The WoW Style

One of the most epic trips a person can take is a backpacking adventure. With just a bag full of personal possessions, you are free to explore the world without being weighed down by unessential items. Whether you’re planning an around the world trip or an extended adventure in nature, there are a few ways to prepare yourself for your journey. Here is a short guide to help you plan for an awesome trip.

Prepare Well and Stress Less

It is essential that you plan for your trip properly if you don’t want to get caught out at inopportune moments during your travels. It might just be a few minor hiccups, like leaving your toothbrush behind or forgetting to pack your charger, but if you let them build up, they can truly stress you out. Try to make preparations ahead of time as much as you can. If you are planning a rigid itinerary and know exactly where you are going, advanced preparations can include booking all of your transport, accommodation and site tickets. If you have big plans to visit museums and art galleries during your visit, you don’t want to miss out on the culture due to sold out dates. Not to mention, booking tickets online in advance often means you get a discount.

Pack Properly for Your Trip

The key to proper packing is tailoring your gear to your specific trip. If you are going on a long nature hike, make sure you pack essential supplies. This includes a tent, a sleeping bag, cooking supplies and other handy items, such as a first aid kit and a headlamp. If you are backpacking through humid destinations, include light clothing made from breathable materials. Packing for an around the world trip can be more difficult as you will have to account for different types of climates. The key here is to pack light clothes that can be layered up for warmth. This can include a lightweight fleece for colder conditions, and base layers that you can wear under any outfit. An inflatable travel pillow, ear plugs and noise cancelling headphones can come in handy when you’re in transit too.

Create Lists

Creating lists can help you organize your thoughts and reduce the risk of missing something out. They can also help you prioritize the things you need to do, pack properly and purchase the right supplies.

Look Your Best While on the Go

Backpacking adventures are unpredictable but planning your outfits in advance and packing the right items can help you stay stylish. It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling through nature or you’re planning to visit urban areas, you can still look your best with these top tips.

Plan Your Outfits Accordingly

To make the most out of the space of your backpack, plan your outfits according to your itinerary. Even if you are not one to make rigid plans, a simple itinerary detailing the places you want to see can help you figure out the types of clothes you want to bring. For city trips, make sure you pack clothes that are comfortable to walk around in and are suitable to wear in the daytime and evening. Light clothes and swimwear are great for beach and water adventures, but you don’t want to be stuck with only flip flops and shorts if you want to experience nightlife at an upmarket destination.

Pack Classic Garments

A great way to stay stylish is to pack classic garments that can see you through different types of destinations. T-shirts in plain colors can be worn with a pair of shorts at the beach, but it can also be paired with a formal skirt for a smart-casual look. Most people have a pair of jeans they love to wear. This item of clothing is incredibly versatile and can be dressed up or down with the right accessories.

Style Your Outfits with Accessories

Packing a few key accessories can help you bring different types of outfits together. Statement jewelry is easy to pack and can transform a casual daytime look into an evening ensemble, while long, floaty scarves can serve multiple purposes. Wear it around your neck to stay warm, drape it across your shoulders for modesty or roll it up and wear it over a dress to cinch in your waist and give your outfit a new look. A functional belt is also a staple accessory to pack. This cool minimalist belt is made from durable climbing cord, and is easy to pack. It can be worn with different types of outfits and is much easier to adjust than a conventional buckle belt.

The Art of Folding

Fold your clothes like decluttering queen Marie Kondo and enjoy extra space in your backpack to pack your items. Folding your clothes properly is an art and if you can master it, you will be able to prevent creases while saving tons of space in your bag. Marie Kondo has a folding technique for many different garments, from bulky sweaters to underwear and socks. Another space saving packing method many travelers implement is rolling. First, fold a garment along the seams, smooth out the surface to remove creases and then roll it up tightly. Alternatively, you can try the bundle wrapping technique. This involves using the most crease-resistant clothes to create an inner bundle, then wrapping each item of clothing around it tightly until you create one large bundle. This technique is best for clothes that are prone to wrinkles.

Hydrate Yourself

Besides planning your outfits and packing the right clothes and accessories, keeping yourself hydrated can help your skin glow and keep your energy levels high. Not to mention, spending a long time on a plane can dry out your skin and affect your hydration levels. According to ASMA (Aerospace Medical Association), the average adult should drink eight ounces of water  for every hour spent in the air. Up your hydration levels by drinking extra water before taking a flight and continue to sip water during the journey. It might be tempting to make use of the in-flight beverage service and enjoy a tipple while you’re onboard, but alcohol can dehydrate your body more on a flight. If you do decide to indulge, make sure you drink plenty of water to make up for it. Not only will drinking more water help you stay hydrated, but it will also remind your body to get up and use the restroom. Staying stationary and remaining seated for long periods is bad for your circulation. Getting up on occasion is good for circulation and will enable blood to flow through your body. Good blood flow and circulation can prevent blood clots from forming and reduce muscle cramps in your legs.

Draw Up a Budget

Preparing properly for your travels includes drawing up a budget for your entire trip. It may seem tedious, but it can help extend your journey and make the most out of your money. Once you have created your itinerary, you can note down the price of flights, accommodation and other expenses. Doing this well in advance can help you get a realistic idea of what you can afford to do and how long your journey will last.

Mental Preparation

As well as creating itineraries and drawing up budgets, preparing yourself mentally for the road ahead is important too. Backpacking can be a lot of fun and you will have plenty of fantastic memories to look back on in the future. Your journey will be filled with new adventures across unknown destinations, you will meet a bunch of new people and encounter things you may never have come across before. However, it can be mentally taxing too. Prepare yourself for these new experiences and ready your mind for what’s to come. Everyone should feel comfortable enough in their own company; however, it can feel strange to those who find themselves constantly surrounded by friends and family. If this is your first backpack trip and you are doing it solo, it is a good idea to spend some time alone and become comfortable in your own skin before going.

Stay Zen

For some people, making preparations is part of the fun when it comes to travel. However, it can feel overwhelming for others. Not to mention, people often lose sleep over money and budgeting, and spend late nights making plans instead of getting a good night’s sleep. All of this can lead to feelings of anxiety, especially if there is a lot to prepare for your trip. Make sure you take time out from planning and give yourself a chance to breathe. Chill out with friends and family, and speak to them about any anxieties you may have. Even if they can’t help, voicing your thoughts can do a world of good. In the lead up to your trip, make sure you are exercising regularly and doing things you enjoy. Practicing meditation is also a great way to help you stay zen, and you can continue your practice on the road too.