If you’re planning an epic trip across Europe, you’ve come to the right place. Here at TEREN, we’re experts in the art of one-bag travel and seasoned veterans when it comes to international adventures. In this guide to backpacking Europe, we’ll help you pack light, stay stylish, and travel efficiently without sacrificing comfort or functionality.
One of the biggest challenges of backpacking Europe is packing clothing that’s both stylish and practical. In many areas of Western Europe, dressing well is part of the culture. So, we’ll cover how to curate a minimalist travel wardrobe that fits in your backpack but still makes you look sharp.
Without further ado, here is the ultimate backpacking Europe packing list to help you travel smart and light.
Essential Backpacking Europe Gear
Finding the Right Backpack for Backpacking Europe
Backpacks are typically measured in liters, and for backpacking Europe, it’s important to strike the right balance between space and portability. A 40- to 55-liter backpack is generally ideal, depending on whether you’re camping or sticking to hostels and hotels.
Try on different styles in person before your trip, and have a store associate help you test fit and load capacity. The right fit makes a massive difference over the long haul.
Optional: Camping Gear for Backpacking Europe
If you plan on wild camping (legal in many parts of Europe), bring lightweight and multi-use gear:
-
Ultralight sleeping bag and pad
-
Self-supporting tent
-
Water filtration
-
Headlamp
-
Biodegradable soap and toiletries
-
Trash bag
Always follow Leave No Trace principles and research camping rules in your destination countries.
Safety Gear for Backpacking Europe
-
Camping knife (under 7-inch blade)
-
Emergency whistle
-
First-aid kit
-
Money belt
-
Travel insurance
Essential Clothing for Backpacking Europe
If you want to master backpacking Europe, every item of clothing must be versatile, durable, and compact. At TEREN, we’ve designed a clothing line specifically for travel-savvy, style-conscious adventurers. Here’s what we recommend:
Shirts and Tops for Backpacking Europe
The Daily Driver Tee
Key Features: Odor-resistant, anti-microbial, 4-way stretch, quick dry, moisture-wicking, breathable, durable, & lightweight
Colors Available: Black, charcoal, navy, brick red.
The Daily Driver Tee is designed to be the last t-shirt you ever need to buy. This shirt is unique because it's made from 70 percent bamboo, which is naturally odor-resistant, breathable, and antimicrobial.
You can wear it for multiple days without worrying about smelling bad. This is perfect for travel since laundry isn’t always accessible and wardrobes are limited.
This shirt also comes in long sleeve, which we highly recommend bringing along on your adventures.
The Daily Driver Shirt
Key Features: Stain release, 4-way stretch, anti-microbial, odor resistant, quick-drying, moisture wicking, fire starter collar stays.
Colors Available: Charcoal Carabiners, navy kayaks, cement gray gears, glacier green axes.
If you’ve traveled to Europe, you’ve probably noticed that people generally dress nicer than in the US. You won’t see people wearing sweatpants, flip-flops, or ripped shirts.
So while it can feel tempting to wear just T-shirts and jeans for comfort and ease– bring some nicer clothing, and thank us later.
Luckily, The Daily Driver Shirt makes dressing nice and easy. Both the short-sleeve and long-sleeved options are made from 45 percent bamboo and are highly efficient at resisting odors, stains, and moisture.
This means you can wear it for multiple days without washing it.
Bonus: The collar stays in our Daily Driver shirt are removable and double as a fire starter!
The Traveler Tee
Key Features: Odor-resistant, anti-microbial, 4 way stretch, quick-drying, moisture-wicking, breathable, durable, lightweight, ultra-soft.
Colors Available: Sage, black, gray, navy.
What makes the The Traveler Tee so unique is the fact that it’s made from 100 percent Merino wool. So much of our clothing is crafted from bamboo and Merino wool because of their incredible natural properties.
The Traveler Tee will hands down be the softest, most functional, and reliable t-shirt you’ll ever own—so long as you take proper care of it.
This shirt also comes in a long-sleeve option, which we highly recommend bringing along on your adventures.
Pants and Shorts for Backpacking Europe
Depending on when you’re backpacking Europe and what regions you plan on traveling to, it's important to bring two to three pairs of bottoms you can wear.
The Lightweight Traveler Pants
Key Features: 4-way stretch, anti-microbial, odor resistant, quick, drying, bug repellant, moisture wicking.
Colors Available: Navy, black, charcoal, khaki, brown.
As the name suggests, the Lightweight Traveler Pants are designed to be the perfect travel companion. These chino-style pants boast style but also function.
They’re designed to withstand the heavy demands of travel (including multi-day backpacking trips) without smelling, ripping, or staining.
If you’ve been searching for the perfect alternative to jeans—you’ve found them!
The Daily Driver Pants
Key Features: Durable water resistance, stain release, 4-way stretch, anti-microbial, odor resistance, quick drying, moisture wicking.
Colors Available: Khaki, brown, navy, black, charcoal.
Like the Traveler Pants, the Daily Driver Pants are designed to be your all-in-one go-to pair of pants for any occasion. They’re the perfect pair of hiking pants—without the excess pockets, baggy fit, and unflattering silhouette.
They’re also stylish enough to wear to the office or a nice restaurant. This is why we would never leave for a European backpacking trip without at least one pair of Daily Driver pants.
The Daily Driver Shorts
Key Features: Durable water resistance, stain release, 4-way stretch, anti-microbial, odor resistance, quick drying, moisture wicking.
Colors Available: Khaki, black, charcoal, TEREN Green, brown, navy.
The Daily Driver shorts have all of the same great features as the pants. If you’re traveling to southern Europe or anywhere sunny and hot—a great pair of shorts is essential.
These shorts come in two different inseam options— 7-inch and 9-inch. The choice is yours as to which ones better fit your style, though we have it on good authority that shorter inseams are all the rage these days.
Jackets and Raincoats
It's no secret that many places in Europe see a lot of rain and cold weather. It's important to bring layers and ensure you stay comfortable if the temperature drops.
The Daily Driver Puffy Jacket
Key Features: Durable water resistance, premium insulation, recycled materials, cruelty-free, sustainably sourced, breathable, quick-drying, moisture wicking, 4-way stretch, packable.
Colors Available: Black, smokey blue, light olive.
The Daily Driver Puffy Jacket will, without a doubt, be your best friend on your travels. This highly packable jacket tucks away small and only weighs 15 ounces.
Despite its ultra-lightweight makeup, this jacket can keep you incredibly warm when the temperature drops.
The Cloudland Shell
Key Features: eVent direct venting, waterproof, windproof, breathable, adjustable hood.
Colors Available: Black & navy.
We knew it would rain on my two-month backpacking trip around the UK and Ireland. We brought our rain jackets, dry bags, and positive attitudes. We thought we were indestructible.
That’s until we found ourselves at the top of Torc Mountain in Ireland during a spontaneous torrential downpour and electrical storm about 10 miles from camp.
Our gear was designed for light rain, not severe weather. None of our jackets could handle the severe rain, and we all made it to the mountain's base soaking wet and still about 5 miles from camp.
Though we were grateful for the Paddy Wagon Tour bus for allowing us to hitch a ride back to camp with them, we should have invested in more capable rain gear.
Don’t be like us. The Cloudland Shell would have made that entire experience so much more comfortable. Its an incredible rain jacket, outer shell, and windbreaker.
Footwear for Backpacking Europe
-
Lightweight walking sneakers for city days
-
Hiking boots if tackling trails
-
Shower shoes or sandals for hostels
Socks and Underwear
Bring quick-drying and odor-resistant options. Keep a few biodegradable detergent sheets on hand for sink laundry.
Additional Items for Backpacking Europe
-
Packing cubes
-
Power bank and universal adapter
-
Small daypack
-
TSA-approved toiletries
-
Travel towel
-
Dirty laundry bag
Packing Tips
Roll Your Clothing
Rolling saves space and reduces wrinkles.
Organize Smartly
Keep daily-use and high-value items at the top of your pack.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I backpack Europe? As long as your budget and schedule allow. Aim for at least a week, though a month or more is ideal.
What’s the best backpack size for Europe? 40-50 liters for hostel travel; 55-65 liters if camping.
Can I bring a rolling suitcase instead? Yes, but backpacks offer better mobility over cobblestones and train platforms.
Final Thoughts
There you have it—the ultimate guide to backpacking Europe. Every item in your bag should serve a purpose. With the right gear and a smart strategy, you can pack light and enjoy the adventure of a lifetime.
At TEREN, we make clothes for travelers who value performance and style. Whether you're trekking through the Alps or sipping espresso in Rome, we’ve got you covered.
