What’s in my bag? Here is my four seasons edition
For someone who has been born in Canada, I’m used to having the four seasons each year. Every single one of them has its benefits and disadvantage: Autumn for the warm colours, Winter for a magical snowy landscape vibe and snowboarding, summer for terraces with friends, sun tanning with the less clothing possible and sandy peaches and spring for a new beginning.
While some others want to escape the cold and have an all-year summer. I like to balance the two kinds of destination: cold and warm. A perfect combination to boost my creativity, get diversity and not get bored.
Whether you are living for a week or two months, packing can be really challenging but know that there are essentials that you will need no matter the time you will leave your home base.
Slow travel means that you have to be prepared for every season (of course it will depend on your destination). The funny part is that most of the weight will be your Digital nomad gear (40%), cold gear (40%) and summer gear (20%).
As a photographer and graphic designer, I indeed need some heavy gear. This means that I’m not able to carry only one backpack and run everywhere easily. The good part is that I only need to move all my belongings once per month or longer.
After slow travelling since 2017, I tested a lot of gear, removed, and added things and now, I’m very happy with everything that I own because I have the certitude that it will be used and have a purpose (If I know I won’t use it more than 60%, of the time, it will stay back home).
There is a huge difference between packing for a week’s vacation and packing for a 6 months travel where you are basing yourself in another country as if you would be living there for a certain period of time. But you also don’t want to bring your whole life with you. A 23k wheel luggage (I have the Osprey Transporter 90L, love it for its big wheels and durability) and a day backpack shall carry all the necessities you need.
But you also want to leave some space if you want to buy gifts or things for your hometown.
Part of my everyday clothing is also a mix of what I found while travelling and swapped with people that I have met along the way. I love doing that because it gives a memory to the item and one thing I love is exchanging something I no longer need and knowing it will serve someone else.
I remember giving away one of my first cameras and making that girl so happy.
Obviously, we all have different needs so feel free to remove or add things to the list.
To help you save time in your next packing, grab my free checklist below.
So how do I pack? Here is my checklist
Mountains gear (such a fatso...):
- (1) Light to Mid-weight polyester or wool/synthetic blend base layer bottoms
- (1) Light to Mid-weight polyester or wool/synthetic blend base layer tops
- (1) Mid to heavyweight polyester or wool/synthetic blend mid-layer top
- (1) Mid to heavyweight polyester or wool/synthetic blend mid-layer bottom
- (1) Mid-weight fleece trousers/pants to wear under your waterproof pants
- (1) Waterproof and breathable jacket / Poncho
- (1) Warm Toque
- (1) Outer layer pants: Waterproof and breathable
- (1) Mid-weight fleece jacket
- (1) Pair of glove liners
- (1) Pair of waterproof gloves or mittens
- (1) Neckwarmer / buff / balaclava
- (2 – 3) underwears (if you wear any…)
Camping equipment:
- (1) 46L+ Backpack for 3 + days camping
- (1) 15 – 25 L daypack
- (1) tent
- (1) Mattress
- (1) Sleeping bag
- (1) Sleeping bag liner (extra layer of warmth and keeps your sleeping bag longer)
Footwear:
- (2) Socks: mid to heavyweight polyester or wool/synthetic blend socks medium length
- (2) Socks: Polyester or wool/synthetic blend socks medium length and thickness socks
- (1) Pair of hiking boots
- (1) pair of casual shoes
- (1) Sandal
Beach wear:
- (2) Socks: mid to heavyweight polyester or wool/synthetic blend socks medium length
- (2) Socks: Polyester or wool/synthetic blend socks medium length and thickness socks
- (1) Pair of hiking boots
- (1) pair of casual shoes
- (1) Sandal
Medical and toiletries:
- Lip protection (with a minimum SPF 30 sunblock)
- Seasickness medication, bracelets, or patches if prone to illness on ships
- Sufficient supply of prescription medicines
- Sunblock (SPF 50 or higher is recommended)
- Toothbrush
Must have for sustainability
- (1) Reusable water bottle
- (1) Bar Shampoo
- (1) water filter straw/bottle
- (1)Container for food
Digital nomad essential (the most fatso):
- International electrical converter with adapter plug set.
- Laptop/tablet computer
- All chargers, cords, needed for electronic devices
- Tripod
- Portable charger
- 1 camera + lenses
- 1 GoProWaterproof bags (gallon or liter bags to protect cameras, batteries, to store gloves, etc.)
- (1) Lock
- 1 Copie of my passport and driver’s license + email to myself and 1 friend
- (1) Medical kit
Security
Optional Equipment
- Sunglasses with 100% UV protection
- Personal diary or journal
- Heated hand or toe warmers
- Extra camera batteries and film/memory cards
- Compression bags
