What to pack for a year

Last Updated on August 18, 2019 by Michael

One of the questions we often get is: how do you pack for a year? Packing for long-term travel is actually not as daunting as it sounds. We basically packed for a week-long vacation that will happen to be repeated many times. After our first four months of travel we’ve learned a few things, so some items have been tossed (Michael’s sport coat), and a few have been picked up (lightweight hoodie).

Based on our experience so far here’s a current inventory of what we have with us:

Note: This list has been updated to represent what we travel with after 8 (!) years on the road as full-time global nomads.

Larissa

Clothing

• 2 Pairs of Pants
• 1 Pair of yoga/warm-up pants
• 1 Pair of Shorts
• 2 Mid/Long-sleeve woven shirts (no-iron cotton)
• 2 Short-sleeve woven shirts
• 3 Tank top/camis
• 2 T-shirts
• 1 Lightweight cotton hoodie
• 1 Merino wool long-sleeve t-shirt
• 1 Knit Sundress
• 1 Knit Cardigan
• Week’s worth of undergarments
• 5 pairs of socks
• 2 nightgowns/sleep shirts
• 1 Bathing suit
• 1 Lightweight raincoat
• 1 Straw hat (the squashable/packable kind)
• 5 pair of shoes— (I know, I know: Michael only has 2 pair—but my feet are smaller so I can pack more):  1 pr. Keen hiking sandals, 1 pr. flip flops, 1 pr ballet slipper/flats, 1 pr. city walking shoes, 1 pr. mid-heel sandals

Accessories

• 1 Belt
• 1 Watch
• Costume jewelry:  2-3 ea. Bracelets, necklaces, pairs of earrings
• 1 Sarong
• Toiletry kit
• Makeup kit
• Hairbrush (but NO hairdryer)

Electronics

• Notebook computer
• Canon EOS Rebel SL1 digital camera. It offers the same features as the larger Rebel T5 in a smaller, lighter body.
• iPhone, unlocked with global T-Mobile plan to work in any country
• Earbuds with microphone

Michael

Clothing

• 2 pairs of pants
• 1 pair of  shorts
• 2 long sleeve shirts
• 2 short sleeve shirts
• 2 pairs of Ecco & Keen shoes (one walking, one hiking sandal)
• 1 belt
• 7 t-shirts
• 7 pairs of underwear
• 7 pairs of socks
• 1 bathing suit If I need one I buy one along the way.
• 1 lightweight hoodie One lightweight zipper sweater.
• 1 hat (these vary along the way depending on the country and use)

Electronics

• 1 notebook computer
• 1 iPod Touch/ear buds
• 1 portable JBL speaker
• 1 Kindle   (Replaced by iPod Touch)
• 1 Sony DSC-WX350 point-and-shoot digital camera (Replaced by iPod Touch)
• NO cell phone
• 1 cheap Timex Expedition watch

Other Stuff

• Writing tablet and pens
• Pocket calendar
• Toiletry kit with the usual items

Shared Items

• Fold-up world map
• Inflatable globe for trip planning
• Fold-up umbrella
• Travel alarm clock (Use phone or iPod Touch)
• International electrical adaptor
• Fold-up cotton shopping bag, nylon made from recycled plastic bottles that has lasted years
• Collapsible daypack
• 1 Phillies rally towel (just in case)
• Rocky statue (serves dual purpose as backscratcher) We no longer travel with a Rocky statue, but we still have the memories.

Luggage

Looking at the list on paper it sure seems like a lot but we fit it all into the following luggage:

• Michael: 1 TravelPro 22-inch wheelie suitcase
• Larissa: 1 Eagle Creek Hovercraft suitcase
• 2 Delsey rolled underseat tote bags shown above. Note: We added these in September, 2015 to replace shoulder bags and are loving them. So much easier to stroll along. Best of all, it has a strap to slide over the handles of our wheelie suitcases.
• One small LowePro Passport Sling 2 tote bag for camera. We like that it doesn’t look like a camera bag.

We’ll probably make further adjustments along the way but after four months on the road what we have now seems to be working.