Backpacker travel packing

So after six weeks away it seems most of the stuff we originally packed has been pretty useful. Some things have been sacrificed to the road (the solid water bottles) and the Samsung phone charger didn't even make it out of Madrid. But more or less we've got our kit down to a tee now.

The most useful thing we've done is to divide everything up into sections with cloth or net bags. The worst thing is to have everything you own rattling around in one big mess! Also, wherever possible things have more than one use - like the silk hammock that becomes a sleeping bag liner with the addition of 20 or so tiny poppers.

For your entertainment, information and education, here's one of our 60-litre backpacks packed for a year of travelling. It weighs about 11kg. (And we may or may not have spent the best part of a day making videos on this theme).


IN THE BAG
Shoes - sturdy trainers, flipflops
Bag containing your clothes - rolled up nice and tight. Also you need half as many clothes as you think.
Waterproof
Microfibre travel towel - with a piece of elastic so you can roll it up small
Underwear
A bag for clothes that need to be washed
Woolly hat
Sun cap
Gloves
Buff (scarf)
Wash kit (*see below)
Sunglasses - in a hard case
Anti-malarials
Insect repellent
Passport/docs photocopies
Eyemask and earplugs
Mosquito net - single will do for two people
First aid kit (*see below)
One book to read then swap
Dictionary / phrase book
Guide book
Map
Tupperware for food
Anti-bacterial spray
Sleeping bag liner / hammock
Document wallet
Playing cards
Hip flask
Tissues
Travel clothes wash
Headphones
Spare razors
Spare batteries
Digital camera
Spork
Sewing kit
Sun lotion
Plug adaptors
Pen knife
Pens
Lighter
Various types of tape - rolled around a pen
Card reader for online banking
Spare phone batteries
Memory stick - rubber cased and indestructible
Micro screwdriver
Multi-purpose battery charger
Head torch


WASH BAG (men)
Shampoo - 100ml screwtop bottle
Roll-on deodorant
SPF moisturiser
Small hair gel
Toothbrush
Toothpaste - with a screwcap!
Razor - take off the unnecessary bits
Travel plug
Shaving oil


FIRST AID KIT
Painkillers - paracetamol and ibuprofen
All-purpose antibiotics
Two types of bandage
Mini thermometer
Micropore tape
Stick-on blister padding
Antihistamines
Immodium
Rehydration sachets
Alcohol wipes
Burn relief sachets
Plasters - all sizes, some waterproof
Steristrips
Chlorine tablets - for water sterilisation
Sterile wound dressings
Condoms - they can hold 12 litres of water!


ALSO
Under-clothes belt containing passport, visas, vaccination documents etc
Trouser belt with hidden money zip compartment
Wallet and smartphone - with loops sewn into pockets so they can be chained to you

Also never forget: party manners.