Our RTW Packing List

When you contemplate carrying all your worldly possessions on your back, every piece counts. So what exactly DID we pack for our round-the-world (“RTW”) trip? Not 365 T-shirts, that’s for certain. We spent an extraordinary amount of time on this question because these items need to be durable, reasonably wrinkle-resistant, lightweight, and capable of taking us from hiking in the back of beyond to breezing into the Raffles Singapore for a drink. Seem impossible? Let us know how you think we did …

Skyler

Clothes:

2 tank tops
2 short-sleeve shirts
2 long-sleeve shirts (one button-up — I promise you I will look much happier wearing this shirt than their model does)
1 pair REI Northway pants
1 pair leggings
2 skirts (one black, one seersucker)
2 pairs shorts
2 dresses
1 Versalette (so sad that they’re sold out! You can still watch all the nifty videos and peruse the look-books for this fabulous 20-different-pieces-in-one product.)
1 light jacket
1 rain jacket
3 bras (2 regular, one sporta bra)
10 pairs underwear
3 pairs socks (2 lightweight, 1 warm)
1 swim suit
1 sleep shirt

Shoes:

Merrell Barefoot Pace Glove
Naot Dorith Sandals (a total splurge, but it’s so difficult to find comfortable walking shoes that are also cute)
Sanuk flip flops (a gift from my fabulous Aunt Gay and Uncle Dan. You can find the site here).

Sundries:

One day bag and one small purse
1 pair sunglasses
1 pair eyeglasses
Infinity scarf
1 (Gator) baseball hat
1 belt
1 necklace
1 Moleskin notebook

Toiletries/Grooming:

We’re taking travel-size (and TSA-compliant) containers of all the normal stuff you’d take on any trip (shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant). I’ve also forced myself to stick to a Spartan beauty regimen.

NARS the Multiple Stick (I ordered it in the color “Orgasm” and Jordan about had a heart attack when he saw that Amazon was shipping us “The Multiple Orgasm.” You can cause your own mischief by clicking here.)
Lorac compact (combo concealer and powder foundation)
Waterproof mascara (I have loved Maybelline Great Lash for years and am taking a new tube with us!)
Burts Bees chapstick
A nail kit and tweezers
Hair ties / bands / pins

Jordan

Clothes:

2 Patagonia lightweight wool-blend t-shirts
1 REI technical t-shirt
2 lightweight cotton v-neck shirts
1 Brooks Brothers long sleeved button down sport shirt
1 Old Navy long sleeved button down shirt
1 long sleeved thermal shirt from the Gap
5 Pair Ex-Officio boxer briefs (these came highly recommended, they worked like a champ during my half marathon, which if you know how much I sweat, is a glowing endorsement)
5 Pair lightweight dry-fit socks
1 Pair REI pants
1 Pair jeans (this is controversial in the backpacker world since they are heavy and don’t dry quickly, but I’m comfortable in them so I’m packing them anyhow)
2 Pair REI shorts
1 Pair Patagonia swim trunks
1 Pair workout shorts
1 Patagonia rain jacket

Shoes:

Sundries:

1 pair sunglasses
1 pair eyeglasses
REI Flash Pack (my daypack)
Again Faster Jump Rope (because I’m finally going to master double-unders)

Our packs and other bags

Skyler’s pack: Gregory Jade 38L
Jordan’s pack: Osprey Kestrel 48L
Eagle Creek packing cubes
LL Bean toiletries bag

Our electronics

13 inch Macbook Pro
iPad
Kindle
Olympus PEN E-PL1
Canon Powershot point-and-shoot camera
Plug adapters
Chargers
Sansa Clip MP3 Player x2
Earbuds x2
USB Wall Charger

Other stuff

A pharmacy’s worth of malaria meds.
Ciproflaxacin (the cure for when street food ails ya)
Basic OTC stuff: Band-Aids, antibiotic ointment, Pepto, etc.
Sunscreen, insect repellant, hand sanitizer
Enough contact lenses to last us months
2 head lamps
Duct tape (Because what doesn’t it fix …)
Safety pins
Extra Zip-Lock bags
Copies of our passports and other important documentation (also left copies with my parents and uploaded to the cloud).
Ear plugs
Deck of cards
Lonely Planet Southeast Asia on a Shoestring and Thailand guidebooks

23 Responses to "Our RTW Packing List"

Adrienne Smith says:

January 6, 2013 at 7:14 pm

I needed you 3 years ago when I went on a 30 day tour of Western Europe. I broke my suitcase from the heavy load after only 2 weeks. Are you not bringing a drinking container? I filled up whenever we found free (drinkable) water to save money.

I think what you are doing is absolutely amazing. Wishing you the very best in your travels.
1. Skyler McDonald says:
  
  January 6, 2013 at 7:39 pm
  
  Adrienne, thanks so much for following the blog! As for your question, I thought about it, but my understanding is that much of the water in the places we are heading is not drinkable. So I figure we’ll just have to buy bottled water. But this wouldn’t be the first time I was wrong, good thing you can buy pretty much anything in Bangkok! 🙂
  1. Ron Clanton says:
    
    January 6, 2013 at 9:33 pm
    
    You may want to think about bringing some water purification pills for times when you can’t get bottled water. They’re pretty small and light…
    
    Good luck!
    
    Ron
Alex Nikdel says:

January 6, 2013 at 8:24 pm

Only one piece of Gator gear between the two of you? I’m disappointed. 😉
Katie G says:

January 6, 2013 at 9:56 pm

Why I am amazed by y’all/would never have the guts to do this: I pack about twice that much for a weekend trip to Birmingham!
1. Matthew G says:
  
  January 6, 2013 at 10:59 pm
  
  Seriously, nice work! Glad to see y’all got the camera. MacBook Pros have SD card slots, right? Otherwise, would recommend some big memory cards:)
Charlie Hagadorn says:

January 7, 2013 at 9:40 am

You guys did a really good job choosing what to pack. I have had really good experience with Gregory and Osprey backpacks.

Non-cotton socks are fantastic. If you find out you don’t like the socks you are taking with you I would suggest you try some of the lightweight merino wool socks (particularly SmartWool socks). I kid you not when I say they are the only socks I have worn for the last 12 years.

The Olympus camera is a great choice.

Finally, I have been looking at the wool t-shirts for a while, but have not bought any yet. I cannot wait to find out whether or not you like them.
1. Skyler McDonald says:
  
  January 8, 2013 at 10:01 am
  
  Thanks, Charlie. We spent a LOT of time at REI over the last few months. I saw those SmartWool socks there and was curious about them. Glad to know they worked out so well for you. We’ll keep that in mind in case we need to pick up extra pairs on the road.
Uncle Bill says:

January 7, 2013 at 10:26 am

Hey, y’all. I think you’ve done a great job – obviously have put a lot of thought into it. The only thing that occurs to me is something to safely carry money and/or your passport to ensure they’re safe from pickpockets. I didn’t see that on your lists. Terry and I have something that is small (5 1/2 by 8), has several zip pockets, and has an adjustable strap that can be put around your neck or waist and the carrier can then be tucked inside your shirt or, with the strap around your waist, inside your pants. I think we got ours at AAA but it is made by Austin House. Here’s the site:
http://www.austinhouse.com/products.cfm?category=Personal Security Essentials&startRow=9
1. Skyler McDonald says:
  
  January 8, 2013 at 10:03 am
  
  Uncle Bill, thanks! We do have a couple of these, but they’re among the items (like our passports and credit cards) that we just didn’t list or photograph.
Angie says:

March 1, 2013 at 1:24 pm

Enjoy your trip! I read about it in the Plant City Observer!! I will be following your blog. Don’t know you, but my family and I live in Plant City. That sounds like a great adventure for a young married couple with no kids!
1. Jordan McDonald says:
  
  March 1, 2013 at 9:21 pm
  
  Thanks, Angie! It’s always great to hear from new readers. Thanks for following us.
Kat says:

March 23, 2013 at 3:55 am

Thanks for your packing list, very helpful.
I was wondering if Skyler likes her Gregory Jade 38 Backpack after couple of months traveling? I think about purchasing it for our big rtw trip and would like to know if she is happy with the packing space. I will take more or less the same, just add. a fleece jumper and thermals for colder conditions.

Well done for exploring the world. You do what other people dream of their whole life. Wishing you both an awesome time!

Kat
1. Skyler McDonald says:
  
  March 23, 2013 at 4:59 am
  
  Kat,
  
  I am really liking my Gregory Jade 38. It’s held up well over two months of heavy travel. It’s been on and off of buses, trains, ferries, and the only signs of wear and tear are some scuffs on the front. As for the size, it’s always a tight squeeze, but I kind of like that. It forces me to be disciplined about what I can buy and what I actually use on a regular basis. I also highly recommend packing cubes!
  
  As for your packing list, I think I could fit an additional jacket and clothes if I downsized our toiletries bag. I would definitely recommend going to someplace like REI and trying on several different packs from different brands to find a good fit. For example, the Osprey bags were not good for me, but the Gregory fit great! Best of luck with your own RTW, and let us know if you have any more questions!
  
  – Skyler
Kat says:

March 25, 2013 at 12:30 pm

Thanks a lot Skyler!
After your positive response I’ve just orderd today the Jade 38 and Osprey Sirrus 36 to try on and find out if my stuff will fit. Need to order since I’m currently living in switzerland and there was no shop close by.
Btw if you have a chance (and budget 😉 try to visit Switzerland. It is stunning. Berner Oberland, Valais and Lake Geneva to name only a few highlights. If you are interested, just let me know and I’m happy to give you more information.

Safe journey and take good care
Kat
1. Jordan McDonald says:
  
  March 29, 2013 at 10:01 pm
  
  Kat,
  
  Hope one of those packs works out for you! We would love to visit Switzerland at some point — but you’re right that it may not be in the budget this time around. If that changes we’ll let you know!
The Lede: How (were we able to do it?) says:

April 17, 2013 at 8:42 pm

[…] Packing List […]
100 Days In: Lessons Learned says:

April 26, 2013 at 3:00 am

[…] Packing List […]
(Skyler's) Becca says:

June 5, 2013 at 2:51 pm

Nice blue tank top there Skyler. I thought it must have fallen into the back of my closet, not the Ganges or the Rhine. Anywhoo, I’m glad its being loved and used.
JoshC says:

February 10, 2014 at 8:23 pm

Just wanted to say thank-you for keeping such a comprehensive and informative travel blog. We’re heading to SE Asia this summer (could be wet), and have been reading everything you’ve written about your time there. SO helpful in planning – I think we’re probably not all that different than you guys (though I probably sweat more than Jordan).

Question – Jordan, are you glad you brought the REI Flash-Pack? I’m still trying to decide on that. My wife will have the removable daypack from her Northface backpack, but the Flash Pack looks pretty ideal too. Do you just roll-and-shove into the Osprey when not in use?

Happy travels and if you find yourself in Vancouver, we’ve always got space. (We’re THAT appreciative of the blog.)

Josh and Karen
1. Jordan McDonald says:
  
  February 11, 2014 at 9:40 am
  
  Hi Josh, thanks for the nice comments! You know, the REI Flash Pack is actually the one item I bought that I wasn’t a big fan of for a couple of reasons. 1) It was too small to serve as a proper overnight pack for a few of the overnight hikes/trips we did where I didn’t want to take my larger pack and 2) It’s got a hip belt that doesn’t actually work, so when I had it packed full on our overnight hikes it was actually rather uncomfortable to carry. I would occassionally stuff it in my larger pack, but for the most part I kept it out because that’s where I’d keep our laptop/camera during bus trips/flights while my Osprey pack was in the cargo hold. I hope that helps, and if you have any other questions, feel free to shoot us an email!
Jenny says:

May 18, 2015 at 3:53 am

Hi there! Really enjoy your blog!

I was wondering whether everything fits into only the Gregory and Osprey bags? There are no other ones except for the daypacks right? I have the same Gregory jade 38 myself in a turquoise color too, and I didn’t think it would be enough for a RTW trip!
1. Jordan McDonald says:
  
  June 10, 2015 at 7:15 pm
  
  Yes! Everything fit into our packs. The only additional packs we carried were the day packs we mentioned, which we used to carry electronics or personal items, especially when we had to put our big packs under a bus.

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