4 Essential Items Every World Traveller Should Be Packing
4 Essential Items for World Travel, based on 30 years experience through 105 countries.
1. LifeSystems Mosquito Net
LifeSystems mosquito net in use in Sudan and Guatemala:
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I couldn't imagine travelling without a mosquito net. So this is number 1 on my list of essential travel items that every world traveller should be packing.
I am using a LifeSystems solo BoxNet. I favour this over the wedge-shaped net where the net will always be touching your feet and the net which hangs from a single point.
On the Solo BoxNet, each corner of the net has 2 metres of string attached and thus I can tie off the strings on whatever the room has to offer, nails, door frames etc. I sometimes move the bed to make it easier. I carry 6 hooks as well. And if your room is a concrete cell, gaffa tape will help!
I don't know how other backpackers can sleep with mozzies buzzing in their ears.
Fans and mozzie coils have never worked for me.
And it's not just about the buzzing nor the itchy bites that last for days.
I have travelled in 100 countries and counting including sub-Saharan Africa where Malaria is high risk. Avoiding bites is an essential part of the travels.
There is malaria in Guatemala and dengue fever! #justsaying
Also, in tropical countries, the net keeps out a whole menagerie of critters: cockroaches, scorpions, spiders.
I am using a LifeSystems solo BoxNet. I favour this over the wedge-shaped net where the net will always be touching your feet and the net which hangs from a single point.
On the Solo BoxNet, each corner of the net has 2 metres of string attached and thus I can tie off the strings on whatever the room has to offer, nails, door frames etc. I sometimes move the bed to make it easier. I carry 6 hooks as well. And if your room is a concrete cell, gaffa tape will help!
I don't know how other backpackers can sleep with mozzies buzzing in their ears.
Fans and mozzie coils have never worked for me.
And it's not just about the buzzing nor the itchy bites that last for days.
I have travelled in 100 countries and counting including sub-Saharan Africa where Malaria is high risk. Avoiding bites is an essential part of the travels.
There is malaria in Guatemala and dengue fever! #justsaying
Also, in tropical countries, the net keeps out a whole menagerie of critters: cockroaches, scorpions, spiders.
Check out the Life Systems Website: www.lifesystems.co.uk.
2. SnugPak Sleeping bag
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My go-to sleeping bag is a SnugPak 'Softie 3'. It weighs just 900g, packs down fairly small and has a paratex light inner. So much more comfortable than nylon.
I have used this particular bag since 2005. Before that, I had a slightly heavier bag also made by SnugPak.
Hostels these days provide sheets, back in the day they didn't always (old habits die hard and cheap hotels do not always change the bedding after each guest. Or just provide blankets and no clean top sheet. And it gets chilly in a lot of hot places at night.
So having a sleeping bag with me at all times is a must!
I have used this particular bag since 2005. Before that, I had a slightly heavier bag also made by SnugPak.
Hostels these days provide sheets, back in the day they didn't always (old habits die hard and cheap hotels do not always change the bedding after each guest. Or just provide blankets and no clean top sheet. And it gets chilly in a lot of hot places at night.
So having a sleeping bag with me at all times is a must!
The company where I bought my Snugpak Sleeping Bag no longer exists but you can still get them from www.militarykit.com.
3. EarPlugs
We all need a good nights sleep and with earplugs, you can cancel out (most of) the noise of snorers, couples making out, dogs, chickens and drunk backpackers. The real issue here is sourcing good quality ones. Those foam/rubber ones are particularly useless. I am using 3M earplugs but they become less effective quicker than they used to.
Always on the search for better kit. If anyone has any recommendations for the perfect earplugs, message me on Twitter.
Always on the search for better kit. If anyone has any recommendations for the perfect earplugs, message me on Twitter.
4. Betadine
Betadine® Solution is a topical aqueous solution of 10% povidone-iodine.
I always buy mine in Malaysia. 2 drops will purify 1 litre of water.
In places where tap water is unfit to drink and purified water in large quantities is not available like it is in Mexico, Guatemala or Cambodia, buying small bottles of water every day sure adds to the cost and not to mention adding to the out of control plastic waste.
I tried to get some in the UK once:
The pharmacist asked me what for.
"To purify water",
"You can use Puritabs"
"Puritabs do not kill Giardia!"
Iodine can also be put on cuts and grazes where there is a risk of infection.
This blog post is the property of Nomadic Backpacker.
I always buy mine in Malaysia. 2 drops will purify 1 litre of water.
In places where tap water is unfit to drink and purified water in large quantities is not available like it is in Mexico, Guatemala or Cambodia, buying small bottles of water every day sure adds to the cost and not to mention adding to the out of control plastic waste.
I tried to get some in the UK once:
The pharmacist asked me what for.
"To purify water",
"You can use Puritabs"
"Puritabs do not kill Giardia!"
Iodine can also be put on cuts and grazes where there is a risk of infection.
This blog post is the property of Nomadic Backpacker.
There are no affiliate links on this blog post
