MR2a: Mini-Retirement Prep - Packing for a travel year

I did not find a lot of good examples when researching what to bring for a year-long adventure. One example was a guy who brought 17 shirts on his travel year. Not the best reference.

What We Brought

Below is what we ended up bringing, what I wish we brought, and whether we’ve used it 90 days in or not. I may update this as we go along.

All of this fit in two 65L backpacking backpacks, a 30L hiking daypack, and a decently sized computer/corporate backpack.

Feel free to make of a copy of my packing checklist at this link

I did find some good resources online for what types of medicine to bring. Here is what we ended up taking with us and what I’d recommend. Remember, medicine is significantly cheaper in most places outside the U.S. so what you don’t bring, you likely will find it for cheap at a pharmacy.

• Acetaminophen

• Albuterol inhaler (for me)

• Allergy

• Anti-diarrheal

• Chinese blue pills

• Dramamine

• Emergen-C / Airfizz

• First aid kit

• Ginger chews

• Hydrocortisone

• Ibuprofen

• Laxative

• Sinus Congestion

• Sudafed / Mucinex

• Tums

Absolute Must Haves!

• Hanging dresser with 5 compartments (bought used for $11 ea)

• Travel laundry bag for each person

• Travel "washing machine" best used for underwear and socks when you don't have a washing machine

What I Wish We Brought

• Lightweight sleeping shorts (can't believe I forgot this)

• House slippers (we have now kept the ones from a Cathay Pacific flight hehe)

Things We Bought Along The Way

• Replacement shorts (I lost them in Madrid two weeks into the trip lol)

• Replacement earrings

• Replacement Lidl water bottle

• Disposable razors (Kyle has been sporting a mustache)

We also poorly timed our visit to New Zealand thinking Spring would be warmer (oops!). So we bought some outerwear at op shops as a one-time unique situation. We will likely donate these items back to an op shop. Items: thick fleece, down jacket, hiking pants, thick socks, gloves, beanies, scarf.