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Ultralight International Backpacking Packing List
For most travelers, the thought of ultralight backpacking is just too extreme, but allows you to move much easier and easily hop on on off taxis, trains, airplanes and even motorcycles. This is better left to the veteran travelers, adventurous types and those on tight budgets. Remember that you can always buy what you need (usually for less money in lands outside of the US and Western Europe) along the way and many trekkers get by with less than what is listed here.
| Item | Location | Notes | |
| Worn | |||
| Nylon or cotton long-sleeved shirt | Worn | Comfortable in warm climates; buttoned or zippered pockets preferred | |
| Cargo pants | Worn | Old military commando pants are cheap and have large cargo pockets for gear; thin cotton and nylon dries fast | |
| Synthetic socks | On feet | Dry quickly - making laundry a snap | |
| Trail runner shoes | On feet | Light, comfortable and durable enough; no protection from wet | |
| Quick release nylon strap belt | Through pant belt loops | Secret money compartment; light weight; can be used to secure cargo, as tourniquet, etc; metal used (except tiny zipper slider) so airport security friendly | |
| Waterproof wrist watch with alarm | Left wrist | Waterproof is really preferred; alarm used to wake you up in morning or at train stations | |
| Wrist compass | On wristwatch | Attached to watch strap; helps with orientation you when exiting taxis and train stations | |
| Daily spending money | Shirt pocket | A binder clip is sometimes used to organize bills | |
| Local guidebook | Cargo pocket | Notes and info kept in book for protection and as bookmarks; extra pages and sections removed to slim down book | |
| Money Belt | Under pants | See Below | |
| Sunglasses | Shirt pocket | ||
| Hotel business card and key/card | Shirt pocket | Separate pocket from money | |
| Money Belt - under the pants/shirt type | Always worn | Elastic strap sewn to body of belt so that it can't accidentally come off; zipper pulls replaced with cord with ends melted to prevent passing through zipper pull; tan selected to that it doesn't stand out when thin light colored clothing is worn; contents kept in Ziploc bag | |
| Passport | If these don't have to be readily available | ||
| Plane Ticket | |||
| ATM card | Best way to get cash overseas | ||
| Emergency money | US hundred dollar bills and a local currency | ||
| Emergency contact list | List of emails and phone numbers of everyone and every place that is important as well as calling card numbers listed | ||
| Backpack | Generally worn | Airplane carry-on size, two shoulder straps - Rick Steves' backpack is appropriate | |
| Mini light | Right shoulder strap | used to signal in crowds or see in dark | |
| Bottle of water | Side pocket | Purchased locally | |
| Small amount of toilet paper | Rear compartment | Refill at hotel or public restrooms; store in Ziploc bag | |
| Food/snacks/local purchases | Outer compartment | By only what you are going to eat/drink within 24 hours; keep souvenirs to a minimum - you can probably get them at the end of your trip - if you still want them | |
| Titanium spork or spoon | Outer compartment | Makes eating grub so much easier | |
| Lightweight pen | Outer compartment | Plain disposable plastic one is just fine | |
| Regular sized padlock | Outer compartment | Great for securing rooms and lockers | |
| Softshell jacket or pullover | Main compartment | Packed when climate/conditions mandate; light, packable and resistant to rain and wind are preferred | |
| Extra shirt | Main compartment | Quick drying preferred | |
| Shorts | Main compartment | Wear when washing and drying pants | |
| Synthetic socks x 2 | Main compartment | Quick drying; washed daily | |
| Hygiene Kit | Main compartment | See Below | |
| Extra Ziploc bags | Main compartment | Used to separate and waterproof any number of things; take a couple of small ones and a couple of larger ones | |
| Camp Towel | Main compartment | Fast drying; used to dry body and wring out washed clothing | |
| Papers | Main compartment | Kept to minimum and in Ziploc bag | |
| Mini lock or split ring | On zipper | used to lock main zipper | |
| Hygiene Kit | Backpack | Nylon case with loop at top and side to allow for hanging. | |
| Toothbrush | Main compartment | Soft Bristles are easy on the gums | |
| Toothbrush holder | Main compartment | protects bristles | |
| Soap dish | Main compartment | Dried after each shower to reduce soap loss | |
| Soap Bar | Main compartment | Doubles as shampoo and laundry detergent if bathfoam, soap and/or shampoo are not provided by hotel | |
| Small tube of toothpaste | Main compartment | 3oz or less to make it through airport; more purchased later | |
| Comb | Main compartment | Good $2 comb that doesn't cut the scalp | |
| Disposable razor | Main compartment | If male and would like to shave; use soap lather to shave or pack shaving cream | |
| Female hygiene products | Main compartment | Needed if female and menstruating; tampons can be used on long bus rides when you have severe diarrhea - TMI from a female traveler; kept in own Ziploc bag | |
| Mini nail clippers | Main compartment | ||
| Laundry cord | Main compartment | Can be fancy or section of cord | |
| Prescription meds | Main Compartment | Carried if needed - this would also include extra glasses, contacts, birth control pills, etc. for those that need these; all stored in Ziploc bag | |
| Mini GUM dental floss container | Side compartment | Used for flossing, sewing and as string (such a for holding up bug nets) | |
| Heavy Duty Stainless steel sewing needles | Side compartment | kept in small needle tube | |
| Tealight | Side compartment | Used if power goes out | |
| Matches | Side compartment | Kept in Ziploc bag; used for tealight and starting fires for heat and cooking; pots and stoves can be made from cans | |
| Selection of meds | Side compartment | sample or blister packs of Katadyn chlorine dioxide (water purification), loperamide (Imodium), Tylenol (paracetamol or acetaminophen), ibuprofen (Advil), ciprofloxacin (for bacterial diarrhea) - if in areas of risk: metronidazole (Flagyl of amebic dysentery), Mebendazole (Vermox for worms), a bottle of doxycycline for malaria, and/or other meds; all kept in small Ziploc bag | |
| Small bottle of Betadine | Main Compartment | Kept in small Ziploc bag; used to disinfect wounds and water in a pinch; works better when diluted so a little goes a long ways | |
| Medication card | Side compartment | laminated; reminds you dosages and when and how to use meds | |
| Common Additions to List | |||
| Knife/multitool | Outer compartment | So many uses, particularly if it has a can opener, corkscrew and/or scissors; this will require that you check your pack at airports | |
| Extra clothing | Main compartment | The above list is pretty minimal requiring daily laundry if you want clean cloth each day; most trekkers will pack up to 3 shirts and pants | |
| Titanium mug | Outer compartment | Allows you to drink/make hot beverages and make soup/noodles | |
| Immersion heater | Main pack | Allows you to make hot beverages, soup, noodles and even boil eggs. | |
| Camera | Outer compartment or pocket | Compact is easier to carry; this also requires a charger (if digital) or use of potentially expensive, low quality and difficult to find batteries | |
| Collapsible thin nylon bag | Outer compartment | Light and minimal bulk; allows you to use it for shopping and as a day pack | |
| Mini can opener | Hygiene kit | US military type is very small, with less mass than many coins; allows you to eat canned foods | |
| Hat | Outer compartment or outside of pack | Protect wearer from sun, cold, bugs and hides messy/dirty hair | |
| Protective charm | Generally around neck | Can be a Buddha, crucifix, St Joseph, amulet of protection, or whatever works for you; can't hurt unless is symbol of group or belief not liked in area visiting - such as Star of David in most of the Middle East; flashy ones attract attention | |
| More "luxury" items are listed at bottom of the Lightweight Packing List | |||
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