The Complete RTW Packing List

Transcription

TheTravelGearReviews.com
1
Copyright © By Jonathan Looi
All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in
whole or in part. If you would like to use any of the photos or written words in this
book, please contact the author at www.thetravelgearreviews.com/contact
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Introduction
Packing for an RTW (Round the World) trip, or any vacation, can be one of the
hardest parts of traveling in general. The success of an RTW can depend on wise
packing. We always ask ourselves questions like, “Should I bring this?” and “Will I
need this?”
It’s extremely hard to bring everything that you need without over packing.
Sometimes we try to go minimalist and end up not having important travel gear that
we need during the middle of our trip. This eBook is meant to help long-term
travelers and short-term travelers alike with packing.
Note: Everyone’s purpose for traveling is different; therefore we all have different
travel gear needs. This eBook is from the perspective of and ‘in the middle packer’
who is a wannabe minimalist (me), but has way too much stuff to be a minimalist,
but not enough stuff to be called a ‘heavy traveler’.
I am packing for an 18 month RTW, so my gear needs to be suitable for both warm
and cold weather. I am traveling with my mom, dad, and sister, so we aren’t
hardcore backpackers; instead, we travel slowly, renting apartments in every city
that we stay in.
I really hope this eBook will help you with preparing for your upcoming travels or
RTW.
- Jonathan Looi
www.thetravelgearreviews.com
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Table of Contents
Backpacks + Luggage
Choosing Between Backpacks and Suitcases
Kelty Redwing 50
eBags Mother Lode
REI Flash Pack 18
eBags Mother Lode Duffel
Clothes + Shoes
List of Clothes
Tops
Pants
Other Clothes
Jackets/Fleeces
Shoes
Gadgets
List of Gadgets
Accessories
List of Accessories and Random Knickknacks You Should Bring
Packing Tips
Resources
Where To Get Your Travel Gear
About Jonathan
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Backpacks + Luggage
Choosing Between Backpacks and Suitcases
Backpacks are simple, mobile and convenient, but it can be hard to bring 18 months
worth of stuff in one backpack, also they can be super heavy. On the other hand
suitcases are easy for the infrequent traveler who wants to bring everything they
want. There’s no need to carry your gear on your back, but suitcases can restrict
where you can go and what you can see while traveling to the remote corners of the
world.
My mom, dad, sister and I are neither infrequent travelers nor backpackers, so we
compromised. Our family shares the eBags Mother Lode 29’ Duffel, which we use for
carrying our bulky items, like towels. Then, we all have our own 50+ liter backpacks.
Kelty Redwing 50
Older Version of the Kelty Redwing
Photo Credit: www.kelty.com
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My RTW backpack of choice is the Kelty Redwing 50. I’ve been using it for 7 months
so far, and haven’t had any major problems. The Redwing 50 is like a cross between
a travel backpack and a hiking backpack.
Pros of the Kelty Redwing 50:
 Easy Access to Gear
 Internal Frame
 Comfortable Suspension and Straps
 Durable
 Good Zippers
 Good Price
 Lightweight
It is panel loading, meaning that it opens from the front rather from the top, making
it easier to access gear. Also, the Kelty Redwing 50 has an internal frame made up of
an aluminum bar and a polycarbonate sheet. The weight of the pack can be
distributed well due to its frame and the padded waist belt. I’ve been comfortable
carrying around 30 pounds worth of clothes and other knickknacks in the backpack.
The backpack feels really durable and is made of 450-denier polyester. The zippers
are also a plus. They are oversized and extremely smooth. In total, the backpack
weighs just over 3 pounds, which is pretty lightweight. I chose the color black,
because I didn’t want to attract attention while traveling to dodgy parts of the
world.
Cons of the Kelty Redwing 50:
 Hard to Load the Top of the Pack
 Not Much Organization
 Size is Between Check-In and Carry-On
Panel loading (loading from the front, rather than the top) comes at a cost. It is hard
to load the top most part of the bag. Another con of the Redwing is that when fully
packed, it’s hard to bring as a carry-on bag.
While traveling from the Tampa International Airport to Miami, my dad and I were
both wearing our maxed out Redwings as carry-on bags. As we boarded the plane,
my dad was told he had to check his backpack in, but thankfully, I went under the
radar and kept my pack under my seat. My fully loaded backpack took up almost all
of my legroom, and the overhead compartments were completely taken up by other
passengers. From then on, I always try not to fly with my backpack bulging.
I own the older model of the Redwing 50, but now there is a new and improved one
that addresses the loading issue. Probably one of the best parts of the newest
Redwing is that it costs around $100, which is really good for its value.
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The organization of this backpack is just ok. The large main compartment only has a
water reservoir sleeve, but the smaller secondary compartment has an ample
amount of pockets. To prevent my clothes from getting messed up and disorganized
inside the main compartment of my backpack, I got the Eagle Creek Pack-It Mobile
Locker, which is a packing cube that I will cover in more depth in the Accessories
section of this eBook.
Newer Version of the Kelty Redwing
Photo Credit: www.kelty.com
Overall the Kelty Redwing Backpack is an extremely versatile backpack. With the
newer model addressing the loading issue, I would definitely recommend it to any
long-term, or short-term traveler. It’s so awesome that both my dad and use the
Kelty Redwing.
You can find it here on Amazon.com.
And the older version here.
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eBags Mother Lode TLS Weekender Convertible
eBags Mother Lode TLS Weekender Convertible
Photo Credit: www.ebags.com
While my dad and I used the Kelty Redwing 50, my mom and sister decided to use
the eBags Mother Lode TLS Weekender. The Mother Lode basically a suitcase
without wheels, instead with backpack straps. Its capacity is over 50 liters and it
opens like a suitcase. The backpack fits carry-on requirements exactly, and it is very
practical for travelers due to it’s organization. The main compartment is like the
main compartment of a suitcase making clothes and other things easy to access.
eBags Mother Lode TLS Weekender Convertible Pros:
 Large Capacity
 Fits Carry-On Requirements
 Good Organization
 Price: $100
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Figure 1 eBags Mother Lode Open
Since the eBags Mother Lode is practically a suitcase with straps on it, it isn’t the
most ergonomic and comfortable to carry. The Mother Lode is also extremely boxy
and bulky. It is frameless, and does not have a padded waist belt. The pack seems
pretty durable, but the zipper on my sister’s broke after 6 months of traveling.
eBags Mother Lode TLS Weekender Convertible Cons:
 Bulky
 Uncomfortable
 Frameless
If you are planning to walk around a lot with your backpack, you probably should go
for something like the Kelty Redwing 50. On the other hand, if aren’t going
anywhere rugged, this would be a great option.
You can find the eBags Mother Lode on Amazon.com here.
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REI Flash Pack 18
REI Flash Pack 18
Photo Credit: www.rei.com
While traveling, it isn’t always practical to bring your main suitcase or backpack.
That’s why it’s important to have a secondary backpack when you are going on an
excursion, etc. I use the Flash 18 as my secondary backpack.
The main reason I bought the Flash 18 was because of its price, weight and size. It
weighs only 11 ounces, has a capacity of 18 liters and costs $35 on REI.com. The
Flash 18 Pack is a lot like a more durable and comfortable version of a drawstring
bag.
You can check out my full review of the REI Flash Pack 18 here.
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eBags Mother Lode TLS 29″ Wheeled Duffel
Figure 2 eBags Mother Lode Wheeled Duffel
The eBags Mother Lode Duffel is the main luggage that our family uses for putting all
of our bulky items. It’s gigantic and really heavy, but it meets our needs. I’ll keep this
short because I already wrote a review of the duffel here.
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Clothes + Shoes
First Ascent MicroTherm Down Hoodie, Columbia Midweight Baselayer, Arc’teryx Perimeter Pants
Photo Credit: www.firstascent.com, www.columbia.com, www.rei.com
Shoes and clothes are definitely some of the most important things to bring for any
RTW or vacation. The types of shoes or clothes that you bring depend heavily on
what you are planning on doing. For my RTW, I took all types of clothes for all types
of environments and events. Weight wasn’t a huge concern for us because our
family wasn’t planning on moving around too often.
It’s important to remember that you don’t have to bring everything that you need.
You can buy clothes anywhere in the world, a lot of times at a cheaper price than at
home. This list contains all of the clothes that I brought on my RTW. With this
amount, I am able to go more than a week without washing.
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List of Clothes









7 Short Sleeves (or less)
3 Long Sleeves
2 Athletic Shorts
2 Jeans (or convertible travel pants)
1 Pair of Dress Pants (you should buy this along the way)
1 Dress Shirt (you should buy this along the way)
5 Pairs of Socks (or less)
7 Underwear
Pajamas (optional)


1 Down Jacket
1 Fleece
List of Shoes


Merrell Embark Glove GTX
Adidas Superstar Slides
You’re probably thinking, “Wow, this kid travels really heavy”. But along the way,
I’ve gotten rid of several shirts that I’d grown out of, and also bought a few more.
Since I was planning for both very hot climates, like in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and
Guayaquil, Ecuador, and very cold climates, like in Europe and in Bolivia, I had to
bring lots of clothes that varied. While traveling through hotter areas, I took my
jacket and fleece out of my backpack and put them into our main check in duffel.
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Tops
Patagonia Capilene 1 Silkweight T-Shirt
I prefer for my t-shirts to be made of materials like polyester rather than cotton.
Polyester is usually lighter, easier to clean and faster drying. I’ve noticed that it’s
hard to find drying machines in South America; so quick drying shirts have an upper
hand. You could definitely bring less tops, but I chose to bring a bunch because they
don’t take up too much space and aren’t too heavy.
Now that I look back on it, I think that I could easily survive with about 5 t-shirts.
During our South American overland tour, I learned from other passengers that
some shirts could be worn more than 3 days in a row. Just make sure that that shirt
has some sort of anti-odor protection. 
After 7 months of traveling, the two shirts that I would highly recommend are the
Patagonia Capilene 1 Silkweight T-Shirt and the Columbia Baselayer Midweight
Mock Neck Long Sleeve shirts. They are comfortable, practical and versatile. You can
check out my full reviews of them here:
Patagonia T-Shirt Review
Columbia Baselayer Review
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Pants
Asics 2-N-1 Running Shorts Photo Credit:
www.rei.com
I mainly wear jeans as my go-to travel pants. They are really versatile and they don’t
scream ‘tourist’ as much as convertible pants do. On the other hand, jeans are really
heavy and hard to wash. Convertible pants are lightweight and extremely versatile
because they can also be shorts. I personally prefer travel pants to jeans, but my
best bet would be to take one pair of jeans and one pair of convertible travel pants.
Shorts are comfortable and lightweight, especially athletic shorts. I usually wear
athletic shorts and a t-shirt as pajamas. Athletic shorts are really easy to wash and
usually quick to dry. Plus, they take up very little space.
Being from Florida, I’m used to wearing cargo shorts everyday. It’s not included in
the list, but I brought two pairs of cargos. I wouldn’t really recommend bringing
cargo shorts because they are really heavy and hard to wash. Over the past 7
months, I’ve barely worn my cargos.
The only issue with shorts is that it seems like no one in South America wears them.
I usually try to respect and stick with the local culture, but while in Guayaquil,
Ecuador, it was around 90 degrees and really humid, but all of the locals were
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wearing jeans. I made an exception there and wore my Nike athletic shorts. I stuck
out from everyone else, but it was worth it.
Other Clothes
Over the course of 18 months, I guarantee that I will probably have to attend some
formal event, so I had to bring a dress shirt and pants. I have only worn them around
twice, so I don’t really think they were worth the weight.
Learn from my mistakes: unless you’re planning on always needing your formal
clothes, just buy them while on the road.
It’s extremely important that your clothes are versatile. Unfortunately pajamas can
really only be worn to sleep, so that’s why I usually sleep in athletic shorts. Not
taking pajamas saves precious space.
5 pairs of socks are more than enough. Socks are extremely easy to wash, and can be
worn multiple times. Underwear are like socks and easy to wash. With 7, you can go
a week without washing.
Jackets and Fleeces
Bringing both a jacket and fleece can be really useful for layering and versatility.
When it’s just a little cold, I’d wear my fleece, then if it’s colder I’d wear my jacket,
and if it’s really cold, I’d wear both.
Choosing a jacket was one of the hardest choices to make for my RTW. It was really
hard for me to choose because there are so many jacket options and I wasn’t too
sure what conditions I would experience over the course of 18 months. My best
option was to purchase a jacket that was decent at everything but not amazing at
anything.
I ended up buying the First Ascent MicroTherm Down Jacket. It’s just ok, but it has
served me well. The jacket weighs 12 ounces, has 800-fill power down, is really
packable, has a DWR (water repellent) and was a good price. You can check out my
full review of it here.
I would also recommend the Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody, Arc’teryx Atom SV Hoody
and the REI Salix Jacket. My dad, mom and sister have these jackets respectively.
I could write a whole eBook about this topic, but I’ll leave it at this: make sure you
know what you are going to do on your RTW, then buy a jacket that suits your
needs. If not, then you can always buy something to meet your needs while
traveling.
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Shoes
Merrell Embark Glove GTX
Walking and traveling go hand in hand, meaning that every traveler needs to have a
comfortable pair of shoes for walking or running, etc.
Traveling requires a lot of moving around, so a trusty pair of shoes is a must. My
RTW shoes are a bit unorthodox. They are extremely lightweight and minimalist. I
wear my Merrell Embark Glove Gore-Tex shoes whenever on excursions, or just for
exploring. For more info check out my Merrell Embark Glove Review.
Depending on where you are traveling to, having shoes that are waterproof may be
helpful. After a lot of testing, I’ve noticed that Gore-Tex membranes can make shoes
less breathable. That has led to my shoes smelling terrible. Gore-Tex can be useful,
but sometimes it’s a waste of money, especially because water can simply pour in
from the ankle area of the shoe. Waterproof-ness is one of those features that sound
pretty good in theory, but don’t always work out too well.
I would recommend wearing trail running shoes as primary traveling shoes, because
they have good traction, are durable and more comfortable than super heavy hiking
shoes.
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Adidas Superstar Slides
In addition to my Merrells, I also brought a pair of Adidas Superstar Slides. They are
really comfortable and great for wearing casually. You can check out my review of
them here.
Overall, the most important aspect of a shoe is how comfortable it is. You wouldn’t
want to explore the world with sore feet.
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Gadgets
iPad 2 being charged by the Anker External Battery
Gadgets account for much of my backpack’s weight, but they are well worth
bringing. Here is a list of the gadgets and other tech gear that I brought with me:
List of Gadgets



MacBook Air 13.3” (with Case Logic sleeve)
iPad 2 (with case)
Anker External Battery
I use the iPad 2 for all entertainment purposes and for basic web browsing. My
MacBook Air is mainly for managing my blog and doing online school. Then I use the
Anker External Battery for recharging our family’s iOS devices when there aren’t
any outlets around.
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iPad 2
The iPad is extremely convenient and can be used as a book, music player, video
game console and more. At times it can be too bulky, but it’s definitely worth
bringing. If you have a smartphone, an iPad wouldn’t be very necessary. It’s a good
idea to invest in a case for your iPad if you plan for it to last the whole trip.
MacBook Air
Photo Credit: www.apple.com
The MacBook Air is hands down the best laptop for any traveler. Slip in and out of
cafés and airports seamlessly without having to pull a chunky laptop out. I use the
MacBook Air for managing my blog, doing schoolwork and just updating my Twitter
account. The laptop can easily fit in any carry on bag or purse. The MacBook Air
weighs only 2.38 pounds and is 0.68 inches thin, yet powerful. It is as beautiful as it
is practical.
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Case Logic 13.3” Laptop Sleeve
To help protect my laptop, I got the Case Logic 13.3” Laptop Sleeve. The sleeve is
really lightweight, and simple. You can check out my full review of the sleeve here.
Anker External Battery
Batteries are bound to die, and sometimes outlets can be scarce. That’s why I would
recommend buying an external battery. The Anker External Battery can recharge an
iPhone 4-5 times and an iPad 2 once. You can check out my full review of the battery
here.
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Accessories
Beanie (Chullo) That I Bought In Bolivia
In addition to my clothes, backpack and gadgets, I also brought several other
accessories and knicknacks that have been really useful.
List of Accessories and Random Knickknacks You Should Bring







Beanie
1 Mechanical Pencil or Pen
1 Sharpie or Marker
Flashlight/Headlamp
Watch
Sunglasses
Small Scissors
I didn’t include any games or things like that because I can play board games, card
games and more on an iPad/iPhone/iPod etc. I didn’t include a journal either
because I journal using Google Drive.
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Beanie
A beanie is crucial if you are traveling to any cold area. If you‘re planning on
traveling to Peru, Ecuador or Bolivia, it would be a good idea to buy a beanie while
there. The local beanies, called ‘Chullos’ can be found almost everywhere and are
super warm and cheap.
1 Mechanical Pencil or Pen
I am currently traveling with just one mechanical pencil, a pen and a sharpie. Most
of my writing is on my computer, so I don’t use them too often. My recommendation
is to bring one mechanical pencil and a lot of lead, instead of bringing a normal
pencil. Pencils need sharpeners and are really annoying. You can find writing
utensils in every country, so don’t freak out about them.
Flashlights
Nebo Redline Flashlight
Photo Credit: www.amazon.com
Flashlights can be extremely helpful in case of an emergency while traveling. Once
while at a homestay without electricity in Lake Titicaca, Peru, I had to go to the
bathroom in the middle of the night. It was pitch black outside, so if I didn’t have my
flashlight at hand, I wouldn’t have been able to see anything. I have a small but really
bright flashlight called the Nebo Redline, which you can get here. The Nebo Redline
has 5 different modes and bunch of other features.
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Cree 7W 300LM Mini LED Flashlight
Photo Credit: www.amazon.com
My mom and sister both have the Cree 7W 300LM Mini LED Flashlight. The
flashlight costs around $3.50 and is almost as bright as my Nebo Redline. The Cree
flashlight ships directly from Hong Kong, and was really cheap compared to other
flashlights, so I took a risk when buying it.
After about 3 weeks the flashlights came, and I was pleasantly surprised. For their
price, they are amazing. I would definitely buy it again. You can check the Cree
flashlight out here. Shipping was free, so I have no idea how the company makes
money. The manufacturing probably costs them like 25 cents.
Watches
Watches are pretty basic; I use mine to tell time.
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Sunglasses
Prescription Oakley 20 Polarized Sunglasses
When I was really little, I hated sunglasses, but now I always wear them. I own a pair
of prescription Oakley 20 Polarized sunglasses. They are really comfortable and the
fact that they are prescription is a huge plus for me.
Polarization isn’t too necessary, but I have noticed significant differences in
visibility when looking at water with polarized glasses and without. The glare is
almost completely gone with polarization.
Scissors
For any RTW, scissors are a must. You will never know when you will need to cut
random stuff. I have a pair of really small packable scissors with a 1.5-inch blade.
Just make sure that your pair is TSA compliant.
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Packing Tips
Eagle Creek Pack-It Mobile Locker
Photo Credit: www.eaglecreek.com
You can get everything that you need for your RTW, but if you can’t pack it all then
it’s useless. Packing is like an art. You can’t just shove everything into your
backpack. Clothes and other gear should be placed strategically for proper weight
distribution. Things should also be placed for easy access. After learning the art of
packing for 7 months, I’ve come up with this list of packing tips.
1. Use Packing Cubes
Packing cubes both compress and organize clothes without adding too much weight.
My favorite packing cube is the Eagle Creek Pack-It Mobile Locker. In my opinion,
it’s much better than eBags packing cubes mainly because it’s pretty much three
packing cubes in one.
You can organize your clothes in the cube however you want. In the top
compartment, I put all of my t-shirts, underwear and socks and athletic shorts. The
bottom compartment holds my long sleeve shirts, dress clothes and anything else
that I can put in there. The last compartment usually holds my slides, or dirty
clothes.
The pack-it mobile locker is gigantic and takes up most of the space in my Kelty
Redwing 50. All of my clothes that don’t fit in my packing cube such as my jeans and
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cargos go on the bottom of my backpack. You can check out my video review of the
Eagle Creek Pack-It Mobile Locker here.
2. Placement and Weight Distribution
By placing heavier items closer to your back, your backpack will not lean away from
you, making the load more comfortable. I usually place my laptop and iPad closest to
my back, then my packing cube after that. Under the cube and my laptop are my
pants. The top of my backpack usually contains things that I will need frequently like
snacks and my jacket.
3. Pack Depending on Your Activity
If I’m going to the airport, I might pack the exact same stuff as if I were going on a
bus, except in different parts of my backpack. At an airport, I would place my laptop
in an easier place to access, so that I can pass through security with more ease.
Sometimes I divide my stuff up so that I can check my main backpack in and still
have the stuff that I need. The stuff that I want to use will go in my little REI Flash 18
and the rest of my stuff and clothes will stay in my main backpack.
4. Roll Your Clothes
Rolled clothes are more compact than folded clothes, and I think it’s a lot faster to
roll than to fold. Rolling is also supposed to reduce wrinkles, but I still find my rolled
up polos all wrinkly.
5. Remember Where Everything Is
I’d have to admit that I don’t always follow this rule. I constantly forget where my
little things, like scissors are. Knowing where everything is will save you a lot of
time and effort.
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Resources
Where to Get Your Travel Gear
There are a lot of places where you can buy travel gear, but I always prefer to buy
gear online. Websites like REI.com, eBags.com and others have huge selections that
are hard to find in physical stores. I’ve also noticed that the prices online are better,
and it’s not too hard to find free shipping.
My favorite website to buy travel gear is REI.com. They have a huge selection of
items ranging from luggage to solar powered battery chargers. REI is mainly focused
on selling outdoor gear, but I’ve noticed that most outdoor gear makes good travel
gear because of its durability and versatility. REI.com is the best site for buying
travel/outdoor clothes and outdoorish stuff.
In my opinion, eBags.com is the best website for buying luggage and travel
backpacks. There are thousands of options and eBags has some pretty good deals.
Amazon.com is definitely the best website for all of the random things in between.
Things like flashlights and luggage locks are best to buy on amazon.com. Amazon
has the some of the best deals and the widest selection. You can basically buy
anything on amazon.com.
Another website that I’ve recently found out about is www.theclymb.com. It’s a
membership only website that mainly sells outdoor gear. Their selection is very
limited, but the prices are really good.
Buying Travel Gear Overseas
It’s really not possible to bring everything that you need on your RTW, which is why
buying gear while traveling can be a good idea. Unfortunately buying gear overseas
isn’t always the best option. The prices of travel gear made by American brands are
usually way overpriced. I was so aggravated by this in Chile that I wrote a blog post
about it. It’s the same in Cuzco too, where I tried to buy a pair of convertible pants
for an upcoming trek.
But here’s the key:
Buy all of the name brand stuff back home. Then buy locally made t-shirts and other
goods while traveling. I’ve learned from experience that locally made stuff can
actually be better than what I can get at home.
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About Jonathan
Jonathan Looi is a teen traveler, currently exploring South America with his family
on an RTW. He blogs and writes travel gear reviews on his website,
www.thetravelgearreviews.com.
You can find Jonathan on:
Twitter
Facebook
Pinterest
Google+
LinkedIn
Vimeo
P.S. Some of the links that you will find in this eBook are affiliate links meaning that
I get a small commission if you click through and buy the item.
29

The Complete RTW Packing List

Transcription

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