This is a list of the things we decided to bring on our trip. Most of this Marcus has had for at least a year to test it out and make sure it’s worth bringing. We wanted to be as efficient as possible, so most of it is super lightweight but also durable. As the trip goes on we’ll update this if we decide to change anything.
Backpack and Accessories
Deuter Futura 32 Backpack
Combination padlock (for the main backpack pocket)
Pacsafe cable net – size small (to lock our backpacks to something)
Plastic compression bags for compression and organizing
Mesh drying sack (for drying while walking)
Marcus’ Clothing
Bad weather jacket and pants (REI Taku pants and Jacket)
2 Hybrid board shorts that look like regular shorts
Smartwool beanie and Smartwool neck cover
Vibram Five Finger KSO’s and Vibram Five Finger KSO Treksports
NEOS Villager overshoes
2 pairs of Injini marino wool toesocks
2 pairs of Exofficio synthetic boxerbriefs
Smartwool long underwear
1 Smartwool LS midweight shirt and 2 Smartwool LS microweight shirts
Angeleah’s Clothing
Bad weather jacket and pants (REI Taku)
Smart wool beanie, neck cover, and big red scarf
Nike Free shoes and Patagonia travel flats
NEOS Villager Overshoes
4 pairs of Exofficio synthetic underwear
3 pairs of synthetic socks and 3 bras
2 long sleeve smartwool shirts, 1 short sleeve, and 1 tank top
1 dress, 1 pair of jean shorts, and 1 pair of mesh shorts
Toiletries
Multipurpose Castile soap
2 mr smartowls (one full body, one hand size for washing)
Toothpaste and toothbrush
Scissors (may not be able to bring on the flights)
Tweezers
Nail clippers
Deodorant roll
Tissues
Clothesline
Miscellaneous
iPad & iPhone (entertainment, camera, maps, compass, etc.)
European wall adapters
Headlamp
“Light My Fire” sporks
32 oz. nalgene bottle
Sunglasses
Sleepmask and Earplugs
Small first aid kit (misc. bandages, medical tape, and “new skin”)
Passport and Copy
Wallet with cash and I.D.s
Duct tape
Oh, The Places We'll Go! 
Jenny Kaluza said:
Please, Marcus, tell me you will throw away all these clothes when you get home. I can’t believe how little you are bringing!
angeleahandmarcus said:
Haha! I will make sure that happens Jenny! Or at least make sure they smell good! Haha. We miss you and your little ones! We are about to make our first post though so stay tuned!!
Gerald said:
Great packing list! I wish I had brought so little when I went to europe. Don’t lose those earplugs. They will be a lifesave for the airplane/hostels/couchsurfing with snorers.
How much does it all weigh?
I bet you will meet so many people because of your shoes 🙂
angeleahandmarcus said:
Haha funny you should mention that – our last night in New Orleans there was 3 people snoring in the house we were at!
We haven’t weighed our bags yet, but we’re estimating around 25 lbs? We’ll update you when we find out exact
And so far only 5ish people have noticed the shoes, but we’ve seen a couple people here that have em too!
Swiligbrill said:
I am considering getting this bag but unsure of security. The main compartment is a drawstring that doesn’t close entirely, can I ask how you use the padlock to secure it?
angeleahandmarcus said:
Of course! The top flap closes on top of the drawstring opening, so all the things inside are unexposed. The pacsafe cable netting wraps around the whole pack and keeps the top flap tightly shut. For additional security, we can first put the rain cover over the bag first before putting the pacsafe on so that you can’t get into the zippers either. Hope that makes sense!
After traveling with it for 3 months I’m still more satisfied than ever with the backpack, and it’s showing virtually no signs of wear even after all we’ve put it through. On a different note, we haven’t used the pacsafe hardly at all, because we haven’t felt the need. Here in Europe we feel pretty safe as it is, and most hostels are very good about security.
Let us know if you have any other questions!
Marcus
Swiligbrill said:
Great thanks, I have been thinking of doing similar. The main thing I have that worries me is times when I do not have the pacsafe on and an opportunist opens it. I had thoughts perhaps of replacing the drawstring with a cable lock, or perhaps putting a sealable dry sack inside the main compartment. Great blog btw
angeleahandmarcus said:
Yeah, those are good ideas. For us, the way we pack the bag makes it difficult to steal anything quickly, because our sealed clothes bag fills up the opening, and any valuables are in the bottom compartment (which we have locked with a small combination lock keeping the zippers together).
Thanks! Glad you’re enjoying reading it! =]