The Trunk — the exact inventory for your luggage

Climate, use, length of stay: an inventory drawn up precisely, item by item, with the reason for each. Nothing superfluous, nothing forgotten.

Verifying your access…

What will not fit in the case

The mobile line is the one item on a packing list you cannot fold — and the one people forget. An eSIM activates before you leave, keeps your usual number and gives you internet the moment you land, with no roaming.

See eSIM plans

The record: 254 items, 4 climates, 12 activities

A list of belongings teaches nobody anything: everyone knows to bring socks. What matters is the reason attached to the item, and 185 of these 254 entries carry one — why that fabric, why that quantity, why that item in that country.

By climate

Tropical / humid climate

Clothing

  • Breathable T-shirts (DryFit) ×5 — Quick-drying, odour-resistant
  • Light shorts ×3
  • Light trousers (cotton/linen) ×2 — Essential for temples and mosques
  • Light dress / long shirt ×2
  • Underwear ×7
  • Light sandals ×1
  • Light closed shoes ×1 — For temples and hikes
  • Light rain jacket / poncho — Rainy season means a daily downpour
  • Hat or cap — Intense UV — protection is not optional

Toiletries & health

  • First-aid kit — Plasters, antiseptic, painkillers
  • Personal medication +50% — Pack extra in case of delays
  • Anti-diarrhoeal (Imodium) — Essential when abroad
  • Antihistamine — Allergies and bites
  • SPF 50 sunscreen ×2
  • Hand sanitiser
  • Blister plasters (Compeed type) — Heavy walking makes blisters near certain
  • Electrolytes / rehydration salts — Heat, exertion, traveller's stomach
  • Compact thermometer
  • Mosquito repellent, DEET 30%+ ×2 — Dengue or malaria depending on the area
  • Antimalarials — Depending on the destination, see a doctor first
  • Antifungal cream — Humidity makes fungal infections common
  • Water purification tablets — If the tap water is not drinkable

Documents

  • Passport — Valid for 6 months beyond your return
  • Passport photocopies ×3 — One in your bag, one in your case, one emailed to yourself
  • Travel insurance — Check that repatriation is covered
  • Payment cards ×2 — Mastercard + Visa for the widest acceptance
  • Local cash (small notes) — For markets, tips and arrival
  • Printed flight and accommodation tickets
  • Embassy emergency number — Saved offline
  • eVisa / authorisation (ESTA, ETA…) confirmed — Printed + an offline screenshot
  • International vaccination certificate — Yellow fever is required to enter some countries
  • International driving permit — If you plan to hire a vehicle

Tech

  • Universal adaptor — Check the voltage: 110 V vs 220 V
  • Power bank (20,000 mAh) — Charges a smartphone three times over
  • Charging cables ×2
  • Smartphone + flight mode — Get a local SIM on arrival
  • Local SIM or eSIM — Buy it at the arrival airport
  • AirTag / luggage tracker — One in every checked bag
  • Wireless earbuds (+ wired spares) — The headphone jack is still useful on some flights
  • E-reader (Kindle) — Hundreds of books without the weight

Desert / dry climate

Clothing

  • Light UV-protective T-shirts ×4
  • Light-coloured long-sleeved shirt (cotton) ×3 — Sun protection and local custom in one
  • Light trousers ×2 — Required at religious sites
  • Underwear ×6
  • Comfortable closed shoes ×1 — Sand and cobbles call for closed shoes
  • Sturdy sandals ×1
  • Multipurpose scarf / shesh — Sun, dust — keep your head covered
  • Light jumper for evenings — Large swing between day and night temperatures

Toiletries & health

  • First-aid kit — Plasters, antiseptic, painkillers
  • Personal medication +50% — Pack extra in case of delays
  • Anti-diarrhoeal (Imodium) — Essential when abroad
  • Antihistamine — Allergies and bites
  • SPF 50 sunscreen ×2
  • Hand sanitiser
  • Blister plasters (Compeed type) — Heavy walking makes blisters near certain
  • Electrolytes / rehydration salts — Heat, exertion, traveller's stomach
  • Compact thermometer
  • SPF 50+ for the face — Reapply every 2 hours
  • Polarised sunglasses — Intense UV, reflected off sand and snow
  • SPF lip balm — Dryness and sun combined
  • Hydrating serum (travel size) — The skin dehydrates fast
  • Hydration tablets — Electrolytes for intense heat

Documents

  • Passport — Valid for 6 months beyond your return
  • Passport photocopies ×3 — One in your bag, one in your case, one emailed to yourself
  • Travel insurance — Check that repatriation is covered
  • Payment cards ×2 — Mastercard + Visa for the widest acceptance
  • Local cash (small notes) — For markets, tips and arrival
  • Printed flight and accommodation tickets
  • Embassy emergency number — Saved offline
  • eVisa / authorisation (ESTA, ETA…) confirmed — Printed + an offline screenshot
  • International vaccination certificate — Yellow fever is required to enter some countries
  • International driving permit — If you plan to hire a vehicle

Tech

  • Universal adaptor — Check the voltage: 110 V vs 220 V
  • Power bank (20,000 mAh) — Charges a smartphone three times over
  • Charging cables ×2
  • Smartphone + flight mode — Get a local SIM on arrival
  • Local SIM or eSIM — Buy it at the arrival airport
  • AirTag / luggage tracker — One in every checked bag
  • Wireless earbuds (+ wired spares) — The headphone jack is still useful on some flights
  • E-reader (Kindle) — Hundreds of books without the weight
  • Waterproof phone pouch — Sand is the enemy of USB ports
  • Noise-cancelling headphones — Long desert drives

Temperate climate

Clothing

  • T-shirts ×4
  • Jumpers / sweatshirts ×2
  • Jeans / trousers ×2
  • Light waterproof jacket — A versatile mid-layer
  • Underwear ×6
  • Socks ×6
  • Walking shoes ×1 — Non-slip sole
  • Smart shoes ×1 — Restaurants and evenings out
  • Light scarf

Toiletries & health

  • First-aid kit — Plasters, antiseptic, painkillers
  • Personal medication +50% — Pack extra in case of delays
  • Anti-diarrhoeal (Imodium) — Essential when abroad
  • Antihistamine — Allergies and bites
  • SPF 50 sunscreen ×2
  • Hand sanitiser
  • Blister plasters (Compeed type) — Heavy walking makes blisters near certain
  • Electrolytes / rehydration salts — Heat, exertion, traveller's stomach
  • Compact thermometer

Documents

  • Passport — Valid for 6 months beyond your return
  • Passport photocopies ×3 — One in your bag, one in your case, one emailed to yourself
  • Travel insurance — Check that repatriation is covered
  • Payment cards ×2 — Mastercard + Visa for the widest acceptance
  • Local cash (small notes) — For markets, tips and arrival
  • Printed flight and accommodation tickets
  • Embassy emergency number — Saved offline
  • eVisa / authorisation (ESTA, ETA…) confirmed — Printed + an offline screenshot
  • International vaccination certificate — Yellow fever is required to enter some countries
  • International driving permit — If you plan to hire a vehicle

Tech

  • Universal adaptor — Check the voltage: 110 V vs 220 V
  • Power bank (20,000 mAh) — Charges a smartphone three times over
  • Charging cables ×2
  • Smartphone + flight mode — Get a local SIM on arrival
  • Local SIM or eSIM — Buy it at the arrival airport
  • AirTag / luggage tracker — One in every checked bag
  • Wireless earbuds (+ wired spares) — The headphone jack is still useful on some flights
  • E-reader (Kindle) — Hundreds of books without the weight

Cold / polar climate

Clothing

  • Thermal base layers (merino wool) ×3 sets — Wool beats synthetics on odour
  • Warm wool jumpers ×2
  • Warm trousers / softshell ×2
  • Down jacket (600 g+) — The warmth-to-weight ratio is what matters
  • Waterproof hardshell jacket — Windproofing is essential
  • Thermal socks ×5 paires
  • Insulated waterproof boots — Down to −20°C depending on the destination
  • Heated waterproof gloves
  • Hat covering the ears
  • Neck gaiter

Toiletries & health

  • First-aid kit — Plasters, antiseptic, painkillers
  • Personal medication +50% — Pack extra in case of delays
  • Anti-diarrhoeal (Imodium) — Essential when abroad
  • Antihistamine — Allergies and bites
  • SPF 50 sunscreen ×2
  • Hand sanitiser
  • Blister plasters (Compeed type) — Heavy walking makes blisters near certain
  • Electrolytes / rehydration salts — Heat, exertion, traveller's stomach
  • Compact thermometer
  • Protective face cream for extreme cold — Frostbite starts around −10°C
  • Repairing lip balm
  • Lubricating eye drops — Cold air dries the eyes
  • Cold and flu medication — A precaution for extreme temperatures

Documents

  • Passport — Valid for 6 months beyond your return
  • Passport photocopies ×3 — One in your bag, one in your case, one emailed to yourself
  • Travel insurance — Check that repatriation is covered
  • Payment cards ×2 — Mastercard + Visa for the widest acceptance
  • Local cash (small notes) — For markets, tips and arrival
  • Printed flight and accommodation tickets
  • Embassy emergency number — Saved offline
  • eVisa / authorisation (ESTA, ETA…) confirmed — Printed + an offline screenshot
  • International vaccination certificate — Yellow fever is required to enter some countries
  • International driving permit — If you plan to hire a vehicle

Tech

  • Universal adaptor — Check the voltage: 110 V vs 220 V
  • Power bank (20,000 mAh) — Charges a smartphone three times over
  • Charging cables ×2
  • Smartphone + flight mode — Get a local SIM on arrival
  • Local SIM or eSIM — Buy it at the arrival airport
  • AirTag / luggage tracker — One in every checked bag
  • Wireless earbuds (+ wired spares) — The headphone jack is still useful on some flights
  • E-reader (Kindle) — Hundreds of books without the weight
  • Insulating sleeve for the power bank — Cold drains batteries 30% faster
  • Car charger — Long-distance drives

What the activity changes

Beach gear — Tropical / humid climate · Temperate climate

  • Swimsuit ×2 — Always one dry one ready
  • Microfibre towel — Dries in 30 minutes, weighs almost nothing
  • Waterproof SPF 50 sunscreen ×2
  • UV400 sunglasses — No compromise on UV protection
  • Beach flip-flops
  • Dry bag — For your phone and keys at the beach
  • Snorkelling mask + snorkel — Hire it locally if it is too bulky

Mountain gear — Temperate climate · Cold / polar climate

  • High-cut hiking boots — Ankle support is essential
  • Telescopic trekking poles
  • 25–35 L backpack — With a hip belt
  • Head torch + spare batteries
  • Minimalist survival kit
  • Emergency blanket — 30 g, and it can save a life
  • 1 L insulated flask
  • Energy snacks (bars, dried fruit)
  • Anti-blister cream — For long trails

City gear — Tropical / humid climate · Desert / dry climate · Temperate climate · Cold / polar climate

  • Discreet anti-theft backpack — Concealed zips, slash-proof fabric
  • TSA lock for the suitcase
  • Money belt / hidden pouch — For carrying your passport
  • Compact umbrella — Especially in Europe and North Asia
  • Translator / Google Translate offline — Download it before you leave

Safari gear — Tropical / humid climate · Desert / dry climate

  • Beige / khaki clothing only — Neutral colours so as not to startle the animals
  • Binoculars, 8×42 minimum
  • High-concentration DEET repellent ×3
  • Portable bed mosquito net — Some lodges do not provide them
  • Antimalarials (medical consultation required)
  • Powerful LED torch — Bush camps have no lighting at all
  • Telephoto lens or ×30+ zoom — For photographing animals at a distance

Ski gear — Cold / polar climate

  • Waterproof ski suit — Hire locally if it is your first trip
  • Ski thermal base layers ×3 sets
  • Ski socks (merino wool) ×4 paires
  • Ski goggles + UV sunglasses — Goggles matter more than sunglasses
  • Ski helmet — Hire it if you are unsure of the size
  • Wrist guards — Falls put the wrists at risk
  • High-altitude sunscreen, SPF 80 — UV doubles at altitude
  • Lift pass (book ahead) — 20–30% cheaper online

Surf gear — Tropical / humid climate · Temperate climate

  • Wetsuit (if the water is below 25°C) — Hiring locally is often simpler
  • Shorty wetsuit — Versatile for temperate water
  • Board wax — Buy it locally
  • Surf leash — Check it matches your board size
  • Waterproof SPF 50 face sunscreen ×3
  • UV rash guard
  • Surfer's earplugs — Prevents surfer's ear

Trekking gear — Tropical / humid climate · Temperate climate · Cold / polar climate

  • Waterproof trekking boots (Gore-Tex) — Broken in two weeks before departure
  • 45–65 L backpack — Hip belt, breathable back panel
  • Suitable sleeping bag (check the altitude) — Go by the comfort rating, not the limit
  • Light sleeping mat — If you plan to camp out
  • Water filter (LifeStraw or Katadyn) — Drink from any source
  • GPS / offline topographic map — Maps.me or AllTrails Pro
  • Telescopic trekking poles — 30% less load on the knees
  • Altitude medication kit (Diamox) — Above 3,500 m, see a doctor first
  • Waterproof gaiters — Mud, snow and tall grass

Yoga / wellness gear — Tropical / humid climate · Temperate climate

  • Light portable yoga mat — The Manduka PROLITE is 2 kg and worth the outlay
  • Breathable yoga outfit ×3 sets
  • Yoga mat carry bag
  • Yoga blocks — Often provided on site
  • Journal + pen — Journaling is part of the practice
  • Essential oils (lavender, eucalyptus)
  • Meditation eye pillow
  • Insulated water bottle — Hot tea for morning pranayama

Diving gear — Tropical / humid climate · Temperate climate

  • Your own mask + snorkel — Hygiene and a perfect fit, unlike rented kit
  • PADI/SSI certification + dive log — Required for any scuba dive
  • 3 mm shorty wetsuit — For tropical water; hire the thicker one locally
  • Neoprene booties
  • Dive computer — Hire it if you dive only occasionally
  • Waterproof camera (GoPro + housing) — Check the housing's maximum depth
  • Mask anti-fog spray
  • Dive insurance (DAN) — Standard travel insurance does not always cover it

Road-trip gear — Tropical / humid climate · Desert / dry climate · Temperate climate · Cold / polar climate

  • International driving permit — Required in many countries outside the EU
  • Car phone mount
  • Dual-USB cigarette-lighter charger
  • Offline maps (Maps.me) — Areas with no signal
  • Soft cooler bag — Picnics and cold drinks
  • Downloaded playlists / podcasts
  • Lumbar cushion — Long hours behind the wheel
  • Photos of the vehicle's condition at pickup — In a hire dispute, timestamped proof settles it

Digital nomad gear — Tropical / humid climate · Desert / dry climate · Temperate climate · Cold / polar climate

  • Laptop + protective sleeve
  • Foldable laptop stand — Ergonomics spare your back over the long run
  • Bluetooth keyboard + mouse
  • Noise-cancelling headphones — Cafés, open-plan offices and flights
  • 4G hotspot / generous eSIM data plan — Café wifi is rarely reliable for a call
  • Compact power strip + universal adaptor
  • Backup SSD — Back up offline, every time
  • Paid VPN — Public-wifi security and geo-bypass
  • Mini ring light + webcam — A polished video call from anywhere

Festival gear — Tropical / humid climate · Temperate climate

  • Tickets + wristband (offline copy) — Screenshot it if it is an e-ticket
  • High-capacity power bank — Almost no sockets on site
  • Filtering earplugs — They protect your hearing without muting the sound
  • Rain poncho + light boots
  • Bum bag / anti-theft bag worn at the front
  • Cash in small notes — When the network is saturated, cards often stop working
  • Empty collapsible water bottle — Fill it at the fountains once you are inside
  • Meeting point agreed in advance — The network will be saturated: agree a place and a time
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