Packing

Less is more. Having the extra weight of items you will not use is not worth it. After all you’re not going to the moon, you will be able to get items you need along the way. 

Essential guide to what you will actually need: 

BACKPACK:                                                                                                         

  • 34L – 36L is more than enough weight if you’re putting a bag on the back of a motorbike.    My possible next bag:  Lafuma – ACCESS 35 CROSSOVER
  • Invest in a good bag lock. On the train I was able to loop my bag though my belt hoops. So if my bag was going anyplace i´d be attached to it.                              
  • Don´t buy anything to flashy or brightly colored you will just be a target for thieves. *this is harder for ladies as they are all horrible florence pink or purple colors.                                                                                                                               
  • Although my bag was on the back of my bike for most of my trip I did end up carrying it too and from buses, airports and hotels/hostels. Getting one with comfortable shoulder straps.                                                                                                      
  • It´s worth investing in a good quality backpack. I took with me a  top-loading one and it was a real pain to access items on a daily basics so i´d recommend a front or backloading one also with top-loading access.                                                                   
  • An additional smaller front pack is handy for your camera and daily items and you can leave your bigger bag in the hotel or hostel and take with you just the import stuff.                                                                                                                                              
  • Travel organizer bags help keep your clothes dry, dust free and you can separate items you´ll want for different regions. Nicer items from your dirty biking clothes and underwear all in one place, etc.      
  • A built in waterproof or resistant cover bag will help protect your bag from dirt and rain while on the back of your bike. But you can also just put it in a thick plastic bag that you can purchase in most markets.

Screen Shot 2016-11-17 at 10.08.10 PM.png

Check List of items you´ll actually need and use;

  • Phone
  • Camera 
  • Battery Charger
  • ipad or small light weight laptop/kindle *see gadget list below
  • Waterproof phone case or Motorbike phone case attachment
  • Headphones
  • Torch
  • Bag Lock
  • Locker Combination Lock
  • Toiletry Bag *see full contents below
  • Ear Plugs
  • First Aid Kit *see full contents below
  • Travel Quick Dry Towel
  • Wet Wipes
  • Light weight Scarf or Travel Blanket
  • Money Belt
  • Small low key wallet or change Purse
  • Waterproof Case for Passport
  • Photo Copies;Passport,Driving Liscence/ IND, Insuarnace;Visas
  • Sun Hat
  • Sun Glasses
  • Flipflops
  • Sleeping Mask
  • Walking shoes
  • Lightweight Hoody
  • Lightweight Waterproof Jacket
  • Protective Motorbike Gear
  • Swim suit
  • Light Long Sleeve T-Shirt
  • T-shirts
  • Plenty of Underware
  • Hiking Socks
  • Shorts *various lengths
  • Jeans
  • Sleep wear
  • Cozy pants *lightweight sweatpants

TOILETRIES: 

*almost every guesthouse and hotel provides; soap,toothbrush & toothpaste and a comb.

FIRST AID & MED KIT: 

Girly Stuff:

  • Ladies you can buy Tampax in Vietnam. 
  • You can´t find face cream without bleaching agents in it.
  • I made hair stops to get my roots dyed and nails done and it was well worth it after riding for a week solid it made me feel a little less grubby. Back street hair salons are the best. Agree on price before.

 

  • My Personal Packing List:
  • 10 pairs of underwear.
  • 2 soft bras
  • 4 tank tops
  • Bikini
  • Lightweight cozy pants
  • 2 x short sleeve t-shirts 
  • 2 x long sleeve t-shirts
  • 1 pair jeans
  • 1 dress
  • 1 pair long shorts
  • 1 pair shorts
  • 1 long loose skirt or dress
  • 1 belt
  • 1 hoody
  • 1 bandana
  • 2 Pairs of sunglasses *because i always break one
  • 4 pairs of socks
  • High tops
  • Flops flops
  • Aquatic training shoes
  • Large pashmina Scarf
  • Riding gloves
  • Soft sun hat
  • Rain jacket
  • Combat pants
  • Travel towel 
  • Camera & camera bag
  • iPhone – head phones – bike case
  • Map
  • Book
  • Reading glasses
  • Note book and pen
  • Battery pack
  • First aid kit
  • Gaffer tape
  • Bike tools; flat head screwdriver, tube, zip ties
  • Ziplock bags
  • Torch
  • Bag lock, Locker lock
  • Photocopies of documents
  • Waterproof case for passport
  • Small change wallet
  • Toiletries

Packing Tips: 

  • Roll tightly clothes and place into packing cubes or bags to compress further.
  • Spread out your valuables don´t keep them all in one place.
  • Keep dirty clothes inside a ziplock or sealed bag.
  • Keep shoes in plastic bags.
  • Keep anything liquid that may leak in a ziplock tight bag.

 

PROTECTIVE MOTOR BIKE CLOTHING:

Helmet: Bring your own as most are just useless made of nothing. A full faced helmet is always better. Make sure your helmet is not loose on your head, has a rain or sun visor and the straps to keep it on your head work. Its worth spending money on. After all its your brain. Dealers will add one into the deal when purchasing a bike,so will backpackers who are selling on their bikes but most of them will be crappy.

Gloves: Light weight breathable bike gloves serve as protection from a fall, dirt and the sun as well as giving you better grip and on long hauls some support.

Boots: DO NOT ride in flip-flops, they give you no grip. I ride in my high tops they have good tread and are breathable and have some ankle protection. 

Jacket: Ponchos just really don’t do it. Buy a lightweight waterproof jacket. They sell North Face factory rejects for $20 – $25 everywhere.

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑