Written by:
I spent the last two weeks on my honeymoon in Europe and had a blast! I wanted to share my packing list for anyone who is looking to lighten up and simplify for a European vacation.
My husband and I traveled in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. We have also backpacked England, Scotland, and Wales in the past. This packing list would work well there as well. If you are looking to go without checked baggage, not feel like a pack mule, and avoid pulling luggage on old cobblestone streets, read on.
| Category | Item | Weight (in oz) | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Packing | Gossamer Gear Gorilla Ultralight Backpack | 26 | 40 liter capacity top loading pack was simple and very comfortable. Can be used as carry on luggage on a plane. |
| Gossamer Gear Quiksak Adventure Pack | 8 | 26 liter pouchable pack. Used for walking around towns, markets, day hikes. | |
| 2 Gossamer Gear G-Flat Storage Sacks | .84 | Used two for storing clothes. Tops in one, bottoms, underwear, and bathing suit in the other. | |
| Gossamer Gear G-Stow Storage Sack | .4 | Storage sack for hiking clothes (including down and rain jackets) | |
| Gossamer Gear Cuben Q-Ditty Zippered Storage Sack | .2 | Storage bag for small essentials. | |
| Everyday Clothing | shirts | 28 | 3 short sleeve, 1 3/4 sleeve, 1 long sleeve, 1 tank top |
| Bottoms | 25 | 1 pair of jeans, 1 pair of leggings, 1 pair of shorts | |
| underwear | 5 | 6 pairs of underwear. Two bras- not including sports bra listed below | |
| 1 dress | 6 | also bought a dress near the end of the trip | |
| Hiking Clothing | Smartwool NTS Micro 150 T-Shirt | 3.2 | |
| Purple Rain Skirt | 5.6 | ||
| Injinji Toe Socks | 2 | weight listed is for two pairs | |
| Moving Comfort Fiona Bra | 3.2 | ||
| Brooks Cascadia 8s | 9.8 | ||
| Mountain Hardwear Hooded Ghost Whisperer Down Jacket | 7 | ||
| Older EMS Rain Jacket | 4.2 | No longer in stock. My suggestion? Outdoor Research Helium II | |
| Miscellaneous | Sony Alpha5000 Camera | 13.7 | weight includes kit lens |
| Ditty Bag | 2 | first aid, sunscreen, bugspray, etc. | |
| Toiletries | 8 | makeup, toothpaste, moisturizer, etc. In ziplock bag | |
| Diva Cup | .8 | ||
| 1L Smart Water Bottle | 1.3 | Great lightweight option that is easily replaced. | |
| Backpacking UL Toothbrush | .06 | Half toothbrush works much better. Handle on this was so bendy... | |
| Petzl e-lite | .9 | ||
| Smartphone | 4.4 | had books on kindle app, area guides, maps, etc. | |
| Adapter Plug | .8 | ||
| Book- Breaking Trail: A Climbing LIfe by Arelene Blum | 11.2 | ||
| Total Weight | 169.54 (in ounces) | 10.59 (in pounds) |
Last modified: September 1, 2017
Wow! I could post my packing list – how NOT to pack for a European vacation 😉
I am working on traveling lighter on vacations.
Thanks for the post!
excellent, thank you..
we hope to do a England/Scotland/Iceland trip next year, my wife usually travels heavy but suggested we do it backpacker-style this time to my surprise and pleasure.. I’ll share this list with her.
That sounds like an excellent trip. With the cobblestone roads it is nice not to worry about wheels.
We will be going throughout England, but we are not camping, but we want to travel light as we walk through cities. We do weekend trips, and I have looked at the Gossamer several times before. This is so helpful! I went to the website though, and they are out of stock on the medium and large, and my husband and I are both very tall (6 ft. 2 1/4 and 6 ft. 4 1/2). I am bummed that they are out of stock. I hope they get new stock in soon. We leave in July. Your picture of that European city looks very familiar too! We went to five countries (Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary) in 2014 (went on a boat so no need for a backpack).