WHAT TO PACK FOR LONG TERM TRAVEL (carry-on only) | Regrets + Free Packing List

In this video we show you what to pack for long-term travel and include a packing list for travel in 2024! There are lots of packing videos out there, so why should you watch this one? Well, we left for full-time travel in March 2021 with only carry-on bags, and we have learned so much about packing in our first year of full-time travel. We have jam packed this video with as many useful tips and words of wisdom to help you prepare for your trip, whether it be a two week city-hopping-holiday or a one-way-trip-with-no-end-date kind of adventure!

We broke this video into three sections to make it easy for you to watch/listen to the part(s) that are most relevant to you. Part 1 covers what we pack, part 2 talks about our biggest packing lessons learned, and part 3 is how we pack for long term travel!

In the video you will learn that as we begin our second year of full-time travel we have purchased bigger backpacks that are no longer carry-on size! We explain why we are making this change in the video and hope it helps you decide if carry-on or check-in luggage is the right decision for you.

If you are packing for a backpacking trip around South America, or leaving to start your journey as a digital nomad, we think you will find lots of good information here! For example, we have developed some strong feelings about merino wool since leaving to travel full-time and we hope our real-life experience helps you make better decisions about clothing than we did when we started 😉

==PRODUCT LINKS==
Some links are affiliate links, if you choose to use them then thank you for supporting us!:

~PACKS~

~CLOTHES~

~OUTER WEAR~

~HEALTH/HYGIENE/PERSONAL~

~ELECTRONICS~

~COOKING/KITCHEN~

~ORGANIZATION~

~MISCELLANEOUS~

Feel free to ask questions in the comments below! We have so many more bits of info to share that we couldn't fit into a 40 minute video, but we love chatting more in the comments section!

Thanks for watching our packing for travel video! | Filmed February, 2022

== Connect with us! ==
♥ Instagram: @nicoleandmico_

== Chapters ==
0:00 Why you should learn from us?
1:31 Starter packing tips
2:19 PART 1: Nicole's Clothes
6:29 PART 1: Mico's Clothes
8:40 PART 1: Outerwear
11:34 PATT 1: Health, Hygiene, Personal
16:39 PART 1: Electronics
20:07 PART 1: Kitchen
23:42 PART 1: Miscellaneous
27:47 PART 2: Packing Lessons
33:44 PART 3: How we Pack
38:24 Bloopers

#packing #longtermtravel #packingtips

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Hey there! We are Nicole and Mico, full-time travel vloggers searching for adventures all around the globe. In March 2021 we quit our jobs, sold our belongings, and hopped on our first ever one-way flight leaving our home country #Canada. We believe #travel builds understanding that reaches across culture, language, and boundaries, and we want to share our experiences as we create connections all over the world. If you like learning about unique places, new cultures and different foods, then come follow our adventure as we explore all our beautiful planet has to offer.

[AdventureAwaitsOutdoors]

I was not disappointed by everyone standing up for Merino. Absolute best material, works wet or dry, pulls moisture from you, and anti microbial. Nothing can beat Merino and I love to see the comment section agreeing. I came just to see what kind of response this video got lol

[rhondaviau-caron]

I spent a month in Cambodia and Vietnam with heat over 35 degrees every day. Every day we spent almost 6 hours touring. I was the only person with 90% Merino wool TShirt, socks and shorts. I was the only one who didn’t show sweat or feel wet. I wore my same pair of socks for over a week, and they still didn’t smell but I decided to wash them anyway. I swear 100% by by Merino wool clothes.

[omegaman]

So DISAGREE about merino wool! I have been hunting and hiking in the Rockies for 20 years. An old Army Ranger turned me on to it and it is one of the best things I have done to improve living out of a backpack. Merino wool is the one thing I would never leave out. I use it as a base layer and it keeps my body temperature perfect. It helps so much with maintaining the moisture. First two years I didn't have and was miserable! It is not a material for everything. I have outer clothing for wear and tear as brush, rocks and trees shread most materials. Also, buy quality clothing! Most of my merino wool is 15-20 years old and still my favorite! I have tried some of the latest material combinations (great marketing not so much on functionality) and always go back to merino wool. Good video! Just starting my world traveling now.

[short_macchiato]

Merino 100% for me. Take it everywhere from base layers to thicker layers (260gm). Perfect thermal regulation wet or dry.

[BigO]

Merino wool transfers moisture away from the body, keeps you warm and is antibacterial so you can wear it for longer without getting smelly. There is one downside: pricey, but worth it.

[cs]

I’m a merino wool fan. So warm and comfortable. Also silk long underwear and an alpaca mid-layer sweater. On our next trip I’m taking a few laundry detergent sheets - much lighter weight and less messy than a bag of powder.

[geobus]

I was using washable merino shirts but with my hard water and detergent they became brittle, developing holes and runs. I started handwashing with wool wash and a tiny bit of vinegar. Then always air dry. Also, I add lanolin to the water every couple of washes so they stay soft. I know, it sounds like a lot but its been worth it fir me since wool needs washing so much less frequently than other fabrics AND the expensive clothes last years longer!

[mRakmYaer]

I use Merino almost exclusively, with none of described problems, and I use it for far more difficult travel. It lasts forever, it keeps you dry and warm and STILL breaths, and it is by far the best product for the environment. I don't know what happened here, but it doesn't comport with my personal experience.

[treeboi]

I know you have hiking boots, but the alternative is trail runner shoes, which are essentially running shoes with big treads. Most are purposefully not waterproof, but instead designed to easily shed water & by extension, very breathable. If you talk with regular hikers, half wear trail runners from spring to fall. Plus trail runners can be easily packed in carry-on luggage, just like regular sneakers.

[HarryOrenstein]

Merino is a must if you travel light. For me a base layer for extreme cold is tech synthetic by Colombia which is very light weight. Socks for extreme cold weather are rated to TOG-3 as well as merino wool socks. I pack 3-sets and wear 1-set. With this I can travel infinite days. My cold- puffer- outerwear brand is MARMUT and wet weather is SEDON

[Komainu]

Interesting video. I don't travel constantly but we have narrowed down what we take so that we fit whatever we need into one suitcase (we rather not carry most of our stuff cause we old lol). This allows us to take whatever we want and only have to pay for and move around 1 bag...plus since it's a regular suitcase it has wheels so it's easier to move around vs our backpacks. All our essentials stay in our packs though. We don't carry nearly as much clothes anymore and generally hand wash everything and we have gone to synthetic for almost everything. It's just lighter and more importantly dries quickly.

I'm glad you covered that having a hook on your toiletry bag is a must! That sea to summit packable "sink" also looks awesome, I'm gonna have to go research that. Those compression cubes also look interesting since I use compression sacks currently.

I will say to be sure when traveling internationally what the laws are. Over the counter medication in your nation maybe illegal where you're traveling to so it's essential to double check not just your prescription meds. A good example is that Nyquil from the US is illegal in Japan and could potentially get you in hot water.

21:25 Another example for Japan is that carrying around a knife with a blade longer than 6cm is ILLEGAL and can land you in JAIL. It's best to simply leave your knives / multi tool at home when visiting Japan unless you have really researched the current laws. The only real exemption to the above for tourist is if you buy a knife in Japan, the shop will seal your knife in a package and you'll be ok....however that only is good so long as you NEVER break that seal.

[Vladimiradventurephotography]

About Merino wool. It is a natural fiber not a brand. Smartwool, Icebreaker and such are brands making Merino wool products. Brand quality varies a lot. I totally agree that stuff is expensive, but it is important to understand what are you using it for. I wouldn't use expensive Merino wool garments for the general travel as cheaper alternative are available and synthetics are often more durable. But when I do mountain hiking, winter camping, ski trips in bellow freezing temperatures, Smartwool and Icebreaker layers I have(no affiliation whatsoever) protected me from possible frostbite and kept me warm and safe. As base and middle layers it works better than anything I tried. And in respect to durability I have socks, tops and bottoms I've used for years and still looks fine and works. Different toys for different games.

[Scheinselbständiger]

A (merino) Buff can be used as sleeping mask too. One item less to pack. As other commenters already wrote: Merino isn't meant to be washed often, and never with usual washing detergent. Most of the time hand warm water only is enough. Even in hot climates a merino base layer can be worn for days in a row without stinking. Just air out overnight.

[jenniferruff]

Thanks for the links! I started carrying a laundry bar and will be purchasing the bag, bucket and clothes line! Safe travels and thanks for the awesome information!

[bangalorebobbel]

Great summary, thanks for sharing!
Concerning luggage loss on check-in travels - I lost my checked in bag on literally hundreds of flights only one single time, and it arrived one day later brought by a taxi driver (hired by the airline) just at my door step. One of my neighbors and also one of my relatives had same experience, each time one suitcase got lost on the way and arrived one day later with the next flight and delivered by any courier to their place resp. hotel. I know a lot of travellers and also plenty of business travellers and I know only one single case where the checked in luggage was really lost somehow and didn't arrive at all. So I guess the risk of loosing a checked in piece at all is extremely low but it makes sense to carry at least everything you need for one day with you if you check in any piece of luggage.
That said, we travel mostly (even though not always) with check in luggage. The fees are usually included in the ticket rate, and the extra time for checking in something or waiting at the luggage belt for our luggage is always ridiculous compared to the whole travel time. Usually we travel with some reasonable time gap between flights or between flight and railway or so, means we do not loose any costly minutes of our life but it is just a question of where we pass the time, whether in front of the luggage belt or somewhere else waiting for our train or so. Yes one can easily travel minimalistic and with one piece of cabin baggage but I love to travel with my swiss army knife and some other stuff (mostly items I use for cooking and hiking) which is not allowed to bring into the cabin, and quite often I bring also some special food items with me (any things I love and I know in advance not to get them easily at my destination) so I check all that in and feel happy whiles enjoying the luxury of an extra piece of luggage.
About merino wool, yes there are pieces which are sold to us but not really useful for travels since they are simply not sturdy enough, especially when you carry often a rucksack or tend to move during hikes through bushes or so. Merino is great but one should not forget that merino pieces are luxury items and you get any standard items like socks, T-Shirts or sweaters made from cotton or whatever artificial fibres really everywhere on that planet. Why spending so much money for a single merino T-Shirt (except since you love luxury) when you can get for the same price 5 T-Shirts in Europe and in India, Thailand or Vietnam you get for that money maybe even 30-40 T-Shirts ... That said, of course I would never travel without my original pashmina shawl ... not merino but even much better fabric and one of my personal luxury items 🤣

[annelyartandillustration]

I work as an outdoor educator and wear merino everyday. I had issues with merino too. But I started washing it with merino wool wash by nikwax and I have hardly any issues since. It helps with keeping the wool flexible as regular detergent strips the lanolin and that makes the wool brittle. There might be other brands of wool wash that work too. Also wool with a blend seems to last longer too.

[KatCap]

I’m going to travel for 1 month all around Peru & was stressing so0o much if I had to spend so0o much more for merino wool set & so0o glad you shared your experiences! Your POV gives me a relief that merino wool isn’t a NEED & I can survive without it. Thank you for this informative video & showing the breakdowns of the material.

[jennykimball]

I just started slomadding, so this was super useful. A couple of questions that you could address if you'd like in a follow-up video: 1) with soap bars, how do you juggle them in a hostel bathroom? I guess I'd like a little video segment on how you get from your bunk to the shower and back. 2) I carry a crossbody bag when I'm out, but I'm intrigued by slings and backpacks. How do you feel confidently theft-proof when your valuables are on your back?, 3) You mentioned not carrying your passport wallet when you're out and about. Where do you store it during the day? 4) I love all of the clothing options you have. When you get to where you're staying, how do you deal with accessing your clothes? Do you get individual items out of cubes and them put them back in the pack? Again, a little video about how you access stuff in your pack on the road would be helpful. Thanks!

[steelfoe]

This was helpful. I live on the road full time and when I’m not trucking I’m traveling on vacation 4 or 5 times a year. Love my farpoint 40 for work and travel.

[missmayflower]

Icebreaker has Coolwool which is merino mixed with Tencell, and I’ve found it very comfortable and durable.