Prepping for an active adventure can be part of the fun: choosing what you’ll wear, dialing in your gear and imagining yourself on the trip doing all the things. But at the same time packing can get complicated fast. What do you really need and what can you leave behind? What if it rains? How can you pack everything for both active days and evenings without overstuffing? You have lots of questions, and we have the answers!
For this two-part series, we asked a group of seasoned Backroads Trip Leaders to share their field- and time-tested advice. They’ve traveled all over the world, in every climate and type of region imaginable, and collectively have nearly 200 years of experience leading trips with Backroads. Over those years, they’ve seen how thousands of guests have been able to show up prepared, comfortable and relaxed… or not. And now, they’re going beyond the packing list to give you the tried-and-true tips they swear by.
Confession: I hate packing. I procrastinate and then fall victim to typical packing traps: tossing in too many “just-in-case” items and forgetting—or making a hasty decision to leave behind—the one item that I’m sure to regret. Like the time I joined Backroads’ Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Hiking & Walking Trip and didn’t bring a hat…I went to the DESERT without a hat. What was I thinking? Thankfully, my amazing leaders came to the rescue.
In Part I, we’re covering the foundational strategies and favorite things that our leaders rely on, trip after trip. Let’s get packing!
Be an Onion: Why Layers and Versatility Are Essential for Active Travel
Kevin Neft nicely sums up part of this strategy: “Layers, layers, layers!” And Davide Cattaneo says, “versatile layers rather than bulky ‘just in case’ clothing” can make the biggest difference on a trip. The strategy works well across mountain, desert and coastal climates, as well as for shoulder-season trips. Simone Boccaccio recommends bringing three to four layers, especially in mountain environments: a base layer, a mid-layer such as a vest or light fleece, a puffer (for colder climates) and a rain layer.
Weather and temperatures can vary drastically due to changes in latitude and elevation, time of day and variable humidity. Jack Rawlinson notes that in Scotland, “we famously have four seasons in one day.” Lightweight pieces that can fold down easily are essential. They’ll help you stay comfortable through chilly mornings, windy descents, sudden rain and cooler evenings.
Over half our leaders praised versatility over quantity when it comes to clothing. Choose pieces that can be mixed and matched—a capsule travel wardrobe. Raphael Rivest’s rule of thumb is: “never pack something that you’ll only wear once.” Experienced guests follow this advice and keep it simple, according to Livy Lee, who adds, “no shame in re-wearing, either!” Some guests that prioritize efficiency even bring sink wash packets for their active wear.
Rain or Shine: Why You Should Always Pack Your Rain Gear
When it comes to trip essentials, rain gear is viewed as a nonnegotiable across the board by our Trip Leaders. Ben Rockman advises, “Even if the forecast looks dry and sunny the entire week, the weather can shift quite rapidly in the mountains.” And across regions—from Scotland to the Canadian Rockies to Ireland—leaders describe weather as fickle, fast-changing and often wetter than guests expect. Chloe Philippon lists a rain jacket at the top of her list of essentials for all regions.
“But wait!” you may be asking. “Wouldn’t rain gear be considered a just-in-case-one-time-use item?” Well, yes and no. Quality rain gear is a comfort item that’s the exception to the rule. Getting cold and wet can derail an otherwise great day, while a good shell keeps activities enjoyable when conditions turn. The bottom line: Check the weather for your destination weekly before your trip, then daily as your departure draws near for last-minute edits. No rain in the forecast? Pack that rain gear anyway.
It Had to be Shoe: Choosing the Right Footwear for Your Trip
Jazz puns aside, the topic of footwear came up again and again as one of the biggest make-or-break decisions. Our experts’ advice is nearly unanimous: bring comfortable shoes that are already broken in and appropriate for the trip. The Goldilocks principle applies: shoes shouldn’t be brand-new and untested, nor should you bring the geriatric hiking boots gathering dust in your closet. Several leaders maintain that shoes have been the biggest clothing and gear fails they’ve seen on trips over the years. Jenn Peach says, “Don’t bring your 40-year-old hiking boots because you may lose your sole,” and Ruth McDonough recalls having to tape shoes together on the trail after “soles have separated from the shoe.”
Blisters, slipping and wet feet can overshadow the fun, so prioritize fit, grip, good tread and comfort. For most Backroads Hiking & Walking Trips, hiking shoes or trail runners, rather than traditional hiking boots, are appropriate. Aitor Galdos Arija drives this point home and also cautions against “tennis shoes or gym shoes,” because “the soles must be thick, for rocky terrain.”
Overwhelmingly, leaders recommend activity-specific pairs with good grip and breathability, plus one easy option for downtime. At the same time, they advise not to let your shoes take over your suitcase. Kyle Hancher notes that if you bring “hiking shoes, bike shoes, walking shoes and dinner shoes, that’s your whole carry-on right there,” and Mario Toran offers a practical cap: “Just use three pairs.” Others love a comfy recovery pair—flip-flops, slip-ons or sandals—so feet can breathe after active days. Your personal style and trip type do matter. For some Backroads trips, you may want to pack more upscale attire for dinners or bring a backup pair for water activities or in case your main pair gets wet. Even so, focusing on fewer pairs of the right shoes will never lead you astray.
Packing Cubes: Organizing for Accessibility & Efficiency
Backroads leaders are downright evangelical about packing cubes. Lorenzo Domingo Perez says, “Those babies changed my life.” He was not the only one to describe packing cubes in such transformational terms. Paige Nestich describes her favorite brand of cubes as her “best friends.” More than a space-saving trick, cubes are lauded as a stress-smoothing organizational system—especially on trips with multiple hotel changes. Cole Burchiel perhaps sums up their impact best of all: “It’s not about fitting more into your luggage, it’s about keeping yourself sane on trip.”
Whether organizing items by type or by the day, packing cubes allow you to find what you need quickly and easily. Maisie Furlong is a huge fan and suggests rolling your clothes before placing them inside, which saves space and keeps them from developing creases. Teryn Stewart recommends using them to separate active wear from dinner clothing and clean clothes from already worn items. Think of them as an investment in your mental health.
Stay tuned for Part II of this series, where we’ll dive into more details on clothing and gear with our Backroads leaders!
