brands such as New Balance, Nike (even at the cheaper end), Asics and Sketchers.
13. Packing Cubes
I had never heard about them prior to departing yet saw them being constantly mentioned on travel websites and from friends who had travelled before.
If you like to be organised with your packing and have t-shirts in one cube, shorts and medical supplies in another then they will be ideal and keep your goods nicely organised so you’re not rustling around a clump of clothes trying to find that one particular pair of socks you love.
I’ve found that Gonex have durable travel equipment and I used their packing cubes which didn’t rip nor did the zips snap off during my adventures which is all you can ask for!
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