Hey there, folks! So, my partner and I, both fresh-faced 22-year-olds, are diving headfirst into our inaugural one bag travel escapade. We’re total newbies at this game, and I know there’s a ton of room for us to level up! We’re all ears for any feedback, queries, or pearls of wisdom you might have.
Our adventure kicks off in September and wraps up in December, with pit stops in France, Italy, Ireland, and England (in that exact order). Our plan? Crash at hostels and delve into the world of Workaway gigs (where you stay with hosts and lend a hand in exchange for a roof over your head and some grub). This translates to us rolling up our sleeves for long days of gardening, farming, and DIY projects, and we had to pack accordingly.
Now, our biggest hurdle? Navigating the wild rollercoaster of climates. We’re talking starting off with some warmth and ending up knee-deep in winter’s chill. We made the bold move of skipping out on coats, opting instead to snag some bargains along the way. Also, this marks our backpacking debut, so any hot tips on how to pack those bad boys most efficiently would be a game-changer!
Here’s the low-down on what’s in my bag (partner’s stash is pretty much a mirror image):
**My trusty backpack**: Osprey Fairview 55 Travel Pack (a 40L pack with a 15L daypack buddy attached)
**Packing buddies**: Small and medium Thule compression cubes (plus a few non-compression pals for keeping things in check)
**Wardrobe staples**:
– 1 pair of convertible North Face hiking pants (they go from pants to shorts in a jiffy)
– 1 pair of rugged Carhartt work pants
– 1 pair of versatile athletic/swim shorts
– 4 cozy t-shirts
– 1 snuggly long sleeve shirt
– 1 classic flannel
– 1 toasty Marmot fleece jacket
– 1 handy Free Country anorak/raincoat
– 7 sets of undies and socks
– 1 snug beanie
– 1 trusty pair of LL Bean Trail Model X Ventilated Hiking Shoes
– 1 stylish pair of Nike Charge Canvas SB sneakers
**Toiletry essentials**:
– 1