I don't know about you but I'm pretty intense when it comes to packing. I hate forgetting things, then having to go look for them to buy, or worse, having to have to improvise without them. So as a result, I've created several checklists for the different trips that I have taken over the years. If you noticed, I do have a list at the end of some of my recent itineraries, but I've decided to combine and give you all the items in one place.
General (bring on all trips) - Carry On
🗹 Phone🗹 Passport/I.D.
🗹 Noise-Cancelling Headphones
🗹 Travel Neck Pillow
🗹 Socks - Because there is nothing worse than cold feet on a plane. (I love merino wool socks)
🗹 Quick Drying Towel
🗹 Socks - Because there is nothing worse than cold feet on a plane. (I love merino wool socks)
🗹 Quick Drying Towel
🗹 Portable Charger
🗹 Kindle
🗹 Converter/Adapter - only if necessary
🗹 Phone/Camera/Kindle Chargers
🗹 Moisturizer - Moisturizing is important
🗹 Toiletries/Makeup
🗹 Sunscreen (including SPF lip balm) - Even hiking in the winter, you can burn.
🗹 Umbrella - I have a small travel size umbrella that I take everywhere with me.
🗹 Over-the-shoulder Bag - not necessarily in your carry on, but take it with you on all trips
🗹 Wallet and Cash
🗹 Kindle
🗹 Converter/Adapter - only if necessary
🗹 Phone/Camera/Kindle Chargers
🗹 Moisturizer - Moisturizing is important
🗹 Toiletries/Makeup
- I always have travel-size items with me (shampoos, shower gels, toothpaste/toothbrush, makeup, tissues, hair elastics, sanitizing wipes etc.).
🗹 Sunscreen (including SPF lip balm) - Even hiking in the winter, you can burn.
🗹 Umbrella - I have a small travel size umbrella that I take everywhere with me.
🗹 Over-the-shoulder Bag - not necessarily in your carry on, but take it with you on all trips
🗹 Wallet and Cash
🗹 Small Speaker - I love to listen to music as I'm getting ready
🗹 Medicine
🗹 Insurance - Better safe than sorry
🗹 Snacks
🗹 Snacks
🗹 Jewelry
Just a side-note, even if you're doing a hiking trip (and unless you are camping on your hikes), you will most likely be doing day trips. Take clothes with you to go out in, (not talking about heels and gowns), but comfortable shoes (other than hiking boots) to go to a restaurant/bar in and other clothes you can be comfortable in, but that are good enough to go out to dinner.
🗹 Hiking shoes - I have to start with the most valuable pair of shoes you'll have on a hike. It seems like common sense right? For a hike, you need hiking shoes. Every time I do a post from a hiking trip, I always stress the fact that hiking shoes are absolutely necessary. I always see people hiking in sneakers, sandals and I’ve even seen flip flops (at Angel’s Landing in Zion, by the way, which is scary enough to begin with). Not only is it uncomfortable, but can actually be dangerous. Proper hiking shoes are expensive, but think of it as an investment. They are lighter, have more support and more grip than regular running shoes or other type of sneakers. They are also water resistant and dry very quickly in case you need to walk through water. I do recommend taller hiking boots (ones that cover your ankle) because I find they have better support and are generally more comfortable. I cannot stress enough how necessary hiking boots are when you are actually...well... hiking. A must-bring on hiking trips.
🗹 Water-shoes - if you plan to do any hikes to the waterfalls or through water.
🗹 Base Layer - Tank Tops / Athletic Tops
🗹 Hat - Heat stroke is no joke
🗹 Bikinis - Have several because they don't always dry overnight
🗹 Beach Towel
Hiking Trips
For hiking trips, you'll have more athletic clothes with you (obviously). You also need to layer because if your hike has elevation, it may get cold (even in mid-summer), so here are the items I can't live without on a hike.Just a side-note, even if you're doing a hiking trip (and unless you are camping on your hikes), you will most likely be doing day trips. Take clothes with you to go out in, (not talking about heels and gowns), but comfortable shoes (other than hiking boots) to go to a restaurant/bar in and other clothes you can be comfortable in, but that are good enough to go out to dinner.
🗹 Hiking shoes - I have to start with the most valuable pair of shoes you'll have on a hike. It seems like common sense right? For a hike, you need hiking shoes. Every time I do a post from a hiking trip, I always stress the fact that hiking shoes are absolutely necessary. I always see people hiking in sneakers, sandals and I’ve even seen flip flops (at Angel’s Landing in Zion, by the way, which is scary enough to begin with). Not only is it uncomfortable, but can actually be dangerous. Proper hiking shoes are expensive, but think of it as an investment. They are lighter, have more support and more grip than regular running shoes or other type of sneakers. They are also water resistant and dry very quickly in case you need to walk through water. I do recommend taller hiking boots (ones that cover your ankle) because I find they have better support and are generally more comfortable. I cannot stress enough how necessary hiking boots are when you are actually...well... hiking. A must-bring on hiking trips.
🗹 Water-shoes - if you plan to do any hikes to the waterfalls or through water.
🗹 Base Layer - Tank Tops / Athletic Tops
- light base layer, short sleeve top is necessary for those gruesome elevation stretches and if it's plain hot.
- I love merino wool shirts. It is a very light and a warm layer that you definitely need.
- If you are hiking in winter, I definitely recommend a fleece sweater on top of the Merino Wool layer.
- Take the layers above and a wind-proof / water-proof shell and you are set. Having an outer shell that folds easily into a small bag is even better as it's easier to carry with you. These three items should have you covered for any weather.
- I love to hike in yoga pants, whether it's full length or knee length is up to you. Shorts also work, but be careful with shorts if you're hiking through forests. Your legs may get scratched up.
- Not always necessary. I found this irreplaceable for Iceland. Having leggings/yoga pants and a wind-proof layer on top was a must.
- If you have the ankle hiking boots, having taller socks will help you avoid blisters around your ankles. I have hiked in winter (in Iceland) and having Merino Wool socks was irreplaceable. They keep you really warm. For summer hikes, just a tall pair of socks should work.
- I have worn a hat in mid-July on a hike. Close to glaciers and lakes, it does get cold. Gloves actually do help not only with the cold, but on some hikes (like Angel's Landing), having gloves really helped by having more grip when using the chains and stairs.
- I've been caught in the rain half way through a hike once. It wasn't fun. Waterproof covers keeps your things (including your cameras and phones) dry and there's no extra weight as it's part of the backpack.
- Bug repellent
- Bear repellent - no you do not spray the bear repellent on yourself!
- Water-bottle - staying hydrated is key.
Beach Trips/All-Inclusive
Beach trips can be a combination of hiking and beach (like Hawaii or Italy), in which case look at both lists, or can be pure beach, like all-inclusive. Here are my must bring items:🗹 Hat - Heat stroke is no joke
🗹 Bikinis - Have several because they don't always dry overnight
🗹 Beach Towel
🗹 Beach bag
🗹 Snorkeling Gear
🗹 Light Sweater - For the evenings
🗹 Dresses
🗹 Snorkeling Gear
🗹 Light Sweater - For the evenings
🗹 Dresses
🗹 Shorts
🗹 T-shirts and tops
🗹 Cover-up - Easy to bring with you to the beach and throw on to go grab lunch.
🗹 Flip Flops - For the beach
🗹 Flats - I would not recommend heels (maybe one pair), but I recommend sandals/flats
🗹 Hawaii specific - Kauai Guide Book
🗹 Base Layer - Usually a good idea to have a form fitting base layer.
🗹 Merino Wool Long Sleeve Shirt
🗹 Fleece Sweater
🗹 Skiing Jacket
🗹 Leggings - I like to wear leggings underneath snow pants. But it's your own preference.
🗹 Snow-pants
🗹 Merino Wool Socks - Perfect for skiing boots to keep you warm. No other layers necessary.
🗹 Balaclava
🗹 Goggles - another item you cannot ski without. It just doesn't happen without goggles.
🗹 Skiing Gloves
🗹 Equipment
🗹 Merino Wool Long Sleeve Shirt
🗹 Fleece Sweater
🗹 Thin outer layer
🗹 Thin Gloves
🗹 Thin Hat
🗹 Leggings/Cross-Country Pants
🗹 Long socks
🗹 Equipment - poles, boots and skis
🗹 T-shirts and tops
🗹 Cover-up - Easy to bring with you to the beach and throw on to go grab lunch.
🗹 Flip Flops - For the beach
🗹 Flats - I would not recommend heels (maybe one pair), but I recommend sandals/flats
🗹 Hawaii specific - Kauai Guide Book
- I accidentally stumbled upon this guidebook as I was doing research for Kauai and I cannot recommend it enough. There is an individual book for each of the islands (Maui, Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island). I’ve only used the book for Kauai, but assuming the other ones are similar, this is all you will need...and maybe my itinerary ;). The book gives you a bit of history for each of the destination and the maps show you very detailed directions using landmarks and other signs that a GPS does not catch. The recommended sights to see and to avoid are very well chosen. There are also recommendations for tour companies, best travel directions and many more tips. The restaurant recommendations are also very helpful, but as far as restaurants go, a lot has to do with personal preference, so it will not always be 100% accurate, but it’s a good starting point when picking a place. This was my bible in Kauai and one of the best guidebooks I’ve used.
Skiing Trips
While you do spend most of the day skiing, the slopes generally close at 4 pm. - 5 pm. The evenings are for restaurants, bars and entertainment. Definitely bring nice, warm sweaters, leggings, jeans, boots, a hat, scarf and gloves/mittens that you can go out in. No one expects you to wear black-tie attire, but why not look nice for dinner?🗹 Base Layer - Usually a good idea to have a form fitting base layer.
🗹 Merino Wool Long Sleeve Shirt
🗹 Fleece Sweater
🗹 Skiing Jacket
🗹 Leggings - I like to wear leggings underneath snow pants. But it's your own preference.
🗹 Snow-pants
🗹 Merino Wool Socks - Perfect for skiing boots to keep you warm. No other layers necessary.
🗹 Balaclava
- An irreplaceable thing. If you were to take one thing from this list (not sure how that would work), take a balaclava. Helps with windy conditions and keeps your face very warm. I used to ski in a hat and scarf. The balaclava replaces both and it changed my life. You can get one for $20-$40 at Costco.
🗹 Goggles - another item you cannot ski without. It just doesn't happen without goggles.
🗹 Skiing Gloves
🗹 Equipment
- I do bring my own equipment for skiing. What helps is to have ski bags and boot bags. I got the bags online at Level Nine Sports.
🗹 Merino Wool Long Sleeve Shirt
🗹 Fleece Sweater
🗹 Thin outer layer
🗹 Thin Gloves
🗹 Thin Hat
🗹 Leggings/Cross-Country Pants
🗹 Long socks
🗹 Equipment - poles, boots and skis