Daypack Packing List: Essentials for Every Adventure

Travel tips

Mar 23

Sven and Ingrid from The Real Traveler standing at the edge of a cliff looking at the ocean with their daypacks on.

A well-packed daypack can make all the difference when you're out exploring! You want to keep it light but still have everything you need for everyday. Whether you're hiking, exploring a city, or relaxing by the beach, this list has you set.

Let's get packing!

THE BACKPACKS

We have two backpacks: a medium-sized one and a smaller one. Depending on the activities we have planned and how much we need to carry, we select the appropriate backpack for the day. Typically, we use the medium-sized bag for our everyday adventures.

When we're changing accommodations or in transit and are not using our backpacks as daypacks, we store our e-reader, laptop, photocopies of important documents, camera, and other fragile items in the smaller backpack. These items are safer there, as they could get damaged if kept in our larger bags.

Two different daypacks laying on a lounger at the edge of the water.

For us, the perfect daypack had to include hip straps for extra weight support, two compartments for our water bottles, and a design that made the main zippers less accessible, offering an added layer of security against pickpockets in crowded places. Down below you can shop the exact same backpacks as those we had throughout our entire worldtrip!

BUY |
Fjällraven Abisko Hike Foldsack (25 L)
Vaude Unuk II Daypack (6-15L)

The Daypack Packing List

Mosquito repellent and sunscreen are also a must, especially in the warmer months. We’ve also found it handy to carry an umbrella for sun protection for long walks under the sun, as the weather can get extremely hot and sunny in tropical countries during the day.

To keep things compact and reduce the weight we carry, we refill our travel-sized toiletry bottles with hand soap and sunscreen.

As sustainable travelers we always keep our reusable water bottles, cutlery, and metal straws in a designated pocket of our backpacks and try our best to order without straws. We enjoy grabbing fresh fruit smoothies, picking up takeout for our hikes, or sipping on fresh coconuts at the beach. We refill our water bottles at our accommodations, as most places provide filtered water dispensers or water filters.

Our camera, phones and instant camera are always on hand to capture the moments as we explore. Whether it’s a scenic view or a spontaneous adventure, we don’t want to miss the opportunity to take a picture.

A useful travel tip is to carry tissues, a small roll of toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and liquid soap in a refillable bottle. Public restrooms may not always provide these supplies, and in some countries, toilet paper isn't common—so you definitely don’t want to be caught unprepared.

The only items we occasionally take out, depending on the destination, daily activities, and weather: are the mosquito repellent and the umbrella.

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Daypack: First-Aid Kit

We carry two first aid kits: a small one in our daypack for daily adventures, stocked with a few basic medications, and a larger one in our main backpacks, which includes more extensive emergency supplies.

The small kit ensures we’re always prepared for minor injuries, headaches, or stomach issues while exploring, without adding unnecessary weight to our pack. The larger kit stays in our main luggage, containing extra supplies for more serious situations, such as wound dressings, antibiotics, and rehydration salts. We take only a few pills of each in our small first-aid kit, as it is meant for immediate emergencies and can be easily refilled from our main kit when needed. This system helps us stay light on the go while ensuring we have everything necessary for unexpected health issues.