Gap year kit list

What to pack & why

The kit list that follows is comprehensive and covers most eventualities and destinations. It is up to you to select the items you really need.

Every traveller will tell you to “pack light” or “take only half of what you think you need as you can buy most things en route and cheaper too”. They’re right. Listen to them!

Remember to seek out the most environmentally friendly products you can!

 

Luggage

Travel pack – a backpack with a zip that runs all the way round the edge. Easy to pack. Often has wheels.

or

Top Loader – a traditional backpack. More watertight and better for trekking and expeditions because they balance well. 

  • Try it on with weight inside. 
  • 65 litres is big enough. 
  • Ensure they are well worn in before you travel.
  • Wheelie bags are great until you hit stairs or sand.
  • Have a day pack or shoulder bag for everyday essentials

Clothing

  • Waterproofs
  • Lightweight loose-fitting clothes (hot climates)
  • Layers and padded jacket (cold climates)
  • Long sleeved tops (sun/insect protection & religious sites)
  • Trousers/shorts or convertibles.
  • Hat-preferably covers ears and neck
  • Highcut boots – for trekking.
  • Midcut boot – enough general off road
  • Casual shoes – day to day comfort
  • Adventure sandals – hot days & rain-showers
  • Flip flops – for chilling out not trekking
  • Swimwear

Essentials

  • Credit card(s)
  • Emergency numbers
  • Immunisation record
  • Insurance details
  • Cash
  • Passport
  • Tickets
  • Travel visa
  • Money belt
  • Padlock 
  • Personal/door/luggage alarm
More items

Health & wellbeing

  • Contraception
  • Medical Kit: see the page on Health.
  • Tampons or pads
  • Toiletries 
  • Towel (lightweight)
  • Washing line
  • Hand-gel (soap and hot water is best but there may be times when you can’t access them)
  • Earplugs/eye mask
  • Glasses/contact lenses-prescription
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen/lip-balm
  • Water purifier tablets or purifing Water bottle (15% off with code YOG15)
  • Painkillers (Headache/Period Pain/Aches & pains)
  • Rehydration tablets of some kind (hangovers/too much sun, diarrh(o)ea or post-vomiting)
  • Some recommend things like immodium to help stop diarrh(o)ea but this should be a last resort, should you really not be able to see the condition through being close to a toilet. Likewise be careful with laxatives.  With both, consult a doctor/pharmacist if you can.
  • Toilet paper/paper tissue… just in case. (Remember that you can always flush toilet paper down the toilet in other countries. You may well have to put the used paper in a bin. Worth having some kind of lined-paper or plastic bag to put yucky stuff in and dispose of appropriately when you have the chance.

Comfort

  • Mosquito net
  • Pillow/case
  • Sleeping bag/liner
  • Dry bag

Gadgets

  • Smart phone: (see blog on mobile roaming)
  • Batteries/Solar charger & adapters
  • Waterproof camera or casing for iphone
  • Storage disk or spare cards (or save to cloud)
  • Travel apps
  • Headphones

Low tech

“Travel with some slack in your backpack”

Gap Year Guide

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