What exactly do I take for a trip around the world? | Backpack Content

While I already had a great travel backpack, I decided to renew it, upgrading to this 65-liter Deuter Aircontact backpack. I had used the other bag on all my European trips, so a new one, like this one, would be suitable for this 7-month journey. I went for Deuter this time. Travellers sometimes say the D in Deuter stands for durability. Which is everything I needed for this trip 🙂

When owning a sleeping mattress, I always opt for Therm-a-Rest. I’ve tried many brands for my travelling and festivals over the past couple of years. The only brand that always survived was Therm-a-Rest. At only 333 grams, the NeoAir Xlite is by far my favourite one! I’m bringing the one I bought for my trip around the Baltic States.

The Columbia sleeping bag I used over the last few years was exceptional. Unfortunately, I used it too much, and it can’t come this time. I was happy with the Therm-a-Rest sleeping pads, so I tried their sleeping bags. In my backpack will be their Space Cowboy model. It weighs about 600 grams and should keep me comfortable until 7 degrees Celcius or 45 Fahrenheit! Therefore it should work for all my warmer destinations.

The above story is sadly also true for my tent. I already have a great one at home, but it is slightly too heavy and used a lot! As inspiration in searching for a tent, I looked at what the Pacific Crest Trail hikers use. They carry their tent from Mexico to Canada, so it must be lightweight and durable. Eventually, I bought the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1. A one-person tent, at only 1 kilogram. I haven’t used it yet, but I’m sure it will suit me!

It’s my first time travelling with a pillow in my backpack. Usually, when I’m camping, I just put my head on my bag. And, if the hostel pillow is not good enough, I just put some clothes underneath. Many struggles for something as easy to solve with a cheap and lightweight pad! The 150 grams Airhead from Therm-a-Rest will be helpful, I’m sure!

If I had the choice, I wouldn’t take any rain gear on my trips. Sadly, I can’t control the weather yet, which is unavoidable. I had to buy a new raincoat and went for the Venture model from North Face. Nothing exciting, but it should keep me dry when I need it. My rain pants are still the same ones I bought long ago in Decathlon. I tested my rain gear in the shower, and they kept me dry! Yes, no joke, I am serious about bringing the right equipment!

My jacket was a tip from my mum, the Trek 500 from Decathlon. It’s lightweight at 450 grams but comfortable until at least 0 degrees Celcius. The jacket comes with a bag that makes it easy to pack it away as small as possible. I’ve tried it for a while in winter Belgium, and it was perfect for bringing on this trip!

I take two fleeces on this trip. Both of them are MH120 from Decathlon. It’s not that I love Decathlon; a lot of their gear doesn’t suit me well, but the equipment that does has proven to be great. One of these fleeces I still carry from my first backpacking trip to Scandinavia. They are fast-drying, light and durable.

The golden trio of my trip! I only bring three t-shirts this time, which should last me the whole journey. I’ve researched this over and over, and this will work. Made from Merino Wool, these Icebreaker t-shirts are just great. They are super light, dry fast and don’t smell at all. Merino Wool doesn’t take any smell. They were expensive, so I hope they will be very durable too. We will find out!

Talking about Merino Wool and Icebreaker, the same goes for my underwear. I’ll take 6 of them, which should last me twelve days max before having to do the washing. That might sound weird; I also usually change them every day. This wool is just the best, though! I’ve tried them for the last few months, and they did great! I don’t want any other underwear for the rest of my life.

I’m not overdoing it when I did plenty of research. The same goes for my socks. I needed socks that allowed me to walk for long days without replacing them every month. I came across a brand many hikers use in the mountains around Europe. Falke TK-2 should give me everything I need in socks.

These are another Decathlon backpacker classic; fast-drying and lightweight towels. These have also proven to be very helpful while travelling. And as a bonus, they are pretty cheap! I brought two, not because I needed two, but because I always needed to remember them. After showering, they go on the line, and I only realise they are still in the line in the next hostel. Yes, I’m speaking from experience.

Two Patagonia shorts to finish this list. One is just a regular short, and the other can get extended into full pants when needed, essential for colder weather and temples where you need to be covered. These are amazing as they also don’t smell and are hard to get dirty—a very convenient thing to take, as you can’t go pantsless. They are fast-drying, so on my last trip, I just brought one.