Comments on: What NOT To Bring Backpacking: 10 Things To Leave At Home

By: Nathan

Nathan — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:42:28 +0000

ok I agree with the Jeans thing but Hiking boots are a MUST. where I do my backpacking you will have a broken ankle by the end of the day without them.

and we stay overnight in the WILDERNESS (yes there is true wilderness) and I use a specialized Backpacking sleeping bag and pad.

I will also be bringing my DSLR camera (only one lens though)

I am ready for anything with my First Aid kit (it isn’t huge and everyone on the trip carries one but Mine is a little better)

I think oyu went backpacking in the city (useless if you ask me) it isn’t REAL backpacking till there isn’t any civilization for miles around.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 12:11:14 +0000

I’ve always take a pair of jeans with me and I’ve always appreciated them. On occasion when it gets a bit chilly at night, or you want to go somewhere nice to eat or drink and need to at least look decent! But they don’t stop mozzies.. they take great pleasure in biting through them!

By: Willow..

Willow.. — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:19:56 +0000

Ohhh look, another pretencious ‘too cool for school’ post! Totally do not agree with the pacsafe thing – I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s an essential – but I don’t think you should be knocking it! Unless you’re one of those ferral types with possessions that amount to about £20 max – then fine… what’s the risk of losing that! But when you have stuff you care about.. and bearing in mind that some hostels don’t have safes or lockers, – leaving your stuff completely unsecure, in a room with any tom, dick or harry, doesn’t really appeal! I’m also bringing a lightweight netbook… so HA. x

By: Steve James

Steve James — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:01:44 +0000

@Experienced Traveler

This article refers to the topic of “backpacking” in the international sense of the word of budget travel, not in the American sense of wilderness hiking. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backpacking for the differentiation between the two.

Thanks,
An Experienced Traveller

By: Experienced Traveler

Experienced Traveler — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:14:00 +0000

This list is awful. I think that at least half of those things are a necessity, the sleeping bag especially. What if the hostel you go to doesnt provide? And what happens when you are out of major cities and need to camp. No hiking boots, get real. I hope you get stranded without all of these things James and learn something from it.

By: Cephalopod

Cephalopod — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:13:16 +0000

I gotta agree with you on everything except for the jeans. Jeans may be heavy and bulky, but they can take a beating and are also comfortable to move around in (unless they’re a bit too form fitting). Perhaps they’re not the best choice to Thailand, but if I’m traveling somewhere that’s not tropical, I definitely want a pair of jeans with me.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:18:14 +0000

Precious. Very precious, Vil!

By: Vil

Vil — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 05:02:37 +0000

This list is rather unrealistic and foolish. Not bring a sleeping bag? What about the nights you cannot get to a hostel? What about those who cannot afford a hostel? Don’t bring a guitar for those who play? That’s freaking stupid. They make small travel guitars nowadays and when you are in the woods it’s nice to have something to play one. I agree about a few things, but for the most part, stupid list for back packers who are only URBAN back packers.

Totally useless

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 10:34:10 +0000

@survivalist

By: survivalist

survivalist — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:22:32 +0000

Uhhhhh, I dont quit know what to say.

No hiking boots, but wear sandals? You say that but do not mention regional conditions. So hikers should not take copperhead or coral snakes into consideration when hiking? Toes are a favorite target for both types of snakes. I would NEVER wear sandals in areas where copperheads are known to be at. And that includes most parts of the southern USA.

You mention an SLR camera, but do not mention of meat, or anything else that can spoil?

You say to leave the sleeping bag at home, but what about a tent or hammock? When I go backpacking staying in a hostel is not even an option, because I’am miles from the nearest road.

It seems that your list is more pointed towards people that travel along roads and stay in hotels/hostels, and not people who get off the beaten trail.