We’re in the final 24 hour countdown to Argentina and our bags are officially packed using the Ultimate Packing List. The last time we traveled for more than a couple weeks, we each hauled a giant pack and a smaller backpack. This time around, we decided packing light was the way to go.
I’m proud to say, after much pruning of our packing list, we stuffed all of our travel gear into two carry-on size recycled packs — so it’s better for the environment and for our backs. Also checkout our Review of Best Portable Travel Chargers
We’ll be spending the next 4 months traveling through Central and South America, getting to know the region, and practicing our Spanish. Since Argentina is a huge, geographically diverse country, we’re bringing clothes for every climate.
The only things I’d add to this packing list for a longer round-the-world trip would be a scarf and a pair of long underwear. How to Choose Healthy Water Bottle
Kimberly’s Ultimate Packing List
Shirts & Jackets
2 long sleeve t-shirts
3 short sleeve quick dry t-shirts
1 quick-dry sporty tank top
2 tank tops
1 sleeping / exercise t-shirt
1 lightweight hoodie
1 zip-up fleece
1 Nike running / rain jacket
Pants, Shorts, & Skirts
1 pair The North Face Women’s Paramount Porter Convertible Pants (I love love love these — one of my favorite pieces of travel gear.)
1 pair jeans
1 skirt
1 pair sleeping shorts
1 pair sweatpants
Undergarments
6 pairs underwear
2 sports bras
2 regular bras
5 pairs socks
1 swimsuit
Shoes
Montrail Continental Divide trail shoes
Teva Hurricane sandals
Teva flip flops
Everything Else
1 winter hat
1 pair gloves
1 hat
1 pair sunglasses
1 belt
1 medium Aquis microfiber quick-dry towel
1 small quick-dry towel
1 Eagle Creek small shoulder bag
1 Diva Cup
1 watch
1 pair sunglasses
Mountainsmith Lily recycled pack
Elizabeth’s Ultimate Packing List
Shirts & Jackets
1 athletic tank top
1 other tank top
2 long sleeve shirts
3 short sleeve shirts
1 sleeping t-shirt
1 fleece
1 Nike running jacket
1 lightweight zip-up hoodie
Pants, Shorts, Skirts
1 pair khakis
1 pair jeans
1 pair sweatpants
1 pair sleeping shorts/athletic shorts
1 pair khaki shorts
1 skirt
Undergarments
1 swimsuit
6 underwear
3 short socks
2 long socks
2 sports bras
2 regular bras
Shoes
Merrell Moab Ventilator hiking shoes
1 pair nicer black flip flops
1 pair shower flip flops
Everything Else
1 medium microfiber quick-dry towel
1 winter hat
1 pair gloves
1 baseball cap
1 pair sunglasses
1 Diva Cup
1 watch
1 sunglasses
Mountainsmith Ivy recycled pack
Ultimate Collapsible Water Bottle Guide: Pros and cons of the Ultimate Collapsible water bottle
Our Shared Ultimate Packing List
Toiletries
2 mini shampoo bottles
Face wash
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Razor
Dental Floss
Deodorant
Face lotion
Small bottle of sunscreen
Chap stick
Nail clippers
Hair binders
Comb
Jewelry
Castile soap
Medicine
Peptobismol
Advil
Antibacterial hand gel
Neosporin
Motrin
Malaria pills
Halls cough drops/vitamins
Anti-itch cream
Imodium AD
Electronics
Laptop
A/V cord
Flash drive
ipods
ipod chargers
Pacsafe backpack protector
Nikon D40 camera with 18-55mm lens
Nikon 55-200mm lens
Canon PowerShot SD700
Camera chargers
Connector cord
3 extra memory sticks
Camera adapter
Joby GP3-01EN Gorillapod SLR-Zoom Flexible Tripod
Laptop case
Camera case
Books
Lonely Planet Argentina guidebook
Eyewitness Argentina guidebook
Small Langenscheidt Spanish dictionary
Penguin Spanish phrasebook
Spanish grammar book
Books for plane
Journals, pens, tape
Small planner
Everything Else
Camelbak BPA-free water bottle
Klean Kanteen 27 oz. water bottle
Bottle opener
Locks for bag
Eagle Creek money belts
Emergency contact numbers
Passports
ATM cards
Cash
Passport and marriage certificate copies
Ecobags reusable produce bags
2 Baggu reusable shopping bags
Deck of playing cards
Wrap-N-Mat
Daypack
Money Belt Reviews for Every Traveler
Money Belt – How it Becomes Part of You
Argentina Money Tips: Costs, ATMs, Coin Shortage
Choosing the Right Travel Backpack for You
Green Travel Friendly Travel Gear
11 Best Tips for Packing Light – 25 Days to Green Travel
We hope you can use some of these ideas from our Ultimate Packing List as you plan your next adventure!
Kimberly says
@Allie It wasn’t easy, but we were determined (or stubborn, depending on who you ask). But I’m really excited I won’t be hauling 50 lbs around the country.
Allie says
I am so impressed! You ladies are the packing experts.
Fredrik says
Nice to see some ECO travelers. I think I read that our traveling is one of the biggest polluters normally. But for a real around-the-world you’ll need to pack a pair of real boots a a couple of winter jackets and visit some cold countries. 🙂
zoe maya says
Your list looks awesome, I am definitely going to use it as a reference when packing for my month long trip through some of Central America this winter…There is only one thing I would suggest..I have found that, especially for people with more sensitive stomachs, taking a probiotic supplement on your trip and taking it daily with vitamins or alone can really help keep a strong and healthy stomach and digestive tract. Often people mistake a bug or food poisoning for a simple disagreement of bacteria. If you keep the culture in your stomach strong, it can easily overwhelm (or welcome) foreign bacteria that is not necessarily bad, just not from your neighborhood. I grew up in a foreign country and struggled with this for a long time after moving to the U.S. My good friend that recently passed away turned me onto probiotics, and it saved me. Every person that he and I have suggested it to since has had great results, traveling in all parts of the world. Probiotic supplements are easily found in health food stores (they can be a little pricey, but worth it if you consider the time you might be spending on the toilet otherwise, and much better for your body than anti-diarrheal or other such medicine.) Hope someone finds this useful! Please let me know if it works for you…
Elizabeth says
@Zoe- Thanks for the interesting tip on probiotics! I may have to give it a try when we’re in Central America. The food in Argentina hasn’t been a problem.
Duncan says
I love the ultra-light PowerMonkey charger which has a solar option too.
Its hard to get hold of PowerMonkeys in the USA but well worthwhile (Ebay is worth a look). It holds its power very well and gives me two power-ups for my power hungry G3 iPhone when I am at sea. Its been a real life saver and allowed me to top up when other sources of power have let me down. Add to that they are quite cute looking. Plus you have a range of adaptor tips (PSP, Nokia, etc) and worry-free mains power attachments for USA, Europe, UK and Asia – just travel with what what you need – and it only weighs 60g and the power reservoir lasts for 6mths. I travel with two which means you can be generous when someone is caught short.
April says
Thanks for the excellent list–this will save me a lot of time and research!
Ninah says
Never forget backup toilet paper of some sort you never know what the standard is in a new place.