Packing 101 for Nomads & Vagabonds

How to pack one bag for life

Image: Author

I hope the following list may help you pack for a nomadic existence, a long backpacking trip, or an extended stint abroad. At the very least, I hope it gives you a glimpse into the very practical side of long-term vagabonding, and makes you smile.

I get all of the stuff below into my 65L Osprey pack plus my overpriced but amazing Victorinox laptop bag.

Take these as suggestions. You’ll invariably find your own list through trial and error.

For when it gets chilly:

• Bright blue wool socks for which your friends will mercilessly mock you
• A shower-resistant outer shell (when it rains, you will wish it were rain-resistant too)
• Bright blue fleece jacket, because there’s no such thing as too much turquoise
• Sturdy boots/shoes (I have found trail shoes or trail runners to be ideal)
• A sweater, preferably stolen from a friend

For all the time:

• 1 pair hiking pants
• 1 pair yoga pants
• 1 pair harem pants
• 1 pair jeans/passably normal pants
• X pairs socks and underwear (how…