Backpackers Guide: Packing For A 6 Month Trip to Southeast Asia

Packing for a 6 Month trip to Southeast Asia? No worries, we got you covered….

“So, you’re going to Southeast Asia for 6 months. What the hell are you bringing??!” This is a direct quote from every person we’ve talked to about this trip. And honestly, our thoughts too. Well, mostly me. Jesse is a bro and will wear man tanks and his Kuhl pants and be just fine. I, on the other hand, went into full project planner mode.

Before going any further. I feel I have to be honest and upfront with the readers which means acknowledging one of my many, many flaws….”My name is Lauren, and I am an over packer” – guilty as charged.

So what I actually meant when I said “I went into full project planner mode” is, “I went psycho, ape shit looking on Pinterest, other travel blogs and Google.” Whew, glad we cleared that up! So yes, going forward please remember that Lauren = an over packing planner. Jesse = a bro.

Moving on…

6 Month Packing List For Southeast Asia

My flaw of over packing was seriously sedated once I realized the space I had to work with.

You get a lot of different answers/input from other bloggers telling you what to pack and what to not pack. It can be overwhelming and was for me.

Some show you great outfits they wear but you have to realize, some bloggers are on a short vacation and have the luxury or means to pack more. You have to concentrate on the trip you are taking and what is best and most comfortable for you and the space and means you have to work with.

I guess what I had to keep telling myself is this trip is about experiences, not how good I should look in my selfie.

Please keep in mind we are backpacking, not staying at the Four Seasons where bellboys will be carrying our bags around*. So our clothes are minimalistic and appropriate for the kind of travel we intend to do. The dirty, sweaty, test our limits, hostel kind of travel. But most important, respectful travel.

We are going to a foreign country where women dress modest. We want to respect the different countries culture and beliefs and not draw unnecessary attention to ourselves. American’s already have a bad travel rap and we’re not trying to add to it

So now, the long-awaited packing list… dun, dun, dun!!

Womans Packing List

• • Pack:
    • Deuter ACT Lite 60 + 10 SL Pack

• • Shoes:
    • • My comfy, dry-fast trail runners:  Nike Air Zoom Wildhorse 3 Women’s Running Shoe
    • • My pair of cute sandals: Sanuk Yoga Slings
    • • My walking around don’t care if they get dirty/shower sandal: Superfeet Sandals
    • My hiking boots: Vasque Breeze

• • Bottoms:
    • • Athletic shorts (2)
    • • Jean shorts (1)
    • • prAna Convertible Hiking Pants (1)
    • Jogger Capris(1)

• • Tops:
    • • Everlane, the cotton v shirts (3)
    • • Fitted razorback / muscle tank tops (7)
    • Long sleeve shirt (1)

• • Jacket:
    • White Sierra Trabagon Rain Jacket (1)

• • Dresses:
    • Black Maxi Dress (1)

• Misc:
  • • UV Buff & Headband
  • • Day pack
  • • Regular Bras (1)
  • • Sports Bras (3)
  • • Underwear (9)
  • • Tall hiking socks (2)
  • • Ankle socks (5)
  • • Swimsuits (2)
  • • PJ’s
  • Sunglasses & glasses

Men’s Packing List

• • Pack:
    • Deuter ACT Lite 65 + 10 Liters

• • Shoes:
    • • Saucony Cohesion TR9 Trail Running Shoe
    • • Super Feet Sandals
    • Lowa Hiking Boots

• • Bottoms:
    • • Kuhl Renegade Pants (1)
    • • Kuhl Renegade Shorts (1)
    • • GSX Mens Pro Short (2)
    • • Running shorts (1)
    • Leg Warmers

• • Tops:
    • • T-shirts (5)
    • • Mountain Hard Wear Microchill
    • • Columbia Bahama Shirt Long Sleeve
    • Man Tanks to be purchased on site

• • Jacket:
    • Mammut Tatoosh Rain Jacket

• Misc:
  • • UV Buff and Do-Rags
  • • Underwear (6)
  • • Socks (8)
  • • Swim Trunks (1)
  • • Hat (Patagonia ball cap)
  • Sunglasses

Miscellaneous Packing List Items

• Tech gadgets
  • Phones
  • Portable Chargers
  • Power Converters/Adapters
  • Travel Surge protector
• Luggage locks
• Journal + pen
• Passports
  • Copy of passports
  • Additional passport photos for Visas
• Headlamps (1 each)
• Standard Toiletries
• Over the counter medicines
• Prescription medicines  
• Backpack rain cover (1 each)
• Dry sack (1 each)
• Laundry bag (1 each)
• Cocoon Travel Sheet
• Quick dry towels (2 each)
• Water Filter
• Bug Spray
• Sunscreen
• Enos Hammock
• Battery Packs
• Laundry Bar Soap
• Swiss Army Knife
• Duct Tapt
• Hand Sanitizer

The list seems long but once you get it into the pack, it works just right. Once everything was nicely packed inside, Lauren’s backpack weight was 27.5 lbs and Jesse’s backpack weight was 34 lbs.

In addition to the list above, we plan on swapping some of our clothes out for clothes over in SEA too. Why not wear what the local’s wear and have fun with it? It’s cheap wears that are made for those hot climates. It’s all about experiences, so why not try out what we can for as long as we can?

For more travel tips, guides and awesome travel shots, be sure to poke around our site, follow us on Instagram @wanderingstus and on Facebook. Oh and if you have any questions, let us know in the comment section. We’re happy to answer. Or, just leave us a positive note!

Happy Travels,

– Lauren & Jesse Stuart (The Stüs)

*That wasn’t a diss to the Four Seasons. Your hotels are lovely and accommodations are marvelous. We just can’t afford you 🙂