The Ultimate Packing Guide for Female Backpackers: South East Asia

Introduction

It can be so hard to decide what to bring on a trip, especially if you are a beginner backpacker. I used to be a serious overpacker but, I think I’ve mastered the art of packing smart and light. I spent 6 months in South East Asia this year living out of my backpack. I’ve created this guide to alleviate your packing stress and break down what is essential to bring on your trip to South East Asia as a woman.

1. General Packing Tips

Pack Light: This can’t be emphasized enough! If you are travelling South East Asia you are likely going to be taking buses, vans and ferries to get around. The last thing you want is to be lugging around way too much.

Research Beforehand: Are you going to be hiking, spending time diving, or doing yoga? It’s good to know beforehand what activities you are interested in so you pack accordingly. In South East Asia the climate is mostly hot but some areas can be cooler depending on the time of year and be sure to look if it is the rainy season. Also, it is important to look into the culture as there may be places you need to dress more conservatively. 

Pick the Perfect Backpack: Anywhere between 40L to 60L is probably best. I chose a 40L bag, The Osprey Fairview 40 Backpack. I’ve personally loved having a smaller bag and I’ve seen so many other women with this exact bag while I’ve been backpacking.

Just to note, this bag is small enough to be carry-on only but, throughout my travels in Asia I’ve constantly had to check it in due to it’s weight. It’s something to keep in mind if you are leaning towards purchasing a smaller bag so you can do carry-on only because that probably won’t be the case.

Invest in Good- Quality Gear: It can be overwhelming when purchasing gear and things start to add up before you’ve even left for your travels. But, it’s so worth it and you will save yourself grief (and money) to invest in good quality gear that will last for years. Osprey for example has a lifetime guarantee and will fix/replace any broken gear.

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 which is important. On my first backpacking trip I bought some cheap ones and the zippers ended up breaking.

2. Essential Clothing for Backpacking

Tips on What Clothes to Bring:

-Layout all your clothes you want to bring and narrow it down to absolute yeses and maybes. If you have too many in one section, the maybes are out. Only bring clothes you really love and know you’ll use a lot.

-Pack clothes that are versatile and can be used with multiple outfits. Especially if they can be used for both activities and everyday ex. athleisure/workout clothes you can use for hiking/yoga and everyday use

-Lightweight, quick-dry and breathable fabrics are necessary in the heat!

-Bring layers especially if you are planning to be in multiple climates.

-Avoid packing anything bulky like jeans

List of Must-have Clothing:

• 1 sweater/hoodie
• 1 lightweight jacket/rain jacket
• 1 sarong/beach wrap
• 2-4 bras. One or two sports bras if you’re planning on yoga/hiking/working out etc.
• 10-14 pairs of underwear. I personally think the more the better, you don’t want to be constantly running out of underwear! Underwear is so small when packed especially if you wear thongs/g-strings.

• 3-4 pairs of shorts/skirts. I had one long skirt so I had something to wear into temples as you need to have your shoulders and knees covered.
• 2 pairs of pants. I brought one flowy/comfy pants and a pair of leggings for yoga/plane trips.
• 5-6 tank tops. Tank tops (especially cropped) are so small and can pack very small.
• 2-3 tee shirts. I have 2 larger tee shirts for sleeping and one that can be worn everyday. 
• 1 long sleeve shirt. Good for cooler temperatures or if there are lots of mosquitoes. 

 Shoes:

• 1 pair of sneakers, running shoes or hiking boots. I personally chose hiking boots because I knew I wanted to do some bigger hikes they would be necessary for. If you are planning to go to the gym or go on runs then I would bring your favourite shoes that are comfortable and durable. 

• 1 pair of sandals (comfortable and practical for daily use). I have Teva Hurricane XLT2 sandals and love them! They can be used for light hikes, used as water shoes and just a comfortable everyday shoe.
• 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. If you are planning on doing any water activities I would bring at least one you can move around in comfortably (don’t want to accidentally flash anybody on a diving trip!)

Bags:

• Tote bag for everyday use/beach bag
• 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 (like everyone else) swear by the Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder Bag. It can fit way more than you’d expect! You can fit all your essentials making it the perfect bag for everyday use.

Accessories:

• 1 pair of sunglasses
• 1 baseball hat or bucket hat
• Any jewelry you wear. I wouldn’t bring anything valuable or expensive. I took a few pairs of earrings, back up nose rings and extra balls for my septum piercing (I always loose them).

3. Toiletries and Beauty Essentials

Note: lots of hostels and hotels in Asia actually provide shampoo/conditioner and body wash but I would still recommend bringing your own!

Basic Toiletries:

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Lip balm

• Shampoo and conditioner. I recommend a bar or a concentrated paste as they last longer, won’t spill in your bag and take up less room. Both my shampoo and conditioner were from the brand Everist. They ended up lasting over 3 months for me. 

• Body wash/Soap. I recommend a bar of soap and to get a case and a soap saver pad to ensure it lasts longer.
• Face wash
• Face Moisturizer
• Any serums you use. I would try to cut down if you have an extensive skin care routine. Just bring what you need! I have one serum for day and one for night.
• Body lotion
• Deodorant
• Sunscreen. It’s usually cheaper and better quality if you get it before your trip. Also, many sunscreens/body lotions in Asia have a skin whitening agent which you’ll want to avoid!
• Hair Brush, Hair Ties and Hair Clips
• Tweezers
• Nail Clippers and Nail File
• Razor and Razor Heads
• Tampons/Pads/Menstrual Cup. I used a menstrual cup, so I also brought a wash for it. If you use tampons/pads I would bring them rather than getting them in South East Asia because many sanitary products there are scented which is not good for you.

Makeup: 

Be minimal and only bring essentials. I wear makeup in my everyday life but barely do on my travels. A lot of the time it’s too hot or I’ll be in the ocean all day. Be smart about what you pack and bring products that can work in more than one way ex. A lipstick you can also use as a blush. My essentials are as follows.

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

4. Health and Safety

Health:

• Hand sanitizer
• Bug Spray. I personally preferred the ones they sold in South East Asia but, if you have a brand you prefer get it before your trip.
• Multi-vitamins. We aren’t always eating the healthiest diets while travelling so it’s important to make sure we’re still getting all the nutrients we need.
• B12 and Iron supplements (important for vegans/vegetarians)
• Any medication you may take

First Aid Kit: 

Note: You can always get medication in South East Asia but I prefer to have everything I need on hand.

• Bandages and Blister pads
• Ibuprofen or Paracetamol 
• Motion Sickness Tablets
• Antidiarrheal Medication
• Lozenges 
• Cold/Flu medicine
• Malaria Medicine (only if you are going to a place you need it. You can use this malaria map to check and of course talk to a doctor or a travel nurse if you have questions).

Safety:

• Locks for your bag/hostel lockers. I like this lock because the shackle is bendable so it can fit on anything (some hostel lockers are too narrow for a bigger lock).
• Personal alarm/whistle. I’ve luckily never had to use either but it gives me more peace of mind when travelling alone.
• Physical Contact Numbers. It’s good to keep a written copy of your friend’s and family’s phone numbers/emails in case you lose your phone. I also have my contact information hand written and placed in my bags in case they get lost.
• Airtags. I personally haven’t used them before but I think it’s a good idea.

Essential Documents:

• Passport and IDs. I have digital scans on my phone, as well as a printed copy (just in case).

• International Driver’s License. If you are planning on driving/renting a scooter. 

• Vaccination certificates. I didn’t need any for Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam or Cambodia as a Canadian. Check your official government website to get more information about what you need!

• Multiple debit cards/credit cards. I lost my debit card and a credit card this past year. I would have been screwed if I didn’t have multiple!

• Emergency cash. I brought around $100 USD just in case. I wouldn’t get local currency for the country you are travelling to until you arrive. Just avoid taking out cash at the airport as they will upcharge you.

Electronics:

• All necessary chargers and a universal adapter. If you are North American, a lot of South East Asia uses the same plug as us. But, a universal adapter is still really handy and great if you are travelling to multiple countries.
• Power Bank. An essential, you can be out all day without having to worry about a dead phone.
• Camera. I am a total novice when it comes to photography but I have a point and shoot film camera.
• Headphones. I prefer smaller earbuds (I have airpods) because I find over the ear headphones too bulky and I can sleep with airpods if necessary (aka loud hostel roommates). I also like to have a pair of wire headphones for plane entertainment.
• E-reader. My ride or die. I actually wouldn’t survive without it. If you love to read and are a traveller this is a must. I have the Kobo Clara and love it.

• Carabiners. Great for attaching anything and everything to the outside of your bag.
• Sleep mask and earplugs. If you are staying in hostels these will allow you to actually get sleep!
• Journal and Pen. I personally have 3-4 journals going at once. But, I definitely recommend at least one to document your journey and reflections!
• Microfiber towel and beach towel. I swear by these, they are not as good quality as a regular towel but are lightweight and dry quickly. Lots of hostels don’t provide towels or will charge you to use some crusty, old towel. I have both a towel for showering and one for the beach. Necessary in my opinion, and can even be doubled as a curtain in your hostel bed for some privacy.
• Water Bottle. You can’t drink tap water in a lot of South East Asia. But, some hostels/hotels have a place to fill up your water bottle.
• Yoga mat. If you do yoga regularly I would definitely bring one. You can take it on the plane if it doesn’t fit in your bag, just roll it up and have a strap. I’ve never has a problem bringing it on the plane even when I already have a carry-on bag and a personal item. Just be sure it’s lightweight, you could also get a mat specific for traveling that packs down small.

Conclusion

I know it can be daunting narrowing down what you should bring on a backpacking trip, especially if you are planning to be away for a few months. I hope this guide has alleviated some of your packing stress and helped you narrow down what to pack. Of course customize this to your personal needs, style, trip destinations and activities. Remember that packing minimally and avoiding overpacking will ultimately make your trip easier and less stressful (as well as save you back). If you have any packing tips or hacks I’d love to hear from you in the comments. Happy packing!