Before preparing the backpack, are you sure you have the right one?
The backpack is your home on your shoulders, it has a lot of hermit crab effects, but it’s an important choice!
Not everyone searches for the same things. Already the first big difference is if we are looking for a women’s backpack or a men’s backpack. Then it depends a lot on whether we are tall and therefore with a big shoulder or small ones like me, more in case you are about to buy a women’s backpack it is very important to provide female suspenders, that is, that they have a slight curve to allow us to enter the boobs!
However, after an endless series of wrong purchases, I have a lot in the attic. I managed to identify what, for me, are the fundamental elements that every travel backpack must have.
For me, the basic things to look for in a backpack are:
opening on the front, otherwise every morning you have to disassemble and reassemble everything
adjustable backrest, especially differentiation for men/women, otherwise the weight will be discharged incorrectly, and you will suffer a great backache every evening
lightness
the separate compartment at the bottom, where you can usually put shoes or other items that don’t necessarily have to be super clean
The possibility of closing with a padlock, on the road there is never too much security or if not, buy a backpack bag, they are also very convenient for travel by plane, so they don’t break it or open it.
resistance
As far as liters are concerned, I would always keep on the bass. If you don’t have to go camping or equipped climbing, a large backpack will be just extra weight and inconvenience.
The important thing is to bring the necessary to stay clean for a week plus a few other pieces that can use.
I travel with a 38 liter, specifically a Salomon Sky 38L is very small, but the most comfortable thing I have ever put on my shoulders, so I prefer to travel with little, but without back pain.
For me, the ideal weight is 40 a maximum of 45 liters no more!
Analyzing other brands, I can also recommend:
The North Face Terra 55 W Trekking Backpack Xs / S Blue: super comfortable and resistant, weighs less than 2kg, and can use for hiking and travel.
The North Face Terra 50 Trekking backpack has a very well-structured shock-absorbing structure for the shoulders.
Berghaus, Trailhead Duffle Bag, 65 liters: in my opinion too big but perhaps for men who necessarily have to carry a lot of equipment it can be fine, it has a lot of very comfortable pockets.
Deuter, Futura Pro Backpack: very comfortable and ergonomic, it is perfect for hiking and traveling.
Deuter Quantum 60 + 10: this kind of backpack you will see many traveling. They are very comfortable because they allow you to tie the daily backpack with a zip to the large backpack, and therefore in transfers, you are not forced to carry a backpack behind and one forward as I do.
Another option widely used by travelers is the bag The North Face Camp Base which is practically a joker, you can carry it over the shoulder or backpack, it is waterproof, very light, and super spacious. I use it a lot for skiing and the boat, so I’m sure that my clothes are always dry.
Cabin Backpack:
They say that the Cabin Max Backpack is the perfect hand luggage backpack. It is ideal for those who want to travel only with a backpack to carry in the cabin and for those who do not need it to be perfectly anatomical for the back, in my opinion, perfect for city trips.
There is also a trolley version, the Cabin Max trolley, same concept but with wheels, perhaps even better for me.
Another slightly more stylish option than a cabin trolley backpack is the 44-liter Manhattan trolley.
I believe that you can also budget a not very negligible expense for a good backpack. In the long run, it will be money well spent.
How to pack things in your backpack:
There are many techniques on how to put everything you need in a backpack, so I have changed many and I must say that very often I alternate them according to the trip.
Everything in the envelopes: at the beginning, I put the normal ones in which the shirts are placed in the transparent envelopes, so I kept things clean and then I was anxious that they could get stuck in the backpack (which happened several times)
Manual vacuum bags: These are quite a turning point because they allow you to reduce the space a lot, especially if you bring wool stuff, in many trips I almost only carry cotton things so they are not very bulky. In my opinion these envelopes are excellent if you go to a place to stay a lot, but if like me you love traveling trips that after 2 days you change accommodation, then maybe it’s an uncomfortable moment.
Envelopes for underwear: these envelopes are usually used to do laundry but they are also excellent when traveling, but I usually put dirty things in them.
Rolling up boy scout type: As I said, I want to make a well-made video, but for 2 years now I have rolled everything up and I have to say that there’s a lot of stuff involved and magically the clothes do not crease.
What to put in your backpack?
Prepare everything you need on the bed, get out, come back, look at your clothes several times and then take off half of them! When you have to run pre your bus you will thank you for having a light backpack.
Resign yourself your favorite 12 heeled sandals will never fit in your backpack, but I have good news, wherever you go, however you are dressed, you will always be the most elegant: you are Italian!
For a trip at all temperatures these are my must:
● Skinny jeans, perfect for a sporty walk and for an evening at the disco, maybe wear it when you leave, it takes up a lot of space;
● 1 super thin technical trousers that dry in an hour, I recommend the one with the zip that turns them into shorts
● 2 leggings, perfect for going out and you can also use them to sleep in the hostel with a T-shirt, remember in the mixed dormitory never wear qcs of sexy or a nightgown;
● 3/4 tank tops I would say two in the light sporty fabric that dries immediately and 2 in cotton that maybe with a nice necklace are also good for going out
● denim short never leaves without!
● Technical underwear consisting of leggings and a long-sleeved shirt that will protect you in low temperatures and will also make your technical pants very warm, perfect for sleeping in a tent in the mountains;
● 1 breathable t-shirt for walking
● 1 long-sleeved thermal shirt
● if you find it more comfortable you can opt for a technical trekking shirt instead of the breathable t-shirt, I prefer them, especially in the humid heat
● 3/4 normal T-shirts to always use also for sleeping, possibly without politically aligned writing;
● 1 pile depending on how cold your 200 or 300-gram destination is, I usually use it even on airplanes;
● a windbreaker or k-way always depends on the cold;
● a wool cardigan to go out in the evening that you will put on your tank tops and leggings or jeans;
● at least 7 pairs of socks and underwear, you must have autonomy of at least one week;
● 2 bras I recommend one white and one black, without lace otherwise the washing machines in the hostels will destroy them;
● a pair of trekking shoes, I recommend you make an investment, they must be in Goretex and light, for me maximum 500g;
● a pair of sneakers, we always start with two pairs of shoes in case it rains, I recommend bringing an average trendy sneaker like a vintage Converse so that you can ● wear them even in the evening and you will be perfectly fashionable or dancers;
● a couple of Havaianas, I never, ever recommend walking barefoot in the hostels or taking a barefoot shower even if it seems clean! I recommend a neutral color such as grey or bronze so that you can also use them for the evening in a warm place without causing the pool party effect;
Then there are the accessories to put in the backpack:
● a portable hairdryer (obviously depends on the climate and the hair);
● at least 2 padlocks;
● a backpack cover bag with a padlock to prevent them from opening it on the plane!
● two torches, one front and one hand;
● A thread with clothespins;
● Camping cutlery;
● Swiss Army knife;
● Super thin microfibre technical towel;
● A silk sheet sack is the thinnest and if you go to a cold place it heats you 5 ° more once inserted in the sleeping bag;
● A women’s pouch carries money so as to put it under your pants even at a low waist;
● a compass (I never brought it but a reader told me that she saved many situations so I’ll take it from now on)