After multiple attempts to pack I finally reached the desired weight of 14 kg in my main backpack. I choose a 55 +15l Deuter Aircontact Pro SL for carrying shoes and clothes for 3 seasons, as well as security, hygiene and health items. My daypack, an Osprey Nebula 34l, was my hand luggage, where I put my laptop, the camera, electronics, documents, some hygiene items and snacks for long transfers.

14 kg is the limit I defined for myself – this is how much I can carry more or less comfortable (keeping in mind the daypack with about 5-7kg) and knowing that my luggage is going to be increasingly heavier while traveling. To fight this I will send some stuff now and then per mail to Germany. It was a pretty challenging task to pack within the defined limit. The first time I packed (tested few months ago) I had something over 16kg. Some of the stuff was not even there, as I ordered more equipment later on. It was clear to me, that I had to reduce my luggage significantly. So here is my packing list for my world trip.

For those, who have no backpack yet: please note, that there are backpacks designed for ladies considering the proportions of female body, thus lighter and more comfortable. Choose backpack carefully, as it is extremely important for your health and travel experience during the whole journey. I highly recommend the Deuter Backpacks for their quality and design. Absolutely love mine!

While putting stuff together I payed extra attention on the weight of materials and was guided by the rule of layering, i.e. no warm bulky pullovers or jackets, but multiple light layers of clothes to put on upon each other and to be combined with each other. Speaking of combining, here the next rule: mix-and-match. The color palette of my clothes was reduced to white-grey-earthy brown shades, so that I can wear and wash anything with anything. Another thing I kept in mind: stay low key!

I highly recommend the Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Compression Cubes. The ultra lightweight silnylon cubes will help you to organise your clothing without worrying about weight, It’s durable and saves space. I have 3 of them in large small (13l and 6l) and can’t imagine any journey without my compression cubes.

It was really hard to keep this bag small, but I’m proud I made it. The only important thing in there was my skin care, which I can’t easily replace due to my sensitive skin. The rest can be bought in every corner of the Earth. I absolutely recommend those silicone travel bottles, a true sensation in use (squeezable! easy to refill, can be taken in carry-on luggage).

I didn’t pack a travel hair dryer first, but needed a lot and borrowed later from a friend for the rest of the journey. Please consider that many hostels and homestays (especially the ones in Latin America) don’t have a hairdryer.

Long haul flights and bus/train transfers are unavoidable on a journey like this, thus its very important to have comfortable clothing to sleep in. So I packed

These items are essential no matter if a round-the-world-trip or any other journey.