Just a Backpack for 16 Days!

Ever since I had heard of the term "backpacking", I was dead set that I would NEVER be able to travel with only a backpack. I didn't understand how someone could put all of their clothes and all of their shoes into one small bag and be good for a whole trip. Immmm-possible!

It wasn't until last year, when I ran into my friend Adri at an LSU football game who told me she traveled for two weeks in Europe with just a backpack... I started to change my mind. If Adri, who has a similar personality and style to me, can do it, then maybe I can too.

When Dave and Jen started traveling all around the world, it got me even more curious. Jen always used her 44L rucksack and nothing else. If Jen can, then I can! And when Luke and I met Jen and Dave in Glasgow back in September, I asked A LOT of questions. I even watched Jen pack up when we were leaving Glasgow.

Knowing that Luke and I would be going on this 16 day trip throughout Bavaria, I knew I needed to do a test run early on to practice packing. I'm sorta OCD like that, but it is so worth the time... I had to be sure it all fit just right - exactly like a puzzle! I laid out all of the clothes that I thought would be best for our trip and gathered all of the other "things" I might need and packed them up into my old JanSport bag. It seriously all fit! But there was ZERO wiggle room. Wiggle room is important because items accumulate throughout backpacking trips and the extra space is a necessity! I decided I should purchase another rucksack that is bigger, water repellent and more comfortable to wear for longer periods of time. I handed over a good chunk of change to invest in the Osprey 33L. It has a few different pockets, front straps and many ties to pull it tighter making it smaller.

Here are some tips for packing a backpack:

1.) Roll up all of your clothes --- Folding clothes the way they fit into your dresser drawers will not work. That takes up way too much space. Yes, your clothes may wrinkle a little bit (I will get to that in a second), but you are a traveler and you cannot be expected to look fully put together.

2.) Make use of Space Bags --- You know... the infomercial... the genius product that sucks the air out of bags after putting things in it... the bags that use a vacuum... Space Bags! I got the multi-pack from Wal-Mart which included bags that do not use a vacuum. And you don't need a vacuum anyway. Pull the bags almost closed, and then squeeze the air out yourself. It isn't exactly the same, but it still makes your clothes smaller than not using them. (Note: If you don't already, these are a MUST for ski trips! And you will find yourself using them for EVERY trip you take.)

3.) Choose clothes that won't wrinkle as easily as others --- Be very familiar with your clothes. Hopefully you are aware of which ones fit into this category. If you don't know, then do a test a couple weeks prior to your trip. Fold up a few shirts and leave them for a couple of days and see what happens.

This material dried quickly but didnt go back to its original size without a machine dryer.

This material was great for no wrinkles but didn't dry as quickly.

4.) Choose your shoes wisely! --- If a pair of shoes does not go with ALL of your clothes, and I mean that literally, then do not bring them. Is that impossible for you? Well, then choose shoes that can go with 75% of your clothes. It is not worth the space to bring a pair of shoes that you can only wear once or twice. (Note: Black shoes... choose all "black" matching shirts. Brown shoes... choose all "brown" matching shirts.)

5.) Do not pack the amount of underwear and socks for the number of days you are traveling --- For 7 days of travel, you don't need 7 pairs of underwear. Just re-wear your dirty underwear. Whats wrong with that? Just kidding! Just kidding! Just kidding!! That is gross. It's simple, bring a little clothes soap and wash everyday. Let it soak in hot water while you bathe, quick rinse and you're done! This may be pushing it for you, but it really is not that big of a deal. (Note: Underwear takes a day to dry. Socks take about two days to dry.)

6.) Purchase common toiletries when you arrive --- Toiletries take up the most space and they are the heaviest. You want to keep your pack light and as small as possible. Obviously, there are special products that you require and aren't sure if you will be able to find in you location, so yes, bring those. Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash, Toothpaste, Body Lotion, those can all be purchased upon arrival. Keep in mind that you want to keep the products under 3oz or 100mL if you will be carrying your bags on the plane with you.

7.) Pack your bag sensibly --- Items that you may not need access to right away go toward the bottom of the bag. Toiletries or items that need to be pulled our at airport security need to be on top.

8.) Wear your bulkiest clothes on travel days --- Bringing boots? Wear those. Big jacket? Wear it or carry it. Thick pair of jeans? Wear it. Etc.

9.) Pack your bag the exact same way every. single. time. --- If you will be moving locations often, it is important that your dirty clothes still get folded the way they came. You don't need to pack them next to your clean clothes, but they should still somehow be folded to the same size.

10.) Plastic baggies --- Plastic baggies always come in handy, especially quart size bags. Bring a few and don't throw them away if they can be reused.

11.) Be aware of electronics (for international travelers only) --- Even if you have a travel plug adapter and have checked the voltage requirements, your electronic device still might not work. Check the watts on your adapter and on your electronics to make sure you don't blow the adapter fuse. Happened on our trip.

12.) Wash and re-wear --- Who cares if you wear the same shirt twice? Really, who cares? If it is clean, no one will care. I had 7 shirts for my 16 days which means that I wore 2 shirts three times. I washed them. Who cares?! Jeans can be worn for at least 2 days. And wear them back to back... Don't run into the problem where all of your jeans need to be washed at the same time since they take a few days to air dry. (Note: If you plan to wash and re-wear, be sure to choose clothes that 1.) dry fairly quickly, 2.) air dry nicely)

13.) Bring a belt --- Even if you never wear belts, jeans stretch out and you will regret not having one. It doesn't take up too much space and it is very uncomfortable to constantly be pulling up your pants. Did you hear that Justin Bieber? Belt!

14.) Last and Most Importantly - DO A TEST RUN AHEAD OF TIME --- It takes practice to know how to pack your bag. I did a couple of test runs to make sure I could still fit everything in each time. Luke was so frustrated when I "asked" him to do a test run but he thanked me later for "asking" him to do it.

I think that concludes my experience of traveling with a rucksack. My experience was during cold days and we were not prepared. But it did give me tons of insight on what to do and what not to do. Summer traveling always allows for more space in the bag. The winter does not, but remember to wear the bulky items. And buy some space bags!!

RANDOM FACT THEORY:
To freshen up your jeans, put them in the freezer. Check it out and Check it out

-Debbie-