Most people see backpacking as a frugal endeavor staying in hostels, taking cheap flights, and generally carrying everything you need to avoid thievery or luggage fees. Well I happen to like backpacking as a hobby even though I usually can afford to take luggage and secure it in a hotel. I feel like I’m going to be criticized as one of those “homeless people” that live in a luxury camper van. So what’s my gear look like now that I can make backpacking as comfortable as possible? This also pretty much answers “if you had to live your life out of a backpack what would you bring?”
- The LTT Backpack: Can’t go backpacking without your backpack right? Honestly this backpack may not conform to many airline standards as a personal item so you may have to play around to see the largest most featureful bag you can bring with you. In this case the LTT backpack is durable and well designed.
- Canada Goose Science Research Jacket: Promoted by Bill Nye himself, this jacket is lightweight and waterproof. It also doesn’t have fur, so you don’t need to worry about maintaining that. It’s lack of filling makes it so you can wear it everyday it’s not warm outside. The distinctive look practically mirrors the famous expedition parka so no one’s going to think you’re homeless with that giant disc badge.
- North Face Packable Puffy: I mentioned that the Science Research Jacket doesn’t have any insulation so if it’s actually cold, you’ll want to put one of these on underneath. The best part, it packs into itself and doesn’t take up much room.
- Arc’teryx Beta AR Pants: Waterproof and it has large ventilation zippers for hotter days.
- Palladium Pampa Travel Lite Waterproof: These boots are a a good compromise between durability and weight. They look like converse so it doesn’t look like you’re wearing hiking boots, which would really make you look homeless. My favorite factoid: these were the boots famously worn by the French Foreign Legion.
- Nike Dri-FIT Shirts: Or something of comparable material. These things don’t wrinkle if you roll them up and are comfortable. I’d probably get one in every color if you’re gonna be wearing the rest of the stuff daily.
- Victorinox Jetsetter: You can’t bring a Swiss Army Knife on a plane but this multitool in particular is bladeless. You’d be surprised how often this comes in handy. If you’re traveling for a month I almost guarantee you’ll need it for some random thing.
- Microsoft Surface Pro: It’s a fully featured PC the size of a tablet for when you need to get something done that you can’t do on your phone.
- The latest iPhone Pro with Adobe Lightroom: A professional camera setup in your pocket. Bring one of those collapsible selfie stick tripods too if you want pictures of yourself, no shame, you paid for this trip.
- Secretlab Travel Pillow: I know this brand from gaming chairs but wow is this the best travel pillow I’ve used. In contact with your neck is a soft breathable fabric, the inside is firm enough to hold your neck, and it has a very secure strap which tightens to hold your head up.
Lastly cords, power bank, power socket converters, electric razor, toothbrush, pajamas, sunglasses, water bottle.