When you set off for the first time on a long several-month trip, you’re afraid of forgetting something. You start to confuse items that’ll be extremely useful with gadgets you’ll simply never use. You’re under the impression that if you don’t have a particular item of clothing or some specific gear, then you’ll have trouble finding it on the other side of the world. In this article, based on feedback from hundreds of keen travellers, we’ll tell you what you’ll find really useful and give you advice on how to optimise the weight of your bag.
Between 3rd and 6th May 2018, we carried out a big survey amongst 592 world travellers, in which we asked them all about the items they took travelling. Learn more about our methodology
We’ll refer to it regularly throughout this article.
In this article, the products listed largely refer to brands from Decathlon shops: Quechua, Forklaz, Olaian, and so on…
Decathlon shops are extremely popular in Europe. There’s a huge range of products for travellers and outdoor sports.
And that’s why we chose to refer to their products, as we’re lucky enough to live right next to their largest shop in the world. This meant that we could go directly into the shop with our little scales and weigh each item that you might take on a big “round-the-world” (RTW) style trip. Therefore, you’ll have an idea of the weight of each item, which’ll be particularly useful for you when you easily want to estimate the total weight of your bag.
When we couldn’t find a product at Decathlon, we took an example from Amazon.
However, although Decathlon products have a good reputation for a rather attractive quality-to-price ratio, that doesn’t mean that you have to buy all your equipment from them, especially if you prefer ultra-high-performance gear.
There aren’t as many Decathlon shops in the United Kingdom and Australia, and they haven’t even been opened yet in the United States or New Zealand. If there isn’t a Decathlon near you, you can always go through their UK e-shopping website, decathlon.co.uk, as they deliver worldwide.
It’s impossible to make a packing list that’s suitable for all travellers. Your gear depends on the way you travel:
According to our survey, the average weight of a bag (including an extra bag) is the same for women and men: 33 lbs (15 kg) (38.6 lbs (17.5 kg) for those who travel with kids). This is way too much.
When we asked them what they’d change if they did it again, most responded: “Don’t overpack to begin with”. Many had to send some of their gear home by post during their trip to help lighten the load. What’s more, those who set off on another long-term trip almost always have a lighter pack than their first time.
We don’t all have the same idea of the word “light”
The weight of the bag is normally proportional to the weight of the person carrying it. It’s often said that it shouldn’t exceed 15 to 20 % of the weight of the person carrying it, and yet, this ratio is used for simple hikes but not for several month-long backpacking trips. Many RTW travellers (especially women who are, on average, lighter) therefore carry a bag that’s too heavy.
So make sure you really respect this maximum ratio for all of your kit (big bag + small bag). Kids can also carry a small bag, but it shouldn’t exceed 10 to 15 % of their weight.
Prep your bag as if you were going for two weeks. It might seem strange to have so few things when setting off, but after a few days you won’t even realise that you’re often dressed the same way. You’ll be able to get your clothes cheaply anywhere in the world or wash them yourself in a sink.
Travelling with a bag that’s too heavy can have a big impact on your trip:
The 3-layer technique for clothes
We’re not going to give you the list of equipment that we took on our RTW trip as, in hindsight, we also packed way too many things.
We analysed the results of our survey and drew from our personal experience to compile a list of recommended equipment. As we can’t make a list that’s adapted to each and every traveller, ours is aimed at the most common type of RTW traveller. It’ll suit you if:
Of course, our list isn’t to be taken at face value. The needs and wants of each traveller are different. It’s more of a starting point from which you can remove or add items.
We weighed each item on our list ourselves. Our recommended equipment weight comes in at a total of 24.5 lbs (11.1 kg) for men and 21.8 lbs (9.9 kg) for women. If you take off the weight of the clothes that you’ll be wearing, you end up with a bag that weighs between 17.6 and 22 lbs (8 and 10 kg). The colder it’ll be, the more clothes you’ll wear and therefore your bag will be lighter.
Almost all RTW travellers carry their gear in a backpack, which is much more convenient to transport than a suitcase. Generally speaking, they take a big, main backpack that they leave in their accommodation between each long journey and a secondary bag for walking around during the day.
The popular Deuter Aircontact backpack
The most important criteria to consider when choosing your main backpack are:
Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Daypack
Your secondary backpack will be useful for strolling around town, going to the beach, taking short hikes and as carry-on luggage on planes and long-distance bus journeys.
We advise you to go for the lightest and the least bulky one possible so that you can easily slip it into your main backpack when you don’t need it. As a matter of fact, it’s not very practical to move around with a large bag on your back and a small one on your front.
There are ultra-compact models which, once folded, take up no more space than a key ring: at Sea to Summit (1.4 oz / 68 grams), Gonex (6.5 oz / 185 grams) or Quechua (1.7 oz / 48 grams).
Some big backpacks, like the Deuter Travellers or the Osprey Farpoint, are equipped with a small detachable backpack which zips onto the main bag. On others, like the Quechua Escape, the removable top lid can be turned into a shoulder bag. The advantage of this system is that you won’t need to put your small bag in your big bag or carry it in front when travelling.
Quechua Ultra-Light Toiletry Bag
A toiletry bag lets you put all your toiletries together and easily take them to the bathroom which won’t always be in your bedroom during the trip. Choose one that is lightweight and has a loop or a hook so you can hang it. You can also go without one by simply putting your toiletries in a zipped plastic bag.
You can put your medication and your first aid equipment in your toiletry bag or in a separate bag.
You can also buy a pre-packed first aid kit with plasters, bandages, scissors, etc. Another option is to put everything in your toiletry bag.
Quechua Backpack Travel Cover
It’s not unusual for your bag to get dirty on buses, tuk-tuks or on the tarmac at airports. You can protect it with a backpack travel cover.
However, it’s weight is far from minimal. Even mid-range travel backpacks are designed to withstand heavy backpacker use. Many models have an integrated rain cover which, even if it doesn’t cover the shoulder straps, already protects the rest of the bag pretty well. These rain covers are much lighter than the travel covers bought separately.
What’s more, does it really matter if your bag’s slightly dirty at the end of a RTW trip? And finally, a bag that looks brand new probably attracts more attention from thieves.
Travel covers are usually padlockable. Therefore, it’s a little harder for others to steal things from your bag or slip in an illegal product when crossing borders. Nonetheless, backpacks also often have padlockable zips.
A dry bag for watersports
A dry bag might be handy if you plan to go diving, kayaking, rafting or even if you take out a small boat.
It’ll protect your camera and important documents from the water.
Another advantage of this type of bag is that it floats thanks to the air trapped inside.
Some waterproof bags come with grippy lining, small scrubbing nodules inside and a valve to let the air out. These elements make it ideal for washing clothes.
This washing machine function isn’t essential, as in Asia, Latin America and Africa, it’s easy and cheap to get your laundry washed. However, it might be handy for doing small extra washes if you don’t pack many clothes, or if you spend a lot of time in wealthy countries or in extremely remote areas.
A travel wash bag
Quechua Waterproof Compression Bag
There are two solutions to choose from that can help you organise and / or protect your belongings inside your main bag:
Amazon Basics Backpack for Camera
If you’re taking a compact or mirrorless camera, a basic case is enough. If you’re going with a DSLR and several lenses, you might need a special bag.
There are some with a detachable photo compartment, which is an extra security feature. We don’t recommend shoulder bags as they’re too bulky for a long trip.
| Bags | Percentage of travellers who took this item | Our example | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main backpack | 98 % |
Women’s Forclaz 50 L Travel Backpack
Men’s Forclaz 50 L Travel Backpack |
5.1 lbs (2.3 kg) | $95 (£70) |
| Secondary bag | 95 % | Forclaz Compact Waterproof 20 L Travel Backpack | 5.4 oz (154 g) | $16 (£12) |
| Toiletry bag | 75 % | Forclaz Ultra Light and Compact Toiletry Bag | 1.5 oz (43 g) | $14 (£10) |
| Item | Percentage of travellers who took this item | Our example | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medication / First aid kit | 70% | Forclaz First-Aid Kit 100 41 Pieces | 7.1 oz (200 g) | $18 (£13) |
| Travel cover | 20% | Forclaz Plane Travel Cover 40 – 90 L | 21.1 oz (598 g) | $27 (£20) |
| Dry bag | 19% | Itiwit Dry Bag 30 L | 15.9 oz (450 g) | $24 (£18) |
| Compression bag | 16% | Forclaz Compression Bag 25 L | 7.1 oz (200 g) | $24 (£18) |
| Storage bag | 16% | Forclaz Kit of 3 Storage Bags | 7.8 oz (220 g) | $14 (£10) |
| Wash bag | 14% | Scrubba Wash Bag | 4.8 oz (136 g) | $57 (£42) |
| Camera bag | 14% | Amazon Basics Backpack for SLR Cameras | 31.4 oz (889 g) | $49 (£36) |
On average, RTW travellers take two top outer layers: a warm jacket or a down jacket + a waterproof jacket or a poncho. There are also waterproof jackets with removable down jackets (2-in-1).
Quechua waterproof jacket
During a RTW trip, you’ll probably face some heavy rain, for example, during the monsoon season in Asia. So, most RTW travellers take a jacket to protect themselves from the rain.
Your waterproof jacket won’t heat you up, which is welcome in hot countries. If you plan on crossing cold areas, you can put it on over a fleece and a synthetic or merino T-shirt. So this is the famous three-layer system that’s also known as dressing like an onion.
There’s a huge range of waterproof jackets: from basic windbreakers to technical mountaineering jackets.
It’s important that your jacket is light and breathable enough so that it doesn’t turn into a sauna when it’s hot.
Arpenaz Poncho
Ponchos have a hole that you slip your head through, whereas capes are put on the shoulders and hang in front.
Basic, non-breathable models only cost a few dollars / pounds. You can put them over your backpack to protect it. What’s more, as they’re long, they also protect the upper legs.
But ponchos and rain capes have several drawbacks. They tend to fly away the second that there’s a bit of wind. They’re not easy to put on, they restrict movement and they easily snag on bushes or branches. Finally, the cheaper models are completely waterproof, which means that they quickly turn into a sauna as soon as you start to sweat.
In view of all these drawbacks, we advise you to use a waterproof jacket and your backpack’s rain cover instead. If it doesn’t already have one, you can buy one separately.
Quechua Softshell Jacket
Warm jackets are often water repellent, but they won’t keep you dry in the event of prolonged rain. On the other hand, they’ll protect you from the cold and the wind.
Warm jackets can be worn directly over your T-shirt or over a thin fleece. They normally have a fitted cut and are made from stretch fabric, which accommodates movement.
They’re useful if you mainly do physical activities like hiking or biking, in cold weather, but not too humid.
Uniqlo Ultra-Light Down Jacket
An ultra-light down jacket can be a comfortable alternative to a warm jacket. There are ones with or without sleeves and with or without a hood. The ones with sleeves and a hood will be warmer, but also a little heavier.
Down has an amazing warmth-to-weight ratio and compresses easily. On the other hand, it absorbs moisture and loses its insulating quality if it gets wet. Moreover, it requires a delicate wash, without spinning or machine drying.
The down performance depends on four criteria:
On average, RTW travellers take one top middle layer.
Quechua Fleece
Fleece fabric is warm, comfortable and light. It’s breathable and dries quickly. However, it doesn’t protect against wind nor rain.
The thicker the fleece, the warmer it is, but less breathable. Fleece jackets can be sorted into three categories according to their weight: thin (100 g / m²), medium (200 g / m²), thick (300 g / m²).
Not everyone is a fan of the look of baggy fleeces, but nowadays there are fitted fleeces, with or without hoods, that look neater.
There are also stretch fleeces, a little more expensive than the others, but which offer greater freedom of movement.
The zip can be ¼ or full. A full zip is a bit more expensive, but allows for more ventilation and is easier to put on.
With a fleece, some RTW travellers feel like they’re dressed as hikers and therefore prefer the look of a sweatshirt. However, it doesn’t offer the same performance as a fleece. It’s not as warm and it doesn’t dry as quickly.
If you plan on staying in warm areas, a sweatshirt may do the job. More than half of RTW travellers only take one top (fleece, sweatshirt or sweater). For weight reasons, we advise you not to take a fleece and a sweatshirt.
A thick wool sweater is warmer than a sweatshirt. However, it’s heavier than a fleece and dries less quickly. A light sweater allows you to have a slightly dressier outfit, but avoid taking several top middle layers to limit the weight of your bag.
On average, RTW travellers take six top base layers.
Forclaz Techwool T-shirt
Take at least one long-sleeved T-shirt to protect yourself from mosquitoes in the evening.
We advise you to take merino wool T-shirts.
The only downside to merino wool T-shirts is their price: at least $20 (£15) for a short-sleeved T-shirt and $23 (£17) for a long-sleeved T-shirt and even more for 100% merino. However, this material has so many advantages that we think it’s worth it:
Sometimes, even when travelling, you want to be a little more dressy. Some travellers therefore take one or several polo shirts. However, remember that you won’t be able to iron them.
A shirt is more airy than a T-shirt, it’ll protect your arms from the sun and keep you cooler than a long-sleeved T-shirt. It’ll come in handy in the evening in areas where there are lots of mosquitoes, as you can roll down the sleeves.
You can go for a linen T-shirt, which is nice and breezy when it’s hot, even if it creases more easily in your backpack.
A shirt can have a dual purpose: directly on the skin when it’s hot or over a T-shirt or a vest top when it’s cooler.
For women, having a loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirt hides your body shape, which makes it relatively versatile in more conservative countries.
On average, RTW travellers take four bottom items of clothing.
Zip-off trousers reduce the weight of your bag
If you plan on doing hikes at altitude, opt for hiking trousers. They’re light, hard-wearing and dry quickly. Unlike jeans, they don’t cling to your skin and don’t hinder your movements when you walk.
There are zip-off hiking trousers that turn into shorts. Not everyone is a fan of the style, but they’re really handy for reducing the weight of your backpack, as you can then pack one less item of clothing.
Jeans and chinos are heavier and dry more slowly than hiking trousers. However, many travellers take a pair as they don’t want to be dressed like a hiker all the time.
In countries where it’s frowned upon to show your legs, you can also buy lightweight canvas trousers that’ll keep you cooler than jeans or hiking trousers.
If you travel in hot countries, you’ll probably spend most of your time in shorts. You don’t necessarily need to buy some especially for your RTW trip, the ones you have in the back of your wardrobe will surely do the trick.
They can be worn with a skirt, dress, shorts, tunic, long shirt or underneath trousers if it’s cold. They don’t hamper movement and are therefore well-suited to hiking.
A skirt is nice to wear when it’s hot. A long skirt is a good option in countries where it’s frowned upon to show your legs or for visiting temples, as they’re cooler than trousers.
Some skirts can be pulled up to the chest and then become beach dresses.
A dress is nice to wear when it’s hot. It can replace shorts and a T-shirt / vest top.
Like a long skirt, a long dress is a good solution in countries where it’s frowned upon to show your legs or for visiting temples, as they’re cooler than trousers.
And what’s more, even when you’re travelling, you might want to wear a more stylish outfit for going out.
With a maxi dress and just a few key items, it’s easy to get a ton of different looks.
10 Ways to style a maxi dress
Take the models you feel most comfortable in. You can take sports bras for physical activities.
Just take the models you feel good in, even when it’s hot.
During your RTW trip, you’ll spend a lot of time in flip-flops, so don’t pack too many socks.
If you have circulation problems, your legs and feet tend to be heavy and swollen on long plane journeys, you can also take compression socks.
They apply constant pressure to your foot, your calf and your leg, which helps maintain and increase blood flow by pressing on superficial veins. In this way, you’ll reduce the risk of thrombosis.
Flip-flops or sandals are really useful in hot countries. They’ll probably be the pair you’ll use the most during your trip.
If you intend on doing hikes, you’ll also need a suitable pair of shoes. High walking shoes provide good support but are heavy and not recommended for prolonged use as they weaken the ankle muscles. Lighter, low walking shoes or trail shoes are just right for a RTW trip. There are also hiking sandals that may be adequate for day hikes in hot areas.
On average, RTW travellers take two or three pairs of shoes. We advise you, if possible, to limit yourself to two pairs.
From our point of view, the best combination is:
Salomon XA Pro 3D Trail Shoes
Havaianas Flip-Flops
Unless you’re just doing a RTW trip through the Arctic Circle, a swimsuit will come in really handy.
If you plan on going through cold areas, you can take a hat. However, if you don’t go through these areas at the start of your trip, you’ll easily be able to buy a cheap one out there. This will save you from having to carry it throughout your trip.
A cap will be really useful to protect you from the sun in hot countries.
A hat has the advantage of better protecting your ears and neck from the sun. After all, it’s a matter of aesthetic taste.
It helps protect your nose and mouth from dust. You can also wear it on your head to protect yourself from the sun.
It can protect you from dust and the sun. It can also cover your head or shoulders in countries or places where it’s frowned upon to leave them exposed. Rolled into a ball, it can also be used as a pillow. A sarong can also serve as a headscarf.
Just like the woolly hat, they’re useful in cold areas, but you’ll be able to buy them locally if you start in warm areas.
Useful to protect your hands in cold areas, but you can also buy them out there.
This type of synthetic material T-shirt is specially designed to be worn in water. It’s really useful for snorkelling. It’ll prevent you from getting sunburn on your back and keep you warm. It can also be worn under a wetsuit.
| Item of clothing | Percentage of travellers who took this item of clothing | Our example | Recommended quantity |
Unit weight Women: size M Men: size L |
Unit price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterproof jacket with removable down jacket | – |
Forclaz Women’s Waterproof 3-In-1 Jacket
Forclaz Men’s Waterproof 3-In-1 Jacket |
1 |
W: 2.3 lbs (1.03 kg) M: 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg) |
$122 (£90) |
| Fleece | 72% |
Women’s Quechua Hiking Fleece MH950
Men’s Quechua Walking Fleece |
1 |
W: 10.5 oz (299 g) M: 12.3 oz (350 g) |
$47 (£35) |
| Short-sleeved merino T-shirt | 19% |
Women’s Forclaz Short-Sleeved Merino T-Shirt
Men’s Forclaz Short-Sleeved Merino T-Shirt |
1 |
W: 4.2 oz (120 g) M: 5.2 oz (148 g) |
$27 (£20) |
| Long-sleeved merino T-shirt | 38% |
Women’s Forclaz Long-Sleeved Merino T-Shirt
Men’s Forclaz Long-Sleeved Merino T-Shirt |
1 |
W: 4.6 oz (130 g) M: 6.5 oz (184 g) |
$34 (£25) |
| Zip-off trousers | 38% |
Women’s Forclaz Travel Trousers
Men’s Forclaz Travel Trousers |
1 |
W: 15.2 oz (432 g) M: 25 oz (710 g) |
W: $41 (£30) M: $54 (£40) |
| Jeans / chinos | 67% |
Women’s Levi’s 711 Jeans
Men’s Levi’s 511 Jeans |
1 |
W: 19.4 oz (550 g) M: 22.2 oz (630 g) |
W: $91 (£67) M: $103 (£76) |
| Shorts |
83% of women 100% of men |
Forclaz Women’s Trekking Shorts 100
Forclaz Men’s Trekking Shorts 100 |
1 |
W: 10.6 oz (300 g) M: 19 oz (540 g) |
W: $27 (£20) M: $34 (£25) |
| Knickers / pants / tangas / thongs / underpants / boxers | 100% |
Kalenji Breathable Briefs
Kalenji Breathable Boxers |
4 |
W: 0.7 oz (21 g) M: 1.4 oz (40 g) |
$7 (£5) |
| Sports bra / bra | 100% of women | – | – | – | |
| Cotton socks | 91% | Artengo High Socks RS 500 3-Pack | 3 | 2.4 oz (67 g) | $8 (£6) |
| Hiking socks | 52% | Solognac Full-Length Warm Woollen Socks 900 | 1 | 5.3 oz (150 g) | $18 (£13) |
| Flip-flops |
83% of women 79% of men |
Women’s Olaian Flip-Flops 190
Men’s Olaian Flip-Flops 120 |
1 |
W: 6.7 oz (190 g) M: 12.7 oz (360 g) |
W: $8 (£6) M: $4 (£3) |
| Trail shoes |
25% of women 33% of men |
Women’s Evadcit MT2 Trail Shoes
Men’s Evadict MT2 Trail Shoes |
1 |
W: 9.5 oz / foot (270 g) M: 10.9 oz / foot (310 g) |
$95 (£70) |
| Hat | 53% | Forclaz Travel Cap 500 | 1 | 3.1 oz (88 g) | $11 (£8) |
| Swimsuit | 95% |
Women’s Olaian Triangle Top
&
Briefs
Men’s Olaian Boardshorts |
1 |
W: 4.2 oz (120 g) M: 5.6 oz (160 g) |
W: $9 (£7) M: $7 (£5) |
| Item of clothing | Percentage of travellers who took this item of clothing | Our example |
Unit weight Women: size M Men: size L |
Unit price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short-sleeved cotton T-shirt | 82% |
Women’s Quechua Hiking T-Shirt NH500
Men’s Quechua Hiking T-Shirt NH500 |
W: 4.6 oz (130 g) M: 5.1 oz (145 g) |
W: $16 (£12) M: $14(£10) |
| Waterproof jacket (hardshell) | 80% |
Women’s Forclaz Waterproof Jacket MT500
Men’s Forclaz Waterproof Jacket MT500 |
W: 16.6 oz (470 g) M: 18.7 oz (530 g) |
$163 (£120) |
| Warm jacket (softshell) | 31% |
Women’s Forclaz Softshell Jacket
Men’s Forclaz Softshell Jacket |
W: 18.9 oz (535 g) M: 21.2 oz (600 g) |
$61 (£45) |
| Ultralight down jacket | 36% |
Women’s Forclaz Down Jacket MT100
Men’s Forclaz Down Jacket MT100 |
W: 9.7 oz (275 g) M: 10.2 oz (290 g) |
$68 (£50) |
| Poncho / Rain cape | 20% | Quechua Hiking Rain Poncho 75 L | 19.8 oz (560 g) | $54 (£40) |
| Sweatshirt | 38% |
Women’s Domyos Fitness Hoodie
Men’s Doymos Fitness Hoodie |
W: 13.1 oz (370 g) M: 19 oz (540 g) |
W: $18 (£13) M: $12 (£9) |
| Sweater | 28% |
Women’s Quechua Hiking Pullover NH100
Men’s Quechua Walking Pullover |
W: 5.9 oz (167 g) M: 6.7 oz (190 g) |
$8 (£6) |
| Synthetic short-sleeved T-shirt / vest top | 52% |
Women’s Short-Sleeved Synthetic T-Shirt
Men’s Short-Sleeved Synthetic T-Shirt |
3.9 oz (110 g) |
W: $7 (£5) M: $4 (£3) |
| Long-sleeved cotton T-shirt | 42% |
Women’s Nyamba Long-Sleeved Cotton T-Shirt
Men’s Domyos Long-Sleeved Cotton T-Shirt |
W: 5.3 oz (150 g) M: 7.1 oz (200 g) |
W: $8 (£6) M: $5 (£4) |
| Long-sleeved synthetic T-shirt | 24% |
Women’s Quechua Long-Sleeved Walking T-Shirt
Men’s Quechua Synthetic Long-Sleeved T-Shirt |
W: 5.8 oz (164 g) M: 5.2 oz (147 g) |
W: $20 (£15) M: $34 (£25) |
| Polo shirt | 17% of men |
Women’s Forclaz Merino Wool T-Shirt
Men’s Forclaz Merino Wool Polo Shirt |
W: 4.2 oz (120 g) M: 5.8 oz (165 g) |
$41 (£30) |
| Shirt |
26% of women 53% of men |
Women’s Forclaz Long-Sleeved Shirt
Men’s Forclaz Long-Sleeved Shirt |
W: 8.1 oz (230 g) M: 12.3 oz (350 g) |
W: $34 (£25) M: $41 (£30) |
| Skirt | 22% of women | Macabi Skirt | 7.1 oz (200 g) | $85 (£63) |
| Dress | 52% of women | Patagonia Magnolia Spring Dress | 7.1 oz (201 g) | $85 (£63) |
| Hiking trousers (non-zippable) | 53% |
Women’s Forclaz Trekking Trousers MT500
Men’s Forclaz Trekking Trousers MT500 |
W: 13.1 oz (370 g) M: 14.5 oz (410 g) |
$41 (£30) |
| Tights / Leggings |
60% of women 17% of men |
Women’s Inovik Merino Wool Base Layer Bottoms
Men’s Forclaz Merino Base Layer Tights |
W: 5.6 oz (160 g) M: 6.7 oz (191 g) |
$47 (£35) |
| Compression socks | 13% | Aptonia Compression Socks | 1.8 oz (50 g) | $16 (£12) |
| Light canvas shoes |
38% of women 28% of men |
Women’s Newfeel Soft 140 Shoes
Men’s Newfeel Soft 140 Shoes |
W: 5.1 oz (150 g) M: 6.5 oz (185 g) |
$20 (£15) |
| Sandals |
50% of women 18% of men |
Women’s Leather Quechua Sandals
Men’s Quechua Leather Sandals |
W: 8.1 oz (230 g) M: 10.1 oz (286 g) |
W: $47 (£35) M: $34 (£25) |
| Running shoes |
26% of women 26% of men |
Women’s Kiprun KN500 Running Shoes
Men’s Kiprun Fast 2 Running Shoes |
W: 6.9 oz (197 g) M: 8.4 oz (238 g) |
$95 (£70) |
| Water shoes |
14% of women 9% of men |
Subea Aquashoes 120 |
W: 9.9 oz (280 g) M: 13.1 oz (370 g) |
$14 (£10) |
| Low hiking boots |
34% of women 39% of men |
Women’s Quechua Mountain Waterproof Shoes MH500
Men’s Quechua Waterproof Walking Shoes |
W: 12.6 oz / shoe (356 g) M: 15.7 oz / shoes (445 g) |
W: (£40) M: (£60) |
| High hiking boots |
27% of women 16% of men |
Women’s Forclaz High Top Shoe
Men’s Forclaz High Top Shoe |
W: 17.7 oz / shoe (502 g) M: 17.8 oz / shoe (506 g) |
$95 (£70) |
| Headscarf |
53% of women 14% of men |
Forclaz Desert Scarf | 3.4 oz (95 g) | $14 (£10) |
| Scarf | 56% | Forclaz Multi-Position Merino Scarf | 0.7 oz (20 g) | $16 (£12) |
| Bandana | 12% | Unisex Bandana | 1 oz (27 g) | $3 (£2) |
| Gloves | 52% | Forclaz Fleece Gloves | 1.8 oz (50 g) | $9 (£7) |
| Woolly hat | 50% | Wed’Ze Hat | 3.5 oz (100 g) | $8 (£6) |
| UV protection T-shirt | 12% |
Women’s Olaian Anti UV T-Shirt 500
Men’s Olaian UV-Protection T-Shirt 500 |
W: 7.8 oz (220 g) M: 8.5 oz (240 g) |
W: $18 (£13) M: $9 (£7) |
| Pyjamas / Nightshirt | 5% | Women’s Pyjama Set | 15.2 oz (430 g) | $20 (£15) |
Forclaz Sleeping Bag MT900 10°C
Choosing whether to take a sleeping bag or not will greatly affect the weight of your backpack, as it’s one of the heaviest items.
You can take one if you’re starting your trip in cold areas and / or if you want to use it to keep yourself warm on buses where the air-con is often on full blast.
You can also buy one when you get to a cold area or occasionally rent one when you go on treks.
Quechua silk sheet
Whether you take a sleeping bag or not, a sleeping bag liner is particularly handy when travelling. It can be used in hot countries, when hotel sheets aren’t clean. If you use it as a liner in your sleeping bag, you won’t have to wash your sleeping bag so often, and it also adds extra thermal comfort.
It’s better to avoid cotton – too heavy, not very warm and dries slowly. Synthetic is lighter, warmer and dries quickly, but it’s less comfortable and gets smelly quickly. A silk sheet is really the best in every way, but it’s more expensive.
Sea to Summit ultralight self-inflating mattress
If you intend to sleep outside, you’ll need a mattress to sleep comfortably and insulate you from the ground.
Foam mattresses are cheap, sturdy, waterproof, light and quick to set up, but they’re uncomfortable and bulky.
Self-inflating mattresses are space-saving, comfortable, insulating and quick to set up, but they’re more expensive, a bit heavier and more fragile.
MSR Hubba Hubba Tent
Take a tent if you plan on camping-out regularly, especially if you’re travelling by bike or hitch-hiking. Camping will allow you to be closer to nature and make huge savings on accommodation.
However, even a lightweight tent will significantly weigh down your pack. In “poor” countries, camping sites as we know them in Europe barely exist. If you intend on camping in countries where accommodation is expensive, such as Australia, New Zealand, the United States or Canada, you can also buy a tent when you get there, to avoid the hassle of carrying it for the whole trip.
Quechua hammock
A hammock is much less bulky than a tent and there are “ultralight” ones made from parachute fabric. This Sea to Summit hammock weighs just 5.5 oz (155 g).
Not being in contact with the ground can be a real advantage in places where there are lots of little beasts or where the ground is really rocky.
But, a hammock also has its drawbacks. It doesn’t protect you from the wind and you need trees to be able to hang it. To protect you from the rain, you’ll need to cover it with a tarp. Similarly, to protect you from mosquitoes, you’ll need to cover it with a mosquito net. Also, unless you have your bag kept in a safe place or you’re travelling really light, you’ll be forced to leave your bag next to your hammock when you sleep. Therefore, you run the risk of it being stolen.
Hammock’s are Francois’ favourite accessory. He mainly uses it to take a nap in tropical countries and to sleep on the deck of passenger boats in Asia and Latin America.
Forclaz Tarp 900
Tarp (short for tarpaulin) is a stretched synthetic canvas that protects you from wind and rain. It’s mainly used by experienced hikers looking for a lighter alternative to a tent. They attach it to their trekking poles.
It’s cheaper and lighter than a tent and protects you in several ways: when you sleep on the ground, when you’re in your hammock, when you make a fire.
On the other hand, it’s more difficult to use than a tent and it won’t insulate you from the ground nor the surroundings. You’ll be less protected from cold, wind, humidity and insects.
The best earplugs are cylindrical
Loud music on buses, dorm neighbours who like to party until way too late at night, bunking buddies who snore too much… In short, there are plenty of opportunities to use earplugs.
If you have trouble sleeping on transport, there are inflatable pillows or cushions that wrap around your neck. However, you can equally stuff the inside of a sweater with clothes and tie its sleeves to close the bottom opening. This’ll give you a soft and spongy cushion.
If you can’t sleep unless it’s completely dark, you should take a mask to cover your eyes.
| Item | Percentage of travellers who took this item | Our example | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sleeping bag liner | 72% | Forclaz Silk Sleeping Bag Cover | 3.9 oz (110 g) | $47 (£35) |
| Earplugs | 69% | Moldex Earplugs | 0.6 oz (18 g) | $7 (£5) |
| Item | Percentage of travellers who took this item | Our example | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sleeping bag | 63% | Forclaz Trekking Sleeping Bag MT900 10°C | 24.7 oz (700 g) | $135 (£100) |
| Sleep mask | 43% | Forclaz Travel Sleep Mask | 0.7 oz (20 g) | $8 (£6) |
| Inflatable pillow | 27% | Forclaz Inflatable Travel Pillow | 2.8 oz (80 g) | $9 (£7) |
| Mattress | 25% | Forclaz Inflatable Trekking Mattress MT500 | 18 oz (510 g) | $54 (£40) |
| Tent | 25% | Forclaz Self-Standing Tent | 45.9 oz (1300 g) | $176 (£130) |
| Hammock | 11% | Quechua Hammock | 19 oz (540 g) | $20 (£15) |
| Tarp | 3% | Forclaz Trekking Tarp | 17.3 oz (490 g) | $68 (£50) |
An iPhone
A phone will be very useful for receiving code texts / OTPs (one-time passwords) from your bank when you pay, for example, for plane tickets online. If you buy local sim cards, you’ll also have a number to call each other if you’re travelling in a group or to communicate with people you meet along the way.
When connected to wifi or 3/4/5G, your smartphone has loads of functions: calling, chatting, listening to music, looking up maps, finding out information on your next destination and accommodation, buying plane, bus or train tickets, posting your adventures on Facebook, Instagram, following your budget, calculating exchange rates…
Possible accessories:
Taking a camera isn’t essential, as smartphones nowadays take pretty good photos. However, they still don’t have the same quality as a good camera.
Each type of device has its pros and cons. Choose a relatively light one that meets your needs:
We don’t advise taking a bridge camera for a RTW trip as they’re heavy and generally take average-quality photos.
Sony Cybershot Compact
Possible accessories:
The famous mini GoPro camera
A camcorder can be cool to film your adventures. Go for a waterproof and shockproof action film camera like a GoPro.
Possible accessories:
RTW travellers often think twice about taking a laptop. It can be handy for storing and editing your photos and videos and for writing your articles if you have a blog. On the other hand, it significantly increases the weight of your bag.
Possible accessories:
Macbook Air
A tablet takes up less space and is usually cheaper than a laptop.
However, it has less memory, is more complicated to use to manage photos and videos, and the touchscreen isn’t that practical for entering long texts.
Possible accessories:
The same for a laptop.
Nowadays, most travellers listen to music on their smartphone. So an MP3 / MP4 isn’t that useful, but it still has the advantage of having a much longer battery life than that of a smartphone.
An e-book can help you reduce the weight of your equipment. It saves you from carrying books that are often pretty heavy. You can also buy electronic travel guides, but sometimes it’s a little confusing when you can’t flick through them in hard copy.
Possible accessories:
If you plan on hiking without a guide or getting around on your own on foot, by bike or in your vehicle, you can take a GPS. It could be a vehicle GPS, a small hiking GPS or a hiking watch that has a GPS function. However, a smartphone with a map app that’s accessible offline can also do the job nicely.
Electrical sockets vary from one country to another. To avoid the hassle of buying a new adapter each time you go to a new country, we advise you to take a universal adapter.
It isn’t essential, but it can be handy if you travel with lots of electronic devices. In fact, there probably won’t be enough sockets to charge them all at the same time in your room.
It can be pretty useful in mosquito-infested areas, but during a long trip it’ll run out after several weeks and it’ll be difficult to find refills.
When travelling, you won’t always have access to an electrical socket, especially on transport. A battery lets you charge your devices without using a socket. Be careful, as some can be pretty heavy.
These days, most electronic devices come with their own battery. Therefore, fewer and fewer travellers need to take batteries.
A solar charger performs the same function as an external battery pack, but allows you to be even more independent, as you won’t need to pre-charge it on an electrical socket.
While it allows you to take amazing videos from the sky, it significantly increases the weight of your luggage.
| Item | Percentage of travellers who took this item | Our example | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phone | 94% | iPhone 12 Mini | 4.7 oz (133 g) | $784 (£579) |
| Phone charging cable | 94% | RAMPOW iPhone Charger Cable | 0.4 oz (10 g) | $14 (£10) |
| Phone case | 90% | JETech Case | 0.7 oz (21 g) | $8 (£6) |
| Headphones | 79% | Apple EarPods | 1.45 oz (41 g) | $23 (£17) |
| Camera | 73% | Sony RX100 III | 7.5 oz (213 g) | $244 (£180) |
| Camera charging cable | 73% | Micro USB Cable | 2.1 oz (59 g) | $11 (£8) |
| Camera case | 73% | Sony Soft Carry Case | 3.2 oz (91 g) | $24 (£18) |
| Memory card | 69% | SanDisk Memory Card 64 GB + SD Adapter | 0.2 oz (5 g) | $12 (£9) |
| Universal adaptor | 77% | LYSLEDa Universal Travel Adaptor with 2 USB Ports | 3.5 oz (100 g) | $22 (£16) |
| Item | Percentage of travellers who took this item | Our example | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Smartphone gear
|
||||
| Mini tripod | 15% | GorillaPod Tripod | 6.9 oz (195 g) | $68 (£50) |
| Selfie stick | 10% | Gritin Selfie Stick | 6.7 oz (190 g) | $16 (£12) |
| Waterproof case | – | YOSH Waterproof Phone Case | 3 oz (82 g) | $11 (£8) |
| Mini lenses | – | Selvim 3-in-1 Phone Lens | 4.2 oz (120 g) | $22 (£16) |
|
Camera gear
|
||||
| Spare battery | 50% | 2 Enegon Replacement Batteries + Charger | 2.7 oz (77 g) | $27 (£20) |
| Lenses | 23% | Canon EF 50mm 1.8 STM Lens | 5.6 oz (160 g) | $188 (£139) |
| Cleaning kit | 14% | Camkix Professional Camera Cleaning Kit | 8.5 oz (240 g) | $14 (£10) |
| Filter(s) | 11% | Hoya Polarising Filter | 1.7 oz (50 g) | $34 (£25) |
| Tripod | 4% | Amazon Basics Tripod | 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) | $33 (£24) |
| Waterproof case | 1% | Sony Underwater Housing | 23.3 oz (660 g) | $434 (£320) |
| Spare film | 2% | Kodak Ultramax Film 3-Pack | 14.1 oz (400 g) | $44 (£33) |
| Remote control | – | Amazon Basics Wireless Remote Control | 0.5 oz (14 g) | $9 (£7) |
|
Video camera gear
|
||||
| Video camera | 40% | GoPro HERO | 5.2 oz (147 g) | $464 (£343) |
| Waterproof case | 17% | FitStill 60M Waterproof Case | 3.5 oz (100 g) | $22 (£16) |
| Travel case | – | Amazon Basics GoPro Carrying Case | 8.6 oz (245 g) | $15 (£11) |
| Spare battery | – | FlyHi 2-Pack Battery and Rapid 3-Channel Charger | 2.8 oz (80 g) | $31 (£23) |
| Accessories | – | YHTSPORT GoPro Accessories | 14 oz (400 g) | $19 (£14) |
| Filter(s) | – | YALLSAME Diving Filter for GoPro | 1.1 oz (30 g) | $26 (£19) |
|
Computer gear
|
||||
| Laptop | 48% | MacBook Air | 2.8 lbs (1.25 kg) | $1226 (£907) |
| Charger | 48% | MacBook Air Charger | 7 oz (198 g) | $23 (£17) |
| Travel case | 48% | Amazon Basics Laptop Sleeve | 7.5 oz (212 g) | $14 (£10 |
| USB key | 56% | SanDisk Ultra 128GB Flash Drive | 0.8 oz (23 g) | $18 (£13) |
| External hard drive | 40% | Samsung T5 500GB External Drive | 3.5 oz (100 g) | $95 (£70) |
| USB port hub | 2% | Anker 4-Port USB Hub | 1.1 oz (30 g) | $18 (£13) |
| Mouse | – | Bloomley Wireless Mouse | 3.9 oz (110 g) | $15 (£11) |
|
Tablet gear
|
||||
| Tablet | 35% | iPad Air | 16.2 oz (458 g) | $743 (£549) |
| Charger | 35% | RAMPOW Lightning Charger Cable | 0.4 oz (10 g) | $14 (£10) |
| Travel case | 35% | JETech Case | 7.1 oz (200 g) | $20 (£15) |
| Memory card reader | 9% | Transcend Multifunctional Card Reader | 0.6 oz (18 g) | $14 (£10) |
| Keyboard | 1% | Logitech Case with Detachable Keyboard | 20.2 oz (574 g) | $203 (£150) |
|
E-reader gear
|
||||
| E-reader | 33% | Kindle | 6.1 oz (174 g) | $95 (£70) |
| Travel case | 33% | Kindle Fabric Cover | 5.3 oz (150g) | $34 (£25) |
|
Other electronic equipment
|
||||
| USB charger | 94% | Revakin 3-Port Multi USB Plus Adapter | 1.8 oz (50 g) | $9 (£7) |
| External battery | 49% | Anker 20,000mAh 20W Power Bank | 12.2 oz (346 g) | $68 (£50) |
| Electrical multi-socket plug | 28% | Multi Wall Socket with 2 USB Ports | 4.6 oz (130 g) | $19 (£14) |
| Mini speaker | 19% | JBL Clip 2 Waterproof Wireless Speaker | 6.5 oz (184 g) | $61 (£45) |
| Batteries | 17% | Energizer 4-Pack AA Batteries | 4.6 oz (130 g) | $8 (£6) |
| Headphone splitters / AUX? | 14% | Syncwire Aux Cable | 0.8 oz (23 g) | $8 (£6) |
| Solar charger | 13% | Solar Charger 26,800mAh Power Bank | 16.6 oz (470 g) | $42 (£31) |
| Mp3 / Mp4 player | 11% | AGPTEK IX8 Waterproof Mp3 | 1.1 oz (30 g) | $53 (£39) |
| Rechargeable batteries | 6% | Duracell Rechargeable Batteries | 3.9 oz (110 g) | $12 (£9) |
| Battery charger | 6% | Amazon Basics Battery Charger | 4 oz (113 g) | $19 (£14) |
| GPS | 6% | Garmin eTrex Touch 35 Portable GPS | 10.6 oz (300 g) | $219 (£162) |
| Plug-in mosquito repellent | 5% | Zero In Knockdown Mosquito Killer | 4.2 oz (120 g) | $14 (£10) |
| Drone | 3% | DJI Mavic Pro Drone | 25.6 oz (726 g) | $676 (£500) |
| Door stopper alarm | 1% | Mengshen 3-Pack Safety Wedge | 3.4 oz (97 g) | $20 (£15) |
The number of accessories that can be taken on a trip is almost endless. Here’s the list of the main items taken by RTW travellers. Be careful, as in this part, you’ll find lots of gadgets which ultimately aren’t that useful for a RTW trip.
| Item | Percentage of travellers who took this object | Our example | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
95% | Quechua Sunglasses | 0.8 oz (22 g) | $14 (£10) |
|
|
– | Quechua Glasses Case | 2.1 oz (60 g) | $7 (£5) |
|
|
94% | Bic Ballpoint Pens | 0.7 oz (20 g) | $1 (£1) |
|
|
83% | Moleskine Classic Noteboook | 4.8 oz (137 g) | $14 (£10) |
|
|
83% | Battery Head Torch | 3 oz (85 g) | $7 (£5) |
|
|
80% | Forclaz TSA-Coded Padlock | 2.7 oz (76 g) | $11 (£8) |
|
|
71% | Huntsman Swiss Knife | 2.6 oz (74 g) | $34 (£25) |
|
|
68% | Bic Lighters | 2.1 oz (60 g) | $8 (£6) |
|
|
64% | Steripen Water Purifier | 4.8 oz (136 g) | $103 (£76) |
|
|
60% | Tidyz Freezer Bags | 0.4 oz (10 g) | $4 (£3) |
|
|
58% | Nabaiji Microfibre Towel L | 5.6 oz (160 g) | $9 (£7) |
|
|
50% | AmazonBasics RFID Wallet | 2.1 oz (59 g) | $15 (£11) |
| Item | Percentage of travellers who took this item | Our example | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flask / can / CamelBak | 71% | Forclaz Trekking Water Pouch 2L | 3.7 oz (105 g) | $16 (£12) |
| Sewing kit | 65% | Travel Sewing Kit | 1.8 oz (50 g) | $4 (£3) |
|
|
60% | |||
| Small water bottle | 55% | Aptonia Water Bottle | 17.6 oz (500 g) | $1 (£1) |
|
|
55% | Quechua Camping Washing Line | 1.4 oz (40 g) | $5 (£4) |
| Cards / games | 52% | Tarot Game 78 Cards | 6 oz (170 g) | $12 (£9) |
| Tissues | 52% | Kleenex Ultra Soft | 0.8 oz (24 g) | $5 (£4) |
|
|
48% | Lonely Planet South America | 30 oz (850 g) | $19 (£14) |
| Bum bag | 47% | Forclaz RFID Bum Bag | 4 oz (112 g) | $14 (£10) |
| Reading glasses + case | 47% | Specsavers Reading Glasses + Case | Depends on style | Depends on style |
| Watch | 38% | Swatch Unisex Watch | 0.8 oz (23 g) | $79 (£58) |
| Book | 33% | Latitude Zero by Mike Horn | 7.1 oz (200 g) | $16 (£12) |
|
|
28% | Toskatok Sarong | 5.3 oz (150 g) | $8 (£6) |
| House keys | 27% | 1.8 oz (50 g) | ||
| Carabiners | 27% | Simond Non-Locking Carabiner | 1.4 oz (40 g) | $7 (£5) |
|
|
24% | Forclaz 1-Person Mosquito Net | 6.7 oz (190 g) | $24 (£18) |
| Snorkelling mask | 22% | Subea Sea Diving Mask | 6.7 oz (190 g) | $31 (£23) |
| Snorkel | 19% | Subra Snorkelling Mask | 4.2 oz (120 g) | $12 (£9) |
| Compass | 18% | Geonaute Compass | 4.2 oz (120 g) | $14 (£10) |
| Camping stove | 18% | Forclaz Gas Stove MT500 | 3 oz (85 g) | $41 (£30) |
| Gas cartridge | 18% | Forclaz Gas Cartridge | 13.9 oz (394 g) | $7 (£5) |
| Cooking set | 18% | Quechua Camping Cook Set | 13.4 oz (380 g) | $14 (£10) |
| Chain / lock / anti-theft device | 17% | Forclaz TSA Spiral Cable Padlock | 2.6 oz (73 g) | $14 (£10) |
| Tape | 17% | B’Twin Tape | 2.1 oz (60 g) | $7 (£5) |
| Contact lenses + case + product | 14% | Specsavers Contact Lenses | Depends on type | Depends on type |
| Tupperware | 13% | Lock & Lock 1L Container | 6.7 oz (190 g) | $8 (£6) |
| Universal sink plug | 13% | Bacox Sink Plug | 2.5 oz (70 g) | $5 (£4) |
| Straps | 13% | Forclaz 2-Pack Tightening Straps | 2.5 oz (70 g) | $5 (£4) |
| Binoculars | 12% | Quechua Binoculars | 11. 7 oz (333 g) | $54 (£40) |
| Mini dictionary | 12% | Oxford Spanish Mini Dictionary | 6.6 oz (186 g) | $7 (£5) |
| Guy ropes, cords | 10% | Quechua 2 Guy Ropes and 4 Guy Lines | 9.2 oz (260 g) | $7 (£5) |
| Foreign language instruction book | 7% | Collins Complete Spanish | 19.4 oz (550 g) | $15 (£11) |
| Urination device | 7% | SHEWEE Resuable Pee Funnel | 0.4 oz (10 g) | $7 (£5) |
| Musical instrument | 6% | Huawind Ukulele | 17.3 oz (490 g) | $54 (£40) |
| Flippers | 6% | Subea Snorkelling Fins | 32.8 oz (930 g) | $26 (£19) |
| Portable shower | 4% | Sea to Summit Camping Solar Shower | 4.2 oz (120 g) | $27 (£20) |
| Alarm clock | 4% | NOKLEAD Digital Travel Alarm Clock | 3.4 oz (96 g) | $18 (£13) |
| Emergency rations | 4% | Seven OceanS Emergency Food Rations | 17.6 oz (500 g) | $12 (£9) |
| Umbrella | 2% | Totes Mini Umbrella | 7.8 oz (222 g) | $35 (£26) |
| Scuba diving computer | 2% | Mares Puck Pro Scuba Diving Computer | 4.1 oz (115 g) | £243 (£180) |
| Heating pad | 2% | Wed’Ze Body Warmers X10 | 1.8 oz (50 g) | $11 (£8) |
| Belt | 1% | Kipsta Foldable Hanger | 5.3 oz (150 g) | $3 (£2) |
| Hiking poles | 1% | Newfeel P700 Nordic Walking Pole | 10.6 oz (300 g) | $68 (£50) |
We don’t really think about it, but a toiletry bag can represent a significant part of the weight of your gear, especially for women. Choose an all-purpose bar soap that’s lighter than the bottles (shower gel, shampoo, etc.) it’s replacing, and make sure it can fit in your hand luggage.
| Item | Percentage of women who took this item | Percentage of women who took this item | Average weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toothbrush | 98% | 95% | 0.7 oz (20 g) |
| Toothpaste | 97% | 94% | 3.5 oz (100 g) |
| Sun cream | 93% | 78% | 8.5 oz (240 g) |
| Tweezers | 85% | 43% | 0.7 oz (20 g) |
| Mosquito repellent | 82% | 66% | 4.6 oz (130 g) |
| Bobbles | 82% | 8% | 0.4 oz (10 g) |
| Deodorant / alum stone | 80% | 61% | 3.5 oz (100 g) |
| Nail clippers | 78% | 67% | 1.8 oz (50 g) |
| Lip balm | 77% | 42% | 0.4 oz (10 g) |
|
|
72% | 65% | 4.9 oz (140 g) |
| Razor | 72% | 50% | 2.8 oz (80 g) |
| Hairbrush | 65% | 15% | 3.5 oz (100 g) |
| Cotton buds | 61% | 53% | 0.7 oz (20 g) |
| Tampons | 41% | 0% | 7.1 oz (200 g) |
| Item | Percentage of women who took this item | Percentage of women who took this item | Average weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | 60% | 31% | 9.5 oz (270 g) |
| Moisturiser | 60% | 25% | 8.8 oz (250 g) |
| Compact mirror | 49% | 14% | 3.5 oz (100 g) |
| Toilet paper | 43% | 44% | 2.8 oz (80 g) |
| Mascara | 42% | 0% | 1.4 oz (40 g) |
| Comb | 38% | 26% | 2.8 oz (80 g) |
| Baby wipes | 37% | 27% | 4.6 oz (130 g) |
| Nail file | 37% | 8% | 0.4 oz (10 g) |
| Condoms | 36% | 42% | 3.5 oz (100 g) |
| Disposable sanitary pads | 35% | 0% | 7.1 oz (200 g) |
| Hair clips | 34% | 0% | 1.8 oz (50 g) |
| Menstrual cup | 32% | 0% | 0.7 oz (20 g) |
| Essential oils | 29% | 15% | 3.5 oz (100 g) |
| Anti-bacterial soap | 28% | 16% | 4.2 oz (120 g) |
| Electric epilator | 27% | 0% | 14 oz (400 g) |
| Cotton pads | 26% | 6% | 2.1 oz (60 g) |
| Mosquito repellent for clothes | 25% | 14% | 4.9 oz (140 g) |
| Dental floss | 25% | 13% | 0.7 oz (20 g) |
| Eyeliner | 25% | 0% | 0.7 oz (20 g) |
| Shower gel | 23% | 24% | 9.2 oz (260 g) |
| Nail scissors | 22% | 15% | 5.3 oz (150 g) |
| Shampoo bar | 21% | 22% | 2.1 oz (60 g) |
| Lipstick | 20% | 0% | 0.4 oz (10 g) |
| Makeup remover | 19% | 0% | 8.1 oz (230 g) |
| Travel bottles for travelling by plane | 17% | 19% | 2.1 oz (60 g) |
| Conditioner | 17% | 4% | 8.1 oz (230 g) |
| After-sun lotion | 16% | 18% | 3.5 oz (100 g) |
| Coconut oil | 15% | 3% | 3.5 oz (100 g) |
| Razor blades | 14% | 22% | 1.8 oz (50 g) |
| Soap holder | 12% | 13% | 1.4 oz (40 g) |
| Aloe vera | 11% | 3% | 4.6 oz (130 g) |
| Nail polish | 11% | 0% | 0.7 oz (20 g) |
| Washcloth | 9% | 8% | 1.1 oz (30 g) |
| Earpick | 9% | 7% | 0.4 oz (10 g) |
| Wax strips | 7% | 0% | 4.6 oz (130 g) |
| Nail brush | 6% | 0% | 4. 6 oz (130 g) |
| Reusable cotton pads | 6% | 0% | 1.8 oz (50 g) |
| Nail polish remover | 6% | 0% | 4.2 oz (120 g) |
| Electric razor | 5% | 20% | 14.1 oz (400 g) |
| Eyeshadow | 5% | 0% | 3.5 oz (100 g) |
| Beard trimmer | 4% | 20% | 10.6 oz (300 g) |
| Hair gel / wax | 4% | 8% | 5.3 oz (150 g) |
| Interdental brush | 4% | 3% | 2.1 oz (60 g) |
| Shaving cream | 3% | 13% | 8.5 oz (240 g) |
| Reusable sanitary pads | 2% | 0% | 4.6 oz (130 g) |
| Makeup removal glove | 2% | 0% | 1.1 oz (30 g) |
In our opinion, it isn’t necessary to lug around a medicine kit that’ll cover all the injuries and illnesses that might happen to you during your trip. The vast majority of health problems are travellers’ diarrhoea and fever. So you have to take something to treat them. For the rest, self-medication isn’t recommended. It’s often better to go and see a doctor or call your travel insurance doctor. You’ll always find a pharmacy where you can buy the necessary medication.
| Function | Percentage of travellers who took this product | Active ingredient | Most common brand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Painkiller | 87% | Paracetamol | Panadol |
| Plasters | 85% | – | – |
| Gastric cytoprotection | 84% | Disomectite | Smecta |
| Antidiarrhoeal | 84% | Loperamide | Immodium |
| Function | Percentage of travellers who took this product | Active ingredient | Most common brand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-inflammatory | 64% | Ibuprofen or Niflumic acid | Brufen or Nurofen |
| Antiseptic | 62% | Chlorhexidine | Dettol or Savlon |
| Broad-spectrum antibiotic | 50% | Amoxicillin | Amox-Clav |
| Water purification tablets | 49% | Silver ions | Micropur |
| Intestinal antiseptic | 49% | Nifuroxazide | Ercefuryl |
| Oral antibiotic | 49% | Norfloxacin or Azithromycin | Noroxin or Chibroxin |
| Antiemetic (for vomiting) | 46% | Metopimazine | Nortrip, Vogalen or Vogalene |
| Saline solution | 45% | – | – |
| Antispasmodic | 44% | Phloroglucinol + Trimethylphloroglucinol | Mebeverine or Colofac |
| Antihistamine (for itching) | 44% | Betamethasone + Dexchlorpheniramine | Piriton, Zirtek or Benadryl |
| Antimalarial | 44% | Atovaquone + Proguanil | Malarone |
| Tiger Balm | 39% | Menthol + Camphor + Clove + Cajuput + Peppermint + Cinammon | Tiger Balm |
| Contraceptive pill | 36% of women | – | – |
| Antimigraine | 32% | Eletriptan | Relpax |
| Essential oils | 31% | – | – |
| Eyewash | 23% | – | – |
| Antibiotic for UTIs | 19% | Ofloxacin | Floxin |
| Healing cream | 18% | – | Eucerin |
| Cream for burns | 17% | Trolamine + Paraffin wax | Vaseline |
| Tablets for altitude sickness | 17% | Acetazolamide | Diamox |
| Antibacterial cream | 16% | Fusidic acid or Mupirocin | Fucidin or Bactroban |
| Bronchodilator | 12% | Salbutamol | Ventolin |
| Ear drops | 9% | Lidocaine hydrochloride + Phenazone | Otigo |
| Cream for bruises | – | Arnica | Arnica |
| Topical steroids (for itching) | – | Betamethasone (derived from Cortisone) | Celestone |
| Burn gel | – | Silver sulfadiazine | Silvadine |
| Antifungal | – | Econazole | Spectazole |
| Tablets for travel sickness | – | Dimenhydrinate + Caffine | Kwells or Dramamine |
| Oral rehydration salts | – | – | – |
| Homeopathy | – | – | – |
| Gear | Percentage of travellers who took this product |
|---|---|
| Compresses | 61% |
| Scissors | 56% |
| Blister plasters | 48% |
| Adhesive dressings | 46% |
| Survival blanket | 41% |
| Adhesive tape | 38% |
| Safety pins | 32% |
| Thermometer | 31% |
| Hygiene gloves | 13% |
| Aspivenin pump | 11% |
| Bite Relief Click-It | 11% |
| Tick tweezers | 4% |
To reduce the number of documents and keep a copy of the ones you take with you, scan as many as you can and put them on a cloud such as Google Drive or Dropbox. If you need to print them on the road (for example, for visas), you’ll easily find an internet cafe that has a printer anywhere in the world.
| Document | Percentage of travellers who took this document |
|---|---|
| Passport | 100% |
| Bank cards | 100% |
| International Certificate of Vaccination | 78% |
| Cash | 74% |
| ID photos | 73% |
| International driving license | 73% |
| Document | Percentage of travellers who took this document |
|---|---|
| Photocopies of important documents | 70% |
| Travel insurance / assistance certificates | 65% |
| Printed plane tickets | 58% |
| ID card | 49% |
| Prescriptions | 40% |
| Passport cover | 39% |
| Piece of paper with emergency numbers | 36% |
| Medication leaflets | 34% |
| Blood group card | 34% |
| Diving certificate | 22% |
| EHIC / GHIC | 19% |
| Geographic map | 9% |
| International hostel card | 9% |
| Logbook | 9% |
| Student card | 7% |
| Medical fitness certificate | 5% |
| Family record book | 5% |
| Children’s health records | 4% |
| Bank solvency certificate | 2% |
| Social security card | 1% |
| Employment certificate | 1% |
If you’re travelling with kids, the gear that you take for them will vary a lot depending on their age, that’s why we haven’t put a recommended equipment list in this section.
| Gear | Percentage of travellers who took this gear |
|---|---|
| Pencils / pens | 86% |
| Sketchbook / notebook | 74% |
| Cuddly toy | 67% |
| Toys | 65% |
| Pyjamas | 65% |
| Books / textbooks | 63% |
| Rubber ring | 30% |
| Baby wipes | 28% |
| Bath / beach toys | 21% |
| Baby carrier | 16% |
| Cotton pads | 16% |
| Cutlery | 14% |
| Baby grows | 12% |
| Nappies | 12% |
| Dummy | 12% |
| Night light | 9% |
| Baby soap | 9% |
| Buggy | 9% |
| Nappy rash cream | 7% |
| Mineral water | 7% |
| Bottle | 7% |
| Baby pop-up tent | 7% |
| Baby nasal aspirator | 7% |
| Bib | 7% |
| Sleepsacks | 7% |
| Plate | 5% |
| Lotion | 5% |
| Baby monitor | 5% |
| Nomad baby booster | 5% |
| Cup / tumbler | 2% |
| Travel cot | 2% |
| Powdered milk | 2% |
