Your first trip long-term trip backpacking abroad will inevitably bring about a wide range of questions and uncertainties. These nerves and fears are all part of the process (and once you get on the road, you’ll find many of them are unnecessary!).
You’ll find answers to many of these backpacking related questions all over the travel blogosphere, but one thing you might be wondering is this:
How much should I pack?
The answer to this question varies greatly from one person and one trip to the next. How many climates will you encounter? How long will you be away? What is the cost of living where you are traveling to?
Nonetheless, one response applies to any backpacking trip you might have planned:
Whatever you do, don’t over-pack.
One great way to start your backpacking trip off on the wrong foot is to bring too much gear. The heavier your pack, the more frustrated you’ll get when you’re lost, when it’s hot, and when you’re already outside of your comfort zone.
When I was planning my recent trip to Southeast Asia, I knew I wanted to travel light. It would be extremely hot, I’d be using various forms of transportation (including a number of budget flights), and the last thing I wanted was too much gear.
Macpac New Zealand – based on the stunning South Island – offered me the opportunity to review one of their lightweight and multipurpose daypacks, the
Macpac Rapaki 26.
Macpac’s products are designed with a focus on minimizing their impact on the environment; quality made packs require less repairs, less replacements and ultimately a greener and more valuable product.
The Rapaki 26 was ideal for my eight week trip around Southeast Asia.
- At a mere 2 pounds with 26 liters of capacity, it offers two front zipper compartments in addition to the main load carrying pocket – ideal for keeping things organized on the road.
- The tradmarked Macpac T-Bone load carrying system both allows for breath-ability against your back with padded cushions and distributes the load comfortably – especially ideal in Southeast Asia’s humid climate.
My heaviest and most valuable piece of gear is my 13″ Macbook. When planning any trip, I always consider the best way to carry your laptop on the road.
- The Macpac Rapaki 26 has a built-in laptop sleeve which holds the computer snug against the back of the pack
One factor you should consider when choosing a backpack is how well it can deal with unexpected changes in weather.
- The Rapaki 26 is produced with 420 Nylon Fabric – this lightweight, strong, and weather resistant fabric did an excellent job of protecting the contents of the pack from the elements.
- While not completely waterproof, it kept my clothes and Macbook dry – even while backpacking in Bali on a motorbike in the middle of a rainstorm.
Despite being a small 26 liter daypack, the Macpac Rapaki 26 still allows for heaps of gear.
Most importantly, the pack has a diverse range of uses – it was ideal for my two month trip, is perfect for taking your laptop to the cafe, and works great on a hike or mountain bike ride.
If you’re interested in purchasing a Macpac backpack, check out Macpac.co.nz – while based in Christchurch, they offer shipping opportunities worldwide.
Do you have any advice on traveling light? Leave your tips or experiences traveling light in the comments section below.
While Macpac offered Backpackingmatt.com a complimentary Rapaki 26, these opinions are entirely my own.
Backpacking Matt 
Funny we were just looking at laptop backpack today. This looks like a cool bag/brand.
@Jill It works very well as an extra pack in addition to your main pack – I tried it out “double turtle” style and it comfortably fits on your stomach side too.
I’m surprised you could get so much in that little pack. I love the idea of travelling light for long periods.
@Andrea I was shocked too – I actually left with less but continued to pick up cheap t-shirts in Thailand.
I was so jealous of you having that tiny backpack the whole time! I was impressed by how versatile it was — perfect daypack OR main pack.
@Kate It sure beat the three packs you were lugging along! 🙂
Looks like a great little pack! I just recently bought a new backpack that I can use while traveling, and when I (hopefully) go back to school this fall. It’s an Adidas Schmidt Pack. It, too, has a special pocket at the back for my laptop, which was a must, and has a lot of other useful compartments. I haven’t traveled with it yet, though, so we’ll see how it goes next month!
@Amanda Definitely clutch to have something that protects the laptop – I’ve actually since ditched my Macbook’s protective sleeve as it fits so nicely in the Macpac’s pocket. Hopefully you enjoy your new pack on the way to Hawaii!
nice work – I’ve got the slightly smaller 24L version of that pack and I love it. Though the extra 2L would be handy and if I was to get another one I’d re-up to the more portly size. Though when I travel I don’t buy quite as many t-shirts and I do roll with a 10″ netbook so perhaps I’ve got the perfect one. nice review Matt – could you label the photo with what all your stuff is – I think people would dig that, something like this – http://www.adventureskope.com/the-list/
chur,
SK.
@Scott I’ve got to think the extra 2L is worth it — can’t add too much weight or bulk and who knows Scott, you never know when you’ll find a great t-shirt! Great packs, thanks for putting me onto them!
A laptop sleeve? I’d choose a backpack for that reason alone!
Mate I’ve been after a pack in the 25ish litre range to be replace my messenger bag that just didn’t work for Europe. I also want something that can function as a pack for shorter trips around saving me from dragging the main pack everywhere.
The fact it has a notebook section has me sold. Now to get my hands on one…
@Chris Really glad you found the review useful — let me know if you have any questions about getting one shipped to the UK.
Great tips! I completely agree with you…even if I under-pack, seldom do I ever *REALLY* need the item I’m missing.
I’d be curious to see what the typical “packlist” is for people, especially if it was categorized by (1) region/climate and (2) trip purpose (photographer, surfer, casual traveler, etc.)
Great posts, Matt. Looking forward to future reads.
@Zak Glad you enjoyed the tips — many travel bloggers have made lists of what they’re taking with prior to setting off on RTW trips. Kate of AdventurousKate.com has a good list – though it’s heavily female centered, she covers everything you might need for a trip — more than you’d need probably! Much of it comes down to the type of travel you’re setting off on.
This is so random but I am about to set off on my RTW & am curious. How many shirts, shorts do you take with you? Looks like you have quite a bit to fir in that small bag. I’m going with a 40L bag.
@Jaime I had two pairs of shorts, a pair of jeans, and maybe half a dozen t-shirts. I picked some up as I went as they’re bloody cheap in Thailand. The pack fit heaps for only being 26L. It helps to roll your clothes instead of folding them!
haha I remember being shocked at the size of that thing. I take more things in my handbag every day than you did to asia! haha! remember how many toiletries I had in Bali? haha.
@Jess Very true! I think our packing styles are slightly different!
This post actually made me think of how much and what I bring during travel. I guess that prescribed snorkeling mask and too much different lotions filled things up. I gotta review my gear next time.
Me likey you spread bag content! Thenk yiu!
@mumun Lighter is always better! Glad I could help you reconsider!
Even though this post is over 5 years old, I would like to leave a comment… 🙂
I am just shocked by the fact you can travel with a 26 L daypack as your only pack. Wow! I am jealous! Especially when it’s a nice bag as the Macpac one you describe.
I also try to pack light, but seem to need a 45 L pack.
So… some questions for you to minimize the packing for my next trip:
In your picture there’s hardly any toiletries. So how do you cope with 8 weeks of travel without decent amount of shampoo, soap, deodorant…? And what about sunscreen, after sun, bug spray??? You surely needed those things in SE Asia. Loads of blogs, forums etc. talk about buying these things locally. Okay, fine, I can do that, but… where do you put them after buying? Do you just carry an extra plastic bag with you?
And what about a pair of shoes, sandals, thongs…? I never travel without at least my walking shoes and thongs. Would you hang your shoes at the outside of the pack… with the risk of loosing them?
Another thing I always take is a basic first aid kit with at least some anti-diarrhea medicine, antihistamine… Maybe it’s because I am a girl, but sometimes you can get to areas where you might not find these things immediately.
And finally… what about the charger for your laptop, camera…? These things take up an enormous amount of space in any travel pack. Don’t you take them?
So please, give me some tips… I would love to get below the 45 L limit. 🙂
Thanks for the comment Katrien. I’ll have to try and think back to this trip … five years ago!
I wouldn’t normally travel with quite this little luggage, but I was on a 8 week or so trip around SE Asia. As a man, I didn’t need many toiletries, so those fit in the bag. At that time, I had a very small point and shoot camera so it fit no worries. I think I only had thongs for shoes!
Travelling with a 26 medium-long term probably isn’t practical, but 45l is still pretty good!