Trust me when I say it can be very daunting to even think about packing for a 3 month trip so fear not, here are some of my tried and tested product recommendations that might help you to pack for your next adventure. All the products I will talk about are ones I personally used for my trip around Europe earlier this year and I absolutely loved them. I’ll include links below too.
-
Osprey Fairview Pack 70L
The Osprey Fairview 70 liter backpack with removable day bag was the perfect bag for my trip. It comes in 2 sizes – XS/S and S/M. Being 5’2, I went with the XS/S and it fit my body perfectly. The shoulder straps and compression straps hit me in the right places which is key when lugging around a heavy backpack on foot around Europe! The removable back pack was small and very handy for hikes & exploring to carry water and cameras. You have the option to zip the straps away if you are checking it on to a flight. I’m not sure if the 70L is Carry-on approved but I did get away with it once or twice by removing the day pack and carrying that on as a personal item along side the main pack as a carry-on. I used Amazon packing cubes to fill the main bag and believe me when I say, I overpacked but it was no problem for this backpack.
Side Note The Amazon brand packing cubes are elite. The zips are super sturdy and they come in lots of sizes.
2. Wild Natural Deodorant
I always like to support an Irish brand but only if the product delivers and this is the one. Wild Refillable, Eco-Friendly Deodorants are the one. You can order a customized case and refills in the most beautiful scents. The formula is silky on the skin and it lasts forever. I only used 1 refill over my 3 months of travel so it’s also great value. I have a link for 50% off your first order if you want to take the plunge. They ship to the US as well as Europe. Money really well spent, especially if you are trying to change over to natural deodorant for the first time and the scents are delicious.
3. Teva Midform Universal Sandal
I can’t find the right words to explain how perfect these Teva sandals were for my backpacking trip. They are comfortable, durable, water-proof and easy to clean on top of being cute. Added to that, they are vegan, recyclable and made from recycled material. I think versatile is the key word here. I wore them to the beach, on hikes and with summer dresses to dinner. They literally worked for every situation. Top tip get them in a dark color/design to hide the inevitable dirt they will pick up along the adventure. They retail for around $60, a steal for the amount of wear you can get out of them.
4. Dibs Beauty Desert Island Duo
Dibs Beauty Desert Island Duo Blush/Bronzer Stick is the perfect make up tool for people who don’t wear a lot of make up, like me and don’t want to carry loads of products when travelling. This cream blush/bronzer duo sits on bare skin perfectly and adds a nice pop of color. You can use it on your eyes, cheeks, lips and beyond and it takes up hardly any space in your luggage. I use this religiously with a lick of mascara on the days where I wanted to look a bit fresher but without a big effort. The product itself it vegan, cruelty free and allergy tested. PS: I use shade 4.
4. Lush Shampoo Bars
If you are trying to cut down on the amount of bottles/products when packing, these shampoo & conditioner bars are the best! My personal recommendation for the shampoo is the Montalbano flavor. Don’t forget to get a tin for your bars too. It keeps it dry and easy to access. Not going to lie, I lost my conditioner as soon as I got it so I can’t give that my thumbs up until I try it for longer but the shampoo was a winner. I didn’t get through 1 full bar during my 3 month trip and it left my hair clean and shiny every time. Good value & space efficient. My only criticism is that the bar got stuck in the tin after a certain point and it was harder to use it after that – any tips on rectifying this?
And so concludes my top travel packing tips for extended travels. Everything I recommended are products I used during my most recent backpacking trip and I continue to use them most days, especially the Wild Deodorant.
Happy Packing & Travels!
Olivia