Here is a detailed list of everything that I have with me.
Just so you know, I am NOT sponsored by Decathlon, unlike what it may seem.
Backpack
I LOVE this bag. It’s the Forclaz MT500 AIR 60+10 L. It’s a bit on the expensive side, but it has a great system that makes it super light on the shoulders, even with 10+ kg in it. Plnety of pockets.
Smaller backpacks
My good old Eastpack, folded in four to be stored inside the main backpack, as I will use it only for day trips.
There’s an additional compact 10 L bag, that can be completely folded on itself to take minimal space.
Clothes that I’ll have on me. More on those latter.
In the pockets: wallet, passport, tissues, sunglasses (not pictured), survival blanket, hand heater, utility toolcard, phone, earphones.
I’ve stripped the wallet to the strictly necessary for the trip. The phone is a Pixel 6a, which I bought specifically to take decent pictures, and avoid to transport a camera. It would have been better for sure, but I judged it would be too much hassle.
Winter clothes
A coat resistant to – 15 °C. It was very expensive for my taste, but it’s a great 3-in-1 coat: there’s an internal, thick, hot coat, and an external one that is lighter. You can zip them together for extra warmth, or wear either of them independently.
Thick winter gloves, and a Fractal Universe beanie (check them out!)
Clothes
Six underwears, six pairs of socks, not much to say about them.
Six trekking shirts from Decathlon. Very cheap, light, highly compact, dries quickly, armpit aeration so that everyone else can enjoy, very happy with those.
One thermal shirt and one thermal underpants, for the Great North.
Another sweater, in wool.
Another pair of pants. Those are great (and also from Decathlon). They are light, dries fast, can be converted to shorts, and best of all, have five pockets that closes. This doesn’t sound like much, but it’s a life changer in terms of security and just quality of life.
One swimming underwear.
A neck scarf. I hate to have something touching my throat, but better than dying of cold, I guess.
A hat for the hot mediterranean sun.
Packing cubes
Another life-changing tool! I would have probably gone with all my staff randomly thrown in my bag if it wasn’t for these.
There are two for the clothes, one for the dirty clothes, and two for electronics and devices.
A micro-fiber towel.
To be honest, it’s pretty bad at drying you, but it dries itself pretty fast, so that’s good enough for me.
Toiletry
In its own small packing cube, with the essential: toothbrush and toothpaste, razor, q-tips, bottles of shampoo and soap, in a small plastic bag to avoid accidents.
First Aid kit
I bought one from the Internet, it has about everything you need I guess.
Although I added a tick remover!
Electronics
- Spare smartphone. It’s a Xiaomi Redmi 9T, very good for its price, but pictures aren’t too great.
- E-reader (Kobo)
- console (PS Portable)
- external SSD, sport camera (Realimove AC7000, not pictured)
- foldable bluetooth keyboard (not pictured)
- external battery for up to three phone charges
- two USB power sockets
- universal power socket adaptor
- a few USB cables of various types.
Travel notebook and pen
Lock and safety cable
Sleeping bag, for temperature as low as 5 °C. Should only be a last resort thing.
Gourd, with integrated filtering straw (and a compass)
Snacks and medicine
Vitamins, painkillers, a bit of sugary food.
Various objects
Backpack water protection, deodorant, Rubik’s Cube, headlamp, tissues, pen, playing cards…