Travel Gear for Adventurous Women

travel gear

As a wanderlust addict, it’s important for me to have the right travel gear specific to each trip. I typically have a specific set of gear for backpacking trips and another one more luxorious travel, where a roller bag is more appropriate.  When I find something I really love, I use it for years. Find out what I pack for my travels by reviewing the packing lists below. 

My Travel Gear Essentials

FOR BACKPACKING TRIPS:

  • LARGE BACKPACKOsprey Aura 50 AG Backpack. I’ve been using this backpack for over a year now, and it has already traveled with me to Iceland, France, Mexico, Thailand, China, and Taiwan. I love it! It’s durable and the perfect size for long trips, or cold weather trips that require more/heavier clothing items. I used to have a 65 liter backpack and it was just too huge. The Aura 50 is designed to carry up to 50 pounds, which is plenty for my minimal packing routine.
  • OR SMALL BACKPACK: Recently I’ve started to pack even lighter. When I do, I love my Gregory J28. I used this pack for hiking the Inca Trail in Peru (4 days) and for travels around Guatemala and El Salvador (10 days). With a second smaller bag, such as the day pack I listed below, this bag is plenty for hot weather regions which require smaller/lightweight clothing.
  • DAY PACK: Codura TravellingLight 20 liters. I love this teeny tiny lightweight day pack. No frills here, but it packs so small it’s hard to beat this minimal day pack.

FOR LUXURY TRIPS:

When I say “luxury” what I really mean is – I won’t be sleeping on the ground or in a bunk bed. Typically this also means I’m traveling to a country that has paved roads, because dragging a roller bag across a potholled filled dirt road is not fun!

Suitcase
  • ROLLER BAG – CARRY ON SIZE. This suitcase is all I need for ANY length of trip. It holds a week’s worth of clothes, and then some, and I  just do a load of laundry during my longer trips. I LOVE these wheels that spin 360 degrees, and the hard case helps me breath easy when I have to load it in precarious situations – like on top of a packed van in Guatemala
Travel Gear

FOR EVERY TRIP:

I pack the following on every single trip – backpacking or luxury.

travel gear
  • FLASHLIGHT and/or HEADLAMP
  • EAR PLUGS. Essential for sleeping on trains, planes, buses and hostels.
  • EYE MASK. Essential for sleeping on trains, planes, buses and hostels.
  • TOILETRIES. I tend to pack light when it comes to toiletries – just the necessities. I can always purchase items as needed at my location.

 Women’s Travel Clothing

  • BRAS X 2: One regular and one sports bra
  • SOCKS X 3
  • BATHING SUIT X 1
  • UNDERWEAR X 7, or Exifficio Underwear can be washed in the shower and dry by lunch. For ultralight trips, I pack two pair.
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Tulum Cenote
  • JEANS X 1
  • QUICK DRY SHORTS X 1. For sleeping, running/working out and as a bathing suit cover up.
  • T-SHIRTS X 2. Or I buy t-shirts as I need them at my destination. They make great souvenirs!
  • LONG SLEEVE SHIRT or SWEATER X 1
  • SARONG X 2. Great to wear in temples, as a bathing suit coverup, or in more modest countries that require women to cover from shoulder to knee. You can even wrap it around your head in muslim nations. 
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Morocco
  • LONG DRESS X 1. Lightweight and conservative for both temple/church tours. I like to chose one that will double as a beach dress.
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  • SWEATSHIRT or FLEECE X 1
  • SNEAKERS. I use shoes that double for running and short day hikes
  • SUNGLASSES
  • FLIP FLOPS. For the beach and public showers.
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South Iceland Lagoon

FOR COLD CLIMATE TRAVEL:

  • JACKET. Depending on where I’m going, I pack a puffy coat or rain jacket.
  • HAT
  • GLOVES
  • LEGGINGS
  • WARM BOOTS
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FOR HOT CLIMATE TRAVEL:

Swap out cold weather items for the following:

  • SUN HAT
  • TANK TOPS X 2
  • LINEN or COTTON PANTS

FOR HIKING TRIPS:

  • TECHNICAL SANDALS, for day hiking in hot climates
  • HIKING BOOTS for multi-day hiking trips
  • BUFF. Great for keeping warm, repelling bugs, wiping sweat and covering up greasy hair!
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  • HIKING PANTS X 1. Choose a pair that will zip off into shorts, like these.
  • WOOL SOCKS X 2

 Technical Travel Gear

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Disclosure: Some of the travel gear links in this post are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small commission. Regardless, I only recommend products I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.

1 Comment

  1. January 29, 2017 / 7:30 am

    First, I love your blog! and the Osprey Aura 50 Backpack is just amazing. Thank you for the clothing checklist.

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