Birthday presents for someone going backpacking

[BackpackPresents]

My family are very generous, but traditional, they will not give money for gifts.

My daughter and her boyfriend (both 19) are going backpacking and starting with a working Visa in Australia before going to the Far East.

Please can anyone that has travelled (I don't have a passport) recommend items that were worth the money. I'm thinking good walking boots and quality rucksack, but I don't really have any idea.

Do people take sleeping bags, good quality coats? They will be using hostels but not afraid to rough it camping etc

In fact any tips would be gratefully appreciated.

Edited to ask for ideas for birthday presents as my family want to buy them something useful. Thanks

A Patagonia Black Hole rucksack. They fold and packaway quite small but are incredibly strong and can hold a huge amount. Great for times they can leave their big pack safely somewhere. Excellent quality. My DD really rated it when she did 3 months solo backpacking in Australia.

If they’re working in Australia first they won’t need sleeping bags or coats. They can buy whatever they need there. I expect they’ll want to research backpacks and boots themselves, dont leave others to choose these. I suggest a decent worldwide plug adapter, a Kindle each if they like reading / dont have them, the best possible noise cancelling headphones. If they know where they are going to live, vouchers for local attractions would be good, my colleagues got me thst when we moved to Australia

What have they got?
Boots and rucksacks are very personal in how they fit.

Could you ask what they'd like and would family then buy it?

Give them money in the currency they will need. I know it's cash but a bit different. A voucher they can use in a place they're going.

Compression socks for the flights. Seriously.

DS went last year, dd did south America last year and is going to Australia/Asia this year. The worldwide plug adaptor is very useful. I also have them both a really lightweight towel that folds up in to nothing. Contigo coffee cup went down well with dd. Hiking boots, rucksacks etc, I wouldn't choose for them.

We also bought them both a pod in an airport they had a long layover in. That way they could get a decent sleep.

I would directly ask your daughter. She’s likely (hopefully!) planning carefully what she’ll want to take. Good to go to her with suggestions (eg would you like us to get you some new walking shoes? A rucksack?) but do ask her as she may have been researching. And she’s the one that’ll have to carry everything.

People tend to have very specific needs/wants for those kind of trips - could she maybe create a wishlist giving details of what would actually be helpful?

Ask them what they need. You can’t buy someone else boots or a bag without their say, the fit is very personal. Do they know where they’re going to be staying for the first few nights? Maybe they could send them something to their room (champagne etc.) or pay for their first night’s stay?

Cash to spend as needed. The last thing you need when backpacking is more stuff to bring with you. Or if they are looking for something specific and technical, I’d offer to make a purchase of their choosing that suits their specific requirements.

Please don’t let your family fill your poor DDs backpack or suitcase up with unwanted and possibly badly fitting stuff that she feels obliged to take. Hold boundaries and tell family members that this time they really should send money. Electronically. So she can use a modern currency conversion service like Wise rather than carrying wads of cash like its 1994. From experience (typing from East Asia) there is nothing more stressful than people who “just bought a little something” that you are obliged to make room for at the expense of things you actually wantwd to take in your limited luggage allowance on a plane on a long term trip. And they all think they are the only person who had the idea of getting you something. And before you know it there is no room for your own stuff. Your DD isn’t there to spare the feelings of the incontinent shoppers in the family. Australia has stuff too.

Decent swimwear. But ask them for exactly what they want.

Thanks all- sorry should have said that I will run it all past her first, I just wanted to be able to add something to the conversation. So that backpack recommended is great, she might have decided on a different one but I'm just keen to show interest and support. The pod idea was excellent as well.

She knows the family won't give her money and it will be here that decides what she wants.

As for her researching everything, yes places, to go and stay and airfare and stuff like that she will have it all planned. But basics like a decent pair of boots will be better with a suggestion (that's all we can do as parents of adults- suggest)

I've said I will pay for her backpacking insurance as my gift as I want her to have the best package available (and that cover everything)

large travel towel- takes up next to no room and dries quickly

Osprey backpacks are excellent, my sons both have them for gold DofE / scouting etc , and I notice that lots of the Race across the World contestants have them too. They are very adjustable and come with man / women fittings options.

I’d recommend a trip to Cotswold outdoors, they have better trained advisors in there especially for boot fitting (obv there are excellent people in many stores but theirs seem consistently better).

Yes - microfibre towels. Padlock(s) for lockers and maybe one with a cable - useful on long journeys. Power pack. Bluetooth headphones. Decent water bottle. Washing sheets.

Money :) a lovely bank transfer I’m sure would go down nicely.

Packing cubes
flipflops for communal showers
microfibre towels
travel neck pillow
eye mask and ear plugs
money belt

I assume it will be very hot the whole time?

Packing cubes would be useful. I've not used but people rate them!

If they are doing hikes some good hiking socks. The trespass anti blister socks are my fave.

Some nice sunglasses / Sweaty Betty leggings (or shorts) / Havaina flip flops!

Also small things but monopoly deal or uno could be good for flights if they like games. A small coin purse. Some people like a water bottle (but takes up space). Battery pack!

Not as a present clearly but I recommend taking the Imodium instant melts that you don't need water for! Definitely worth taking a bit of medication pre-emptively as it's often more expensive abroad and when you need it, you want it there and then!

Make sure they are on Monzo or a similar more universal card. The mainstream banks (NatWest, Lloyds etc) often charge you for cash transfers and using your card abroad.

Also make sure she knows about western union in case of emergencies or if it's cheaper to get cash that way (sometimes it can be).

They will need to provide their own towels in backpackers places so I'd consider these extremely lightweight/packable and quick drying ones https://www.linenme.com/linen-waffle-towels The microfibre ones that camping shops sell are truly awful (and heavy)

Things like a travel money belt, washing leaves, a water bottle with purification built in, good back pack with detachable daypack, sleeping bag liner (excellent for hot weather on its own or with supplied blankets), travel cushion, packable waterproof jacket… off the top of my head but check with her what she already has

And yes microfibre towels, brilliant things get the xl size

Sorry, my link didn't work. These are the towels. The waffle ones are the best and most absorbent https://www.linenme.com/bathroom-linen/bathroom-linen-towels/antique-gold-linen-waffle-bath-towel-washed

Oh and Life Venture is a good place to look

A power bank,
Good first aid kit,
Annual airport lounge access.
Loaded multi currency card.
Health/travel insurance (STA are excellent),
Micro towel,
Air pods,
Security wallet/bag.