My Top 10 Backpacking Essentials I Can’t Leave Behind
James Hammond at Norwich train station ready for an adventure
Since 2013, I have left for six ‘big’ trips, and how I define this is trips longer than two months, and the longest I have traveled full-time for is a year.
When sitting down to plan my latest YouTube video below, this had to be something that wasn’t ‘traveling’ and something talked about to the camera.
So I thought, what do I pack in my backpack for every trip?
Then, as I started to note down my non-negotiables, I realized that some could provide some value to the blog reader or the video viewer because some are personal, but some are great products.
There is no payment for recommending these products; I either love using them or need them.
I have decided to omit the apparent items people have these days, such as a phone, laptop, toiletries, and towel (if you pack one).
Below, I will list the ten products I need for a two-month+ backpacking trip.
Let’s get stuck in!
My Top 10 Backpacking Essentials I Can’t Leave Behind
1. Osprey Farpoint 40l backpack
There have been many backpacks over the years, and to be honest, I winged a lot of them without conducting research, with price being the major factor.
Leading up to my year-long trip in 2023, I finally did some research and trusted Osprey with my new backpack. What a game-changer this decision was!
This backpack can hold 10kg-12kg comfortably and comes under the measurements for carry-on luggage. I would say on smaller airlines, it will not fit under the seat comfortably, so you will need to make sure you nab that overhead space.
My favorite part is the side zip, which leads to the cushioned compartment at the back, designed for laptops and thinner tech. This is crucial for a creator like myself, who can save space in the main compartment by snuggly fitting in my laptop and accessories.
I used this backpack for hiking adventures in Nepal. It was sturdy and comfortable, and I hiked for multiple days. You can add a water camelback outside the backpack, which is needed for hiking.
Overall, this bag stood the test of time. I wore it most days, roaming worldwide in different environments. Nothing got wet, damaged, or lost. I trust this bag 100% and would not have anything else.
2. Loop Earplugs
As I have aged, I have struggled with noise. I am now a light sleeper, which is a problem when traveling. I like to stay in hostels and the city so that noise can be an issue.
I couldn’t resolve the issue for years until one day when I tried Loop Earplugs and my word; this changed my life. I had never loved anything in my ears due to having grommets when I was younger and hating the feeling of anything in there, but these earplugs provided me with comfort and zoning out of the noise.
It's a true game-changer.
Now I can stay relaxed anywhere because these earplugs block out noise. If I lost these, I would lose my mind, so I will get a second pair if I forget them.
When you order, you have a few options, but I opted for the Quiet 2 earplugs, which are designed for sleep. I love them! They are $35 CAD, which is so cheap for a guaranteed noise cancellation product.
Of course, if you can sleep like a baby in an airport lounge, this might be a moot point, but it is there if you become more sensitive with age.
3. Grayl Ultrapress Purifier Waterbottle
When traveling, I like to stay in natural locations with no obvious signs of life or water sources. To counteract the problem of finding water to drink, I bought a Grayl Waterbottle, which is a must for any explorer.
The bottle has a compression filter. When you fill the bottle, you press the filter down, which filters out all the nasty stuff in the water you don’t need to drink.
I am still amazed at how it works and have no idea of the science behind it, but once you get over the trust issue, you will have a serious product on your hands.
When in a hotel room in Beirut, I used it to fill up from the tap. When hiking Garibaldi Lake in British Columbia near Vancouver, I used it to drink the glacier water. When in Nepal, I gave it to my guide to use as he didn’t trust the local water.
This is best used and more needed for adventures in the wild, but it is also needed in countries without safe drinking water. You must get one!
Recording an episode at a campsite
4. Zoom H6
In modern times, I am a content creator on YouTube but mainly on my Winging It Travel Podcast. One of my aims when traveling is collecting sounds, interviewing local people, and recording solo episodes.
The Zoom H6 is a relatively new product for me, but it is essential for my content. Another creator recommended that I use it, and this product is simply awesome.
It has four separate audio tracks for recording an interview, so it's great for recording interviews in person with a group. You can add Lavalier microphones to record yourself, and there is an extra set of microphones at the top of the product, which are great for collecting sounds.
Everything is recorded into an internal SD Card, so I can easily upload it to my computer daily and do not need extra equipment to record it through the laptop.
This is a must for a podcaster, and I will be using this extensively on my Central America trip in November for the first time.
5. Bose Noise-Cancelling headphones
This is a relatively normal one for most people, but I still get amazed at this technology. I remember the old days when traveling on a plane was annoying because the normal headphones at the time didn’t do anything to cut out the noise.
I plumped for Bose in 2021 and have worn them every day without any problems.
Are these headphones like phones where the technology gets better every two or three years?
They are starting to wear out, but that is expected when they travel all over the globe. I don’t tend to wear headphones in a new place as I like to experience the sights and sounds. This is crucial to understanding the place, in my opinion.
I need them for long-haul travel and they are crucial for podcasts, music and YouTube.
My new Outdoor Research top getting a test in Deep Cove, Vancouver.
6. Outdoor Research hiking t-shirt
This is the newest entry to my list. I only bought it a month ago, but I loved it instantly. This top by Outdoor Reach is durable and airy, enabling you to travel in all weather. Sweat dries quickly, and it is comfortable when hiking.
For my November trip to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico, I want to carry lightweight clothing, as I don’t want to carry too much. The weather will be warm so that I won’t need coats or jumpers, but I will need something for those volcano nights.
This led me to buy another one of their long-sleeved tops, and I am looking forward to trying it out for real later in the year.
When I find clothing or footwear that suits me, I stick to it and don’t deviate. I am unsure if other people are like that, but I get quite emotional about it.
The last top I had, which I loved, was just as much as a running top from the Norwich 10k run in 2016, but that got lost somewhere on Mount Kinabalu, and I was devastated. Let’s hope this one lasts longer!
7. Vessi’s Everyday Classic shoe
Before moving to Canada, I had not found a shoe that would be great for everyday travel in European cities, rainy days in Vancouver, or hikes in New Zealand. However, I have finally found the perfect shoe.
Vessi is a vegan-friendly Vancouver-based brand. Everyone wore them when I arrived, so I had to check them out.
This will be one of my greatest purchases, like buying the Are You Experienced album by Jimi Hendrix. What a moment!
They are 100% waterproof, comfortable, super light, durable, and environmentally friendly. What else do you want?
They passed the test with the amount of walking I had done in the last three years, including my trip last year.
Of course, they did wear out, as I was walking 15,000 steps every day last year in deserts, rainforests, mountains, and cities, but they cover all bases.
I just got a new pair, which wasn’t hard to purchase. Check them out!
8. Sanuk flip-flops
Let me take you back to May 2014, when I arrived in Hawaii from Sydney, ready for the last leg of my two-year trip. I didn’t invest much in clothing or footwear then, so I decided to hike to a viewpoint near Lanikai Beach in flip-flops.
They broke on the way up, so I had to traverse stones and rocks on my right foot, which was painful. The Lanikai Beach sand softened the below afterward, but I was desperate and lacked footwear.
Luck would have it that there was a surf shop behind the main beach, so I popped in to buy some more flip-flops. I gambled on some with soft yoga mat-style soles—I was in!
This brand was Sanuk, and when I put my feet on them, I was in heaven.
I am not sure if this was the reaction to my severed right foot from the hike needing some comfort, but I have only used them since.
That pair eventually succumbed a few years back, so I upgraded, and they are as good as ever.
If you want soft yoga mat material underneath your foot, then these guys are for you. I can’t try anything else.
They are crucial for trips because how often have your feet ached from all the walking about or the challenging hikes?
These provide god-like comfort, and I have so many happy memories using them.
They are part of me, and I am emotionally attached to the brand.
My emotional attachment to Sanuk flip-flops on Tioman Island in Malaysia
9. TravelSpend
The only app on the list comes from TravelSpend, which has a fantastic app for tracking travel expenses.
If you are like me and don’t like seeing how much is spent on a trip, this app can help you change that mindset.
Last year, we used it religiously every day, and I liked the calculation it gives you with the amount you need to spend to keep on track. If you overspend compared to the pre-filled budget entered, you know your daily target to reign in your spending.
They have taught me to take tracking expenses seriously when traveling, and I trust them 100%.
The app is free, and they have a paid subscription if you need to use extra services. Check them out!
10. Sony ZV-1 camera and Rode VideoMic Pro microphone
Delving into my tech will be another blog, but I felt the need to share what I use to record video and sounds when interviewing a guest on the road or even filming a solo episode.
It has taken a few years to find my perfect camera, but now I have one: the Sony ZV-1. It is super light, versatile, has 4 K filming capabilities, and has easy-to-navigate options.
I am no expert in cameras, but after some research and advice from fellow creators, I opted for this camera, which has been great to use this year.
The Rode VideoMic Pro is an older purchase, but I used it on my Canon Camera, and it is a seriously good piece of kit.
It has never failed me, except on day 2, when the little cover came off the switch, so now I have to use a pencil or pen to switch the mic on. Other than that, it has been awesome and has great sound.
When roaming about town filming myself, this always picks up the sound very clearly. I even now use it to collect sounds as it is of high quality!
I will use this combination for future content, and I am happy with the results. Until I start making an income from content to upgrade my gear, this will be the set-in-stone setup for the foreseeable future.
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My bonus extras
There are so many other products that I haven’t mentioned, but here are a few rules for planning my backpacking adventure.
I don't carry suitcases. I only accept backpacks as the truest way to travel, and this can never sway me.
Always carry-on when traveling on a long trip because the idea is to take fewer flights, right?
Immodium is crucial as I have a weak stomach, so this always goes in my backpack.
My new Final Press coffee and tea maker is a must now if I want to buy local coffee for my trip; this could happen in Central America. I only need hot water and a cup, so this is great for having a decent coffee in the depths of nowhere.
My Salomon hiking shoes are equally crucial to my Vessis. They are 100% trustworthy for me in any terrain, and they have never let me down on any hike.
What are your hard rules for packing? Let me know your must-haves when preparing for a new backpacking trip.
Where it all started in South East Asia in 2013