The Ultimate Packing List and Tips

The Ultimate Packing List and Tips - Scrubba by Calibre8

 

As 2019 begins we can all hopefully look back and think about all the amazing things we’ve done and achieved in the past year. As always, each year brings some kind of change and all that constant change can be overwhelming and a bit hard to keep up with. We’ve got you covered!

Photo by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen on Unsplash

Remember when that lady in America tried to bring her peacock onto the plane claiming it was an assistance animal? Did you know that you now have to present your powder products separately at the airport if you’re bringing them in your carry on? And we’re sure you’ve seen the countless people getting kicked off planes for some bizarre reason over the year, it always happens. Keeping on top of everything is simple, if you just stay organised! When it comes to travelling, organisation is key and that’s where we come in.

How many trips did you go on this year? Did you make sure you had enough time to pack before jetting off or did you leave it to the last minute like we all do sometimes?

Photo by Anete Lūsiņa on Unsplash

With the help of a few of our favourite bloggers, we have been able to compile the ultimate packing list and guide to packing – we’re pretty sure that packing is the worst part about going on a trip. It’s the part we all dread, we leave it until the last minute, it’s stressful and no matter how hard we try, we always forget something. Whether you choose to make a list, lay all your things out on the floor or just throw everything into a bag hoping you’ve haven’t left anything behind, packing is no simple task.

It all depends on what kind of trip you’re taking, where you’re going, if you’re checking your luggage or only taking a carry-on bag. We’ve put together the ultimate packing list and a few useful tips so you’ll never have to stress about packing ever again and be able to enjoy every aspect of your holiday. Over the course of this blog we’ll cover…

  • Questions to Ask While (and before) Packing
  • The Scrubba Curated Guide to Packing
  • Managing Your Money While Travelling
  • How to Pack  
  • The Eco-Friendly Packer
  • Travel Gear and Accessories

So strap yourself in and open your mind to things that you may never have thought of when you think about packing. Less is more – at least that’s the essence of the Scrubba – travel clean, light and free. With that in mind, ‘our ultimate packing’ list is more likely to be a short list. Packing to travel isn’t just about weight or size, it’s also about being practical, ecological, ethical and above all else – moral.

 

QUESTIONS TO ASK WHILE (and before) PACKING

Take a step back before you open your wardrobe and think for a second before you start aimlessly grabbing things. What do I really need to take with me and what will I not even touch if it somehow ends up in my bag? By asking yourself a couple of simple questions you’re bound to save yourself that dreaded packing headache.

 

Pre-Packing Questions – Yes, that’s a thing

Before you even get your suitcase or bag out of the cupboard ask yourself these questions.

  1. When do I leave? – allow yourself enough time to get everything done without having a panic attack!
  2. Do I have any washing to do? – is your favourite top or pair of shorts in the wash or in desperate need of washing? Get your washing sorted so you arrive with all fresh clothing and can get through a few days without washing.
  3. What bag am I taking? – Suitcase, backpack or duffle bag? Whatever it may be, the bag you take will decide how much stuff you bring because it all needs to fit in there somehow.

Photo by Jake Melara on Unsplash  

 

  1. Do I need to buy anything new? – In need of some new hiking shoes or maybe a new bikini to feature in all those candid beach pics you plan on posting on Instagram to make all your friends jealous? Get yourself sorted early and buy what you want before you start packing so you can do it all at once and not be thinking about fitting extra stuff in that hasn’t been bought yet.

You’re being proactive by doing this and making sure you’re giving yourself enough time to pack properly and have everything ready to go before you start putting stuff in your bag.

 

Basic Questions

We often get so carried away with excitement thinking about all the amazing things we’ll do on our trip, we end up forgetting about the basics:

  1. How many bags - One bag, two bags, carry on? Think about how you’re going to fit everything in without squashing your favourite shirt or dress and if that means taking some extra stuff in your carry on versus your checked bag, then just do that!
  2. Weight – Do you have scales? With airlines becoming more and more strict with weight limits these days, a set of travel scales is something to think about including. Airlines are even going out of their way to weigh carry on bags now, so if your bag looks a little bit overstuffed you might be in trouble. Save yourself the stress of getting to the check in desk with an overweight bag and being forced to pay those super overpriced excess luggage fees with a trusty set of travel scales!

Photo by Graphic Node on Unsplash  

  1. Are there any new regulations? Take note of any new regulations the airline might have added since the last time you flew. Different countries have specific rules so do your research before you get to the airport to save yourself from having to throw things out before going through security. New carry on regulations this year have been, powder products need to be presented separately (just like your liquid products) which includes baby formula, cosmetics, protein powder etc. and the ban of loose lithium batteries.

Questions to Ponder

Ponder over a few of these questions for a minute. They might jog your memory or spark a new idea you haven’t even considered yet.

  1. What will the weather be like? Weather can have a huge impact on any trip. If you plan on taking a picture perfect tropical holiday, it wouldn’t be ideal if it was raining the entire time would it? Have a look at the upcoming weather forecast a few days before you go to brace yourself for what’s coming. It might just save you from getting drenched or sweating through all those layers you thought were necessary in the first few hours of arriving.

Photo by Graphic Node on Unsplash

  1. What time of year is it? Lots of countries have extreme rainy seasons and off peak times of the year when there isn’t really a lot going on. Although it might work out a whole lot cheaper to go off peak, take a look at what you’ll actually be able to do in the torrential rain or the extreme heat before making up your mind. It might seem like a good idea at the time, but having your dream trip ruined by a hurricane or constant rain is something you can make an attempt to avoid by doing some research before booking anything.
  2. What activities will I be doing? Are you going to be hiking up mountains in Peru, snorkelling in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean, wandering the cobblestone streets of Prague? Your clothes and shoes really matter! Pack accordingly to the activities you have planned. A lot of adventure activities like bungee jumping, hiking, sky diving, ATV’s or white water rafting require you to have closed toe shoes and long pants so even if you’re going on a relaxing beach holiday to Bali, you never know what might come up and you don’t want to be wasting your money buying these things if you can easily fit it in your luggage.


  1. Going to any special events that you’ll need a specific outfit for? Will you be away for New Year’s Eve, a big birthday or is there a theme night on your cruise? You should usually have one nice outfit with you but if you know there’s definitely going to a dressy event take your favourite outfit with you. It saves you the time you might spend wandering around stores looking for the prefect outfit, instead use that time to do something fun!
  2. How often will I be able to wash or will I wash at all? Are you going to be able to wash your clothes or will you not have a chance at all? If you won’t be able to wash, bring enough clothes to get you through your entire trip and make sure you have stuff that won’t stain or show the dirt easily. Or maybe take a Scrubba wash bag with you, that way you can have clean clothes, anywhere.

Destination Specific Questions

There are a lot of places people love to visit because of the diverse culture, amazing landscapes and fascinating history. However, have you looked into the questions you should ask yourself about their rules and regulations, any medications or immunisations you might need or what you need to wear to certain landmarks?

  1. Dress regulations – We’re sure you’ve seen those idyllic Instagram photos of temples and religious landmarks all over the world and yes, they’re some of the most beautiful places you’ll ever visit. But did you know most of them require you to dress modestly and have covered shoulders and knees? For girls, we recommend taking a sarong or scarf with you that can be used as a wrap around your legs or wear a flowy maxi dress or skirt to make sure you are respecting their culture when visiting their sacred places. Boys, you’ll be able to wear long or 3 quarter pants and a t-shirt and you’re good to go.
  1. Prescription drugs/immunisations – you need to make sure you double check if you need any specific immunisations before you visit specific third world countries or if you know you’ll be visiting at risk areas of diseases such as hepatitis, meningococcal, tuberculosis, typhoid or rabies. You might also need prescription drugs like malaria tablets etc. depending on where you’re going. Be diligent and make sure you’re aware of how to keep yourself healthy while travelling. Most of this information is available online or visit your local GP for any further information.
  2. Others? There are lots of little things you should be aware of when travelling but a few can be missed along the way. So, ask yourself, what don’t I know about the country/tries I’m visiting? For example, did you know the Maldives is a predominately Muslim country, so alcohol isn’t served at local restaurants or available for purchase at any stores? You can only get an alcoholic drink in the resorts, so if you’re doing the Maldives on a budget and staying in local hostels you won’t be able to kick back with a beer or cocktail. Be aware of the different rules and regulations of wherever you’re visiting and remember that the world is a big place and not everywhere runs by the same rules as you’re use to at home.

If you think about it, there’s not really any point bringing winter jackets, hiking boots or lots of pairs of long pants if you’re going on a tropical holiday. And vice versa, don’t bother taking multiple pairs of shorts and swimwear if you’re planning to be in snowy locations for the majority of your trip.

Have a look at your travel itinerary and see what activities you have planned and pack accordingly. Everyone enjoys doing different things on their holidays and that means everyone packs differently. Avoid packing useless items by thinking about what your trip will have you doing, what you’ll have to wear for those activities and ask yourself a bunch of questions throughout your packing expedition. This way you’ll have everything you need and maybe even some extra room for you to pick up some souvenirs along the way.

Check out this list of ultimate packing questions to make double sure you haven’t forgotten anything before heading off.

 

THE SCRUBBA CURATED GUIDE TO PACKING

Below, we’ve broken it down to make it a bit less overwhelming for the minimalist packer and only included what we think to be the vital items. We’ve chosen not to include the number or amount of each item we would choose to take, as we think that’s a really personal decision and everyone kind of knows how quickly they wear through their clothes anyway. Bear in mind what kind of trip you’re taking too, as previously mentioned, think of the climate and what you’ll be doing. Our packing secret is to start from your feet and work your way up. That way you won’t forget anything!

We should also tell you, that we are by no means saying that you have to take everything we’ve listed! We’ve created a universal list for men and women so guys, ignore that girly items and girls, ignore the boyish stuff. Everyone likes to take specific things so if we’ve missed something you can’t leave home without make sure to pack it!

 

 Important Stuff

  • Passport
  • Debit/Credit card – grab a few RFID card sleeves too, to stop your cards from being skimmed by thieves.
  • Photo ID
  • Travel documents – having a printed copy with you ensures you won’t be left stranded if your phone dies, but make sure everything is on your phone too and consider backing everything up to a cloud website such as iCloud or Dropbox. It’s also not a bad idea to keep a copy at home with someone you trust so you’ve got a backup if everything else fails.
  • Visa – do some research before you go so you don’t end up stuck at the border, not being allowed into the country because you don’t have the right visa.
  • Cash – We usually recommend bringing a small amount of the local currency with you to get you started and then exchange or withdraw more when you need it. It’s not a bad idea to bring some of your countries currency with you either if you ever need to quickly exchange some currency.
  • Photocopy of passport and ID or a photo/scan of it on your phone.
  • Pen – you don’t want to be that annoying person asking to borrow a pen on the plane to fill out your customs declaration.

 

Clothes

  • Socks – Maybe pack an extra fluffy pair in your carry on to keep your feet warm and comfy on the plane.
  • Underwear
    • Regular bra
    • Sports bra
    • Undies
  • T-shirt – think about the colours you bring, what will stay clean and be the most versatile.
  • Dressy top – bring a universal one that can go with a few outfits.
  • Long sleeve top
  • Athletic quick-dry shorts
  • Tank top
  • Shorts
  • Jeans
  • Long pants
  • Dress
  • Jumper/hoodie
  • Jacket
  • Raincoat – think about taking something lightweight that you can roll up small so it doesn’t take up as much space
  • Swimsuit
  • Scrubba Wash Bag – while not an item of clothing, the Scrubba wash bag allows you to wash as you go so you don’t have to bring as many things!

Accessories

  • Sunglasses
  • Eyeglasses
  • Scarf – can be used as a scarf, sarong or cover up if you’re visiting religious sites.
  • Hat

Shoes

  • Sneakers – don’t bring a brand-new pair, unless you’ve worn them in properly otherwise you’ll have blisters before you’ve even arrived at your first destination
  • Hiking boots – for the ultra-light traveller, swap these out for some lightweight trail shoes
  • Thongs/slides
  • Dressier sandals

Toiletries

  • Makeup – this is a really personal aspect of packing. The girls at Scrubba usually bring a tinted moisturiser, mascara, concealer and some kind of tinted lip product when packing ultralight but if you can't leave your favourite makeup products at home try buying some mini sizes to save space and weight. Most popular products sell travel size versions!
  • Skincare items
    • Cleanser
    • Moisturiser
  • Deodorant – try taking a roll on versus an aerosol so you can put it in your carry on.
  • Toothpaste
  • Toothbrush
  • Hair brush
  • Hair ties
  • Sunscreen – make sure you take a natural sunscreen as they are safe for coral reefs!
  • Body lotion
  • Perfume – you can buy atomiser’s and decant your favourite scent to save some weight.
  • Shampoo/conditioner – try to find a brand that makes a shampoo/conditioner in one to save some weight and space as these tend to be heavy and take up lots of room.
  • Lip balm
  • Female hygiene products
  • Travel soap – try to find a brand that makes a multiuse soap product. There are a few on the market that act as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, dishwashing liquid and laundry liquid so you only have to take one product instead of five! Just make sure it’s safe to use in open rivers, lakes or the ocean so you’re not damaging the environment.
  • First aid kit
    • Bandaids
    • Painkiller tablets
    • Antiseptic cream
    • Cold and flu tablets
    • Motion sickness tablets
    • Eye drops
    • Antihistamine tablets
    • Bandages
    • Diarrhoea medicine
    • Laxatives
    • Your regular medications
    • Any specific medications you need for certain countries you’re visiting (e.g. malaria tablets)

Photo by Katarzyna Pe on Unsplash

Keep in mind, toiletries usually take up a lot of space and weight so you can easily buy most of these things when you arrive and throw them out before you come home.

Tech Stuff

  • Phone
  • Laptop/iPad – don’t forget your Scrubba Air Sleeve to help protect your tech
  • Chargers – don’t forget to bring your chargers or you’ll be out of power before you know it.
  • External hard drive – a necessity for photographers/videographers but can also be used to store some movies or TV shows that you can watch on your laptop while travelling.
  • Travel adapter – do some research before you go and make sure you have the right adapter for the countries you’ll be in. The best ones have a USB port and normal power point in them, meaning you can charge your phone and laptop at the same time using just one power point, #winning!
  • External charger – these are so handy when you’re on the go and your phone is just about out of power! Just remember to charge the actual charger before you head out for the day.
  • Camera – with phone cameras being as good as they are these days, lots of us choose to just use that instead of carrying around a heavy camera and extra lenses but some of love the quality of a traditional camera.
  • Extra memory card – you don’t want to have to sacrifice footage or photos because you’re running out of space, keep yourself covered by slipping in an extra memory card for your camera or GoPro.
  • Headphones – noise cancelling are our favourite to block out the screaming babies, old snoring men or the oblivious couple sitting next to you that won’t stop talking.
  • Travel sim card – want to stay connected while travelling? Consider getting yourself an international sim card to save yourself from paying those ridiculous roaming charges. We don’t like the thought of coming home to a huge phone bill just because you forgot to turn off your data, we’re sure you don’t either! Most popular tourist countries have basic sim card deals you can grab at the airport or in local convenience stores that aren’t too expensive. Otherwise you can pre-purchase a travel sim before you go and load credit onto it.
  • Water purification tool – be that a bottle, straw or other device, these can save you from buying bottled water in countries that have unsafe drinking water. Be careful though, there are a lot of products out there, some better than others. Choose carefully or you might end up with unwanted stomach issues very quickly! Ideally you want one that can filter out particulates, chlorine and metals so that water tastes better but also kills bacteria, cysts and viruses, keeping your body healthy.

Check out this great men’s packing list that has all your manly packing needs sorted and ladies this one will give you the basics, whereas this one will provide with all the extra girly bits and pieces we have left out. Keep in mind that gender specific packing lists are great but most of them have things that we all need, all you have to do is ignore the girly things is you’re male and ignore the manly things if you’re female, simple!

 

MANAGING YOUR MONEY WHILE TRAVELLING

So you’ve been saving for what seems like forever and you’ve finally hit your goal. Now you’re ready to book your flights and start your journey! But have you stopped and thought about how you’re going to manage your money while you’re busy trekking across the globe? What happens if something goes wrong? How do you stop yourself from running out of money half way through your trip? Don’t stress, we’ve come up with a few easy tips to help you out!

Credit/Debit cards

These days, most banks have pretty good international transaction fee charges and some have none at all! Do some research before you leave and find a bank that has no international fees. ING and 28 Degrees have some of the best offers going around for our Australian readers, with no international transaction fees and no charges from ATM withdrawals anywhere in the world. If you can, take a couple of different cards with you in case you lose one or one gets hacked.

Pre-Loaded Travel Cards

This may be considered an old method but it still works. You can easily pre-load your money onto a travel card when the dollar is at the best price and you know how much you’re going to spend while you’re away. The only problem with doing this is you might not spend what you thought you would, meaning you have to convert your money back into your local currency which might mean you lose some money.

Cash

Lots of people choose to pay with cash only while travelling as you avoid any nasty fees, you’re able to keep track of what you’re spending rather than handing over your card everywhere you go and you avoid having your card hacked. If you know how much you’re going to spend and have a little bit extra for emergencies you should be fine, but we still recommend taking some type of credit/debit card just in case something goes wrong, like you lose everything or it gets stolen.

Traveller’s cheques

Going back to basics, traveller’s cheques might be considered kind of old school but they still work and are a pretty full proof way of managing your money while on the move. They can be cashed anywhere and carried safely because if you happen to lose them or they get stolen, you can just cancel the old ones and order replacements. Remember to get a number of cheques in small amounts instead of one big one so you don’t have to carry huge amounts of cash on you at one time and you can allot certain amounts of money for particular destinations or activities.

Back-up plan

Travelling comes with its hiccups and money is usually involved whether you like it or not. Money goes missing, gets stolen or maybe you bought one too many souvenirs early on and you’re running a bit lower on funds than you thought you would be. It’s simple, have a back-up plan! When you’re saving, set up a separate account or make a point to put some extra money aside somewhere safe and leave it at home or with someone you trust when you head off. That way if something goes wrong you know you have some extra cash somewhere. It’ll save you from having that dreaded phone call with your parents asking for some money while stranded somewhere in Europe. Be sure to not touch that money for anything other than emergencies and you shouldn’t have any issues. 

 

While lots us don’t like to think about how much things will cost and budgeting for your dream holiday can cause never ending amounts of stress, if you take some time before you leave to think about the best ways to manage your money and what works best for you and your style of travel, you should be more than fine! That way you’ll have enough funds to tick everything off your bucket list!

 

HOW TO PACK

Once you’ve figured out what you’re taking, it’s now time to somehow fit it all in to whatever bag you’ve decided to take. There are so many ways you can pack your bag and it can seem like everyone is telling you that you’re doing it wrong no matter what you do! Who knew there were so many ways to pack a bag and that people actually think there’s a right way and wrong way to do it?!

Stuff, fold, roll

You’ve probably seen people who swear by either folding, rolling or stuffing when it comes to packing but we always asked ourselves, what really is the best way or does it simply depend on personal preference? Each have their pros and cons…

                Stuff – This is probably the quickest way to pack as you can literally just throw all your things in a bag and you’re done. However, by taking the “stuff” option you’re probably going to arrive at your hotel, resort, campsite or hostel with a big mess on your hands. Because you’ve just thrown everything in, you’ll have no idea what you’ve got or where any of it is!

                Fold – Maybe the neatest of the three options, folding comes with the obvious benefit of all your things being in separate piles and you’ve got easy access to everything (that’s only if you’re piles stayed intact along the journey). However, folding takes up a lot of unnecessary space that can be used in a much more effective way and leaves stubborn creases in your clothes.

                Roll - This might be the most popular way of packing because of its practicality. Rolling your clothes takes up the least room and makes it less likely that you’ll end up with deep creases in everything. Nevertheless, rolling isn’t the best when it comes to being able to see what you’ve got and having quick access to it. It can also be quite time consuming when you’re actually packing because we’re pretty sure not many people would roll their clothes at home.

Locks? 

When it comes to keeping your belongings safe while travelling, it’s hard to say what the best way to go about it really is. Some people swear by locks, others will say they’re completely useless. We tend to agree with the people who opt against them. In reality, if you’re suitcase or bag happens to get stolen and it has a lock on it, whoever stole it will find some way to get it open anyway. Lots of suitcases come with built in locks now anyway so try to get yourself one of those and that should keep your mind at peace. The most thief-proof suitcases we’ve come across are hard shell cases, simply because they’re harder to penetrate. Cases made out of soft material are so easy for thieves to cut in to! It’s completely up to you whether or not you choose to use a lock on your bags, and we suppose it doesn’t hurt to have one on there just in case but if you can open it, someone else can too.

Packing cells?

Packing cells are something that people love or hate. They can turn the most unorganised packer into someone who knows where everything is and has an outfit for every occasion packed into a few small cells. They give you the ability to separate your stuff into sections and have them actually stay separated. How many times have you opened your once neatly packed suitcase after a long haul flight to find it completely tossed? Packing cells will solve that problem in an instant. Tops in one, bottoms in another, have one for your socks and jocks, one for your nice clothes and one for your wet weather gear and swimwear. It makes it so easy! But, with the good comes the bad. Using packing cells can take up a bit more space than classic packing does, as certain packing cells can be quite bulky so pick ones that are as slimline as possible, that way you get the best of both worlds.

Cling wrap at airport?

You might have seen people at the airport paying $10-15 to get their suitcases cling wrapped before checking it and wondered why. Well it’s simple, the cling wrap provides an extra layer of protection against bumps, knocks and bad weather, meaning your case might come off the luggage carousel looking a bit better than the others. The cling wrap also acts as an extra security measure because in theory, people are less likely to go to the effort of cutting through it when they could take someone’s without it. However, that doesn’t mean your case it invisible to thieves and won’t be searched by customs, it’s still a normal piece of luggage after all. It’s something extra to do if you really want to, but not necessary at all so don’t stress if you have no idea what we’re talking about!

 

The way you choose to pack your bag is something for you to decide. Take our advice and use it in the way you thinks suits you and your style of travel the best. Whether you choose to stuff, roll or fold, as long as it all fits. That’s all that matters in the end!

 

THE ECO-FRIENDLY PACKER

For the eco conscious traveller, don’t worry we’ve got you covered too. With so many wonderful sites to see in the world and more and more people wanting to tick things off their bucket list, it’s no wonder we’re taking a toll on our world. As recently as early 2018, Thailand’s most famous beach, Maya Bay was forced to close it shores due to ongoing environmental damage from the constant crowds of tourists flocking there every day. With up to 5,000 tourists and 200 boats entering the bay every day, it’s no wonder Thai authorities had to take drastic measures and ban access to the beach for months. Thanks to pollution from litter, boats and sunscreen, it’s estimated that more than 80% of the coral around Maya Bay has been destroyed. This is only one example of the extreme environmental strains we’re putting on our planet by not travelling sustainably. We can pretty much guarantee this is going to continue happening all around the world is we don’t change our bad habits soon.

Our top eco-tips are…

  1. Avoid single use plastics – Take a reusable bottle with you and refill it along your way. Of course there are countries where the tap water is unsafe to drink but in countries that water is readily available, take advantage of it! It’ll save you lots of money too, bonus! If you really have to buy bottled water, buy one bottle when you arrive at your destination and then reuse that.

  1. Pack less – The less you pack, the less it will weigh, meaning the plane weighs less and produces less carbon emissions. Every kilo counts.
  2. You don’t need a straw – Did you know that Australians use around 10 million plastic straws a day and Americans use close to 500 million in a single day? All those straws are ending up in our waterways, stuck in turtle’s noses and causing havoc for the environment. Pick up a reusable straw and pop it in your bag so next time you’re out having drinks with your friends you can save at least one of those millions of useless straws.

Photo by Polina Tankilevitch: 

Natural soaps and sunscreen – so many people don’t know that regular sunscreen destroys our coral reefs. If you want to explore the many reefs that the world has to offer, pack a bottle of natural sunscreen and bar of natural soap to help preserve their beauty so that your kids and grand kids can see what you’ve seen too.

  1. Avoid wasting water by using the Scrubba wash bag – depending on the washing machine, they can use between 50-170 litres (13-45 gallons) of water every wash cycle, whereas the Scrubba wash bag only uses a few litres and is just as affective. When travelling, it’s likely you won’t have a lot to wash, so why waste the water and time finding a laundromat when you can have clean clothes anywhere and use less water with the Scrubba wash bag. It’s the best of both worlds, you’re helping the environment and not wasting your holiday sitting around in a dull laundromat.

Take a look here for some of the best eco-friendly travel products, from reusable travel companions, toiletries and a few more tips about how to be the ultimate eco traveller.

 

TRAVEL GEAR AND ACCESSORIES

Travel Bags

  • Rolling Suitcase – the classic rolling suitcase has come a long way over the years. Starting out as a big bulky material bag on wheels, there are so many options now! The classic soft material ones are a lot stronger than they use to be and often come with built in TSA approved locks which save you from having to buy a separate lock. The newer, hard shell cases are our personal favourite. They provide the most protection to the contents inside and are the most thief proof, as those nasty sticky-fingered pests can’t easily cut into them.
  • Backpack – travel backpacks are awesome! They’re available in so many sizes and styles to suit every style of traveller. Having a backpack gives the freedom of being hands free and not having to worry about dragging a big old suitcase through uneven streets and over rocky terrain.
  • Duffle Bag – these allow you to cram and jam your bag onto bus and train racks, overhead plane lockers and the backseats of taxis. Throw it over your shoulder and you’re good to go, no worrying about dragging your suitcase behind you.

Travel Pillows                                       

Travel pillows are really hit or miss. We’ll be honest with you, most of them are completely useless and sometimes even make it more difficult to get some shut eye on those never ending plane rides. Everyone is different and sleeps in weird and wonderful positions and sometimes those classic U shaped pillows will work, but for the most part, leave those at home and get one that’s a bit more up to date and might make you more comfortable. One that we’ve found to be quite effective is the Cabeau because of how it’s shaped. Made specially to support your neck and crafted out of memory foam, the Classic Cabeau is the probably your best bet if you want a classic travel pillow.

However, our Scrubba Air Sleeve is also an awesome substitute for one of the classic travel pillows. Doubling as an airbag for your tech and pillow for your head, it’ll save you some space in your bag if you’re bringing your laptop or tablet with you anyway. Simply over inflate the air sleeve and you’ve got yourself a real pillow to kick back with!

Entertainment / Sleeping

Getting to sleep while travelling can extremely difficult for those of us who are light sleepers. We’re extremely jealous if you can fall asleep anywhere, anytime in any conditions! We’ve come up with a few things that might help you get a bit of rest and relaxation over your travel journeys, long or short.

  • Noise cancelling headphones – whether you’re travelling by plane, train, boat or bus you’re more than likely to come across screaming babies or overly loud people who will keep you up all night. Eliminate this problem by getting yourself a good pair of noise cancelling headphones. We can’t tell you how many times we’ve all relied on these when travelling, it’s made sure we’ve all had a decent sleep when we otherwise wouldn’t have. They’re also a godsend when staying in hostels with loud snorers or people who are just up all night!
  • Maybe include ear plugs – for those of you who want something to block out the noise but aren’t a fan of headphones, grab yourself a good pair of ear plugs to pop in before you try to get some sleep. It might help get those extra couple of hours we all need.
  • iPad/Laptop – with more airlines turning to wi-fi on planes now it’s a good idea to pack your iPad/tablet or laptop with you in your carry on to give you access to a few of your favourite movies and TV shows. Lots of airlines need you to download their app in order to access wi-fi and if you’re unaware of this before you’ve taken off, you’re pretty much out of options! During your packing process, make sure you remember to load some movies onto whatever tech device you prefer to keep you entertained on the plane.
  • Battery Packs – is it just us or does your phone seem to run out of power awfully quickly? Give yourself one less thing to stress about and pack an external battery pack with you in your carry on so you’re phone never goes into that dreaded red battery section! Just remember to charge it before you pack it so it’s ready to go when you need it most.

Extras

  • Travel tubeswe all know toiletries seem to take up so much space and weight in our bags and it seems so wasteful! Grab yourself a couple of travel tubes so you can decant your favourite shampoo and skincare into smaller bottles, saving you room and weight. You can buy them at most chemists and beauty stores and Scrubba make some super handy leak proof ones that will make sure your shampoo doesn’t explode over all your things along the journey!

  • Packing CellsWe touched on this in our “How to Pack” section and as mentioned, packing cells can come in really handy if you want to keep your things separate and extra organised. Just make sure you get some slimline ones so they don’t end up taking up more space.
  • Your Scrubba Wash Bag – of course we couldn’t make a list of the best travel gear and gadgets without mentioning the Scrubba wash bag. It’s simple really, ask yourself if you want to be spending hours waiting around in the laundromat or washing your clothes in a dirty hostel sink. The answer is probably no, so grab yourself a Scrubba wash bag and you’re good to go. Wash your clothes anywhere you want and use it as a dry bag to store your clothes while you’re on the go.

If you wanting to find some more awesome travel gear and gadgets you didn’t even know existed, have a look here and here. We can almost guarantee you’ll end up buying something!

 

TO SUM UP

We’ve finally made it to end of our ultimate packing list and tips! After all the info we’ve given you, we’re confident you’re equip to be the best packer anyone has ever known.

It’s simple

                 Break it down to a few questions…

Where am I going?

What will the weather be like?

What will I be doing?

What bag/s am I bringing?

                 Make a list and break it down into sections…

Important stuff

Clothes

Shoes

Accessories

Toiletries

Tech stuff

                Get your money sorted…

Cash?

Cards?

Cheques?

                Decide how to pack…

Stuff?

Roll?

Fold?

And you’re done!

Now your bags are packed, you know you haven’t forgotten anything and you’re ready to have the best trip of your life. Take the stress out of packing and make it part of the fun of going on holidays!

We’d love if you shared our Ultimate Packing List and Tips with your travel crazy friends, your unorganised brother or even your super organised mum (she might learn something new) and let us know if you have any other secret packing tips or suggestions that will make the process even easier.

 

References

We’ve mentioned a few of our favourite travel blogs throughout the post but here’s a list of the ones we’ve references to make it a bit easier.

Chloe and Lewis from Characters of the World have an incredible post that makes the process of packing really simple by outlining a few of their favourite questions they ask before going off on their next adventure and some other helpful packing tips that have made their travel life a whole lot easier.

If you’re looking for someone to walk you through every aspect of what a packing list can include, check out the lists travel blog, Don’t Forget to Move have created, with separate ones for men and women.

And for all the girl travellers out there, Adventures of Lil Nicki has you covered after compiling the Ultimate Female Packing List that will walk you through all your girly needs while on the road.

Our favourite eco travel blog, EcoTravelist has you covered if you’re after the best eco-friendly products worth buying and a few other tips for how to have an amazing travel experience while keeping our planet healthy.

Jet Lag Jerry has found 9 Awesome Travel Accessories You Need to Have  that you didn’t even know existed but you’ll be convinced you need them immediately.

The guys behind travel blog Coming Home Strong have also come up with a good list of gear and gadgets they swear by when travelling including what bags they like, tech gear and all the other extras they love to take with them.