Last Updated on November 25, 2021 by Nellie Huang
As we gear up for 6 months of traveling around-the-world, we thought it time to compile a detailed RTW packing list for both male and female travelers.
So you’re heading out on an epic RTW trip. What do you pack for 6 months of traveling?
It is easy to get overwhelmed especially when packing for a varied RTW trip that will bring you through different climates and occasions. 6 months can be a long period of time to be on the road and packing the right amount of belongings without causing too much burden when traveling is important.
My mantra has always been less is more. The less you pack, the easier it will be to move around, and the happier you will be. Many things you may think are important to you can be picked up along the way. It’s important to think about what you intend to do on the trip and pack accordingly.
We plan to be trekking and doing lots of outdoor activities, as well as attending formal conferences (which really makes packing rather challenging). Through the last decade of globetrotting, we’ve smartened up and learned a thing or two about packing right – and we’re sharing our RTW packing lists here.
Table of Contents
RTW Packing List for a Female Traveler
65L Osprey Backpack
I chose the Osprey Women’s Waypoint 65 
mainly for the easy access, sturdy frame as well as its light weight (weighs 2.5kg when empty). It almost carries like a backcountry backpack, with excellent features to make it comfortable to carry even when packed to the brim.
With a tough and sturdy frame, this backpack also functions like a suitcase and can be opened completely with just one zip, making it easy to pack and unpack on a daily basis. I love how my 15L day pack fits all my electronics – from laptop to charger, iPhone, underwater camera, notebook and magazines.
I’ve used this backpack for around 5 years now and it has gotten me through 4 years of constant travel. My backpack has never failed me and I definitely recommend it for female RTW travelers who are looking for comfortable, lightweight solutions.
Clothes and Shoes
- A pair of long quick-dry pants
- A pair of jeans
- A pair of khaki shorts
- A dress for fancy parties
- A beach dress
- A hooded jersey
- A suit jacket for formal events
- A North Face parka for cold weather
- A sarong for the beach
- 2 long-sleeved tops
- 3 singlets
- 1 bikini swimsuit
- Socks and underwear
- A pair of Hi-Tec Women’s Hiking Boot
- A pair of Teva Women’s Tirra Sandals
- 1 leather hat and 1 cap
- A pair of sunglasses
- A quick-dry travel towel
Electronics/Gadgets
- MacBook Air 13″ Laptop
- Unlocked iPhone 8
- Canon 450D camera
- 2 SD cards
- SteriPEN Water Purifier – Great companion especially for camping
- Universal adapter – This is a must for every traveler, specially if you are going to travel through several countries with different electrical plugs.
- Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Cube Set to compartmentalize items
- Padlock to lock up backpack in hostels
- Headlamp
- A notebook
- A pair of binoculars
- A Hummingbird inflatable pillow
– Great companion especially for camping
to compartmentalize itemsMedication
- Ibuprofen/Paracetamol
- Diarrhea pills
- Motion sickness pills
- Antihistamine (Ebastine) for allergy
Toiletries (All in a small kit)
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Insect repellent
- A razor
- A pair of tweezers
- Basic makeup items
- Sanitary napkins and tampons
- Contact lenses (I use monthlies) and a medium bottle of solution
- Small bottles of shampoo and shower foam (can easily buy anywhere)
RTW Packing List for a Male Traveler
75L Osprey Convertible Backpack
I carry the Osprey Meridian Wheeled Luggage
, a 75L wheeled convertible pack that transforms from a fully-equipped backpack to a wheeled trolley. The main pack volume is 55L while the daypack has a capacity of 20L. I chose this bag because I like both the convenience of a trolley and the versatility of a backpack and the Meridian combines the best of both worlds.
I find the daypack to be perfect for storage of all my electronics and important documents so I can carry them with me on the plane. The external toiletries pocket is so simple yet convenient. It is the best backpack/suitcase I have ever had and definitely recommend it for a RTW trip!
Clothes
- A pair of long quick-dry pants
- A pair of jeans
- Two short pants
- 2 swimming shorts
- 8 t-shirts (6 short 2 long sleeves) – I always end up overpacking these but it’s great to have some spare ones in case you spend several days without a laundry machine in sight.
- 2 shirts (long and short sleeves)
- 1 sweater
- 1 jacket
- 1 thin raincoat
- Socks and underwear
- A pair of hiking boots – which are quite annoying to carry around but when I do use them I’m thankful to have them.
- A pair of slippers
- Teva sandals
- 1 baseball cap and 1 hat.
- Travel towel – I hardly use it but it’s good to have it around.
Electronics/Gadgets
- Apple MacBook Air 13.3-Inch Laptop
- An external harddrive (1Tb) – For photo and video backups.
- Unlocked iPhone 4S – I don’t know what I would do without it.
- HD Hero2 Surf Camera
- Canon EOS 60D
with the following lenses: Sigma 8-16mm, Tamron 18-200mm, Canon 50mm f1.8. - 2 32Gb SD cards (one for the camera, one for the GoPro)
- X-Mini portable capsule speaker
– Perfect for setting up a quick party in a hotel room or train cabin. It also adds a big boost when watching movies on the laptop. - USB car adapter
- Universal travel adapter
- TRX suspension training kit
– Great for working out on the go. It turns any room or open space into a full-equipped gym in a matter of seconds. - Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Cube Set
- 1 roll of duct tape – You never know when it will become handy!
- A small sewing kit – These can be obtained in most hotels but if you are going to be camping or in hostels most of the time it’s better to bring one just in case.
- 1 padlock
- A few pens – We always end up losing most of them so the more the better.
- 1 set of earplugs
- 1 headlamp
- A pair of small scissors
- 1 small electronic luggage scale – It helps to avoid surprises at the check-in counter.
Medicines
- Ibuprofen/Paracetamol
- Diarrhea pills
- First aid kit
- Small thermometer
- Antibiotics (Amoxicillin)
- Antihistamine (Ebastine) for an occasional hay fever.
Toiletries
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- 1 soap bar
- 1 deodorant stick
- A few disposable razors and travel-sized shaving cream
- 1 small bootle of Shampoo
- Nail clipper
Did I miss out anything on this RTW packing list? Let us know on the comment section below!
How about a book/Kindle? Seriously, you guys really have it covered! (Love the inclusion of duct tape.)
I actually just got one for my birthday and have been carrying it around recently. Shall add it to the list, thank you!
Alberto: How much did your backpack/wheeled trolley weigh empty? (Your link came up with "not found"). Do you think a reasonably fit 50-something 63 inch woman could handle it as a backpack? I am looking for something like what you describe that I can independently put in an overhead luggage compartment. I'd love the flexibility of being able to carry it as a back pack for those times when the rolling surface is inhospitable.
Hey there!
It looks like Osprey made some updates to the meridian series. The bag is 3.75Kg when empty, it's not very heavy but I can see a small woman having some difficulties lugging it when fully loaded, specially since you would need to attach the daypack to it. They have a 60L version too that you might find easier to carry. You can check all specs here:
https://www.ospreypacks.com/en/group/deluxe_wheele…
Thanks for stopping by!
Nellie – what shoes do you wear with your fancy dress and work outfits? Cheers, Erin
hey Erin, I usually wear my dress with my Teva sandals (or flipflops if I’m carrying any). My fancy is just a simple sundress and it kinda goes with the Teva sandals. With my work outfits, I just wear my hiking boots underneath the jeans so they’re not that obvious. :)
Aw, man! I thought I was a light packer! My bag is smaller, but I somehow stuff in many more clothes…
Does Alberto really feel good about toting $6000 worth of electronic equipment everywhere he goes? Three camera lenses seems a little excessive. Man, with that pricey inventory I'd be paranoid about my stuff at all times.
Yes we do have insurance for our gadgets, so that keeps us at ease. We have to bring these equipment with us because of work. We’ve been very lucky though, haven’t had any equipment stolen or lost (although I dropped the SLR into the toilet while in North Korea and broke Alberto’s lens – he was SO not happy about it.) I’ll recommend bringing less if you are just traveling for leisure.
Great packing list! (some good tips for College Students on study abroad ), Any room for party heels to go with that fancy dress? , (SPF tinted makeup also). Look forward to following the journey. The College Tourist Team.
I can’t afford to bring party heels unfortunately – they take up too much space and we don’t really go to that fancy events while traveling anyway, so I usually just pair my dress with flipflops. :)
Wow that\’s impressive! There I was thinking I was a light packer.
Well, the pack\’s for a few months of traveling in various corners of the world, while attending conferences – so that means I need clothes for different seasons as well as for more formal occasions. That said, I\’m seriously thinking of cutting down what I bring, having been inspired by you!
I love how you carry a tarp and hiking sticks. Your packraft looks like fun too! (saw it on the link). We don\’t do that much camping (and if we do, it\’s usually with companies who provide those), but that sounds like a great way to sleep out in the wild.