Main Packs:
- Backpack – REI Mars 80 – I wanted a backpack that allowed me to load from the side and not just from the top. I love REI and this backpack fit all my criteria.
- Daypack – The Kelty Redtail daypack has worked great for me.
- Osprey Airporter LZ – a huge container bag for my backpack so the straps don’t get caught up. Perfect when checking my backpack at the airport.
- MasterLock padlocks – for the backpacks. I wanted the padlocks to also be TSA accepted.
Smaller Packs:
- Sea to Summit Compression Dry Sack – great for keeping my electronics dry, especially when I am headed to the beach.
- Sea to Summit Nylon stuff sack – contains all my electronics including the annoying cables.
- Sea to Summit Silk Travel Liner – perfect for hostels and long bus rides.
- Eagle Creek Pack-It cubes for my clothes.
- PacSafe neck pouch – allows me to carry my passport, money, credit cards and other essentials. I could have bought a hip pouch but I prefer to reach towards my chest instead of down my pants when retrieving these items.
Electronics:
- Dell XPS Laptop
- Case Logic neoprene laptop sleeve – protects my laptop more from water and scratches than anything else.
- External harddrive – I bought a 1 TB version to store my photos, but also to store some music and movies I am taking with me.
- Adaptor Plug Set
- Canon T3i DSLR camera with 18-55mm lens and 55-250mm zoom lens
- Case Logic camera carrying case – I wanted a very portable carrying case that I could sling over my shoulder and this fit the bill.
- iPhone – combine with useful apps for best results.
- Belkin Mini Surge Protector
First Aid, Medicine, and Toiletries:
- REI has a great collection of First Aid Kits. I bought the Day Pack version and then added a whistle, inhaler, Dramamine, allergy medicine (Claritin), and Ciprofloxacin.
- Toiletries – all travel-sized: toilet paper, Purell, sunscreen, shampoo, soap, Listerine, floss, toothbrush, toothpaste, Blistex, earplugs.
- CamelBak water bottle
Clothes:
- 5 short-sleeve shirts – 1 dress, 4 Under Armour
- 1 long-sleeve shirt
- 1 pair jeans
- 1 pair cargo shorts
- 1 pair NorthFace convertible pants
- 1 pair Under Armour Flex Pant
- 2 pair Under Armour shorts
- 3 bandanas
- 1 pair swim trunks
- 5 pair socks
- 5 pair boxer shorts
- Sandals – for the beach, nights at the hostel, or when braving suspect showers
- Everyday shoes – I prefer my Nike running shoes
- Lightweight Goretex rainjacket
- Sunglasses
Other:
- Headlamp – very useful for nighttime reading. Also invaluable when trying to make my way to the bathroom in the middle of the night while on the Inca Trail.
- Multi Towel – since I am 6 feet 2 inches tall, I prefer the XXL version.
- Swiss Army Knife – having a multipurpose knife is great. Having one with a corkscrew is even better when I want to taste wines from certain countries I am visiting.
- Duct Tape – Versatile? I think the all-mighty duct tape has passed that test.
- Ziploc Bags – I didn’t realize how many uses I could get out of Ziploc bags until multiple trips abroad. From keeping things dry, to separating very wet articles of clothing from the rest of the gear, to storing GORP, to a possible vomit bag, Ziploc bags have proved their worth. I prefer the bags with the “Easy Zipper” lock.
Brian – this is an impressive list and will mooch off your list of backpacks/cases for my future travels. I have a couple of alternate recommendations, if it’s not too late –
1. your 18-55 kit lens, though good, is not ideal for dark photography. If your budget permits, try a 12-24 or 17-50 instead that meets f/2.8- instead. The wider angle will support the type of photography you are bound to experience at naturally exquisite places.
2. a camera blower like the “rocket blaster” on amazon. Since you are changing lenses, dust will make it in sooner or later and these blowers are invaluable.
3. a backup SD card and a hosting account that lets you backup your photos from your laptop if the LT dies/gets stolen. I used dreamhost to backup my photos nighly on a recent trip and came back to a full 50GB backup in just a month — you’ve got much longer 😉
4. An all-in-one plug like http://goo.gl/JjmTE instead of the misc parts from the one in your list..
5. A spare USB cable for your iPhone/iPod.
6. An antifungal topical cream as it doesn’t seem to be in the day pack version.
I trust your iPhone is already jailbroken 🙂
Tej
Thanks for the extra tips Tej.
1. Would like to, but unfortunately it is not in my budget at this time.
2. Will definitely check this out.
3. I have the extra SD card but am still looking into a cloud storage service.
4. Will check this out too.
5. Yep – got that one covered.
6. It was not in my first aid kit. I’ll have to add it.
–BC
No underwear? Going commando around the world?
Funnily enough, I had “boxer shorts” in the list but subsequently removed it. I guess I’ll have to add it back in!