Backpackers Pack list

   Lots of people ask me for handy hints on what to take or not to take on a large trip. I travel fairly lightly (it could be lighter), I have travelled a lot, and I have worked in a travel goods shop selling all those expensive travel items (see below) that may or may not be worth buying... so I might be a good person to ask.

   As a general rule, you can travel with 2 sets of clothes, one for today while the other is being washed. I admit I travel with about 3.5 sets. If you get efficient with your laundering* and you'll get one set washed and dried each time you settle in for the night.
   For a woman, I would say that a set of clothes, to keep you versatile in a variety of climates, is:- a tank top, a T-shirt, a long sleeved shirt, bra, shorts, and long trousers. You will need twice as many (4 sets) of socks, and panties. Real panties (Briefs), obviously, will take up more space than G-Strings (thongs), but they'll also keep your trousers fresher longer. Also in clothing you will need a sweater and jacket, and a hat.
   Men could probably pack a similar bunch of stuff, but without any bras!

On expensive travel goods stuff
   Expensive travel items usually take up less space and will wash and dry really well overnight. The synthetic fabric of them also usually gets smelly faster. If I'm not doing anything too strenuous then I can usually wear a cotton shirt for 2 days before laundering it. But a synthetic travel shirt will only last me a day.
   So, for me, I would actually take a mix of speciality travel clothes and normal clothes.... for hiking I like an old** worn long sleeved cotton work-shirt, but I like to team it with some speciality travel trousers. Not all travel clothing is the same. If you buy cheap you might find yourself hotter when the weather is hot and colder when the weather is cold. You might also find yourself smellier! I love the superfine merino wool products, but the ones made in China aren't as good. Find Australian or New Zealand made brands and I think you will smell less and be more comfortable. Be warned! Check the label! Although a brand was once manufactured in NZ, it might now be manufactured in China, and the quality hasn't remained the same. In travel trousers I will give a special mention to New Zealand brand Earth Sea Sky, their travel trousers are fantastic, and I admit I haven't tried much else of theirs.

I haven't finished writing about what to take, so I will continue with another post soon. If you have any questions, please use my comments field to ask them.

Efficient Laundering
*Efficient laundering means washing your clothes as best you can, wringing them out really, really well, and then wrapping them in your towel and wringing them inside your towel before hanging them out to dry
**The old ones seem to dry faster and be more comfy.