Five-Month Europe Backpacking Trip: What I’m Taking

Disclaimer: This is my first time undertaking an international backpacking trip. I’ve done small weekend trips out of a backpack before, but this is my first big trip. So please use this post as inspiration, not necessarily advice. I’m documenting here what I have packed, and my plan is to come back at the end of the trip to let you know whether there are items I regret packing or if there are items I wish I had packed. I’m sure that post will be more informative.

Bags and Packing Supplies

When looking for a backpack, I had some criteria: must open clamshell style, have plenty of pockets, have a water-resistant exterior, have anti-theft zippers, and must meet most airport carry-on size regulations. There are tons of backpacks out there and the decision paralysis was strong, but after researching I ultimately selected the 35L Cotopaxi backpack. The only backpack I used previously was a standard Reebok, not a proper backpacking backpack, so I don’t have much to compare it to, but so far it’s working well. There is quite a bit of space in the packing compartments, which I’ve been able to maximize using three packing cubes, also from Cotopaxi. I was able to get all my clothes into these three cubes and they fit perfectly in the main body of the backpack and there was still plenty of room for more items, including a shower roll/bag (keep scrolling to see more details on the clothes I packed into the cubes and the toiletries I put in the shower roll). As someone who used to stuff things in a bag and then rummaging for clothes at the bottom of a backpack, these packing cubes have helped me level up my organization and packing. Also, Cotopaxi products are made from all recycled and repurposed materials, so bonus points there!

I’m also taking a shoulder bag, just a run-of-the-mill one from Wal-Mart, to use as my personal item for plane rides. The bag is small enough to fit under the seat in front of me but big enough to store all my most important items during plane travel so I’m not separated from them should my bag need to be checked. I’m one of those people that is convinced that when I check a bag I’ll never see it again, especially in the case of indirect flights, so it gives me peace of mind having an essentials bag with everything I need to get by in the event I do lose my main bag. In the shoulder bag, I’m make sure I have my passport, my anti-RFID wallet, my laptop, and my electronics bag, which holds my chargers, cables, power banks, earbuds, and a voltage converter. I’ve also jammed in a crossbody bag, so I have a small bag I carry day-to-day instead of lugging around my shoulder bag as a purse.

The Clothes

This was undoubtedly the most difficult phase of packing and the place I’m sure I made a bunch of mistakes. When packing, I tried to consider the space I had, the different climates and seasons, and the different activities I may do. The trick, I’ve learned from reading a lot of blogs and watching a lot of videos, is to rely on layers. A lot of the clothes I’m taking are thin, which makes them light and I’m able to pack enough shirts and underwear to get me through at least week before I’d have to worry about laundry. Most of my clothes skew towards athleisure though I did also pack a couple of slightly nicer pieces, just so I don’t always stand out as an American tourist and in case I do decide to go anywhere that might require me to wear more than just a shirt and leggings.

For shoes, I’m packing three pairs: trail runners, sandals, and black flats. The trail runners are water resistant and designed to be comfortable for long walks or hikes, making them my default shoe on days when I know I’ll be putting in the steps. The sandals are for the warmer days when I’m out and about and for general hostel use. Some hostels are cleaner than others, and I wanted something easy to slide on when I want to walk around and/or to use in the bathrooms and showers. The simple black flats will probably get the least amount of use, but I wanted an option for a more elegant shoe just in case I needed to go dressier at some point.

Toiletries

Most of my toiletries I’m keeping in my REI shower bag, which I can roll up and fit into my backpack and hang up when I’m in the shower. The roll consists of three sections: a clear plastic bag that can detach from the rest of the roll, a thinner solid section, and a mesh top. The clear plastic section is where I put all my liquids, including contact solution, toothpaste, and liquid makeup. The thinner section is where I threw in items such as tweezers, toothpaste, contact case, and makeup that wasn’t liquid. The mesh top is where I’m storing my shampoo, conditioner, and soap bars. During my research, I had seen a lot of backpackers had made the switch to bars because the bars tend to last long, they are easy to pack in their own little holders and won’t explode or break the way plastic bottles can, and it takes away the added hassle of having to refill shampoo and conditioner bottles.

The Full Packing List