# What do you pack if you are backpacking across Europe? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 4, 2005, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-pack-if-you-are-backpacking-across-europe/306901 "2005-06-04T17:08:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![persistent\_stewie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/848f3c/32.png) [@persistent\_stewie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/persistent_stewie)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-pack-if-you-are-backpacking-across-europe/306901/21 "2005-06-05T11:50:16Z")
well, coming from england, i would advise people coming here to pack; rainjacket-you can guarantee it’ll rain at some point a warm jumper-you can guarantee it’ll be cold at some point money-to buy more jumpers and rainjacket, cos it WILL be cold and it WILL rain at some point!!! other than that a couple of clean pairs of socks and grundies(underpants to the uninitiated) and you’ll be fine. ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-pack-if-you-are-backpacking-across-europe/306901/22 "2005-06-05T12:57:04Z")
I went through northern Europe in 2001 with the missus, and we both had the earlier version of [this travelpack](http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=676393&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=523841&bmUID=1117976013344). I had the normal stuff in there-- a pair of pants, shorts, Tevas, several shirts, toiletries, a fleece, gore-tex jacket, camera, woolite, etc… But I also carried some oddities-- my shoe polish kit (unlike **Matt** I like my Docs-- they go everywhere from the Alps to the dance floor 😉 and for a week I was carrying around a painting given to me by a relative. The key is planning your wardrobe so that everything matches and taking along enough underwear and socks so that you only have to do laundry every four or five days. If you’re staying with friends or relatives, you can easily wash your clothes and leave the pack behind for the day too. The first time you have to run for a train lugging everything, you’ll be glad you’re traveling light! And you don’t have to worry about cobblestone streets either. ---
**Author:** ![Sakharov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@Sakharov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sakharov)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-pack-if-you-are-backpacking-across-europe/306901/23 "2005-06-05T15:52:52Z")
> [@watsonwil](#): > > Also, where do you put your bags during the day when you use the day packs? If the hostels are dorm style, wouldn’t there be the fear of theft? The idea is to carry around anything worth stealing (like your camera, walkman) in your daypack, so your main pack back at the hostel has nothing but smelly laundry and toothpaste. But -really- important things (passport, insurance info, ATM card, cash) should be in your money belt in case you misplace your daypack. If you REALLY want to be safe with something, there is usually a safebox the receptionist has access to, and typically the desks are manned 24/7. I kept all the valuables that couldnt fit into my moneybelt in my daypack, and just checked the entire daypack in at night when I didnt want to lug it around to a bar. As for the moneybelt itself, I usually slept with it on under pajamas. 😛 Quite a few hostels I have been to offer a small chest under the bed, a padlock, and a key. Also, if you look around you can find hostels with smaller rooms with only 2 bunks in each, and rent out the entire room. You will have your own key to the room, so this adds a bit of extra security, but things can STILL get stolen. The entire point is to not leave valuables alone to begin with. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-pack-if-you-are-backpacking-across-europe/306901/24 "2005-06-05T16:14:03Z")
My mom just finished doing the Camino de Santiago, where as you can imagine weight is at an absolute premium. Her pack had a dry weight of 8 kilograms. She took a total of 2 outfits. They were some kind of ultra-gonzo-durable hiking stuff. She alternated them strictly and washed the unworn one every night. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-pack-if-you-are-backpacking-across-europe/306901/25 "2005-06-05T16:16:00Z")
When I go back to Spain I expect to be one jump up from backpacking. I think, in retrospect from the last time\*, I’ll be doing regular maildrops home of whatever I don’t feel like carrying anymore. \*Carrying a big suitcase, a backpack, a tote bag, an overstuffed purse, and a cardboard box on an extremely overcrowded Barcelona commuter train at 8 AM after dancing until 5 the night before? Not my best plan. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-pack-if-you-are-backpacking-across-europe/306901/26 "2005-06-05T16:49:36Z")
> [@](#): > > Likewise, four pairs of socks, same tactics. This I would disagree with. Always pack more socks than you think you’ll need. If you fall into a river, or get caught by a surprise drenchpour, you can handle wet clothes, but fresh dry socks to put on will be a godsend. Oh, and make sure that the socks at least, and possibly a full change of clothes, are packed in ziplocks, for this same reason. And your first aid kit should include moleskin (a thick felt-like material). Even if you don’t, it’s almost a guarantee that someone in your group will get blisters. When this happens, you use the moleskin to make a donut bandage which fits over/around the blister to keep pressure off of it. When my mom went on a hiking trip to Wyoming a few years back, I made her a list of what to pack. Some of the requirements would be different for hiking in civilization vs. wilderness, of course, but it’s a good start: > [@](#): > > The Scout Outdoor Essentials: Boy Scouts are recommended to have > > these items whenever they go anywhere outside. > > -Knife > > -First Aid kit: I would recommend band-aids, some sort of antiseptic, > > ``` > a large gauze bandage or two, medical tape, and an Ace bandage. > > ``` > > -Extra clothing: Espescially socks; keep extra clothes in a > > ``` > watertight bag if possible. > > ``` > > -Rain gear > > -Canteen or water bottle: You should go through close to a gallon a day. > > -Flashlight > > -Trail food: Granola bars work well, as does gorp. > > -Matches and firestarters: A candle or two works well. > > -Sun protection > > -Map and compass > > Pack these so that they’re easily accessible. > > Other recomended items: > > Watch > > Twine or rope (can you tie a bowline?) > > a tarp > > Mess kit? (I don’t know what the eating arrangements will be there) > > Pencil and paper > > Binoculars > > Camera > > Field guides-- birds, trees, etc. > > Wet wipes / no-water soap > > A mirror (good for signalling, in an emergency) > > Safety pins and rubber bands > > Scissors > > Extra batteries (for flashlight and camera) > > Calamine lotion-- for poison ivy > > Plastic grocery bags > > You might also want a shovel, hatchet, or emergency flares, but I > > probably wouldn’t bother. > > Many of these items you’ll never need, but it’s best to be prepared, > > and it’ll help your peace of mind (and mine!) to have them. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-pack-if-you-are-backpacking-across-europe/306901/27 "2005-06-05T16:54:43Z")
Someday I will do Europe with just a credit card. That would be very relaxed. ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2005, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-pack-if-you-are-backpacking-across-europe/306901/28 "2005-06-06T02:30:49Z")
My packing list: 4-5 shirts 3 pairs jeans or dark-colored pants A week’s worth of socks and underwear Nightgown Swimsuit One pair sneakers One pair tolerably decent-looking sandals that can double as going-out shoes Towel Guidebook / paperback novel / journal Small travel alarm clock Rain jacket or umbrella Shampoo / toothbrush / toothpaste / deodorant / Dr. Bronner’s Camera Sunscreen Lightweight blanket (for cold nights and nighttime train and ferry rides) That’s about it, really. You’ll be surprised by how much stuff you don’t really _need_. ---
**Author:** ![matt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@matt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2005, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-pack-if-you-are-backpacking-across-europe/306901/29 "2005-06-06T13:12:46Z")
> [@matt](#): > > Four pairs boxer shorts - black, no buttons, front stitched shut. Enough to keep handwashing and drying in rotation, can double as swimming trunks in a pinch (but not white ones!) Likewise, four pairs of socks, same tactics. > [@Chronos](#): > > This I would disagree with. Always pack more socks than you think you’ll need. If you fall into a river, or get caught by a surprise drenchpour, you can handle wet clothes, but fresh dry socks to put on will be a godsend. Oh, and make sure that the socks at least, and possibly a full change of clothes, are packed in ziplocks, for this same reason. There’s different degrees of backpacking! My interpretation was that the OP was talking about the traveling tourism experience - trains and buses, towns and cities. I carried a Trangia stove and tent when Interrailing around Europe, and never so much as unpacked the stove. I did use the tent though, in fact I shared it with the Canadian girl with the bongo drum. But your point is well made, and I will probably take your advice when I go to Peru this September. I read a biographical book about hiking the Alps (can’t remember title or author I’m afraid) where some character hiked with _three_ socks, total, washing and drying one in rotation. This was to save weight. Yuck! ---
**Author:** ![mlerose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/43a26b/32.png) [@mlerose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlerose)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2005, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-pack-if-you-are-backpacking-across-europe/306901/30 "2005-06-06T18:00:31Z")
For my 6-week trip in 2000, I had a backpack not much larger than a standard school backpack, and I had thin track pants cargo pants, khaki type material 1 short silk skirt that packed really small and always looked good 2 tank tops 2 short-sleeved tops 2 long-sleeved tops (one was thermal but still thin) 1 sarong 1 pair shorts running shoes sandals that had good tread on them and were ok for walking or dancing flip flops for showers, beach, etc. bathing suit 3 bras (wash, wear, spare) 7 pairs underwear 5 pairs socks 1 rainjacket that folded down really small 1 ancient hooded zipup sweatshirt, very thin small amounts of laundry soap old thin smallish towel that dried faster than one of those fancy packtowels and never stank some ziplock baggies travel-size febreeze travel-size toiletries & first aid kit (bandaids, painkillers, moleskin, aloe vera gel) sunscreen & chapstick (forgot them both and had to buy there, which was fine) journal, film, camera, small shoulder bag for day travel bottle for water (got replaced over the trip) swiss army knife (with corkscrew!) moneybelt with credit card, passport, plane tix, eurailpass I still had plenty of room for souveniers and ended up throwing out some underwear and buying some new over the course of my trip. The year I went, it rained everywhere for about 2 weeks, so I was glad I had the rain shell and the layers of clothing (it was really hot everywhere at first and I was regretting bringing the warmer stuff, but then it started raining). I think my backpack only ended up weighing about 20 or 25 pounds, depending on if I was wearing the warmer stuff and running shoes or if they were packed. I washed out my underwear and bra and sometimes my shirts and socks every night and ended up doing all my laundry about 3 times during the trip. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2005, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-pack-if-you-are-backpacking-across-europe/306901/31 "2005-06-06T18:27:07Z")
Some of the youth hostels require a sleeping bag. I saw some wise travelers with home made bage, basically a cotton queen sized sheet folded over and sewed together. But there are some nice lightweight fleece bags available too. And of course, the backpacker’s [bible](http://www.letsgo.com/EUR/01-teaser-01) is a must. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-pack-if-you-are-backpacking-across-europe/306901.md?page=1)