TripPacker

What to pack forIowa
in September

77° / 59°F
9 days of rain. Sunset around 7:20pm.
0 of 46 packed
One email. Free, and it stays free.

The essentials

Tick the box when it is in the bag
Sunscreen SPF 50
Don't have one? Check these out.
Badger SPF 50 Daily Mineral Sunscreen$24.95 at REIProject Reef SPF 50 Sunscreen$26 at REISun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion$17.50 at REIBlue Lizard Sport Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion$14 at REI
Polarized sunglasses
Don't have one? Check these out.
Knockaround Fast Lanes Sport Polarized Sunglasses Matte Black/Smoke$38 at Backcountry.comKnockaround Premiums Sport Polarized Sunglasses Orange Rose$25.93 at REIPremiums Sport Polarized Sunglasses$38 at Backcountry.comKnockaround Fast Lanes Sport Polarized Sunglasses Desert$38 at Backcountry.com
DEET or picaridin repellent
Don't have one? Check these out.
Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion$10.95 at REIBen's 30 Deet Tick & Insect Repellent$1.92 at Backcountry.comAdventure Medical Ben's 30 Deet Tick & Insect Repellent Pump$1.92 at Backcountry.comBen's Insect Repellent Wipes - 30 Percent DEET$7.95 at REI
Tick remover
Check ankles and, if there's a dog, paws and ears every night.
Check ankles and, if there's a dog, paws and ears every night. Don't have one? Check these out.
the TICK PATROL Tick Remover Tool$6.50 at REI
Travel first aid kit
Don't have one? Check these out.
Kikkerland Wilderness First-Aid Kit$12.50 at REIHART Outdoor Pocket First-Aid Kit$10.50 at REI
Power bank 10k–20k mAh
Don't have one? Check these out.
Goal Zero Venture 75 Power Bank$120 at REIBioLite Charge 80 PD Power Bank$99.95 at REIAnker MagGo Power Bank (10,000 mAh, Slim)$80 at REIAnker Zolo Power Bank (20,000 mAh, 22.5W, Built-In USB-C Cable)$40 at REI
Carry-on backpack (35–45L)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickMatador 45L Global Travel PackSee price at MatadorMatador GloberiderSee price at MatadorPacsafe Go Carry-On 44L Backpack Jet$180 at Backcountry.comOsprey Packs Archeon 30L Backpack$132 at Backcountry.com
Daypack (15–25L)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Consuelo 22L Daypack$120 at CotopaxiElqui 24L Daypack$70 at CotopaxiStio Basin Daypack$75.93 at REIIsabella 3.0 20L Daypack - Women's$66.75 at Backcountry.com
Carry-on suitcase (hard shell)
Fits the overhead on every airline that matters. Skip the checked-bag line entirely.
Fits the overhead on every airline that matters. Skip the checked-bag line entirely. Don't have one? Check these out.
Coraza Suitcase - Carry On$295 at Cotopaxi
Lightweight wind jacket
Coastal wind cuts through a t-shirt fast.
Coastal wind cuts through a t-shirt fast. Don't have one? Check these out.
Vuelta Performance Windbreaker Jacket - Women's$65 at CotopaxiHelly Hansen Ridge Infinity Shell Jacket - Men's$293 at Backcountry.comHelly Hansen Odin BC Infinity Shell Jacket - Women's$228 at Backcountry.comRapha Pro Team Lightweight Wind Jacket - Men's$235 at Backcountry.com
Moisture-wicking t-shirts
Don't have one? Check these out.
Simond Women’s MT500 Merino Wool T-Shirt$35 at Decathlon AmericaSimond Men's Merino Resist Long-Sleeve T-Shirt$45 at Decathlon America
Sun hoodie (UPF long sleeve)
UV hits 7 here. Long sleeves beat reapplying sunscreen every hour.
UV hits 7 here. Long sleeves beat reapplying sunscreen every hour. Don't have one? Check these out.
La Sportiva Cloud Shadow Sun Hoodie - Women's$66.50 at Backcountry.comTopo Designs Sun Hoodie - Women's$74.25 at Backcountry.comSombra Sun Hoodie - Women's$52.50 at CotopaxiRoyal Robbins Salathe Sun Long-Sleeve Hoodie - Men's$120 at Backcountry.com
Wide-brim sun hat
Don't have one? Check these out.
Pistil Women's Tegan Wide Brim Hat$39.73 at REIBrixton Mitch Packable Sun Hat$48.95 at Backcountry.comCTR Women's Summit Crushable Wide Brim Hat$30.73 at REIOrilla Sun Hat$25 at Cotopaxi
Permethrin-treated clothing spray
Treat the clothes once and it lasts weeks.
Treat the clothes once and it lasts weeks. Don't have one? Check these out.
Sawyer Permethrin Pump Spray$14.50 at REI
Reusable water bottle
Don't have one? Check these out.
Que Collapsible Water Bottle Cloudy$24.95 at Backcountry.comCollapsible Water Bottle$24.95 at Backcountry.comBidon Water Bottle$14.40 at Wild RyeWater Bottle$7.20 at Backcountry.com
Multi-port USB-C charger (GaN)
One brick charges the laptop, phone, and camera.
One brick charges the laptop, phone, and camera. Don't have one? Check these out.
Dual Slim Charger$64.95 at Peak DesignAnker Wall Charger (33W, 2-Port) with USB-C to USB-C Cable$25 at REI
AirTag / tracker for bags
Packing cubes
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickMatador Packing Cube SetSee price at MatadorMatador Gear Cube Set$58.99 at Backcountry.com3 Piece Compression Packing Cubes$50 at SamsoniteUltralight Packing Cube$24.95 at Peak Design
Laundry bag / travel detergent
Don't have one? Check these out.
Matador Laundry BagSee price at MatadorKnack Pack Drawstring Cover and Laundry Bag-Large$10 at Knack BagsNathan Power Wash Performance Laundry Detergent with Pump$24 at REI

Nice to have

You could skip every one of these
Shorts
Don't have one? Check these out.
Helly Hansen Men's HH Quick-Dry 11" Cargo Shorts$59.73 at REIForclaz Men's MT500 Hiking Shorts$30 at Decathlon AmericaSimond Women’s Travel 900 Hiking Shorts$30 at Decathlon AmericaForclaz Men’s Travel 900 Hiking Shorts$40 at Decathlon America
Lip balm with SPF
Don't have one? Check these out.
Badger SPF 15 Mineral Sunscreen Lip Balm$4.95 at REISun Bum Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Lip Balm$3.95 at REISPF 50 Hydrating Sun Balm$29 at Backcountry.com
Hand sanitizer
Don't have one? Check these out.
Noshinku Ultra-Hydrating Pocket Hand Sanitizer Refill$13 at REIDr. Bronner's Organic Hand Sanitizer$5.50 at REINoshinku Refillable Ultra-Moisturizing Pocket Sanitizer$9 at REI
Sunburn-safe insect bite relief
Don't have one? Check these out.
heat it classic Lightning Smartphone-Powered Insect Bite Relief$29.95 at REIheat it classic USB-C Smartphone-Powered Insect Bite Relief$29.95 at REIBadger Outdoor Itch Relief Stick$9.95 at REIheat it pro USB-C Smartphone-Powered Insect Bite Relief$49.95 at REI
Short cables (USB-C)
Don't have one? Check these out.
USB-C to C Cable, Paracord wrapped, 3 ft PD enabled$27.99 at Backcountry.comAnker 2-in-1 USB-C to USB-C Cable (4 ft., 140W, Braided)$26 at REIAnker Prime USB-C to USB-C Cable (6 ft., 240W, Upcycled-Braided)$35 at REICable Kit$19.99 at Peak Design
Luggage locks (TSA)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Matador BetaLockSee price at Matador3 Dial Travel Sentry Combination Lock$13 at SamsoniteTravel Safe 4-Dial TSA Cable Lock$15 at Eagle CreekPacsafe ProSafe 1000 TSA Combination Luggage Lock$17.95 at REI
Toiletry bag (hanging)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Hanging Toiletry Bag - Small$49.95 at Backcountry.comToiletry Bag$50 at Backcountry.comDK5 ModPak Toiletry Bag$49.95 at Backcountry.comPack-It Hanging Toiletry Bag$40 at Eagle Creek

The basics

You own most of these. We are just making sure they make it in.
Toiletries kit
Travel-size toothpaste + brush
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickMatador Toothbrush Caps 2-PackSee price at MatadorMatador Refillable Toothpaste TubesSee price at MatadorHuppy Peppermint Toothpaste Tablets in Tin$12.99 at Backcountry.comDr. Bronner's Travel Toothpaste - 1 oz. Peppermint$2.95 at REI
Deodorant
Don't have one? Check these out.
HiBAR Natural Deodorant Unscented$13.95 at REIBusy Co Clarifying Deodorant Wipes$6.95 at REI
Medications + prescriptions
Chargers (phone)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Dual Slim Charger$64.95 at Peak DesignAnker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1, Foldable Pad) with Charger and USB-C Cable$100 at REIAnker Wall Charger (33W, 2-Port) with USB-C to USB-C Cable$25 at REI
Underwear
Don't have one? Check these out.
Everyday Merino Thong Underwear - Women's$34 at Backcountry.comSmartwool Women's Merino Bikini Underwear - Boxed$35 at REIREI Co-op Women's Merino Hipster Underwear$29.95 at REISimond Trek 500 Merino Wool Backpacking Underwear Women's$29.99 at Decathlon America
Socks
Don't have one? Check these out.
Injinji Ultra Run No-Show Wool Socks$21 at REIBalega Hidden Contour No-Show Socks$14.73 at REIBalega Women's Enduro No-Show Socks$13.73 at REIWoolrich Merino Solid Ragg Socks$14.73 at REI
Sleepwear
Reusable shopping bag
Don't have one? Check these out.
Packable Tote Bag$49 at Eagle CreekPackable Tote Bag - Geo$24.95 at rumplChrome Grocery Tote Messenger Bag Matte$125 at Backcountry.comGrocery Tote Messenger Bag$125 at Backcountry.com
Pen (customs forms)
Copy of passport
Small lock
Don't have one? Check these out.
Pacsafe ProSafe 1000 TSA Combination Luggage Lock$17.95 at REI3 Dial Travel Sentry Combination Lock$13 at Samsonite
Earbuds
Don't have one? Check these out.
Shokz OpenDots ONE Open-Ear True Wireless Earbuds$170 at REISoundcore by Anker Liberty 5 Active Noise-Canceling Wireless Earbuds$130 at REIJBL Vibe Beam 2 Bluetooth In-Ear True Wireless Noise-Canceling Earbuds$64.95 at REIShokz OpenFit Air Open-Ear Wireless Earbuds$120 at REI
Sunglasses case
Don't have one? Check these out.
Croakies Sunglasses Case with Carabiner$9.95 at REIChums Transporter Sunglasses Case$10 at REI
Nail clippers
Don't have one? Check these out.
So iLL Nail Clippers$8 at REI
Sewing kit / safety pins
Don't have one? Check these out.
Speedy Stitcher Sewing Awl with Extra Thread$33.50 at REIExpedition Sewing Awl$35 at Backcountry.com

Take this list with you

It keeps your ticks. Open it again when you are standing over the suitcase.
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