Packing A Backpack

Travel Bug

We're off for the long weekend—and we're leaving you with tips from two of our favorite frequent travelers. We caught up with pro-snowboarder Torah Bright and pro-skier/snowboarder Sarah Burke while they were in New York this week—and we totally ransacked their luggage (sorry, guys!). Check out what these two Roxy snow team members are packing in their long-weekend luggage on their off-season. Happy Fourth of July!

Torah Bright : I travel every week! Sometimes the flights are just an hour and a half, or else from west to east coast or to Japan or Europe—it just all depends but, midwinter, we have contests every weekend.

I'm based in Salt Lake City. The European airports are really great, Christchurch has a great airport. New Zealand Airlines/Air New Zealand is the best airline—their planes are beautiful, the seating is great, they have like a different class, premium economy? It's like business.

Coming here to New York, just for a couple of days, I don't need my snowboard equipment so I just have a wheelie and I don't even check it. But midwinter I've got a big travel bag and a big snowboard bag packed. I use all my snowboard equipment that's in my snowboard bag but in the travel bag? It's like I just pack it because I have to take it kind of thing—I just add extra things in because there's room. I definitely overpack a lot.

We're at events, so yeah we'll go out for dinner but most of the time you keep to yourself a little bit and you cook in and you don't need all those clothes to go out and you end up hanging out in your tracksuit.

Apart from a book and an iPad, I usually pack all my own toiletries, shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion. But here I've been using the body lotion [in the hotel] and I only brought shampoo so I was like, I hope they have conditioner! I've used Bumble and Bumble and Pureology lately.

I'd never be seen in an airport in tracksuit pants, never! I look at people that are wearing it and I'm like, well, they look fine but I can never do it. I've always gotta have real pants on, or jeans. But now, you know how they make the stretchy jeans so I do have more comfortable pants. But I always dress properly. Real clothes.

I have this one Roxy hoodie that has a giant hood and I always bring it and I just pull it over because I sleep with my mouth open on the plane. So I just pull my hood over my face and no one can see it when I'm up against the wall just, aaaaaagh. [Makes sleeping-with-mouth-open face.

Packing Your Backpack for Europe | Europe

Nothing beats backpacking in Europe if you get the opportunity. So, you probably want to know what to pack for Europe.

Millions of people head off to Europe on a backpacking trip each year. Having done it five times, I can tell you that it will be one of the best times of your life. That being said, you must take some things with you. On the positive side, you don’t need that much.

Europe is not another planet. I mention this because you should keep in mind you can buy everything there if you forget it here. The first time people go backpacking in Europe, they tend to completely overdue it on the packing front. You are not climbing Mount Everest, so don’t overdue it!

The first things to pack are clothes. Depending on where you are going, you may need clothes for warm weather or cold. Assuming it is warm, you need a couple of shirts that are wrinkle resistant. You will buy others there, so don’t pack ten. You also will need a pair of shorts and a bathing suit. If you plan on visiting museums and churches, you will need a pair of long pants to get into many of them. Pack something light that is wrinkle resistant.

For your feet, you can load up on socks because they do not take much space. You will need some sandals and then a pair of something comfortable. Some prefer hiking boots, but I usually went with cross trainers. Whatever you do, make sure you get used to the shoes before heading off. You are going to walk a lot, so blisters from new shoes can be a killer.

On the personal front, you need a brush, toothpaste and any medicinal needs. That is it. You can buy anything else you need as you need it. There is zero point to lugging around shampoo all over Europe. Murphy’s law says it will open in your backpack! Keep it super simple.

While your trip will result in great memories, they will fade in time. Take a camera and, of course, one of our travel journals. The camera should be hardy so it can take the inevitable beating that will occur. Our travel journals are compact and in a case. They are perfect for trips to Europe because we were on one when we got the idea! Check them out:

Europeans can read. This means you can buy guidebooks over there. If you plan to visit three or four countries, take the guidebook for the FIRST country only. You can pick up the others over there or trade with other backpackers. Guidebooks are heavy and this will save you the aggravation of hauling them everywhere. Also, cybercafés are everywhere, so you do not need to bring a laptop unless you really have a specific need.

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