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

Re backpacks - they need to be fitted like shoes. (Ex backpacker here). So the recipient needs to try it on first.

Kindle would be good. Download all the lonely Planet books for the countries on the itinerary.

Super lightweight clothing that dries quickly is excellent. I used to wash out my clothes at bedtime and hang them to dry in my hostel or hotel room.

Teva sandles or hiking boots is also a great idea.

Lightweight towel.

Packing cubes can be useful. Are they staying in one place in Aus for a while? A voucher for a nice restaurant or one night in a nice hotel.

Travel vaccinations?!! Can be pretty expensive.

Good torch/head torch

Water filter bottle.

Pac a Mac if she's going anywhere in rainy season

I would take her to a good outdoor shop and try everything on so you can give relatives specific items- x boots in size y etc.

I second osprey backpacks, amazing fit for women

Instead of money could you gift an experience? Something they might not be able to afford otherwise, whether a trip/activity, a meal in a fancy restaurant, or a stay in a luxury hotel for a few nights. I would have really appreciated that as a backpacker, but please discuss in advance so that it fits in with their plans. Perhaps agree on dates / location and you pick the restaurant or hotel (whatever it is will surely be an upgrade to their hostel). Much more memorable than stuff.

For smaller gift ideas, I take the following when backpacking:

• Uniqlo merino jumper or cardigan in a neutral colour. Doesn't retain smells easily, doesn't need much washing, looks smart, good in cooler and warmer weather.
• Lush shampoo bar in a little tin, lasts 3 months with careful use
• decent waterproof and windproof jacket if needed
• packing cubes.

Next time I go to somewhere with hiking, I would take a water purifying kit that can be used on hikes - we drank water out of the river when we were in Argentina, as it seemed lovely and fresh, but apparently this isn't sensible. Sad times. We didn't get sick but I'll do the proper thing next time.

Travel Vaccination - now that is a good idea. Thank you

A sheet sleeping bag is good for hostels. Some hostels don't provide linen, and some do, but might be a bit dodgy looking! A sheet sleeping bag is like a top and bottom sheet all in one, with an integral pillow cover, so they can have an instantly-made clean bed!

https://www.gapyeartravelstore.com/product/lifeventure-100-cotton-travel-sleeper-rectangle/?srsltid=AfmBOoqzg3cdWCzcIc9A28wUMylpRoXg7savzZ9SnIyywceObFqonyDJ

A good backpack and a silk sleeping bag liner and pillow case - can make even grim hostels feel a bit luxurious. And one of these towels - can be used for loads of things (including drying) and lots smaller than a normal towel https://uk.dockandbay.com/pages/shop-towel-beach?shop=towels-beach&product=essential-quick-dry-towel-yoga-gym-meadow-lilac

My son did this. Micro towels are good. Also the good quality sleeping masks. Tiny but very effective torch. Disposable shower caps and latex gloves. Clip on bottle opener. Any sort of gps tracker.

paid for SIM card https://esim.holafly.com/esim-australia/?tw_source=google&tw_adid=725109490945&tw_campaign=22019935429&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_id=22019935429&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=22019935429&cq_term=sim%20australia&cq_plac=&cq_net=g&cq_plt=gp&utm_campaign=HLF-B2C_GOO_EMEA_GBR_EN_SEA_GEN_DEST_PURCH_PUSH_PROSP_AO_ADM&utm_adgroup=GOO_EMEA_GBR_EN_SEA_GEN_DEST_COUNTRY_OCEANIA_AUSTRALIA_NA_NA_PURCH_PUSH_PROSP_AO&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22019935429&gbraid=0AAAAAoN3UHMvXRf6eY2mGj7cjMMMl1_wD&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6Mew6YOYkgMVj4BQBh3qwiPDEAAYASAAEgI1zPD_BwE

I love my osprey backpack. It has a zip up back so you can zip the straps etc away.

A big Anker power bank might be useful.

I find packing cubes and also (thin, lightweight, not big, heavy) dry bags for e.g. swimwear or dirties if they can't dry things before they travel.

Water purification tablets in case of an emergency? Will they want e.g. a sterile needle kit or will they be in places where that won't be an issue?

Merino wool socks/base layers could be good because they don't need much washing.

What about things like digital maps of places they're going? I'm not sure if they would exist but they might be useful if they do. Same for an eSim for mobile data for those countries if it would be compatible with their phone.

Does she have a Kindle? She might not want one/might be happy using her phone but it would have been a big priority for me if I was travelling for that long.

I'd also think about things for the journeys - an audible subscription for example.

Good waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers. Day sac as well as large lightweight rucksack sometimes van be detachable
It seems the more you pay the more light weight things you can get. Water purifying tablets to make water safe to drink, clean teeth etc.

Is she actually hiking etc? It just working in Australia and travelling in south east Asia she definitely won't want heavy hiking boots, lightweight trainers and flip flops are all she'll need. I can't imagine things like sterile needles and water purification tablets will be needed unless she's planning something very extreme.

Wonder why my links aren't posting. I've just come back from Norway and my links keep redirecting to their site. Apologies. I've tested this link and it appears to be ok https://www.linenme.com/bathroom-linen/bathroom-linen-towels/rust-linen-waffle-bath-towel-washed- Rust linen waffle towels

DON'T give her water purifying tablets whatever you do!

I backpack often, staying in hostels where I can to save money. I’ve never not had access to a towel or bed linen! Linen always provided. Towel usually provided or available for something like £1 at most.

Packing cubes are great for suitcases but if they are travelling with backpacks then stuff sacks are better. Good quality nylon stuff sacks. I’ve had the same set in use for about 10 years now! Double use - useful for organising and compressing packing in the backpack, but also useful for carrying and waterproofing on a trip out. Even when at home I use my smallest size inside my bag when it’s raining for carrying phone etc to keep dry.

The most useful small-scale travel gift I’ve received in past years was digital storage space, for the 1000s of photos I take to be backed up while I’m on the go.

Really? That's something they will need to have. Not exactly a present.

A night in a comfy hotel after they have five 2 months at Backpackers hostels!

I totally agree with this! I backpacked up and down the east coast of Australia several times, and discovered very quickly that I was in the minority 5% who had a backpack. Everyone else had wheely suitcases, and boy did i wish i had too! Using buses for transport you only carry your stuff from the bus stop to the youth hostels - along paved roads. My experience of campsites in popular places in Aus are that they cater for people driving and setting up the tent literally next door to the next person, with shower cubicles, cooking facilities, proper paths with kids scooting up and down (again, fine for a wheely suitcase) - and it basically felt like sleeping in a carpark (albeit one very close to the beach!). I HIGHLY doubt she'd have any need for walking boots. Flip flops and trainers would be far, far more useful IMO.

Buying trips or experiences though would be great, an aussie simcard was a good suggestion too, along with kindle with downloaded guidebooks.

If she plans to spend time in Sydney, get her to download the app called "Tripview". It's the best app ever for all local transport (trains, ferries, buses and light rail). Honestly I wish the UK had an equivalent.

Silk sleeping bag? I found that useful travelling as it’s light and cleans and can use it for an extra layer or also instead of grimy hostel sheets.
speaker is always useful, caribener is a nice stocking filler, obviously backpack and boots, voucher for restaurants/bars/activities of things that are well reviewed in places they’re going, travel charger, waterproof dry bags - either one which can be a belt style or bigger ones which can be used for swimming/activities but also just as packing bags in your main backpack, large sarong that can be used as a beach towel/cover up, airtag for luggage, waterproof phone pouch to go round neck, mini first aid kit, emergency dollars, travel passport wallet, very good water bottle, very good socks for hiking, voucher for audible or kindle etc

I went travelling for 9 months 20 years ago and found that the mini leather jewellery box and leather passport holder my colleagues bought me were very much needed.

My friends bought us (bf - now DH and I) a Leatherman multi-tool. This was a godsend on so many occasions.

Also, we didn’t get this, but a mini sewing kit would have been handy.

Money pouches were used daily to keep personal items - passport, cards and money - strapped to us.

Very lightweight sleeping bag, rucksack with waterproof cover as will need to lug around.

That. I'm a backpacker traveller. There is absolutely nothing that anyone could buy/have bought me before a trip. I research the heck out of every purchase, for quality, appropriateness, fit, size, weight (especially) and a million other things. A random gift would just completely throw out my plans and my packing. Packing a rucksack or travel pack for a long trip, is a fine art.

This is not a time for surprise gifts. Approach it like you would buying baby gifts for your pregnant daughter. "What can I buy you for this big event in your life? Shall we go shopping together, or do you have a wish list I can pick from?"

A few more ideas, especially for East Asia where they'll need some waterproof and hot, humid weather accessories too.

• A Dry Bag is a must for the boat trips/ water activities etc.
• In the hostels small things make such a big difference - I used this hanging toiletry / make up bag and people swore by the Microfibre towel poncho plus a normal microfibre towel - a lot of hostels don't provide!
• I always use packing cubes - there are lots of options, just make sure they're compression ones and don't buy the cheapest ones you can find, there's nothing worse than the zipper breaking part way through your trip!
• And of course a universal travel adapter and power bank