Dave's Travel Corner

Seeing the World One Step at a Time

dave’s pack list


LAX-BackpackThe following items are what we pack at minimum when we travel. A great deal of thought, travel and time have been put into this list. It has been created for people who do not want to be burdened with carrying a bunch of “stuff” when they travel. The key is to take only essential items. Pack light, light, light. Backpack in photo to left is Dave’s small pack!

This is a bare bones list and as a result we always travel Internationally with merely a small school size back pack. Your list may differ dramatically from this list depending on the type of activities you enjoy doing when you travel, the comfort level you want when traveling, the climate of the country you will be visiting, the time of year, or any other number of factors.

Clothing can often take up a lot of space. If you are traveling to a warm weather climate and you know you will not need much clothing, and you take what is on this list, your entire small school size backpack will have LOTS of extra space left in it. For colder climates, consider thin lightweight thermal underwear for both halves of your body. A jacket may also be needed; goose down is extremely light and very warm. Consider using a compression stuff sack if you bring a down jacket. Much of the clothing you can wear with you when you travel, and if need be, you can always leave some of your clothing in your hostel or hotel room.

Traveling with smaller quantities of clothing will free up space so that you do not have to bring a large pack or suitcase – however, this means you will be doing more laundry. We use sinks or bathtubs in hotel rooms to do his laundry each evening. Synthetic material or Fleece is key. here is less smell and dries very fast.

Items crossed off below typically are only allowed in carry-on baggage in specific quantities -3oz (these items also may not be allowed in carry on baggage on some airlines) and need to be in a Ziploc bag. If items are marked as “optional” we sometimes brings these items, but not always. Yes, all of this will fit in a school sized back pack with room left over!! Its a great feeling when walking by the Baggage Carousels in airports and hearing security yell out at you as you walk by with your small carry on bag on your back, “hey, you need to stop and pick up your checked bags”!!!

Download or Print out a PDF Checklist of the Travel Pack List Below

Travel Items
Quantity
1st aid kit Includes: Gauze, Moleskin, 30 Advil, Pepto-Bismol, Imodium (10), Razor, Winders, Super glue(2), Band aids (5), Alcohol swabs, (2) Bobby pin, Azithromycin & a Re-hydration kit (Azithromycinis a powerful general antibiotic for severe diarrhea or vomiting), anti-emetic like Zofran or Phenergan, Nasal Decongestant (Afrin), or oral decongestant (Sensbit) and IBprofin (10)
(depends on item)
Backpack – a school sized pack – one you can carry on to any airplane
(1)
Cash – usually take several different denominations, note some countries give better exchange rates for higher denominations (amount depends on stay)
(depends on stay)
 
Camera – SLR or Digital, bring 1 extra battery (this item may be optional for some people)
(1)
Camera Charger
(1)
Credit cards – take several types, Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Debit ATM card (often International transaction fees are charged for credit card use overseas- avoid this with a PayPal credit/debit card)
(2-4)
Detergent (Laundry) – great for washing clothing, small amounts work well
(1 small bag)
Duct Tape – rather than taking a roll, wrap this around one of your items
Electric Shaver – (small as possible) – or simply a razor to save space & weight
(1)
Headlamp – you can find small 3oz LED models – a good small lightweight alternative is simply a single LED light the size of a coin
(1)
Money Belt – use one that fits around your waist – one that has 2 compartments. This is where you will store your money, credit cards, passport, plane tickets or any other important documents you may be carrying
(1)
Pants – these should be lightweight – and preferably will have at least 4 pockets. Outdoor stores also sell lightweight pants with a zipper in which you can remove the lower 2/3 of the pant legs, thus creating shorts – a space saver
(1)
Passport – verify your passport’s expiration date and blank page availability before leaving
(1)
Pen – a half size pen that will fit in a pocket
(1-2)
Photocopy of Passport kept in a different place than the actual passport
(1)
Plane Tickets – however, depending on the airline many are are E-tickets or for Smart Phones
(1+)
Shampoo -this is contained in small plastic containers
(2 or 1)
Shoes lightweight – for hiking. Be sure they are well worn in before you start your trip
(1 pair)
Shorts – swimming/regular combo
(1-2)
Soap Bar
(1)
Socks – in a warm humid climate you probably won’t wear these very much – regardless of climate. MUST bring synthetic. Less smell, & dries very quickly.
(2)
Sunglasses – be sure they are polarized
(1)
T-shirt – synthetic is less weight, has less smell & dries very fast
(1 or 2)
Toilet paper roll – take the center out before you travel – a great addition to put in one of your pockets when you are traveling in 3rd or 4th world countries
(1)
Toothbrush – use a 1/2 size one to save space
(1)
Toothpaste – bring the 1/2 sized ones
(1-2)
Underwear – preferably synthetic – less smell and quick drying.
(2)
Ziploc Bags – bring several sizes, they are good for storing items – the large ones can be used to waterproof your clothing when you pack
(3-5)

 

Cold Weather Option Items
Quantity
Compression Sack – use for down jacket as mentioned below
(1)
Down Jacket – 700 fill down Jacket can be compressed very small – very warm
(1)
Fleece Liner gloves – even thin gloves will help keep your hands warm
(1)
Balaclava Fleece Lower Body Liner (Fleece is warm and dries fast)
(1)
Fleece Upper Body Liner (Fleece is warm and dries fast)
(1)

 

Optional Items (depends on preference and type of trip)
Quantity
Business Cards – good to hand out to fellow travelers & locals alike
(10-50)
Carabineer – small toy locking carabineer can be used as substitute for locks
(1-3)
Chapstick – depends on climate and your trip
(1)
Comb – as small as possible. One cut in 1/2 works quite well.
(1)
Deodorant – small
(1)
Electrical socket converter (all in one like the Road Warrior Plug)
(1)
Flip flops – optional if you decide to take hiking shoes
(1 pair)
Hat – floppy hat which covers your entire head recommended
(1)
Laptop or Tablet
(1)
LED Lights – small ones are great for attaching to your bag, camera bag etc.
(1-3)
Lock/Key – small locks are good for securing your zippers & bags
(1-3)
Mobile Phone Charger (Plug in, or USB connector)
(1)
Mosquito repellent – depends on trip & location, be sure it contains DEET
(1)
Notebook – small notebook for keeping track of travel items & ideas
(1)
Phone (be sure it is unlocked and will work in destination country)
(1)
Photocopied travel info – maps, descriptions etc.
(1)
Rubber bands
(4)
Soap (Liquid) – an excellent cleanser and quick to dry
(1)
Suntan lotion – SPF 35+ (depends on country & time of year)
(1)
Stopper (rubber or cork for putting in sink drain when doing laundry)
(1)
Timepiece – a watch is preferable – Dave uses one that includes a compass, altimeter, alarm & a variety of other functions
(1)

USB Thumb Drive (for backing up photos/videos) – 128gb minimum recommended
(1)
Vomit Bag – can usually find these in seat pockets of airlines
(1)
Washcloth – small synthetic one works well
(1)
Water bottle wrapped with Medical tape (tape has no residue & is very strong)
(1)

Comments

  2. Sarah Pease says

    This is great, so convenient to have a sort of go-to list for when I need to pack light.
    I would also include some sort of anti-itch cream, like Lana-cane, in the 1st aid kit. Just in case of mosquito bites, allergic reactions and other sorts of irritants. I suppose that it would be more important for trips where shops are not easily accessible, such as a camping or backpacking trip.

  4. Anuncios Jalisco says

    Wow good list, i will consider when traveling, there are very useful things, greetings David 🙂

  5. David says

    Gracias Anuncios – and thanks for stopping by to. Yep, over the years I work on this list – it is based on many trips to both warm and cold weather destinations….but less to the cold places!

  6. Jennifer says

    Your list is very good. I always check before my travels that everything I packed on the basis of this list. Thanks Dave!

  8. Lisa says

    Great list. I always take a travel power strip with three outlets, two on front and one on back, so I can expand the charging capabilities in airport or hotel. In the airport, this enables you to share sometimes scarce outlets with other travelers. Especially helpful if you get there when the other outlets are taken. Nobody minds if you ask to unplug them for one second and then plug them back into your strip.

  11. Ellen Mtambo says

    Thank you Dave
    your list is good I will be happy if i will be considered when traveling

  12. Philip Scott says

    Might consider Stashitware Pocket Underwear for travel. Has been endorsed by Bob Arno and Bambi Vincent of “Thiefs in Paradise” fame and experts on pickpockets and thieves worldwide. So you are packing underwear anyway so why not have an extra pocket for that cash and credit cards?

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Hi I'm Dave. After a life changing trip in 1996, I began this site as a creative outlet to educate, inspire and share travel experiences. Read more...