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Gear guide
First, a confession. I'm a gearhead. I once mentioned to a friend of mine that I'd like to try living like the Pennsylvania Amish – low tech, back to nature, few modern conveniences (e.g. no electricity) – and she looked at me like I was crazy. "What about your computer?" she asked. "Your digital camera?" I was stumped.
So, you might take my advice with a grain of salt. Or silicone, whichever works best.
I like toys. But only ones that serve a purpose. I don't pack a hairdryer, but agonized on a trip to Belize about taking a tripod for my video camera. I ended up leaving the tripod at home, and regretted it constantly.
Here are some ideas for what to bring on your next great adventure. Pick and choose to put together your custom kit. Let me know if I've missed something important.
Clothing
Depending on your destination, you'll either end up shopping in an adventure travel store or "Harry's Formalwear Outlet." I haven't taken a tux on any of my trips, but that's not to say it will never happen. My experience is primarily with the former type of retail establishment.
I'm fortunate to live close to a great travel (and outdoor pursuits) store: Mountain Equipment Co-op. It's got an incredible range of useful items, and I've spent long hours searching the aisles for travel gear. But I digress.
Keep in mind that it's easier to keep your luggage light if you rely on layers of clothing for necessary warmth. A t-shirt, shirt, sweater, and outer wind/waterproof jacket should keep you warm in most conditions. Packing gloves/mittens, toque, down jacket and other cold weather gear makes sense if you're know you're going to be in a consistently cold climate (ever see the James Bond flick featuring the "ice hotel?"), but it takes up a lot of space. Check out weather forecasts for your destination.
Clothing essentials:
- Comfortable, sturdy, multi-purpose footwear. You can't beat a pair of good leather walking shoes for comfort and versatility. You might pack sandals if you're spending time on a beach, or light hiking boots if you're doing some serious trekking. Buy good-quality socks, and carry moleskin in your first-aid kit in case you get the beginning of a blister.
- Light-coloured pants/skirts that you can wash and wear with little fuss. Darker clothing shows dirt easily, but white clothing shows stains.
- Light-coloured shorts if they're appropriate for the climate you're visiting. Be aware that, in some places, the locals won't take older guys (like myself) seriously if you're wearing shorts. As a Cuban friend stated: "shorts are for little boys". Also, shorts may cause problems for women visiting more modest locales or religious sites.
- A week's supply of underwear. Many people end up bringing too many pairs. It's pretty easy to wash your underthings in a hotel sink and hang them to dry.
- Shirts that are appropriate for the climate you're visiting. Again, I'd suggest light (but not white) wash and wear attire. Patterned tops tend to help hide stains.
- A sweater or fleece that's sturdy enough to be washed on the road, but sufficiently stylish that you can use it to dress up.
Fix-it type stuff
- sewing kit. Not the kind that are given away in hotels, but a substantial kit that includes small spools of thread, a good variety of needles, a thimble, and a small pair of scissors. You can also find expedition-grade sewing kits at some places; this will includes heavy-duty thread and needles, and will help with repairs to your pack.
- a multi-tool. I've found a small tool that combines a knife, flathead screwdriver, tweezers, nail file, scissors and bottle opener in one small package.
- duct tape (seriously). You can buy smaller rolls at some shops. It's sticky, relatively strong and incredibly useful.
Medical/first-aid supplies
Surprisingly, you can get a pretty good first-aid kit in a relatively small package. Whether you put it together yourself, or buy one pre-packaged, here are the essentials:
- several triangular bandages, that can be used to improvise a sling or provide pressure on a dressing
- medium-size (4" X 4") non-stick gauze dressings
- gauze bandage
- a trauma pad, used for larger wounds
- small scissors
- waterproof adhesive tape
- tweezers
- antiseptic towelettes
- examination gloves
- moleskin
- small adhesive bandages
- some kind of barrier device for performing artificial respirations
This sounds like a lot, but you should be able to get away with a relatively small kit – mine fits all of the above and is about the size of a thick paperback novel.
You (and those you are traveling with) will be much better off if you have some basic knowledge of what to do in an emergency. Many prepackaged kits come with a simple first aid guide. Read it before you leave. It's a heck of a lot easier to understand when you're parked on your sofa at home, instead of sitting next to a friend who's screaming in pain and insisting that you should be smearing butter on his second-degree burn.
Make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date. Consider taking some basic medications, including:
- aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuproen to relieve pain
- antibiotic ointment
- if you're travelling somewhere that has a questionable water supply, pills for traveler's diarrhea (these are prescription drugs, but you can get them prescribed at most travel clinics or through your family doctor).
- medication for diarrhea or other stomach upsets.
To avoid problems at customs, store medications in their original labeled containers.
If you'll be spending much time outdoors, consider bringing:
- sunscreen
- bug protection (spray, insect-proof clothes, mosquito netting)
- water filter or purification tablets
- a hat
- sunglasses that can stand some abuse. And that you won't be worried about if they're lost or stolen.
Packs/luggage
Packs and luggage come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colours. Find something that's durable, but reasonably light. Try it before you buy. If a pack causes back pain before you've left the store, it could be poorly adjusted – or simply a lemon.
You also might want to consider the following features:
- wheels. It makes it a lot easier to wheel your pack through an airport, but the hardware adds extra weight. And the wheels won't help much if you're lodgings are only accessible by dirt road.
- detachable daypack. A daypack is essential – how else can you carry the cheese and sausage back to your hotel for a late afternoon snack? Don't skimp on quality and comfort; there's nothing worse than sitting in the hostel stitching a pulled seam when everyone else is spending their afternoon touring the local sights.
- a cable lock. I've never used one, but it seems to make sense. They're retractable, and can be used to anchor your bag(s) to a fixed object.
- small pouches that help you organize the inside of your pack/luggage. You can use one for medical supplies, another for toiletries, … You get the point.
Camera supplies
Whether you're bringing a film or digital camera, bring enough film/media for the trip. It will be easier to find a good bargain at home. Bring lens-cleaning tissues and spare batteries for your equipment.
For a relatively small investment, get a good padded case with a comfortable strap.
Other stuff to consider
- a hat – to protect you from: a) sun; b)rain; c) cold; d) displaying hair that hasn't been shampooed for a week.
- laundry detergent, clothes line and a sink stopper
- good ear plugs. On my backcountry skiing adventure I was stuck in a room with someone who talked in their sleep. I had brought foam rubber plugs, but after three nights they started to irritate the inside of my ear canal. I now take soft silicone ear plugs. They're worth the investment.
- a neck pouch or money belt to store your passport, traveler's cheques and other valuables.
- a good travel alarm clock (or watch with an alarm). You've booked a 6:00 am tour of the rainforest, it's now 6:30, and your guide is outside honking the horn. Save yourself the hassle.
- if you wear glasses or contact lenses, bring spare supplies.
- a small, but sturdy flashlight. You never know when you might need to navigate a dimly-lit hotel corridor, or search the floor for a missing contact lens. I was recently given a "wind-upable" flashlight for Christmas; you wind a crank to re-charge the battery. It works great.
- travel wallet. Keep your friends close, and your money, traveller's cheques and passport even closer. You can get wallets that hang around your neck, or belts that tuck under your shirt. I tend to sweat in hot climates, so I fashioned a plastic pouch out of a sturdy plastic bag to protect my important documents. Just a thought …
- tour book(s). One way to lighten the load is to rip out and take those chapters that you'll actually use.
- optical-quality sunglasses that protect against UV. Unless you're spelunking, chances are you'll need to protect your eyes from the sun. And keep in mind that you really don't have to spend a bundle to get great sunglasses – unless you're looking to impress with your specs.
- a pocket knife can be used to butter a croissant, cut off a price tag or remove a splinter. I recently discovered a "multi-tool" that combines a knife, scissors, tweezers, screwdrivers and more into one small package. (It's my second, actually; the first was donated to the airport staff in Toronto when I forgot to stow it in my luggage before trying to board the plane.)
- extra batteries
NRNBDFS*
- a small headlamp. It's so much easier to find the washroom in the middle of the night with one of these strategically strapped to your noggin. And fun, too.
- MP3 player. Upside: access to all your favourite tunes, when you're stuck at the airport and waiting for your (already late) plane to arrive. Downside: you'll be less likely to strike up a conversation with those around you, make new friends, etc.
*Not Really Necessary But Definitely Fun Stuff
Other tips
- consider leaving jewelry at home if you think that it might make you a target for theft.
- bring several sturdy plastic bags; they can be used to wrap items that might leak (e.g. shampoo) or store dirty laundry until you get back to civilization – and a laundromat.
What did I miss? Let me know. |
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