Most people ask me how many suitcases I am bringing with me when I tell them about my trip. They are usually pretty shocked when I tell them that I’m only bringing a day pack and a 45-liter backpack.
The packing process has taken several weeks and has been a challenge. I only want to bring what I know I will absolutely need in an effort to travel as light as possible. I have to remember that I can purchase things along the way if I need them.
What Am I Wearing?
My wardrobe for the next year will consist of:
- 7 Pairs of Underwear
- 7 Pairs of Socks
- 6 T-Shirts
- 3 Pairs Convertible Pants (they can be pants and shorts)
- 2 Long Sleeve Shirts
- 1 Sweater
- 1 Pair Thermal Socks
- 1 Pair Thermal Pants
- 1 Pair Thermal Long Sleeve Shirt
- 1 Swimsuit
- 1 Baseball Hat
- 1 Wool Winter Hat
- 1 Neck Thing
- 1 Pair of Gloves
- 1 Pair Hiking Boots
- 1 Pair Sneakers
- 1 Pair Sandals
- 1 Windbreaker
- 1 Rain Poncho
It seems like a lot when it’s listed out like that but it really isn’t. There have been some tough choices to make. For example, I was thinking about bringing jeans but decided against it because they are just too heavy and difficult to pack.
One thing I want to say – packing cubes are totally underrated. I was never a believer in them. Why do I need another bag to go inside my bag? But they are the real deal. I crushed all clothes I have into 3 packing cubes. Now I have half of my bag available to fit all other types of items.
How About The Tech?
I will admit, I spent a pretty penny upgrading my computer and my other gadgets over the last few months. It’s been a while since I had my own laptop. I’ve been able to use my company computer for all my computing needs over the last few years.
I decided on getting a Chromebook over a traditional PC or Mac because it was cheaper, more flexible, and checked all the boxes. I’m not planning on using my computer when I don’t have an internet connection and that made the choice easy. If you don’t know the difference between a Chromebook and a traditional laptop click here.
I caved in and got a Kindle also. Anyone that knows me well knows that I love to read. And I’ve been a fan of the paperback for a long time. But the convenience of a Kindle on a trip like this is just too much to ignore. It’d be impractical to carry books around with me. And getting my hands on new books that I want to read would be a pain.
The Other Things
There are some other miscellaneous items I needed to bring along besides my clothes and gadgets. I plan on doing a few multi-day hikes in New Zealand so that influenced what I needed to bring.
The hiking-specific items I’m bringing along include:
- Hard Plastic Spork
- First Aid Kit
- Compass
- Whistle
- Water Proof Bag Cover
- Hand-Held Water Filtration System
- Head Lamp
Besides that just some standard items:
- Various Medications
- Sunscreen
- Laundry Detergent
- Scrub Brush
- Toiletries
I know it’s going to be a challenge traveling with my entire life on my back. This process forced me to be honest with myself because I’ve been a notoriously heavy packer in the past. It’s impossible to think of everything and I’ll have to be adaptable to make things work during my trip.