BootsnAll's Travel Community

Got a 6-mo trip coming at the end of April, starting in Europe and ending in NZ. I'll be covering a wide range of terrain and climate, from trekking the Tour du Mont-Blanc (14 days/175 km) and the Italian alps, visiting the usual touristy spots in Europe to dry/hot Egypt, humid SE Asia, China, and high elevation regions in Tibet and NZ. Type of travel will be mostly hostel as well as B/B, guest-house and hotel (where affordable). My total pack weight is currently at 31 pounds (14.1 kgs), excluding the clothes and shoes on my body. I did a 4-mile practice walk and the pack is comfortable but I still want to lighten the weight where possible. So here's my pack list...

Pack
Osprey Departure 60L (incl 24L day-pack), the pack is on the heavy side but has a great frame sheet and suspension for my TMB trek.

Clothes
- S/S T-shirt (3 synthetic, 1 cotton)
- S/S button shirt (1 syn, 1 cot)
- L/S Capilene baselayer shirt (1)
- Capilene baselayer pants (1)
- L/S button hiking shirt (2)
- Shorts (1)
- Swim shorts (1)
- Convertible hiking pants (1)
- Casual travel/hiking pants (1)
- Briefs (4)
- Windstopper fleece hat (1)
- Wide brim waterproof hat (1)
- Gloves (1)
- MHW Windstopper vest (1)
- MHW Synchro Softshell jacket (1)
- SD waterproof pants (1)
- Micro-fiber towel (1)
- Bandanna (1)

Sleep gear
- Folio silk liner (1)
- Inflatable air pillow (1)
- Eye shades (1)
- Ear plugs (1 pack)

Footwear
- Keen Targhee II waterproof, light hiking shoes (1)
- Keen Newport H20 sandals (1)
- Flip-flops (1)
- Socks (3 pairs, 1 crew, 1 lightweight, 1 mid-weight)
- Back-up shoe laces (1)

Hygiene - 1st Aid - Med
- Toiletry sack: shampoo, soap, lotion, toothpaste/brush, floss, deodorant)
- Braun Pocket Go battery shaver (1)
- Allergy, Diarrhea, indigestion, pain-killer
- Alcohol prep wipes, band-aid, moleskin
- Tiger balm
- Condoms

Travel docs - $$ - books
- Passport & copies, ISIC, DL, extra photos
- Airline tickets, travel insurance
- MC/Visa/ATM cards
- Guide books (3 Lonely Planets)
- Note pad & pencil
- Eagle Creek Hidden pocket (1)
- Cheap wallet (1)

Accessories
- Sunglasses (1)
- Watch w/Alarm & Compass (1)
- Combination Cable lock (1)
- Combination TSA padlock (1)
- LED headlamp(1)
- ZipLoc bags (12)
- Zip Ties (10)
- Dirty clothes sac (1)
- MSR 4L water bladder (1)... must have for TMB trek
- Pristine water purification (1)
- Swiss Knife Champion (1)... the biggest/heaviest model
- Small napkin packets (3)
- Bug repellent (1)
- Small portion of powder detergent (1)
- Wet wipes/towelettes (5)
- Nylon straps (2)
- Nylon guide string (1)
- Duct tape (1, small roll)
- Spork (2)

Photo & Electronics
- Digicam, 2 Li-Ion batteries, 2 CF cards, 2 filters, USB cable, Charger & cord
- Wide Angle Lens (19mm) & Adapter (1)
- USB flash drive as back-up storage (2)
- iPod Shuffle & ear-buds (1)
- Universal Plug Adapter w/USB charger (1)
- Small cell phone & charger

*** 2 items I'd like to add: pack cover/bag (for check-in) and a small table tripod. They'll probably add 2-3 pounds the pack.

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!

Ditch the convertible pants, the Swiss Army Knife, the detergent, the cell phone and charger, the flip flops, two of the guidebooks, the Braun shaver, the MHW Windstopper vest but get yourself a Gorilla Pod and some extra earplugs.

Ditto everything static said, although I'd ditch the Keen Newports over the flip flops.

I personally wouldn't bother with the cable/pad locks but I've never really traveled with a larger pack so maybe those are useful items?

It seems you have 6 S/S shirts altogether. Maybe ditch one or two of the syn non-button ups?

The only other thing I'd suggest is to look at things like bug repellent and buy them en route. You may find you don't need them and a lot of basic toiletries (like disposable razors) are easily found once traveling.

Oh! Save precious grams and only take one condom. That will get you through an emergency encounter after which you'll easily be able to run out and buy more.

I agree with the advice given.
If you feel that you need guidebooks, rip out the pages you will actually use and throw them away as you go. (once you start traveling you'll see they are available most everywhere anyway).

It sounds minute, but ditch the blow up pillow. Use your clothes as a pillow if needed. It isnt only weight that becomes an issue, but bulk. Try repacking your pack a few times in a rush to see what is most bulky...it's never as easy and neat as that pretrip pack.

Definitely get rid of 1 pants and one shirt and maybe that waterproof hat?

I brought cable locks/pad locks but never used them - but I didnt stay in dorm situations either. I did use a small padlock on the pack for walking through crowded streets/buses as an extra deterrent.

quote:

Originally posted by static:
Ditch the convertible pants, the Swiss Army Knife, the detergent, the cell phone and charger, the flip flops, two of the guidebooks, the Braun shaver, the MHW Windstopper vest but get yourself a Gorilla Pod and some extra earplugs.

Gorilla Pod... now that's a versatile design!

I'll photocopy the necessary sections of the guide-books instead of carrying them. Can't do w/o the Braun shaver (4-5 oz) as I've always get cuts from razor blades. But the other suggestions are good.

Thanks markus and quimby for your suggestions... I'll consider them.

my 2 cents

-reduce 6 short sleeve shirts to 3- pick which ones you think will be most useful
-Swim shorts (just use shorts)
-Covert. hiking pants (you already have pants and shorts)
-folio silk liner
-inflatable air pillow
-flip flops
-what kind of socks? wool? microfiber? you could skip a pair here if they're good socks. smartwool has already done me right and they last without a wash better than most
-back up shoe laces- unless you're going to use this as a clothesline too, i don't see the need. you have knot-tying abilities and duct tape. you can always find string somewhere if you're really in a pinch
-bring a disposable razor instead of the battery powered
-bring a little thing of hand sanitizer- you'll find plenty of use, and then you can skip the alcohol prep wipes (i know, replacing something light with heavy, but hand sanitizer will make you happy)
-bring the lost/stolen phone numbers to call for your credit/atm cards, just in case
-i always photocopy guidebooks and put in a big ziploc or little folder to protect
-wrap your sunglasses in the bandanna to protect from scratches
-do you need the locks?
-do you need extra batteries for the headlamp? if so, make sure you have them
-ziplocs are your friend
-skip the dirty clothes sac- use a gallon ziploc. don't have so many clothes the dirty ones won't fit in a gallon ziploc or two.
-downsize the knife- think of what features you really need. then get a cheap folding buck knife.
-wrap some duct tape around a sharpie- both will come in handy
-do you really need a cell phone?
-just make sure you pack everything in ziplocs (especially electronics) when you're headed to places it might be wet or stormy.

Keppie,

Those are helpful tips!

Thanks!

About the duct tape... Get a flat piece of cardboard and wrap it with a few feet. Flat, and easy to carry.

Swap your shoe laces out for 550lb test paracord, same stuff they use for rigging parachutes. If you want spares, roll a couple feet around your duct tape. Now you've got decent string too. (When you cut a new shoe lace, wrap both sides of the cut with a few wraps of tape so you can thread your shoes...)

Drop back to a Swiss Army knife like the Spartan... Its still got the important stuff, bottle opener, and cork screw. Put a Photon Micro light on the ring of the SAK... red is nice because it won't screw up your night vision, and you can still find stuff.

Ear plugs... Get a set of re-useable silicone ones. Make sure they have a cord to connect them so they are harder to lose. A plastic clam shell case is great to keep them un-tangled. (Aearo triple flanges are quite nice.)

If you haven't already got a hat... check out tilley! Canadian, makes you look like you are on a quest to discover the locals... but I have yet to ruin mine, or have it blown off! The strap system is the best ever.

Questions:
Water bottle? 6 months with a bladder, without the cleaning brushes and stuff will grow some funk. 4l = 8.8lbs. Are you 31 lbs with the bladder full?

Bowl? I like bowls.

Is your watch compass electronic? I'm a luddite, those don't make sense...

Rocknrod -

Thanks for the tips. I'm gonna take a much smaller, cheap version of my SAK. And instead of shoe laces, I'll take guide lines from my MSR tent; it'd serve as a clothes line if necessary.

As for the water bladder, I hope to use only tap water or even bottled water in the bladder. (I like have my hands free for picture taking.) My other bladder (Camelbak) is about 4 years old and has never had molding. Of course, I do flush and dry it occasionally. The weight stated in my original post is dry weight. For the TMB I'll be carrying only my detachable 24L daypack, so the additional weight of the water won't be a problem. Between destinations and day trips, I won't need more than 2L per day.

My watch has a liquid filled compass built-in on the strap. It's there for those rare occasions. I've never needed a compass for all my previous backpacking trips. I don't stray too far from the trail.

Thanks again!

WOW...thats a wide range you're planning to tackle.

For my .02USD I'd ditch some of the outerwear (like the vest) and just go with a light/midweight fleece and a light nylon wind/water proof outer shell. you can wear one or both depending on circumstances. You'll be sweating up a storm while climbing.
I carry a (red) microlight on a chain around my neck and find that the handiest implement EVER.
unless the water purification is just a couple of pills I'd ditch that too...and get bottled water.
Instead of a bowl I'd get a stainless steel coffee cup. Its good for soup, oatmeal, coffee....you name it.
I think a moderately priced digital camera will serve you better than a digi cam...but thats just me.
I second a lot of the other suggestions about the knife etc. How ever...I do swear by my Leatherman "Juice" it has never failed me and is MORE than just a Knife. Plus it has a lifetime guarentee and is perfect for pocket or pack.
550 cord is the BEST stuff on the planet. And dich the zip ties...unless you have a specific reason for them. A small sewing kit may be a better substitution.

Try living out of your pack for a week...and you'll see quickly what you use.

OUT.

quote:

Originally posted by semicolon:
And ditch the zip ties...unless you have a specific reason for them. A small sewing kit may be a better substitution.

I just assumed these were the twist-ties that you find on loaves of bread and such. They're good to tie the zippers on your pack with to discourage casual pickpockets on public transit, etc. Maybe the zip ties are for the zippers on the bags when they're out of your sight (check luggage, planes, hostel bag storage, etc.)

quote:

Originally posted by semicolon:
WOW...thats a wide range you're planning to tackle.

For my .02USD I'd ditch some of the outerwear (like the vest) and just go with a light/midweight fleece and a light nylon wind/water proof outer shell. you can wear one or both depending on circumstances. You'll be sweating up a storm while climbing.

I also have a mid-weight, windproof Marmot Vest or non-windproof MHW Monkey fleece jackets to use in conjunction with a Precip Rainshell. This option lightens 7-oz off my pack but is less versatile. Over a mid-layer fleece vest/jacket, the Precip is warmer and blocks wind like a brick wall but it doesn't breathe very well in moderate temps. The Synchro breathes so well that it doesn't feel at all like a waterproof jacket. I can wear it in the wilderness or walking around town. The only thing I don't like about the Synchro is it's a nice looking jacket, which may get unwanted attention.

quote:

I carry a (red) microlight on a chain around my neck and find that the handiest implement EVER.

I'm opting for a button-battery LED light instead of my headlamp. Spare button batteries are so much lighter than AA.

quote:

unless the water purification is just a couple of pills I'd ditch that too...and get bottled water.

I use Pristine (same as AquaMira), which is a 2-part chemical mixture. I'm putting each part in a 0.25-oz Visine bottle... total weight of 1 oz. This amount will treat about 7 gallons of raw water for use only in circumstances where bottled/tap water is not available. At a generous amount of 1/2 gallon per day, 7 gallons is about a 14-day supply.

quote:

Instead of a bowl I'd get a stainless steel coffee cup. Its good for soup, oatmeal, coffee....you name it.

A few have suggested bringing cups. What good are cups if they're not microwave-safe and/or you don't have pots to boil water? Should I also bring an immersion heater?

quote:

I think a moderately priced digital camera will serve you better than a digi cam...but thats just me.

Pardon the confusion. By digicam, I meant digital camera... I use an Oly Camedia C7070. It's actually much heavier than I thought due to the accessories (batteries, charger/cord, USB cable, Wide-Angle lens).

quote:

I second a lot of the other suggestions about the knife etc. How ever...I do swear by my Leatherman "Juice" it has never failed me and is MORE than just a Knife. Plus it has a lifetime guarentee and is perfect for pocket or pack.
550 cord is the BEST stuff on the planet. And dich the zip ties...unless you have a specific reason for them. A small sewing kit may be a better substitution.

I might just bring my 2.5" Gerber knife instead of the SAK. Bottle opener is a feature on my Kryptonite Combination lock. My Coleman Corkscrew & Can-Opener is 1 oz. And I'll switch my MSR tent guide cords for the shoe laces.

quote:

Try living out of your pack for a week...and you'll see quickly what you use.

good idea.

Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by Keppie:

quote:

Originally posted by semicolon:
And ditch the zip ties...unless you have a specific reason for them. A small sewing kit may be a better substitution.

I just assumed these were the twist-ties that you find on loaves of bread and such. They're good to tie the zippers on your pack with to discourage casual pickpockets on public transit, etc. Maybe the zip ties are for the zippers on the bags when they're out of your sight (check luggage, planes, hostel bag storage, etc.)

Actually, I was thinking of electrical zip-ties which are used to tighten and lock wires together. Very strong stuff for the size and weight. You need a good knife to cut them. My daypack can't be secured with a lock but I can loop the zip-ties through the zipper tabs. This is for situations where I must turn my daypack over to the concierge, zip-ties might act as a deterrent against those nosy clerks.