Our Backpacks.

Edited by: E. Gray Editing

Everyone loves traveling; whether it is a weekend road trip or a two week vacation or backpacking across the countries. But with travel comes the one thing most dislike, trying to decide what bag to use, what to pack, what you actually need for the trip and trying to leave room for some souvenirs. After a few trips under our belts, doing some general research and talking with fellow travellers, here is what I have figured out and works for me.

We each travel with two backpacks; one large bag (checked) and a small day bag (carry on). We did a lot of research before purchasing our bags, read online reviews and went to local stores and to see the bags first hand.

I use the Osprey Farpoint 75L Trek bag. I picked it because the front opens up fully which makes packing or finding things easier, it has a full waterproof cover for protection when travelling and I liked the look of the bag. The reviews online for this bag were great and Osprey also has a really good warranty.

My day bag (carry on), is a High Sierra backpack that I got on AirMiles using rewards. They do not have it listed on their website, so I can not tell you the name.

This bag has a laptop case in the back that can also hold a tablet, a bigger area that can hold clothes/books etc, a small section for pens/accessories and on top a glass case holder. I really wanted a day bag that had a separate space for my laptop, this makes it easier for airport security. I did originally have a Thule day bag and found it too small, with no direct access to my laptop.

Let's talk about packing, I will start by saying I over packed the first few trips. Even with the amount of reading of online blogs and talking to friends who travel, I STILL over packed! My spouse even advised me to remove some items and I didn't listen (doesn’t it suck when your spouse is right?).

There is nothing worse than backpacking with a heavy backpack. That heavy backpack will make you slow and unbalanced. Most of the sidewalks or roads in South East Asia, South Africa and Europe are uneven, cracked, have large gaps, have local shop/ restaurant displays that you have to weave around, are crowded and sometimes are just dangerous. Having a big heavy backpack on your back and your little day bag on your front trying to navigate these roads and sidewalks in the heat, IT SUCKS!

Now what I figured out is; if you forget it at home you can buy it. It may not be exactly what you have at home, but who cares. You can fix the problem. You do not think you brought enough clothes? Let me be first to tell you, you did! Laundry is doable anywhere and it's cheap. The most expensive one we found in South East Asia was $2 CAD for someone else to wash, dry and fold our laundry and they have it ready by end of day! SO WORTH IT!

While with friends they mentioned they had over packed as well. They told us how cheap it was to send the clothing or whatever they had purchased home. There is another option if you are on a long haul trip and overpack or buy a few souvenirs, the postal offices are easy to find and the people are very helpful and friendly. Ship it home!

We also started leaving clothes or items behind that we found we were not using. The shorts or shirts that were all of sudden a size too big, left it behind in the Hostel or if it was in good condition still gave it to someone. This lightened our bags and made room or any new items.

Since I have now shown you my learning curves after backpacking South Africa and South East Asia, I can say that I pack differently now than I did then. This is what I now pack, in my Osprey back pack, when we generally travel for 4 to 5 months.

My packing list:

- 1 pair of jeans or leggings (I wear these on the plane)

- 1 zip up sweater (I wear this on the plane)

- oversized scarf (I wear this on the plane, doubles as a blanket)

- rain coat (I wear this on the plane)

- bathing suit cover

- 1 bathing suit

- microfibre towel

- 2 t-shirts (I wear one on the plane)

- 2 tank tops

- 1 bra (I wear the second one the plane)

- underwear (4) and pjs (2)

- socks (5)

- 1 dress

- bag of tampons/other feminine accessories (in SEA these are expensive and hard to find)

- hat

- copies of passport, travel insurance, vaccinations and diving log book

- travel size hair blow dryer and straighter

- shampoo and conditioner

- sunscreen and bug spray

- toiletry bag - face wash, nail clippers, sewing kit etc.

- corkscrew/bottle opener

- flip flops/sandals

- a reusable grocery bag

- zip lock bags - sandwich and large size

- bounce sheets (placed throughout bag)

Additional items in his bag:

- GoPro & accessories

- snorkelling mask

- multi tool

My day bag/carry on:

- lap top

- tablet (with my e-books)

- glasses and sunglasses

- 1 bathing suit

- 1 pair of shorts

- 2 pairs of underwear

- 2 pairs of socks

- travel pants

- sports bra

- make up bag - cover up, tooth paste, tooth brush and face cream

- microfiber face cloth

- medicine, hand wipes and extra face masks

- mints and snacks

- travel adapter, power cord, charging cords, external hard drive, charging adapter, spare phone and headphones

- travel pillow

- sleep mask

- water bottle

My purse:

- Passports, extra visa pictures, international driver licence

- Purel, tissues, and wet wipes

- wallet - ID (drivers licence and health card), credit card and bank card

- phone

- lip chap

- pen

Living out of a backpack for 4 to 5 months out of the year is amazing. Before you leave you have to consider where you’re going and what you will be doing, and only take the essentials. With saying that everyone is different, some people would prefer a suitcase, others a carry on and some a backpack. Do what works best for you!

Hope this helps. Cheers!

**Please note that all opinions and views expressed in this post are my own, from my own experiences. If you would like to see more pictures follow me on Instagram vikki.gray

This post is edited and proofed by E.Gray Editing (https://www.egrayediting.com )**