What I’m Packing for 13 Months in 21 Countries

Last updated: April 2, 2026

I’m building a long-term travel packing list for 13 months across 21 countries — and everything has to fit in one bag. Well, one bag and a daypack and probably a toiletry kit stuffed into a side pocket. The point is, everything I own for the next year has to fit on my back.

I’m not a gear reviewer. I’m a project manager with ADHD who spent way too many hours reading Reddit threads and watching YouTube comparisons at 1am. Some of this stuff I already own. Some of it I’m still deciding on. I’ll update this long-term travel packing list as I test things and swap things out — because the packing list I leave with in August probably won’t look like the one I have right now.

If you’re planning your own extended trip — a sabbatical, a career break, a gap year, or any kind of long-term travel — maybe this saves you a few late nights of research.

Full disclosure: the links below are Amazon affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you buy through them. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, and it helps fund the trip documentation.

Bags and Packing Gear for Long-Term Travel

The main bag decision consumed an embarrassing amount of my planning time. For a 13-month trip, you want something that’s carry-on friendly for budget airlines, comfortable for long walks from the train station, and big enough to actually hold your life.

The Osprey Farpoint 40L hits that balance — it opens like a suitcase but carries like a backpack, and Osprey’s warranty is legendary. For daily exploring, I’m bringing a lighter daypack that folds small when I don’t need it.

Packing cubes aren’t optional for a trip this long. They’re the difference between “I know exactly where my socks are” and “everything I own is a wrinkled ball.” If there’s one thing on this long-term travel packing list that I’d call truly essential beyond the bag itself, it’s these.

• Osprey Farpoint 40L Travel Backpack — Main bag. Carry-on sized, opens flat, hip belt for long hauls.
• Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack — Light enough for day trips, attaches to the Farpoint if needed.
• Peak Design Packing Cube (Medium) — Compression cubes that actually stay compressed.
• Eagle Creek Pack-It Isolate Compression Cubes — Separates clean from dirty. Essential after week two.

Camera and Filming Gear

This is where the packing list gets interesting. I’m documenting the whole sabbatical on YouTube — not as a polished travel show, but as an honest record of what a 13-month career break actually looks like.

I’m using an Insta360 X4 because it shoots 360-degree video, which means I never miss a shot even when I have no idea what I’m doing. The invisible selfie stick disappears in the footage, so it looks like a floating camera following me around. It’s wild.

Audio matters more than video quality for YouTube — bad audio makes people click away faster than shaky footage. A wireless mic that clips to your shirt makes a massive difference, especially in windy or noisy environments like festivals and markets.

• Insta360 X4 — 8K 360 action camera. Waterproof, AI editing, stabilization that makes everything look smooth.
• Insta360 2-in-1 Invisible Selfie Stick + Tripod — Doubles as a tripod. The stick vanishes in 360 footage.
• Insta360 114cm Invisible Selfie Stick — Extended reach for wider shots.
• Rode Wireless GO II — Dual-channel wireless mic system. Records on-board as backup. Small enough to forget it’s there.
• Samsung T7 Portable SSD (1TB) — Fast backup storage for footage. Weighs almost nothing.

Tech and Electronics for a Long-Term Travel Packing List

The goal here is minimal but functional. I need to edit video, stay connected, and not lose my mind when the power situation is different in every country.

One good universal adapter, a power bank that can charge a laptop, and headphones that block out hostel noise at 2am — that covers about 90% of what you need on the electronics side of any long-term travel packing list.

• EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter — Works in every country on my itinerary. USB-C and USB-A ports built in.
• Anker 737 Power Bank (24,000mAh) — Big enough to charge a laptop. A lifesaver during long layovers.
• Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Headphones — Active noise canceling, 40-hour battery, folds flat. Budget alternative to Sony or Bose.
• Kindle Paperwhite (2024) — 7″ display, weeks of battery. Beats carrying books across 21 countries.

Clothing and Footwear

Thirteen months means every climate — English rain in August, Egyptian heat in November, Bolivian altitude in July. The trick is layers and fabrics that do double duty.

Merino wool is the secret weapon of any serious long-term travel packing list. It doesn’t stink after multiple wears, dries fast, and regulates temperature whether you’re in a Bangkok market or hiking in Patagonia. I’m packing three or four merino shirts and washing as I go.

For shoes, I’m bringing one pair of walking shoes that can handle both city sidewalks and light trails, and a packable rain jacket that stuffs into its own pocket. That’s it. If I need something specific — like warm layers for Patagonia — I’ll buy locally and donate before moving on.

• Woolly Clothing Merino Wool V-Neck T-Shirt — Wear it three days straight without smelling like a hostel. Seriously.
• Marmot PreCip Eco Rain Jacket — Waterproof, breathable, packs into its own pocket. Non-negotiable for England.
• Merrell Moab 2 Waterproof Hiking Shoe — Comfortable enough for city walking, rugged enough for Machu Picchu.

Toiletries and Organization

A hanging toiletry bag is one of those things that sounds unnecessary until you’re in a shared bathroom with no counter space and a wet floor. Hang it on a hook, everything’s accessible, nothing touches the mystery puddle. Simple.

This might be the least exciting section of this long-term travel packing list, but it’s the stuff that keeps daily life functional when you’re living out of a backpack.

• Gonex Hanging Toiletry Bag — Multiple compartments, hook for hanging. Keeps things organized in tiny bathrooms.
• PackTowl Personal Quick-Dry Towel — Dries in hours, packs tiny. Not every place provides towels.

Comfort and Health Essentials

This category is the one I didn’t think about enough at first. I was so focused on bags and cameras that I forgot I’d be spending dozens of hours on buses, trains, and flights in economy seats. A good travel pillow and compression socks aren’t glamorous, but they’re the difference between arriving functional and arriving destroyed.

Water safety varies wildly across 21 countries. In Southeast Asia and parts of South America, having your own water purification means you’re not buying plastic bottles every day and you’re not worrying about getting sick from tap water. This section of the packing list might matter more than any other for staying healthy on the road.

• Trtl Travel Pillow — Not a U-shaped pillow. Actually supports your neck. Game changer for long flights.
• LifeStraw Personal Water Filter — Removes bacteria and parasites. Lightweight backup for sketchy water situations.
• GRAYL GeoPress Water Purifier Bottle — Press-and-drink purification. Use it daily instead of buying bottled water.
• SurviveX Travel Medicine Kit — TSA-approved, individually wrapped meds. For the times you need ibuprofen at 3am and the pharmacy is closed.

Security Gear

I’m not paranoid, but I’m also a solo traveler with 13 months of cash flow to protect. A slim neck pouch under your shirt holds your passport, backup cards, and emergency cash where nobody can get to it. I’d rather look slightly lumpy than deal with a stolen passport in Cambodia.

No long-term travel packing list is complete without thinking about security — especially for solo travelers hitting 21 countries across multiple continents.

• Pacsafe Coversafe V75 RFID Neck Pouch — Sits flat under a shirt. RFID blocking. Holds passport and cards.

What’s Still on My Packing List

I haven’t bought everything yet. I’m still deciding on a few things: a packable down jacket for cold legs (Bolivia, Chile, Cappadocia), a money belt vs. the neck pouch, and whether I really need a travel umbrella or if the rain jacket is enough.

I’ll update this long-term travel packing list as I make final decisions and start actually testing things. If you’ve done a long trip and have a gear recommendation I’m missing — let me know in the comments. I’m five months out and the spreadsheet still has blank cells.

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More sabbatical planning:

• What five months out actually feels like
• What kind of sabbatical personality are you?
• Top 10 tips for planning a sabbatical or career break
• About The Sabbatical Files

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This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend things I’m actually using or seriously considering for this trip — no sponsored placements, no paid reviews. Just a guy with a spreadsheet and a backpack.

Last updated: March 2026. I’ll keep updating this list as I buy, test, and swap gear before the August departure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best backpack for long-term travel?

The Osprey Farpoint 40L is one of the most recommended bags for extended trips because it fits in the overhead bin on most airlines, opens flat like a suitcase, and has a hip belt for long carry days. At 40 liters it is large enough for a year of travel but small enough to stay carry-on compliant on budget airlines across Europe and Asia.

Do I really need packing cubes for a long trip?

Yes, packing cubes are worth it for any trip longer than two weeks. They keep your bag organized, compress clothing to save space, and let you find what you need without pulling everything out. Compression cubes are especially useful if you are packing for multiple climates.

What camera is best for travel vlogging?

The Insta360 X4 is a strong choice for solo travel content because it shoots 360-degree footage and the invisible selfie stick disappears in the final video, giving you a hands-free, cinematic look without a camera crew. For audio, pairing it with a small wireless mic like the Rode Wireless GO II makes a noticeable difference in video quality.

How do I handle power adapters for a multi-country trip?

One universal travel adapter covers most destinations. The EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter works in over 150 countries and has USB-A and USB-C ports built in. A high-capacity power bank is equally important for long travel days when you do not have access to an outlet.

Is it safe to drink tap water when traveling long-term?

Tap water safety varies widely by country. In many parts of Southeast Asia, South America, and Africa, tap water is not safe to drink. A LifeStraw or GRAYL GeoPress water purifier gives you safe drinking water almost anywhere without buying single-use plastic bottles every day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you really pack for 13 months in one carry-on bag?

Yes — if you choose the right bag and edit ruthlessly. The Osprey Farpoint 40L holds everything I need for 13 months across 21 countries while still fitting in most overhead bins. The key is multi-purpose items and merino wool base layers.

What bag do you use for long-term travel?

The Osprey Farpoint 40L is my main bag. It carries 40 liters, fits in most overhead bins, and has a removable Daylite Plus daypack that detaches for day trips.

Do you carry a separate daypack?

The Osprey Daylite Plus attaches to the back of the Farpoint and separates for daily use. It’s how I avoid checking luggage — the Farpoint goes overhead and the Daylite fits under the seat.

How do you handle laundry for 13 months of travel?

Almost every destination has laundry services that wash and fold by the kilo — typically $1 to $3. Merino wool clothing can also be worn multiple times between washes without retaining odor, which cuts down wash frequency significantly.