Packing for a longterm trip in a warm climate

Packing for long-term travel is unique because you have to consider what you may need over a long period of time rather than what you can do without for a few weeks. Questions arise, like Will I need allergy meds? How many books should I bring? How many tank tops do I really need? Is it worth bringing my laptop? Here are some simple tips that I’ve learned from over- and under-packing through the years.

Buy a box of travel space bags

These nifty bags cut the size of your clothing in half. Just throw your clothes in and roll the air out the bottom. A bonus is that it keeps your clothes airtight and wrapped in plastic so you don’t have to worry that your clothes are all now sopping wet when you get caught in that freak monsoon shower.

Only bring half of what you first laid out

On a camping trip through the Arizona desert two years ago, we had a short stop in Las Vegas. I figured it would be very important to have a nice dress and a pair of high heels to go see Cirque de Soleil. By the end of the night, my feet were so sore that I walked home barefoot carrying the damn shoes and then lugged them around in my bag for the rest of the camping trip. More than once have I brought too many clothes or something bulky thinking it was worth the hassle and then regretted it. You only need the basics.

• 3-4 tank tops

• 2-3 T-shirts

• 5-7 pairs of underwear

• 1 skirt (for women)

• 1 lightweight dress (for women)

• 1-2 pairs of shorts

• 1 pair of jeans/pants for colder days and your flights

• 2 pairs of shoes (1 closed toed and 1 pair of sandals)

• 1 lightweight sweater for cold nights and the plane

It is imperative that you either learn to hand-wash your clothes or seek out laundry services that wash for you. Bring no more than a week’s worth of clothes. You will likely wear an item more than once before washing it, so this doesn’t mean you need to bring seven t-shirts.

Men: Your jeans are bulky, heavy, and they don’t pack well. Sorry. Consider finding some lightweight linen/cotton pants. It’s not weird; trust me. Most travelers switch over to them at some point along the way.

Women: You may also never wear that dress or skirt you brought. Some countries have these for sale at great prices and are more suited to the climate you are in. Forego packing these and just buy them when you arrive. You’ll fit in a bit more with the locals. If you have a favorite piece from home you don’t think you can live without, just bring it as long as it’s lightweight and packs small.

Bring an eBook

You will always finish that first book on the flight to your destination. If you’re heading to Europe, Asia, or Africa from North America your flight/s will be long. Very long. You may not be able to sleep for a chunk of the time. Your book won’t last long. An eBook can be hundreds of books in one and quite compact. Before you leave, load it up with books you’ve always wanted to read from free eBook sites like Project Gutenberg, and download some best sellers or a trilogy while you’re at it. You’ll be set for reading and won’t ever have to carry around more than one book at a time.

Personal Hygiene

Everyone has a different idea of what a must-have personal hygiene item is. Just be sure to keep yourself clean in whatever way is necessary while you travel. Consider these tips to cut down on what needs to be brought.

• Solid bar shampoo (packs small, lasts a long time, and isn’t a messy liquid)

• Lightweight microfiber travel towel (holds a lot of water and dries incredibly fast)

• Bar body soap (skip heavy and messy body washes)

Women: Feminine hygiene products can be hard to find or expensive in foreign countries. Buy a Diva Cup a few months before you leave so that you have time to adjust (it does take a couple months to get used to). The bonus is that it’s small and has a little baggie for storage when not in use to keep it clean. It’s reusable for quite a long time and there’s no garbage. Ladies, this is a lifesaver.

Make medication smaller

Those boxes or bottles they come in are BULKY. If your pills are in a blister pack inside a box, just pull them out. I keep a small zippered first aid kit with all the meds in it. If it’s a blister pack write directions in sharpie on the back. Believe me, if you can’t remember if you’re supposed to take one sleep aid or two, writing down the directions can make a huge difference. You shouldn’t be bringing an entire pharmacy with you, but if you know you usually get headaches, have trouble sleeping in new places, or get motion sick on windy roads, it’s nice to have these already with you. In a top-heavy Indian SUV, making tight turns and speeding down pot hole ridden roads in Southern India, I met my match: motion sickness. A friend with a ginger supplement helped me keep my insides inside and I vowed to never go without this important medication ever again.

Electronics

If you’re not a professional photographer and your photos are all going on social media, you only need one small camera. Something digital that’s lightweight. If you find something waterproof, even better. This may even be your phone. Your smartphone can be an easy all-in-one to save space. It’s a music player, a web browser, a camera, and, if it’s unlocked, it can even be a phone if you buy a local SIM card. If you’re bringing more than this, you should have a good reason for hauling around more gadgets. I’m referring to digital nomads who travel with laptops and tablets for work or photographers who travel with all of their camera gear. These people are in a totally different category for electronics. If you are bringing your smartphone, consider investing in a sturdy case like Lifeproof or Otterbox. These keep your phones safe and waterproof.

Must haves:

• A travel power adapter

• Power cords for electronics (bonus if one cord can charge multiple devices)

• Headphones

• Camera with rechargeable battery

• Smartphone

Luxury items

If you can forgo a luxury item, then good on you. I’m not there yet, and may never be, because I just feel better about myself when I have a little bit of makeup on. On my latest trip, I had to decide whether to bring makeup or a travel-sized flat iron. I allowed myself one. I brought a tiny bag of makeup (mascara, concealer, and powder) and let my hair be wild and free. My husband, on the other hand, allowed himself a very small hair trimmer (actually marketed as a mustache trimmer) for his beard. It saves him from having to shave and his beard from getting too long and hot. Just remember that when you’re on the road, you’re often choosing experiences over possessions. Don’t let your possessions hinder you.

Everyone’s packing style is different and priorities will differ from person to person. Be sure you’re willing to carry what you pack and that you have the essentials. Also keep in mind that each country will have different ideas about what is modest and this can often mean bringing along a scarf to cover your head/shoulders if you’re a woman or long pants if you’re a man. Do your research and get packing!