Here’s everything you need to pack for Southeast Asia. I used a 30L carry on backpack, and I’ve been traveling with this packing list for 6 months! (Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia (Bali, Komodo, and Java), Vietnam, Philippines).
Fully packed, my 30L TOPO backpack weighs 10 kilograms (which is a tad heavier than most budget flight weight limits, but I’ve managed to sneak it onto almost every flight with no hassle).
Packing everything in a (lightweight!) carry on bag helps you travel better. It’s easier to get from place to place, cheaper to fly, and I love having everything I own with me—even on bus rides!
TL;DR: Small bag good. Big bag bad.
00:00 Intro
02:01 Backpack
03:15 Clothing
10:20 Electronics
12:38 Toiletries
16:40 First Aid
18:49 Miscellaneous
🎒Gear Featured in the Video (listed in order) 🎒
Bag: Topo 30L – https://bit.ly/3cQteuB
Clothing:
Patagonia Running Shorts – https://alnk.to/fSer6FK
Aviator Jeans – http://bit.ly/AviatorJeans
Unbound T-Shirt – http://bit.ly/2mmo4Sx
Merino Wool Icebreaker T-Shirt – https://amzn.to/32IiBFH
Merino Wool Icebreaker Sports Tank Top – https://amzn.to/2Q4QMpH
Wrap Dress Loco Lindo – http://bit.ly/dresslocolindo
Buff – https://amzn.to/2NnFjzc
Patagonia Rain Jacket – https://alnk.to/eZE9thK
ExOfficio Underwear – https://amzn.to/2LuRasU
Patagonia Barely Sports Bra: https://alnk.to/cwQ2TRX
Darn Tough No Show Socks – https://amzn.to/3puwFDG
Darn Tough Hiking Socks – https://amzn.to/2LELkoU
Xero Minimalist Sandals – http://bit.ly/Z-trail
Vivo Barefoot Vegan Sneaker – https://amzn.to/2Xep35N
Electronics:
Apple MacBook Pro Computer – https://amzn.to/2LrQFzP
Computer Adaptor – https://amzn.to/2Xmn67h
Universal Power Adaptor – https://amzn.to/2Kjqqeb
Power Strip – https://amzn.to/2KobpaZ
External Hard Drive – https://amzn.to/2QlbMqx
DJI Osmo Pocket – https://amzn.to/34BwhUN
Filters for Osmo Pocket – https://amzn.to/2CNt87z
iPhone Xs – https://amzn.to/34HP4Oc
GoPro Hero 5 – https://amzn.to/2Fl84qg
New GoPro (we would love to have) – https://amzn.to/2FlClFu
Toiletries:
Toiletry Bag – https://amzn.to/2LEdhgM
Tooth Powder – https://amzn.to/309hMsr
Quip Toothbrush – https://amzn.to/2qTU7vp
Badger Face Sunscreen – https://amzn.to/2Ois2Gl
Little Seed Farm Natural Deodorant – https://amzn.to/30d3XII
Little Seed Farm Sample Pack – https://amzn.to/2TUoVsi
Mini Hairbrush – https://amzn.to/2LvuetT
Ethique Eco-Friendly Solid Moisturizer – https://amzn.to/32Fu4FX
Ethique Eco-Friendly Face Cleansing Bar – https://amzn.to/31t4LGI
Dr. Bronner’s Bar Soap – https://amzn.to/32UjfA3
Menstrual Cup – https://amzn.to/30aZHu7
Bug Cream – https://amzn.to/2CLDULG
Bug Spray DEET – https://amzn.to/3555sHY
All Good Organic Sunscreen Butter – https://amzn.to/34IzRw3
Lavender Essential Oil – https://amzn.to/378925T
Hurraw Chapstick – https://amzn.to/32EG22G
Accessories:
Sea to Summit Hand Soap Flakes – https://amzn.to/309NTbB
Fanny Pack – https://www.ministryofculturedesigns.com/
Spoon/Fork/Knife aka Fnoon – https://amzn.to/2QiplIP
Stainless Steel Straw – https://amzn.to/2qjq9RF
Wallet Coin Purse – https://amzn.to/34O1N1T
Bluetooth Headphones – https://amzn.to/3097dVw
Bose Sport Headphones – https://amzn.to/353hYaL
Matador Packable Backpack – https://amzn.to/2M772B1
Theraband Resistance Bands: https://amzn.to/2oT03DR
Travel Towel by REI – https://bit.ly/2Y3Y6DT
Eye Mask and Earplugs – https://bit.ly/3d2TfqQ
Etymotic Earplugs – https://amzn.to/371QNPz
Dehumidifier for Hearing Aids – https://amzn.to/2Ogbpwe
Vapur Foldable Water Bottle – https://amzn.to/2NVY5Nt
Katadyn Filter Bottle – https://amzn.to/2rMERB4
Hanabi Card Game – https://amzn.to/2CJNFtD
Packing Cubes – https://amzn.to/2LsbzyP
⚙️ Equipment Used ⚙️
🎥 Filmed on DJI Osmo Pocket – https://amzn.to/34BwhUN 🎥
DJI Freewell ND Filters – https://amzn.to/2RtQszj
Edited on Apple MacBook Pro Computer – https://amzn.to/2LrQFzP
Additional Video on iPhone Xs – https://amzn.to/34HP4Oc
GoPro Hero 5 – https://amzn.to/2Fl84qg
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https://www.dayswespend.com/
https://www.instagram.com/dayswespend/
Thanks for the support! Buy us a vermouth: http://buymeacoffee.com/dayswespend
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✏️Shawn’s Travel Writing ✏️
https://medium.com/@shawnforno
🎶Lainey’s Swing Dancing Website 🎶
https://www.lindylainey.com
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Hosted by Shawn Forno and Lainey Silver
The links above are affiliate links. Our recommendations don’t cost you any extra $.
🎵Music 🎵
Unicorn Heads: “Digital Memories” https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary
27 Comments
Great video. Lots of useful info for any traveller. Love a good packing vid!
Do you find the Xero sandals comfortable enough for all day temple and market touring in places like Chiang mai and Bangkok. I love my barefoot shoes, but am questioning whether I’d love them while walking on concrete all day for a week.
Showing this to Liv for sure. Great stuff!
Thank you for the video! I am about to go on 1 month trip to 3 different countries. I was planning to just do a carry on as well but I am having trouble staying under 15 pounds. I was wondering if you ever experienced getting your bag weighed whenever you go on flights?
So helpful!! Thank you 🙏🏻
Impressive!
Love the TLDR, trying to live by that.
I like your style! Packing light and still managing to pack dance shoes! I'm more of a waltzer myself. Safe travels! 🌺 Heidi
I pack very differently from you, but this is the best packing video I’ve seen. Love it, love your explanations, love your personality.
I loved the urban sombrero moment! I really appreciated your message about making room for the things you love, so that you feel like yourself while you are abroad and about bringing clothes that give you a good energy. I'm thinking about trying merino wool, but I'm worried it might feel itchy. Also that power strip and adapter combo is genius!
I think this is the best packing vid For female I ever seen on YouTube! Good job Lainey. Very simple and most useful stuffs! Love merino wool clothing!
I would love if more Youtubers talked about the importance of which sunscreens are reef-safe.
It gives me anxiety that your clothes are super creased .. considering you were not slumming it in hostels you could have kept your clothing in good condition.. You keep mentioning you are a dancer..are you professional?? or do you mean you just like dancing? those large shoe bags take up a great deal of space in a tiny pack, covering shoes with shower caps is a brilliant way to take up virtually no extra space but still do the job well.. shoes need to be packed sole to sole and heel to toe for hygiene,protection of the shoe and the smallest profile for packing .. the secret to not stinky clothes is to wash them lol! you need to roll your clothes neatly and tightly… those cubes are huge and bulky especially as you literally shoved things in them!
One of the best what to pack videos. I can’t believe you fit all that in a 30L! I am short like you and find the merino tees are super long (personality hate that), can you suggest any merino tees for petites?
is it allowed to bring at the airport some sewing kit and pins? and a 1 piece of 3a battery? do you bring also an umbrella?
Take a look at the Osprey Porter 30L pack. I am 5 ft.1 and it fits me and has a waist strap. I couldn’t be without a waist strap since I need to get the weight off my shoulders.
I loved your video!! A few things – mosquitoes won’t bite you if you take vitamin B12. You have to take it for 6 month first before it starts working, but it really does work – i never get bitten on camping trips. Also – im glad to see that you like essential oils. Lavender will soothe a sunburn as well as any kind of burn. If you can get a hold of some tea tree and geranium they will fix up any kind of infection pretty quick. I had a bad spider bite that got really infected and a few drops of each a few times a day – it was like a mieacle – it also cures MRSA. I could go on all night, but thats a good start for traveling. I hope you really enjoy the rest of your trip. 💖
Yay!!! A fellow swing dancer!! I can’t believe I just happened along your packing video, I’m about to leave on a 6 month “dancing tour” of Southeast Asia so I’ll scour your whole page! This is a really great video and now you have a new dance fan! 😘
Thank you! We are headed to Thailand for our honeymoon & plan to be there a month!
How do you guys protect yourself from Malaria?
Great packing list, and I love that it's an actual video for a fellow 5'1" petite with a short torso.
I have been watching several "Packing a carry-on bag" on youtube but there is no way all of them don´t pack over 7kg, which is the carry-on limit on most asian airlines.
I've seen loads of packing videos, it is kind of a hobby for me now, but this is the first with barefoot footware. Thanks!
I'm really glad you bought those shorts in Asia. I'm so sick of these ppl who brag about traveling light in Asia when all they've brought is little tank tops and tiny shorts. I realise Asia is hot (obvious!) but it's just not respectful.
Cover those shoulders and knees ppl, it's not hard and the locals will appreciate it
Filtered water bottle, packing cubes
A bit too much antibiotics for my taste. Other than that, u don't leave much space for items U could get on the road, especially locally made clothes that are much more adapted to the climate than the merino stuff.
hi! thank you so much !! curious how you did the camino and then SE Asia? I heard you mention putting your stuff in storage – what did you do with your camino things?
Being a frequent traveler domestic and international, imho this is one of the most useful one bag travel video out there