What To Pack For Your Gap Year.

This ultimate guide on what to pack for your gap year will help guide you on everything you should, and shouldn’t be putting in your pack.

Choosing what to pack when you go away is essential. One of the biggest mistakes many people make is to bring far too much stuff, as well as half their wardrobe and a ton of extra kit they don’t need just in case. I have been guilty of this myself more than once. Remember that you will be carrying this bag on your back for a long time and it will essentially be your home away from home for the next 2, 6 or 12 months, do you really need to bring so much stuff?

It is important to remember that you can technically travel with a couple of changes of clothes and a toothbrush and nothing else. A lot of things you may need can either be bought or replenished as needed on the road, laundries are plentiful all over the world so you can easily do a wash once a week to keep your clothing weight down, or even buy a few extra t shirts or tops as you go along. I think it is a right of passage for any first timer backpacker to haggle in a market for a singlet with a beer logo on it! Chemists or Pharmacists are found in every city and major town for any lotions or potions you may find you need so you really don’t have to lug half of your local boots stock room about with you either, and you really don’t need that travel iron and kettle! Put them down!

Believe me once you get out there you will be surprised how little you actually need, and remember, you may always want to bring a few things back too so it’s best to leave some room in your pack when you set off!

Example Packing List.

This is only an example packing list and of course can be varied or modified depending on where you are going, what you are doing or personal need. Packing is a very individual and personal thing, and there is no definitive rule or law on the subject so please take this as a suggestion only.

Specialist equipment such as prescription diving masks, climbing gear, tents or other camping equipment are optional depending if you want to engage in those activities with your own kit, but on the whole are not really necessary. You have to balance out functional need over the practicality of lugging it about with you for 6 months or more, but remember most items like this can be bought or hired abroad as and when you need it. Travelling lightly, but still having everything you need is the key.

This example packing list is sufficient for any trip from a month to a year, and all of these things on this list can fit easily into a small to average sized backpack (around 50 litres) with room to spare, and with essential items and electronics carried in a smaller daypack (which can be used for everyday use when abroad).

Essential Items And Logistical Kit.

(These can be carried on your person in a small daypack or carry on luggage)

Passport.
Visas.
Tickets, insurance and any other travel documents. (It is a good idea to have photocopies stored separately in your main pack too, copies emailed to yourself or saved to a cloud drive so you can access and print them off at any time).
Any youth/student cards, PADI diving certificate cards, TEFL qualifications you may have or need.
Cash in the local currency (a week’s worth is often good to start off with), a small amount in GBP or USD for back up (to exchange as needed or pay for visas on arrival, many countries only accept USD at the border) plus any credit cards, debit cards or pre paid cards you choose to travel with.
Book, guidebook or eBook.
Journal, diary or notepad plus pen.

Electrical Items.

Camera, plus charger and maybe a spare battery.
Phone, plus charger. (A modern smartphone can double as an alarm clock, camera, e reader, and many other devices too, which can save space and weight).
Electrical plug adapter.
eReader
A laptop or a tablet aren’t in any way a necessity but it is up to you if you decide you want to take one.

Security.

Pacsafe (heavy, but essential steel net for your backpack).
Pacsafe cable lock.
Padlock, preferably a combination lock or TSA approved lock.

Personal Health And Hygiene.

Small first aid kit.
Water Filter Bottle.
Any personal prescriptions/medications you may need, including basic travel medication and anti malarial tablets.
Glasses plus case, or contact lenses plus solution if needed.
Small personal toiletry bag. (No need to carry more than the basics, these can easily and cheaply be replenished abroad).
Small pack of alcohol wipes plus some small tissue packs. (Can always be bought cheaply abroad).
Mosquito repellent. (I prefer 50% DEET, but natural non chemical alternatives are available if you prefer that).
Sunscreen plus after sun moisturiser.

Clothes.

Remember not to pack too much here. You only need enough clothes for a week or maybe two maximum dependent on the actual length of your trip, but no more than that. There will be plenty of launderettes along the way and you will probably end up buying a T Shirt or top as needed in various markets along the way if you want them too, so remember to save room.

What clothes you take will obviously be location dependent too. Colder climates will obviously require more layers and possibly a jacket than tropical ones and you may need to take specific sportswear if you know you will be engaging in a specific sport, but in very general terms the basics will suffice.

When choosing your clothing it is a good idea to have basic colours that all go well together so you can mix and match, and try to avoid any potentially offensive slogans on T Shirts and be sensitive to the cultural sensitivities of the destinations you are visiting.

Underwear.
Several basic T shirts/tops including at least one long sleeved T shirt.
A hoody or similar for layering warmth.
A shirt/blouse that can be smart or casual as required.
A couple of pairs of shorts (for men), cargo shorts are often the best, or dresses or shorts (for women) dependent on your preference.
Swim shorts/swim suit.
A pair of long trousers. A versatile zip off pair can double up as hiking trousers or shorts, and can be casual, or dressed up with a shirt for occasions that demand it.
An easily packable light rainproof jacket.
Trainers that can look smart with long trousers and also act as good hiking footwear, plus a pair of flip flops.
Sarong (for women) or a shemagh or similar (for men). These are seriously versatile items that can be used to cover up when necessary.

Miscellaneous Items.

Waterproof/dustproof airtight bags to protect electronic equipment.
Waterproof liners for your packs.
Torch.
Sleeping bag or sleep sheet. (May or may not be needed depending on the nature of your trip).
Travel towel.

Remember, your own packing list will be personal to you and this is just a basic, rough idea to get you thinking. All of this can easily fit into a mid sized pack with room to spare and leaving a bit of room in your pack is always important for those inevitable souvenirs you will pick up along the way.