For most trips, one week of clothing and a regular laundry stop are enough. A lighter backpack is easier to carry between stations, hostels and hiking trails. This is the compact packing list I use.
Clothes
- One week worth of clothes, max. I do a load of laundry every week.
- One warmer layer (hoodie, fleece, whatever) for nights or higher altitudes.
- Underwear and socks can get dirty fast, bring enough to rotate.
- Shoes: one solid pair for walking, eventually flip flops or something similar.
- Choose clothes that can be washed together without separating colours.
- Sunglasses / Cap
Note: Everybody wear the same clothes a couple time, if you don’t sweat too much, use a t-shirt for two days. If you can’t wash a cloth right away, air dry it so it remains ‘fresh’, then pack it aside your other clothes. Drink enough water, you don’t want to have sweat touching your clothes, otherwise they will smell. Showers twice a day if possible, it also help maintaining clean clothes.
Sleep & Comfort
- Sleeping mask: useful on planes, buses and in shared rooms.
- Earplugs: useful in shared rooms unless, like me, you are hearing impaired.
- Lightweight towel: Dries fast and doesn’t take too much space. Useful as a spare.
Health & Hygiene
- Wet wipes: Replace TP or showers when camping.
- Antibacterial gel: use it often, especially before eating. If going to India, you’ll have to resupply along the way.
- Bandaids and sterile compresses: I seldom use them for myself, but I saved a few with them.
- Diarrhoea medication: carry the medication you normally use rather than relying on finding the same product abroad.
- Dry soap and shampoo: small, doesn’t leak, often ecological.
- Toothbrush and toothpaste.
- File/Nail trimmer.
Electronics
- USB cables, at least two, just in case.
- Power bank: useful on long journeys and where charging points are limited.
- Adapter: You can find universal blocks online, some even charge multiple devices at once.
- Reader: A Kindle or a Kobo are nice things to have, lighter than books and they last a while
- Earphones: useful in shared rooms and on public transport.
Other
- A sewing kit.
- A pen. Bloody useful for customs forms and border crossings.
- Foldable hiking poles: Ok, that take some space, but as I’m getting older, I’m becoming more fragile while going down slopes. It’s also useful when hiking above 5000 meters.
- Sun screen.
The Rule
If an item has no clear use on the planned route, leave it behind. Most ordinary toiletries and clothing can be replaced during the trip, although specialised equipment may be harder to find.
Travel light and keep it simple: every unnecessary kilo feels ten times heavier after a week.
