30 perfect gifts for backpackers

If you’ve ever been away on a trip for any length of time, there have probably been items or items of clothing that came in handy and you made the most of, others that were impractical and you ended up discarding, and others that you bought on the fly because you forgot to put them in your backpack.

Experienced travellers usually have already perfected their packing technique. In my case, and especially in the last few years during my travels through sub-Saharan Africa, I’ve been improving my packing, so whether I’m staying in a hostel with all the amenities or sleeping anywhere, there are a number of key items that I can’t do without and that I’d like to share with you.

These 30 items are the perfect gifts for the ultimate backpacker, and I’m sure more than one will thank you for having them on hand in the midst of your adventure!

1. Travel insurance

This is a must-have. Whether you’re going on a weekend getaway or literally going around the world, having travel insurance and health insurance is something that can really help. Depending on the insurance you choose, you will be covered for everything from compensation for any flight delays to your transfer or evacuation in case of an emergency. A friend of mine recently broke a bone in her foot while travelling in South Africa and her travel insurance even covered the flight of one of her friends to be by her side while she recovered. In short, it’s best not to skimp when it comes to insurance. Oh, and here’s a good tip: check that your credit card doesn’t already include travel insurance before you jump into buying insurance – many of them do!

2. A head torch

Head torches are practical whether you’re camping or backpacking. Unlike torches or mobile apps, you don’t have to hold them in your hand, which is super convenient. Use it if the power goes out or when you’re walking in the middle of the night looking for the toilet in your hostel.

📷: @vingtcent

3. Wool socks

There are few feelings as unpleasant as walking around with wet socks, so on your next trip don’t forget to pack a pair of wool socks in your suitcase. Not only do these socks absorb moisture and keep your feet dry better than cotton socks, but they also prevent your feet from smelling. And don’t forget to check the percentage of wool in them – the more the better!

📷: @soyalidiaz

4. An e-Book

An e-book is a practical option because it is lightweight and you can still download books while you are on the road. If you have access to a public library in your town or city, check out their lending system. My library card, for example, allows me to download free e-books and audiobooks even when I’m on the road. A tip: if you download an app on your phone like OverDrive, you might not even need to take an e-book with you (but don’t forget that it will drain your phone’s battery much faster).

5. A portable solar charger

When we travel, we usually carry a few electronic devices that need to be charged, so a handy solution can be to carry a portable battery pack. And if they’re the kind that can be charged by sunlight, you won’t even have to worry about recharging them. You can simply leave them in your tent, on the balcony of your hostel or strap them to your backpack during the day so that as you walk around you can recharge them at the same time.

📷: @kalvisuals

6. A current transformer

Make sure you pack a travel transformer in your suitcase so you don’t have to spend extra money on one at the airport or hunt around for one after you land. A tip: take an extender so you have more outlets and can charge multiple devices with one transformer.

7. Basic medicines and a first-aid kit

First aid kits usually come equipped with bandages, gauze and alcohol swabs. But to be even more prepared, take along over-the-counter medicines such as anti-inflammatories, an anti-diarrhoeal, anti-allergy and motion sickness medicines. They may save you a lot of headaches, such as dealing with unfamiliar drug names or having to search for a pharmacy in the middle of your trip.

8. A sarong or scarf

Few items are as versatile for a backpacker as a sarong or scarf. They are one of those super practical things that you can use in almost any situation: as a scarf to keep you warm on a return, as a picnic tablecloth, as a beach dress, as a towel and even as a blanket.

📷: @ardaygreta

9. Coconut oil

Coconut oil is an excellent cleanser. You can use it to wash your face, to remove make-up, to shave, as a lotion… and much more. Depending on the airports you’re travelling to, some will consider it more of a solid than a liquid, but just in case, put it in the liquid bag for peace of mind.

10. A neck cushion

If you’re going to be catching a few planes, trains and buses during your trip, a neck pillow can be a really useful thing to have. You’ll find plenty of options on Amazon and you’ll know which are the best-rated neck cushions on the market. If space is an issue, you can always buy an inflatable cushion that you can easily deflate and store in your suitcase.

📷: @morrec

11. Adhesive tape

Duct tape is one of those things that will make your day when your suitcase suddenly breaks and you need something urgently to keep it closed, or when your bottle of shampoo starts leaking on your clothes. It’s unconventional, but it’s certainly very practical. Its uses are endless and it’s so small that it’s totally worth packing in your suitcase.

12. A collapsible water bottle

While flying, it’s especially important to stay hydrated, so travelling with a refillable water bottle is an economical and environmentally friendly option. To make the most of the space in your suitcase, you can pack one of these collapsible water bottles.

13. Resealable bags

These easy-to-carry little bags come in handy when you’re packing or travelling. Use them to separate dirty clothes from clean ones, organise your luggage into sections or to prevent liquids from spilling over the contents of your suitcase.

14. Solid cosmetics

With limited liquids to carry, a smart solution is to pack cosmetics and toiletries in ‘solid’ form. These days you can buy shampoo, conditioner and even toothpaste in solid form. In fact, they usually last much longer than their liquid versions (although they’re also more expensive) and you’ll have peace of mind while you fly.

📷: @jakobowens1

15. Earmuffs against noise

Take a reliable pair of headphones or earmuffs to help quiet the sound of crying babies or snoring.

16. A pair of nail clippers and a nail brush

Both are very useful for people who spend a lot of time playing sports, outdoor activities or travelling over dirty and dusty terrain. Nail clippers and a nail brush will help you to keep your nails always clean and cared for.

📷: @adolfofelix

17. A pair of tweezers

In addition to keeping your eyebrows in good condition while you’re on the road, tweezers can also be used to remove splinters or ticks.

18. A passport cover

It is important to keep your passport in perfect condition as you are unlikely to be allowed to travel with a passport that has a torn or water-damaged page. If you are travelling internationally, buy a passport cover to protect your most important item.

19. Money belt

Take a money belt to keep your valuables such as your passport, ID and money safe.

20. Vacuum seal bag

No matter how many tricks you try to cram more stuff into your luggage, nothing will help you save more space than a vacuum-seal bag. Nothing will help you save more space than a vacuum seal bag. You can either buy the manual version, i.e. the one where you can manually roll the air out of the bag yourself to save space, or you can buy a vacuum seal bag directly with a hoover. In case you don’t have access to a hoover during your trip, make sure you buy a small hand vacuum pump. This solution will be a real breakthrough for those who have a tendency to overpack or who buy so much stuff during their trip that they always end up checking an extra suitcase on their return.

21. A small backpack or handbag

Don’t forget to pack a small backpack or handbag to use during the day. If you’re only taking one, make sure it’s versatile enough for whatever you’re doing on holiday, from going to the beach or hiking in the mountains, to partying the night away. And if you want to travel with peace of mind, buy an anti-theft backpack to make life a little more difficult for would-be thieves.

📷: @lyonpixel

22. A mackintosh

While it’s not hard to get hold of an umbrella when you’re travelling, mackintoshes are so cheap and light, it’s worth taking one just in case.

23. Travel sheets or sleeping bag liner

These are a must-have for anyone with a germaphobia. Using a travel sheet or sleeping bag liner will help you sleep soundly at night. They can also be handy for bus, plane or train journeys, and the best thing is that they store like nothing else!

24. An external hard drive

Don’t risk losing photos or recordings from your trip. If you don’t have a backup in the cloud or you’re travelling to places where internet connection is not assured, take an external hard drive with you.

📷: @vaida_dta

25. A padlock with a secret combination

A padlock with a secret combination is often handy when you have to leave your luggage in a hostel or airport locker to go on an adventure.

26. A deck of cards and travel games

Packing a deck of cards in your suitcase can help you make friends and pass the time more quickly when you travel. You can also pack other portable games, such as Bananagrams, or buy travel versions of your favourite board games, such as Monopoly.

27. A water filter

If you’re travelling to places where access to clean drinking water isn’t always guaranteed, take a portable water filter with you. There are plenty of options, from a water purification bottle or a straw with a filter, to effervescent water purification tablets or even small hand pumps for complete filtration.

28. A tripod or selfie stick

Both are very useful for people travelling alone – and before you start criticising them, you have to try them out! Tripods and selfie sticks will help you a lot when it comes to taking pictures from different angles and you’ll be able to go back home with a lot of pictures of yourself.

📷: @rita_vicari

29. A dictionary of survival

Depending on where you are travelling, a pocket dictionary of common phrases can be very handy. Take a look at it before you set off on your trip to start familiarising yourself with the basic expressions so you can greet locals in their language. Tip: The Hostelworld app has a great translation tool that will help you communicate with people from all over the world.

30. Thank you cards and small souvenirs

When I travel, I always end up meeting a lot of amazing people: people I meet along the way, kind hosts… That’s why I like to carry a few thank you cards with me so I can write them a few impromptu lines thanking them. Another gesture of kindness can be to carry small souvenirs from your country to give to people. In my case, being from Canada, I usually carry little leaf-shaped pins to give to others.

did you like the article, read on!

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About the author:

Jacky Habib is a freelance journalist and founder of New Lens Travel. Follow her adventures on Instagram or say hello on Twitter.