International backpacking gear list

I can tell that you have spent a ton of time on this. Welcome to the forum, fellow gearhead! :)

Excellent choice on tent and bag!

As for clothing, I would advise against fleece, since your goal is to travel light. While fleece is light, it is not very compactible — which makes it harder to squeeze into a smallish, UL backpack.

I would highly recommend insulation jacket made of either high quality down or good synthetic insulation like MontBell’s Thermawrap or various American brands made with Primaloft. These will be slightly lighter than fleece, but warmer — and most importantly, much more compactible.

As for your shell jacket, I like my MontBell Peak Shell. It’s more breathable than almost any — except for eVENT. It has many nice features while still remaining very light and reasonably priced.

On the travel side… You REALLY do not need a money belt or a decoy wallet! I’ve traveled to some of the poorest countries and have never had any problems. As with life, nothing is guaranteed, but a bit of preparation and common sense will go a very long way to ensuring you safe journeys. Here’s what I do:

1. Don’t bring stuff that you can’t bear to lose — financially or sentimentally.

2. Don’t dress conspicuously (reading your posts, this shouldn’t be a problem for you).

3. Wear travel shirts with two pockets, one of which can be zipped closed. Wear travel pants with the usual pockets (with one or two that’s zippable), plus one more on the front of the pant’s leg. These will keep you pretty safe from pickpockets.

4. Spread your wealth around. I put 2-3 days’ worth of cash plus debit card and 1 credit card in my wallet, which NEVER goes in my back pocket, but in one of my pant’s hidden, zippable pocket. Next, I put a few more days’ worth of extra cash plus 1 backup credit card plus travel docs (passport, tickets, etc.) in my pants’ front leg pocket. These NEVER go inside my backpack.

Finally, place another small stash of emergency cash (US$) plus a second backup credit card somewhere deep inside the backpack. The objective is to make it so that if you should get pickpocketed or mugged or your pack gets stolen (hopefully all three won’t happen simultaneously), then it’s a bummer — but NOT a show stopper — and you can continue traveling.

With the above, just make it a habit of being aware of your surroundings, but no need to get all worked up. Statistically, when you leave any major American metropolis and head abroad, you are actually much, much safer from crime!

Oh, and you don’t need a language translator or any such gadgets. It’s absolutely amazing the sheer variety of needless gadgets one finds in travel magazines and travel stores!

I’ve traveled solo to many places where English is spoken by only a small handful of people, and I almost always take public transportation and eat at small, local eateries. No problema. Obviously, not knowing the language, you can’t discuss philosophy, religion or politics with the locals, but it’s still amazing how much you can communicate with body language and pointing at a map in your guidebook!

Translators: If I happen to bring a PDA (e.g. it serves well to combine some of my other electronics wants), then that’ll be a good place to have ’em. I might consider bringing one of the light uber-multi-language ones if not.

FWIW, my own language skills are not bad. Aside from English of course, there’s Russian, French, Spanish, and ASL that I can converse in, Japanese about halfway, and Arabic and Mandarin that I’ve forgotten the vast majority of but probably retain at about tourist-book level. :-/ If those were all fluent – and if I added, oh, Hindi and German – I’d have most of the world covered.

They aren’t and I’m not going to, but I figure that it’s still a decent chance I’ll find *some* language in common with *someone* within earshot…

Gearhead… sorta. I just like to do my homework on things I’m to buy. It helps to narrow the field to a small number of things I can then choose between.

Lightness is one thing I’m worried about. At present, that stack of clothing would come to over 5lb (maybe 6.5 even). :-/

Fleece: any suggestions for something to relace it? (I presume ‘fleece’ is synonymous with ‘soft shell’?)

Money belt: Frankly, I’d feel better with one. If someone steals my pack, I can let that go a lot more easily knowing that I have copies of my insurance and my passport on me anyway (and given the number of expensive items I’ll be carrying [and that “can’t afford to loose” clause], I’ll have insurance). That would also affect sentimentality; the only things I’m likely to have on me worth anyone to someone else would be data. And data comes in mighty small packages these days (think CF card).

Am considering using one of the armpit-style ones instead of a traditional waist-type.

Shirts/pants: I hate having stuff in my back pocket anyway. I might line my pants-pockets openings with velcro – a bit of a pain to pickpocket. :-)

Dressing conspicously: *laugh* You’d probably be surprised to see me walking around like I normally do around here, in a cloak or kilt or sarong or 3-piece suit or full Samurai outfit. :-P (Yes, I actually do. Normally. Sense of humor.)

But I’d probably be toning that down rather a bit (i.e. earthtone trail gear & local fashions as acquirable) and resorting to the more traditional psychological bizarreness. :-) Eris must still be appeased, after all.

I am, fortunately, familiar with the “secrete some US cash & passport photocopy in several places” trick. I’ve read quite a few world-backpacker guides by now (homework, like I said). Of course, if you can think of anything they might not have covered, do tell. :-)

(This “I have way more theoretical knowledge than experience” thing is very much on par for me, FWIW.)

Here my travel list.

I pack the lightest item I can find, that I will still trust the durability of in case it get loaded on a yak, dropped into a river, or thrown off the back of a bus.

1 Button Front Shirt (quick dry)
2 Wicking t-shirts
1 pair Zip Off Pants (quick dry)
1 Synthetic sweater
1 Rain Jacket (epic softshell)
3 pair Synthetic or Wool socks
3 Synthetic boxer brief
1 Synthetic or Wool Long Underwear set
1 Sarong (multiple uses)
Gloves/Mittens
1 Sun Hat
1 Knit Cap
light shoes (I like cheap Feiyue’s)
flip flops (cheapies from target right now, “Croc’s Athens” as soon as they come out)
Sunglasses

LED flashlight
“travel kitchen” (spork, metal cup)
Compass/whistle zipper pull
Sleepsack or synthetic sleeping bag (montbell fits the bill for me)
Poncho (that can be used as a shelter)
Small plexiglass mirror
Flat sink stopper
Travel clothesline

Toothbrush (fingertip)
Toothpaste (travel size)
Travel razor and shaving oil
Small squeeze bottle of Dr Bronnors
Deodorant (travel size)
T.P.
Small Purell bottle
Small aspirin bottle
Insect repellent bottle
Sunscreen
Plastic water bottle (1ltr)

Personal documents

Buy a knife ASAP. Even a small paring knife or something.

Even with a 3lbs Eagle Creek Explorer Trek pack, and using light but not rediculously light gear, a summer weight pack can be less than 12lbs easily.

Simple earth toned clothes are good, but keep away from looking TOO earth toned. No one wants to be confused for a mercenary or CIA agent (which can and does happen, Columbia used to turn people away at the border if they had green backpacks, and many places in Africa REALLY dont like people looking military AT ALL)

As for Eris, she will have her fun plenty without you sacrificing your butt in the name of psychological bizarrness. Berzerkly California is a far cry from Khatmandu, Goa, La Paz, or Bogota. Its a far cry from most places in the US for that matter.

Stay safe.

Fleece is not synonymous with soft shell. Fleece is for insulation and a soft shell is sort of a wind resistant/water resistant/abrasion resistant shirt or jacket.

Sai:

You are quite the linguist!

“the only things I’m likely to have on me worth anyone to someone else would be data”

Depends on where you go…

If you only plan on going to Europe or Japan, you might be right. But everywhere else youll be a “rich American” and everything you own, down to your bubblegum machine watch, will be assumed to be “the best” and be worth alot of money.

“”the only things I’m likely to have on me worth anyone to someone else would be data””

Wow, was I that incoherent? Let me restate that.

The only things I’m likely to have on me, that have sentimental value to me and monetary value to someone else, would be data. So a CF chip, some small amount of cash, and passport copy can stay hidden on my person while they steal everything else, and while it’d be a major inconvenience I’d still be able to get by okay.

> Fleece is not synonymous with soft shell. Fleece is for insulation and a soft shell is sort of a wind resistant/water resistant/abrasion resistant shirt or jacket.

So then fleece is competing with eg down insulation jackets?

> You are quite the linguist!

*laugh* If I knew ’em all fluently, then I would be. As it is, not really.

(And on a side note, while I do linguistics also – mainly conlangs rather than actual formal linguistics which mostly bore me – the term is ‘panglot’. :-P)

Joe: Could you give your specific recommendations for each of those items? (Brand/model, reasons for that over the nearest contender if it has near contenders)

Eris – *laugh* I’m sure that just being in any of those places (let alone various others) will be enough for her. Just good to retain a bit of perspective and laugh *with*. ;-)

“Could you give your specific recommendations for each of those items? (Brand/model, reasons for that over the nearest contender if it has near contenders)”

Qapla conlanger!

Sarong: *chuckle* almost convincing. Goes down a bit though considering that I’ll have the Buffs for headgear, a paktowl for towelage, and though I have nil compunction about wearing it as a skirt, I’d rather not do so where that’s an Issue… so it becomes somewhat redundant. (Albeit a pretty light redundancy.)

Military look: Anything to avoid other than the milspec gear and camo? (Definitely agree that I want to avoid looking like ‘bad people’ – or for that matter ‘rich people’ but conveniently enough the actually good stuff is also less shiny-look-at-me.)

Qapla’ indeed! Funny to find a fellow conlanger here (and a Discordian-aware one to boot). :-P

(On a total tangent: would you like to buy a Conlang flag? [http://wiki.frath.net/Image:Conflag_med.png] I’m currently rounding up people interested in getting one, so as to make a bulk order. Price is ~20-40 depending on # of people buying in, +8.50 shipping anywhere. If yes, just email me w/ name & your max price.)

“Sarong: *chuckle* almost convincing. Goes down a bit though considering that I’ll have the Buffs for headgear, a paktowl for towelage, and though I have nil compunction about wearing it as a skirt, I’d rather not do so where that’s an Issue… so it becomes somewhat redundant. (Albeit a pretty light redundancy.)”

Wasnt trying to convince you. Its just a very versatile peice of gear that *I* carry because it fits *MY* needs. YMMV.

“Military look: Anything to avoid other than the milspec gear and camo?”

Not really. Its kind of hit and miss. Dont wear shirts with epaulletes, canteens, camo, or olive green.

I was in Russia a few years back. I wasnt quite as travel savvy and was actually there for some training with a MVD special forces group… so I travelled with my OD duffle bag, wore by combat boots, and a green anorak on the way there. When I came back, I was wearing my wool OD greed “wooly pully” sweater, black BDU pants, converse sneakers, and an OD green backpack.
I got searched at EVERY airport.

Now I try to buy things in browns, tans, and grays… they dont look military at all, and actually blend FAR better than green ever dreamed of.

total tangent – that is a COOL flag! Ive made a few basic conlangs, have studied Slovio (mostly for linguistic mechanics rather than to actually learn it, though it seems like a very functional language), and am learning Indonesian right now as well. Id like to blend indonesian with the slavic/esperanto coolness of slovio…. totally weird but fun.

Ill think about the flag thing and get back to you.

The flag.

Depending on its size (or maybe there are decals too?) — you can use them to cover up loud and garish brand names that are appearing more and more frequently and prominently on our gear (e.g. THE NORTH FACE)…

The flags I’m ordering are 3’x5′ knitted poly, single side / 1ply screenprint, grommeted.

I could make small things – eg patches or pins – but those too are kinda expensive when not done in bulk, and require larger bulk to bring down to good price (on the order of hundreds rather than dozens).

Missed this question

“Also – I happen to have a thinish cashmere sweater; how would that compare to other ones?”

Cashmere is a great material.
If the color and cut works for you, it can be “dressed up” while still being the sort of thing you dont mind getting a little messed up, then it should work.

The weight of the fabric depends on the temperature your likely to encounter, but cashmere is a great fiber. Light and durable.

A few decisions:

* Pack: Mountainsmith Ghost – 2800 cuin, 2lb 2oz

* Head – cold weather: Polar Buff (100-weight) – 2oz
* Head – hot weather: Regular Buff – 2oz
* Head – Mosquito net: Outdoor Research Deluxe Spring Ring Headnet – 2.2oz
* Torso – breathable waterpoof/windproof shell: Integral Designs eVent Rain Jacket – 8.8oz 64cuin
* Torso – insulation: Patagonia R2 Jacket 13oz
– not as light as down, but feels better, looks good, and not as wet-sensitive
* Torso – light base layer: SW Zip S/S
* Torso – heavy base layer: MW Zip L/S
* Legs – light base layer: LW long
* Legs – heavy base layer: MW long
* Legs – light short base layer: SW boxers

Not sure what would be the best base layers though. SmartWool? Capilene? Brand? Maybe some sort of mix? Geh. Would be nice to see a full side-by-side comparison that includes a warmth rating (not just within subtypes of subtypes…)

For that matter, the windshells seem almost interchangeable – all the same (ish) weight of ~3-4oz, pretty well-reviewed, etc.

Hat – would be nice to have a single hat that works well for rain and sun. Neck protection can be covered by the Buff, as can insulation (by the polar buff)… hmm. Actually, would I need a sunhat given the Buff? A light rainhat would still be nice.

Pants are another point that seem to be interchangeable. For light rain pants, I’ve not seen any reviews yet that don’t also complain about the lack of durability. :-/ For convertibles, I don’t see much difference between the brands.

Suggestions on any of that?

Base layer — I would stick to quick-drying synthetics. Wool has many great qualities, but quick drying isn’t one of them.

That’s funny, ’cause I’ve seen other places that claim it’s the opposite (ie that wool wicks/dries better than synthetic)…

Very fine grades of wool (like smartwools merino fibers) do wick better. However, unlike a synthetic like polyester which is completly hydrophobic and absorb no moisture and are occasionally clammy, wool fibers are hydrophillic and absorb moisture, but anything up to 30% absorption and it still FEELS dry… and up to a point, moist warm air feels warmer than dry air of the same temperature.

Its 6 of one, half dozen of the other…

Im just waiting for someone to get their act together and provide an effective merino/polyester blend (that doesnt cost an arm and a leg)

Synthetics will dry faster than wool (sometimes much faster depending on the type and thickness of the wool apparel).

Smartwools are very comfy, but may be too warm for temperate climates and up. Also, if your criterion is “wash at night and ready by morning”, then wool may be suboptimal for you.

How about LW/SW capilene and MW wool then? Extra warmth would be just fine for the MW…