Everything I actually carry.
Packing for a solo trip can be challenging when you’re not sure what you need. On this page, I’ve curated a list of my favorite items to pack anytime I travel. You can use this page to guide you while you pack your backpack, suitcase, or carry-on luggage.
Before you click anything.
Straight answer first. This packing list includes affiliate links which means my blog may earn commissions at no additional cost to you should you decide to purchase from this shop.
Nothing here costs you a cent more for being on this page, and every item is something I chose for my own bag before it ever appeared on this list.
If you only pack
five things.
Eighty-eight items is a lot to read through on a Tuesday night. These five do the most work in my bag — and every one of them appears again in the full list below.
75L Backpack Gregory The bag everything else lives inside. Carried long-term, not borrowed for a weekend. See it No. 02 
Anti-Theft Daypack Travelon What comes off the big bag and into the city, with the zips where you can see them. See it No. 03 
Noise Cancelling Headphones Sony XM4 Turns a fourteen-hour flight, or a night bus, into somewhere you can think. See it No. 04 
Power Bank Anker The difference between having a map and having a dead phone. See it No. 05 
Ereader Kindle Oasis Forty books for the weight of one, and it reads fine in full sun. See it and then the other eighty-three. The complete list is below, exactly as I pack it — nothing left out.
Fourteen categories. Eighty-eight things.
Jump to a sectionMain Luggage
These are the backpacks, bags, and suitcases I have personally used while traveling long-term.
Fig. 01
Electronics
As a digital nomad, technology is paramount to my travels. Carrying a lot of bulky tech may not appeal to everyone. If you also enjoy tech, here is what I would recommend:
Fig. 02
Photography
As a professional photographer and videographer, I carry a lot of bulky camera gear on my trips. I’ve tailored this section to what the average hobbyist may want to pack!
Fig. 03
Basic Gear
Packing should be thoughtful. Keep it simple, yet strategic. I prefer items that are comfortable, functional, and reusable.
Fig. 04
Airplane Essentials
The more hours you spend on a plane, the more you realize the importance of packing busywork. Here are some of my favorite essentials to help pass the time during long-haul flights.
Fig. 05
Health
While packing for your trip, remember to pack your most important items for your health & well-being.
Fig. 06
Safety
Traveling can be risky. Think about what you can pack to keep yourself safe. Although many things can be purchased overseas, you may find it difficult to locate familiar name brands.
Fig. 07
Beach Essentials
I’ll never turn down a day at the beach. Everything from sitting under the sun with a good book to jumping over waves and swimming with sea creatures amazes me. The best part about packing beach gear is that most of it is very lightweight!
Fig. 08
Adventure Essentials
You never know when you may decide to venture off the beaten path. Prepare for adventure by bringing along tools to help ensure your safety. I packed a solar panel to charge my electronics and I used it a few times while backpacking.
Fig. 09
Clothing & Accessories
Fashion is a very personal decision. Regardless of your gender, hopefully you can use this list to help guide your own apparel packing decisions.
Fig. 10
49 4 T-Shirts UNIQLO View 
50 2 Jeans Levi’s View 
51 2 Denim Shorts ASOS View 
52 2 Shorts ASOS View 
53 Fleece Jacket The North Face View 
54 Track Pants Adidas Tiro View 
55 Walking Sneakers Nike Air Force One View 
56 Running Sneakers Adidas Ultraboost View 
57 Down Puffer Jacket Eddie Bauer View 
58 Scarf Any View 
59 Bamboo Socks BAMBOO SPORTS View 
60 Boxer Briefs UNIQLO Airism View 
61 Button Down Half Sleeve Shirt Any View 
62 Capacitive Gloves Any View 
63 Warm Socks UNIQLO View 
64 Smart Watch Apple Watch View Curly Hair Care
Some people don’t care what shampoo or conditioner they use. As someone with naturally curly hair, I’ve always been very particular about which products I use.
Fig. 11
Personal Care
If there’s products you like to use, make sure you pack them. Beard oil is something I heavily rely on and it turned out to be difficult to find in certain countries. Also, if you wear glasses… you may want a backup pair. If you wear contacts, make sure you bring enough!
Fig. 12
69 Razor / Trimmer Philips OneBlade View 
70 Beard Trimmer Wahl View 
71 Beard Oil Can You Handlebar View 
72 Argan Oil Shea Moisture View 
73 Eyeglasses Warby Parker View 
74 Contact Lenses Acuvue Oasys View 
75 Eye Rewetting Drops Blink View 
76 Skin Moisturizer Neutrogena View 
77 Nail Clippers Any View 
78 Microfiber Cloth Any View 
79 Travel Sized Bottles Any View 
80 Solid Alum Deodorant Any View Tea Addiction
I’m a tea lover. I’ve had a cup of dragonwell green tea every day since June 2015 when I visited Hangzhou, China and fell in love with it.
Fig. 13
Miscellaneous
This section is for various non-essential items that could come in handy if you have them while traveling. They certainly make traveling a bit easier!
Fig. 14
The Travel Field Guide. Yours, free.
Everything above is the kit. The guide is the part that tells you what to do with it — building a route, a worked budget, your first thirty minutes in a new country, and the border days nobody warns you about.
Pack it. Then go.
Packing should be thoughtful. Keep it simple, yet strategic — and the list above is where mine landed after years of carrying it through airports, night buses and border queues. Take what’s useful. Leave the rest at home.
This packing list includes affiliate links which means my blog may earn commissions at no additional cost to you should you decide to purchase from this shop. Prices and availability change without warning, and every link goes straight to the retailer.
