Build The Ultimate Travel Packing List

Travel Smarter With A Master Travel Packing List

Why You Need a Master Travel Packing List

How many times have you departed on solo or group travel and realized you forgot one or more things? 

When planning a travel itinerary one of the most, if not the most, important aspects is packing everything you’ll need to comfortably travel.

Different types of travel require different types of packing lists.

Traveling during winter vs. summer will require different types of clothes and gear.

Depending on the types of transportation you’ll be using will also affect how you carry your belongings.

Knowing what you’ll need ahead of time will also help you save money and increase your travel budget. You’ll never worry about buying what you could have brought, because you will have brought it! (Thanks to your master travel packing list)

Shelby and I have built and revised our master travel packing list over the years through personal experience traveling, collecting tips from other travelers, and doing our own research. We add and subtract items where we see fit.

You can use our travel packing list to get you started and make the necessary adjustments to accommodate your lifestyle!

Without Further Ado:

We Who Roam – Master Travel Packing List

On Your Person – Everyday Carry

• Wallet – Cash, Credit/Debit Cards, ID, Health Insurance, ID, National Park Pass
• Keys – House, Apartment, Car, etc.
• Pocket Knife
• Small Flashlight
• Wrist Watch
• Sun Glasses
• Notebook & Pen
• Cell Phone (obviously)
  

Bags

• Hiking Bag, Camera Bag, Commuter Backpacks
• Small, Medium, Large Duffle Bags
• Small, Medium, Large Roller Suit Cases
• Purse (for the ladies)
  

Clothing for All Types of Weather:

Shirts

• Cotton Short Sleeve/Long Sleeve – Comfort, Casual
• Wool/Synthetic Short/Long Sleeve – Thermal Layer, Moisture Wicking
• Cotton Tanks – Comfort, Casual

Waist and Below

• Shorts – Casual, Athletic, Swim
• Denim Pants – for casual days
• Non-Denim Pants (Denim can be uncomfortable and doesn’t keep you warm)
• Snow Pants
• Convertible Pants to Shorts – Water Resistant, Moisture Wicking, Wind Proof
• Wool/Synthetic Leggings – Thermal Layer, Moisture Wicking
• Pajamas
• Leather Belt

Underwear

• Cotton Briefs/Panties – Comfort, Casual
• Sports/Travel – Moisture Wicking, Quick Dry, Anti-Bacterial
• Bras, Sport Bras, Bando, Bralette

Socks

• Cotton Crew, Calf High – Comfort Casual
• Wool/Synthetic Liner/Hiking – Compression, Moisture Wicking

Jackets

• Cotton Sweatshirt/Hoodie – Comfort, Casual, Light
• Wool/Synthetic Fleece – Mid Layer Warmth
• Synthetic/Down Feather – Windproof, Warm
• Synthetic Heavy Duty Outer Shell – Weatherproof, Warm

Shoes

• Flip Flops – Casual
• Tennis Shoes – Comfort
• Boots – Hiking/Rain
• Slippers – for before/after bed
• Uggs – (for super warmth according to Shelby)
  

Head

• Bandanna, Shemagh, Buff
• Sports Cap, Flat Bill Hat, Sun Hat
• Beanie, Scarf

Hands

• Snow Gloves – waterproof
• Cotton/Thermal Gloves – for warmth
• Work Gloves – avoid splinters or scrapes when working
• Disposable Hand Warmers – can buy at most stores
  

(Fashionable? Not always! Although comfort and practicality usually come first for us.)

If you’re looking to be as toasty as I am in the picture above you can check out these 12 Articles of Cold Weather Clothing to Keep You Warm. 

Toiletries:

• Tooth Brush, Toothpaste, Floss, Tooth Picks, Mouth Wash
• Hand Soap, Hand Sanitizer, Wet Wipes
• Body Wash/Soap, Shampoo, Conditioner
• Lip Balm, Lotion, Sunscreen, Aloe Vera
• Tweezers, Nail Clippers, Scissors
• Hair Brush, Hair Ties
• Feminine Hygiene Products – Menstrual Cups, Tampons, Pads
• Tissues, Toilet Paper
• Deodorant
• Allergy, Pain, Acid Relief
• Make Up, Make Up Remover, Cotton Swabs
• Shaving – Razor, Cream
• Eyes – Contacts, Contact Solution, Case, Eye Drops, Glasses

Outdoor Gear:

Hiking

• Hiking Pack w/ Water Bottle or Bladder
• Water Filtration/Purification – Straw, Tablets
• Compass
• Fixed Blade
• Walking Sticks
• Flashlight
  

Camping

• Tent, Tent Fly, Tarp, Poles, Stake Nails
• Hammer, Hatchet, Rubber Mallet, Small Shovel
• Air Mattress, Electronic Air Pump, Manual Air Pump, Batteries
• Pillows, Blankets, Sleeping Bags
• Hammock, Tree Friendly Hammock Straps
• Lantern, Battery Operated Strung Up Lights
• Camp Stove, Propane, Lighter
• Pots, Pans, Plates, Bowls, Forks, Spoons, Knives
• Collapsible Bucket
• Water Jug w/Dispenser, Hand Soap, Hand Sanitizer, Earth Friendly Dish Soap
• Firewood, Fire Starter Gel, Lighter Fluid
• Fold Out Chairs
• Trash Bags, Paper Towels, Napkins
• Cooler Bag, Rotomolded Cooler Box, Ice, Bottle Opener
• X Gallons Water – Drinking, Cooking, Fire Smothering
• French Press (Most important tool?)

Liquid Containers

• Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel
• Canteens – 40oz, 64oz
• Pint – 16oz
• Tumbler – 10oz
• Plastic Bottles – 32oz, 50oz
• Stainless Steel Shot Glasses – 2oz

Electronics:

• Smartphone
• Laptop
• USB Wall Charger, Laptop Wall Charger
• Portable Power Bank, GoPro Battery Charger, DSLR Battery Charger
• Headlamp, Flashlight
• Spare Batteries – AA, AAA, C, D
• SD Card, Flash Drive
• Cables
• Headphones, MP3/4 Player, Bluetooth Speaker

Camera Essentials:

DSLR Camera Gear

• DSLR Camera
• Camera Lens
• Quick Release Clip w/Tool
• Camera Sling, Hand Strap, Trip Strap
• Tripod, Tripod Tool
• Dust Blaster, Cleaning Pens, Cleaning Solution, Microfiber Cloth

Action Camera Gear

• Action Camera (GoPro or another small portable camera)
• Action Camera Case
• Telescopic Pole
• Car Window Mount, Car Mount

Camera gear is expensive. It should be treated with extra care when traveling. Travel blogger Paul Dow, of TravMoneky, teaches you 10 tips on traveling with your DSLR.

For the Car (especially you Van Lifers):

• 12v Power Inverter (Run AC plugs in your car) – for charging phones and other electronics
  
• First Aid Kit
  
• Tire Pressure Gauge (Affects gas mileage & avoid flats)
  
• Jumper Cables (or portable jump starter)
  
• Small/Full Size Shovel

There You Have It!

The We Who Roam Master Travel Packing List. Before we leave on any adventure we reference this exact list to see what we need to travel in comfort. We’ve saved a lot of time, money, and headache just by double checking this travel packing list before leaving the front door.

We hope you find it helpful and inspires you to create your own Master Travel Packing List!

Do you already have a packing list? Did we miss something on our list you think we absolutely must add? We’d love to know in a comment below!

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