Shiny Stuff for Backpackers
By Ubertramp • May 28th, 2007 • Category: TravesphereRecently, I was asked to run a profile on www.thisnext.com’s Summer Getaway Guide, and give some recommends for backpackery type items that would come in handy on the road. Since I’m such a good egg, I agreed. And no, of course the chance of gaining a bit of extra publicity for Ubertramp.com didn’t even enter my mind.
In simple terms, I was asked to have a scoot around the site and look for shiny objects that, if I were to put my hand in my pocket, would consider purchasing and taking on one of my trips.
Now, I’m personally not on the verge of blowing the dust off my credit card and placing an order as, to me, it’s a wish list – the kind of stuff that would be lovely to receive at Christmas if planning to fly to far off lands soon afterwards.
Oh, one more thing, this ISN’T a sales pitch. I get no backhanders from it, no commission, or anything of the sort. It’s not an advert, I just thought I’d share this list of shiny and (semi) useful things with you lot, because I’m nice like that…and clearly too idle to write a separate and different post on Ubertramp. The phrase ‘2 birds and one stone’ comes to mind.
Anyway, without further ado, here’s the list I forwarded.
1. Deuter Rucksack
I’ve been a big fan of Deuter rucksacks since buying mine a few years ago. They are durable, comfortable, and, with so many different sizes to choose from, you are sure to find one to suit your needs perfectly. I have used my current pack day in, day out for over 2 years and it is yet to show signs of giving up on me. This, to me, is testament to a well made piece of gear that is guaranteed to serve its user admirably.
2. Teva Redpoints
Whilst on the road there will be many different situations that the backpacker finds themselves in, and there will be equally as many activities that they will be involved in. Whether they will be kayaking, hiking, exploring new towns and villages, or simply enduring extended periods on transport, the backpacker needs comfortable footwear that they can rely on.
The beauty of shoes like these is that they are also multi-role; meaning less amounts of footwear will be needed. This all helps keeping backpack size and weight to a minimum. Multi-functional shoes such as these are, in my opinion, a must for any potential globe trekker.
3. Compass/Whistle/Light Combo
We all need a torch (for those power outages and even during stays in hostel dorms, for instance), and we all will find a compass useful at some point during our travels (for hiking or even successfully getting our bearings in a new city) – and to have them together in one, small item is a real boon. If this wasn’t enough, for it to also combine a whistle is a superb idea. Although most suited to outdoor adventure, this inexpensive, lightweight 3 in 1 gadget is a great little package. Highly recommended.
4. Duct Tape
A true backpacker favourite, the Duct Tape. Although it may sound like a strange recommendation, it is superb for making running repairs to your pack (if need be!) and useful in budget accommodation – for patching up/repairing holey mosquito netting if nothing else. Top Tip: Instead of lugging a whole roll around, peel off a long length and wrap it around a pencil. You still have a use of the pencil, yet also a lightweight on-hand means of effecting repairs whilst on the road. Perfect.
5. ASUS Bamboo Eco-Friendly Laptop (I’m serious…)
Since I began travelling with a laptop I now wonder why anyone would ever wish to travel without one. Ideal for the budding (or established) travel writer, or even those just wishing to spend less time cooped up in internet cafes around the world. Write your journal or emails when and where you want, then, after a quick upload/download at an internet café, you can get back to hammock in no time. I’ve travelled with the same ASUS laptop for years, it’s taken a real battering in my pack yet it still serves me well. Bamboo? Yeah, it’s gimmicky, but please indulge me. Check out the original site at Treehugger.com – they have cardboard ones, too!
6. The Elements of Style – by Strunk and White
For those wishing to give their emails or journals an extra bit of ‘on the road oomph’, this handy writing guide is a must. It’s pocket sized and packs a real punch. In the words of The Boston Globe: “No book in shorter space, with fewer words, will help any travel writer more than this persistent little volume.”
Anyway, that’s the round up, and my Christmas wish list. Now, if anyone feels like buying me that Bamboo laptop, go right ahead. I promise to reciprocate with a lovely roll of Duct Tape – maybe even 2 if you’re really lucky.
Ubertramp is the brainchild of freelance travel writer and inveterate cheapskate Nath Richards.
On occasion, he's been known to write for cash, food or friends - but never to flash for coins or publicity. If you enjoy his articles and want one for your own publication then drop him a line. Unless hungry, he's quite approachable.
Email this author | All posts by Ubertramp
Having lived in two backpacker haunts (Firstly Vietnam and now Nicaragua) if never fails to amaze me that people who arrive here, laden down with traveler gear and gadgets, don’t realise just how daft they look.
In Nicaragua there is a standing joke about Americans jumping off the plane looking like they are ready to hunt elephants.
Honestly, how necessary is all this stuff?
I’m going to add your list to my list and make sure to credit you with the items above. If I can use HTML in the description then I’ll link back to this post or if that’s not possible I’ll just type in the root URL.
Maybe in July it’ll bring you some traffic That’s when I start driving traffic to my hopefully then finished site. 
Where’s the camera?:)
Shrewd observation, Steve. It is indeed the million dollar question – “What can be deemed really necessary for global travel” – Well, my take on that can be found here, here, and here. These are the things I feel are worthwhile items to pack when traveling overseas.
Now, only the backpack, shoes, (as for looking daft, I think you may well look pretty daft without them), torch, and compass are in the list, and Duct Tape, laptop, and The Elements of style are nowhere to be seen - but they are ‘nice to haves’, and, as I travel light enough to always have my worldly possessions as carry on luggage for air travel, my laptop and EOS always get packed nonetheless.
Your post has got me thinking, and I may well do a post on that very question. It’s an interesting subject and is worth exploring further.
You are very correct, all too often we see people with great big bloody mountains on their backs, and you have to ask: “Do they really need all that stuff?”
I take it there are no elephants in Nica, then…Maybe it’s because all the American tourists have hunted them already… J
Thanks for the comment Steve, and, as long as I like it, and you, it will always get past the moderation
Thanks Nia, although I don’t quite understand this concept of Thisnext, I only did the post on their site as a favour to the webmaster. Please, save yourself the time of putting links or HTML in or whatever, as I’m really not too worried about the whole thing. Thanks for the thought though, and, of course, your kind comment. Regards, Nathan
Gah! Very true – I guess a camera should be in there. Oh well, there’s always next Christmas…