Are you heading to Ecuador and don't know where to start with your packing list!? Check out these clothing, footwear, luggage, electronics, toiletries, and additional item suggestions to get the ball rolling! As someone who has backpacked Ecuador for...
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Tops! 👚👕
Bottoms 👖
Extras 🧢
Footwear 👟
Luggage 🎒
Electronics 💻
Tops! 👚👕
The most important thing to do is bring LAYERS! Then, pick three main colors in your wardrobe that match! You don't have to stick to neutrals! BRING: 1-2 tank tops, 4-5 tshirts, 1-2 long sleeves, 1-2 mid layers, 1 rainjacket, 1 lightweight jacket.
Bring one to two tank tops for undershirts or warm days.
Women's Tank Tops
I love this tank top for one of my undershirts!
Women's High Neck Tank Top
This works well for undershirts for men. Aim to bring around 5 t-shirts that match all bottoms.
Men's Classic Crew T-shirt
It's always important to bring an athlete shirt for any time you'll be doing outdoor activities!
Women's Patagonia Hiking Shirt
An athletic shirt for men is also a must for outdoor activities!
Men's The North Face T-Shirt
A sun hoodie is a lightweight, long-sleeve option for colder evenings and destinations.
REI Women's Sun Hoodie
Dylan has a similar one in orange. Perfect for evenings and keeping the sun/bugs away!
REI Men's Quarter Zip long Sleeve
The most important thing is layers! I enjoy this Patagonia flannel that goes with all outfits.
Women's White Flannel
A perfect layer for men they can put over their undershirts on colder outings.
Men's Pendleton Flannel
One of the things that Dylan wears most during the chilly nights traveling!
Cotopaxi Fleece Jackets | REI Co-op
Fleece in women's! I whip this out ALL the time!
Women's REI Fleece Jacket
I have this rain jacket in Washed Stone and it works well and looks great! You'll NEED this.
REI Women's Rain Jacket
This is the jacket Dylan has and it's worked wonders in Ecuador.
REI Men's Rain Jacket
I have this in black. It packs down SO light and really adds warmth.
Eddie Bauer Down Jacket - WOMENS
Down jackets are the way to go, especially for backpacking.
Eddie Bauer Down Jacket - MENS
Bottoms 👖
My recommendation is to bring one athletic shorts, one to two everyday shorts, one pair of jeans, a few pair of comfortable pants, and a skirt/dress for women.
It's necessary to bring at least one pair of comfortable athletic shorts (for sleeping too!)
WOMEN'S Outdoor Research Athletic Shorts
The same thing goes for men!
Men's New Balance Athletic Shorts
This Columbia cargo shorts are great for wearing on the town AND for hiking!
Women's Shorts | Columbia Sportswear
Dylan LOVES these. They look good, are stretchy, odor-repelling and quick drying.
Men's prAna Brion Shorts II
Some of Dylan’s all-time favorite travel pants! He can wear them for a week straight with no issues.
prAna Stretch Zion Slim Pants II - Men's
I bought a similar army green pair and LOVE traveling in them! They're comfortable AND fashionable!
Women's Active Light High-Rise Taper Pants
Hands down, these are the best jeans ever! I LOVE them and they're super durable.
WOMEN'S Relaxed Tapered Jeans
The same goes for men! Jeans are a must.
MEN'S Goodfellow & Co Jeans
Extras 🧢
Make sure your undies are comfortable and BREATHABLE! It's a plus if they are quick-drying. Wool socks are best. Aim for a week's worth of each. Also, bring seasonal items like one swimsuit and hat and gloves.
Bring two comfortable sports bras and two regular bras and you're set.
Some of my favorite travel underwear I've ever owned!
Women's Sports, Athletic & Active Underwear by Patagonia
We like wearing these crew socks with our everyday shoes.
Recycled Low Cut Tab Sock 3 Pack
Wool socks are great for hiking. Bring 7 socks TOTAL.
Men's Wool Socks: Merino, Crew, Outdoor & More | Smartwool US
Great lightweight hat option for men or women
Outdoor Research Wind Pro Hat
Love these for chilly evenings on the town!
OR Touchscreen Wool Liner Gloves
A buff can be used as a scarf, mask, headband or hat.
Smartwool Thermal Neck Gaiter
You'll need one good swimsuit for your trip.
Vuori WOMENs Swimsuit
One pair of swim trunks for him!
Men's Swim Trunks
A full-brimmed or baseball cap is a must to protect yourself from the sun!
UNISEX Full-Brimmed Hat
Footwear 👟
We double up our everyday shoes as hiking shoes to wear them on the trail or in the town. We also bring sandals for the beach and showers in the hostels. Dress shoes are optional.
These are my backpacking shoes - they're hiking shoes that are cute on the town!
Women's Speed Solo Hiking Sneakers | Merrell
Dylan bought these in South America and had no trouble breaking them in! Super comfortable and great for hiking and everyday wear.
Men's Light Trail Divide 4 Running Shoes
One pair of sandals/watershoes comes in handy!
WOMEN's Teva Sandals
Dylans sandals that he brought with him.
Men ECCO Sandals
These aren't necessary but work if you want to bring a fancy pair.
LUCCA Lane Sandals for Women - Poshmark
Luggage 🎒
We recommend bringing a 40L because there is enough space for all the essentials. Then, you can add a packable day pack and hiking pack as your personal item for day trips.
This is the 40L pack I bring with me. Love the organization, size, quality and comfort!
REI Co-op Ruckpack 40 Pack - Women's
Dylan's 40L pack - the same as mine, but in Mens!
REI Co-op Ruckpack 40 Pack - Men's
We love using this for day trips when our backpacks are too big and my purse is too small!
Sea to Summit Ultralight 20L Day Pack
This is the day pack I brought with me and LOVE using it for our hiking trips when traveling!
Hiking backpack Trail 28 SL - Deuter
The perfect-sized anti-theft travel purse. It's fashionable and goes with every outfit while keeping you safe!
Anti-Theft Classic Mini Shoulder Bag - Travelon
Electronics 💻
These aren't NECESSARY but can help you out in unforeseen circumstances!
For when you don't know when you won't have access to a charger.
Portable Charger
For dark shared hostel rooms, night tours, and any other situation!
Energizer LED Headlamp
Works great for charging multiple devices simultaneously!
Universal Travel Adapter
Toiletries 🫧
Here are a few of our favorite toiletries! It's not so much about the brand as it is the product! Bring the classics: deodorant, shampoo, sunscreen, bug spray, toothbrush and paste, shaving sets, lotion, contact solution, and hand sanitizer.
Mineral sunscreen that is friendly for acne-prone skin! A MUST for Ecuador!
Native Sunscreen | Best Sellers Pack
Can't go on any trip without deoderant!
Native Deodorant
We love NATIVE and their shower items!
NATIVE Travel Size Shower Set
Insect repellent is a MUST, especially if you're heading to the Amazon region!
Ben's DEET Insect and Tick Repellent
The only lotion I'll use!
Cetaphil Hydrating Moisturizer Cream 3 oz -3 Pack
Dylan LOVES this men's dove lotion and it smells FANTASTIC!!!
Dove Mens Lotion - Target
Great for chaffing and dry shampoo!
Johnson's Baby Powder with Aloe
Travel-sized contact solution and case for those who need it!
Contact Solution and Case
Good for public transportation, before meals, and when there isn't soap!
Travel Size Hand Sanitizer
Dylan love’s Harry’s razors and shaving gel! This set is a perfect travel pack.
Harry's Razors for Men Pack
Women's Travel Shave Kit
Flamingo Razors for Women Shave Set
Other Items ➕
While these aren't necessary, we HIGHLY recommend them. We don't believe in bringing a ton of preventative medicine and instead stocking up when you get there, but this medical kit is perfect to get you going. The towel will save you tons of money in...
We always take this with us no matter where we go for the what-if situations…
Adventure Medical Kits Outdoor First Aid Kits - Adventure Medical Kits
Ecuador's elevation changes are no joke!
Compression Socks
Microfiber, quick drying, odor repelling lightweight travel towel we take everywhere with us!
Sea to Summit Drylite Towel
We bought a four-pack - one for each of our backpacks. We love the cable cord which makes it flexible and easy to use!
