Long Term Travel Packing

LBargain Hunter 007 on 23/10/2016 - 13:21
Last edited 23/10/2016 - 13:22 by 1 other user

Hi All!

I've booked my one way flight from Melbourne to Berlin for April next year (courtesy of Velocity points, thanks AMEX). After the first 3-4 weeks of meeting up with some friends in Germany I have 0 plans so I want to be prepared for anything. The end destination is approximately 6 months down the line to end up and live in London (my company is arranging a transfer from our office in Melbourne).

I've now started the process (which I consider) to be almost as exciting as travelling itself.. packing! I'm starting early to give myself the best opportunity to get bargains and also get familiar with the purchases I make before I head over.

What I have so far:

  • Sony A6000 and stock lens 16-50mm f/3.5, sony zoom lens 55-210mm f/4.5 and rokinon 12mm f/2.
  • 200W head lamp
  • UNIQLO AIRism undies

What I'm looking to buy and max amount willing to spend (unless there is a really compelling reason to spend more!):

  • Travel bag/ $300 (thinking 50L range)
  • Laptop / $1500 (can easily run Lightroom, good battery life)
  • Tripod / $200 (looking at this https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Lightweight-Portable-Monopod-C…)
  • Lens / $1,000 (probably get a prime, and a zoom lens to replace the stock lens)
  • Clothes / $1,000 (full wardrobe of merino wool travel clothes, brands like ice breaker that have a little style but are based on practicality)
  • Any other cool items!

Thanks for any tips!

TLDR; travelling overseas, looking for advice on tech, clothes, accessories - happy to spend $$

Travel

Comments

  • BadHorse on 23/10/2016 - 16:33
    +1

    For the bag are you looking at a hiking bag or suitcase?

    I've had friends rave about getting a few woolen shirts, which are robust, warm and don't smell as much after multiple uses without a wash

    • Bargain Hunter 007 on 23/10/2016 - 21:36

      I'd like one decent sized bag as carry on luggage, and a smaller bag for day trips.

      I'm planning on packing as light as possibly, and aside from photography gear I think I should be able to keep it pretty minimalist.

      The not smelling much after a couple of uses is definitely what I'm looking for, keen to stop over in India so I'll be sweating a bit!

  • mskeggs on 23/10/2016 - 16:37

    I think you are over doing it on the photography gear unless you earn an income from it, or it is your main hobby you do every day.
    I would skip the tripod for a pocket size little thing (gorilla one or something?) and skip some of the lenses. Maybe keep the long zoom on all the time with the 12mm in a pocket for when it is needed.
    I would also think hard about backpacking with a laptop, especially a costly one. A smart phone with an OTG card reader can cloud back up your pics over wifi, and you can do post processing once you are settled again. Even if you bought a $40 supermarket smartphone and big sd card to do nothing else except photo backup it would be heaps easier than carting a laptop.
    I can't imagine what you intend to spend $1000 on for a wardrobe. Maybe a nice coat, jeans, and a couple of shirts, plus shorts and shirt for warm weather. I would suggest you dress the same in Berlin as you do in Australian cities,with an allowance for the weather, rather than some exotic hiking clothes. Otherwise you will look like an American tourist.

    • Bargain Hunter 007 on 23/10/2016 - 21:45

      Thanks for the tips mskeggs, really sensible stuff but I can't make any of those sacrifices (good chance I'll look back at this and think I should have though!) .

      The photography side of things is something I'm getting more interested in so I was due for an upgrade in equipment regardless. I thought I may as well do it before I get some of the best photo opportunities I will have ever head thus far.

      I am trying to keep the kit as small as possible however, which is a reason I'm thinking of buying a good zoom lens that can cover a few bases. I really enjoy astrophotography and long exposure shots in general so a tripod is a must for me too.

      Plus considering I'll be taking a lot of photos, I thought if I didn't bring a laptop to delete/ edit photos along the way (hoping to keep it to once a week) I'll find it tough to get to it later.

      In terms of spending a $1,000 on clothes, that number seems to come up pretty quick after you buy:

      • Hiking shoes - $150
      • Mid wear - $200
      • Jacket - $200
      • Pants - $100
      • Couple of nice breathable tops - $100
      • Other bits and pieces

      I suppose because my plan is so open I want a good set of clothes that I'll be able to use in a variety of climates.

    • zappy32 on 24/10/2016 - 05:08

      I can't imagine what you intend to spend $1000 on for a wardrobe. Maybe a nice coat, jeans, and a couple of shirts, plus shorts and shirt for warm weather. I would suggest you dress the same in Berlin as you do in Australian cities,with an allowance for the weather, rather than some exotic hiking clothes. Otherwise you will look like an American tourist.

      I can't agree with this more except we call in the German tourist look, although that may work better in Berlin. Just take some comfortable clothes that you'd wear around the city here. If you want to go on the some real treks then take some hiking shoes but you will stand out like a first time traveler dressed for Everest in Berlin. Don't expect to get in to any clubs or late night bars dressed in hiking boots and you'll get some weird looks even during the day.

      Some comfortable shoes is probably the only thing I'd change from what you'd wear in Australia depending on what you wear here, but just a pair of decent and light sneakers.

      If you are really are going on some overnight hikes then think about getting that stuff by all means but if it's just a European cities in winter your worried about then you just need a warm jacket and you're probably best off buying it over there. You won't be wearing any merino under garments around cities because as soon as you get inside a heating building you will be sweating like there's no tomorrow.

      As unclesnake says, less is more. If you're taking a lot of camera gear already you don't want to be lugging around more than you need and most clothing etc. will be cheaper in Germany than it is here.

  • toniyellow on 23/10/2016 - 18:01

    I have an adaptor like this which was great for changing countries unexpectedly (the seller I purchased from it seems is no longer operating, so this is not an endorsement for that particular seller - I just have one that looks like this which has been great)

    Headlamp will go unused 99.9% of the time unless you are camping. I'd get a powerbank that has a torch. You will definitely use the powerbank, and if you need a torch you have that.

    If you are buying a backpack, I like the clamshell style not top-loading so you can access your stuff easier, with different coloured mesh laundry bags to keep things organised. Daiso has great ones. Much cheaper than 'packing cubes' Kathmandu will try to sell you.

    Overall I would recommend packing the minimum amount of clothes. More common to overpack than be underprepared and Germany will sell well-priced winter clothes if something comes up. Good souvenir buying overseas too, lots of memories as you use it.

    Agree with the above notes on laptop. Free wifi lots of places to back up photos. Always something to do and see night and day in a new place, I think there will be too little time to use it, and too much stress in protecting all those valuables from damage or theft. I would just ship the laptop to your company in London and catch up with it there, or buy a new one in the UK - if you will be there for a long time may be better to get there and have access to warranty?

    • Bargain Hunter 007 on 23/10/2016 - 22:05
      +1

      I just wrote a long reply to this but then it didn't come through!

      In short I like the adapter, clamshell bag, powerbank, minimising clothing.

      Planning on good travel insurance to alleviate concerns about theft, and backing up photos when I get good wifi.

      • mskeggs on 24/10/2016 - 09:21

        Read the PDS on the insurance.
        The one I was looking at recently didn't cover theft of a laptop from your room while you were sleeping!

  • dasher86 on 23/10/2016 - 20:33

    i suggest everyone to get a mirco fibre travel towel full sized. sometimes called a gym towel.
    something like this.
    http://www.rebelsport.com.au/Product/Sting-Microfibre-Towel/…
    if you end up staying in a place with shared bathroom you can keep you keys in the zip pocket as you hang your towel while you shower.
    A clean towel also makes a good blanket on a bus or plane.

    secondly i suggest pack what you would require for maybe 1-3 weeks and buy the rest there when you need it.
    Clothes will most like be cheaper over there, more suited to the weather and more fashionable for the location.

    bring an Australian power board with you (4 or five socket) and one travel adapter. the travel adapter linked by toniyellow looks pretty decent - i think i've got an older model of something similar.

    For a bag i suggest getting a wheeled case rather than a back pack.
    I've travelled a fair few countries and found it a lot easier to wheel my stuff everywhere while i watched other tourists struggle.
    Only time i had difficulties was on a beach and a surf dock getting onto a boat.
    I've got a caribee fast track and i bought my girlfriend a blackwolf ridgerunner.
    Also get a 15-20 litre day bag.

    I carted a £1500 laptop with me for 3 months it wasn't fun but it was really useful. I suggest getting a tablet pc instead, more versatile and you can use it while you are on long bus and plane journeys.

    and final piece of advise. always carry around a loo roll in your day bag.

  • enzioFirenze on 23/10/2016 - 20:42
    +1

    might I suggest a gopro or xiaomi yi 4k? you'll find that very convenient, especially when you are travelling.

    • Bargain Hunter 007 on 23/10/2016 - 21:34

      Yep, that definitely should be on my list! I'm not a big one for videos, but to capture an experience it's hard to go past one of these. How dows the xiaomi yi 4k compare with the go pro?

      • enzioFirenze on 23/10/2016 - 21:40
        +1

        if you don't care much about audio in your videos, Xiaomi Yi 4K can do pretty much everything GPH5B can do. I love to use it for time-lapses which gives you awesome shots every time. GPH5B can shoot raw though if that matters to you(which I think it would as you want to edit using lightroom)

        PS: given you are going overseas, you can pretty much get the GPH5B for around $380 after a 20% off eBay deal and TRS. Xiaomi is around $360 as well when you add the WP case. Because they are so close in price, I'd rather go for a GPH5B just cz they have better resale value.

  • Donaldhump on 23/10/2016 - 22:09
    +3

    less is more

    passport, wallet, camera, phone, undies, socks, thongs, shirts, shorts, condoms..

    • mskeggs on 24/10/2016 - 09:23
      +1

      Nearly every problem you encounter when travelling can be solved by throwing money at it. And an ATM card stuffed with cash is very easy to pack.

  • MoneyPincher on 24/10/2016 - 09:16

    Ahh the pain and joy of packing I know you well.
    You mention a 50L bag but I would highly recommend looking at a smaller carry on compliant bag for versatility and to save your back - smaller bag less stuff, less stuff weight.
    If you go this way avoid rollers and get a full zip pack unless you want to use it as a daypack, a few suggestions would be:
    Osprey Porter 46 or 30
    Osprey Farpoint 45
    Minnal
    Tortugar
    BoGear Spare Camel - Australian made, Tough, heavier.
    Still going big with a camera and hiking? Look at F-Stop.
    If you use a daypack I would suggest a messenger satchel as they give good access to a camera and also for security in more crowded places, get a nondescript one with a good strap and use a padded cell inside for the camera.
    On the clothing front avoid hiking/technical clothing unless you are only hiking as it makes you stand out (looking at you giant North Face logo), stick with better quality clothing in types you see and would wear here (as you have time you may be able to get some Aldi Merino gear for a saving).
    I normally have a quick look at photos of people at destinations to ensure my clothing will not stand out though and mark me as one of those tourists.
    Staying in a hostel or hiking at night? Keep the headlamp. otherwise consider a smaller pocketable torch.
    For travel photography I would highly recommend NOT taking a full sized tripod as many a time it will get left at the hotel, consider instead something like the Gorillapod SLR which fits in a bag nicely and can be attached to other things, it will also get you past allot of "NO Tripod" signs.
    I would also check out the reddit Onebag community for great tips, just look at the older stuff as there seems to be a war going on currently about what should be posted
    https://www.reddit.com/r/onebag/
    Hope that helps.

    FYI I Onebag travel for business, photography & hiking so if you have any gear questions I may be able to help.

  • Tradey on 24/10/2016 - 09:36
    +1

    After one week of carting that enormous amount of luggage around you will post half of it home in no time. You are travelling through first world countries and can buy anything you can buy in Australia. Get a backpack for starters if you are going for 6 months, forget travel luggage. All that expensive electronic stuff will target you, so don't expect to bring that home unless you can lock it up everywhere you stay… suggest World Nomads for insurance.

  • roddy84 on 03/11/2016 - 15:37

    Why don't you buy all these items closer to your departure date so you can claim back on the TRS?

    • Bargain Hunter 007 on 08/11/2016 - 18:40

      Unfortunately you make a very valid point, I'm going to save buying the tech until a couple of months out to take advantage of it.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join