Packing List: a year abroad

Several people have asked me, how do you pack for a year long trip, covering various climate zones. Here is what I carry on our year abroad. Also, here it is in a spreadsheet.

3 pairs of pants (one long, one Capri, one yoga leggings)
2 pairs of shorts (actually one’s a skort)
3 short sleeved t shirts
2 long sleeved shirts (one is a capilene base layer)
2 tank tops
1 swimsuit+ 1 long sleeved swim shirt
2 dresses (one is more for bars or nightclubs, also works as a swimsuit cover, the other is a bit nicer, for dinners out or holidays, etc)
1 pair merino wool leggings
1 Merino Wool Hoodie
1 rain jacket
6 pairs underwear
1 bra, 1 sports bra
3 pairs socks
1 pair sneakers
1 pair sport sandals
1 pair nicer sandals
1 sarong (works as a sheet, towel, backpack, laundry bag, picnic basket, beach blanket, tent, headscarf, skirt, dress, prayer shawl, tablecloth)
1 reusable grocery bag
1 cloth purse (wallet, passport, sunglasses, Chapstick)

1 small toiletries kit with daily needs: toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, deodorant, sunscreen, floss, tweezers (all trial sizes that get refilled)

1 small toiletries kit for less needed items: baby powder, neosporin, duct tape, highlighter, marker, pony tail holders, cotton swabs, headband, flash drives, ear plugs, eye mask, flashlight

George, my stuffed monkey

1 iPhone (mainly for pics on the go, messaging, and Skype)

I carry the Osprey Porter 46 Liter backpack . I could probably have done with a 40 liter, maybe even a 35 liter bag. The smaller the bag, the less weight you’re carrying around! At the last airport we went to, my bag weighed 9 kg (20 pounds).

Note: By the end of our trip, I had tossed out several items including the selfie stick, one pair of sandals, and a few clothing pieces.

Chris carries the Osprey Farpoint 55 Travel Backpack , which detaches into 2 parts: a main bag and a backpack. And he thinks I have too much stuff! Below is a picture of what I carry, and then a picture of Chris’s stuff.