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Backpacking Asia Packing List: Everything You Need

08/02/2024 by Laura Meyers 65 Comments

If you’re going backpacking in Asia, one of the most important things to consider before leaving is your packing list. What items will you need, and which ones can better be left at home?

Asia is an incredibly diverse continent, so what you will have to keep in mind when packing largely depends on the country or countries you are visiting and the activities you will be doing. That’s why this packing list is divided into a few categories: you will find a general packing list first, followed by others depending on your chosen region and activities.

These lists were based on two years of experience backpacking all over Asia. They include everything you will (and won’t) need, and are full of insider tips.

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • Backpacking Asia: Packing List
  • What to Pack for Beach Holidays in Asia
  • What to Pack for a (Multiday) Hiking Trip
  • What to Pack for Southeast Asia
  • What to Pack for Conservative Countries
  • Backpacking Asia Packing List: Final Thoughts

Backpacking Asia: Packing List

Backpacking in Vietnam
Backpacking in Vietnam

When it comes to a backpacking trip, it’s good to travel light. You will have to carry your belongings around your entire trip after all, and there’s nothing worse than a pack that you can hardly lift (believe me, I’ve been there).

So keep this in mind and seriously consider what you actually need when packing. If you leave an item at home but end up needing it, you can always borrow it from someone or buy it at your destination.

Backpacks and luggage

Backpacking in Asia

First things first. Some of the most important items that you will need are backpacks and other bags.

I recommend bringing the following:

  • A big backpack: A 60-liter pack like Osprey’s Gregory Deva should be sufficient for most trips.
  • A day pack: Your day pack should fit what you need for a day trip. For me, a 20-liter pack is perfect, as it fits all of my photography gear as well as a rain jacket, snacks, and a water bottle.
  • A backpack rain cover: This will protect your backpack (and what’s in it) if you get caught in the rain. I have one for both of my bags and use them all the time when I’m backpacking in Asia.
  • A little backpack or purse: These don’t take up too much space in your luggage, and they’re nice to have when you’re going out for dinner, for example.
  • A toiletry bag: This speaks for itself. My next one will be a hanging toiletry bag, as I think these must be amazing to travel with!
  • A laundry bag: Some travelers like to put their dirty laundry in a compression bag instead, which helps save some space.
  • Packing cubes: I’ve never used these myself, but many travelers swear by them, as they help you organize your luggage.

Essentials

Bring the following items on any trip, but on top of that, a packing list like this wouldn’t be complete without them.

  • Your passport and visa: Make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months from the date of departure.
  • A wallet, bank cards, and money: Let your bank know that you’re traveling outside of the continent so that it doesn’t block your card on suspicion of fraud. This happened to me in Africa, and it was a hassle to get it unblocked.
  • Your phone and charger
  • Flight and accommodation bookings: Unless you have an international SIM card, you won’t be able to access the internet once you land at your destination, so it’s good to save your bookings on your phone or print them out.
  • Travel insurance: Although I hope nothing bad occurs during your trip, you never know what might happen, and so it’s really important to have travel insurance just in case. A visit to the doctor might not be very expensive in Asia, but it’s a whole other story if you end up in the hospital or need to be repatriated. I personally use SafetyWing.
  • A travel adapter: This is one of these items that are often forgotten, but it’s a crucial to charging your batteries when the power sockets don’t match your plugs.

Clothing

Backpacking Asia clothing

An important thing to consider when packing clothes is which countries you will visit and how conservative they are. Packing for Vietnam, for example, isn’t the same as packing for India, but more about this later in this post.

Other things to keep in mind are the type of activities you will do and the weather. Cotton, linen, and silk are good fabrics for hot weather; wool, cashmere, and fleece are great for cold weather.

I like to bring layers, and clothes with colors that fit well together. This allows me to pack light, because I can make plenty of combinations and create different outfits easily.

Here’s a suggested list:

  • 2 tank tops
  • 2 T-shirts
  • 1 long-sleeve shirt
  • 2 pairs of pants: Don’t bring jeans โ€” they’re heavy and take ages to dry.
  • 2 pairs of shorts
  • 1 skirt
  • 2 dresses
  • 1 sweater
  • 1 fleece
  • 1 rain jacket
  • 1 bathing suit: Bring two if you’re gonna spend a lot of time at the beach.
  • Sleepwear
  • 2 bras
  • 10 pairs of underwear
  • 7 pairs of socks

Toiletries

Razor and toothbrush

While you can purchase nearly all toiletry products in Asia (tampons are an exception), some of these tend to be more expensive, and you might not find your go-to brands. You should also be aware that many lotions have whitening ingredients on this continent.

So, when it comes to toiletries, I like to bring all of the things I need with me. I even bring two or three deodorants or bottles of sunscreen for longer trips.

Here’s a suggested list:

  • Toothpaste and toothbrush
  • Shower gel or soap
  • Facewash
  • Shampoo and conditioner: You can opt for solid shampoo and conditioner too. They’re better for the environment, and they take up less space in your luggage!
  • A hairbrush
  • Sunscreen: It can be hard to find sunscreen of good quality in Asia, so make sure to bring enough.
  • After-sun lotion: This is even harder to find than good sunscreen.
  • Moisturizer
  • Lip balm
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Deodorant: In most Asian countries, deodorant is more expensive than in Western countries, so this is one of these items that you don’t want to forget.
  • Cotton swabs
  • A razor: Safety razors last for a lifetime; you just need to replace the blades.
  • Nail clipper
  • Tweezers
  • Feminine products: Tampons are taboo in many Asian countries, so pack enough if you use them. Otherwise, a menstrual cup is a good alternative.
  • A medical kit: Make sure to bring prescription medication, Imodium, Motilium, paracetamol (acetaminophen), motion sickness medicine, antibacterial ointment, and bandages. If you visit your doctor before leaving, s/he might suggest you bring antibiotics as well.
  • Earplugs: Asian cities tend to be a bit loud, so I like to bring earplugs. It depends on where you’re traveling, but they can be hard to find in Asia, so I always bring plenty.
  • Bug spray

Accessories

Backpacking in Asia

Most of these accessories are light and don’t take up too much space. They can come in incredibly handy, though!

  • A scarf: This is one of my favorite travel items! It can also serve as a pillow, a blanket, and a beach cover-up.
  • Sunglasses
  • A sun hat
  • A refillable water bottle and Steripen: You can fill your water bottle for free in many hotels or hostels, which is nice.
  • A quick-dry towel: If you’re going to stay in hostels, you will need a quick-dry towel, as this type of accommodation often doesn’t provide towels. Apart from that, you can also use this item if you’re going to swim in waterfalls, for example.
  • A sleep liner: I can’t recall the number of times that I checked into a cheap ho(s)tel and the bedsheets weren’t clean. A sleep liner is a lifesaver when this happens.
  • A combination lock
  • A pen

Shoes

Shoes can take up quite some space in your backpack, and they’re not the lightest items out there, so don’t pack too many of them.

You can buy shoes cheaply anywhere in Asia, so you can always get a new pair if you need more.

  • Sneakers
  • Flip-flops
  • Sandals: I don’t bring sandals myself; I use my flip-flops instead. It’s not very elegant, but it does save some space in my luggage.

Electronics

Backpacking in Asia

Not everyone is going to pack all of these items. It depends on the type of backpacker that you are โ€” you might be able to go without a camera, GoPro, drone, e-reader, and/or laptop during your trip.

A power bank and chargers, on the other hand, are some backpacking essentials for Asia that should be on any list.

  • A power bank: I use my phone all the time when I travel, and a power bank saved me a couple of times when my phone was about to die while I was using it to navigate.
  • Headphones
  • An e-reader or book
  • Chargers
  • A camera: If you’re traveling solo, a lightweight tripod can come in handy too.
  • A GoPro: What’s nice about a GoPro is that it can film and take pictures underwater as well.
  • A drone: The DJI Mini II is perfect for travel, as it’s super light.
  • A laptop

What to Pack for Beach Holidays in Asia

Beach in Asia

Apart from bathing suits, sunscreen, and some accessories, the following items will come in handy too if you’re planning on spending a lot of time at the beach:

  • A beach bag
  • A dry bag : This will keep your belongings dry if you decide to hop on a boat, for example.
  • A sarong: You could easily buy one all over Asia!
  • A beach towel
  • A snorkel: It all depends on where you’re going, but in many countries (like Sri Lanka, for example), you can rent a snorkel at the beach.

What to Pack for a (Multiday) Hiking Trip

Hiking in Asia

If you’re planning on doing a lot of hiking or if you’re going on multiday treks, you will need hiking clothes along with some extra items.

What you need to pack depends on the duration of your hike and the weather at your destination, but the following items are essential:

  • Hiking pants or leggings
  • A tank top or a thin, long-sleeved shirt 
  • A sports bra
  • Hiking boots: Make sure they’re comfortable and that you break them in before your trip.
  • Hiking socks: They’re more breathable than regular socks, and they help prevent blisters.
  • A rain jacket: A light and breathable rain jacket is great to have when you’re hiking in the rain.
  • A buff: This is a multifunctional item that can be used as a mask, bandana, scarf, hairband, etc.
  • A headlamp: In case you need to hike in the dark or if you’re planning on camping

If it’s cold, you will want to pack warm, layered clothes. I suggest you bring the following items too:

  • A puff jacket: Make sure itโ€™s warm, windproof, and water-resistant.
  • Thermal underwear
  • A beanie
  • Warm gloves

For multiday hikes, you will need to bring some extras, listed below. It’s possible to rent this gear in some places, though. It wouldn’t make sense to carry a tent and sleeping bag with you for your entire trip if you’re only going to use it once or twice. If it’s not possible to rent these items, you could ask if you can borrow them from someone or buy them at your destination and sell them once you’re done.

  • A lightweight tent
  • A sleeping bag
  • A sleeping mat
  • Hiking poles

What to Pack for Southeast Asia

Backpacking in Cambodia, Southeast Asia
Backpacking in Cambodia

When making a packing list for a backpacking trip to Southeast Asia, it’s good to keep in mind that many countries there are moderately conservative. This is due to the influence of religions like Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam.

While tank tops and shorts are fine in most Southeast Asian countries (like Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia, to name a few), you will have to cover your shoulders and knees to enter temples.

As this part of the world is more conservative compared to the West, I usually stick to maxi skirts and long dresses and always carry a scarf with me.

Keep in mind that Malaysia and a big part of Indonesia are majority Muslim and more conservative, though, which brings us to the next section.

What to Pack for Conservative Countries

Backpacking in India
A typical outfit while backpacking in India

If you visit more conservative countries like India, Nepal, some parts of Indonesia, and many Central Asian nations, it’s extra important to keep the culture in mind when packing. These are not the right places for spaghetti tops and shorts, but maxi dresses, maxi skirts, loose pants, and scarves are your best friends here.

As a woman, the best way to dress respectfully is by covering your cleavage, shoulders, and knees, and wearing conservative, loose-fitting clothes.

Keep in mind that you’re a guest in the country and that it’s important to respect the local culture.

Backpacking Asia Packing List: Final Thoughts

I hope that these lists will help you prepare for your trip to Asia. It can be a little daunting to figure out what to pack and what to leave at home, but one of the best tips I can give you is to travel light. Most of the backpackers I met complained about bringing too much stuff and ended up dropping things on the way (this includes me).

Finally, here are some other posts and itineraries that will help you plan your trip further:

What to Pack for Backpacking in Southeast Asia
The Only Backpacking Checklist Youโ€™ll Ever Need
10 of the Best Places in Asia for Solo Female Travelers
The Ultimate Southeast Asia Itinerary
The Ultimate Backpacking Vietnam Route Planner
The Ideal Thailand Backpacking Route


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About Laura Meyers

Laura Meyers has been traveling solo since 2017. She's mostly drawn to lesser-known destinations where she loves to adventure and immerse herself in the local culture. In 2022, Laura exchanged her 9 to 5 for a life on the road and she's been traveling across Asia ever since. Apart from writing for Be My Travel Muse, Laura also shares her guides and itineraries on her blog, www.laurewanders.com.

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Comments

  1. Rika | Cubicle Throwdown says

    09/07/2013 at 4:58 pm

    I’m always so impressed by how people pack! I’m getting better, but I don’t think I could live out of a 35L backpack (especially with four cameras!) Well done!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      09/07/2013 at 5:16 pm

      Thanks! It’s a challenge but worth it.

      Reply
  2. Victoria Ellen Lee says

    09/07/2013 at 9:16 pm

    Super impressed that you manage with a 35L bag! After lots of ummimg and erring I got a wheeled backpack before I left for my trip. Best packing decision I made!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      09/08/2013 at 11:57 am

      There were definitely times when wheels would have been very nice!

      Reply
  3. Toni says

    09/08/2013 at 11:07 am

    Thanks for the tip about the red filter for the GoPro – I never would have thought about it Kristen ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      09/08/2013 at 11:52 am

      Helps sooooo much

      Reply
  4. Jo (The Blond) says

    09/09/2013 at 4:59 am

    I got excited about the Diva Cup and the read that it’s only for the under 30s. Damn it! It seems like working holiday visa is not the only thing I’m missing on due to my age :/

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      09/09/2013 at 4:17 pm

      There’s also a version for over 30 but age is just a number so who gives a sh*t what the packaging says? Get it girl!

      Reply
  5. Aimee says

    01/10/2014 at 7:36 pm

    I love the Diva Cup. And yes, it comes in 30. It can take a little while to get used to, but it’s worth it!

    Reply
    • Aimee says

      01/10/2014 at 7:37 pm

      Was supposed to be under 30 & over 30 sizes, but the comment box didn’t like the symbols.

      Reply
    • Kristin says

      01/13/2014 at 5:46 am

      Yep, takes a while to get used to but it works really well once you get the hang of it ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  6. Sean Stanton says

    01/14/2014 at 3:10 pm

    Hey love the site, great info you’ve given me loads of ideas of places to go when i go traveling this october.
    I was wondering where did you store your bag/laptop when you where out travelling for the day. Is it safe to leave at hostels???
    I’m thinking of bring a macbook and SLR like your self, kinda worried about them.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      01/14/2014 at 7:51 pm

      Use the lockers at the hostel and when they’re not available I’d suggest a pac safe wire mesh bag as mentioned in the post

      Reply
  7. Jimmy Dau says

    03/12/2014 at 4:49 am

    That LED light on the lock is genius! Would you say that the packing cubes are only handy for organising things or can they actually save overall space as well?

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      03/12/2014 at 11:48 pm

      Packing cubes are probably the most important thing on this list. They compress clothing and create space.

      Reply
  8. Pablo says

    03/12/2014 at 9:10 am

    You should add to the list vacuum bags for your clothes. I used them. Solid.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      03/12/2014 at 11:47 pm

      Once you open them how do you seal them again without a vacuum?

      Reply
      • rob says

        05/30/2015 at 10:07 am

        You roll them from the open end and it squeezes the air out which cannot then get back in, they are brilliant, very inexpensive too, search travel compression bag

        Reply
        • Kristin says

          05/30/2015 at 3:14 pm

          I will! Thanks

          Reply
    • Molly says

      10/30/2015 at 11:46 am

      I use large ziplock bags! WAAAY cheaper than “official” vacuum bags and they work great. Best part? If they get lost/stolen/torn they are cheap to replace. You can also travel with tons of them as they are so thin. Lifesavers!

      Reply
      • Kristin says

        10/30/2015 at 3:29 pm

        I haven’t ever used a vacuum bag but the packing cube I bought was maybe $24 and I’ve had it for over three years now despite the constant abuse I put it through. Love it!

        Reply
  9. Kenneth says

    03/12/2014 at 10:58 am

    Like many others, I am impressed you only carry 35L. Thank you for this list as it made me think about my list and how I could further improve it.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      03/12/2014 at 11:46 pm

      I used to. Now I do have a 70L because I’m in cold climates. I miss my 35L SO MUCH, though. If you are going to be in warm climates definitely go as light as possible.

      Reply
  10. Dave Briggs says

    03/12/2014 at 11:07 am

    Just wondering how your are finding your Kindle since you wrote the post. Have you noticed the battery life steadily declining, or does it still keeps its charge?

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      03/12/2014 at 11:45 pm

      Well, I had it for about a year before leaving on the plane on the last flight home in August. After managing the whole ten months of traveling without having anything stolen or losing anything, I left it on the darn plane! i loved it so much I got another one and 7 months later I haven’t really noticed it losing charge.

      Reply
  11. Evan says

    03/12/2014 at 2:12 pm

    thanks for sharing. I’m getting ready to pack all of these things for my trip to SE Asia!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      03/12/2014 at 11:43 pm

      Are you taking off soon? I remember your email from this summer when you were prepping. Have a blast!

      Reply
  12. CBrennan says

    03/20/2014 at 1:01 pm

    Hi, love your blog. It’s been really helpful as I set out to plan a 6 month trip to SE Asia!

    I was wondering if you think your 35L bag is the max that you could have to use it as a carry on. Most of the selection I see in Canada where I live is either 30L or 40L bags, but I don’t want to push it with the size (and 30L is probably smaller than I can manage).

    In your travels, have you seen many other travellers getting away with using a 40 L as a carry on?

    Thank you and happy travels:)

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      03/20/2014 at 7:47 pm

      Almost nobody else traveled as light as I did, but I never regretted it. I think 35L might be the max but best ask the airline you plan to use. When I few Air Asia i just wore the bag on my back when I checked into flights and when they asked if I was checking any baggage I smiled and said no. No more questions asked (that will vary by location, though, and how much of a power trip the agent is on)

      Reply
  13. Liz says

    04/18/2014 at 11:23 pm

    This is a great post, thanks for all the tips!

    How did you carry your DSLR when you travelled, was it always around your neck, or did you pack it away? Did you ever wish you had a bigger shoulder bag where you could hold your camera? I’m planning a 2 week trip and am torn between comfort (packed away) versus access (around my neck or in a messenger bag) ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      04/19/2014 at 12:08 am

      I carried it in my messenger bag. It fit just fine in there. I wouldn’t carry it around my neck unless I was actively using it.

      Reply
  14. Caitie says

    05/18/2014 at 12:03 pm

    Hi,
    My name is Caitie, (a fellow Newport Beach resident) who is taking off to travel this January. Thanks for the packing list, I have traveled SEAsia before, but always sort of used whatever since I was living there and only really did week trips around the area, but now planning for a longer trip, I have found this list really helpful. I will make sure to use your links to purchase:) Question, how do you like your REI travel pack, is it really big enough? I know I don’t want to have to check bags with air asia, what is your experience with that?

    Thanks and if you want to check out my travels, my website is balancedbackpacker.com

    Happy Travels

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      05/20/2014 at 8:28 am

      It was excellent for my first year of traveling. I’ve had to upgrade since going to colder climates but I miss the small simplicity of that bag. I never checked it with Air Asia, i just carried on.

      Reply
  15. Julia says

    06/17/2014 at 2:59 pm

    Hi! thanks for these great tips! I will be traveling through SE Asia in September and am reading everything on ur blog. I’ll be sure to use the links you provided to buy some of this gear. I am wondering how you dealt with vaccinations. Based on the CDC website I would have to spend a fortune getting all the recommended vaccines. Any suggestions? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      06/18/2014 at 8:30 am

      Hi Julia, thanks for the kind words! Yes, I’d suggest going to your county health care clinic because they’ll be the cheapest. Do that as far ahead of your trip as possible because they tend to book up. I went into detail on this post: https://www.bemytravelmuse.com/travel-healthcare-immunizations/

      Reply
  16. Emily says

    08/06/2014 at 6:20 am

    Do you use any other equipment with your go pro? I have one but am unsure what accessories to take with me for SCUBA diving and the like. Do you use a wrist housing? One of those pole thingys? And thanks for the tip on the red filter! I’m a huge diver so that will seriously come in handy.

    I’m leaving next month to travel with a 38 L pack but I’ll be in Nepal (for lots of trekking) and Northern India when it’s cold (Nov/Dec/Jan) so hearing you upgraded for cold weather has me worried! lol

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      08/06/2014 at 5:25 pm

      I actually just hand hold my camera when I dive. I have a chesty harness as well but use that more on motorbikes and at music festivals since your BCD is covering where the harness would go.

      It’ll be hard to fit everything for cold weather, but it was hot at the lower elevations in Nepal where I stashed my bag. I took a much smaller one trekking and ditched all the stuff I bought in Pokhara. It will be hard to do the treks in December though, as weather may snow it out.

      Reply
  17. Sarah says

    09/05/2014 at 11:17 am

    Hi, thanks for the great tips!
    I’ve just ordered a Diva Cup. But I’ve got a question about it…how do you sterilize the Diva Cup on the road? Or do you just wash it of with clean water and soap?

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      09/09/2014 at 6:58 am

      There is a diva wash but I use water and soap.

      Reply
  18. Sheri says

    09/25/2014 at 9:36 am

    Hi Kristin! How do you carry your camera AND your extra lens? Do they both fit in your pac safe bag? I want to bring my dslr but often use my wide angle and another lens. I love that pacsafe you use, but can’t see being able to have both lenses in there. Also, how is it on your shoulder? Does it dig in after a while or is it comfy? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      09/25/2014 at 10:04 am

      I put the bigger lens at the top of my carry-on bag, so I didn’t really carry both at the same time. If you wanted to do that, you could get the PacSafe 15L backpack which is now my extra bag if I have larger luggage and can’t carry everything on or keep it with me. It can get heavy on the shoulder if you have a lot of heavy things in there but generally I find it comfortable.

      Reply
  19. Mollie says

    10/22/2014 at 11:00 am

    Hi Kristin! ๐Ÿ™‚
    I love your blog- so clear and helpful for everything! Thank you!
    I wanted to know… what size of Pacsafe Bag Protector did you take for your 35 L backpack? I’ll be traveling in Asia for 2 months with a 35 or 40 L backpack and I want to buy the bag protector online but have no clue about what size I should get it in. Any ideas?
    Also, i have always traveld with compression sacs… they work well, but do you think the cubes are better? I usually traveled with a 65L backpack because of the sleeping bag and warm clothes for Europe, so I want to maximise space in my tiny backpack ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks a lot!!! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      10/24/2014 at 9:38 am

      I haven’t tried a compression sac but I just happen to be a big fan of the packing cubes. I think my pac safe is for a 75L because I wanted something to fit bigger bags too. It still works just fine, you just have to close the top loop a little tighter and loop it around a few more times.

      Reply
      • Mollie says

        10/27/2014 at 10:10 am

        Thank you for the info ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
  20. Jodi says

    11/03/2014 at 2:49 pm

    1. Great blog!
    2. About insurance, do you have JUST travel insurance or do have both travel and US insurance? I worry that if I got sick or injured and needed to come home for more treatment, I’d be screwed.

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Jodi says

      11/03/2014 at 2:53 pm

      PS. I’m going on a very long term “till the money runs out” trip. At least a year.

      Reply
      • Kristin says

        11/04/2014 at 5:55 am

        Man, in that case, I personally would get rid of US insurance. Of course that’s your choice and has to be up to you, but that’s just what I would do ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    • Kristin says

      11/04/2014 at 5:54 am

      I did not maintain insurance in the US because it was $360 per month for me due to my shoulder surgery. I couldn’t get approved for anything because they considered me to have a preexisting condition. I do have insurance in Germany now, though, because it’s required for my visa. That said, travel insurance will fly you to an appropriate country to get the treatment you need, so I knew if something went wrong in Cambodia, for example, I could go to Singapore and get fixed up – better healthcare anyways!

      Reply
  21. Cathy says

    11/25/2014 at 10:35 pm

    Hi Kristin, where did you buy your backpack? It looks like something I’m looking for!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      11/26/2014 at 9:18 am

      REI ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  22. Bianca says

    02/01/2015 at 6:28 pm

    Hi Kristin!
    Great post ๐Ÿ™‚ lots of useful tips that I’ll definitely keep in mind when traveling to southeast asia this summer.
    I do have a question. I’m thinking of taking my travel backpack on as a carry-on. I’m worried about it getting stolen or lost during my trip, as well don’t really want to wait for it if I’m catching another flight when I land. When you travel, do you check-in your luggage, or take it on the plane with you? If you do take it on as a carry-on, what are some of the liquid restrictions? I’ll be flying out of Toronto, Canada with KLM and landing in Amsterdam for a layover, then off to Bangkok. I don’t know how realistic it will be to take the bag on as a carry-on if I’m bringing toiletries with me (sun-screen, toothpaste, contact solution, etc.).
    Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated! ๐Ÿ™‚
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      02/01/2015 at 11:35 pm

      I take it carry on and the limits for liquids is 100ml (3oz) per bottle.

      Reply
  23. Janey says

    04/02/2015 at 3:37 pm

    Hey Kristin!

    I’m planning my travels, almost all booked and ready to go! Hitting Asia and then onto NZ so far – one way ah!
    I’m going in on a working visa to NZ after asia – do you think i can still manage with packing so light?

    Thanks ๐Ÿ™‚ I love your blog by the way!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      04/06/2015 at 3:51 am

      Yeah, especially if NZ is your last destination. You can buy stuff when you get there or buy a duffel and fill it with SEA cheapies at the end of that part of your journey ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  24. Bella says

    04/07/2015 at 5:45 pm

    Hi Kristin,

    Found that blog post and it just matched with my situation right now! ๐Ÿ˜€

    I have only one medium sized backpack but it is working pretty well since I’m exploring the west coast in USA so it’s pretty warm ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Happy Travels ๐Ÿ™‚

    *I live in Munich let me know if you need a tour guide *

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      04/17/2015 at 8:58 am

      Wonderbar and I will take you up on that!

      Reply
  25. Saramaile says

    06/25/2015 at 12:11 pm

    I feel like I have read somewhere on here how heavy your 35L pack was, but I can’t seem to find it. I’m heading to SE Asia in a couple months and it looks like the weight for carryon restrictions has made it so even such a small bag won’t be allowed on. If you remember at all how heavy your pack was it would be a great gauge for me. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      06/25/2015 at 12:31 pm

      It’s pretty heavy, and I’ve been asked once over the course of over 100 flights to weigh it. If I had to check it because it’s overweight for a carry on then I always have a smaller bag with me that I could put my valuables into if needed. I wear it when I check in so not to arouse suspicion and it usually works out just fine.

      Reply
  26. Marc says

    01/07/2016 at 4:58 pm

    Love the list and I think I have some work to do to become your way of packing and traveling.

    Reply
  27. Renata Emma says

    01/16/2016 at 5:17 pm

    Hello Kristin,

    I’m super-excited about my forthcoming SE-Asia trip on my own, for 4 months, starting on 25th of February… started to organize 2 months ago. And the thing is, you have a huge impact on this whole idea. Your blog was the very first, which crossed my browser about 2 ys ago.. Since that, it has been saved among my favorites…… and slowly, slowly the urge grown by reading you, till i actually brought my ticket to Bangkok.
    yeeeeey. Happy me. Dont even remember when was i so lifted and enthused about anything on this level the last time.
    I’m reading your book right now, its a brilliant one, thank you!
    And here comes the question:
    Did you only use the metrosafe 200 as your daypack? Didnt you find it too small or uncomfortable? Coz i need to figure out asap what sort of daypack to get, and checked out the metrosafe, but found it too small and uncomfortable on my shoulder if i packed it full with the minimal of gear i assume i’d need. Or did i miss the information, and u had also a little backpack and varied these two, which to use? And please, tell me please about the drinking water over there. Tap water? I need lot of water. I love water.
    Thank you sweety! Thank you for everything so far!!
    Blessed travels (;

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      01/17/2016 at 9:46 am

      THAT IS AWESOME! Thanks so much for the kind words and for letting me know this! Feels so good to know I had that kind of an impact!

      The metrosafe bag was all I had. Max I just had a camera, phone, and wallet in there. If that’s too heavy take a string backpack that compresses easily (like this one http://amzn.to/1JSHunl)

      I love water too! You have to drink bottled in Southeast Asia, though. You could bring a steripen too but I never saw anyone doing that. Maybe they should, though. It would save a lot of plastic ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  28. Rachel says

    09/17/2016 at 11:50 pm

    Great post! I’ve been debating about the Diva Cup. It sounds great, but I’m curious about using it in countries like India that don’t always have clean, running water. How do you clean it in places like these? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      09/18/2016 at 1:29 pm

      I wash it with the water that comes out of the shower and sink.

      Reply
  29. Kristin says

    04/21/2017 at 7:09 pm

    I had a bigger one, a 50L so that I would be able to use it for multiple bags.

    Reply

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