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If you’re planning an adventure around the globe, we’ve got your backpacking checklist covered! First you should take a look at our Ultimate Packing List for RTW trip and then read the below tips on how to choose your toiletries.
5 Steps to Choosing Toiletries
But how do you pack enough items to last your entire trip? You don’t.
One of the things you have to come to term with on a long term trip such as a RTW trip is that you can’t carry product to last you for the entirety of the trip.
Whether 6 months, a year, or longer packing full size toiletries isnt realistic when you have to carry all your worldly belongings on your back. Even if you travel with a rolling suitcase, it’s no fun to lug around a bag that weighs 50lb. Read this post to find out how quickly that gets old.
Ideally, a backpack should be under 30lb, much less if you want a lighter bag. To help you out with this goal, read the following packing list for RTW trip tips to help you choose toiletries for your big adventure.
Choose a Toiletry Bag
Here are our top 10 toiletry bags for you to choose from. Look for an easy to clean toiletry bag that’s not too large and has a handle. A reusable travel bottle set like this one has varying sizes giving you flexibility with the quantities you pack. Remember, only fill bottles 2/3 of the way or they might leak from the pressure in flight.
Decide what Items You Can’t Live Without
Now that you know how much space you have, you can be more realistic about what will fit in your bag. Choose 1 or 2 beauty products (if any) that you will need a larger supply.
Test Products
The reality is that you will be purchasing toiletries throughout your travels so you don’t need to start your trip with a massive supply. Start testing your products to see how long they last you. Don’t forget to test out bath, skincare, and makeup products.
Downsize
Now that you know how long you can make your products last you can begin the downsizing process. For example, try to start your trip with enough shampoo to last you 2 weeks for long hair, 4 weeks for short. Beginning your trip with 3oz-5oz is a good starting off point.
How low can you go?
The Final Cut
Do a test run to see if everything fits in your toiletry bag. If you find that you have enough space, feel okay to pack a bit extra of your favorites.
If your belongings don’t fit, consider using multi-use products such as a shampoo/conditioner combo, using conditioner as shaving cream, or a gentle shampoo that can also be used as shower gel.
Shampoo and soap bars can also help you save space and can last quite some time. For hair, travelers swear by the Godiva lush bar that is said to last 50 washes. Check out a guest review here.
If you wish to use re-usable containers, GoTube makes a popular travel set.
Don’t worry, for the most part you will be able to replace your toiletries with drugstore brands you’re familiar with. Nivea and Oil of Olay are two brands found all over the world. For more ideas, check out this list if global beauty products.
What toiletries do you include in your packing list for RTW trip?
For more tips on travel gear, please read:
- How to Choose a Suitcase
- How to Use Packing Cubes
- Top Packing Organizers
- Top 20 Recommended Luggage Brands
I always travel with a small container of baking soda (aka sodium bicarbonate). It has so many uses! It’s a great exfoliating face wash, you can wash your hair with it (though it does dry it out a bit so make sure you have conditioner), you can put it in your shoes after a sweaty day of sightseeing to keep them from smelling, you can brush your teeth with it, wash your clothes and dishes with it, and add it to a small amount of any liquid soap product to make your product last longer. Best of all, it’s natural, non-toxic and it’s not a liquid you have to worry about on planes and it’s cheap and available everywhere in the world.
Awesome tip! I always forget how useful baking soda is!
In the US, I found http://www.chagrinvalleysoapandsalve.com/products/for-the-hair/shampoo-bars/ work well and smell great.
thanks for the tip!
I love the idea of a shampoo bar! I hadn’t heard of that before and will definitely check out the Godiva one!
Jessica
Let me know how you like it!