Here is the comprehensive packing list that we use for long-term international travel. Whether we’re off to the Himalayas, to the Dead Sea, or to Patagonia, this packing list has worked well for us and we believe it’s capable of giving you a great starting point for your next international trip. Got any questions? Reach out to us on YouTube, Instagram or by email below. Safe travels!
Need a starting point?
Here is our detailed breakdown of what we packed for long term travel.
Backpacks
We initially set out for full-time travel with only carry-on backpacks (38L), but YouTube requires a lot of gear, so we upgraded to the Osprey backpacks listed here.
We each also carry a day bag that doubles as our carry-on for flights.
Travel Electronics
All the electronic items we use for day-to-day travel.
YouTube Electronics
This is what we use to capture our travel memories and edit it into a beautiful video to share! If we weren’t filming for YouTube we would still bring our Sony camera and Insta 360 on our travels! We love capturing our experiences on these two devices (the drone is also amazing, but without YouTube we probably wouldn’t bring it with us for full-time travel).
Footwear
Our footwear has changed a little bit since beginning full-time travel. We both have Adidas Ultraboost 20s that we love, and we used Chaco Lowdown sandals for the first 2 years of our travels. We have since replaced these with Birkenstocks for Nicole (these were a hand me down but are amazing), and Merrels for Mico (his Chaco’s got eaten by a dog).
We have carried our hiking boots with us at various times throughout our travels. We have had family bring them to us from Canada and take them back to Canada when they visited us abroad, and we have also shipped them home when we knew we wouldn’t need them for many months. They are big and heavy, so we take more care to plan out how to avoid carrying them when they aren’t necessary.
In addition to these items, we also each have a pair of flip flops that we use as shower/indoor shoes.
Toiletries/Health
These are toiletries that we both use and/or share. In addition to what you see here, we also pack a nail file, nail clippers, toothbrush, tooth paste, lip balm, cream, tweezers, and deoderant.
Nicole's Extra Hygiene/Personal Items
There are a handful of additional personal care items that Nicole uses and loves. Whenever possible, she tries to get these specific brands when we are abroad, but when these brands aren’t available she picks up whatever is available on the road.
In addition to these items, she also carries bobby pins, hair elastics, blush, highlighter, and an eyebrow pencil.
Cooking/Kitchen
Being on the road full-time means we do a lot of our own cooking! If you are packing for a holiday, you shouldn’t need anything from this section, but if you’re packing for a longer adventure we suggest getting a few key items to be able to cook your own simple meals.
We mostly stay in Air BnBs with kitchens so we can make our own food, but we have found they are often under-stocked in terms of coking equipment. Having a small bowl/cup, spork, knife, reusable bag, coffee filter, and a few spices has enabled us to do our own cooking anywhere in the world (omit the knife if you are traveling with carry-on only).
Organization
Organization is everything when you live out of a backpack or suitcase! These are the items that we could not live without to keep us organized on the road. We landed on these organizers after a lot of trial and error, and highly recommend each of them!
Miscellaneous
From workout bands to the Heroclip, this category is a catch-all for items that fit into a well-defined category. In addition to what is shown here, don’t forget to pack sunglasses, your passport, bug spray and sunscreen, hand sanitizer, kleenex, first aid kit, and glasses or contacts and contact solution if you require them.
Mico's Clothes
In addition to these items, Mico has a swimsuit, shirt and shorts to wear to bed, a pair of jeans, and a button-up long-sleeve that can be worn on it’s own or overtop of a shirt and left unbuttoned.
Nicole's Clothes
In addition to these items, Nicole has 6 or 7 t-shirts that have been purchased in various countries, one dress, a set of pyjamas.
Outerwear
We each have a the Torrentshell rain jacket and Micro Puff Hoody from Patagonia as well as a merino wool buff.
Extra Gear for Patagonia (Camping and Hiking)
This is gear we only had with us to hike the O Circuit in Patagonia.
