I think I am getting to a close with the Misc-series. Maybe one or two more posts…

This one is going to be about all kinds of bag-like objects you might need when you’re traveling:

Most obviously, there’s the massive backpack to store all your stuff in:

I opted for a relatively large and heavy model (3,3kg unloaded), because I trusted its toughness and stability. Back support is really important when you’re carrying up to 30kg. There’s no general rule on how to buy a backpack, so you just have to go to a store and try out a few. Make sure they are loaded though (the backpacks, not the store clerks).

A small daypack can come in handy to keep your computer, passport, and other valuables safe when you’re camped out or staying in a hotel:

Generally, I don’t think it’s a good idea to mix up all our stuff in one large backpack or even mess with plastic bags to separate the clean from the unclean.

Instead, I like to get some packing tubes to divide up my clothes (and use them as pillows):

I also get another one or two packing tubes for electrical devices such as card readers, spare memory cards and chargers:

The idea is to not have any individual items floating around in the depths of our backpack – everything can be nicely arranged in different daypacks and packing tubes for easy access. I had a fixed packing order while I was on the road – and I never lost anything.

Oh, another important item is the washing bag:

Make sure to get one from an outdoor supplier. They have hooks so you can hang them in places where you wouldn’t want anything to touch the ground. Dirty places that is. Remember: no hook = no good.

Now all the previous things were for you to store your stuff, but sometimes you might just want to climb into a bag yourself. This means you’re going to need a sleeping bag or two:

I used two: one for summer and hotel use, and the other one for frosty winter camping. If you are lucky enough to have only one climate to choose from, then you might only need to carry one sleeping bag as well.

Note that my summer sleeping bag is oversized and has a centrally arranged zipper, so I can put the winter sleeping bag into it and use both at the same time if need be (a boy’s night out - still fucking cold though).

And finally, the biggest bag of them all – the tent:

I am not good with these things, so for me it was crucial that the design was simple and durable. Weight is important too, as well as the way the tent deals with strong winds – check this blog post to see what happened to another tent I tried out: the best of all melons.

PS: It’s a good idea to get a few extra nails and maybe even some special pegs for difficult surfaces like sand or snow.

Anything I forgot on this post? Just let me know!

Soundtrack: Beastie Boys – “Intergalactic”

Posted on Friday, July 9th, 2010 12:20 ;Filed under Misc!.

Print This Post