The Ultimate Packing Guide for Female Backpackers

Introduction

Packing for my backpacking trips used to feel so overwhelming. When I was a new backpacker I was notorious for overpacking but, after years of practice I’ve nailed the art of packing smart and light. If you’re about to head out on your own backpacking journey but feeling stressed about what to pack, this guide is here to help! This packing guide is designed specifically for female backpackers and will work great for those planning long-term or multi-destination trips anywhere around the world.

Note: This is a general packing guide but check out my blog post The Ultimate Female Backpacker Packing Guide: South East Asia for a more specified packing guide if that’s where you’re headed.

General Packing Tips:

Pack Light: This can’t be emphasized enough. When backpacking you’ll be moving around often and lugging around a heavy bag is the last thing you’ll want to do. It will feel hard at first but bring less than you think you need because in reality less is more.

Research Beforehand: Activities, weather and culture of your destination(s) should be researched beforehand so you bring what you actually need. No point bringing a bikini to a cold country. Do research so you pack the correct items!

Pick the Perfect Backpack: Anywhere between 40L to 60L is probably best. Depending on what type of clothes you’ll need to pack. I would choose a larger backpack (closer to 60L) if the climate is cooler because you need to account for the extra space jackets/sweaters take up!

Invest in Good- Quality Gear: It’s tempting to go for the cheapest options, but investing in durable gear saves you money and frustration in the long run. I love brands like Osprey because they have lifetime guarantee and will fix/replace any broken gear no matter when you bought it.

Packing Cubes: I think packing cubes are essential to keeping things organized and maximizing space in your bag. The brands I suggest are MEC and Eagle Creek, they are high quality and long-lasting unlike other popular cheaper options. 

Essential Clothing for Backpacking:

Tips on What Clothes to Bring:

-Layout all your clothes and edit ruthlessly. Any ‘maybes’ are ‘nos’.

-Pack versatile clothes that can be worn in many outfits.

-Bring layers! It’s the key to staying comfortable in changing climates.

-Avoid packing anything bulky like jeans unless essential.

List of Must-have Clothing:

• 1 sweater/hoodie 
• 1 lightweight jacket/rain jacket
• 1 sarong/scarf (multi-use)
• 2-4 bras (1-2 sports bras if needed)
• 10-14 pairs of underwear (I personally think the more the better, you don’t want to be constantly running out of underwear)

• 2-3 pairs of shorts/skirts
• 2-3 pairs of pants (one comfy for planes/travel days)
• 4-5 tank tops (can pack very small especially if they are cropped)
• 2-3 tee shirts (at least 1 for sleeping)
• 1 long sleeve shirt (good for cool temps or bugs)

Shoes:

• 1 pair of sneakers, running shoes or hiking boots (whatever is most practical for you)

• 1 pair of sandals (for warm climates) (I have Teva Hurricane XLT2 sandals and love them!)
• 1 pair of flip-flops/slides if you are staying at a hostel (shower shoes are a must!)

Swimwear: (depending on your destination)

• 2-3 bathing suits (at least 1 comfortable suit for water sports)

Bags:

• Tote bag for everyday use/beach bag/groceries (so versatile)
• Small day backpack (I have the Osprey Hikelite 18 which is the perfect size for a day trip or even for 2-3 day overnight trips.)
• Purse for everyday use(I swear by the Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder Bag.)

Accessories:

• 1 pair of sunglasses
• 1 baseball hat or beanie (depending on the climate)
• Jewelry (nothing valuable)

Toiletries and Beauty Essentials

Basic Toiletries:

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Lip balm

• Shampoo and conditioner (bar or concentrated paste recommended)
• Body wash/Soap. (A bar of soap and a case & drying pad will ensure it lasts longer)
• Face wash
• Face Moisturizer
• Minimal Skincare (1 day serum, 1 night serum)
• Body lotion
• Deodorant
• Sunscreen
• Hair Brush, hair ties and hair clips
• Tweezers
• Nail Clippers and nail file
• Razor and razor heads
• Tampons/Pads/Menstrual Cup

Makeup: Be minimal and only bring essentials. 

My essentials are as follows.

• Mascara
• Eyebrow Gel
• Lipstick (I use also as blush)
• Liquid and pencil eyeliner
• Liquid Highlighter (can double as an eyeshadow)

Health and Safety

Health:

• Hand sanitizer
• Bug Spray
• Multi-vitamins
• B12 and Iron supplements (important for vegans/vegetarians)
• Any medication you may take

First Aid Kit:

• Bandages and Blister pads
• Ibuprofen or Paracetamol 
• Motion Sickness Tablets
• Antidiarrheal Medication
• Lozenges 
• Cold/Flu medicine

Safety:

• Locks for your bag/hostel lockers
• Personal alarm/whistle
• Physical Contact Numbers (Good to keep a written copy of your friend’s and family’s phone numbers in case you lose your phone.)
• Airtags

Travel Documents and Essentials

Essential Documents:

• Passport and IDs (with printed and digital scan as backups)
• Vaccination certificates (check your gov website to see if anything is required)
• Multiple bank cards (have backups in case one gets stolen or lost)
•  Emergency cash (Around $100 USD or local equivalent)

Electronics:

• All necessary chargers and a universal adapter
• Power bank
• Headphones (I keep a wire pair for the plane entertainment)
• Camera
• E-reader (essential if you’re a reader. I have the Kobo Clara)

Miscellaneous Items

• Carabiners (for clipping gear to your pack)
• Sleep mask and earplugs (can’t do hostel life without them)
• Journal and Pen (to take note of all the fun memories)
• Microfiber towel (lots of hostels don’t provide towels)
• Water Bottle (be sure to check if tap water is safe to drink first)
• Travel yoga mat (if it’s part of your routine)

Conclusion

Packing for a long backpacking trip won’t be as stressful when you curate your travel essentials and follow these tips. If you are just beginning your backpacking journey just know you’ll learn what works for you over time. Feel free to tweak this list and make it work for you and your destination! Don’t forget if you really regret not packing something you can always buy what you’re missing along the way. If you have any great packing tips you swear by I’d love to hear them in the comments. Happy packing!