This week’s blog post is all about our top Travel Essentials that are (in our opinion) necessary when backpacking! We tested all of them during our long and many travels around the world, and these particular ones collected here are the ones we would miss on our travels, if we forgot or lost them somewhere.
We get many questions about what things we would recommend packing and what is non-negotiable when backpacking or travelling in general, so here is the ultimate backpacking checklist.
Let’s start with the most important Travel Essential:
1. Backpack
A backpack is obviously the most important thing to have when backpacking! I’ll first tell you which ones we have and what we would recommend, including pros and cons, prices, and very importantly, how much space they offer.
Johanna’s Backpack: Deuter Aircontact Lite 50+10 backpack (colour: atlantic-ink)
(https://amzn.to/4npJ1pT)
Choosing a backpack was actually a tough decision. But after searching and comparing, I can say that I really love my backpack, it’s the perfect fit for me. The brand is Deuter, which offers high quality backpacks.
The back of the backpack is specially designed to fit the shape of your back, providing both comfort and stability. The material is also breathable, so it stays comfortable even when it’s super hot. There are two essential straps you should always use: one around your hips and one across your chest. These help distribute the weight and take a lot of pressure off your shoulders. Overall, the backpack includes several features that let you adjust it based on what’s inside and how it fits your body while carrying it. It easily holds 50 litres, and if you need extra space, you can extend the top to get an additional 10 litres.
Sometimes it’s a bit of a pain to carry a backpack this size, but I feel so much more comfortable, when i’m able to walk in a good speed and not have to worry about uneven streets, flooded paths, steps and so on. It’s also part of the backpacking vibe and to be honest I feel like this backpack is just really beautiful.
*One advice that’s actually quite important: when you’re flying, buy a rain-cover (you can find them in sport stores or online)! The Deuter backpack has so many straps and I’m always scared that they will get stuck during the transportation, and rip off or damage the backpack. Before checking-in the bag, I always add the rain-cover and try to make it as tight as possible, making sure all of the straps are inside.
Litres: 60 L (50 + 10)
Price: between 140 – 180€
Emma’s Backpack: Helion 80
(right now unfortunately not available anymore)
Mine is really good if you also want the option to drag your backpack like a suitcase and not just carry it on your back. I really liked having that option in general. But to be fair, I almost never used the function to carry it like a backpack, because it takes some time to switch, and it’s not worth the effort just for one set of stairs. Still, I really love my backpack and would recommend it to anyone who asks. What I like most is that you can fully open it, not just from the top and so you can use it like a cabinet during your travels, which I think is a must!
Litres: 80 litres
Price: 200 €
If you have enough money and can get your hands on an Osprey backpack, I recommend doing so! These are the most beautiful ones and don’t look too huge when you carry them. They combine the best features of both of our backpacks, but they are more expensive. Still, they can also be fully opened (not just from the top), they aren’t as big as mine, and they’re lighter too, so basically the optimal choice.
My cousins Backpack from Osprey: https://amzn.to/4lxXUVd
This one is not the combination of trolly and backpack but has a great litres and the best is, that you have a smaller and a bigger backpack in one!
But Johanna’s and mine are a bit of a cheaper version, which worked well for us too, and we love them dearly.
2. Microfibre Towels
(https://amzn.to/4lCAqOX)
Also a must in our opinion! It’s important to bring things that save as much space as possible because you have limited room, and big towels just take up too much of it. So microfibre towels are essential, they take up less space and dry super fast. The specific ones linked here are the ones we’ve used for years, and they still work perfectly.
3. Locks
(https://amzn.to/40lBoqH)
I’d say you need two locks per person for a big trip, one for your backpack, sometimes to keep it closed and secure, and also for lockers in hostels where you’ll need them quite often.
4. Packing Cubes
(https://amzn.to/4kjQmVe)
This is something I always recommend when someone asks about travel essentials. Packing cubes make it so much easier to store and organise your stuff. Especially if you have a backpack like Johanna’s, they save a lot of space and keep you from having to dig through everything. A MUST-HAVE!
5. Washing Leaves
(https://amzn.to/3TgTwhp)
Doing laundry in hostels can be a struggle, especially when you need detergent. Often you can buy some at the reception, but it’s expensive, or you buy a big pack and have to carry it around. We recommend using washing leaves, we still use the same ones that we bought for our big trip to Australia. They don’t take up much space, you can cut them smaller if needed, and a pack of 25 sheets is more than enough for a while.
6. Laundry Bag
(https://amzn.to/4nyrjRa)
We also brought a laundry bag on our travels so we could wash smaller items like socks and underwear without mixing them between us, because we wash our stuff together. The laundry bag has a lot of space, and we preferred using it in the washing machine, just so you don’t lose stuff.
7. Luggage Tags
(https://amzn.to/4lCcc7u)
A very important travel essential is a luggage tag. You can buy a multipack like we did, write your name and address on it, and if something gets lost, it can easily be returned to you.
8. Dishwashing Towel
Maybe unexpected, but Johanna’s mom gave us a dishwashing towel before we left for Australia, and we ended up needing it almost every day! Whether it’s for cooking in hostels where there’s no towel, cleaning up spills, or using it as a surface to sit or eat on, it’s a lifesaver, to say the least.
9. Tupperware
(https://amzn.to/3TgcPYd)
Also important if you plan to cook during your travels. Bring a Tupperware container to store food or snacks. This was essential for our cooking sessions and picnics.
Pro tip: bring a foldable one to save space.
1o. Cutlery Set
One of my personal favourites! People make fun of me for having a portable cutlery set (also in uni), but it’s super useful, especially when travelling. Sometimes it’s just better to have your own, whether you’re in a hostel or grabbing food on the go.
11. Travel Diary
(https://amzn.to/44JKY9a)
This is the travel diary we’re using! It suits our scrapbooking style of journaling the best, after trying a few different ones. It’s also the cheapest option with the best paper. A full post about our travel diaries is coming soon! But for now, if you are looking for a good one, this one is my favourite.
12. Hanging Toiletry Bag
(https://amzn.to/4ntQggh)
We bought this one before our trip, after seeing many videos of people telling us that we should get one that you can also hang somewhere and it’s so true! There’s often not much space in hostel bathrooms, and especially in gross showers, being able to hang your toiletry bag on the door and have everything organised is a game changer.
13. Tote Bag
A tote bag is also a lifesaver, whether you’re walking around the city, going into the kitchen to cook, or washing clothes. And the best thing about tote bags: you can buy them as souvenirs during your trip, wash them if they get dirty, and fold them really small when not in use.
14. Small Belt Bag (Worn Close to the Body)
A travel essential for clubbing or very crowded areas, it keeps your belongings safe and close to you. I always want my most important things right next to me when travelling.
15. Power Bank
(https://amzn.to/4lAQAIz)
No explanation needed! This one particular is my favourite, because it is so small and holds a lot of power.
Optional:
16. Clothesline
(https://amzn.to/40zPm8a)
Depends on whether you have access to a dryer, often you will, but maybe not always. We bought this one just in case but only needed it once.
17. Flashlight
(https://amzn.to/45VnKOB)
Also depends on how wild your adventures get and how much you are planning to camp or sth.
18. Pocket Knife
Very practical, especially since hostels rarely have good knives. I had one myself with me and loved it so much. I was so sad when it got stolen.
19. Small Jewellery Bag
(https://amzn.to/4nuaA16)
If you want to bring a variety of jewellery, like Johanna does, then this is a perfect organisation option.
20. Small Plastic Bags
Useful for many things, leaking products, dry shampoo, etc.
21. Sewing Kit
Important according to Jojo. To be fair, it did safe us some shirts and more.
22. Adapter
Ideally one with multiple plug options for worldwide usage.
These were the travel essentials that we think are most important when backpacking the world! The optional items are also helpful depending on how long and where you’re going, but they’re definitely worth considering as well.
Disclaimer: The links are to the products we personally use. You help us a little by clicking on them, but of course, if you don’t want to, there are great alternatives in your local shops too, no need to buy online, if you don’t want to!
If you have any travel essentials you can’t live without, let us know in the comments, maybe we’re missing out on something life-changing! Let’s help each other make travelling as easy and smooth as possible.
Now you can start your adventure, made easier with these amazing travel essentials that you can’t miss.
