Backpack Essentials

Some essential stuff you should Take on your travels.

Ear Plugs

When you are staying in a large dormitory, people show up at all hours.  Often drunk or just generally loud.  Trust me on this, ear plugs will help you get some decent sleep. Make sure you get some good ones that will last.

Cost under £3.00

Waterproof Bag(s)

There is nothing worse than opening your bag and finding that your body wash or suntan lotion has gone everywhere.  Well just get some cheap self sealing waterproof bags, they will last forever and you need not worry about getting lotion all over your clothes.  The are also useful when down the beach or boat trip.


Picked ours up at sports direct, the come in variety of sizes.

Cost depending on size   £2.00 - £5.00  

Crocodile Clip

When you are stocking up food in the hostel or wherever you are on your travels, you will want to keep it fresh.  A clip will do this and you can squeeze some extra days out of your food.


You can pick them up in any cheap shop i.e wilkinsons, home bargains normally in packs of 10.

Cost under £1.00

Combination Padlock

Use a combination one, they cost a little more than a regular one.  However you are not going to lose your key.  You will use the padlock multiple times on your trip, so its worth getting a good one.  Plus I also like to lock my bag shut in the room while I am out all day ( if no lockers are provided).

A couple tips, do not buy a safe style one.  They can be a really tricky to open.  Do not get one that is too chunky, it needs to fit through the top of the zip on the backpack. 

Cost Under £6.00

Travel Plug

Youth hostels do quite often do no provide plugs, which is a real pain when you have to wash all your pots. The plug will also come in use if you have to have to hand wash any clothes

Cost Under £2.00

Travel Towel

While this is obvious, it is the type of towel you need.  You want a microfibre towel that feels a little bumpy to touch.  You can buy a more expensive smooth travel towel, which feels great when dry.  However, as soon as you start to  dry yourself it turns into a leathery cloth and does not feel good

Go for a large or extra large, you can get some decent ones from Mountain Warehouse.  We got them buy one get one free.

Cost Under £10

Day Bag - Not a Rucksack!

A lot of people take a small ruck sack as day bag.Often your rucksack will come with a small backpack you can remove.  Just leave this attached, gives extra space to pack to stuff.  I took a record bag as it is much more comfortable to walk around in. I bet you do no not walk around your local village/city with a backpack on. Just take a record bag or large shoulder bag if you are a girl.  When you have your backpack on put all your essential stuff in the record bag so you can keep a eye on it.  Put  the strap directly over your head and rest it on the bag behind.   

Get one with a few pockets, so you can separate your paperwork etc when travelling through airports etc. Obviously don't get a leather or suede one as it will be nightmare when it gets wet.  If you do go on a long hike just detach the small bag from your rucksack.

Cost under £12