A 38-litre backpacking kit list for a month on the road
Journal / Gear
A 38-litre backpacking kit list for a month on the road
Everything you need for a month or more in India and Southeast Asia, in one bag you can carry onto a plane.
38 litres
Bag size
~7 kg
Target weight
1 month +
Trip length
Hot + cool
Climate
Weekly
Laundry
A 38-litre pack is the sweet spot for long trips. It’s small enough to carry on most flights and to walk with between bus stands and guesthouses, and big enough for a month or more if you do laundry once a week. The trick is packing for one week, not four.
The rules
- Pack for 7 days and plan to do laundry. Most guesthouses wash clothes by weight for very little.
- Choose quick-dry fabrics in colours that mix and match.
- Bring layers rather than one heavy jacket.
- If you’re unsure about an item, leave it. You can buy almost anything on the road.
Packing tip
Use two or three packing cubes: one for clothes, one for electronics and one for toiletries and meds. It makes repacking at 6 am much faster.
The list
| Category | What to pack | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes | 3 T-shirts, 1 long-sleeve, 2 trousers, 1 shorts, 4 sets of underwear and socks | Enough for a week between washes |
| Layers | Light fleece, packable down jacket, rain shell | Covers hill stations and cold nights |
| Footwear | Trail shoes plus sandals | One pair for walking, one for everything else |
| Sleep | Silk liner, eye mask, earplugs | Night buses and basic rooms |
| Tech | Phone, power bank, universal adapter, short cables | Keep it light; most guesthouses have power |
| Health | Basic first-aid kit, personal medicines, sunscreen | Pharmacies vary away from cities |
| Documents | Passport or ID, printed copies, cards in two places | A backup if anything goes missing |
What to leave at home
Towels are bulky (a small microfibre one is enough), full-size toiletries can be bought locally, and that extra “just in case” outfit rarely gets worn. If something doesn’t earn its place in the first week, post it home or give it away.
Join a small-group trip in 2027
Our trips are designed around a single carry-on bag. We’ll send you a packing list for your route.
The Strolling Backpacker
Slow traveller and budget nerd, writing honest guides about the long way round.
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