How in the heck do you pack for spending months traveling in various climates with very little luggage?

Our first tough decision was that we needed to keep our luggage carry-on size.  With so many legs of the trip via airplane, we knew that we would spend a fortune on checked baggage if we couldn’t carry it with us.  To decide on the size of our bags, we reviewed the carry-on specifications for the airlines we would be using.  The smallest requirement left us with just a few options for bags.  We ultimately decided to go with the REI Vagabond because it is a backpack that zips the long way like a suitcase (as opposed to a top-loading backpack) so it is easily accessible while still keeping the convenience of a backpack.

Then came figuring out what to put in the bags.  The overwhelming majority of travel bloggers have said that people ALWAYS over pack.  We tried very hard NOT to do that.  So, here’s the packing list:

3 – pants (1 zip off shorts, 1 light weight/quick dry, 1 jeans)

2 – Columbia long sleeve shirts that roll up to short sleeves

2 – t-shirts

2 – long sleeve t-shirts

1 – swimsuit

1 – set of quick dry PJs

4 – pairs of underwear (quick dry)

4 – pairs of socks (quick dry)

1 – set of thermals

1 – heavy down coat that can by smooshed down

1 – scarf that matches all shirts

1 – pair of boots

1 – pair of flip flops

1 – sleeping map, inflatable pillow, and sleeping bag (light weight since we will only be camping when it is warm)

1/2 – light weight travel tent (Adam has the other half)

1 – poncho

1 – travel towel (quick dry)

1 – water bottle with built in filter

1 – headlamp

1 – first aid kit:  band aids, alcohol pads, aspirin, neosporin, pepto, immodium, anti-itch, purell, sunscreen, bug spray, gloves, kleenex, baby wipes, chapstick, q-tips, nail clippers, tweezers

1 – toiletry kit

1 – Microsoft Surface with Keyboard

1 – power/plug adapter

1 – digital camera

2 – compression bags

1 – REI Vagabond pack to fit it all!