Handy Extras to Pack While Traveling
Useful Items to Bring on a Long-Term Backpacking Trip
Apr 27, 2009
After traveling for a while, one learns tricks of the trade as to what is best to bring along on their travels. They also learn how to maximize space in minimize weight in their backpack.
After a backpack is packed with the basics for a long-term trip, there are a few extras that can make all the difference.
Backpackers can use Duct Tape, Zip Lock Baggies and Bleach
The best way to carry this to save space and avoid having to bring a whole roll is to take some duct tape and wrap it around a pencil. Duct tape is useful for taping up mosquito nets, fixing rips in clothes and backpacks and anything else in a pinch. No long-term traveler should leave home without it.
Zip-Lock style plastic bags are handy for all sorts of situations that come up on the road. They tend to be harder to come by abroad and their use is usually not anticipated so it is always good to have a few on hand. They can be useful for packing snacks for long bus rides, keeping small objects like batteries or hair ties in one place, or to keep liquids from leaking out into a backpack.
In a pinch, regular bleach can be used to purify water. This is helpful if one ever needs drinking water but has no way to purchase it. Opinions vary, but usually it is 8 drops of bleach per gallon of water. Water can be strained through cloth if there is any debris in it.
Take a Sleep Sheet, Pillowcase and Small Flashlight
This is a lightweight sleeping bag. It can be used when a hostel doesn’t provide bedding, or for extra warmth. It is great if a budget traveler stays in a place where the bedding seems less than sanitary as well as for overnight bus rides.
A pillow case doesn’t take up much room and has all sorts of uses. It can be used as a towel to dry off if ever necessary. It can also be stuffed with clothing and turned into a pillow. It is a handy dirty clothing bag as well or can be used to pack breakable items in.
The smallest flashlight one can find will do. These can be tiny and light weight and are always useful on the road. A better alternative yet is a headlamp to leave hands free while using. They are great for reading in a dorm room when the lights are out, during power outages and just to make walking at night more safe.
Packing for a long backpacking trip means taking things that have more than one use, and will be worth carrying their weight.
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