The Best and Worst Things I Packed for a Trip Around the World

Per request, today I am sharing the best and worst things that I packed for my 101-day trip around the world. Some things held up to being worn again and again, and some things got replaced mid-trip. Here is the breakdown.

Some people noticed that I was wearing different clothing towards the end of my trip. I did a small amount of shopping and replaced some items that got too worn to continue wearing. Once I made it to Portugal I wasn’t biking and hiking anymore and wanted some more formal clothing, so I went to Zara, Mango, and H&M to get a couple of new things. I had to toss my sneakers out when they became caked in dirt and poop (not my own); my sister brought me a new pair.

You and find my complete packing list here.

The Best Things I Packed:

Table of Contents

Keen Waterproof Hiking Boots

I have had these for years and they are comfortable and keep my feet dry. These are big and bulky so I wore them on flights to save room in my suitcase.

Barbour Rain Jacket

It can be hard to find a rain jacket that is actually waterproof. I know that sounds nuts, but even J.Crew’s “perfect rain jacket” is water-resistant and not waterproof. I needed waterproof. I was making a stop at Milford Sound, one of the wettest places on the planet! Getting wet while climbing Kilimanjaro was the last thing I wanted. Lots of research led me to Barbour. I love the wide variety of colors and styles they offer, plus the fact that they kept me dry! Their jackets are totally waterproof and some also function as windbreakers.

Canon Powershot G7x Mark II

My friend Jenn told me about this camera and I love that it is lightweight and compact and that it takes photos just as crisp and clear as a DSLR. It can go a long time without needing to be charged too!

All Things Lululemon

The quality is worth the price. Plus, some of the tees fold up to be tiny saving me space in my one suitcase. I packed three pairs of leggings, three pairs of shorts, a long sleeved shirt, two sweatshirts, a tee, and two tanks. I especially love the scuba hoodie, it’s large pockets can hold my phone and my passport making it an ideal airplane outfit.

Sam Edelman Sandals

I only packed three pairs of shoes: the hiking boots, sneakers, and a pair of gold Sam Edelman sandals. They went with everything from jeans to summer dresses, were so comfortable that I could walk 7+ miles in them in a day, and they have already held up for two years! I picked gold sandals because they go with absolutely everything. Here is a link to a similar pair of Sam Edelman metalic sandals. I have other pairs of Sam Edelman shoes and they also hold up well and are very comfortable!

Sweatpants

I almost didn’t pack these, but I slept in them again and again. It was colder than I had expected in Italy and I slept in sweatpants and a sweatshirt. I wore the sweatpants on Kilimanjaro too, layered over leggings.

Ziploc Bags

I use large ziploc bags for everything. I put dirty laundry in them. Sometimes I would keep my laptop in one to protect it from getting wet if I brought it on day trips (I only brought my laptop if I was going to be in a car for hours and wanted to do work). When I was climbing Kilimanjaro, the chef would fill my water bottle with hot water so that I could sleep with it and try to keep warm. I put the bottle in a ziploc just in case it leaked and I think it helped it to stay warm for longer.

J.Crew Jeans

I love J.Crew jeans because they don’t stretch out while you wear them, so you can wear them a few times before they need to be washed.

Neck Gaiters

I used these to cover my neck and prevent sunburns, to hold my hair back, to soak up sweat on hot hikes, and to cover my ears when it was freezing on Kilimanjaro.

Medicine

I packed a big bag of over the counter medications. Sudafed and Immodium were liftsavers on this trip – I was glad to have packed them since I needed them in situations where I was off the grid. I swear by Airborne and took it after every long haul flight and I took it while I was climbing Kilimanjaro. An extra boost of vitamins is always a good thing.

Lush Shampoo and Conditioner Bars

I bought these on the trip and I like that they were solid bars and not liquids making them easier to pack. I thought the shampoo was great (I used “honey I washed my hair”), I lathered it in my hands and massaged into my hair. The conditioner is harder to use, I ended up rubbing the bar into my hair, but it was still better than nothing.

Hershel Packable Day Pack

This day pack folds up into a tiny pouch and is perfect for days trips when a purse was not practical.

True & Co. Bras

These versatile wire-free bras are comfortable and functional. They are easy to wash too!

The Worst Things I Packed:

Go Pro Hero

I just never felt the need to use it since iPhones have such great video. I thought that I would use it when I climbed Kilimanjaro, but it was the furthest thing from my mind while I battled the cold temps and altitude sickness.