Backpackers generally travel for a longer period of time than most other tourists, and they tend to travel across several countries during their time away. The number of countries differs. A backpacker can be on the road from a few weeks to several years.

These are two completely different types of traveling, but they both like to call themselves backpackers. You can however separate these into 3 different backpacking genres:

Ultralight Backpacking
Flashpacking
Backpacking Round The World Travel (RTW)

The two later ones are newer styles in ways of backpacking.

Ultralight Backpacking

Ultralight backpacking is becoming more and more popular. Today the industry puts a lot of focus on making things ultra light. The backpacks are light like feathers, and the sleeping bags can be squashed down to the size of your palm.

But if you really want to go Ultra, opt for a sleeping bag liner, this is definitely
something for anyone to look into, as it could really help you ease some weight from your backpack.

These Ultralight backpackers go all the way, counting every ounce, cutting their
toothbrushes in half to ease weight. Although if this is your first time on the road, you will never understand WHY people would ever want to travel like this – but trust me after over 6 months travel, with your back hurting – you will start to consider this style of backpacking more and more.

You find more Ultralight backpackers using smaller packs and buying lightweight clothes, quick drying travel towel, etc.

You quickly learn, ounces turn to pounds fast when you are carrying everything from food, water, toiletries, first aid supplies, swimming trunks, quick-dry towel, socks, sleeping bag, cooking supplies, and more. Every ounce counts when Backpacking!

Flashpacking

Flashpacking is a new type of backpacking. It is generally where you travel more
expensively and with higher living standards. Many people like to explain the definition of a flashpacker as someone who travels with a lot of tech gear like iPods and laptops and such, but I think that has become so common these days that nearly everyone carry in an mp3
player with them, and laptops are hardly expensive anymore – so the view of a
Flashpacker now is more of someone who has all the latest gadgets, doesn’t save up for a trip, spends his money on drinking, partying and staying in nicer places.

Another way to define the flashpackers would be to say – ‘THEY BACKPACK IN STYLE.’ They prefer to go to the main guidebook destinations, do the main attractions, see what everyone else tells them to see. They view backpacking more as an extending party than anything else.

The Changes of Backpacking…

Backpacking has changed considerably from the last decade. It has always been around, but today it’s easier than ever before. The flight tickets are cheaper, in many places it’s safer, the communication is better etc. Plus, you don’t have to take care of the boring part of traveling like plane tickets anymore, there are hundreds of organisations over the world that help you with that. Some people actually buy all their tickets to each country (including the one back home) before they’ve even left, through one of these companies. All you do is to go into their office, tell them where you want to go, how long you’d like to stay in each place, and they’ll book all the flights you need for a trip round the whole world if that’s what you want.

The Original – Backpacking RTW ( Round The World) Travel

This is the type of backpacking that you will find the most information about on
websites. Backpacking in this term means traveling on a budget, usually for longer distances, seeing many different countries and for a longer time than normal holiday travelers. These backpackers can be quite diverse, exploring different cultures and travel both in cities as well as on the
countryside.

Some of them might make a short hike for a few days or do some volunteer work, and then continue their travels. They view backpacking and travel more for seeing amazing new cultures and as a personal growth than as a party, or simply a short get away from the real world.

They see the whole world as their home, and don’t really feel a need to get back to the ‘real-world’ anytime soon. Travel is their life.

It is a real fun way to travel and it’s not just young people who do it… backpacking is for everyone! If you’re already planning a backpacking trip, choose the right backpack for your trip.

Basics of Light and Easy Backpacking

Whether you’re backpacking, taking a road trip, or staying in hotels – be it a long journey or a short one, but travel *light*! You’ll be surprised as to how little you actually need when traveling.

Just a normal backpack is of about 15 – 20 litres.  Of course if you’re traveling in winter you’ll need a bit more in the way of warm clothing, but still, I’m sure one backpack would do the job.

Basic travel tips:

Pack an extra outfit in your carry on, in case your checked luggage gets lost.
Always bring dozens of plastic bags and baby wipes
Embrace situations that are different. You’ll always end up with a great story.
To always expect the unexpected and keep your cool.
Say “yes” when hostel people ask you to come out with them
Be realistic about your itinerary & don’t try to fit too much in
Don’t plan too much, be flexible. Keep your options open.
Always learn AT LEAST, hello, please & thank you in the local language
Duct tape and a headlamp: both extraordinarily useful
Bring several bandannas; they’re the perfect travel tool
Consider stuff sacks

So here’s some advice of how to travel light:

Think practical. Ask yourself: ”Do I really NEED this?”
Bring two pairs of inner wear (at the most three). You can wash one when having a shower, wear the clean one while you leave the other pair to dry during the day.
Make sure everything goes with everything else. All of your shirts have to match all of your bottom-wear. If you          have something that only goes with one other item, it’s not a good idea to bring it.
Bring a mini-laptop (I recommend about 10 inch screen) with you. It might not sound very lightweight, but in the end it is. You won’t have to bring any books, notebooks or travel guides – in stead you can download it all into your laptop and read them from there. Make sure it’s a light one though. A big and heavy one is just trouble. (One traveller, a backpacker took a 15 inch laptop and 2 months later simply gave   it away to the Red Cross – too much hassle!)
If you are a smoker, now could be a good time to quit. You will save money and likely improve your health. But if not, ecig’s and Vaping Kits are  a good alternative. They are easy to pack light, save time and money not trying to find and purchase cigarettes in various countries, and consistency with  what you are smoking. Traveling  is a great time to break the smoking
habit because you will be out of your usual  routines.
Don’t bring clothes made of heavy fabrics like jeans and wool. Bring as light clothing as you can. If you’re going to colder places, buy long johns and poly-pro tops instead of   woollen  jumpers and hoodies.
Bring stuff that can be used as several things, like a Sari. You can use it as a normal towel, a beach towel, dress, skirt, blanket, fold it to make a bag,etc. Travel and Microfiber Travel Towel
For guys, instead of bringing a pair of shorts AND a pair of board shorts, try to look for a pair of board shorts that look     just like normal shorts (or as close as it  can get).
Don’t bring anything white, since you don’t bring many clothes you’re going to use the ones you have a lot. White clothing will need to be washed more often than dark and colored fabrics.
Remember the essentials. It’s critical to protect against mosquitoes and to have a small first aid kit. Prioritize space for these. Some people suggest you cut  your toothbrush in half because even  small things weigh and they add on. It’s  true that everything adds on, but I don’t go that hardcore myself to care about  how much weight my toothbrush adds   on. Lightweight traveling should be easy, not extra hassle.

      Other reasonable backpackers stays are AIRBNB, COUCH, YNCA, YMCA etc., google  them for future info. A&W

Source: www.aswetravel.com