To start I'm going to tell you a list of stuff you need to seriously bring! I've traveled with and without them and believe me with them is a million times easier! I'm not getting paid or some kinda premium for adverting these they're just pretty great!
1. Packing Cubes!!
These things have pretty much saved my life! They're Fucking great! There's no need to roll, fold and squeeze everything to fit inside your backpack/suit case you put them in each square and voila! You can rummage and dig through your bag with the peace of mind your dirty underwear wont be on show and you wont have to spend another hour working out how you fitted everything in.
Yes you can get the 'official' backpacking ones, if i'm honest mine are from amazon, they were just over £10, came with 4 cubes, 2 extra pouches I didn't use and fold away laundry bag which was super handy when taking my clothes to be cleaned in launderette when I didn't have the time/ had so many clothes to clean it wasn't worth it to clean in my hostel bathroom.
1. Packing Cubes!!
These things have pretty much saved my life! They're Fucking great! There's no need to roll, fold and squeeze everything to fit inside your backpack/suit case you put them in each square and voila! You can rummage and dig through your bag with the peace of mind your dirty underwear wont be on show and you wont have to spend another hour working out how you fitted everything in.
Yes you can get the 'official' backpacking ones, if i'm honest mine are from amazon, they were just over £10, came with 4 cubes, 2 extra pouches I didn't use and fold away laundry bag which was super handy when taking my clothes to be cleaned in launderette when I didn't have the time/ had so many clothes to clean it wasn't worth it to clean in my hostel bathroom.
2. Sleeping Bag Liner
If you're Hosteling or even camping you seriously don't need a big old sleeping bag. Even if you get a small one that 'wont take up much room' or you cant sleep without a thick blanket. Think again. I once went traveling in the monsoon season in Asia even then my 1-2 season sleeping bag was too much and I abandoned it! They're big, and awkward and clunky. Ditch them! Sleeping bag liners you can either get in Cotton or Silk I have a cotton one which is essentially a single duvet cover but comes with a little bag to make it smaller. Single duvet covers are equally as good, and are easy to be cleaned.
If you're Hosteling or even camping you seriously don't need a big old sleeping bag. Even if you get a small one that 'wont take up much room' or you cant sleep without a thick blanket. Think again. I once went traveling in the monsoon season in Asia even then my 1-2 season sleeping bag was too much and I abandoned it! They're big, and awkward and clunky. Ditch them! Sleeping bag liners you can either get in Cotton or Silk I have a cotton one which is essentially a single duvet cover but comes with a little bag to make it smaller. Single duvet covers are equally as good, and are easy to be cleaned.
3.Travel Mirror
For me this was a must! Doing my makeup/hair (occasionally), checking for ticks/ mosquito bites and just genuinely checking what your face looks like. Fear not they're not real glass just like some weird plasticy stuff and are really light. Some hostels don't have mirrors in the rooms or at all. If you're lucky theirs one communal one in the hall, ( not the best for when your applying mozzy bite cream, with your pants around your ankles to your bum!)
4.Shampoo Bar
These products are from Lush Cosmetics and are fab! They are your shampoo, conditioner and body wash in one! With o% chance of leakage! Its a solid bar containing natural ingredients that you simply get wet and lather up and it acts as soap and shampoo at once! You can even buy a lovely little metal tin to keep it in! I think theres about 8 or 9 to choose from depending on your hair type like any other liquid shampoo, however unlike liquid shampoo these take forever to use up! which is a bonus if you have long hair like me! Usually one travel shampoo size bottle goes within 1-2 washes, this bar lasts over a year! wow!
Slightly off topic and not essential for everyone but if you're planning on going trekking or doing lot of physical activities I would recommend the Lush Cosmetics Muscle relax bars, they work in the same way as any other muscle rub but like the shampoo bar are solid and again come in a cute little tin!
For me this was a must! Doing my makeup/hair (occasionally), checking for ticks/ mosquito bites and just genuinely checking what your face looks like. Fear not they're not real glass just like some weird plasticy stuff and are really light. Some hostels don't have mirrors in the rooms or at all. If you're lucky theirs one communal one in the hall, ( not the best for when your applying mozzy bite cream, with your pants around your ankles to your bum!)
4.Shampoo Bar
These products are from Lush Cosmetics and are fab! They are your shampoo, conditioner and body wash in one! With o% chance of leakage! Its a solid bar containing natural ingredients that you simply get wet and lather up and it acts as soap and shampoo at once! You can even buy a lovely little metal tin to keep it in! I think theres about 8 or 9 to choose from depending on your hair type like any other liquid shampoo, however unlike liquid shampoo these take forever to use up! which is a bonus if you have long hair like me! Usually one travel shampoo size bottle goes within 1-2 washes, this bar lasts over a year! wow!
Slightly off topic and not essential for everyone but if you're planning on going trekking or doing lot of physical activities I would recommend the Lush Cosmetics Muscle relax bars, they work in the same way as any other muscle rub but like the shampoo bar are solid and again come in a cute little tin!
Obviously these packing lists are just a guide to help you! But this is what I bring just an idea, quite obviously for a woman but men i'm sure you know what you can leave out/bring instead.