Packing for a year-long, around-the-word trip is no joke. It’s not like an impulse weekend trip to Reno where you forgot your bra and it’s like NBD. Truth be told, I completely nerded the F out on my researching for our trip. We’re talking months and months. I obsessively read blog post after blog post about worldly packing tips, clothes to bring (and not to bring), customer reviews. It was overwhelming, but also addicting. Much like my addiction of watching really bad/awesome reality TV. Don’t judge, you do it too.

I started off with the big, or in our case, the small thing. What would we carry all our shit in for a year? You constantly see those travelers with the ginormous, size-of-half-their-body backpacks that causes a slight lean-forward stance and makes your very own back hurt just by watching them navigate. I knew that wouldn’t be us. I’d like to thank my year of PT for back problems for coming to that conclusion. So if not a giant backpack, what? Should we get a rolly suitcase/backpack like those old ladies heading into work on BART? Nah, turns out those damn wheels get gross and rub against your back when wearing as backpack. And a rolling suitcase sucks majorly when hustling through a city with cobblestone roads.

I knew what I wanted. Something small, because less is truly more. Something that opens up fully (stank eye at you, top-loading hiking packs). Something that has lots of storage pockets. And then boom. I found it. The REI Trail 40. Yes, 40L. It’s the biggest size you can pretty much get if you want to do carry-on (which we do). Heck, even Craig got one. Yes, we will be that couple. His and her backpacks. Don’t worry, we don’t like holding hands though so we won’t be THAT couple. Phew.

They always say it’s what’s inside that counts. Which brings me to my next point, what to pack? If you know me (which I assume you do since you’re reading this), then you know I love my nail polish, long flowy skirts and big chunky jewelry. Well, sit down for this, those aren’t coming with me. Instead I’m embracing my basic bitch with layerable pieces. Since we’re pretty much avoiding cold temps, we don’t need the big bulky sweaters, we just need thin, yet warm things. And I gravitated towards black because heck, it doesn’t show dirt as easily. And I’m a dirty mofo. Along my packing journey, I learned many a things. Want me to share them with you? No? Too bad. I’m the youngest child and don’t listen:

1. Merino wool is your BFF for traveling, especially if you don’t know when your next laundry sesh will come
2. Something may be cute, but the material will make it get smelly, fast (ahem, polyester)
3. Microfiber travel towels blow, so we made our own out of super-absorbent linen
4. Don’t pack for EVERY type of climate and don’t pack things you think ‘well, I may need this’
5. You can truly get by on very little…gasp, I know
6. Packing cubes = lifesavers

Here’s my packing list (and yes, it all fits in my 40L bag):

• 5 pairs of ExOfficio underwear
• 3 pairs of Darn Tough socks
• 1 pair of Toms
• 1 pair of Reef flip flops
• 1 pair of Salomon hiking shoes
• 2 bras
• 2 sports bras
• 1 pair of Tasc Performance shorts
• 3 pairs of leggings (Athleta and Old Navy)
• 1 pair of Prana convertible hiking pants
• Swimsuit
• 3 tanks (Merino and GapFit)
• 2 GapFit t-shirts
• Merino wool sweater from Uniqlo
• Icebreaker Bliss Wrap (my fave purchase yet)
• Versalette (think one piece of black cloth that can we worn endless ways: skirt, top, scarf, etc.)
• Marmot Raincoat
• Uniqlo Lightweight Down Jacket
• Hiking poles
• Homemade linen towel
• Scrubba washing bag
• Toiletry bag (filled with basics, no makeup, jewelry, etc.)