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Gear & packingBy Clever Tourists · Published · Last updated
Backpackers need gear that survives months of use and packs small, so the best gifts are a daypack, comfortable walking shoes, real rain protection and, for the adventurous, a waterproof action camera. All of these are on our gear list from a 526-day trip.
The main pack stays at the hostel; the daypack goes everywhere. A 30-litre pack like the Herschel Little America carries a laptop, a jacket and water for a day out, and works as a personal item on most flights. A backpacker without a main pack yet would rather have the Osprey Porter 46.
Most backpacking days are 15,000+ steps on stone streets. Light, cushioned trainers like the Adidas Runfalcon handle cities and easy trails, and for someone who likes minimalist shoes the Vivobarefoot range is on our list too. Buy shoes only if you know their size, or include a gift receipt.
• A waterproof jacket that packs small is used in every climate, as a windbreaker in the mountains and a rain shell in the tropics.
• A waterproof action camera such as the GoPro HERO13 Black covers snorkelling, kayaking and motorbike loops where a phone would be at risk.
A good daypack or a packable waterproof jacket. Both get used every day of a long trip.
If they snorkel, dive, cycle or ride motorbikes, yes: it is waterproof and rugged where a phone is at risk. For city travel, a phone is usually enough.
New guides and practical tips from 526 days on the road: where to stay, what to eat, what things cost and the rules that catch travelers out.
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