What you want to bring along your trip has a lot to do whit what kind of trip you are going to make. If you are planning to stay in hotels, guesthouses or hostels you need other equipment than when you are going camping for example. What are the weather conditions where you are going? Sometimes it can be very hot during the day time but freezing in the night. Is it a beach holiday or are you planning to do some jungle treks. what to bring you can find on our page Packinglist. Here you can find some tips about which to buy. This is not a survival guide but with these things you will come a long way.

Backpack.
A backpacker needs a good backpack to put his survival gear in. But which one will do?

• A top loader means you put and have to take out everything from the top of the bag. That’s why we recommend a front loader. So you don’t have to take everything out before you find what you need.
• The size depends on what your intentions are. If you go camping you need much more space for your tent, cooking gear and sleeping equipment than if you are planning to stay in guesthouses or hotels. But it’s better to haveit to big than to small. Just don’t overload it and you are not able to put it on your back by yourself. The amount of time your trip is going to take is of course also an issue.
• The fit is hard to check if you buy a backpack because it is empty. When it’s fully packed you need to readjust the straps. So ask someone from the shop if you can fill it up and they will help you with adjusting it to your body.
• The zipper is one of the most important things on a backpack. You use it many times a day and once it’s broken your backpack is useless. Zippers that are strong and long are very expensive so the price will go up if you get a good zipper on your bag. But that does not mean the most expensive bag is the best for you.
• Water proof is a must. If your backpack is not, you can buy a rain cover in the right size. Which is not only good against the rain but also good against dust, scratches and for potential thieves. If they can’t locate the loot it us unlikely they even take the risk.
• now you found a good backpack, its time to fill it up.

stuff to fill your backpack up with

• Good walking shoes:  Preferably water resistant with a good profile for gravel grip. do not buy shoes just before you go on your trip. It takes time to "walk in " the boots and avoid blisters on your jungle trek. soks specialy made for trekking cost a lot, but you will notice the differance.

• Flip flops, thongs, sandals or whatever you call them:  Not just for the beach but also for taking a shower when you want to avoid dirty shower floors.
• Sun hat and sun glasses.
• Sunscreen and after sun: These are most of the times cheaper to buy in the country itself and it saves you weight on the airplane if you buy it local.
• Mosquito repellent:  Make sure there is deet in it. But be aware that some will bleach your clothing if you put it straight on. Coils will only help when there is no wind.
• Mosquito net:  We carry one with us for the last few years but never used it. If you buy one make sure it is treated with mosquito repellent and the maze is fine enough.
• Sleeping bag liner: Silk are the best because they are light and easy to dry, if you buy it in Europe you pay 5x as much as for example in Asia. So buy local. Even if you don’t carry a sleeping bag it might come in handy in not so clean accommodation.
• Don’t bring liquid soap in a bottle but an old fashion bar of soap. It’s lighter and it does not leak in to your toiletries.
• Tired of carrying so many guidebooks around? Buy a digital book. We have the Kindle from Amazon.
• First aid kit. Don’t buy one but make one yourself. Except the standard bandages and tweezers, make sure you pack antihistamine, after bite, anti diary and ibuprofen.
• Torch: a head torch preferably so you always have two hands to work with. Waterproof is even better but costs a lot of money.
• Worldwide adaptor.
• A rope. Good for hanging your laundry. And always useful for tying anything up.
  
  
  

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• Sleeping bag:  Check before you buy one what temperatures you are going to experience. Some countries sound exotic and hot but temperatures may drop dramatically in the night.
• Mattress:  Inflatable’s also have different temperature regulators. Not all the thick ones are good for frozen undergrounds.
• Pillow:  inflatable or one you can fill up with your clothes.
• Tent:  you may expect that all tents are water and wind proof. Check the zippers!! Glue isn’t just enough so make sure the stidges are strong. Also the pegs need to suite the ground you peg it in.
• A  repair kit. Glue, needle and iron thread, tyre repair set (for the inflatable mattress) safety pins and rubber bands is a good thing to start with.
• Cooking gear: not only you will need a pot to cook in but also a fire. There are one pit stoves available but make sure it is an all burner. Don’t fill it up before you fly.
• Survival kit:  matches (Zippo), candle, compass, beta light, flexible saw, fishing wire and hooks, copper wire, mirror and the medical kit and repair kit from above. If you want to make your matches water proof, dip the head in candle wax.
• Bring a pocket knife. Make sure it is still a legal one or it will be confiscated by the airport police. If you really want to go in to the wild you might need much heavier stuff then just a knife. An axe or machete perhaps
• Buy a local animal and plant book. What can you hunt and eat from nature. DONT eat it if you don’t know it.
• If you go tracking/ hiking take a detailed map and a compass.