Backpacking Tips: What to Pack - As anyone who has been backpacking will be able to tell you, what you don't pack for your backpacking trip is as important as what you do. Below is a list of backpacking packing tips (bit of a tongue twister that one) that offer some tips.
Backpacking Tips: What to Pack - But if you have your own backpacking tips, please add them to the comments below.
Backpacking Tips: What to Pack - 15 Essential Items for Backpacking
1. Plasters – for mini first aid disasters, but also essential for blisters.
2. A pocket knife – a great space saver, especially if it includes tools like a scissors, tin opener and corkscrew. But make sure you don’t put it in your hand luggage!
3. A small water filter tablets or drops – a must if you’re headed to a remote or exotic location where bottled water might be hard to find.
4. A plastic sleeve with photocopies of your important documents, a few pages of useful contact information (like the British Embassy), proof of any vaccinations you have had and all your travel insurance information (make sure it covers you for any adventure activities you might try out). It’s also a good idea to include a couple of photocopied pages from a guidebook for planning and information and to remind you of the laws and customs of the places you’re going to.
5. A padlock – necessary to lock your backpack or hostel lockers and for securing your bag to overhead rails on public transport. If you can also fit in a chain for this purpose, even better.
6. If you need any vitamins or medications, make sure they are legal in the countries you will be visiting and keep them in your hand luggage.
7. Insect spray, especially if you’re headed to a tropical or malaria-infested area, where insect bites can give you diseases. Light long-sleeved clothing will also help.
8. Sunscreen – with a minimum factor of 15. There’s nothing worse than a bad sunburn to put you out of action, and it can happen even in cloudy weather.
9. Toilet roll – an essential item you may not be able to buy just when you need it.
10. Some bin liners – surprisingly useful, they come in handy as a groundsheet on wet ground, for carrying wet clothes and for waterproofing your backpack.
11. Ear plugs – perfect for ensuring some sleep at a noisy hostel or on a bus.
12. A non-crease presentable outfit to get you into clubs or bars with smarter dress codes.
13. A light, compact waterproof jacket.
14. A spare pair of shoes – there’s nothing worse than being forced to slurp around in wet footwear, especially if it’s cold!
15. A book or iPod to keep you amused while you’re travelling or waiting for transport.
There are more backpacking tips at: http://www.latesttraveldeals.co.uk/showArticle.aspx?loadid=00374
