Unpacking Your Fears: Smarter Packing for Adventure Travel

If there’s one universal truth about adventure travel, it’s this: packing for it is hard. Bringing everything you need for variable mountain temperatures, and trails that can last many days, is not always easy. Your team has given you a packing list and STILL it's hard to trust that you'll be ok with just what's on the list. The "What if I need xyz" or the "Surely, I need more pairs of..." can haunt you while preparing for your adventure. To add to the complication of it all, most mountain adventures have strict packing weight restrictions that can make it feel impossible to bring all that you need.

We have found that what people struggle with about packing lists or packing limitations can give big insights into their personalities, their fears, and what's most important to them.

There’s a saying in the outdoor adventure world: you pack your fears. 

And wow, is that accurate.

When you’re prepping for a big trek or an expedition with strict weight limits—whether it’s the Tour du Mont Blanc, hiking the Salkantay Trek, or climbing Mount Kilimanjaro—packing can feel like an exercise in deprivation. “What if I need this?!” your brain screams, as you stare at that extra fleece or (heaven forbid) your hair dryer. We’re used to convenience, and suddenly being told to limit ourselves feels… scary.

Brooke, Authentica Trip host, with "essential items" (Pringles)

The Psychology of Overpacking

Why is packing so hard? Because fear shows up in sneaky ways. My husband, a paramedic, fears not being prepared for a medical emergency—so his first aid kit could probably serve a small village. One of our clients is terrified of cold hands. She once packed six pairs of gloves for a single trek. (Six!) Our Authentica host Stephanie? Her biggest fear is not sleeping well, so she always brings the best sleep system money can buy—extra foam pad, inflatable pillow, tylenol PM, ear plugs...the works!

If someone opened your duffel, what fear would they think you have?

Because that’s what you’ve likely (over) packed.

We're going to give you a few steps to help you tackle your next adventure travel packing dilemma, and hopefully, you won't be pulling your hair out the next time you receive a trail bag weight restriction.

Authentica Travel women's group after summiting Kilimanjaro

Step #1: Bring everything on the packing list. 

Those packing lists you receive from your guide or adventure company? They’re not suggestions. They’re survival guides. They’ve been built by experts who’ve “been there, done that” and know exactly what you need to be safe in wild, unpredictable environments. In fact, many trekking companies won’t even let you set out on the trail without every item on that list. For some high altitude excursions, like Kilimanjaro, your team may literally go through every item on the packing list and make you hold it up for them to see that you have it. Some may say this is a bit infantilizing....we know that it can save your life. That’s how critical each item on the list is. Packing everything on the list is the first step and a very good start to your adventure.

Step #2: Pack extras based on YOU.

After you've packed everything on the provided packing list, and only if you have remaining space or weight allowance, think about including personal "extra" items. Consider asking yourself questions like: Do you often feel very cold at night? Add an extra layer for sleeping or some toe warmers. Is coffee essential for you to function? Bring a few instant coffee packs. Are you passionate about photography? Include an extra camera battery. Prone to sunburn? Pack an additional sun protection item or more sunscreen. Do you tend to sweat a lot making you more prone to dehydration? Bring extra electrolytes. Prone to upset stomach while traveling or hiking? Bring a more robust bathroom kit.

These extras will vary among everyone in your group and, in fact, they should. The extras should cater to individual needs and personalities. Remember, we're still discussing essential items, but these items may look different for each person.

Step #3: Luxury Items--not strictly forbidden

Once you’ve packed your required gear and maybe a few items to meet your personal needs, it’s okay to sneak in a “luxury item” if you have room. Our host, Stephanie, brings mascara, eye cream, and lipstick because who says you can’t look good while summiting Kilimanjaro?? I bring big, fuzzy socks for sleeping and extra wet wipes because they make me feel human again. Our host Heidi? She packs a journal because her luxury is reflection.

(Note: Heidi says that her journal falls more under #2. Journaling is a necessity for her....not a luxury. See how Heidi's personality will be reflected in her packing habits? The same will be for you too.)

The key is this: pack with intention, not fear. Follow the packing list like gospel truth, let go of the “what if” spiral, and embrace the adventure for what it is—a chance to grow, simplify, and discover how little you actually need to be safe and have a good experience.

Step #4: Reduce duplicates to make room for more

If you've packed everything on the list, but you're still struggling to keep your bag within the weight restrictions, you may have to eliminate some luxury items, or some duplicate items.

For example, if you're packing list says "Trekking Pants", and you've brought 5 pairs...you may want to choose only 3 pairs to bring. This might mean that you're re-wearing trekking pants, or washing items out in the sink in the evenings when possible. There is a trade off here, of course. You may have to pull on a dirty pair of trekking pants for a day or two, or bring only 2 fleeces instead of 4. The reality of adventure travel is that EVERYONE on your journey is limited to the same weight restrictions that you are, so you're not likely to be the only person reusing or re-wearing the same clothing.

Step #5: Choose materials that help you pack lighter

You can significantly reduce the number of items you need to bring with some clothing material hacks. Quick drying materials or antimicrobial materials are extremely common in the outdoor gear world--and for very good reason! Materials like merino wool, Tencel, or alpaca wool can help you pack lighter because they repel odors, dry quickly, and seem "fresh" for much longer. For example, on our 10 day Tour du Mont Blanc trek, I only bring 3 pairs of trekking socks. However, I ensure each pair is made of merino wool or alpaca wool which repels stench, quickly dries of sweat, and maintains freshness longer. If you apply this principle to your socks, your base layers, and your fleeces, you can see how you could quickly eliminate packing extra multiples of things and reducing your overall duffel/pack weight.

Authentica Travel, West Highland Way group 2025

Questions That Save Space

If you've done steps 1-4, but you're still struggling to pack within your given weight restriction, we encourage you to get real with yourself. Ask yourself some "reality check" questions about the adventure you're about to set out on. This can help you stare your fears in the face and determine what is legitimate and what might be a little blown out of proportion.

Ask yourself realistic questions as you pack.

• "Is there laundry available? Or can I wash items out in a sink at night?" If you'll have access to running water or laundry, you don't need an outfit for every day.

• "Is this trek for an amount of time that I can be dirty and accept that there's an end to that?" There’s no laundry service, but it’s only seven days. Everyone will be a little stinky at the end—and that’s okay. You’re in this together.

• "What is the temperature range of this trek?" Pack for the average temperature range, and only one or two items that would be suited to an extreme temperature fluctuation outside of what is normally expected. We do want to be prepared for extremes, but this will be fewer items than what you pack for your average temps.

  
  

We believe our host, Stephanie, has the ultimate question which makes her an expert packer whose bags always weigh in at WAAAAYY under the weight limit. She says that she asks herself this question for every item she puts in her bag:

"Do I need this item to SURVIVE?"

Perspective helps. If you remind yourself that adventure travel is meant to push you outside your comfort zone, it’s easier to let go of unnecessary luxuries. Trips like these are intentionally designed to strip away some of life’s excess so you can experience the raw, beautiful simplicity of the trail. That’s the magic.

Adventure travel isn’t about deprivation—it’s about balance. And learning to balance needs, fears, and little joys is part of becoming an adventure travel pro.

Let the anxiety and fear of packing go, and begin to focus on all the FUN you're going to have!