Gap Year Packing Audit: What We Use, What We Don’t, What We Wish We Had

Before our year of adventure began, I had planned to write a post about what we packed. With only one backpack each, we had to be very intentional about what we brought. However, the week before we left was such a marathon I truly didn’t have time. Then, I guess I just got busy exploring the world and forgot about it. I was reminded when a friend recently asked me if I was happy with what I brought. Long overdue – but here’s what I’ve been hauling around the world for the past 7.5 months and an audit of those contents.

Our Backpacks

I will start with the specific backpacks each of us are carrying. I am only going into detail about the contents in my backpack, but will list things that Dave and the kids carry that we all use. Dave and Alexis have this 35L backpack. Dave already owned this bag and we purchased the same one for Alexis in a different color. I purchased this 40L backpack and Braxton has Dave’s old 28L work backpack that is similar to this (they no longer sell the exact model he has). We have all been extremely happy with our bags!

We often fly budget airlines and as a result have had to check our bags more than not. Because of this, we also have small personal bags (with the exception of Braxton) that we carry as well. Alexis just uses a tote bag we picked up along the way, and Dave and I have small backpacks similar to this. This link actually shows the original packable backpack Dave purchased for the trip (I had a similar one). They were wearing out though, so we purchased new ones at the Ben Thanh Market in Vietnam.

I also have this crossbody bag that I wear anytime we are out and about. I had a really hard time deciding on this bag, but I am so happy with it! We call it my Mary Poppins bag because it can fit a surprising amount of stuff and I always seem to have what we need.

A Look Inside

We did several mock packings before finalizing what we brought. The only clothing not included in this picture are the clothes that I wear when traveling and anything I’ve purchased along the way (it was taken before we left). I wear these pants, a tank top, and a zip up jacket for travel. I also always wear my tennis shoes (pictured below). These are my bulkiest items so it saves space, plus it’s almost always cold on planes.

Here’s a quick overview of what’s pictured starting at the top left and going across each row. I will include links to anything we purchased specifically for the trip:

Things not pictured that I also carry:

Things that Dave or the kids carry that we all use:

I used two packing cubes for all of my clothes which helps everything fit really well.

An Audit of the Items

Overall, I have been extremely happy with everything that I brought. As you can see from the picture, pretty much everything goes together, so it’s essentially a capsule wardrobe. Alexis and I have been wearing some of each others shirts to change things up as time goes on, which has been great. I have to do laundry every few days, but I don’t mind.

Things I’ve Ditched/Could Have Left Behind

So far I’ve only discarded one piece of clothing which is the aqua long sleeve UV protection shirt. I never loved it, and after getting a big grease stain on it in Jaco I decided to let it go. I haven’t missed it once.

I have yet to need my puffy vest, but I’m expecting Europe to be chilly when we first get there in April. Or maybe I’ll go the entire year and never wear it. Time will tell.

The neck pillow I purchased is awful. Or maybe I’m just terrible at sleeping while traveling. It’s likely a combination of both. I haven’t ditched it, but I think about it every time we pack up to move on.

Things We’ve Purchased/Replaced

I fully anticipated us purchasing things along the way for this trip. We have had to replenish all of our toiletries multiple times. We have also had to purchase some supplies for school and replace a broken charging cord.

We’ve made clothing purchases as well. Braxton grew out of his shoes and literally blew through the bottom of his sandals. He got new sandals in the Philippines and tennis shoes in Vietnam. Alexis has added a dress, linen pants, a long sleeve shirt, 2 tank tops, and a short sleeve shirt to her wardrobe. Some of these were souvenirs and others were to replace items that ripped or she outgrew. Dave has bought several new t-shirts and I have purchased one new shirt and a pair of elephant pants. Anytime we buy something it’s a one in/one out rule unless you can miraculously make it fit.

The kids have purchased a few small souvenirs here and there. I have bought a pair of earrings from each country and chopsticks in Japan. Again, whatever we buy has to fit in our backpacks so we have to be intentional.

Things I Wish I Had

I can honestly say there isn’t anything I wish I had. There are things I miss (like my big fuzzy robe and slippers), but I’m fine without them. I asked everyone else if there was something they wished they had and everyone said no. Of course we all have items we miss, but that’s not the same as feeling like we needed it for the year. We wanted to live the year in a minimal way and I feel like we are accomplishing that.

Alexis and I were talking today about how freeing it feels to have such little stuff with us. We are already making lists of things we can get rid of when we get home. Although, to be honest, I have a hard time even remembering what we put in that storage unit.