My packing list

Hi,
I'm travelling through Europe for 2 months from December through till February and im quite unsure about my packing list, whether its enough or too much... any advice will be greatly appreciated! Also, i am really aiming at taking as small a bag as possible, do you reckon that this will be able to fit in a 40L? or should i be looking at a 50L?
thanks!!

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1 Beanie
1pr gloves
1 scarf
1 Ski Jacket (will keep on the outside of my pack)
2 Jumpers
2 thermal shirts
4 T-Shirts
2 button shirts
2pr pants
5 underwear
5 socks
1pr thongs
1pr hiking boots
1pr hiking sneakers
1pr dress shoes

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Alarm clock
Flashlight
extra batteries
pocket knife
sleeping bag??

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safety pins
rubber bands
cord
string
sewing kit
ziploc bags
duct tape

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toothbrush
floss
razor
shaving cream
shampoo
bar soap
container
deodorant
small face towel
sink stopper

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water bottle
first aid kit
tweezers
2 pairs of reading glasses in container
ear plugs
eye mask

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pen(s)
small notebook
photocopied pages from guidebook
2 books (David Hume and Tom Holland)

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Passport
copy of important documents
USB with copies of important documents
(Drivers licence, health insurance?, passport, credit cards etc)
ATM cards
cash
travellers cheques
security pouch (one strapped to body aka not bulky)
small digital camera

1 Beanie
1pr gloves
1 scarf
1 Ski Jacket (will keep on the outside of my pack)
2 Jumpers
2 thermal shirts
4 T-Shirts
2 button shirts
2pr pants
5 underwear
5 socks
1pr thongs
1pr hiking boots
1pr hiking sneakers
1pr dress shoes

That is quite a lot.

I would go for 3 jumpers, 3 t-shirts (including the thermal shirts) and 1 button down shirt. Shoes are heavy and bulky, pack only one pair: the hiking boots. Think hard on the thongs: they can be useful when in a hostel, but are they really worth hauling around? If you are determined to take thongs I recommend one that have no thong between the toes - you need to be able to wear them with thick wool socks or they will be useless. I would also take 3 pairs of pants, wearing one when setting out and having 2 in the pack. I like to have more underwear or more socks too, say 7 or 8. With 3 pairs of pants and 3 jumpers you could last up to 14 days before you need to wash. Yet with only 5 x underwear and socks these things force you wash every 5 days.

You also forgot to pack a pyjama with long sleeves and long legs. Essential when sleeping in European hostels in winter. I agree you can use boxers and one special t-shirt instead, but you might be a bit cold. And as mad as it may sound, consider packing swim shorts. There are some great thermal spas in Europe, it would be a shame to miss them because you got no swim shorts.

Alarm clock
Flashlight
extra batteries
pocket knife
sleeping bag??

You can easily buy batteries in Europe. No need to bring any. Sleeping bag - think hard on that. Maybe a hostel sheet will do?

toothbrush
floss
razor
shaving cream
shampoo
bar soap
container
deodorant
small face towel
sink stopper

Try to cut down on the liquids. There are some multi-purpose bar soaps out there, they function as shampoo, shaving cream, bar soap and laundry detergent. Also don't try to bring all the shampoo or soap with you that you might need. In many European countries you can buy travel-sized packages of soap, shaving cream, toothpaste, shampoo, etc. Pick those up as you go. You'll pay 2-3 EUR more that way, but it means less weight to carry. Tip: shampoo can be double-used as laundry detergent.

travellers cheques

Forget about those. Complete waste of time, space and money. Nobody uses them in Europe and cashing them will be a major pain in the neck.

With the current packing list you'll need a 50 liter pack. And the sleeping bag and the shoes are pushing it towards a 60 liter pack.

Other small gadgets: Silverware (if you got a pocket knife take a spork), a small plastic container (tupperware, lock&lock, etc just make sure it is watertight) to transport food, maps of Europe and especially the countries that you'll be visiting (see http://www.bueker.net/trainspotting/maps.php for train maps)

[ Edit: Edited on 11-Nov-2009, at 18:24 by t_maia ]