If you have been reading my blog for a while, you will have read this post all about my Mountain Warehouse 60+20 Traveller Rucksack. Well the guys over at MW did and they kindly sent over some more bits for me to take on our RTW adventure. For those that don’t know, Mountain Warehouse is a British outdoor retailer, that sell all the necessary bits and bobs for travelling, camping, hiking, cycling, running and fitness. So they are a great brand to consider when booking those one way tickets and reading all those packing lists that are dazzing about the internet.

At present I haven’t left the UK yet, we still have just under three weeks until we fly, but we are trying to get as organised as possible so that we don’t leave everything until the night before we head down to Gatwick. I have read so many stories about those ‘must have’ backpacker items that have ended up thrown out or left behind because it turns out they weren’t really needed (I think it’s unavoidable and I will definitely be one of those that is over prepared and trying to lug a bag around that weighs twice as much as me). However, I feel that the following items from Mountain Warehouse are essentials on any ‘packing list’. I will be popping them in my backpack and I anticipate them to get a lot of use. So without further ado, let me talk you through the items…

Travel Towel 

I chose the Micro Towelling Travel Towel, I went for the charcoal colour as I felt it would definitely hide the inevitable dregs of mascara (soooo lazy at removing my make up properly) and the large size, as I don’t know about anyone else, but I can not stand it when you are provided with a towel the size of a flannel! I am really impressed with this towel. The fabric is so much softer than other travel towels I have used. It dries super quickly, which is going to be important when we are moving from place to place and I don’t want to stick a soaking wet towel in my backpack. Also the towel comes in its own mesh carry bag, so its easy to put away. 

First Aid Kit 

Unfortunately, cuts and grazes and things are inevitable, so packing a little first aid kit is a must. This little kit comes with everything you (might) need, including plasters, scissors, bandages and more. It is an ideal little size, it packs neatly away into little compartments and easily fits in your bag. What’s more, my mum will be happy that I had the foresight to pack something sensible (naturally, she is already crazy worried about us). 

Waterproof Coat 

I chose the Solent Waterproof Womens Jacket. Whether you are stood in the rain watching the Leicester Tigers play, caught in torrential rain in Bangkok or trekking on a misty morning in New Zealand, this is a great jacket. I wanted something lightweight, so it’s easy for me to carry and breathable so that even when the humidity is crazy high, I don’t get too warm – this jacket does not disappoint. Additionally, I wanted a coat that was sleek, simple and not offensively ‘kagool’ like –  it ticks all the boxes. According to the MW website, this jacket has been tested to withstand 10,000mm of rain in a 24 hour period. I will report back after I have been inevitably caught in monsoon season somewhere in South East Asia.

Sleeping Bag Liner 

Now, packing as a budget traveller I feel that a sleeping bag liner is going to be a necessity. I mean we are going to try and check reviews etc. and stay in places that have great ratings for cleanliness and comfort but the reality is, that might not always happen. So if we end up in a hostel that’s a little grimy, or the sheets don’t look that great then packing a sleeping bag liner will make it that little bit nicer. This envelope style liner from MW is super practical as it is lightweight and folds up really small into its own little bag. 

Packing Cubes 

Now I mentioned how these little organisational wonders changed my life (direct quote) before. I first used packing cubes on my trip to Japan and so far they have been my favourite travel accessory discovery! These Travel Organisers from Mountain Warehouse are super light yet sturdy, zipped compartments that mean you no longer have to empty your whole rucksack just to repack it again. They are super helpful as you can divide up your belongings really easily. This set comes with 2x large and 1x medium cube, the material on the top is mesh so you can see through to whats inside as well, which is super handy when you just want to grab your bikini and head to the beach. In all seriousness, they save time, save space, ensure that you pack lighter and are just an organisation delight. 

So that’s the bits and bobs from Mountain Warehouse that are going to be coming with me on my travels. Obviously all of this will be packed into my backpack that I have previously banged on about. The items in this post were gifted to me, but love and rambling is all me and I hope you have found it useful. If you have any of these items in your bag, or recommend something similar then please share in the comments!

Thank you as ever for reading, Abbie x