Travel Packing List for Women Travelers

complete packing list for women travelrs

packing list for women

Wondering what to purchase as you get ready for your next big trip? We have you covered. Check out our complete list of travel gear.

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Packs, Luggage, Purses:

Some travelers do not use packing cubes because they add weight. Others like the satisfaction of being organized. Buy lightweight gear whenever possible.

  • Osprey Daylite pack: From $60 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Any small day pack - about 20 liters or so

  • PackSafe 25 liter pack: From $120 (buy here - Amazon)

  • TravelPro MaxLite Luggage: From $144 (buy here - Amazon)

  • TravelPro Elite Luggage: From $365 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Briggs & Riley 22’ Carry-On: From $600 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Osprey Tummy Pack/ Waist Pack: From $35 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Stylish Waist Bags: From $100 (buy here online)

  • PackSafe 17 liter in cute style: From $170 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Eagle Creek Packing Cubes: From $40 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Cross-Body Purse: From $40 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Scarf with Hidden Pockets: From $44 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Visit REI for additional options

Ponchos and Rain Gear:

  • Outdoor Products Adult Poncho: about $20 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Anyoo Hiking Poncho: From $16 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Columbia Rain Pants: From $60 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Visit REI for additional options

Shoes:

You need both hiking shoes and “relaxation” shoes for around the hotel. No waterproof. Trail running shoes are better than boots.

  • Hoka One One Trekking Shoes: From $185 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Hoka Speedgoat Trail Running Shoes: From $180 (buy here - Amazon)

  • KEEN Zionic Hiking Shoes: From $140 (buy here - Amazon)

  • TEVA Megnya Sandals: From $50 (buy here- Amazon)

  • TEVA Olowahu Sandals: From $25 (buy here - Amazon)

  • TEVA Original Sandals: From $30 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Flip-flops for showers, pools, hotel: From $16 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Keen Shanti Slip On: From $50 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Visit REI for additional options

Socks:

Try a few styles. Some people like a thin option and others want more cushion. Test at home before hitting the trail in Spain.

  • Darn Tough Women’s Light Hiker: From $20 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Darn Tough Women’s Micro Crew: From $25 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Sockwell Compression Socks for flight: From $30 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Wrightsock for quick-dry: From $15 (buy here - Amazon)

Foot and Blister Care:

Choose a few of these options in case you get a blister on the trail.

  • Dr. Scholl’s Blister Cushions: From $6 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Dr. Scholl’s Moleskin: From $6 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Compeed Advanced Blister Care: From $9 (buy here - Amazon)

  • 2nd Skin Dressing: From $10 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Vaseline for between toes: From $6 (buy here - Amazon)

Clothing:

Mornings and evenings can be chilly in the spring and fall. Yoga pants work great. You will need a jacket.

  • Merino wool (perfect for travel - lightweight, breathable): From $40 (buy here - Amazon)

  • IUGA leggings: From $25 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Columbia Warm Trek Beanie: From $30 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Prana Warm Beanie: From $24 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Thermal Long Johns for cold weather trips: From $27 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Puffy Jacket that compresses down: From $60 (buy here - Amazon)

  • New Balance Lightweight Gloves: From $17 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Columbia Hooded Jacket: From $78 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Mountain Hardwear StretchDown Jacket: From $200 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Arc’teryx Fleece Hoodie: From $180 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Columbia Benton Fleece: From $50 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Columbia Saturday Trail Pants: From $60 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Columbia Leslie Shorts: From $35 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Quick Dry Saucony Stopwatch Tee: From $20 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Quick Dry Undies ExOfficio: From $15 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Visit REI, Prana, Marmot, & Nordstrom Rack for additional options

Sun Hat and Bandanas

There are lots of options. Your old baseball hat works just fine (but is your neck covered?).

  • Columbia Bora Booney: From $23 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Wallaroo Packable Hats: From $50 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Kafka Kool Ties Cooling Neck Bandana: From $15 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Visit REI or Nordstrom Rack for additional options

Toiletries:

  • Dr Bronner’s Soap for Body and Laundry: From $5 (buy here - Amazon)

  • EO Organic Hand Sanitizer Spray: From $14 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Alba Reef-Safe Sunscreen: From $10 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Solid Shampoo Bar for Eco-friendly travel: From $13 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Avene Sunscreen: From $30 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Sea to Summit Toiletry Bag in Small: $45 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Toothpaste Tabs instead of the tube: From $10 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Bite Toothpaste Tabs (and more!): From $8 (buy here - Bite)

  • Spinster Sisters Shampoo Bars: From $14 (buy here - Spinster Co)

  • Travel Make Up: From $20 (buy here)

  • Also check Whole Foods for other options

Tech Gear:

The kettle is for early birds who do not want to wait for breakfast to have their coffee/tea. The headlamp is for those sharing a room who may want to stay up and read. Clothes pins for hotel laundry.

  • Headphones: From $300 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Foldable Travel Kettle Dual Voltage: From $33 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Epika Universal Travel Adapter: From $20 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Black Diamond Head Lamp: From $40 (buy here - Amazon)

  • E-Reader - Kindle: From $100 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Portable charger/Powerbank - Zendure: From $45 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Tiny Reading Light: From $ 12 (buy here - Amazon)

Other Useful Products:

  • Umbrella - Wind Proof: From $22 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Flents Earplugs for Sleeping: From $15 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Sleeper Mask (especially for flights and roommates): From $10 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Earplugs - Your Roommate May Snore: From $15 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Smooth Move Tea for Constipation: From $6 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Clothes Pins: From $7 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Clothesline: From $15 (RedOXX)

  • Soak travel detergent: From $12 (buy here - Amazon)

  • A sarong for beach time or a cover-up. From $10 online.

  • Binoculars for wildlife rich trips: $30 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Water Bottle by PROBTTL: From $20 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Chub Rub or Anti-Chafe Thigh Rescue: From $14 for Megababe (buy here - Amazon)

Other Resources:

  • Steps Out of Time by Katharine Soper: From $13 (buy here - Amazon)

  • What Psychic Told the Pilgrim by Jane Christmas: From $10 (buy here - Amazon)

  • Visit Powell’s Books for other options

  • Wirecutter has a great Travel Product Guide here.

  • This video is a great packing resource by Nora Dunn.

  • How to bundle wrap your clothes when you pack your luggage video on NBC.

Your Phone and SIM Cards:

Advice from the NYT: An “unlocked” phone means you can buy prepaid SIM cards in the country you’re visiting, letting you access their local network for significantly less money than the roaming fees incurred by your home carrier. With a prepaid SIM, your phone effectively becomes a new phone with a new (now local) phone number. Instead of seeing “Verizon,” “AT&T,” or “Sprint” at the top of your phone, you might see “Vodafone,” “Yes Optus,” “M1,” or whatever provider you choose in the country you’re visiting. The first thing to check is if your phone will work where you’re going. If you’re unsure if your phone will work where you’re going, check the Wikipedia page for your phone or contact your provider. - NYT, see full article here.

T-Mobile: T-Mobile's international plan works in about 130 countries. When you enter a new country, you will be connected to its phone and data plan, so you don't need to search for a SIM card. Usually 5G speed for up to 5GB of data: plenty for a short trip. If you do use up your data allotment, you can either settle for slower speeds, or you can easily pay for more high speed data.


Regina Winkle-Bryan