In our initial research of what to pack on our backs for a year, we found many websites helpful. Often the packing lists suggested were for a particular region and climate: Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa, etc. Because we would be experiencing mostly warmer weather, we needed a wardrobe that was versatile and could keep warm during chillier nights in Iceland and cool in 100+ degree heat of South East Asia. This list will most likely change as we travel. We thought packing lists were helpful so if this helps even a single person, we are happy.
Michele's pack and packing cubes
Trent’s Pack List:
Backpack: Ospey Farpoint 40 Liter
This is my first travel backpack and so far it’s been perfect. I opted for the smaller 40 liter to basically force myself not to carry too much weight and to really make me think about if I needed something before I brought it. It opens fully (like a suitcase), has decent suspension straps for support, and the straps all fold away for airplane travel. Me thinks I’m going to like this bag.
Clothes:
My goal for clothing was to get things that could serve dual purpose, were wrinkle resistant, and could be used multiple times before stinking too bad. The friend of any traveler is merino wool, it’s breathable, wrinkles fall out of it, and it’s pretty lightweight. So you’ll see a lot of that stuff below.
T-shirts (3):
Icebreaker Tech-Lite Merino Wool
Ibex Merino Wool T (So far my favorite)
Minus 33 Merino Wool T
Long Sleeve Shirt (1):
Minus 33 Merino Wool Mid-weight Crew
Pants (2):
Banana Republic Traveler Pants (old pair)
Royal Robbins Alpine Road Pants (love this so far)
Shoes (2):
Nike Men’s Free Rn Running Shoe
Chaco Men’s Z2 Classic Sport Sandal – ditched after week two in search of lighter sandals
Outer Wear:
Patagonia Mens Ultralight Down Jacket
Royal Robbins Merino Hoodie
Outdoor Research Helium II Rain Jacket
Travel Stuff:
Travel Adaptor
Travel Sheet
Eye Mask
Journal and Pen
Travel packs of Woolite
Microfiber Travel Towel (The single most useful item in the Universe)
Bluetooth Earbuds
Minimal Osprey Daypack (so tiny)
Small locks for backpack
Technical Gear:
Macbook 15.4″ and Charger
Google Pixel (best international plans on Project Fi)
Michele’s Pack List:
This will inevitably change throughout our travels. I tried to limit as much purchasing as possible up front and travel with stuff I already had. Knowing me, my clothes will be destroyed before too long.
Backpack
Osprey Farpoint 70
– I’ve had this pack for a few years and I really like it. It’s versatile and can fold up easily for plane travel. It also has a detachable 15L day pack which was a selling point for me.
Eagle Creek Packing Cubes
– These are great for organizing your clothing. If you typically travel like I do, you are used to what looks to be an explosion of clothes when searching for items. The cubes force me to stay organized. We bought the compression cubes.
Eagle Creek Toiletry Bag
– Awesome. Held all my toiletries and travel meds with room to spare.
Clothes
Jeans – ditched after week 2 to lighten pack 🙁
Leggings
Pants (similar)
Shorts
Running shorts
Lounging shorts (similar)
Sweater
Button shirt (similar)
T-shirts x 2 (Lululemon, Madewell)
Tanks x 3 (Lululemon (similar), Madewell, American Eagle)
Underwear x 7 (mix of Exofficio & Patagonia)
Socks x 3 (Smartwool)
Bathing Suit
Shoes
Teva Terra Fi Lite Sandals
Merrell Pace Glove 3
Outerwear
Marmont Down Coat (similar listing) – ditched after week 2, no longer needed
Patagonia Rain Shell
Madewell Fleet Jacket – ditched after week 2 to lighten pack 🙁
Toiletries
Toothbrush
Floss
Mouthwash
Q-tips
Toner
Face moisturizer with SPF
Night serum
Razor with 3 additional razor blades
Tweezers
Nail clippers
Mascara
Eyeliner
2″X 2″ mirror for impeccable eyeliner precision… yeah right!
Under eye concealer
Lip moisturizer x 2
Eye Sleep Mask (the sun doesn’t set in Iceland during the summer months)
Medications
Malaria pills
Z-pack (antibiotics, traveler’s diarrhea)
Alka-Seltzer
Ibuprofen
Miscellaneous
Journal
Pen
Phone Arm Band
Pack locks
Glasses
Sunglasses
Travel Guide Book
Travel Towel
Technology
Google phone, charger
Bluetooth Earbuds