PACKING LISTS: WHAT KIT WE PACK

Having mild anxieties and the tendency to overthink well, everything can be a massive nuisance – but it can also be a great asset!

For example, when it comes to packing and trips away, I'm very rarely without something I need. BUT... it can become problematic when space is limited, so sacrifices have to be made!

Also, a lot depends on how long you're going for, where you're going and what you're planning on doing whilst you're there.

But below, you'll find a list of the all items I like to try and take with us, broken down into various categories depending on the trip's agenda, hope it helps.

GENERALLY
- Phone, Wallet, Keys, ID
- Food, milk (alternative), coffee, tea, sugar, hot chocolate, Gluten-Free emergency snacks, beer /wine/gin/mixer
- cordial/juice
- 2x full Bottles - 1 water for the dog, 1 of cordial for us
For more on food/meal ideas click here
- Clothes (inc extra socks, pants)
- Thermal pjs and bed socks
- Oodie/warm jumper
- Coat x 2
- Shoes/Boots x 2/sandals
- Waterproof slippers
For more on clothing and what we take click here
- Map/printed info
- Duct Tape
- Cable ties
- Sucker hooks and 'S' hooks - great to hang mirrors on, coats/leads up etc.
- string & 2 pegs
- Bin/bin bags
TOP TIP:
Bin bags are great (especially the eco-friendly ones) as you can use them for SO many things such as...
By cutting 3 holes (one for the head, two for the arms), you have an emergency makeshift poncho. You can sit on them if the ground/chairs are wet, they can protect things from getting wet, and of course - for rubbish!
- Pocket tissues
- First aid kit
- Mini sewing kit
- Bug spray/repellent
- Lock eg bike lock for things like kayaks, bikes, anything you may need to leave
- Citronella candles
- Battery chargers/phone chargers
- Electronics with downloaded programmes/films/books
- A real-life paper book - in case you have no signal or battery
- Speaker/radio
- Games – like playing cards, dominoes, and any other small travel games

TOILETRIES
- Toothbrush & paste
- Hairbrush
- Hair straighteners/Hairdryer
(if camping you may occasionally find a plug socket you can use in the shower block - however, this is quite rare, so gas/12v/battery options are great if you can find a good one)
- Makeup
- Makeup remover
- Cotton pads
- Wet wipes
- Anti back gel and wipes
- Earplugs
- Nail care kit
- Polish & remover
- Ipropthen/paracetamol
- Hayfever stuff / any medication
- Shower gel, shampoo and conditioner
- Lady items
- Razor, gel, etc
- Moisturiser
- Hand cream
- Sun cream
- Flip flops for the shower
- Bag for life / waterproof bottom bag
- Shower cap
- Microfibre towel and flannel
CAMPING IN A VAN / TENT
- Van/Tent
- Loo
- Loo roll x2 & waterproof cover
- Toilet blue
- Drinking water bottle - full if to be a late arrival
- Wastewater container
TOP TIP
The 5L plastic petrol cans work great and save loads of space - but remember to check it after a few pot washes!
- Black water bottle for loo flushing
- Towel (dog/floor)
- Duvet and bed sheet / Sleeping bag
- Air bed/liner
- Pillow
TOP TIP
Mini memory foam pillows are amazing!
- Thermal window blinds and or wrap
- Pop Top cover
- Tarp / Awning / groundsheet
- Toilet tent
- Windbreak
- Pegs (always have spare!)
- Hammer
- Toolbox with knives, cable ties, screwdrivers etc
- Indoor van matt
- Outdoor matt
- Storage rack/box
- Dustpan & brush
- Table
- Chairs
- Mugs & Glasses
- Cutlery
- Plates & bowls
- Thermal flask
- Clingfilm/kitchen foil
- Pots pans
- Spatulas
- Lunchbox
- Kettle
- Washing up stuff
- Bbq
- Coal/gas/logs
- Lantern/torch/headtorch/solar/fairy lights
- Electric hook up lead
- Water hose
- Chocks (for levelling)
- Sign to mark pitch if leave for the day
- Window Vac
IF have access to Electrics:
- 3pin chargers
- Heater/heated blanket
- Extension Lead
- Projector and Screen

CAMPING WITH DOGS
- Harness
- Lead x2
- Seatbelt clip
- Seat covers
- Food bowl
- Collapsible water bowl
- Food for the number of days
- Waterbottle
- Treats
- Toys
- Bed
- Blanket
- Ground spike
- Towel/dryrobe
- Warm coat/Jumper
- Dog life jacket
- Flashing night collar
- Tick remover
HOTEL/B&B
- Extension lead/cube
- Pillowcase/bed sheet
- Red/grey towel if washing hair
- My own mug/glass
ABROAD
- Passport
- Travel pillow & footrest
- Plug adaptors
- Headphones
- Extension lead/cube
- spare clear bags for airport toiletries and electronics
WATER/SUMMER/BEACH
- Beach towel
- Kayak/Paddleboard
- Paddles/life vest
- Float ring/lilo
- Lockable container for Chair
- Wetsuit, wet shoes, change robe and matt
- Beach bag
WINTER/SNOW
- Extra blanket/sleeping bag
- Thermal baselayers
- Waterproof trousers/salopettes
- Ski / Snowboard jacket
- Hand warmers
- Gloves
- Crampons
- Hot water bottle
IF have access to Electrics:
- Travel electric heater/blanket
To see what we wore when we went to Iceland (-11) click here!
WALKING/HIKING
- Walking Boots
- Hiking bag
- Camelback backpack/water/bottle
TOP TIP:
We always take lunch or some form of snacks with us even if we're not planning on being out that long - just in case we get lost or our blood sugars drop.
- Waterproof coat
- Waterproof trousers
- Fleece
- Thermal/base layers
- Lantern/torch/headtorch
- First aid kit
- Foil blanket
- Something bright to attract attention
- Solar torch
- Compas
- Map - not just digital
CYCLING
- Bike
- Helmet
- Rear light and head torch
- Gloves (even in summer)
- Glasses (sun or clear lens)
- Puncture repair kit and tools, eg: inner tube (easier to swap over rather than repairing) Chain link bits, ducktape, spare brake pads (for disc brakes) cable ties.
- Bike multi-tool and generic multitool.
- Camelback backpack/water/bottle
- Phone mount
- Map - not just digital (I've duplicated this from general as it is super important!)
- Emergency foil blanket
- Small compact smock
- Bike rack
- Bike lock
TOP TIP:
We always take lunch or some form of snacks with us even if we're not planning on being out that long - just in case we get lost or our blood sugars drop.

BONUS TIP!

Leave what you can 'pre packed' either in a bag or a drawer/cupboard. For example, I have nail files, plasters, drugs, a hairbrush, shampoo moisturiser etc etc all pre-packed in our van ready to go! All I have to do is check there is an adequate amount of left for each trip we go on.

PACKING: CLOTHES FOR EVERY OCCASION

By When We Wander • June 11, 2022

MY MUST HAVE ITEMS FOR EVERY OCCASION! This obviously depends on how long you're going for, where you're going and what you're planning on doing whilst there – but as I'm an overthinker I always tend to pack for almost every occasion possible. And because I'm small, and my clothes are small - I can usually do this without taking up too much space... So below is a list of the clothes I tend to always pack and why... and by always I mean, whatever trip we go on, whatever the season, UK or abroad, 2 nights or 10nights - you can guarantee I'll have the below with me as long as space allows, along with some top tips too!

LOCAL WALK TIPS

By Freddie Pf • February 27, 2022

There are lots of various apps available to download that can help suggest, direct, and track routes. However - do bear in mind that some apps/maps will be useless when you lose signal, or run out of battery. Therefore, if you are venturing a long way from home we always recommend downloading any maps you may need and taking phone battery charges with you - or even better - go old school and take an actual paper map! Some of the apps we use are: OS maps – as this is really good at showing footpaths and routes that aren't clear on google Google maps Kamoot and All Trails. These last two apps work by you putting in your location - or the location you are intending to start from, and it brings up walks in that area. They are also 'user based' apps - which means some routes are 'official walks' where as others are random submissions from fellow walkers. This means you can find some right gems that you possibly wouldn't of found otherwise - however, some routes are also better than others. We have recently set up an account on All Trails, just search for "When We Wander' and our walks will come up.