5 Travel Essentials for Backpacking Asia
Getting ready for the first big OE, ‘overseas experience’ as they say in New Zealand, is equally exciting and stressful! I’ve met people who micro-managed every aspect of their trip, researching every detail, assuming Murphy’s Law always applies, and having a contingency for everything imaginable! I’ve also met people who seemingly just hopped on a plane and winged-it like a 9th grade oral presentation… I suggest trying to meet me in the middle!
Every first time shoestring traveler who backpacked across Asia, Europe or any foreign land made some simple mistakes. You will too. From going to Asia without a raincoat expecting sunshine everyday, to over-packing, or forgetting an important necessity. Don’t worry, the worse case is just having to buy something you forgot, or throw out some clothes along the way. No big deal. But there are a few things that may be hard to find in stores abroad, and essential to traveling. Here is our list of 5 essentials for every backpacker.
1. Raincoat
Bring a good quality rain coat! Just do it! It rains! Umbrellas break, can’t be used on jungle hikes or snowstorms. Getting soaked day after day will ruin your trip. Or at the very least prevent you from making the most of every day.
For everything else on this list, you can manage with a substitute and it won’t ruin your trip. But a raincoat has no substitute… raincoat means completely waterproof! A hoodie or leather jacket won’t do. Get a raincoat.
Personally, I use a Henri-Lloyd Sailing Jacket because it’s designed to be warm when wet, handle sweat, waterproof (DWR for sailing) and very lightweight. Doesn’t sound like ‘shoestring budget’ right? These coats are durable and will last for years. I’ve had mine for 9 years now and it cost me $163 CAD, or about $18/year so far.
One thing to look when buying a rain coat is “Lifetime Guarantee” or Patagonia’s Ironclad Guarantee
- Price Range: $99.99 to $200.00 USD
- Other Brands: Patagonia, Helly Hansen, North Face
2. Sturdy Sneakers or Boots
After a good rain coat, the next priority should be to take care of your feet. Pick up a pair of good quality shoes or boots. Ideally, something waterproof for future waterfall hikes and torrential downpour rainy days in the cities.
Unfortunately boots aren’t made to last through all that wear and tear. Rather than having a pair for years, getting the mileage out of a good pair of boots is what truly counts.
My Dakota Boots lasted 2 years with roughly 6 months of daily use on the road, indoors, and on hikes before the heel of the sole ground down and had to be replaced. I also had to get one stitched up on the street in China for $5.
My boots were made for colder climate & ice, which is why the sole was gripy but soft. . A better brand for tropical weather is Salomon, Columbia or Under Armour.
As a male with feet size over 42 Eu or 10 US, chances are finding a good pair of replacement shoes in Asia will be tough. They have smaller feet and don’t carry much inventory in larger sizes.
- Price Range: $74.99 to $250.00 USD
- Brands: Salomon, Columbia, The North Face, Merell, Patagonia & Under Armour
3. Mircofiber Towel
A micro-fiber body size towel was a purchase I made after my first trip abroad. After packing a half-dry regular cotton towel in a plastic bag in my pack everyday for 3 months, things began to smell funky. Luckily I lost the towel somewhere in Malaysia and managed without for the rest of my trip.
A micro-fiber towel is made for travel. It’s light weight, compact, easy to dry, doesn’t stink (as much), and is easily packed away in it’s own little sack. It was the best $20 I’ve ever spent towards my travel. Just don’t accidentally buy a micro-fiber car buffer… buy one mean’t for travel.
- Price Range: $9.99 to $49.99 USD
- Brands: OuterEQ, Pack Towel
4. Backpack for Travel
Flying into any city in Asia and checking into your first hostel, you’ll notice everyone has a traveling backpack. At Vietnam’s backpacking hostels, there are stacks of bags in storage as travelers checkout in the morning but come back later for their luggage.
I use an Osprey Volt 60, meaning 60 Liters of space. I was tempted to go down to 38 or 40L because that’s carry-on luggage size but I like the extra space for souvenirs. I can always pack less in 60L but not more in 60L.
Women can go smaller to 45 or 50L since clothing will probably be smaller, or larger up 75 or 80L if shopping abroad is on the itinerary.
Just remember that you’ll have to carry this bag all the time. For a small woman, 45L may be enough. For a larger man, 80L might be a good fit. I usually estimate 1L to be 0.5 lbs, so my 60L bag when filled up will be 30 lbs.
You’ll want to double check that the waist band is the right size. Some bags have removable waist bands which helps if you are on the small side. Getting a fitting in a store for these bags is recommended. Then go bargain shopping online or add it to your list for the next black Friday sale.
A good backpack can be expensive, but like a raincoat, will last for years with proper care. Plus they are so much better than a suitcase!
- Price Range: $99.99 to $350.00 USD
- Brands: Osprey, Gregory, Terra Peak
5. Converter-Adapter Plugs Kit
A multi-country converter-adapter may seem like an odd choice to finish this list. It’s not glamorous or exciting like clothing or bags, and not necessarily obvious either. And why a converter-adapter?
Not all adapters are converters, most of the travel plug kits are only adapters which is perfect 90% of the time.
An Adapter allow the voltage to flow to from a foreign plug, to your device; cellphone or camera.
A Converter adjusts the voltage for electric products like Hair Dryers, Curling Irons, Electric Fans, Shavers or toothbrushes.
I use a converter-adapter similar to the one in the photo above, under the brand name “Northern Traveller“. They are hard to find, and I’m not giving you mine because it’s a hand-me-down and far better quality than anything made today.
The BESTTEN Converter is almost identical to my own. Apple makes a World Travel Adapter Kit (no converter) compatible with all their products and laptop adapters. Apple is always so overpriced.
Warnings
- Find a brand you trust. There are lot of cheap products out there
- Having your adapter break in a foreign country means no cellphone until you replace it!
- Other travelers sometimes steal adapters and chargers, always tuck them away during the day.
- Make sure it has plugs for all the countries you’ll travel…
Tips from a Fellow Traveler
Find something that fits your budget. Use what you have already if you can. You don’t need all these things to travel and have a great time. Although, they certainly do help!
Investing in good quality gear now will go a long way in the future. A bag and a raincoat may seem expensive, but can easily last a decade and be ready for your next adventure! Repairing quality products is worth the effort, or even better if your product has a lifetime guarantee!
Second Hand Gear is also great, but make sure it fits you. Wearing an over sized bag you got for cheap may be good for your wallet but can easily stress your back and body on longer travels. There is also a stigma against buying second hand gear, but remember that backpacking and mountaineering gear is made to last, and made with the highest quality because people rely on this equipment.
Be smart and have fun!
Disclaimer: Amazon is an affiliate partner, we make a small commission on any purchases at not cost to you.
Backpacking Gear You’ll Love
