With tons of backpacking lists online giving you recommendations on what to bring, getting ready for your big trip can be overwhelming. You’re trying to pack light, but you also need convenient and helpful things you won’t want to purchase abroad There are plenty of typical items we need to bring such as clothes, toiletries, and entertainment items. But, there are plenty of odd things that might come to good use.
1. Mini Flashlight
Bringing a flashlight might already seem like an obvious, but the key is to get one that is small. A mini flashlight that can attach on a key chain or backpack should be an essential. Rather than digging through your bag for a flashlight you might need right away, a mini flashlight gets the job done. And, it follows the backpacker rule of packing light.
2. Zip Locks
@matthewruth
Using zip lock bags at home to organize small things or various items could be a great way to keep your bag organized abroad. Use smaller bags to organize electronic cords, underwear, socks or toiletries. It is also useful to put travel mementos like flyers, receipts or photographs.
A cheaper alternative is to use plastic bags from the supermarkets. The produce bags are the best, since they are shaped better and can be sealed with tape. You can easily store your dirty laundry from your clean clothes.
3. Baby Wipes
@Marmalade Skies Photography
Baby wipes are a universal product that isn’t only good for children, but may provide very useful in destinations like Marrakech, Morocco. While sightseeing in Marrakech, they may come in handy on several occasions: Removing makeup, getting the sweat off your face,cleaning your hands after using a dirty restroom, trying your best to clean the toilet seat in a dirty restroom… in other words, a few of the less appealing things to do in Marrakech. They are also lightweight and cheap to find abroad. To avoid leaving you with a bad impression of Marrakech, keep in mind that it is an enchanting place, with many great activities and attractions like roaming the souks (or markets), strolling though Yves Sain Laurent’s Jardin Majorelle, or braving the snake charmers in Djemma el Fna square.
They come scented and unscented; preferably use the unscented since it is gentle on the skin.
4. Business/Personal Cards
@Thomas Rockstar
When you’re meeting so many new travelers, it can get overwhelming and hard to keep up with names and faces. Even more so when you’re in a rush and are writing their email and Facebook name on a napkin.
Having a business/personal card is helpful to hand out to new friends abroad. You can customize your own card with your personal information, or take the advantage to promote what you do back home. Or, be creative and make a backpackers business card! This makes it easier to network and no one will dare forget you!
5. Vaseline
@knittinging
Vaseline, better known as petroleum jelly seems like an odd thing to add to your backpack. It is another universal product that can be pretty helpful. The biggest advantage is its use as a lip balm. Some other unknown uses are keeping stray hairs out of your face as a light wax or to moisturize your skin from sunburns. (Use after a minor sunburn to soothe skin, not for fresh burns.)
One great use is to coat your feet in Vaseline before you go to bed. Put on a pair of socks and wake up with very soft feet. This is great after an exhausting hike when your feet are aching for a pedicure you can’t really spend money on.
One common use is for nosebleeds when you are traveling at high altitudes. It keeps your nose moist from dry blood.
6. Extension Cord
@Kolby Schnelli
When you’ve got your electronics on the road, it can be a hassle to find outlets when you’re in an 8 bed dorm. Be the technological savvy backpacker who brings an extension cord to plug in multiple devices, or share the outlet love with fellow backpackers.
Travel sized extension cords cater to those who need to charge netbooks, iPods and camera’s. Just make sure its a safe cord and doesn’t suck up electricity.
7. Small instrument
@Vicent_gat
Every day it seems like every hostel has a guitar playing backpacker strumming along with new friends in a circle. Break the mold and keep yourself (and others) entertained with a small instrument.
Packing a small instrument like a harmonica or a ukelele keeps your mind sharp as you learn abroad, while keeping yourself in the spirit of learning a new hobby. Being able to throw it in your day pack makes it easy to go right into song without any trouble anywhere.
8. Tape
@yewco
It’s amazing how the strangest things can be so useful. People speak of the wonders of duct tape, but it is often underestimate how helpful clear magic tape can be.
During a recent border crossing in Bolivia, a page of my passport fell out. I was being denied entry unless the passport was intact. I used to carry a roll of tape to hold my old (And now dead and in camera heaven) camera battery door shut. Little did I know that having that in my bag would save the day and allow me entry by taping the page back in.
Tape can also have other great uses- It can also take the grease off your face, kind of like a nose strip. A bit on the strange side, but somewhat helpful. Use tape to mend something temporarily such as a tear in your backpack.
9. External Hard Drive
@alicia954
For the techy backpackers or those who might bring mix travel and work together, an external hard drive is starting to become an essential. They are releasing smaller and lighter hard drives with more than enough space.
Use an External Hard Drive to dump your pictures after abusing your camera abroad. If you’re a travel writer, or working abroad, its great to backup documents and files that might be important.
One unique thing is to collect music from others. If other backpackers have their laptop, just connect your external to dump their music for your personal collection. This is a great way to communicate and to discover new music. You can even grab their pictures that might have been kind of awesome so you won’t have to harass them on Facebook later.
10. Gum
![Estefanía [bubble gum!]](http://farm1.static.flickr.com/38/78236956_dada12c396.jpg)
@merAtSpain
Its hard to underestimate any of these items, especially number 10: Gum. A simple treat that might be found easily abroad is something easy to carry.
Besides using it for bad breath after a hefty meal, gum is useful for keeping your mouth moist. At higher altitudes or in hot weather, chewing gum helps keep your mouth busy and hydrated.
Carrying a large pack of gum from home is perfect on the road so you don’t have to constantly purchase gum abroad. Besides, there’s nothing like your favorite flavor.
