Backpacker Pack List continued, again!

Ok, continuing on with what to take backpacking...

Towel
   I really don't like travel towels and prefer to travel with an old worn cotton towel. But I did wish I had a little towel for my feet and and Croc sandals.

A friend had this little towel-in-pouch. I wished I had one.

Toiletries
   I have travelled with people who travel with a tremendous lot of bathroom products, but I've got no intention of being a beauty queen, and so I just keep things pretty basic. Here's one thing that you can learn.... it seems that, in my experience, toilet paper is available in most parts of the world. Yes, you might need to carry a roll, but no, you won't need to bring it from home!
   Regarding shampoo, if you can get to a Lush shop you can get a shampoo bar, other shops might sell them too leave a comment if you know of places). Used correctly (not much is needed each time) a bar will last for ages. I wash my hair about twice a week and I made one bar last a whole year. I kept it in a sock made of the same stuff as what winter tights (ladies) are made from, and I kept regular soap in the other sock of the pair. These socks kept the bars together, and kept the space taken up in my toiletries bag to a minimum.
   I discovered that a good comb was sufficient enough, and I didn't need to carry a hairbrush. You will probably want a moisturiser. In Peru I discovered buying individual satchels of Ponds moisturiser was cheaper than buying a tub, and the satchels were more convenient.
   To shave, look for shaving oil, a little bottle lasts a long time.
   Nappy pins are essential.... daily to hang a wet facecloth to dry, and you are bound to find other uses.
   Important! Toiletry bags are much better if they have a strong, large hook to hang them with. If it doesn't you might have to sit your bag on a wet bench.
   Finally, GIRLS ONLY, a menstrual cup (see http://menstrualcups.org/ to find out more) works wonders at home and whilst travelling. They are easy to use, just take a bottle of clean water with you to the toilet when it's time to deal with it. When you have a menstrual cup you won't have to search for pads or tampons ever again.

Miscellaneous Travel Essentials
   A swim shirt! Australians call them 'Rashies'. They protect your skin from the sun, especially whilst swimming (because a regular shirt doesn't perform as well when wet). These are great, especially if you are travelling alone and not comfortable the stares of locals or wanting to ask any Tom to rub suncream on your back.
   A hat - preferably a broad brim hat that you can fold or stuff into your bag.
   Suncream
   Sunglasses.
   A first aid kit. From the travel doctor.
   Pen, notebook.

Well, that, I think, covers it!


  

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.