What to Pack (and What NOT to) for Your Teen's Trip: A Practical Guide

TL;DR

Pack 75% of what you think you need, and you'll probably have too much. Teens overestimate how much clothing, toiletries, and electronics they need for 1–4 weeks away. What actually matters: weather-appropriate layers, a good backpack, comfortable hiking shoes, toiletries, and a few emotional comfort items (a photo, a good book). What doesn't matter: fancy clothes, 10 pairs of underwear, ten types of shampoo, or that power bank you think they'll need constantly. Below is the real guide — organized by trip type, with what works and what doesn't.

1. The core principle: weight vs. utility

Direct answer: Every item in your teen's pack should have a function, not a "just in case." Two pairs of pants can work for two weeks if you're washing them and changing socks and underwear.

This is where teen packing goes wrong. They think about being away from home for 14 days and imagine needing 14 different outfits, 14 pairs of underwear, multiple shoe options, and backup everything. What they actually need: 4–5 base layers, 2 pairs of pants, 1 backup pair, underwear that you wash every 3 days, and socks.

Research from REI Co-op (a major outdoor retailer) and NOLS (the National Outdoor Leadership School) on gear efficiency shows that teens who pack minimally report higher comfort and lower anxiety on trips — paradoxically, because they have fewer decisions about clothing and can focus on the experience (Source: REI Co-op, Packing Light and NOLS Packing Guide).

NOLS trip leaders, drawing on decades of experience, consistently identify overpacking as the #1 mistake teens make. Every extra item you carry becomes weight fatigue; every item choice becomes decision stress. Underpacking, by contrast, is rarely a real problem—teens and leaders can problem-solve missing items, but they can't undo the drag of unnecessary weight (Source: NOLS, Packing Guide).

The formula: Assume you'll wear each pair of pants 2–3 times before washing. That's 1–2 pairs for a two-week trip. Assume you'll wear each shirt 1–2 times. That's 5–7 shirts for two weeks. Assume you'll wash underwear and socks every 3 days. That's 3–4 pairs of each.

2. The essentials: what you cannot forget

Direct answer: Your teen's backpack should contain: a good backpack, weather-appropriate layers, comfortable hiking shoes, toiletries, and critical documents. Everything else is negotiable.

Backpack (if not provided):

  • 40–60 liters for 1–2 weeks; 60+ liters for 3–4 weeks
  • Good hip belt (so weight transfers to your hips, not your shoulders)
  • Weather-resistant (or use a pack liner)

Clothing (minimum):

  • 5 base-layer shirts (merino wool or synthetic, not cotton)
  • 2 pairs of hiking pants / convertible pants
  • 1 pair of backup pants (for post-trip or emergency)
  • 1 fleece or insulating jacket (varies by destination)
  • 1 rain jacket
  • Underwear (3–4 pairs)
  • Socks (3–4 pairs)
  • 1 warm hat (if destination is cold)
  • 1 sun hat or visor
  • 1 pair of comfortable camp shoes or sandals (not shown to leader on trail)
  • Sleepwear (1 pair long + 1 pair short, or whatever they prefer)

Footwear:

  • 1 pair broken-in hiking boots or trail shoes (this is critical — new shoes cause blisters)
  • 1 pair backup shoes (slip-on or camp shoes)
  • Insoles if they use them (bring extras)

Toiletries:

  • Toothbrush + toothpaste
  • Biodegradable soap (for washing self, clothes, dishes)
  • Sunscreen
  • Deodorant (optional but appreciated)
  • Medications (if any)
  • Period products (if applicable)
  • Any prescriptions

Critical documents:

  • Passport or ID
  • Travel insurance card
  • Medical information sheet
  • Allergy information
  • Any prescriptions (full bottles)

Comfort items (1–2 max):

  • Photo of family/friends
  • Journal and pen
  • Favorite book or e-reader
  • Letter from home (opened once a week)

(Source: CDC on what to pack for travel and REI Packing Expert Advice)

3. What to LEAVE at home: the overpacking mistakes

Direct answer: Leave behind: fancy clothes, multiple shoe options, excessive toiletries, electronics (except one book on e-reader), hair-care products beyond basics, and "just in case" duplicates.

The biggest offenders:

  • 10+ pairs of underwear — you'll wash them
  • "Nice" clothes — there's nowhere to wear them; it's hiking clothes and camp clothes
  • Multiple shoe options — one good hiking shoe and one camp shoe, that's it
  • Fancy hair products — biodegradable soap works for everything
  • Multiple toiletries — bring small sizes, not full bottles
  • Laptop or tablet — phones are collected; a book is better
  • Blow dryer — no electricity on trail; wet hair is fine
  • Makeup — inappropriate for trail and will damage skin / attract bugs
  • Jewelry — can get lost; hiking is not a place for valuable items
  • "Just in case" outfits — if you're not wearing it in the first week, you won't wear it
  • Heavy books — bring one; use e-reader if possible
  • Snacks from home — RLT provides meals; treats get shared and then attract bugs

4. Regional packing differences: how destination changes the list

Direct answer: Cold-weather trips (Alaska, Iceland, Colorado winter) need more insulation; hot-weather trips (Costa Rica, Hawaii, Thailand) need more sun protection and less total clothing.

Cold/mountain destinations (Alaska, Iceland, Colorado, Patagonia):

  • Add: Warm layers (fleece, thermal leggings), warm hat, gloves, warm sleeping socks
  • Change: 2+ rain jackets (weather is unpredictable)
  • Remove: Sunglasses (you won't need them as much)

Tropical/warm destinations (Costa Rica, Thailand, Hawaii, Dominican Republic):

  • Add: Lightweight, fast-drying clothes only; strong sunscreen; insect repellent
  • Change: 1 lightweight rain jacket (rain is brief and warm)
  • Remove: Warm layers entirely
  • Note: Clothing can be minimal here; tank tops and lightweight pants work

Desert destinations:

  • Add: Strong sunscreen, sun hat with brim, lightweight long sleeves (for sun protection)
  • Change: 1 very warm jacket for cold desert nights
  • Remove: Rain jacket (mostly not needed)

(Source: REI by Region Packing Guides and CDC Destination-Specific Travel Prep)

5. The washing reality: how and when laundry happens on an RLT trip

Direct answer: Laundry isn't done mid-trip on wilderness trips (there's no washing machine on the trail). On multi-week trips with base camps or homestays, laundry happens weekly or on scheduled rest days.

This is why you can pack less than you think. RLT trips have different washing schedules:

Wilderness trips (hiking): No laundry happens during the trip. You wear the same clothes, rinse them in rivers when you can, and wash everything when you get home. This is fine. Teens survive. (Hence: 1–2 pairs of pants is adequate.)

Service trips / longer multi-week trips: There's usually a rest day or a stop at a hostel where laundry happens. Clothes get washed weekly. You can pack less because you know they'll be cleaned.

Homestay / cultural immersion trips: Your host family usually does laundry. Clothes are washed 1–2 times per week. You can pack less.

Talk with RLT about your specific trip's laundry schedule before packing.

6. Electronics and phones: what's coming and what isn't

Direct answer: RLT collects phones before the trip starts. Bring: minimal headphones (optional), an e-reader (optional), critical documents on paper. Don't bring: laptop, tablet, multiple chargers, power bank.

This is a standard RLT practice: phones are collected at the start of the trip. Reasons: you focus on the experience, not scrolling; you sleep better; the group bonds instead of fragmenting into individual screens. It's not a punishment; it's intentional design.

What you can bring:

  • Headphones (1 pair, for listening to music during downtime)
  • E-reader (optional; one teen's book can be shared)
  • Critical documents (prescription lists, medical info) on paper

What you cannot bring:

  • Smartphone (collected)
  • Laptop or tablet
  • Power bank (no electricity to charge it)
  • Multiple chargers
  • Smartwatch with notifications enabled

If your teen is a heavy phone user, expect them to experience withdrawal the first few days. That's normal. By day 5, most teens say they don't miss it.

(Source: RLT's phone policy and AAP screen-time guidance)

7. The packing check: final questions before you close the backpack

Direct answer: Before your teen zips up, ask: Will I wear this? Can it do double duty? Is it weather-appropriate for the destination? If the answer is no, leave it.

Final check questions:

  • Does this have a clear function? (If not, leave it.)
  • Is this the right weight/fabric for the destination? (Cold-weather fleece for Costa Rica = no.)
  • Can I wear this 2–3 times during the trip? (If not, too many copies.)
  • Am I bringing this out of anxiety or actual need? (Anxiety = likely leave it.)
  • Does my trip leader's packing list include this? (If not, probably not needed.)

One more: RLT provides a detailed packing list for each trip. Use it. Don't try to out-think it. It's built on 34 years of trips and hundreds of teens' experience.

FAQ

Q: My teen is anxious about laundry. Should I send extra underwear? A: Yes, 3–4 pairs is fine. But reassure them that laundry happens and they won't run out. Anxiety is often higher than actual need.

Q: What if my teen forgets something critical? A: Most forgotten items can be purchased or borrowed at the destination or during a rest day. RLT leaders are good at problem-solving. Don't overpack to prevent every possibility.

Q: Should my teen bring a backup of medications? A: Yes. Bring the full prescription bottle(s), plus a backup supply if possible. Label them clearly with the teen's name and the medication name.

Q: Can my teen bring a favorite comfort item (stuffed animal, blanket)? A: Yes, small ones. A small stuffed animal or lightweight blanket can be a comfort item without taking much space.

Q: What if my teen's trip list says "avoid cotton" but they only own cotton shirts? A: Cotton is heavy when wet and takes a long time to dry. If it's your teen's only option, it's fine for one trip. Consider investing in synthetic or merino base layers before the next trip.

Q: Should I label everything with my teen's name? A: Yes, especially socks, underwear, and any item that could be mixed up. Use a permanent marker or iron-on labels.

Q: How do I know if my teen's backpack is the right size? A: It should fit comfortably on their hips, with no pressure on their shoulders. Have them try it on loaded at the REI or outdoor store. 40–50 liters is standard for a teen.

Talk with us

Questions about packing for your teen's specific trip? Schedule a call with an RLT director — they can walk through the detailed packing list.

Laura Dunmire