Packing Tips for your Southeast Asia Hiking Trip
Southeast Asia's great outdoor trails are too gorgeous to miss. Don't let a lack of vital equipment get in your way! While many essentials are easy to buy as you travel around Asia, some things are best obtained before you set out on your trip. Your average Southeast Asia market will have a sarong in your size, but good luck if you find a first aid kit that has everything you need!
For an overview of your luggage essentials in the region, read this article: What to Pack for your Trip to Southeast Asia.
To ensure maximum comfort on the trail, buy 'em before you leave and break 'em in before you arrive. That leads us to the next question - sandals or boots? Sandals are a wonderful relief on the sweltering hot trails, but provide little protection in snake-infested areas.
Keen Newport sandals have a toebox that provides added protection to your feet without compromising comfort. (Compare prices - men's / women's) If you're wary of snakes in the grass, go with boots like the Timberland Euro Hiker. ()
Too large is better than too small - try sleeping with your arms outside the net one time and see how that feels! No, you'll want a net that lets you toss and turn without the fear of letting those nasty critters in. And don't even think about going without a mosquito net; deadly diseases like dengue fever are endemic in Southeast Asia, and spread by swarms of mosquitoes. ()
If you don't know where your water is coming from, don't drink it. Buy bottled water before the hike; it's a commonplace purchase in urban convenience stores in Southeast Asia. On the trail, of course, safe water is more difficult to come by. And carrying heavy loads of water loses its appeal really fast! So what's a thirsty traveler to do?
Many travelers now carry the SteriPEN to purge their water of critters; it's a battery-powered ultraviolet light pen that sterilizes water. Just activate it, stir the water with it, and stop when the light turns off. It doesn't change the way the water tastes, the way pills do, nor does it come with any consumables save the battery. ()
Southeast Asia's outdoors calls for a specialized kit.Here's a short list of must-have items to include in your first aid kit: antibiotic ointment, sunscreen, anti-malaria tablet, loperamide (anti-diarrhea tablet), DEET (mosquito repellent), liquid hand sanitizer, and ibuprofen or some other analgesic. Get a first aid kit to stash your meds in - a good one is Adventure Medical Ultralight .9; it weighs only nine ounces but packs enough for a group of four. ()
Even at the best of times, Southeast Asia can be incredibly wet, and your gear may suffer for it. If the rain isn't turning your baggage into a soggy mess, the humidity may still put your electronics on the fritz. No ordinary backpack will keep your stuff safe from moisture, but several watertight, zip-locked bags may do the trick.
My buddies swear by Aloksaks, a set of thicker-than-usual zip-lock bags that effectively seal out moisture. Use them for everything, from keeping your passports dry to separating your camping chow from your clothes. ()
For an overview of your luggage essentials in the region, read this article: What to Pack for your Trip to Southeast Asia.
Break in your footwear beforehand.
To ensure maximum comfort on the trail, buy 'em before you leave and break 'em in before you arrive. That leads us to the next question - sandals or boots? Sandals are a wonderful relief on the sweltering hot trails, but provide little protection in snake-infested areas.
Keen Newport sandals have a toebox that provides added protection to your feet without compromising comfort. (Compare prices - men's / women's) If you're wary of snakes in the grass, go with boots like the Timberland Euro Hiker. ()
Get a mosquito net one size too large.
Too large is better than too small - try sleeping with your arms outside the net one time and see how that feels! No, you'll want a net that lets you toss and turn without the fear of letting those nasty critters in. And don't even think about going without a mosquito net; deadly diseases like dengue fever are endemic in Southeast Asia, and spread by swarms of mosquitoes. ()
Trust your buddies, not the water.
If you don't know where your water is coming from, don't drink it. Buy bottled water before the hike; it's a commonplace purchase in urban convenience stores in Southeast Asia. On the trail, of course, safe water is more difficult to come by. And carrying heavy loads of water loses its appeal really fast! So what's a thirsty traveler to do?
Many travelers now carry the SteriPEN to purge their water of critters; it's a battery-powered ultraviolet light pen that sterilizes water. Just activate it, stir the water with it, and stop when the light turns off. It doesn't change the way the water tastes, the way pills do, nor does it come with any consumables save the battery. ()
Stock your first-aid kit well.
Southeast Asia's outdoors calls for a specialized kit.Here's a short list of must-have items to include in your first aid kit: antibiotic ointment, sunscreen, anti-malaria tablet, loperamide (anti-diarrhea tablet), DEET (mosquito repellent), liquid hand sanitizer, and ibuprofen or some other analgesic. Get a first aid kit to stash your meds in - a good one is Adventure Medical Ultralight .9; it weighs only nine ounces but packs enough for a group of four. ()
Moisture is your enemy; waterproofing is your friend.
Even at the best of times, Southeast Asia can be incredibly wet, and your gear may suffer for it. If the rain isn't turning your baggage into a soggy mess, the humidity may still put your electronics on the fritz. No ordinary backpack will keep your stuff safe from moisture, but several watertight, zip-locked bags may do the trick.
My buddies swear by Aloksaks, a set of thicker-than-usual zip-lock bags that effectively seal out moisture. Use them for everything, from keeping your passports dry to separating your camping chow from your clothes. ()
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