Overview
Here's what we're carrying on this trip. Clicking on individual items takes you to Amazon, and for full disclosure they're affiliate links so we can earn a bit of money to help cover travel expenses (as we're now unemployed!). Go to the Recommended Gear page to see WHY we packed different items and HOW well they've performed. Please feel free to contact us with what you've found was useful when you've traveled, and we'll try to add that to the Recommended Gear page in the future. Special thanks to Vivek C., Dierdre F., and Brock W. for their tips early on- we got off to a good start based on their advice as well as those from other travel blogs (see Resources).
* = closest similar item.
* = closest similar item.
Jenn's backpack
Backpack and Organization
- REI Tech Tour 40 (closest alternative) - Eagle Creek Pack-It Compression Set (M, L bags) Shirts (8) - Columbia Anytime Active short-sleeve shirt - Columbia Shadow Time T-Shirt - SmartWool NTS Microweight Crew - Columbia Women's Omni-driy Silver Ridge II- REI Rendezvous Tank Top - Under Armour Charged Cotton Undeniable T-shirt - GONE due to downsizing - Old Navy Buttoned Tab-Sleeve Linen-Blend Tunics - Tredstep Symphony Futura Sport Top Shorts and Pants (3) - REI Cinque Terre Pant, Coal - Mountain Hardware Overlook Short - Old Navy Fold-Over Linen-Blend Pants Undies (4) - 4 x ExOfficio Give-N-Go String Bikini Briefs Socks (3 pairs) - 2 x SmartWool PhD Outdoor Ultra Light Micro Socks - Smartwool Women's PhD Run Ultra Light Micro Socks Jacket (1) - Columbia Women's Fast Trek II Full Zip - Marmot Women's Precip rain jacket Swim Suit (1) - Carve Designs Catalina Tankini Dresses and Skirt (3) - Old Navy Women's Jersey-Tank Maxi Dress - GONE due to downsizing - Horny Toad Oolong Sleeveless Dress - Old Navy Drawstring Jersey-Midi Skirt Pajamas (1) - GapBody Cami* - GapFit gFast Cropped Capris - GONE due to downsizing Hat (2) - REI Cap* - Beanie Other (2) - Buff UV Half Buff - Scarf Shoes (4 pairs) - Havianas Top flip flops - Chaco Z/1 Yampa Sandals - Keen Targhee II Hiking Shoes - Merrell Barefoot Pace Glove Running Shoes - GONE due to downsizing Watch - Timex Women's Sport Digital |
Remy's backpack
Backpack and Organization
- Gregory Z65 - Eagle Creek Pack-It Compression Set (M, L bags) - Osprey Airporter LZ Duffle pack cover Shirts (6) - 2 x Mountain Hardwear Canyon longsleeve (LS) shirts - Nike Miler UV short-sleeve (SS) shirt - Starter Men's Active-Pro Performance Crew Neck Tee - Black light-weight cotton v-neck shirt - Champion double-dry tanktop Shorts and Pants (5) - O'Neill John John boardshort - O'Neill Loaded Hybrid boardshort - Nike soccer shorts* - Adidas soccer shorts* - Arc'teryx Perimeter pants Undies (3) - 3 x REI Boxers Socks (3 pairs) - Smartwool PhD Run ultralight micro socks - Champion Duo Dry Lite socks* - REI EcoMade CoolMax quarter socks Jacket (2) - Columbia fleece jacket* - Sierra Designs Hurricane rain jacket - TheLees 3-button vest Hat (2) - UM Hurricanes Adidas visor* - Beanie Other (1) - Bandana Shoes (4 pairs) - Havianas Top flip flops - Chaco Z/2 Unaweep sandals - New Balance trail running shoes - Nevados hiking boots* Watch - Timex Men's Sport Digital |
Electronics, Day bag
Osprey Talon 22 Pack
- Canon PowerShot Digital ELPH 115 IS - MacBook Air - iPhone Camelbak 2L water bladder |
Canon 5D*
- Canon spare battery and charger Canon 35 mm USM Canon 17-35 mm USM Tamron 70-300 mm f/4-5.6* 2 x GoPro Hero2* - GoPro Accessories (cables, cases, backs) - GoPro tripod mount Norazza Monopod 32 Gb HP-brand SD memory cards (2) Camelbak 1.5L water bladder* |
Below are the miscellaneous sundries that we carry. Bolded items have been particularly useful while italicized items are unnecessary or easily replaceable (ex. the Swiss army knife scissors can replace the toiletries bag nail clippers, tweezers, and surgical scissors).
Miscellaneous stuffCharles Schwab ATM debit card
Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card Headlamp Shammy towel REI Water bottles (1L, 1.5L) Journal Zippered storage bags Decoy wallet Money belt Gorilla superglue Duct tape Utility cord Sewing kit (cheap hotel one) Power adapter/converter Mini power strip with 2 USB port, Belkin Swiss army knife REI clothes line Safety pins Compass Deck of cards Pens Permanent marker Steripen water purifier Cheap tent (picked up in Greece, abandoned 4 months later in Yemen) Sleeping bags, Suisse Sport Adventure Mummy Ultra-Compactable Silk sleeping bag liners, Sea to Summit 100% Silk TravelLiner Ziplock storage bags Ziplock square food containers Dry sack Reusable shopping bags, Acme reuseit brand Small combination lock PlatyPreserve bladder Laundry soap bars Small laundry bag Carabiners Headphones Bluetooth portable speaker Eag plugs Sleeping mask Paperwork Passports Copies of passports (laminated) Passport-sized photos (2"x2") Copies of insurance information Yellow vaccination card |
Toiletries & First Aid kitEagle Creek Pack-It Slim toiletries bag
Glasses Contacts Tampons Toothbrushes Toothpaste Floss Floss picks Chapstick Comb Lotion Shaving razor and replacement blades Sunscreen, regular and titanium oxide Soap Shampoo & Conditioner Dry shampoo Deodorant Nail clippers Tweezers Surgical scissors Hand sanitizer Hair ties & hair clips Headbands Q-tips Band-aids Anti-diarrhoea meds Rehydration satchets Malaria pills (Malarone) Antibiotics (Zithnomax) Antibiotic ointment (Ozonal) Antihistamines Hydrocortisone cream Aspirin Laxatives Iodine antiseptic Antiseptic wet wipes Motion sickness pills Vitamins, Zinc pills Liquid skin Syringe |
Final result
Both of our bags weigh less than 20 kg apiece. Over time we've picked up some things and gotten rid of others. There are some gear reviews and top-10 lists that go into more detail about particular items. In the future, we'll add a quick explanation of each item.