I meant to make this post after leaving South America when we learned what our essential items were after being on the road for over 3 months. I found it interesting that most of our essential things were actually gifts from others. Those who knew more than we did about what we would need or not want to live without. On the top of my personal list definitely comes things that repel bugs.
- Bug repellent sleeping bag liner (aka my green thing) – Gift from Greg and Ana.
This totally became a security item for me. It is a lightweight liner that goes into your sleeping bag to repel bugs. Many times when it was too hot for a sleeping bag, I just slept in the liner. When we were not camping and had a bed that was questionable about bugs, I slept in the sleeping bag liner inside the sheets! In the beginning of our trip, Taylor, Brendan and I often played a question game where we would ask each other random questions. A common question that came up was “at this part of the trip, what is your one most favorite item?” My answer was always my “green thing”. It is supposed to keep the bug repelling properties for many washes. I don’t know how much it really deterred bugs, but it was more of a mental thing for me. If I believed in its bug repelling powers strong enough, it would work. So that’s what I believed. A close second to this was my bug repellent, light weight, zip up hoody (gift from MaMa). Often when it was too hot for a hoody, I still slept in it for one added layer of bug protection. It was also the only hoody I brought on the trip so was pretty much my go to item of clothing anytime it wasn’t absolutely sweltering out. Taylor and Brendan often teased me for bringing a hoody or jacket in warm climates since I am always cold, or in my green thing in hotel rooms.
- Swiss Army pocket knife – Gift from Dan and Sandra and Greg (we have 2).
We kept one knife in B’s backpack, and he carried one in his pocket. This has been super useful for the whole group. In hostels there are lockers to keep your stuff secure, so we had the key to our padlocks attached to the pocket knife. We were always saying, “Bren, where is your pocket knife?” so we could get the key to our lockers. We used the pocket knife for everything from the key holder, to food preparation, to clothing modification (cutting off sleeves etc.), to bottle opener, wine opener, opening packages, cutting rope, removing splinters and more than I am remembering. It was also always important to remember NOT to take it through security and to have it in our checked luggage when we flew. Brendan got so used to having it on him it was always a conscious thought at the airport to make sure it got into a checked bag, so we didn’t get it confiscated going through security. That would be tragic.
- Packing cubes – not a gift but Greg and Ana turned us on to them.
These keep your clothing items separated. Little zip pouches so all your socks can be in one, all your underwear in one, all your shirts in one etc. We borrowed them from Greg last year on our trip to Italy and cannot believe I have travelled for as long as I have without them! They are essential for organization and make it so nice not to have to dig through everything in your suitcase or backpack to find one thing. Definitely will never travel again without these. Absolutely critical for a backpack.
- T-Mobile phone plan – Mom helped me get (I say this with caution!!)
So far on this trip my T-Mobile phone (that is special with some kind of international chip my Mom can tell you about) has worked perfectly. It has free text and unlimited data in all the countries we visited and had service everywhere (besides very remote areas of Patagonia) and even pretty quick internet speeds. It has worked better out of the country as far as service goes than it did at home! In researching all the other international plans, this is definitely the best for the money. I was a lifetime Verizon customer before, and Brendan has Verizon now, but it is way too expensive and limiting as far as data and text for international. However, I say this with caution because T-Mobile DOES cut you off from international data if you go more than 2 billing cycles using more international data than domestic. When Taylor returned home, they sent her a message saying they were cutting her off due to excessive international data use. I think the only reason I did not get that same message was because my phone was stolen. I didn’t have it the last four weeks or so of our trip before we came home. The way I see it, if you are traveling two months or less T-Mobile is definitely the best plan I know of.
- Charles Schwab debit card –
I didn’t actually get this card until my friend Diggs brought it to me in Panama and having this bank card has saved us a ton of money in foreign transaction and ATM fees. Most everywhere we have been, cash is king and even upscale restaurants and hotels will not always take a credit card. If they do, they will tack on a high fee in addition to whatever your bank might do. We learned that traveling with local currency is definitely the best way. Most foreign ATMs have low withdrawal limits (especially when you count on the strength of our US dollar). It was not uncommon to be maxed out at withdrawing the equivalent to about $100 USD at a time. Between the ATM fee from your home bank and a foreign transaction percentage fee, plus the foreign ATM fee, it was not uncommon to pay about $12 in fees to pull out $100 in cash. With the Charles Schwab debit card, not only does it not charge any foreign transaction or ATM fee, but it also REFUNDS you any foreign ATM fee you are charged. So, after my first statement I had over $150 refunded to me in foreign ATM fees. This is a great way to always be able to pull out cash without throwing money away in fees.
- My sleeping bag – gift from Brendan
I say my sleeping bag because I am always the coldest in the group. During the really cold nights I was always the warmest, and I think it is mostly because I had a really good sleeping bag. Brendan did a lot of research before buying my bag and I think he did a great job getting the best for the money. The brand is Hyke and Byke and it is a down, mummy style bag that is only 2lbs. It also condenses very small to travel with. In comparison, Brendan’s bag is bulky, heavy, and doesn’t keep him warm. I have been super happy with my sleeping bag.
- Big Army duffle bag – another gift from Greg
This is a bag we use when we fly. It is a big duffle bag that Brendan puts his backpack inside to check his bag. Not only does this keep all his straps and outer backpack pockets safe, we also put a ton of other stuff in there that doesn’t necessarily fit in the backpack. Putting it inside the duffle bag still counts as just one checked item. Along with the backpack we throw our sleeping bags in there, tent, trekking poles, and liquids more than 3 ounces etc. It has been super useful and when we are not flying, he just rolls it up empty and attaches it to the outside of his backpack for carrying.
- Travel pillows – gift from MaMa
This is kind of a luxury item but so many times I am very thankful to have them. They are bulky so I clip them to the outside of my bag while traveling and there have been times, I thought I would not continue to travel with them, but every time we are on a plane, I am very glad to have them. It is a blanket that stores as a pillow, and when you unfold it to use the blanket, you have an inflatable pillow you could also use. A strictly inflatable pillow would be easier to store, but I love having the blankets because it makes the pillow so much more comfortable than just an inflatable one, and since I am always cold, I get quite a bit of use out of the blanket part too.
- Camel Back water bladder – gift from Chris
This is something we didn’t have the first part of our trip in the Americas. When we got home, Chris gave it to us and so far on the 2nd part of our trip we have really loved having it. With all the hiking we do, having water accessible this way is much better than having to stop and take out your water bottle. Then when you are flying, it is totally small when empty and barely takes any extra space or weight to have it.
Now of course your essential item list is going to be different depending on the type of trip. You’ll need many different items camping than staying at the Hilton. I do think that regardless of what kind of trip you go on, if you are not already traveling with packing cubes you are missing out. Also, a good phone plan and bank card will end up saving you money in the end. For us doing a lot of backpacking, the quick dry stuff is nice. A quick dry towel is very useful (thank you Caitlin!). We still are probably packing more than we need but we are learning! It will be interesting to see how we have narrowed it down by the end of our trip, or if my essential list has changed.
Very helpful and thoughtful!