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The Packing List

Packing

My life possesions in 36L

 

My packing Goals:

  1. Be ready for any tri-climate temperatures.  
  2. Pack as light as possible.  
  3. Wear clothes that have me smelling...decent.
  4. Be able to hike mountains, but also feel confident being fancy schmancy.
  5. Have quality stuff that's not going to crap out on me.

Take's Packing list:

Clothes

I did a reasonable amount of research on each one of these articles of clothing and am confident that they were the right purchases (regardless of the steep prices). When it comes to travel clothes, paying the extra dollars for wool will make a huge difference. *3 month update: Considering dropping the button-up for a lighter weight shirt*

6 month update: 

  • Sent Outlier button up back home -way too thick/heavy if it's going to be warm
  • Picked up a couple scuba shirts & a tank-top. I have a new appreciation for comfy cotton shirts
  • Lost 2 pairs of socks, but don't need them. I pretty much only wear Chacho sandals now
  • No complaints on any of the gear. The outlier shorts and buff scarf are hands down the best performers, really impressed

Shoes

Shoes were probably the toughest packing section for me. Even though the Clarks aren't the sturdiest boots, they have served me well on both nights I go clubbing as well as hiking up epic mountains. The Vans are a mega comfortable slip-on shoes and the Rainbows are going obviously going to be for the beaches of SEA!

6 month update:

  • Ditched the Clarks- I left them at a bus stop in the Philippines. The were light and comfy, but started hurting my feet :(
  • Picked up a pair of Chacos sandals. Sure they look like jesus-sandals, but I truly can't recommend these enough. They're waterproof, have vibrams soles, are super comfortable  and don't need socks! 

Misc

I'd like to highlight a couple things that you wouldn't normally expect to be important. Moleskin Notebook- This keeps my life together at the moment. I use it as a planner and map out my schedule while using it as a journal. It's surprisingly easy to forget what you did just a few days ago, so write it down! Padlock w/Microsteel cable- When I'm on a long bus ride alone, I will always microsteel cable lock my pack to my chair. Although I haven't come across too many sketchy situations,this gives me peace of mind while dozing off on busses. 

6 month update:

  • Switched out my Platypus bottle for a trusty Nalgene. Even though it's bulky, I use it a lot more before it's strapped to side of my bag (via carribeaner)
  • Sent my money belt home- haven't needed to use it once

Pack

The Osprey Stratos 36L is my go-to pack. I took a look at a couple other bags (Minaal/Tortuga), but for my purposes, this Osprey is the one. The weight distribution and the support the bag provides blows away the competition. 

Pack Sizing: I've found that 36L is more than enough. It'll get by as a carry-on for most airlines (except RyanAir/EasyJet) and really helps me cut down to the essentials.

I live by the packing cube system. I have a packing cube for pants/shirts/socks& underwear/electronics. 

6 month update:

  • Everything holding strong on this front. I did add a heavy scuba dry bag b/c my Sea to Summit dry bag is crapping out.

Electronics

This will probably be where your packing list digresses a bit from mine. I was torn on whether to carry the extra weight of the MBA, but in the end it was necessary to keep up with my GoPro photo storage. 

Pro-tip- Get T-mobile ASAP if you're backpacking internationally. TMobile allows unlimited international (2G) data and texts.

6 month update: 

  • Upped my photo game. I decided that I'm most likely going to do Everest Base Camp once in my life, I better have a camera to back up the experience... so I bought the Sony RX-100 mkII
    • It cost me an arm, but I'm REALLY happy that I bought this camera. You can only shoot so many wide angle shots with the GoPro
  • Bought a 2TB hard-drive and switched it out when my friend came to visit.
    • I wanted to make sure that even if I lose my bag tomorrow, my photos will still be safe

Toiletries

  • Toiletry bag (Ogio)
  • Travel bottles (Nalgene)
    • Shampoo/Soap/Facewash etc.
  • Toothbrush
  • Deoderant

Nothing too special in this section. All the usual travel toiletries. The only thing special I'd highlight is the Ogio Toiletry bag is awesome. It has a built-in hook, which is super convenient when you are in hostel bathrooms and don't want your stuff on the floor.