Recommended Informative Backpacking Gear List for Beginners
Are you new to backpacking and have no idea where to start packing? I’ve got you, here is my guide to women’s backpacking gear list for beginners. I have been backpacking for 5 years and have travelled through 25 countries in that time. On every trip, I have definitely forgotten an item, hence why this post was born. I use this list to check that I have everything I need for the given trip. Please note that you do not need everything mentioned, this is more so that you don’t forget anything. I generally use this list every time I pack and I hope you will find this useful too.
Hold Luggage
Note: Hold luggage will depend on the type of backpacker you are. I know many backpackers who only carry hand luggage. It will be cheaper and you have eyes on your luggage at all times (which really helps whenever you do a connecting flight you will never worry about your luggage ever again.) I however carry a lot of tech (begin a digital nomad) and I do like clothes and enjoy shopping far too much than I care to admit. This is why I usually take opt for hold luggage (unless I go for a 2 week holiday then I can live with just a carry on).
My go-to backpack is the Osprey Fairview 70L. I know a lot of backpackers rave about Osprey and honestly, it lives up to its expectation. It is very sturdy and holds everything in place. The 70L version has a detachable 13L backpack which is a godsend on day trips. They are a little bit pricey, I would say if you are serious about backpacking I would 100% fork out an Osprey backpack. I’d highly recommend that this backpack should be on your backpacking gear list for beginners.
Hand luggage
My trusted backpack only costs £20 and makes me look like a businesswoman. It’s not the most flattering however the compartments are definitely worth it and finding items is a complete breeze.
Bonus Tip: Do invest in a waterproof cover for your bags. They are inexpensive and worth it in every way. (I learnt the hard way when I had to dry my clothes around the hostel as everything got wet)
Backpacking gear list for beginners the Essentials
- Passport
- Visa for a given country (printed copy of it and take a photo on your phone)
- Travel Insurance
- Driving Licence (you may need to apply for an international driving licence if you wish to drive in some countries)
- Relevant Tickets/Vouchers for Hotels
Important information to be written down (and placed in your carry-on luggage)
I would bring a notebook and put it in the notes folder on your phone
1) Emergency Contacts – Friends/Family numbers including addresses
2) Travel Insurance Information
3) Visa (if applicable)
4) Bank Information including numbers if your card is lost/stolen
5) Directions to accommodation or location.
Carry-On Packing List
Items you may or may not need depending on the backpacker you are. Either way, some of these should be part of your backpacking gear list.
- Glasses
- Sunglasses
- Purse
- Reusable Water Bottle (filtered)
- Noise Cancelling Headphones
- Compression Socks
- One set of spare clothes. Just in case, you may want to change if you have a very long flight.
- Foldaway backpack. I take this everywhere with me, it folds up super small and holds quite a lot. I use mine for food shopping.
- Travel Pillow
- Hard-boiled sweets. For the taking off and landing.
- Bamboo cutlery set Love this! no more plastic cutlery and this comes with a teaspoon, which is why I bought this particulate one. How am I supposed to stir my tea?
- Travel sickness bands/tablets
Gadgets
- Phone
- Camera
- Go Pro
- International Adaptor with USB ports This device works everywhere around the world and the added USBs mean it can charge all my devices.
- Power Bank If your flying with a budget airline, you probably won’t get a charging port and it’s always safe to have extra juice for your journey.
- Portable USB Fan. This has been a lifesaver on the aeroplane and when I visit hot countries. There are three settings and last so long! Highly recommend!
*you have to carry all lithium batteries in your main/hold luggage*
This is my wire organiser to keep my wires and gadgets organised. This is what is inside:
- 2 x Phone USB wire, an original and a 6ft/10ft wire. The longer wire is useful in hostels where the plug may be further away from your bed.
- UK plug
- Micro USB
- Go Pro USB
- 2 x Go Pro Batteries
- Camera Charger
- 2 x Camera Batteries
- 2 x SD Card for Go Pro and Camera
- SD Card adaptor (for phone and camera)
Top Tip: Bring an extension cable from your home country preferably with USB ports. That way you can use an international adaptor, connect your extension cable and wallah, you have gained space to charge more devices.
For long haul flights, I do carry a toothbrush, toothpaste, facial wash and moisturiser in my carry-on
Main Luggage
Clothing
All packed in packing cubes (for organisation) mine came with laundry bags which were a fab addition. For these items, I have not included how many I take as I think it is based on the individual. However, I would recommend taking two weeks worth of clothes that are all interchangeable.
Tops: T-shirts, Tank Tops
Bottoms: Jeans, Leggings, Joggers, Shorts, Skirts
Outer Layers: Hoodies, Jumpers, Cardigan
For Photoshoots: Playsuit, Jumpsuit, Nice Dresses
Cover-Ups: Shawl or a scarf
Underwear: Bra, Sports Bra, Knickers/Thongs
Pyjamas: One long and one short
Evening Wear: a nice dress or business attire
Swimwear: Bikinis or Full swimsuit
Shoes: Flip flops, Sandals, Walking Shoes, Trainers
Socks
Hats: baseball/beanie/hiking hat
Hair: Hairbrush, hair ties and grips.
Towels: bath and beach (For bath/shower I use a microfiber towel as its super compact and dries very quickly. For beach Turkish towels are great as they are light and doesn’t attract sand)
Thermal Coat: Featherdown Jacket in a bag (super lightweight and compact)
Light Raincoat: Fully waterproof and fits in a bag (PAC a Mac)
Jewellery: Very Basic. Avoid taking expensive or sentimental jewellery, there may be a chance you will lose it.
Hair: hairbrush (I use the tangle teezer small and compact) with various sized hair ties and grips.
Top Tip: I always get asked how much should I pack. What I do is put all the clothes I want to take on my bed and organise them ie shorts, t-shirts etc. Then I half the amount of the clothes I take (I do sometimes half it again after that).
Toiletries Packing List
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Soap
- Body Lotion
- Face Wash
- Facial Moisturiser
- Bamboo Toothbrush
- Tablet Toothpaste
- Deodorant Bar
- Contact lens
- Sunscreen
- Aftersun/After Bite Cream (same item)
- Mosquito Repellent
- After Bite Pen This is electronic (so you will need batteries). This is the only device that works for my bites and I get bitten a lot!
- Nail Cutter/File I have a kit that has everything you need and is very compact.
- Moon Cup and Bamboo Sanitary Pads These are so good for travelling but it does take a while to get used to.
MakeUp
- Primer
- Foundation
- Contour
- Highlighter
- Blusher
- Concealer
- Eyebrow pencil
- Eyelash Curler
- Eyeliner
- Mascara
- Foundation & Powder Brush
Other Items:
Waterproof lanyard carry bag for phone/camera: Just in case it rains – you are protected
A dry Bag to place all my gadgets in.
Hostel Must Haves
If you’re staying in Hostels you may consider these items in your backpacking gear list for beginners.
- Eye mask These particular ones are contoured so there is no pressure on the eyes, what an invention. I have a complete blackout.
- Ear Plugs I have noise-cancelling ones which I got free from hostels. They have saved my life many times. Mine is so good that sometimes I have not woken up from my alarm.
- A lock with flexible loops Some lockers are large, getting one with flexible bands to ensure they fit anywhere.
- 6FT/10FT USB cable Just in case the only plug is far away from your bed. As mentioned above.
For Camping or Longer Journeys
- Camping Pillow along with Microfibre pillowcases. Microfibre cases are soft and dry super fast. Win-Win!
- Sleeping Bag. I had a Season 3 envelope bag from Walmart. It did the job but I was cold at times. I would also suggest a sleeping bag liner as well. It also helps preserve my sleeping bag.
- Thermos Flask
- Reusable bamboo cutlery set.
- Travel Blanket. For those colder nights. Also handy if want to sleep on transport.
- Thermal Hat. I say thermal as you need one that is warm and thick. You will thank me for it.
- Scarf
- Gloves
- Cosy Socks. I have poor circulation so these socks are brilliant for me.
- Thermal socks/Hiking socks. If you want to hike I would get a pair. They have helped me.
- Head torch that is USB powered. It is brighter than battery-powered and lasts longer.
- Handheld torch. Just in case your head torch dies. You never know.
- Plasters. Blister plasters and normal.
- Baby Wipes. They always come in handy.
Thank you for reading my women’s backpacking gear list for beginners. I hope this helps with items you may usually forget or never thought of taking. If you have any items that you always bring and that I have missed out on, do let me know. This post will be updated.
Please and love always
