One of the most common questions that comes up when you’re planning a RTW trip is the right pack to bring. There isn’t really one best backpack for an RTW trip, so choosing the one that’s right for you is a matter of learning what the main features are on the various packs and figuring out which of those features are most important to you, followed by a rigorous testing period in a store.
But really, the pack you pick isn’t as important as some other things that some people forget to think about at all.
Carrying one pack or another doesn’t automatically make you a better packer, for one thing. You can bring the most highly-recommended backpack with you and still bring way too much stuff or all the wrong things for your trip. This is another area where research pays off, practice really does make perfect, and learning to do without some creature comforts is a good idea. You can find packing lists online from people who have gone before you, and that can be a good place to start, but you need to make your packing list work for you. Also keep in mind that everything you pack adds weight and bulk, so anything that serves a dual purpose – like the items on this multi-purpose packing list – is especially helpful.
Staying healthy while traveling is something many people don’t think too much about before they can’t avoid it, either because they don’t want to jinx themselves or because they just can’t believe they’ll get sick. Even those with the strongest constitutions can get injured, however, and if you’re someone who’s planning to go bungee-jumping or rock climbing or even hiking while you’re traveling you’d be smart to get some travel insurance before you leave home. It’s not a sign of weakness to get insurance, and thankfully it’s an affordable safety net.
We all hear about the travel wisdom that’s gained by long-term trips, and there’s much to be admired about an education earned on the road. But there are lots of travel smarts you can pick up before you leave home that will serve you well throughout your trip and well beyond.