The Complete Long-Term Vagabond Packing List

The Long-Term Vagabond

Traveling light is the ultimate form of travel.  And the best way to do so is by adhering to a long-term vagabond packing list. By cutting down on the amount of gear a person is lugging about, they can guarantee fewer lost items, easier mobility, a smaller risk of getting robbed, cheaper travel in planes and less money spent on unnecessary items.

With lightness in mind, there are only a few necessities a traveler needs.  Everything a vagabond owns can fit into a 40 liter backpack with room to spare.  The list below reviews some of the best (and most necessary) travel gear for a long-term vagabond (city-to-city travel with some time spent casually hiking).

Keep in mind, most of the things on a standard packer’s list are already in a household.  Don’t feel the need to buy a bunch of extra travel gear unless you’re heading to a specialized environment where you absolutely need it.  You can always live on less than you think.

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Standard Packing List

The following is a list of basic gear which belongs in every vagabond’s backpack.  For beginner travelers, some may need to be purchased. All these items can be taken on flights and are relatively light and small, preventing overpacking or excess weight.  Below, each item will be discussed regarding its merits and purpose.

Checklist:

• Large travel backpack (40 L or less)
• Travel Shoes
• Small cooking pot (lightweight) and cook set
  • Titanium Spoon
  • Chopsticks
• Repair Kit
  • Miniature Tubes of Superglue
  • Roll of Electric Tape
  • Small Case of Sewing Needles
  • Thread
  • Thimble
  • Copper Wire
  • Trash Bag
  • Paracord
  • Ziploc Bag
• Headlamp
• Backpack rain cover
• Compact umbrella
• Toiletries
  • Toiletry Case
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Floss
  • Razor
  • Electric Razor
  • Comb or Brush
  • Cosmetics
  • Deodorant
  • Sunscreen
  • Spare Toilet Paper
• Soap, Shampoo and Conditioner
  • Hand Sanitizer
• Personal Lock
• Electronics
  • Smartphone
  • Decoy Phone
  • External Battery
  • Universal Adapter
  • Laptop or Tablet
  • Charging Cables
  • USB or Micro SD Cards (Encrypted)
  • External Hard Drive
  • Digital Reading Device
  • Noise Canceling Headphones
  • Other
• Medical Kit
  • Medical Bag
  • Written Directives
  • Cue Tips
  • Band Aides
  • Fabric Masks
  • Disposable Gloves
  • Topical Antibiotics
  • Ingested Antibiotics
  • Altitude Sickness Medicine
  • Emergency Cash
  • Water Purification Tablets
  • Personal Meds
  • Condoms, Birth Control, Personal Hygiene Products
  • Multivitamins
  • Tourniquet
  • Press Pads
  • Medical Tape
  • Antibacterial Wipes
  • Hand Sanitizer
• Day Bag
• Nail Kit
  • Nail Clippers
  • Tweezers
  • Nail File
• Backup Financial Cards
• Vital Documents Case
• Hidden Passport protector
• Entertainment
  • Deck of Cards
  • Set of Dice
  • Pencil Stub
  • Mini Notebook
• Microfiber Towel
• Packing cubes
• Water Bottle

Completely Packed

If this seems like a short list, that’s because it is.  Generally speaking, most people don’t need much to travel.  Spending time ensuring a backpack or suitcase is as light as possible makes the entire process much easier and ensures a person can move about much more flexibly.

Large Travel Backpack

The most important piece of gear a traveler owns is a backpack.  A proper backpack can last for decades and can be worn in all sorts of terrain.  Airports, bus stations, mountains, cities, uneven roads, deserts, tundras and safaris can be marched through easily with a standard backpack.  A single, carry-on backpack cuts down on the cost of luggage since they don’t have to be checked in.

In most cases, suitcases are not ideal for long-term travelers.  The wheels tend to have trouble with most terrain and the extra weight makes them unwieldy.  They are also difficult to use as a free carry-on bag for most flights.  

The backpack which utterly dominates the travel and vagabonding market is the Osprey.  Almost nothing else compares.  The design allows for adjustments if necessary and most weight can be placed close to the spine.  The materials are sturdy and compact.  The 40 liter Osprey is allowed as a carry on for most flights, easily sliding into overhead compartments.  The buckles and straps on the outside allow for easy attachment of other goods, such as water bottles, jackets or drying towels.  

Osprey Backpacks

Ten years ago, I abandoned my military surplus store backpack for a Farpoint 40 Osprey Travel Pack. I’ve never replaced my bag since. Two years ago, I bought two more Ospreys for my younger siblings on their first tour outside the country. I have nothing but praise for Osprey Products.

Travel Shoes

Your shoes will determine how well you can get from place to place.   Selecting a decent pair of shoes is vital to prevent injuries and allow for unfettered mobility.  

Strictly speaking, you only need one pair of travel shoes which are universally worn from place to place.  Make sure your footwear is sturdy, durable and can handle water by either being quick-drying or waterproof.  

Some travelers prefer secondary pairs of shoes, such as flip flops for beach activities or temple visits or Roll up Shoes for working out.  Both pack very well and can be incorporated in a travel kit without adding much weight.  

Skinners Minimalist Barefoot Sock Shoes are what I use for daily workouts and short walks. They’re lightweight and I can roll them up inside my backpack, wearing my heavier trekking boots for everyday walking.

Small Cook Set

A cook set isn’t necessary for all travelers.  If you’re frequently visiting hostels and Airbnb’s, it is very likely there are cooking supplies already there.  However, if you prefer using your own cooking gear, occasionally go camping or are moving into an empty apartment, having a travel cooking set is great.

The lightest cooking set consists of three pieces.  A fold-out-handle cooking pot  with a lid to prepare food, a pair of screw-together chopsticks for eating and stirring and a spoon for eating broth.  

There are many cooking sets which have a multitude of pots layered artfully together, but these tend to be too heavy and its rare that a traveler needs more than one pot at a time. Additionally, other travelers and hostels have cookware.

Overall, I recommend getting a narrow, tall pot which can be used on a stove or outdoor cooker.  Personally, my favorite cookware can down inside my backpack without taking up much space.  I generally store other gear inside the cooking pot, especially things that are somewhat breakable.  . 

Fire-Maple 1L Hard Anodized Aluminum Pot

This cooking pot is perfect for single meals. I use it in hostels, apartments and on camping trips. The narrow shape lays down flat in my bag and the material is very light. The folding handles make it a good tool for making hot chocolate on cold mornings

Repair Kit

Your repair kit is a simple list of items which are useful for fixing gear on the go.  These tools are extremely handy, light and cheap.  Most can be bought at a general store anywhere in the world.  Generally, you don’t have to pack these before a trip if you don’t want to: they can also be picked up cheaply wherever you’re going.

Repair tools include:

• Miniature Tubes of Super Glue – Repair small tears or tiny cracks
• Roll of Electric Tape – Good tape, useful for wires and minor repairs
• Small Case of Sewing Needles – Good for sewing and cleaning out sand
• Thread – Useful for sewing, repairing buttons and patching holes
• Thimble – Helps with sewing thick fabrics
• Copper Wire – Great for sturdy repairs, conductive, can be used to replace broken zippers
• Trash Bag – Good for collecting garbage or being used as an emergency rain/water cover
• Paracord – Excellent for hanging drying clothes and tying things to a backpack 
• Ziploc Bag – Good for important documents and electronics in rainy weather
• Soft Tape Measure – Extremely light, can be tied, very handy for measuring 

Headlamp

A lot of people begin their travels carrying around miniature flashlights or just relying on their phones for light at night.  However, all eventually shift to headlamps.

The ability to have a hands-free light source while traveling is extremely useful.  It makes going to the bathroom in the dark easier, gives cars something to see if you’re along a dark road and helps a person maneuver in areas where climbing or bushwhacking is necessary.  Headlamps also have the advantage of being generally lighter than flashlights.  

Black Diamond Headlamps

There was an unfortunate time in life where I was in the cold and dark tundra of Mongolia trying to use a outhouse bathroom while wrangling a flashlight. Since then, I’ve only traveled with headlamps. The Black Diamond Headlamp’s batteries last for a year or so at a time while hardly weighing a thing.

Backpack Rain Cover

When almost everything you own is on your back, protecting your gear from water damage and mildew is a top priority.  Fortunately, backpack rain protection is very cheap, light and easy to pack.  I recommend storing this in your most accessible pocket, since sudden storms may require you to pick it up in a hurry. 

Compact Umbrella

An umbrella is an amazing tool.  It can block intense heat, prevent sunburns, aid in lazy park relaxation, protect someone from a considerable storm and shelter picnic food on sunny days.

Umbrellas are small, light and handy tools which provide a lot of comfort and protection.  They easily fit in the outer pockets of most backpacks and the best are durable enough to last for years.

Toiletries

Toiletries can be surprisingly heavy if a traveler isn’t careful.  However, for most, a travel toiletry kit can fit into a single narrow bag.  

• Toiletry Case – Make sure this kit is waterproof incase of internal spillage
• Toothbrush – If you’re using an electric toothbrush, look for lighter models.  If you’re using a standard toothbrush, break off the bottom half to save weight.
• Toothpaste – Make sure the bottle is small enough to be allowed on airplanes.
• Floss – Keep in mind, there are many countries which don’t commonly sell floss.  Always buy a new roll before leaving home.
• Razor – Disposable razors work free while traveling.  Safety razors typically aren’t allowed on planes.  
• Electric Razor – A decent electric razor makes trimming a lot easier.  Be sure to get a wireless one, as many bathrooms don’t have electrical outlets.
• Comb or Brush 
• Cosmetics – Make sure to pay attention to positions in hot environments.  Lipstick in particular may melt and reform in strange shapes.
• Deodorant – Buy before flying since some countries don’t have good options.  Stick deodorant is generally best, but like lipstick, has a risk of melting.  Spray on deodorant isn’t always allowed on planes.
• Sunscreen – When buying sunscreen in Asia, be careful to avoid whitening agents.
• Spare Toilet Paper –  A whole roll isn’t necessary, but a folded pad of toilet paper in a Ziploc bag can help in an emergency.

Soap, Shampoo, Hand Sanitizer and Conditioner

I generally prefer unscented bar soap for travel. There’s no risk of spilling, I never get stopped by airport security and the bars last for much longer. I use a combination of Dr. Bonners Bar Soap and Matador’s FlatPak Soap Bar Case.

Personal Lock

For hostels, gyms and bus lockers it is very useful to travel with a personal lock.  Many locations have locks you can rent, but this is an unnecessary charge.  Most hostels expect travelers to bring their own lock.

There are two types of opening mechanisms locks usually use: Key or Code.  Locks with multi-digit codes are usually better since they don’t cost additional key weight to travel with.  Also, you don’t have to worry about losing a key.  

The other distinctions between locks are padlocks and cable locks.  Cable locks sometimes work better for hostels, which may have non-standard latches.  The cables can be twisted through more easily.  However, padlocks are generally thicker and more difficult to break.  I generally recommend getting a padlock for better security.  You can supplement this with a locking wire in case the padlock doesn’t fit.

The best padlocks for travel have a steel shackle between 7 mm and 10mm.  This is a sturdy width which is difficult to break.  But it is also narrow enough to fit into thinner locker loops.

Heavy Locker Lock

When traveling, it’s useful to have a strong, heavy lock.  Many locations have locks you can rent, but this is an unnecessary charge.  Most hostels expect travelers to bring their own lock for security. I recommend a inflexible steel lock since they’re harder to cut through. Dial codes are preferred to save weight

Electronics

Electronics are a double-edged sword.  On one hand, they make travel simple, providing information and powerful application and navigation functions.  On the other hand, they’re heavy, vulnerable to water, appealing to thieves, dependent on electricity and expensive.

A person doesn’t need to travel with electronics at all.  It is possible to traverse the world with nothing but a clunky flip phone or less.  But since most modern vagabonds travel with electronics, this list is useful.  Keep in mind, lighter is always better.  If you can manage to travel without some of these items, it’s often handy to do so.

Tech-Kit

• Smartphone – By far your lightest and most powerful piece of electronic equipment.  A smartphone being used for travel can help with bookings, navigation, translation, directions, photos, communication and socialization.  
• Decoy Phone – An optional piece of equipment, this is an extremely cheap phone which is freely given to muggers and thieves during confrontations.
• External Battery – Sadly, battery technology isn’t capable enough to keep electronics going in an emergency.  An external power bank can help electronics function for days without outlets or charging ports.
• Universal Adapter – Not all countries have the same outlets.  A Universal Adapter allows a person to charge their devices anywhere in the world.
• Laptop or Tablet – If you need a device while traveling for work or entertainment, laptops and tablets are the only powerful electronics capable of being both mobile and functional.  These are huge weight commitments, but often worth it.
• Charging Cables – Charging cables can take up a lot of space and weight.  Try to make sure all your devices share the same port type (micro USB, C etc.).  Cords can be braided like a wreath to keep cords organized.  
• USB or Micro SD Cards (Encrypted) – This small and light piece of electronic equipment should have copies of vital documents, including passports kept on it in case of emergencies.  The device can be password protected to keep the information safe.
• External Hard Drive – For travelers collecting tons of photos or working remotely, a large external hard drive can store tons of data safely.  
• Digital Reading Device – Traveling involves a lot of wait time, which makes reading a popular pastime.  Digital reading devices, such as kindles, are handy when bringing entire libraries on the road.
• Noise Canceling Headphones – Noise canceling headphones are a godsend in noisy places, including airplanes when trying to sleep.

Medical Kit

Always, always, always create your medical kit personally.  Store bought kits may not have the tools you need, or worse, they may be stocked with supplies you don’t know how to use.  A travel medical kit should have the following supplies.  Make sure to practice using all of them, potentially by taking a first aid class.

Med-Kit

• Medical Bag – This bag should have a red cross or another medical symbol on it.  This streamlines the security process if they need to look at any supplies within.
• Written Directives – Written directives are instructions on how to perform first aid procedures.  This includes CPR, Hymlich Maneuvers and more.  It is recommended to take a class in these.  
• Cue Tips
• Band Aides
• Fabric Masks
• Disposable Gloves
• Topical Antibiotics – For cuts and scrapes
• Ingested Antibiotics – For bacterial illnesses
• Altitude Sickness Medicine – For alpine hikes or rapid elevation changes
• Emergency Cash – Hiding emergency cash in a med-kit is always a good strategy.  Even someone going through luggage rarely looks at the bottom of a medical kit.
• Water Purification Tablets
• Personal Meds – Ensure these are clearly labeled
• Condoms, Birth Control, Personal Hygiene Products
• Multivitamins
• Tourniquet
• Press Pads
• Medical Tape
• Antibacterial Wipes

Day Bag

Your backpack is your life, so a daypack is your convenience.  A day bag is just a smaller, more compact backpack used around cities and towns.  It allows you to travel with your daily necessities while keeping the majority of your valuables at home.

The two day bags I most highly recommend are waterproof bags, which can be used at the beach and other wet environments or drawstring bags, which are incredibly light, cheap and durable.  

Skog Å Kust Watertight Day Bag

Everyone should have a day bag. My favorite is the Skog Å Kust Watertight Bag. It’s easy to sling over my shoulders and lets me walk without fear of m devices getting damaged in the rain. Better yet, I can go swimming with electronics whenever I need to,

Nail Kit

Tweezers, nail files and nail clippers are part of your nail kit, but not much else.  Miniature scissors and other tools will likely get taken up by airport security if you try to travel with them.

Backup Financial Cards 

Aside from the cards you keep in your wallet, backup financial cards are useful in case of emergencies.  You can request these from your bank or get prepaid cards to use while abroad.  

Vital Documents Case

When traveling, you may need a lot of extra paperwork, such as vaccination records, visas, contracts and more.  Having a waterproof document case can easily be put in your luggage while protecting all of your important paperwork.

Fireproof/ Waterproof Doc Case

When carrying around important documents such as visa paperwork, medical documents and more, protection is needed. This case fits snugly in suitcases and backpacks while halting heat and water damage.

Hidden Passport Protector

The single most important document you’ll travel with is your passport.  Keeping it safe is extremely important.  There are undershirt holsters which can hide passports under clothes, keeping them inaccessible from thieves.

Undershirt Passport Pocket

For the traveler constantly in motion, it’s a very good idea to have a hidden pocket for your passport. This holster or pouch allows a passport to be worn undetected under a jacket or shirt.

Entertainment

Entertainment is entirely optional, but many people travel with these in order to have play games with other travelers.

• Deck of Cards
• Set of Dice
• Pencil Stub
• Mini Notebook

Microfiber Towel

A microfiber towel is a traveler’s best friend. Have one large towel for daily usage, such as drying off or visiting the beach. A second, smaller towel is good for washing your face while traveling. Microfiber towels dry quickly, but should never be packed while damp. If you’re in a hurry while traveling, tie your towel to the outside of your bag.

Microfiber Towel

The Hitchhiker’s Guide was right: There’s nothing more useful than a towel. This towel packs light, dries fast, doubles as a picnic blanket and cleans easily. There are countless brands of microfiber towels, but the important aspect is the size based on individual needs. Try to get a pair; One large for daily use and one small for washing face.

Packing Cubes

The best way to keep you bag organized is through compression packing cubes. These are brilliant tools for keeping clean and dirty clothes separate and it makes it easy to sort through your luggage at security checkpoints.

BAGAIL  Compression Packing Cubes

Organizing luggage is a pain. BAGAIL Compression packing cubes make packing, organization, security checkpoints and laundry much easier. Make sure to specifically get compression brands, as they’re better at packing luggage more tightly.

Water Bottle

In reality, a plastic, disposable water bottle will work fine for most travelers. I washed and reused the same plastic bottle for several months while traveling through Europe.

However, there are better, sturdier options out there. I prefer containers which can be used to carry both warm and hot liquids. Also, having something to drink soup out of is handy. My personal travel choice is the Hydro Flask Standard Mouth 18 oz.  It’s fairly light, packs well, lays flat, insulates well, can take a hit, holds my soups and doesn’t sweat.

A Fully Packed Bag

Packing your bag properly involves a few tricks, but everything from the list above should easily fit in a 40 liter bag.

Importantly, don’t feel the need to go out and buy a ton of new gear for your trip. Always try to manage your packing list by putting together things you already own or have around your home. Eventually, these items wear through, you can replace them with better travel gear.

Practice packing and repacking your backpack a few times. Additionally, make sure everything is placed in a pouch or bag; free floating items are inevitably lost after some time on the road. When you’re finished packing, your bag should have some extra space for food or souvenirs. If your bag is bursting at the seams, you’ve overpacked and should pick a few luxery items to leave behind.

But once you’re prepared, a whole world will roll out in front of you. Head forth and wander.

Best regards and excellent trails,

Old Sean

This packing list has gotten the author of Leftfade Trails around the world several times. Read about it here on Leftfade Trails Blogs.

Osprey Backpacks

Ten years ago, I abandoned my military surplus store backpack for a Farpoint 40 Osprey Travel Pack. I’ve never replaced my bag since. Two years ago, I bought two more Ospreys for my younger siblings on their first tour outside the country. I have nothing but praise for Osprey Products.