Packing Checklist for Adventure Travel and Long Term Travel
I’ve honed this packing checklist over LOTS of trips. I don’t bring everything on the list; I tailor what I bring for whatever I think I’ll be doing and in what kind of weather. But, by using this list, I make sure not to forget anything important.
Also, when I get home, I review what I packed and fine tune my list by deleting items I thought I would need, but never used or could’ve gotten away from using by substituting something else I packed.
If you’d like a printer friendly checklist (for FREE:), you can get access to it plus ALL of the Travel Planners for every adventure covered on the Active Travel Adventures podcast, when you sign up for the monthly newsletter HERE. I only send out one email a month – no spam promise! Unsubscribe anytime.
NOTE: This is an exhaustive list, so you should be able to ignore many items on this packing list because they won’t be necessary for your adventure. And if you are a guy, just flip some of the gear to something suitable for the occasion.
I use this base packing list for when I will be on regular hiking tours, cycling tours, occasional day paddling and for backpacking tours (on these, the tour company provides most of the gear. If you want my complete Backpacking Checklist, you can get that on the same Newsletter link here). If you are going on a full on kayaking or canoing trip, you will need to expand this list to include the things you can’t rent.
Main Luggage
Main Daypack
Lightweight Foldable Daypack
Non-Clothing Items Packing Checklist
Universal Plug Adapter
Air Tag Tracker for Apple
TSA Approved Locks
Kindle
Portable Power Bank
Unisex Travel & Running Belt
Packing Cubes for Toiletries, Electronics, etc
Compression Packing Cubes for Clothes
Filtering Water Bottle
Insulated Hot/Cold Lunch Bag
Silk Sleeping Bag Liner
Not just for camping! I use ALL the time!!!
1 Quart Wide Mouth Nalgene Water Bottle
3L Water Bladder
Easy to Clean!
Headlamp
Store a battery in backwards so it doesn’t go off accidentally!
These are affiliate links to Amazon. When you use them – at no additional cost to you – I may earn a small commission which helps to defray the costs of this website and the podcast. Many thanks for your support! Kit
CLOTHING PACKING CHECKLIST
Trail Runners
I use these to hike, as sneakers and walking shoes.
Hiking Boots for tougher hikes
Waterproof ones when called for
Hiking Sandal
Doubles as public shower shoes
Lightweight ‘City’ Walking Shoes
Merino Wool Base Layer Top
Merino Base Layer Bottom
Silk Liner Socks
Liner Toe Socks
Smartwool Padded Heavy Hiking Socks
Smartwool Lightweight Hiking Socks
Quick Dry Underwear
Quick Dry Shorts
Great for ‘Laundry Day’
Quick Dry Tank
Great for ‘Laundry Day’
Quick Dry Zip off Hiking Pants
Quick Dry Roll up Hiking Shirt
Quick Dry Short Sleeve Performance Shirt
Hidden Pocket Travel Skirt
Wrinkle Free Dress
Wrinkle Free Long Sleeve Top
Cotton Head Scarf, Neck Scarf and Dust Scarf, and ‘Blanket’
For hot weather trips – assorted styles
Pashmina Scarf for Cold
Shawl, neck or head scarf, and ‘blanket’
Lightweight Thermal Puffy JacketÂ
Lightweight Breathable Rain Jacket
Rain Pants
Wide Brimmed Hat
Lightweight Ball Cap
Great under rain jacket, too!
Wool Beanie
Cooling Balaclava
Smartwool Liner Gloves
Wool flip top Mittens
Waterproof Touch Screen Gloves
Lightweight Cardigan Sweater
‘No Show’ Socks
Backpack Hands Free Umbrella
Great for sun or rain!
Cooling Neck Gaiter
Drops 30 degrees when wet!
Mesh Laundry Bag
I store electronic cords when not washing delicates
Knee Brace
Great for intense hikes (and long plane rides!). Otherwise I use the cheap blue supports you get at the dollar stores
1.3 oz Clothes Line
A great way to get your clothes dried faster!
Laundry Sheets
Like dryer sheets but are soap!
Memory Foam Adjustable Neck & Lumbar Pillow
Daypack Rain Cover
If You’ll Be Hiking or Paddling:
Padded Bike Shorts
Bike Helmet
Bike Gloves
Zip off Sleeve Neon Wind Breaker
Gel Bike Seat Cover
Paddling Gloves
Lightweight Dry Bag
Other Helpful Items to Consider Packing
Bug Spray – pen sized
Bug Head Net
Compass
Small Pocket Knife
Compression Socks
For long journeys and if you sprain your ankle
Emergency Space Blanket
Keep one in ALL packs!
Spork with Knife edge
Compeed Advanced Blister Care
Other Items to Consider Packing for Long Term Travel
- A few extra zip bags (including one with some toilet paper in it)
- Bandana (So many uses!)
- Trekking poles (Note: many airlines make you check them!)
- Mini Travel Towel
- Pocket reusable shopping bag
- Phone and other electronics chargers
- Laptop (or pad)
- Laptop case (USB adapter, if necessary)
- Earbugs for phone and/or laptop
- Small notebook or journal
- Pens and maybe a highlighter
- Sunglasses and strap
- Waterproof phone holder
- Non-expensive jewelry
- Luggage Tags (and put a copy of passport and contact number in all bags)
- For your First Aid/Emergency Kit:
- Fire starter:Â Petroleum jelly mixed with dryer lint in a zip bag
- Mini butane lighter
- Bandaids
- Antibiotic ointment
- Whistle
- Home covid tests
- Paperwork:
- Passport (make sure plenty of blank pages and at least six months after your return)
- Global Entry Card, if applicable
- Vaccine Card
- EU Digital Passenger Locator (for European travel during covid)
- Driver’s License (including your international license, if applicable)
- Health Insurance Card
- Copy of Travel Insurance policy summary and emergency numbers
- A no foreign transaction Credit Card (plus a back up). I use Capital One.
- A debit card (I use Charles Schwabb for refunds on Bank ATM fees)
Other Important Things to Review
- Check to see if a Visa is required
- For exotic destinations:Â Visit a Travel Clinic (I use Passport Travel)
- Search:Â State Dept Travel + the country you are visiting” for info on travel advisories, etc.
- Check with the country you are visiting for any special requirements for entry
- Notify your Emergency Contact of your planned itinerary
- Notify credit and debit cards of your travel plans
- Add your travel plans to the US STEP [Smart Traveler Enrollment Program]
- Get $20-$30 in new looking US dollars if dollars are readily accepted where you are going
- Get Travel Insurance
Toiletries and Medicine
- Ear plugs
- Eye mask
- Sunscreen (plus a mini bottle for day pack)
- Dried out baby wipes (re-wet to use)
- Hand sanitizer + mini bottle for day pack
- Comb or brush
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Prescriptions + extra in case you are delayed (keep in carryone!)
- Sleep aids
- Depending on where you are going:
- Malaria pills
- Altitude pills
- Anitbiotic pills
- Diarrhea pills
- Electrolyte mix
- Face lotion
- Night lotion
- Body lotion + small bottle for daypack
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Deoderant
- Hair Gel
- Nail Clipper
- Tweezer
- Minimal makeup
- Nail polish
- Small bottle of polish remover
- Nair hair removal
(C) Active Travel Adventures – All Rights Reserved