Essential Travel Items I Wouldn't Backpack Without
- Bella Robben
- Jul 2, 2024
- 4 min read
When solo backpacking around the world with only a 42L bag on your back, you have to be pretty picky and choosey about what you bring. The items featured below are no BS products that have been with me since I was 19 and throughout 25 countries.
Cotopaxi 42L Allpa Travel Pack
My pride and joy. The reason I wake up every morning and the thing that has gotten myself and my belongings from the streets of Paris to the Lost City in the Colombian Jungle... the Cotopaxi 42L Allpa Travel Pack.
I did absolutely zero research about what bag to bring with me backpacking but I saw the colors on this one and knew it was love at first sight... only problem?
SOLD OUT. SOLD OUT. SOLD OUT.
Every single website and store that I looked this bag was nowhere to be found. But then, by the grace of the travel gods, and just weeks before I was to embark on my first solo backpacking journey I insisted on entering a small outdoor shop in the middle of nowhere in Colorado and all the sudden I heard angels sing and a beam of light illuminating the last Cotopaxi 42L Travel Pack on planet Earth. They lived happily ever after and the rest is history.
Capital One Venture One Travel Credit Card
Did you know that every time someone uses a debit card while abroad it takes one year off my life. Pretty please get a card that does not have international transaction fees. Technically, I think that there are debit cards that this applies but then you are losing out on precious miles and rewards. As always, practice good financial habits when opening a credit card and be smart with your money. I chose this card because it has no foreign transaction fee, no annual fee and 1.5x miles on everything.
Uniqlo Shoulder Bag
When I first started traveling I was carrying around the LuluLemon Belt Bag but within a couple weeks of being on the road realized two things
1) the bitch can hardly hold a thing
2) people know that I am American. Obviously not everyone who carries this bag around is American and being identified as American isn't a bad thing but... idk I would be lying if I didn't say that I partly got the Uniqlo Shoulder Bag because I wanted to fit in with the Aussies, Brits and Euros SUE ME!
Either way it hold so much more stuff and imo is cuter than the belt bag imo.
Teva Flatform Mevia
Funny story so I actually wanted these shoes so bad but I couldn't find them anywhere until 4 days before my trip so babe paid $50 expedited shipping to get these to my house before I left for my trip... I kid you not they literally showed up just HOURS before I left.
I wear these to hike, go clubbing and walking around the city. I love a platform, the strappy and found them incredibly comfortable and super easy to match with all of my clothes. I have taken them with me on every summer trip since.
The first time I took them my toes did need to get used to them but after that they were amazing.
Also one time I was on a hike in rural France and they broke because I slipped on top of a damn mountain but I still love them lol.
Foldable Toothbrush
I don't know why I feel so strongly about this but I think its because my toiletry bag only fits a foldable toothbrush but this just makes it easier to keep clean and you can just close it up when you need to set your toothbrush down. IDK just get something where the bristles can be covered.
Universal Adaptor
DUH Bella we aren't stupid. Well guess what I never had a universal adaptor until I August of 2023 when I was working at a hostel in London and someone forgot theirs (it spent its time in lost and found waiting for its owner dont worry I didn't steal it). Before that I actually forgot to bring a plug in. Like I would fully show up on a trip and have to buy a new plug in to charge every single time. I would be embarrassed to show you my technology drawer at my house.
Shower Shoes/Flip Flops
You need to bring shower shoes if you are going to stay in hostels. My biggest fear is people who do not shower with shower shoes on. I would reccomend that these are a pair that you can do other things in. Many people bring the plasitc Birkenstocks, Havaiannas or I just have plain black flip flops/thongs.
TSA Approved Lock
If you are going to be staying in hostels you need to bring your own lock for your valuables.
Once I got a bit lazy with this and I ended up getting two sentimental rings stolen from me while I was sleeping at a hostel.
Do not let this scare you, let it be a lesson because I have stayed in over 60 hostels and this has only happened once. BUT another tip is to make sure that the lock has a flimsy top bit because so that it can easily adapt to any locker.