The National Day holiday is here, and the crisp autumn air beckons. The beauty of nature constantly tempts us who are confined within the concrete jungle. Why not cast off your burdens, embrace the carefree spirit of a traveler or backpacker, and set off on a spontaneous journey? There’s nothing more delightful. However, whether you’re planning a short leisure trip or a long expedition, only with proper preparation in advance can you ensure a safe and comfortable journey that allows you to truly unwind. Check out these travel tips from HowToTrip for all you backpackers.
[Bandana]
It can protect you from sunburn and windblown sand, and can also serve as a makeshift first-aid bandage.
[Whistle]
When you get lost during outdoor activities or are separated from your friends, blowing a whistle can send out a distress signal.
[Clothing]
For short trips, prepare sun-protective clothing, moisture-wicking underwear, and fleece jackets (in case of sudden weather changes).
For long trips, pack windproof and waterproof jackets and pants, disposable underwear, T-shirts, and the like.
[Outdoor Waterproof Watch]
Recreational outdoor watches include features such as lighting, alarm, compass, digital display, and water resistance.
Professional outdoor watches (often used for skiing, mountaineering, hiking, etc.): display altitude, air pressure, temperature, weather, and more.
[Hiking Poles]
They help you push off with your feet when going uphill and reduce leg strain when descending. On mountain paths with bushes, they can also serve to scare off snakes by rustling the vegetation.
Note: They should be held in front of your body and must touch the ground before your front foot to effectively distribute the load.
[Guidebook Section]
Thoroughly understand and research your destination, and create a comprehensive travel guide to assist you. Nowadays, outdoor forums are quite developed—you should gather and compare lots of information.
[Saving Money Section]
1. Transportation is usually the biggest expense—plan ahead and organize your holiday travel arrangements in advance. 2. For tickets, the earlier you book, the greater the discounts. 3. Avoiding peak tourist seasons can also save you money.
How to Pack Your Backpack?
For short trips, a 20–40L backpack is sufficient; for longer journeys, opt for a 40–70L backpack paired with a small waist bag. Backpacks are generally divided into four layers, with slightly heavier and harder items placed on top. Keeping heavy items at the top helps center the backpack’s weight closer to your body’s center of gravity, reducing fatigue in your waist and abdominal muscles.
● First Layer: Common and fragile items such as rain gear, flashlights, and tents.
● Second Layer: Food, cookware, and tableware.
Left-side small pocket: Gloves, first-aid supplies, etc.
Right-side small pocket: Dry food, water bottle, emergency spares, and plastic bags.
● Third Layer: Clothing, etc.
● Fourth Layer: Sleeping bags and other lightweight, soft, non-essential items that are not easily damaged.
If you’re also camping, check this out
For wild camping, choose a site near water, sheltered from the wind and sun, and safe from lightning strikes. Sleeping bags, tents, and cookware are essential, and you should have basic knowledge of weather conditions.
If you're using cooking equipment for the first time, it's best to buy a gas stove that’s easy to use, maintain, and repair. Later on, you can opt for an alcohol stove—this will save you money and also help you become more skilled in handling outdoor gear.
Try to choose a double-layer tent, preferably with a base fabric made of PU-coated Oxford cloth.
It creates an air layer between your body and the cold air or ground, providing effective insulation.
Essential for backpackers
【First Aid Kit】
You can prepare cold medicine, anti-inflammatory drugs, bandages, gauze, cotton wool, adhesive plasters, anti-diarrheal medication, and the like.
【Raincoat】
Holding an umbrella while hiking in the mountains and forests is very inconvenient, so a raincoat is the top choice for outdoor rain protection.
【Multi-tool Knife】
Typically includes a main blade, small knife, scissors, bottle opener, wood saw, small screwdriver, cork screw, toothpicks, tweezers, laser pointer, flashlight, and other tools that can help you solve many problems.