6 Weeks in a Backpack

How to pack for a 6 week trip in a backpack~

I have now taken two different successful six week international trips where I packed in a backpack! I will give a bit of a bag review here as well as share my packing tips.

My first trip was a true backpacking trip in Europe. We stayed in hostels, a couple airbnbs, and walked and took public transportation. This meaning there is a lot of time with your luggage, hence a backpack. For this trip I used an Osprey Aura 50 liter pack. I got fitted for this pack and was really happy with the fit and feel. It has a great contour to your back, with comfortable straps. When fully packed it weighed 25 pounds. But the weight distribution of the bag was good as well. The waist straps were strong, which had a lot to do with that weight distribution. There are pockets galore, so no problem finding places to store different sized items. It was also as breathable as a backpack can be. The only element that I did not love about the bag is that since the bag shape is long and slender, I pretty much had to unpack and repack the entire backpack every time I got anything out (unless, of course, it was on the very top. But with the size of the bag I am not really sure if there is any other way. A 50 liter bag is pretty big obviously. I cannot remember exactly how much I paid for this bag, but it was somewhere between $150-180.

My second trip was not a true backpacking trip. We stayed in airbnbs and had car rentals most of the time. So we were able to leave luggage and did not have to spend that much time carrying our stuff around. However, I did still want a backpack for a couple different reasons. We were going to be taking 10-15 flights and since more and more airlines charge for check in bags I wanted to be able fly with a carry on, which is why I couldn’t use my Osprey bag – it is too big for a carry on. We were also still planning to stay in a couple hostels and use public transportation a couple places. So, a backpack was the choice again. For this trip I chose a less expensive option. I got a Hynes Eagle 45 liter flight approved carry on back pack. I paid $64.99 for it. The reason I chose this bag is because it is shaped like a suitcase. It zips around the parameter instead of the top like most backpacks. It has a handle on the side to carry like a suitcase as well. I wanted this because, like I mentioned before with the previous backpack I did not like the packing/unpacking process with the other bag and knew this one would be more simple. That is what I loved most about this bag. It was also quite comfortable as well. But not as fitted and contoured to the body like the Osprey. This bag is simple and basic, sturdy and well worth its money. The Amazon link to this bag is listed below.

For a true backpacking trip I would definitely recommend getting fit for an Osprey. The fit, feel, and comfort is worth the money. For a physically less intensive trip I would suggest the Hynes Eagle. The convenience of the bag is nice and save the money!

For day packs:

You need to have a bag that you can wear on your front or across your body on the side. Your big backpack is on your back so you need something that you can comfortably wear somewhere other than your back.

When I went to Europe I bought a cheap satchel from Walmart or Target for less than $12-15. I actually loved it. But it was basic and didn’t have any separate compartments, so everything lumped together inside the bag. It didn’t have a zipper it was a magnetic button that closed the flap (That is how my wallet was stolen out of the bag)

For New Zealand/Australia/Asia I bought a Mosiso sling crossbody backpack for $17 on Amazon. I really liked it. It was smaller than I expected but fit everything I needed. It had several different pockets and water bottle holders on both sides. It was waterproof and durable. It was good for hiking and yet looked nice to be walking around the city too. My crossbody backpack was a much better day bag than the satchel. Link to purchase listed at the bottom.

Packing Tips:

-The biggest thing I can suggest is to use travel space saver bags! They make a huge difference. I used them for both backpacks.

-Start with a base list, with the understanding that you will most likely have to eliminate some items

-Don’t wait until the last minute to pack – this will take practice to see what all fits and what “layout” you will need to use in the bag. I actually walk around a little bit with the bag to feel the weight distribution and such to see if I need to do anything different.

-If you are using as a carry on you will of course need travel sized toiletries

-Get a good day pack & passport holder/wallet. I recommend getting a passport holder that is a wallet wristlet form. That way you could just carry that around if you don’t need a day pack somewhere. Keep your passport with you at all times since that is your lifeline overseas if you had anything stolen. I really liked the one I bought for this recent trip. That link is listed below as well.

-Be strategic with your outfit choices, practical items that mix and match well. You WILL be wearing clothes over and over, so find different ways you can change up the outfits so you don’t look the same in all your photos. Still bring an item or two that may not be as practical even if you only wear it once or twice – like a nicer dress or romper, etc. That little extra space will be worth a different look for your pics. Same with your shoes, be strategic with those as well. The shoes, of course, are big space hogs.

-Wear your bigger/bulkier items to travel in so to save the space in your bag. Its cold on planes anyway so layers shouldn’t hurt

-I use more than one toiletry/bathroom bag. Having multiple smaller bags is easier than having one large bag so it fits into different places of your backpack easier.

-If you’re packing for different climates just plan on layering. Instead of bringing tank tops and big sweaters, wear long sleeves over the tank tops

Here I have a comprehensive packing list for my last trip. I actually over packed a little bit for this trip. There were more clothes there that were not necessities, but you don’t want to look gross or the same the whole trip! I wrote beside what I could have easily eliminated. When I was initially packing I did eliminate a couple items to fit. The only items that I could think of that I would have added is a travel pack battery charger and a small beach towel. Disclaimer: our trip was cut short to 4 weeks because of Covid19 but it was planned for 6 and I was packed for 6.

Packing List - 6 weeks (for weather between 45-90 degrees Fahrenheit) hiking mountains, beach, city

5 hiking shirts (could have done 4 shirts)

6 cute shirts (could have 5 shirts)

3 long sleeve shirts (could have 2 shirts)

2 hiking pants

Sweatpants (could have eliminated)

Pair of jeans

White pants (could have eliminated)

Jean shorts

1 pair workout shorts

1 Romper

1 dress

12 pairs of underwear

7 pairs of socks

2 bras

2 sports bras

1 bathingsuit

Bathingsuit cover (could have been eliminated)

Hiking shoes

Flats

Sandals

Flip flops

Sweatshirt

Nice jacket

Rain coat

Hat

Plastic bag or a travel dirty laundry bag

Toiletry bag

Two travel shampoos and conditioners

Travel body wash

Toothbrush/paste

Deodorant

Contact solution and case

Lotion

Travel hair mouse

Dry shampoo (could have eliminated)

Qtips

4-5 pair earrings

Hair ties and hair pins

Razor

Fabreeze spray

Wipes

Minimal make up

Feminine products

Sunscreen

For Day Bag

Wallet/passport holder & Passport

Book

Hand sanitizer

International Adaptor

Sunglasses

Deck of cards

Phone charger

Water bottle

Journal/pen/pencil

Gum

Lock – for lockers in hostels

Sandwich bags

Tiny homemade first aid kit

Meds – Ibuprofen & Tylenol, benedryl, Imodium, charcoal, meltonin, elderberry

Printed copy of all your documents (copy of passport), itineraries/references from bookings

I hope this was helpful for someone! Let me know if you have anything you would add or do differently or have any questions!