When you’re travelling around Asia, it’s normal to take things with you like weather-dependent clothing and health related items. These are some of the essentials that every backpacker will need if they’re hopping from country to country in a continent that they’ve never been to before. However, there’s many more items that you can take with you, if you have the space, that many backpackers seem to overlook. This makes them very underrated, despite the many benefits they can bring you during your trip.
In this guide, we will outline some of the most underrated backpacking items that adventurers can take around Asia to protect your health and make their trip more comfortable. Continue reading to find out more.
Underrated Asia Backpacking Gear
Dry Bag
Taking a dry bag when travelling protects your gear from water, sand and dirt. It also organises your backpack and safely isolates dirty or wet clothes, so you don’t ruin the rest of your belongings during your trip. While a heavy duty backpack is essential for keeping your stuff safe from harsh conditions, an extra dry back will be perfect if there’s any days of extreme rainy weather conditions. You can store electronics and your passport in a compression packing cube too, keeping your essentials completely safe.
Sarong
Taking a sarong to Asia is a smart choice for Asia travel, as it is lightweight, quick-drying and incredibly versatile for wearing whenever you need it. It’s respectful to use it as a temple cover-up if you’re visiting sacred temples. Many sacred sites across Southeast Asia require both men and women to cover their knees and shoulders before entering. It can also be used as a beach towel, makeshift pillow or a light sun shield to keep your scalp protected from harsh sun rays. It takes up next to no space in a backpack and dries much faster than a heavy cloth towel, so it’s very ideal.
Ultrapure Water
While having regular water with you on your travels is a must, you can also carry ultrapure water with you too. Traveling often forces you to use hard hotel tap water, which can irritate sensitive skin. While it’s primarily used for microelectronics, it can also ensure that you have a clean rinse for your face or contact lenses. If travelling for field research or technical work, it ensures your scientific controls, calibrations and chemical mixtures remain completely uncontaminated.
Silicone Earplugs
Silicone earplugs are essential for backpacking Asia to block loud hostel dorms, quiet chaotic street noise and ensure restful sleep on long bus or train rides. The main benefit of these over regular earplugs is that they’re moldable, reusable and more comfortable than foam. It means that it will perfectly fit your earhole shape, no matter the size. They’ll take up hardly any space in your bag either, so they’re the perfect thing to take around the world with you.
Rehydration Salts
Carrying rehydration salts with you when backpacking in Asia is essential for treating severe dehydration, which can be common if you’re not used to the weather conditions in Asia as it’s ideal for combating intense tropical heat. You can also safely manage sudden traveler's diarrhea. This isn’t caused by the hygiene of the food being made in Asia, but rather your stomach not being used to the spices and ingredients. Rehydration salts help to improve your management of this.
Deck of Cards
If you’re scratching and crawling for some form of entertainment during your downtimes, you’re not exactly going to pull out a TV and Playstation from your backpack. Luckily, a simple deck of cards can provide you with hours of fun if you have someone to play with. There’s so many card games that you can play, so you’re never out of possibilities. They’ll take no space in your backpack, leaving you plenty of room for your essential health items.
Microfiber Towel
Taking a microfiber towel when backpacking Asia is essential and better than taking a regular towel with you, as it is lightweight, quick-drying and ultra-compact so it can fit comfortably in your backpack while leaving plenty of space. Many budget hostels and guesthouses across Asia do not provide free bath towels, so you need to carry one with you. Even if they do, some people would prefer their own towel.
Hand Sanitiser
Taking hand sanitizer when backpacking Asia is essential to prevent illnesses while travelling. This can compensate for missing public restroom soap while maintaining hygiene during transport. This means that you don’t have to struggle with finding ways to clean your hands, as you’ll have a handy bottle of hand sanitiser with you instead. It can kill 99% of germs, which is perfect if you’re in a country where you aren’t familiar with how cleanly it is.
Final Thoughts
While you should still take all the essential items with you when backpacking around Asia, there’s several underrated items that wouldn’t go missed too. Whether they’re things to look after your health or forms of entertainment, these small changes to your belongings can transform your experience.
WRITTEN BY
After completing a University degree in Journalism, Darcy Fowler has dedicated a lot of time to travelling around the world and experiencing a variety of cultures. Darcy is determined to provide interesting and insightful content with the hope of inspiring others.