Any backpacker knows that if there’s one thing more challenging than traversing difficult terrain, it is packing your bag for the upcoming trip. When you know you will be out for several weeks or even months, every single item seems essential.
In reality, you want your backpack to be as lightweight as possible. One of the first rules of backpacking is not to go encumbered, which is why you have to make sure that the items you pack are really those you shouldn’t plan your trip without.
In this article, we are going to list the five essential backpacking items and how they can benefit you on your exciting journey.
Whether you choose to spend your nights in affordable hostels or camping out in nature, a lightweight sleeping bag is an absolute necessity. The bag can provide comfort and extra warmth during cold days.
These sleeping bags come in several variants, including those made specifically for one season as well as four-season sleeping bags. The best way to determine which one is right for you is to research the climate of your destination and take into account the activities you plan on participating in and where you’ll be spending your nights.
Needless to say, a first aid kit can save your life. With a few bandages, dressing and plasters, a first aid kit can prove extremely useful if you experience light injuries and minor cuts. Depending on where you are traveling to, you might need an expanded version of a first aid kit.
For example, if you are visiting a country with scarce or poorly equipped medical facilities you need to have sterile needles and syringes at all times. You might also want to include some essential medication, like painkillers, antibiotics or rehydration sachets.
A compact light source is a valuable piece of technology for any backpacker. Even though most smartphones are equipped with a LED flashlight, these don’t provide nearly as much illumination as a Surefire Sidekick does. Furthermore, the built-in flashlight will quickly drain your smartphone’s battery.
Surefire Sidekick is light and compact and is charged via a USB port. On the highest setting of 300 lumens, the Sidekick boasts an impressive 75 minutes of battery life, while at the lowest setting it can last up to 45 hours.
Mosquitoes are more than a nuisance, they carry dangerous diseases. Among the most dangerous ones is certainly malaria, responsible for 429 thousand deaths in 2016 alone. There are many ways to keep these nasty insects at bay, but mosquito repellents and nets are the most used ones.
Repellents are available in many forms, including spray, lotion and roll-on. As an added precautionary measure, mosquito nets can be a lifesaver in areas swarming with these insects.
If you are planning on traveling across different time zones, a worldtimer watch can be your best companion. Armed with world time complications, these watches can easily display the correct time in 24 or more time zones.
Some of these watches are water-resistant and very durable as well, meaning they won’t let you down even in the most severe weather conditions, such as in times of heavy rain. Manual wind or automatic wind watches will also ensure you never run out of battery power when you need it the most.
If you are looking to buy a reliable worldtimer watch or a Surefire Sidekick from a reputable dealer, visit Leo Hamel’s showroom on San Diego Avenue. Our expert saleswomen can help you find the perfect worldtimer watch for your upcoming trip and teach you how to master the complication that makes it unique.