As I begin to put together a list of all the stuff that I am going to need want for my trip, I figured I might as well post my Christmas list out there so that in the remote chance that Santa comes across this blog, he’ll know exactly what to bring! Hint* Hint*
When on a backpacking trip, anything that I take with me has to meet three basic criteria. First, the item must fulfill a specific function that I cannot do without. Second, it has to weigh as little as possible, and third, the item should ideally either fold or collapse into itself and take up as small a volume as possible. Each of the stocking stuffers listed below will meet one or more of those criteria.
When on a backpacking trip, anything that I take with me has to meet three basic criteria. First, the item must fulfill a specific function that I cannot do without. Second, it has to weigh as little as possible, and third, the item should ideally either fold or collapse into itself and take up as small a volume as possible. Each of the stocking stuffers listed below will meet one or more of those criteria.
1. Ipod Touch: The 3rd generation ipod Touch makes this list because it is so full of features! Not only will it come in handy as a form of entertainment during long plane or bus rides, but it has thousands of apps for download (which I will discuss in a later post) and wifi connectivity (great for checking email and updating social networking sites and blog entries on the go). What really convinced me to buy an ipod Touch is that Lonely Planet now offers their guidebooks as PDF files, and you can buy them by the chapter. So instead of carrying large guidebooks for all the places I plan to visit, I can download just the chapters I want, and load it onto my ipod. Check it out here. Music player, computer, guidebook, all in one! Brilliant!
2. Joby Gorillapod: Every avid photographer needs a tripod for those long exposure shots, or simply to get yourself into the picture when you are traveling solo. With the Joby Gorillapad, you (and your camera) can now go where no tripod could go before.
3. Princeton Tec Quad Headlamp: Lightweight and very compact. Great for navigating through a dark hostel room in the middle of the night to get to the bathroom, or attempting to pack your stuff at 4am to catch the first bus out.
4. Lightweight Daypack: I need a daypack that is sturdy, durable, and lightweight to carry everything from my camera, a rain jacket, to a bottle of water as I go about sightseeing during the day. The Vaude Mini Rock Comfort Pack fits the bill. Best of all when it is time to move on, it stuffs into its own lid for easy, compact storage!
5. Leatherman Pocket Tool: The Juice XE6 combines everything you will find on a Swiss Army Knife plus a full size pair of pliers and wire cutter. When not in use, it folds up nicely into its own leather pouch (sold separately).
Be sure to check out Part Two for more perfect gifts for the global backpacker!
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