What to pack when Backpacking through SE Asia

As your backpacking quest through SE Asia comes closer, we’re often left questioning ourselves whether we have everything we need. More often than not we wind up taking twice as much as we actually use. After spending many months backpacking through Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, and Bali there are a few things I would highly recommend taking with you.

1. Quality Backpack + Day Bag

I may be stating the obvious with this one, but If you do not have a quality backpack you’re missing out.

I tried a suitcase that doubled as a backpack while travelling through Panama and it was terrible. Great if there was a pavement but the moment I went Island hopping it was the most impractical pack I’ve had. If you’re doing Asia, get a pack. NOT A SUITCASE. That piece of advice I’m sure you will thank me for.

Find a backpack with an attachable daypack. If you can squeeze your life into those two bags you will be well equipped to get up and go when adventure calls… Or a Typhoon forces you out of town (Happened to me in Vietnam NOV 2013)

2. Unlocked Phone

I’ve never had a locked phone, and never will. If you’re planning to spend 3 weeks or more in any one country then you’ll be wishing you had an unlocked phone. Every country I have been to it’s been somewhat simple to grab a sim card right out of the airport and load it up with a months data for very good rates.

Panama wins so far, $15 USD got me Unlimited 3g for a month on their Claro network. It was much better than most wifi connections I could find so I would “tether” or make a “hot spot” on my phone and connect my computer to it. Worked brilliantly – Though I did blow up my battery from keeping it charging while tethering for weeks on end.

Note: Let your battery run low and re-charge as normal. This will dramatically increase the lifespan of your battery especially if you’re tethering.

3. Quality Shoes

When it comes to shoes there are two of pairs I will always go back to:

Quality running shoes. Right now I have a pair of Black Nike’s. They make running shoes stylish enough you can happily wear them in an airport without looking like your heading to the gym.

Canvas shoes. A go-to for many, “Vans” are great. Comfortable, light, pack easily, and can wash them in the shower without a problem!

Many backpackers own quality hiking boots for tracking and camping… If you’re heading off the grid or going camping in the jungle you may need boots. But I have never needed them.

I hiked around 6 hours through the mountains and villages in Sapa, Northern Vietnam in my runners and they were fine. I have done the Tongariro Crossing in New Zealand, with runners and survived with only a few minor falls – Watch VIDEO

4. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones

I love these things when I’m on the road.

I wearing them on planes, trains, boats, cars, buses everything… Although they are fairly expensive they are worth every penny! I took an overnight train through Europe and with the flick of a switch (and rainforest sounds streaming through Spotify on my unlocked phone full of data) I was suddenly lost in the Amazon and drifted off to the sound of rain.

Bose Headphones – Try them!

5. Hacky Sack

You know that knitted ball with beans inside you got for Christmas when you were 6 years old? There’s no better way to break the ice, meet new people, and have a bunch of fun than a game of Hacky!

I remember being on a train, underwater (heading from England to France) and started playing Hacky in the cabin… It barely took 5minutes to have a large circle of strangers joining in for their chance to get in on a Rally.

A Rally is where the Hacky Sack goes right around the circle touching each person at least once without touching the ground!

It’s a great way to get conversations going and break the ice when it comes to meeting new people on the road… Perfect for solo travellers! Next time I’m in Asia, I’ll definitely have these items with me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWJTHVAgdBQ&feature=youtu.be

But that’s not everything. If you want to see everything inside my backpack I reveal it all in this video… Be sure to SUBSCRIBE