15 Best Gifts for New Backpackers: Essentials Edition
Looking to buy gifts for someone who is just starting their backpacking journey? There are so many little trinkets and advice online that can make the decision process so overwhelming and honestly most things are a waste of money. As a backpacker, every item needs to be useful as space is limited and weight matters. Here is the beginner backpacker kit and why each item will set them up for their next adventure.
1. Backpack: Osprey FairPoint™ 40 Travel Pack (Here)
2. Carabiners: Aluminum D Ring Carabiner (Here)
3. Packing Cubes: Compression Packing Cubes Set for Travel (Here)
4. Foldable tote bag: Foldable Grocery Bags into Tiny Pouch (Here)
5. Microfiber towel: Large HOEAAS 2 Pack Microfiber Camping Towels (Here)
6. Sleeping Mask: Manta Slim Sleep Mask – Ultra-Light (Here)
7. Earplugs: Loop Quiet 2 Ear Plugs (Here)
8. Locks: TSA Approved Cable Luggage Locks (Here)
9. Charging Adapter: Universal Travel Adapter w/ USB C (Here)
10. Portable Battery: Anker 621 Magnetic Portable Charger (Here)
11. Pen: STAEDTLER Pigment Liner Pack (Here)
12. Baggage Tags: Samsonite 2-Pack Vinyl ID Tags (Here)
13. Apple Air Tags + Holders : 4 pack Apple Air Tag (Here) + Holders (Here)
14. AirTag Wallet: Hawanik Slim Minimalist Front Pocket Air Tag Wallet (Here)
15. Card Locator: Wallet Tracker Card (Here)
Honorary Mention: Miroddi for MagSafe Wallet (Here)
Honorary Mention (hand made emergency bag): All items listed here
BREAKDOWN
1. Backpack: Osprey FairPoint™ 40 Travel Pack (Here)
This is by far the best backpacking bag on the market and works for all body types, including petite women. There’s a men’s and women’s version, but both are almost identical. The straps and back panel are fully adjustable, which helps distribute the weight evenly; most on the hips, some on the shoulders. The top straps also help lift the weight so there’s no pressure sitting on top of the shoulders.
Most people fall in love with the suitcase style opening. It makes grabbing what you need so much easier compared to digging through a top-loading bag. There’s also a laptop compartment if you’re bringing a computer. Bigger bags exist, but the more you travel, the more you’ll want a smaller bag for convenience. And this one fits as a carry-on, which is a huge bonus.
If you have the bandwidth to get this bag, you’ll be the talk of the town and your backpacker will be forever grateful.
*I miss the old design with the mesh pockets and extra zipper compartment, but the new version still holds its top rating.
**One of the top gifts I’ve gotten the most positive feedback on.
2. Carabiners: Aluminum D Ring Carabiner (Here)
Carabiners are one of the handiest things to have while traveling. Something smells? Hang it off the backpack and let it air out. This works for shoes, dirty clothes, towels, etc. I always travel with three. You don’t need fancy carabiners, the free ones from job fairs and events work perfectly.
I don’t personally own the “GEAR AID Aluminum Heroclip”, but I see other travelers use it to hang toiletry bags in showers, especially when there are no hooks or shelves. If someone wants to splurge a little, this is the only “expensive” gadget I’d consider. With that being said, I’ve traveled fine without it and I’m still debating whether it's worth the extra weight. It’s more of a luxury item, and if I bought one I’d swap it out with one of my regular carabiners.
3. Packing Cubes: Compression Packing Cubes Set for Travel (Here)
Packing cubes help organize everything inside the hollow black hole that is your backpack. I personally use six: three large, two small, and one shoe bag (which becomes my laundry bag). There are mesh cubes and these, and while I own both, I prefer the polyurethane fabric because it traps odors better. With the mesh ones, clean clothes start smelling like dirty ones quickly.
A small tip: toss the cubes into the wash on laundry day so the smell doesn’t cling to them.
Bonus Tip:
If you order two sets, get different colors and mix them. It makes it so much easier to find what you need. For example: green cube = pants, orange cube = tops. This saves you from opening every cube to find one item.
Alternatively, buy a 3-pack (Here), and a 2 pack (Here) in different colors.
4. Foldable tote bag: Foldable Grocery Bags into Tiny Pouch (Here)
This one might seem odd, but it is extremely useful. I clip mine onto my backpack with a carabiner and use it as an overflow bag, shower caddy, grocery bag, hostel fridge bag, party bag and laundry bag. It becomes whatever I need that day. This specific style is the best for backpackers because it folds into itself. It does not fold into a tiny separate pouch that is easy to lose unless you clip that pouch onto your bag.
I carry two because I got both for free and I still use both even though one is smaller. My favorite is the version that folds into a drawstring bag. The drawstring is helpful because it lets me tighten and secure small items. One tote is a must. Two is a luxury.
People also bring these to markets so they do not have to juggle several small bags. I also use my tote as a seat buffer on the ground while I wait for things. That way my tush does not get dirty and my pants get to see another day. Also, these clean surprisingly well. I rinse mine in the sink or shower whenever it needs a wash.
5. Microfiber towel: Large HOEAAS 2 Pack Microfiber Camping Towels (Here)
All travelers use microfiber towels because they are lightweight, fast drying, and easy to pack. Almost any towel you get will work, but there is one important thing to look for. Make sure it has a loop so you can hang it. Getting the large towel is the way to go because it can double as a beach towel, a cover up, and of course your bathroom towel.
You do not use these like regular towels. They teach you how to properly dry yourself, which is basically a gentle pat dry, unless you like to slap yourself with the towel like you see swimmer do. This two pack is nice because you get your main towel and a smaller one. A lot of people use the small one as a face towel or sweat towel (I sometimes use it as a backup towel or as a girl a period towel). This set also comes with a bag so you can clip a wet towel onto your backpack to dry while you walk.
6. Sleeping Mask: Manta Slim Sleep Mask – Ultra-Light (Here)
This is my ride or die eye mask as it does not put any pressure on your eye as it has eye grooved pads that can be moved on the mask to fit your exact dimensions. I also like how the strep is adjustable via a soft touch velcro (no pulling on the hair). When ever I travel people constantly askes about my eye mask. It’s one of the only ones that I have ever owned that blacks out all of the light. I have a low bridge on my nose, which is an entry point for light on many other brands of masks. Since this eye masks allows the eye pieces to be adjustable I move them closer into the nose covering the light from getting to my eyes.
*One of the top gifts I have gotten complaints on from the recipients.
7. Earplugs: Loop Quiet 2 Ear Plugs (Here)
I bought these as a backup for when my air pod and headphones die as I play white noise when I sleep to drawn out the other bunk mates. They give ear plugs at some hostels, but those foam ear plugs don’t do anything. I can still hear the ambulances, beds creaking, and people snoring. With the Loop Quiet Ear Plugs the noise magically goes away and they fit quite comfortable in the ear. I have small ears (air pods tend to fall out) and I have found them to stay in 90% of the night even when tossing and turning, which is why I recommend these ear plugs over the other gel and foam ones. The case is compact and light which makes it a no brainer to add to the backpack. Getting a goodnight sleep is essential for an adventure full day.
*Don’t get the white as they are easily lost in the sheets.
8. Locks: TSA Approved Cable Luggage Locks (Here)
If there was one things to get this would be it. Everyone needs locks and especially these ones. I have my fair share of locks and when I go on a trip I dig around to find these ones. 3-4 locks is the sweat spot as some hostels have two lockers and no matter if you put your valuables in a locked locker I still lock it in a bag. When looking for a lock the best locks are the flexible wire locks as lockers closing plates are not always aligned, therefore the lock needs to be places at weird angles. Additionally these are light weight compared to the normal locks, no need to keep track of a key and can fit through small holes (zippers) and screw holes. The last reason I like this lock is because the button to unlock is on the side that aligns with the combo. I have some that are on the side and in between the locking loop, but when your tired, hands are cool, wet, or swollen the dexterity that is needed is greater than the buttons that are aligned with the numbers.
9. Charging Adapter: Universal Travel Adapter w/ USB C (Here)
Charging Adapters are essential to keep all the devices charged up. This is my favorite one as it has a 3 USB C plugs, 2 USB plug, and then a standard universal outlet which allows you to plug in devices that needs a ground prong. When looking for a charging adapter do not get one that has a flip up EU adapter as the force that will be exerted on the hing will eventually break. This one has a pop out EU which distributes the load on the adapter better than the alternative (I might have broken a few before I learned my lesson).
10. Portable Battery: Anker 621 Magnetic Portable Charger (Here)
Most portable battery chargers will be ok just make sure its under 100 Wh as this is the international airport standard (some planes allows 100-160 Wh, but you need special permission and not all airlines allow this, making it an unnessary hassel). No one wants to get their power bank taken away. I have seen it too often that it crushes my sole. This power bank lasts 2 full charges for my phone and I do use it to charge my go pro on the go when my batteries are going low as well. The slim profile allows the chargers to fit in a pants pocket, small bag, which is great. It also has wireless charging which means no need to worry about carrying a cord around. I am currently using this one and the only con I see is that it get a little hot sometimes, but the postives outweight the temp.
11. Pen: STAEDTLER Pigment Liner Pack (Here)
A single good pen is ones best friend, needing to fill out paperwork, journal, or send post cards back home this is one of the best pens for backpackers essepcailly for people who like to send postcards. This pen is smudge and water proof. On of the worst things about spending postcards is when it get to the receives and it is barliey readable because water and the mailing conditions after spending $3-$6 dollars getting the post card across the world is frustrating. This pen is also amazing and it’s my pen of choose when I jounaling on top of a mountian, or by the beach because my writting is still redguable. I even dropped my whole journal into a stream and the papers that used this pen was still readable (unfortunatly all my other pages ink bleed resulted in them being unreadable). And lastly this pen does not bleed as it dries quickly, so major bonus when writing on thin paper.
12. Baggage Tags: Samsonite 2-Pack Vinyl ID Tags (Here)
Everyone needs a baggage tag for their bag or two. I like these baggage tags due to safey reasons. I like these baggage tags because they had your infomation so no accently flashing private infomation. No a days everyone is taking pictures and videos and the information can accidently be posteted online or other people around taking picture for the information. baggage tags should be used only if the bag is lost and and in order to see the information on this tag one has to take the bag off the bag, which is one of the safest options. The other tags online that are buckle often break which is why I like the pull through tags.
13. Apple Air Tags + Holders: 4 pack Apple Air Tag (Here) + Holders (Here)
Apple Air Tags is one of the most useful items to have while traveling if one has an Iphone to keep track of valuables. The 4 pack is amazing as to spread around one vauleables. I put them on my backup wallet w/ passport, camera, backpacking bag, and my computer. The
14. AirTag Wallet: Hawanik Slim Minimalist Front Pocket Air Tag Wallet (Here)
When traveling everyone should split up their money and cards into different places just in case something happens they at least have a backup, which is where this wallet comes in handy. Having an airtag that is incorerated in the wallet will help locate the wallet when needed.
15. Card Locator: Wallet Tracker Card (Here)
Everyone I travel with ends up loving this card locator and they always wish they had one. The AirTag wallet is better for full tracking, but this card is a great option if you already have a wallet and want to add a non bulky locator. This is especially helpful when traveling to Asian countries where cash is king and primary credit cards can get lost.
This works similar to an Air Tag, but it has limited functions. It does not have the same tracking abilities and the Find feature does not really work, but what I like is the ability to play sound and have it beep. That alone has helped me locate my primary wallet several times. The downside is that it is the thickness of two credit cards, but when traveling one only really needs two to three cards in their primary wallet. Personally I carry my license, a credit card, and maybe a debit card, so adding this locator card is not a big deal.
Honorary Mention: Miroddi for MagSafe Wallet (Here)
I love my MagSafe Wallet to hold my primary cards because it’s stuck to my phone, so in counties that use credit card it’s easy to keep track off. It’s also thin and small (just over the side of a credit card) so when taking it off it’s easily fits in a pocket. I’m not really a purse girl so when going out, this comes in handy as it attaches to my phone and is barley noticeable. Also, it holds 3-4 cards. The first time the wallet is used it fits three cards perfectly, but over time you can stretch it to four cards and that’s the max I have gotten in after having it for 1.5 years. You need to actively stretch it to hold four cards as it naturally will hold three.
Honorary Mention (hand made emergency bag): List of all items (Here)
After years of solo travel I finally narrowed down the small items I like to keep for emergencies. These save me from buying large packs of things I only need once or twice. Most items in stores come in bulk and you end up carrying the extras around the world. This little emergency kit prevents all of that and keeps everything simple.
