Simon Reeve’s Perfect Travel Packing List

WALKING through darkness on the unlit backstreets of the capital of Transdniestria, an obscure and exotic breakaway state between Moldova and Ukraine, carrying a small powerful torch was a lifesaver. Dozens of manhole covers had been stolen and sold for scrap metal. My little torch twice saved me from a fall into hellish, deep, over-flowing sewers.

The importance of correct packing for travel

Packing the right equipment is always a critical decision. At some point everyone has arrived somewhere new and kicked themselves for forgetting a Must Have piece of kit left languishing at home. I used to forget clothing, chargers, even my passport on one embarrassing occasion. So I created my very own travel packing list, and became a kit obsessive.

Trekking into Burma, illegally and undercover, was a huge challenge requiring new levels of kit obsession. We tried to prepare for everything, carrying ropes, machetes, a medical trauma kit, camouflaged hammocks, locator beacons, and food. We even had survival kits strapped to our thighs just in case we ran into a Burmese army patrol and had to dump our rucksacks and make a run for it.

My travel packing list

Wherever I go in the world, I need reliable outdoor kit I can wear in any weather. These are just some of the clothes in my travel packing list:

Venta Lite Hooded Jacket

This lightweight, water resistant and windproof jacket is perfect for throwing into travel luggage. Its easy to squash down and pack, perfect to take if the temperature suddenly drops.

NosiLife Adventure Long-Sleeved Shirt

For protection in hotter climates, this long-sleeved shirt helps fend off insects and extreme heat from the sun.

Bardsey Jeans

Ideal trousers to travel in comfort and style. And with six pockets, I can keep all my valuables on me and safe.

Shop my top picks for the perfect adventure packing list from the Craghoppers’ Simon Reeve collection.

Why I choose Craghoppers’ clothing

On my journeys I can’t afford to forget anything, and my travel kit has to be just right: tough, light, dependable and functional. There’s no space in my bags for anything that doesn’t work or doesn’t last. That’s why I’m such a huge fan of Craghoppers clothing. Tweaked and perfected over decades, there is beauty in the details: drying loops, sunglasses wipe, little security pockets, and a map pocket in the trousers which is great for big phones or a GPS.

They never stop innovating. I once met the boss of Craghoppers at a party. We were chatting about kit, and I said I love Craghopper trousers, and suggested putting another button on the side pockets. She whipped out her notebook and passed on my idea to the design team.

It’s that level of focus that ensures Craghoppers kit is brilliantly packable. Permanent insect protective clothing, with a great range of motion, that mozzies can’t get through? Early travellers would be in awe. I particularly love the dry bags in some of the trousers – great for downpours in the UK, or even a monsoon abroad.

For me the best kit can take me from a city to a mountain top, and can protect me from anything the weather can chuck in my direction, year round, from downpours to boiling heat. Because part of the joy of an adventure is having kit that helps you travel through it all.

Shop the Simon Reeve collection at Craghoppers today.