If you’re travelling, you’ve probably seen a million blog posts and Tik Tok videos telling you what to pack and not pack in your larger suitcase or backpack. But what about your smaller day pack? What should you pack in a travel day pack? Whether you’re out exploring a city, going on a long hike or just chilling on the beach- packing a day pack correctly is such a game-changer. While you may need all of the below items every day, having them in your day pack just in case can be really handy. Below I’ve outlined a few things I always try to keep on my day pack. I’ve also outlined how you can use them on the road for safety, entertainment and convenience.
Water Bottle
A self-explanatory thing to always carry with you! Personally, I have a Hydroflask, which is amazing for keeping the water cold regardless of how hot it gets outside. Pick out a drink bottle that works for you before you go travelling. Some people opt for one that has an inbuilt filter so they can drink tap water. Everywhere I’ve travelled to, hostels have had filtered water refills. So I’ve never felt like having a drink bottle with a filter in it was necessary.
Snacks
Particularly important if you’re going on a hike in case of an emergency, like getting lost or injuring yourself on the trail. Also, a great idea if you’re a snackie person travelling to a destination where food is more expensive. If you have snacks or a pre-packed lunch, you’re less likely to be tempted to buy an expensive restaurant lunch while you’re out and about.
First Aid Kit
The time you actually need something from a first aid kit will be the one time you didn’t pack it, trust me! This is useful to carry not only for yourself but in case you come across someone who is hurt and needs help. Useful items to include bandaids, gauze, antiseptic, Hydralyte (or other electrolyte tablets), painkillers and a vomit bag. If you suffer any other medical ailments or get seasickness, carrying the appropriate medication is always a good idea.
A book
Whether you’re a reader or not, make sure you carry or book or some other offline form of entertainment! I met a girl who didn’t read but travelled with a Rubix cube to keep herself occupied on commutes. This was super handy when her phone had a low battery, or she didn’t have service. Alternatively, you could carry an adult colouring book, word search book, crosswords, sudoku book or other puzzle books. You can’t always rely on your phone to keep you occupied, so having a non-technology-reliant form of entertainment is a great idea.
AirPods
This might seem a little self-explanatory, but bear with me on this one. While AirPods are great for listening to music, Tik Tok or podcasts while commuting, they’re also great for Google Maps. If you’re driving a scooter or travelling through a city where phone snatchings are common, use your AirPods instead of having your phone out for Google Maps. The directions will be verbally communicated to you, meaning you will not need to have your phone out. Such a great safety hack that I learned way too late in my travels! Looking for more tips for safe travel? Check out my full safety guide here.
Toilet Paper
Toilet Paper is one of the handiest things to carry around with you. Regardless of where in the world you’re travelling, quite often, public toilets will not have toilet paper. As well as being used as intended, toilet paper has many other uses. It can be tissues if you need to blow your nose and a paper towel if you cut yourself or if you spill something. So versatile, and you will use it more than you think.
Sarong
Sarongs are a little lifesaver regardless of where you’re travelling, even if it is not a beachy area. Need to cover up your shoulders or hair to enter a place of worship? Use a sarong. Heading to the beach and don’t have a towel? Sarong will work perfectly. Need to cover a hickey after a cheeky hostel hookup? Use your sarong as a scarf. Need a light blanket on a night bus in Vietnam? You already have one. It’s your sarong. I could go on and on about the uses of a sarong. It will come in handy in literally any circumstance, and they barely take up any space or weigh anything in your day pack.
Powerbank
A life-saving device to always have charged up and in your travel day pack. If you’re out and about taking heaps of photos and listening to music on the bus, chances are your phone is going to run out of battery pretty fast. Investing in a good power bank before you go travelling (one that allows multiple charges) is one of the best things you will buy for travel.
Reusable cutlery
Regardless of what cutlery you use (fork and knife or chopstick), carrying your own reusable cutlery around will not only help the planet, but it’s also just convenient. Makes it so much easier to eat on the go and barely takes up any room in your travel day pack.
Toiletries like deodorant and sunscreen
Carrying sunscreen and deodorant with you is elite, particularly if you’re travelling to warm climates. Deodorant is such a good thing to carry, particularly on long travel days where you may be sweating on buses with no A/C. Being able to freshen up with deodorant so you don’t arrive at your hostel feeling gross and smelly is such a win. You may also want to carry makeup or other beauty products to freshen up on long travel days.
Jacket or Jumper
Even if you’re travelling somewhere hot, sometimes the buses and other transport can be freezing if the AC is on. Carrying a lightweight jacket or jumper that folds up small in your travel day pack is always great to have.
Carabiners
Carabiners are so versatile and affordable that everyone should travel with them! I clip my drink bottle to the loops on my pants or attach it to the outside of my travel day pack. You can use them for so many things while travelling, like creating a makeshift dorm curtain using a sarong or attaching your shoes to the outside of your backpack.
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