Essential Toiletries for Backpacking:
A Packing Guide
Are you going backpacking and have no idea what to pack? This is a packing guide so you easily can identify the essential toiletries you need when backpacking. Let this help you bring all that you need on your travels.
When backpacking, size and weight matters. You want all your essentials but not to bring too much. Consider things like where you are going, is it cold, warm, high altitude, beaches? How long will you be gone? Do you have medicines that you need to bring? How do you travel? Will you need to take your toiletries through security at the airport?
Basic Toiletries Checklist
Solid Shampoo and Conditioner:
Opt for compact solid shampoo and conditioner bars to minimize weight and liquid content in your backpack.
Soap:
Choose a solid soap option to save space and avoid potential leaks in your luggage.
Deodorant:
There are many options for deodorants. Bring one you know works for you. If you are trying something new, try it a few times at home first.
Toothbrush and toothpaste:
Do you use a normal toothbrush? Consider bringing a travel case. Normal cases for electric toothbrushes are large and heavy and need to charge, get a small travel toothbrush that has a changing battery. Toothpaste you can find almost anywhere, but maybe bring a small tube to have when you travel and the first few days of your destinations. For liquid allowance, consider toothpaste tablets.
TIP:
Try and change as many liquids in your bag to solids as possible. This will be lighter and take up smaller space. You can also fly with more toiletries in your hand luggage.
Healthcare Essentials
Medications:
Make sure you have enough essential medications for allergies, pain relief, and common ailments. Check expiration dates and always carry extra for unexpected situations. Transport your essential medications in your hand luggage, if your bag gets lost!
First Aid Supplies:
Be prepared for minor injuries with a basic first aid kit containing essentials like plasters, antiseptic wipes, bandages, and a thermometer. Depending on where you are going, don’t take too much. Let’s be real, how often have you needed one?
Insect Relief:
Get an insect bite cream. It’s likely that you will be bitten at some point or another. Consider carrying additional insect repellent for prevention. It can also be a good idea to have insect repellent with you, however this can be good to buy locally, but don’t be without, you don’t want malaria or dengue fever!
Tiger Balm:
Pack Tiger Balm for insect bites, headaches, muscle aches, and nasal congestion. If you are going to Thailand, buy it there.
Electrolytes and vitamins:
Bring some electrolytes. They are good when it is hot, if you are hiking or get sick. A multivitamin can be good to bring if you don’t always get all the vitamins you need through food.
Female Hygiene Essentials:
Pack everything you think you will need. Even if you can find tampons abroad, you don’t want to end up without. Use tampons without an applicator for space saving. Mabey try period pants if you are afraid of leakage, and if you use one, bring your menstrual cup. This is not for everyone, so try it at home before you go. Also note that you need wipes and cleaning material for your cup. It’s hard to maintain the hygiene that is needed while backpacking.
Sun Protection
Sunscreen:
Sunscreen is a must whatever you are on the beach in Thailand or climbing Kilimanjaro. Aim for SPF 50+ with a 5-star UVA rating.
After Sun Care:
Hydrate and soothe sun-exposed skin with a lotion to prevent dryness and promote skin repair.
Skin Hydration
Facewash:
Opt for a travel sized face wash, or for a solid alternative like Dove or CeraVe. A face balm can also double as a makeup remover.
Moisturizer:
Bring your everyday face cream, you don’t want unexpected breakouts on your travels. You also don’t need a night cream or eye cream when you backpack.
Multi-purpose Balm:
Always have a pot of Vaseline (or similar) with you. Helps dryness, providing relief for minor cuts and scrapes, or even works as a highlighter. It doesn’t count as liquid either!
TIP:
If you are bringing new products for your travel, try then a couple of times at home so that you don’t have an reaction to them, or just don’t like them.
Beauty Checklist
Nail File:
Keep your nails in tip-top shape with a nail file for quick touch-ups.
Hairbrush:
Pack whatever you use at home, hairbrush, tangle teezer or comb. You only need one. Don’t forget to pack extra hair ties and pins.
Perfume:
Add a touch of luxury with your favorite perfume, but remember to bring a smaller bottle, a travel perfume decanter or a solid perfume.
Makeup Checklist
Makeup:
Consider your destination and activities when packing makeup. When backpacking, you are likely not using as much makeup. Stick to essentials such as mascara, concealer, eyebrow pencil, bronzer and lip gloss for a minimalist approach. Try to get travel sizes and solids, and instead of foundation, get a tinted sun cream.
Other Essentials:
Include Q-tips, tweezers, nail clippers, makeup remover, and lip balm with SPF to complete your travel makeup kit.
Additional Essentials
Hanging Toiletries Bag:
Invest in a practical hanging toiletries bag to hang it when there is minimal shelf space. It’s also easier to keep your toiletries organized and easily accessible.
Travel-sized Containers:
Maximize space by transferring your toiletries into travel-sized containers, particularly useful for shorter trips and to take liquids through security.
Travel Mirror:
It can come in hand with a portable travel mirror, especially useful in areas where mirrors may be scarce, if you do your makeup, or wear contacts.
Microfiber Towel:
For hostel life, you need a quick-drying microfiber towel that’s compact to pack. Pro tip: bring one for the shower and one for the beach, and even a hair towel.
Travel Wash:
You are going to have to wash your clothes, travel washing liquid and a sink stopper can come in handy. Even a line for hanging up your washing.
Focus on what you use every day at home. There are always unforeseen things that will happen when you travel, but don’t bring the whole pharmacy. You are going to have to travel around with it. Minimize everything to the most necessary. Try to calculate how much you will use for a month and then add how long you are away. If you are away for a month, it might be too much to bring a whole new shampoo bar, take a knife and cut off the bit that you need. Are you away for six months? Consider bringing several bottles of sunscreen. Minimalist packing will be your friend. And there will be places to buy the things you need when you travel.
