What's In My Bag

(Picture By Richard Huckvale)

I get asked rather a lot by either fellow backpackers already on the road or wanna be backpackers planning their first trip, "What do you carry? What is in your bag?" So here is a post of what I am carrying while I explore the world.

I was going to name this blog "What's In My Sack" my warped sense of humour thought that would get a few hits from people searching lets say more adult things on the internet, Anything for more views right. I refrained however to keep my blog as clean as possible. I have thought long and hard about how I was going to put this blog together and I think by categorising my items and then listing them will work best and be less messy. Also the main pic is me with the bag on simply because I like the picture, I have lost so much weight on this trip its untrue.

My Bag

After expensive research I chose the Vango Freedom 80+20L Travel Backpack I plan on travelling for a very long time so needed something that will last a few years at least. It's perfect for backpackers ample room in the 80 litre compartment with a clam shell/side opening style for easy access, you don't need to unpack your entire bag to get anything out. It's robust exactly what you need when you're constantly jumping on and off boats, planes, trains and tuk tuks. The detachable 20 litre backpack is perfect for your day trips and tours and surprisingly comfortable for a daypack.

Electrical Items

• Macbook Pro (13-inch)
• iPhone 6 plus
• iPod Nano
• GoPro Hero 4 Session & accessories
• 1TB External Hard drive
• Beats By Dre Headphones
• Beats By Dre BlueTooth Speaker
• Various cables & different sized SD cards and MicroSD cards
• Multi Universal Travel Adaptor

That sounds like a lot when its listed but it all fits into a durable case I got free with my GoPro accessories and takes up next to no room in my bag at all. Unless you plan on writing or blogging then there is no need to carry a laptop at all. I have hardly used the GoPro as of yet as the camera on the iPhone is second to none. I am even looking at getting a waterproof iPhone case to eliminate the GoPro all together. External hard drive is essential I have met so many backpackers who have lost all their pictures and videos because their phone or camera was stolen, lost or broken. I also have a 128GB SD card as a secondary back up to my hard drive. I picked the bluetooth speaker up in China it cost next to nothing and always helps the DORM 316 G&T parties go down a storm.

Clothing & Footwear

• 4 T-Shirts
• 5 Vest Tops
• Waterproof Jacket
• Mosquito Net
• Sleeping Bag Liner
• 2 Pairs of 3 quarter length shorts
• 1 Pair of swimming shorts
• 14 Pairs of boxer shorts
• 2 Pairs of Reef Flip Flops
• 1 Pair of Adidas trainers

I must be the only person who booked a round the world trip but refused to buy any new clothes. This came back to bite me on the arse in Dubai with no swim shorts, the pair I have cost me £50. The 3 quarter length shorts were actually full pants I'd had for years I just cut the bottoms off. The vest I only bought a few days ago in Cambodia 5 vests for $10. I did have a hoody and 2 pairs of jeans with me when I left the UK but its far too hot to wear them and when I tried them on the other week I'd lost so much weight they didn't fit so they went in the trash. This also sounds like a lot but I have 3 space saving cubes which fit everything in apart from the pants, flip flops and trainers so my backpack is not overly full or heavy. Reef flip flops are the future, they have a bottle opener in the bottom of them. Trainers I have wore less than 5 times in 5 months. I have not needed to use the mosquito net or sleeping bag liner yet but you never know when they may come in handy.

Toiletries & First Aid

• 1 Toiletries Bag
• Head & Shoulders Shampoo
• Beard Shampoo & Conditioner
• Beard Oil
• Electric Beard Trimmer & charger
• Electric Toothbrush & charger
• Toothpaste
• Roll on Deodorant
• Diesel Aftershave
• Compact First Aid Kit

All of this fits inside the toiletries bag so takes up minimal room in my main bag, electric toothbrush is my luxury item I've used one for so long my teeth just don't feel as clean if I use anything else I also have OCD and brush my teeth in a specific way. Aftershave is also a little luxury its still pretty full and I've had it with me since I started so I don't use it often just for the odd night out or special occasion. You will also notice I don't have any bug spray, for some reason I don't get any bites so I gave it away to a fellow backpacker (my girlfriend) beard shampoo, conditioner and oil because it is not easy looking this good and with a "Great beard comes Great responsibility" Head over to Beardbase for some great beard care products my bearded friends.

Other Items

• Passport
• Wallet
• UK Debit Cards
• CaxtonFX Travel MasterCard
• Sunglasses
• Micro Fibre Towel
• Spare Identity Photographs of Various Sizes
• Head Torch & Hand Torch
• LifeStraw Go Bottle
• Instant Door Lock

My passport is the single most valuable possession I now own, I had various sized Identity photos taken in Vietnam as they were only £1 for 4 and are useful for Visa applications on the boarders if needed. I have my UK bank cards but only for emergencies the CaxtonFX prepaid MasterCard has been perfect for me so far. The LifeStraw Go Bottle means no matter where I am I will always have clean drinking water and for extra security the Instant door lock. I have added links to these two items so you can check them out in greater detail.

The last time I flew both my bags with everything in listed above weighed 18 kilograms, That may seem heavy but it's not at all, is not uncomfortable to walk with and I have done some miles with the bag on my back because I refuse to be over charged for taxis and Tuk Tuks just because I'm a traveller so out of principle I will walk.

Great news!!! As I bought all of my items from the Gap Year Travel Store the guys over there have kindly offered a 10% discount on all purchases made before the 1st September 2016. Head over to them for all your travel needs.

USE DISCOUNT CODE :- BEARD10

Thanks again guys for your great items they have been great while I've bee on the road.

Thanks for reading

Richard :)