September 7, 2019

A Women’s Packing List For Southeast Asia

women's packing list for backpacking Southeast Asia

Asia is getting more and more popular for women looking to travel in a group or solo. The best thing about traveling through Southeast Asia is that everything is so cheap! Especially if you are like me making US dollars in a developing country. I wanted to create this women’s packing list for backpacking Southeast Asia, because I too had such a hard time fitting everything into a backpack!

My original plan when I first came to Asia was to backpack for a month. At the end of that month, I decided to live here for good (at least for now). I wanted to create this packing list for any female who are looking to backpack Europe. We have a ton of clothes, I know. And it will be hard, but traveling through Southeast Asia with a backpack is so doable.

Here’s a women’s packing list for backpacking Southeast Asia:

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase using any of my links (or by clicking any of the images) I may make a small commission at no cost to you.

Southeast asian fashion & packing

For the most part asian culture is a bit more conservative. There are lots of temples you’ll be visiting so you’ll want to make sure you have a few staple pieces to cover up knees and shoulders when sight seeing. However, it is really hot and humid during rainy and burning season. If you are traveling between the months of April – September be prepared for hotness and stickiness.

Anyway, I hope you find this women’s packing list for backpacking Southeast Asia extremely helpful!

tips for choosing clothing for travel

Stay Away From White Colored Clothing – White clothes probably will not stay white if you are traveling Southeast Asia. For the most part, clothes will be hang dried and most countries may be a bit more dusty than what you may be used to. The white clothes I brought initially have now been thrown out because of it.
Don’t Bring Single Use Items – It’s not worth it. That one super cute thing you might wear will just take up space. Wear stuff you can rewear over and over again and clothes that you can mix and match!
Buy clothes in Asia – there are a TON of super cheap markets all throughout Asia where you can buy literally everything. Asian fashion is amazing and can also be super cheap. You can always buy more but when you already are carrying too much, you’ll have to get rid of clothes somehow.

what tops to pack when backpacking Asia

You’ll want to pack a lot more than what is necessary, BUT DON’T DO IT. Pack the minimum and then shop for what’s necessary once you are in Asia. Having a variety of tops that you can mix and match with different bottoms is the best way to make new outfits out of basics.

4-6 TOPS (TANK TOPS & SHORT SLEEVE)

This number will vary depending on how long your trip will be. But Asia is going to be hot and it is going to be very sunny. You will want to pack basic colored tops that you can dress up, dress down, or even wear to sleep. Make sure the tops you bring are versatile enough to do it all.

1 lightweight long sleeve

You will not need more than one since it is really hot in Asia. But the air conditioning in Asia is so intense. So bring this in case you plan on hanging out inside of a restaurant or an a inside bar or even in your hostel room.

1 cardigan / sweater

Carrying a lightweight cardigan or sweater with you is so important when you are sight seeing in Asia. When I was sight seeing I was mostly wearing tank tops because of how in intense the heat was!! But when visiting temples I always needed something to cover up my shoulders. Bringing a lightweight cardigan or sweater is super easy and nice when you are sight seeing. Also when the aircon is too intense.

2-3 dresses

I literally live in dresses in Asia because it’s so dang hot. They are super easy to take on and off and is still super breezy. I like to bring neutral colored dresses that I can mix and match with different cardigans. Keep in mind, if you are going to be visiting temples you’ll need to be wearing something that covers your knees and your shoulders.

1 raincoat

You never know if it’s going to be raining in Asia so bringing a lightweight raincoat. I like having a raincoat and an umbrella. But you can also just opt out for one or the other. I love the Columbia brand and their rain jackets, but I also found this raincoat on amazon that wraps into itself. Super convenient for traveling!

what bottoms to pack when backpacking Asia

Only bring bottoms that you can mix and match with everything. Leave the bottoms with fun prints that you will probably only wear once at home. Mixing and matching is everything when you are trying to fit your whole life into a backpack. This is a must in the middle of the female packing list for backpacking Southeast Asia!

2 pairs of running / athletic shorts

It’s going to be hot and you are going to want to be comfortable. You can wear athletic shorts to sleep or if you plan to hike a mountain randomly in Thailand. I practically lived in running shorts in Asia because it is so hot. I love Nike athletic shorts because of their quality but I also found this cheaper alternative on Amazon too!

1-2 pairs of shorts (denim or flowy)

Like I said before Asia is really hot. You’ll mostly be in clothes where your legs can breathe. Denim and flowy shorts are perfect during the day when it’s hot, but be sure to bring a sarong to cover up if you are sight seeing. They are also perfect if you plan on going out at night!

1-2 sarongs

Much easier and much cheaper to buy in Asia. But a sarong is the best thing to have in Asia. You can use it as a cover up at the beach or to cover up over your shorts in a temple. You can even use it to wrap your hair up. Buy a sarong in Asia. The patterns and quality will be better and it’ll be a fun souvenir to bring home with you.

1-2 skirts (short & long)

Like I said before, you’ll want breathable clothes. Skirts are the best because your legs will be able to breathe in the horribly humid weather. Don’t even think about bringing jeans. You will never wear them. I loved having wrap skirts for the beach and for during the day. Super easy to wear and super cute too!

harem pants / flowy pants

Harem pants can be easily bought in Asia so leave it until then. But if you are going to be bringing pants make sure they are breathable and flowy. Don’t even think about bringing jeans, because you will die of heat exhaustion wearing them, I promise. Harem pants are the “Asia backpacker look”. They are fun, flowy, and also a good souvenir to bring back home.

1-2 Pairs of leggings

This number will vary. I ended up doing a ton of yoga while I was visiting Asia hence why I brought 2 pairs. But if you don’t plan on doing yoga or exercising all that much, then one pair should be okay. I like to wear leggings on planes or even just if I am walking around and want to be comfortable. I love Nike leggings and Lululemon leggings, definitely more pricey but the quality is worth it!

Women's undergarments

The beauty of being a woman. Bringing bras and underwear. Don’t over do it, but definitely bring the essentials. This goes along with socks and swim suits too.

2-3 t-shirt bras & sport bras

I like to go braless most of the time, but I know not everybody can do that. Bring the your every day t-shirt bra for comfort and a sports bra if you plan on exercising. I would probably only bring neutral colored bras that you can wear with everything. I live in these sport bras because they are perfect for wearing under t-shirts too.

5-10 underwear

I tend to go for comfort over sexiness. Asia is hot and you’ll want your private areas to be able to breathe. I love and basically live in Calvin Klein undergarments because they are lightweight and have no panty lines. The number you bring will depend on how often you plan on doing laundry. You’ll also want underwear that is quick drying in case you run out, are too lazy to do a full load of laundry, and need to do a quick wash in the sink.

2-4 pairs of socks

This will really depend on what shoes you bring. Most of the time I spent in Asia I wore sandals because it was so hot. I have about 3-4 pairs of socks for the times I go to the gym or if I am doing an outdoor hike. You’ll want odor-eliminating socks that are quick drying to capture all that moisture from the humidity in Asia.

1-2 swim suits / bikinis

It is hot as heck in Asia. I know I sound like a broken record but it’s true. You’ll want to jump into the ocean if you can, and if not the ocean then a pool.

what shoes to pack when backpacking Asia

Oh shoes. So many options, but so little space. I’d only recommend packing 2-3 pairs of shoes. What type will depend on what type of activities you plan on doing and how often. Obviously if you don’t plan on hiking often, then you won’t need to pack hiking shoes. But you’ll want to find shoes that can be dressed up or dressed down. Here’s a list of what shoes to pack when backpacking Southeast Asia.

1 pair of Athletic sandals

I live in these all day every day. Chaco Sandals are the best and are so comfortable whether you plan on walking a ton or going for a swim at the beach. There are a bunch of other really good other brands that are a similar vibe: I’ve heard really good things about Teva Sandals and Sketchers is always a good and reliable brand too! These are perfect because you’ll want a shoe with a comfortable sole, but still will want your feet to be able to breathe!

1 pair of sneakers / tennis shoes

I chose to bring sneakers instead of hiking shoes, but it all depends on what you plan on doing. I brought Nike sneakers since I can use them for working out, going around during the day, and if I plan on doing a longer hike. I found it to be much more versatile for the activities I planned on doing in Southeast Asia. ASICS shoes are my go to running shoes since they are stable enough to go on long outdoor runs making them a good sneaker to bring on a trip to Asia!

1 pair of flip-flops or waterproof sandals

You’ll definitely need a pair of flip-flops if you plan on staying in hostels. I’d wear flip-flops in the communal showers because I don’t even know what kind of weird stuff might be in there lol. It’s a super nice alternative too when you plan on just having a beach day. If you can find a shoe that can double as a flip flop and a cute sandal for going out, then you have a win-win. Birkenstocks usually has a ton of good options for that.

Hiking shoes

Again not necessary if you aren’t an avid hiker. But if you are, then definitely bring them since there are some really good hiking trails all throughout Southeast Asia.