What I packed vs what I actually used backpacking for 6 months (40L packing list)
After six months of backpacking across Southeast Asia with only a 40L backpack, I quickly realised I’d packed far more than I actually needed. In this guide I’ll share exactly what I packed, what I used every day, what I never touched, and how I’d pack differently next time. Hopefully it saves you money, space and sore shoulders.
Packing for a long backpacking trip can feel overwhelming. Before I left for six months travelling around Southeast Asia, I spent weeks researching packing lists, buying “travel essentials”, and convincing myself I’d need every item in my backpack.
The reality? I used the same clothes over and over again, washed them every week, and carried far more than I actually needed.
I travelled with just a 40L backpack, while my friend carried an 85L bag. Looking back, I wouldn’t change my decision for a second. Travelling light saved money on flights, made moving between hostels much easier, and meant I never dreaded carrying my bag.
In this guide, I’ll share exactly what I packed, what I actually used, what I wish I’d left at home, and the products that genuinely made travelling easier.
Before leaving for six months of backpacking, I spent weeks researching packing lists and convincing myself I needed “just one more thing.”
Looking back, I probably used only 70% of what I packed.
Some items became absolute essentials, while others stayed buried at the bottom of my backpack for the entire trip.
If you’re planning a long backpacking trip, here’s exactly what I packed, what I actually used, what I’d leave behind, and the packing tips that made travelling so much easier.
Everyhing i packed for six months of backpacking across Asia – Backpack and cubes on floor
The biggest backpacking mistake: packing too much
I don’t know any backpacker who hasn’t overpacked before their first long trip.
It’s easy to think you’ll need different outfits for every occasion or that you’ll need lots of “just in case” items. The reality is very different.
You’ll probably find yourself wearing the same favourite clothes over and over again. Most hostels, hotels and laundrettes offer affordable laundry facilities, so you really don’t need as many clothes as you think.
Packing lighter doesn’t just save space—it makes travelling easier.
A lighter backpack means:
- Easier airport transfers
- Less hassle on buses and trains
- More comfortable walks to accommodation
- Cheaper flights if you’re travelling with carry-on luggage
- Less strain on your back
One of the biggest lessons I learned was to choose versatile gear rather than packing lots of options.
A photo of you wearing your backpack or carrying it through an airport, bus station or city
Before you pack anything...
Before worrying about clothes or gadgets, make sure you’ve packed the essentials.
Without these, your trip isn’t going very far:
- Passport
- Bank card
- Driving licence (if applicable)
- Travel insurance documents
- Copies of important documents stored digitally
Almost everything else can be replaced once you arrive if needed.
Why I Chose a 40L Backpack
A 40L backpack was the perfect size for me.
It was small enough to qualify as carry-on luggage on many airlines, saving money on checked baggage throughout my trip. It also forced me to only pack the essentials instead of filling empty space with unnecessary items.
If you’re travelling through similar climates, I’d recommend a backpack between 35L and 40L.
The backpack I used comfortably lasted six months and still had room for souvenirs along the way.
For my six-month trip, I travelled with a 50–60L backpack.
Although it comfortably held everything I needed, I quickly realised that filling all the available space simply encouraged me to carry more than necessary.
If I were doing the trip again, I’d focus even more on packing only the essentials and leaving some spare room for anything I bought while travelling.
I remember watching my friend trying to lift her 85L backpack onto a bus in Vietnam while I simply picked mine up with one hand
A clear photo of your backpack on its own
My Backpacking Packing List
Clothing
I kept my clothing fairly simple and chose pieces that could be mixed and matched.
I packed:
- 6–7 T-shirts or camisoles
- 7 pairs of underwear
- 3 pairs of socks
- 4 pairs of shorts, trousers or skirts
- 1 hoodie
- 2 swimsuits
- Nightwear
- Lightweight rain jacket
Choosing neutral colours made it much easier to create different outfits without carrying unnecessary clothes.
If you’re travelling somewhere colder, you’ll naturally need to adjust your packing list with warmer layers.
Footwear
Shoes can take up a surprising amount of space, so it’s worth keeping things simple.
I travelled with:
- Salomon XT-6 Gore-Tex trainers
- Birkenstock sandals
- Flip-flops
The Salomon XT-6s quickly became one of my favourite travel purchases. They were comfortable enough for long walking days, waterproof during unexpected rain and versatile enough to wear almost every day.
My sandals were perfect for hostel showers, beach days and relaxing evenings.
Toiletries
One mistake many people make is bringing full-size toiletries.
If you’re travelling with carry-on luggage, liquids must be under 100ml anyway, and you’ll often find supermarkets everywhere you go.
My essentials included:
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Razor
- Moisturiser
- Suncream
- Shampoo and conditioner bars
- Hairbrush
- Hair ties
- Sanitary products
One item that really impressed me was shampoo bars. They lasted much longer than I expected, saved space and removed the hassle of carrying extra liquids.
Electronics
These were the electronics I found most useful:
- AirPods
- Charging cables
- Universal travel adapter
- Kindle
- Laptop (Surface Pro)
I wasn’t a huge reader before travelling, but my Kindle quickly became one of my favourite items. It was perfect for long flights, buses, ferries and relaxing evenings.
A universal travel adapter is another item I’d never travel without.
Extra travel essentials
Some of the smaller items turned out to be incredibly useful:
- Compression packing cubes
- Microfibre towel
- Padlock
- Head torch
- Small first aid kit
- Spare bank card
Compression packing cubes helped keep everything organised throughout the trip, especially when moving accommodation every few days.
The padlock was essential for hostel lockers, while the microfibre towel dried quickly and packed down much smaller than a normal towel.
What I actually used every week
After six months of travelling, these were the items I reached for almost every day:
- Compression packing cubes
- Salomon XT-6 trainers
- Kindle
- Universal travel adapter
- Microfibre towel
- Shampoo bars
- Padlock
- Rain jacket
These are all items I’d happily buy again for another long backpacking trip.
items used everyday – whole backpack
What I didn't really use
The biggest thing I overpacked was clothes.
Before leaving, I imagined I’d want lots of different outfits, but I ended up wearing the same comfortable favourites on repeat.
- Too many clothes
- Extra toiletries
- Makeup
- Hiking trousers
- Thick hoodie
- Spare cable
Laundry was easy to find almost everywhere I travelled, so there was no need to carry weeks’ worth of clothing.
If I packed again tomorrow, I’d take fewer clothes and rely on washing them more often.
What I'd pack if i did it again
This is the advice readers are really looking for.
For example:
- I’d take fewer clothes.
- I’d still choose a 40L backpack.
- I’d pack even fewer toiletries.
- I’d take one pair of trainers and one pair of sandals.
- I’d leave more space for things I bought while travelling.
- I’d bring a lightweight tote bag for food shopping and beach days.
It feels reflective, reinforces your experience, and gives readers practical takeaways.
My top packing tips
carry backpack/ walking through city
After six months of backpacking, these are the biggest lessons I’d pass on to anyone planning a similar trip:
- Choose versatile clothing that can be mixed and matched.
- Pack for one week, not six months.
- Leave space in your backpack for souvenirs.
- Don’t pack “just in case” items.
- Invest in good-quality shoes—you’ll wear them every day.
- Use compression packing cubes to stay organised.
- Buy items along the way if you genuinely need them.
Final thoughts
Packing light completely changed the way I travelled.
Although I still packed more than I needed, I quickly realised that carrying less makes every part of travelling easier. Whether it’s walking through busy cities, climbing hostel stairs or catching buses, every kilogram makes a difference.
The biggest lesson I learned was to choose versatile gear over quantity. A few well-chosen items that work in multiple situations are far more valuable than a backpack full of “just in case” extras.
Remember, almost everything can be bought once you arrive. It’s much better to leave a little extra space than to spend six months carrying things you’ll never use.
If you’re still planning your trip, be sure to check out my Complete Backpacking Packing List, where I break down everything I’d pack if I were starting my journey again.
| Item | Would I Pack Again? |
|---|---|
| 40L Backpack | ✅ Yes |
| Packing Cubes | ✅ Yes |
| Kindle | ✅ Yes |
| Hiking Boots | ❌ No |
| Shampoo Bars | ✅ Yes |
| Too Many Clothes | ❌ No |