Hi Guys,
Am planning a long trip and have been scanning the threads and haven't found the answers I'm looking for, so any advice would be appreciated:

How do you pack sufficient amount of toiletries?
Like shampoo, tooth paste, contact lens solution. The longest trips I've done so far have been about 3 weeks and I take enough solutions to last the trip and dont worry, I use them meagerly (just enough to get the job done). I have lots of those travel size liquid bottles (2-3 oz, 50 cc) but what do you when you're traveling for a year or more? Of course I know you can buy everything on the road, but do travelers really buy a bottle of shampoo and other solutions as needed. The sizes in general stores aren't very small and compact for traveling, right?

I can get by with little of everything else, but I need my contact lens solution daily and you know how big those bottles are - what's the best idea for that? I have the small travel size bottles, but should I just buy the big ones on the road, fill my small bottle and throw away the rest - seems wasteful. Am trying to reduce weight as well as gain space.


What kind of footwear is needed?
My trip is going to head through the Americas into Europe, Africa and onwards to India. I like to do some hiking, trekking and who knows, join in for some sports once in a while (football with the foot). So, I know those adventure sandals that secure on the foot nicely with a good grip, waterproof and airation for hot climes seem to be the best solution. But is that the only piece of footwear needed? Would there come times when you need a closed-toe shoe? I guess I dont want to seem like a bum everywhere I go, all though I prefer this mode. I mean I'd like to look respectful at some times, I think, like applying for visas or getting the chance to meet some officials or is it excused because they know you're a traveler...

Previously, my motorcycle boots (Sidi Trepor) were inconspicuous enough that over jeans, they looked fine for getting visas, but now I'm traveling with a more rigid, bulky motocross boot (Oxtar TCX) and those wont suffice for comfy walking around. I know other travelers prefer comfort in riding boots over protection, but I value ankle protection and am willing to live with the downsides, which isn't that bad.

Water purification: what's the current best way to go about this?
I'm from the third world and know from recent experiences that I have a strong stomach (immune system), thankfully, but still know that water safety is important. Is carrying a filter the most economical method? To me, sounds like chemical purification isn't the best for long term health (that too if I'd be using it continuously for multiple years).

That's it for now.

__________________
J A Y | Riding a 98 Suzuki DR650
Current ride thru Latin Am and Africa > Jammin thru the Global South

I use day-lenses, they pack small and I can easily pack 14 months supply.
The rest I buy on the road. “The rest” is a piece of soap, a toothbrush, shaving stuff, toilet paper and toothpaste. If I stay somewhere for a while I buy a shampoo and maybe a deodorant… In South Africa I shaved my head, it was pretty nice and for a strange reason a lot of girls found it attractive.
In Europe you can get small samples of shampoo and soap in a lot of shops, nice for a night on the town.

A piece of hard soap can be used as soap (obviously), shampoo (every now and then, just lather some up in your hands), for washing clothes (OK it's not great but it does work) and for shaving. Actually, hard soap is really good for shaving, just rub a wet bar on your bristles and massage in for a good lather.

Shoes: I'd go with 'off-road' style trainers personally. I have some very nice North Face trainers that are designed for canoeing etc. without being excessively 'water-sports' orientated. They make for a nice grippy trainer but are cool because the mesh of the shoe is designed to let the water out quickly, which also improves airflow.

On a long trip I'd take a filter. Two reasons for this: one is economy, the other is that buying mineral water uses a lot of plastic bottles that, after you have carefully placed them in the bin, the locals just turf in the local river or behind the house etc. So a filter is much 'greener'. Don't like chemical purifiers myself.

Matt

__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!

hey mate,
as for water purifiers check out this thread
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-filters-40729

Shoes: I have purchased a pair or Alt-berg boots (like combat boots) http://www.altberg.co.uk/motorcycle_boots.htm and use them for both hiking and riding .. They are the overlanders best friend if you ask me.. then i have not found a perfect camp shoe yet...see http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...footwear-40647

As for your toiletries, bring what you need buy more when you need it..... I ride two-up with a woman... nuf said...



(run way!!!.. i am gunna get killed:helpsmi lie......

__________________
2000 Africa Twin
http://two-up-ona-twin.blogspot.com

There is a chain of stores here in the UK called Lush - not sure if there are any where you are. Have a look at this product for shampoo for eg.

https://www.lush.co.uk/index.php?pag...mart&Itemid=80

It is small and last for ages and cleanes your hair very well. I have very short hair and my wife have long hair and it works REALLY well on both. Just need to rub it over your head once (maybe twice if long hair)

Not sure re footwear, we travel in a 4x4.

re water, we use a Steripen (the 'Classic' model). We've NEVER had to buy water anywear. Really good piece of kit.

Cheers

__________________
www.seeyouwhenwegetthere.com

I always have a bar of 'savon d'alep' it's a syrian soap that sold all over Europe, you should be able to find it in the US. It's good for body & hair, being female, I'm a bit picky about shampoos etc but it works wonders on my hair. Lasts for ages & apparently I heard that it does help to repel mossies (don't take that as gospel though!)

As far as soap for clothes goes, when I'm in Africa I buy the little packets of Omo; you'll find similar brands all over the world; which are cheap & do the job ...

Have fun!

Kira

We had a joke that Omo has hidden 'dirt crystals' that dissolve on contact with water and turn the water brown. I just can't believe that much crud comes out of my clothes!

__________________
Find out details of my 2011 trip to Siberia on a lightweight dirtbike:
www.brighton2expeditions.co.uk

If small is not available buy big and fill your existing small bottle, then leave leftover in your hotel room or some other place, or give it to somebody. In less developed countries people will be glad to take this leftover from you.

Excellent, thanx for the great replies.
I need to look into daily disposal contact lenses - would eliminate the need to carry lens solution.
Ok, sounds like a single soap bar for body, hair and clothes is the way to go.

__________________
J A Y | Riding a 98 Suzuki DR650
Current ride thru Latin Am and Africa > Jammin thru the Global South

Hi
Already mentioned here, Altberg Boots the way to go, basically a hi spec walking boot addapted for motorcycle riding, you can ride all day and if needed you can walk all day super comfy.
For the more leasure aspect in hot climates check out Keen footwear US brand , avalable in UK at Cotswold camping.

Richard

Isn't it simply easier to wear glasses? You'll need to carry glasses for days when your eyes get full of dirt and so on, so why not just go with them from the start?

Plan B to me would be to look into getting your eyes lasered and ditch the lenses that way.

I could swing for the idiots we had on some training courses I used to run. Do day 1, go out and get ****ed, be unable to get the lenses in the next day due to being bloodshot and sore, spend day 2 unable to drive or see any component smaller than a truck wheel!

Andy

Glasses are a right pain with helmets, all that sliding them in and out, stick with your contacts.

BUT: what type do you wear? I wear rigid gas-permeables, and they shed grit easily and the bottle is tiny and lasts me about three months, and (opthamologists look away now) you can always "lick & spit" in an emergency.

I'd try and do a bit of a check online to see about availability in the countries you're going to - join CouchSurfing and you can ask people on there, it's a great way to check things like this. If not available why not send it ahead poste restante?

__________________

I wear glasses. No problems, even with goggles.

Andy

OK, I'll revise that for Andy:

Glasses can be a pain depending on your head shape, helmet type and glasses style. Personally I can never get any glasses in through my helmet without snagging them on my ears, scratching my temples and bending the frames.

But others may differ.

__________________

People might have different experiences. Personally I have no problems using lenses in all kinds of environment – except swimming under water. They can be bit hard to put on in a sandstorm but you get use to it. Day-lenses are pretty handy.
But I usually carry glasses for emergency-stuff that can happen in the middle of the night.

That’s a good plan!