14 Must-Have Travel Items For Backpacking

Oh hi, hello, it’s me. The travel blogger that seems to only write about her new baby lately. Sorry, not sorry.

But maternity leave has given me a bit of distance from my blog and I’ve come to the realisation that there are a lot of obvious posts I haven’t written. For example, I’ve written several blog posts about individual travel gadgets and accessories that I think are great, and a few I think are not (I’m looking at you, money belt). But I’m missing a nice, easy-to-read list of the absolute must-haves.

So here it is!

Now, granted my current travel-types of choice are family-friendly destinations or city breaks I can do in a weekend if I get a babysitter. But I’m going back to my roots and focusing on long-term backpacking in this post. I’m talking staying in hostels, moving on every couple of days and doing lots of overland travel. Ahh the good old days…

Must-Have Travel Gear For Backpacking

Microfibre Travel Towel

I bloody love a microfibre travel towel. They take a little getting used to at first and do kinda feel like you’re drying yourself with a chammy you would clean a car with. But they are super space-saving compared to a regular towel. They also dry really fast, which is great if you need to check out of your hostel asap. Although if it’s not dry, you can just clip it to the outside of your backpack to dry out in the little net bag it comes in, complete with handy karabiner. This is also a good option if you’ve spent too much money on fisherman pants in Bali and it just won’t fit in your bag.

Sleeping Bag Liner

It’s not one you might think of if you’re not camping on your trip, or bringing a sleeping bag for that matter. But if you’re staying in questionable hostels (anything for a cheap room), you might be thankful for a silk sleeping bag liner. It just means you have a little layer between you and said questionable bed sheets. FYI definitely go for silk as it means bed bugs can’t get ya!

Travel Washing Line

Ok, it might sound random but a travel washing line is pretty handy when you’re backpacking. If you’re getting your washing done for you (it’s very cheap in Asia) you might just use it to wash your bikinis in the sink and hang up to dry. But if you’re travelling Australia or the USA, you will likely be doing your washing in the hostel facilities. This is when a travel washing line is golden as you can hook your line onto the grid of a bunkbed and leave some of your non-dryer-friendly items to dry!

Travel Pillow

A travel pillow sounds like a bit of a luxury item if you’re trying to be strict on what you take. But there is a solution! The Travelrest travel pillow is an inflatable option so takes up minimal room in your backpack. It goes right across your body and I found it perfect for long bus journeys in Asia. If you’re happy to take up a bit more room in your bag for a bit more comfort, I also recommend the TRTL travel pillow. It’s soft and comfy but still doesn’t take up loads of room. You’ll be glad you took a travel pillow when you’re on a 30 hour bus journey, trust me.

Travel Plug

Again a bit of a weird one, but I found a lot of hostels and guesthouses in Asia didn’t have plugs in the sink… So bringing one means you can wash clothes in your room or have a nice face wash at the end of the day, y’know? A travel plug is also handy if you find a rare guesthouse room that has a bath. Damn, they were such a treat once you hadn’t had one in ages. And no, they didn’t have plugs either.

READ MORE: Plug It In.

First Aid Kit

I probably should’ve put this higher in the list because a First Aid Kit is a great shout for a backpacking trip. I took one to a summer backpacking trip in the USA and didn’t touch it. Then I backpacked Asia for 4 months and used it on day 6 when I busted my knee at a Half Moon Party. I think it’s a good idea to take one lads, just to be on the safe side. Plus, it keeps any worrying mums happy when they know you have one. (I’m 31 years old but I think this comment is still relevant).

Bra Stash

I mentioned I wasn’t a fan of the money belt. It’s bulky and uncomfortable and you can see it through clothes so it isn’t exactly inconspicuous (read this post about it.) But, one thing I did like was the Bra Stash. It’s a very small silk pocket that clips onto the front of your bra. It’s only big enough to put some money in, but really, that’s all you’re going to use it for. Spare cash you don’t want nicked. I know other people swear by the belt stash or the thigh belt, but either way, a secret place to put money in is always a good idea.

Luggage Tag

A luggage tag seems like the most obvious thing ever and would you even call it a must-have bit of gear? But hello, yes, I’m the person who didn’t put one on my backpack and someone walked off with it at Gatwick when returning from a trip. The girl that took it had the same backpack as me and didn’t realise until she got home (that drama is over here.) So I thought it was worth mentioning PUT A LUGGAGE TAG ON YOUR BAG AND MAKE IT STAND OUT. You don’t want someone walking off with everything you own. (My current fave is this v cute Frida Kahlo one by Sass & Belle.)

Portable Power Bank

I got a power bank a few years ago, probably a little late to the party, and now take it on all of my trips with me. It’s a game-changer. Mainly for long journeys where you want to watch stuff on your phone and don’t want to worry about your battery running out and not being able to use Google maps on the other side. First world problems, ay?

Camera / GoPro

Obviously you want to capture all of the #blessed and #globetrotter moments on your backpacking adventure. So you need to bring a camera. That’s a given. I just thought I’d mention that I use my Olympus Pen E-PL8 on my travels instead of my DSLR as it takes awesome photos and videos without being too bulky. A GoPro is also a fab idea as it’s so small and takes such good footage. Just remember to invest in a floaty attachment. You don’t want to drop it in the sea and lose it forever. It happens.

READ MORE: Tech Review: Olympus PEN E-PL8

Wind-Up Torch

I see a few people recommend head torches but I have never encountered a single travel situation where you would need one. If you need to get up in the night in a dorm room and you can’t turn on the light, just use a normal torch. There’s no need to strap one on your head like a weirdo. Same applies to camping. Just hold it in your hand. I recommend a wind-up one so you don’t need to worry about batteries. (These animal wind-up torches are bloody adorable.)

Sleeping Mask & Ear Plugs

Even if you don’t think you get on with sleeping masks or eye plugs, just bring them. Desperate times call for desperate measures and it’s guaranteed you will find yourself in a dorm room with either someone inconsiderate who turns the light on at 4am or someone who has brought home a new bedroom friend and doesn’t care who knows it. Bring the mask and the plugs, mate.

Padlock

Most hostels in Australia and the USA come with lockers in dorm rooms, big enough for your backpack and all of your stuff. But you have to provide your own lock. Top tip: bring a combination lock so you don’t have to worry about losing keys.

Sarong

It doesn’t sound like travel gear, I know, but a sarong is a must on any backpacking adventure. It can be used as a beach towel, or a privacy screen on lower bunkbeds, or a blanket on overnight buses that have their air con too high, or a scarf if you find yourself in a destination that is colder than you packed for. The possibilities are endless.

READ MORE: The Beauty Of The Sarong

Are there any other travel gadgets or accessories you would recommend for a long-term backpacking trip?

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Total Blogger Transparency: This post contains some affiliate links but all recommendations are based on my positive experiences using these items. I wouldn’t play you like that, shorty.