Sustainable Travel Kit: Essential Items Every Backpacker Needs

The advantages of sustainable and light packing

The saying, “less is more,” perfectly applies to packing travel essentials. Packing light and weeding out items that will most likely not be useful during your trip will lessen your burden and yield great benefits. Below are some advantages of light packing:

Reduces weight to carry

With less to carry comes less stress and minimized weight for your back. A lesser load also equals lower possibilities of any back problems or injuries.

Improves mobility and flexibility

The effort of carrying a loaded suitcase takes away the joy of traveling and can be inconvenient. Light packing allows you to have the liberty to move from destination to destination seamlessly and quickly. It also gives you the flexibility to explore, navigate properly, and avoid getting lost.

Reduces costs

Packing light is beneficial, particularly for airplane travelers, as it reduces extra baggage fees. Most airlines only allow one carry-on and a small backpack without a surcharge as long as it does not exceed the maximum weight limit. Even when riding cabs and taxis, sometimes carrying big luggage can subject you to opting for two vehicles, one for passengers and another for cargo, which can cost much more than necessary.

Saves time

You can save time during packing since you only have to stuff what is essential. There is also no need to arrive at the airport too early to check in your luggage if you opt to travel light. That aside, it also does not impede your speed as it allows you to move and travel without going through hoops to transport all your baggage from one place to another.

Helps the environment

Although you may not notice at a stroke, minimalist packing can create great wonders for the environment. More fuel is needed for heavier suitcases and luggage. Alternatively, less baggage allows less fuel usage and, by and large, helps cut back on greenhouse gases.

Essential items for traveling sustainably

Preparing the stuff to bring on a trip can be daunting and sometimes result in overpacking. Hence, you can check out these recommendations of the essential items for traveling sustainably on your backpacking trip:

Washable and comfy clothes

Comfort comes before fashion if light packing is the ultimate goal. Always opt for casual and comfortable wear that can last you for the entire duration of your trip. Bringing washable garments is also a smart way to save space. Be sure to check the weather conditions of your destination beforehand and match your clothing.

Travel toiletries

Plastic-free toiletries are the way to go for sustainable traveling. Do not forget your travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, soap, and other customized essentials you will need during your trip. Include reef-safe sunscreen, toothpaste, toothbrush, and organic insect repellent. A bamboo toothbrush is a great sustainable alternative to a regular plastic one. When purchasing toiletries, always consider buying products made from eco-friendly ingredients. Also, instead of sachets, opt for biodegradable shampoo and conditioner bars to avoid single-use plastic.

Reusable water bottles, containers, and utensils

A water bottle is definitely a must-have for backpackers to stay hydrated on adventure-filled days. Drinkable tap water is almost always available when venturing out, so it is easy to refill your bottles. However, you can invest in reusable bottles with built-in filters to ensure health and safety. Reusable food containers, straws, and utensils made from recyclable materials, such as wood, steel, or bamboo, would be preferable.

Medical/first-aid kit

Preparing a medical kit can spare you from the hassle of going to places to purchase a few medical items that contribute to plastic packaging. Moreover, it saves you from limited availability of sources, especially if traveling to a remote area. Since you are foreign to a place, it also helps avoid access to potentially dangerous and unethically sourced medications.

A well-stocked first aid kit is essential on every travel as it can help treat minor cuts, scrapes, and injuries. Thus, it is important to have plasters, bandages, antiseptic ointment, alcohol wipes, tweezers, scissors, a thermometer, a bottle of distilled water, and pain-relief medicine in your kit.

General travel essentials

Other essential items you might consider including in your bag are a self-defense tool, a universal travel adaptor, portable power banks, and a sleeping bag. Moreover, bringing beeswax wraps and extra reusable canvas bags would help reduce plastic consumption.

Travel documents and requirements are also your keys to entering a foreign destination and returning to your home without a bother. You should always keep your passport, visa if there is any, transportation tickets, identification cards, travel insurance, and money.

Tips on light packing

Research reveals that 55% of travelers worldwide are now more adamant about rethinking traditional travel practices and making more sustainable travel choices. However, many still lack knowledge on gearing toward the sustainable path. Believe it or not, you can start your sustainable decisions before you even embark on your backpacking journey—and that is through light packing!

To help you get started, here are some tips on how to pack lightly:

Acknowledge that you cannot bring everything

Try to develop a minimalist mindset and get rid of the thought, “just in case you need it,” except for the essentials. Be inventive and utilize what is available.

Choose your backpack carefully

Always opt for sustainable bags, and go for ones that are expandable, durable, versatile, and have lots of storage. Be mindful of the correct size that suits the duration of your trip.

Take into account environmental factors

Consider the climate and check for the destination’s weather forecast to know what type of clothes and essentials you need to pack. You will also want to bring products that are eco-friendly.

Plan ahead and create a checklist

You do not want to leave anything behind for your backpacking trip. Planning and crafting a checklist allows no room for forgotten items and saves you more time. Be sure to pack as early as possible, so that you have enough time to double-check.

Carry travel-sized and multi-purpose items

A general rule of thumb for light packing is to always opt for smaller items that can last you during the trip, if available. Multi-purpose items are smart and can help a lot in packing less. For example, you can bring a moisturizer that can function as a sunscreen and repellant all at once. This gives additional space for your other essentials to fit.

Identify the type of travel you are making

Since backpacking is primarily set on exploring cultures and nature, you should evaluate the destinations you are visiting. If your trip is hiking-centric, then bring hiking boots or shoes. Meanwhile, if you plan to visit beaches, you might consider carrying swimwear.

Assess what you can comfortably carry

You are almost always on your own when backpacking, so assess the maximum weight you can comfortably accommodate. Keep in mind that you will have to carry your backpack wherever you go, so picture how you will manage it, and that will help you limit your load.

Buy whatever you need once you get to your destination

Most items you think of carrying are available in stores or shops, so you can just purchase them once you are there. Even when heading to a remote setting with little to no amenities and services, you will still find local shops before going deep into the wilderness. This practice does not only enable you to pack lightly, but it also offers an opportunity to contribute to the host communities by supporting their local products.

Lighten the load to deepen the experience

Resourcefulness is a virtue in sustainable backpacking. You can make use of what is available to survive in whatever setting. If you want to take part in sustainable initiatives, minimalist packing would be a great head-start. Packing what is only necessary saves you more time, effort, and money. When traveling, it is much more important to focus on enriching experiences than being well-equipped with anything beyond necessary.

Lighten the load to minimize mental and physical burden, and deepen your experience. Ask yourself first, “do I really need this?” before stuffing everything in. Always keep in mind that less is more! So, consider these essential items every backpacker needs.