How to pack for an adventurous backpacking holiday

Your flights are booked, your itinerary is planned, all you have left to do is pack—which can be tricky, how do you pack for an epic adventure abroad with just a backpack? You do not want your bag to be too heavy, but you also cannot forget anything. Cover-More has everything you need to know about packing for your next backpacking holiday, including what to bring and how to pack it.

The necessities

You obviously cannot go away on a backpacking trip without the bare necessities. Packing the absolute necessities is also a great way to keep your backpack light. Just so you do not forget what you will absolutely need and the most important items to pack; Cover-More wrote it down for you:

• A proper pack
• First-aid kit
• Sunscreen
• Water bottle—especially a collapsible one to save room
• Toiletries like shampoo, and body wash
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Layers of clothing
• Thin, lightweight fleece
• Undergarments and socks
• Hat and sunglasses
• Comfortable, durable hiking shoes
• Lightweight, quick-drying towel
• Padlock
• Rain gear
• Inflatable neck pillow
• Sleeping bag
• Matches
• Headlamp
• Devices and chargers
• Important documents such as your passport, identification, plane tickets, itinerary, a map and a photocopy of each.

Pack for the unexpected

The best part about backpacking is your plans can change at any moment. You are not bounded by hotel reservations or car rentals. You may head out planning to stay in hostels, but then find yourself wishing you could camp outside. Here are a few more things to pack in order to keep you prepared for anything:

• Basic camping gear such as a tent, sleeping mat, small cooking kit and rope.
• Sarong—the uses of a sarong are endless, whether you need a scarf, blanket or towel a sarong can help you.
• Insect repellent to fend off ticks, mosquitoes, and other annoying insects.
• Extra socks. There is something to say about having extra socks. Having an extra pair in case all of yours are wet or dirty will keep you from getting sick and keep your feet healthy.
• Duct tape. This durable tool is extremely helpful in situations like your shoe breaks or there is a hole in your tent; duct tape can fix just about anything.
• Rubber bands. Rubber bands can be useful for a lot of things. Whether holding your socks up higher to keep ticks out or acting as an extra hairband, they take up no space and are multi-purpose.
• Extra space. Okay, so this is hard to actually pack for, but make sure your backpack is not filled to the brim because you will definitely find souvenirs or gifts that you will want to take home so make sure there is room in your pack for them.

How to pack it all

So now that you have your list of items to pack, it comes down to actually getting it all to fit. It is key to buy the right travel back or backpack, especially one that is lightweight, water-resistant and has a lot of pockets. This way you can fit all your items, but also keep them organized. The extra pockets are also great for separating clean and dirty laundry. If it helps, consider purchasing some packing aids to keep clothing together and compressed. Also, when packing your clothing, it is much better, and easier, to roll rather than fold your layers.

It is important that you put the heavier things at the bottom of the bag, such as your extra pair of shoes or camping tools. But, at the same time, make sure items that you will want to frequently use are readily accessible. For instance, keep your wallet and digital camera near the top of your bag or in a side, zip pocket so that you do not have to dig through your entire pack every time you want to take a photo.

Before you head out on your backpacking adventure, make sure you have the most important travel item—travel insurance. Cover-More’s budget travel insurance plans offer the essentials you need, like medical cover, emergency transport and even accommodation cover.