What to pack forLesotho
in August
64° / 36°F
3 days of rain this month. Sunset around 5:40pm.Typical August, from ten years of weather
3 days
of rain this month
5:40pm
sunset
Type D
plugs
0 of 69 packed
Before you go
None of these fit in a bag. Sort them first and the packing gets easy.
Travel insurance
Most home health plans stop at the border. A quote takes two minutes.
eSIM
An eSIM works the moment the phone is switched on in Lesotho, with no SIM counter to find.
Copies of your documents
Photograph your passport, cards, and insurance. Email them to yourself. Ten seconds now saves a very bad afternoon.
Download offline maps
Download the offline map before you lose signal.
Some cash in local currency
Cards fail more often than you'd think. Carry LSL for markets and taxis.
Vaccinations / travel clinic
CDC lists Hepatitis A, Typhoid for Lesotho. Talk to a travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks out.
Good to know
- They drive on the left. Give yourself the first hour on quiet roads.
The essentials
Tick the box when it is in the bag
Water and food
Filter water bottle
Tap water isn't safe here. A filter bottle beats buying plastic twice a day.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickGrayl GeoPress Water Filter and Purifier Bottle$99.95 at REIShop at REI
HydraPak Breakaway+ Water Filter Bottle$50 at REIShop at REI
LifeStraw Go Series Insulated Stainless-Steel Water Filter Bottle$59.95 at REIShop at REI
Go Series Water Filter 1L Bottle$49.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comREI members usually get 10% back on full-price gear. Membership is $30, once. How it works
What to wear
Warm hat (beanie)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Smartwool Cable Knit Colorblock Pom Beanie$29.73 was $40 at REIShop at REI
Chaos Indiana Wool Beanie$29.73 was $39.99 at REIShop at REI
Lightweight Merino Wool Beanie$32 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Wedze Rider 500 Reversible Knit Beanie$12 was $17.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaGloves
Don't have one? Check these out.
Craft ADV Lumen Fleece Gloves$29.73 was $39.99 at REIShop at REI
Teca Fleece Gloves$13.50 was $30 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
Quechua Adult MT500 Backpacking Silk Liner Gloves$15 was $24.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Simond Adult MT500 Warm Touchscreen Gloves$25 was $34.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaMerino base layer top
Wear one, dry one. Cotton stays wet all week here.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Arc'teryx Women's Satoro Merino Wool Crew Neck Long-Sleeve Base Layer Top$95.73 was $120 at REIShop at REI
REI Co-op Women's Merino 185 Long-Sleeve Crew Base Layer Top$84.95 at REIShop at REI
Terramar Women's 3.0 Merino Flex Long-Sleeve Crew Base Layer Top$54.73 was $80 at REIShop at REI
Terramar Men's 3.0 Merino Bi-Layer Long-Sleeve Crew Base Layer Top$29.73 was $45 at REIShop at REIInsulated puffy (down or synthetic)
Lows around 36°F. Goes under the shell when the wind picks up.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickSimond Men's Xplore Hooded Down Jacket$119 at DecathlonShop at Decathlon
Hybrid WINDSTOPPER Lightweight Puffy Jacket - Men's$196 was $280 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Fuego Hooded Down Jacket - Women's$118 was $295 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
Insulated Puffy Parka Jacket - Women's$152 was $379 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comNeck gaiter / buff
Don't have one? Check these out.
REI Co-op Merino Wool Neck Gaiter$26.95 at REIShop at REI
Turtle Fur Micro Fur Fleece Totally Tubular Neck Gaiter$29.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Simond Trek 500 Merino Wool Multi-Position Hiking Neck Gaiter$17 was $24.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Smartwool Thermal Merino Neck Gaiter$25 at REIShop at REIThermal socks
Don't have one? Check these out.
Quechua SH500 Merino Wool Winter Mid Socks$20 was $29.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Quechua NH100 Mid Winter Hiking Socks$10 was $19.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Woolrich Men's Merino Wool Hiking Crew Socks$12.73 was $16 at REIShop at REI
Women's Revolution$32.95 at SockwellShop at SockwellMerino base layer bottoms
For the mornings and the nights.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Smartwool Men's Intraknit AS Merino Base Layer Bottoms$125 at REIShop at REI
Intraknit All-Season Merino Base Layer Bottom - Men's$125 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
tasc Performance Women's Elevation Merino Base Layer Bottoms$44.73 was $79 at REIShop at REI
Arc'teryx Women's Satoro Merino Wool Base Layer Bottoms$95.73 was $120 at REIShop at REIBuy it used: REI Re/Supply sells gear like this for less. See used gear
Sun hoodie (UPF long sleeve)
UV hits 7.4 here. Long sleeves beat reapplying sunscreen every hour.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Topo Designs Sun Hoodie - Women's$74.25 was $99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
The North Face Adventure Sun Hoodie - Women's$48.75 was $65 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Sombra Sun Hoodie - Men's$35 was $70 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
Sombra Sun Hoodie - Women's$52.50 was $75 at CotopaxiShop at CotopaxiLightweight wind jacket
Coastal wind cuts through a t-shirt fast.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Vuelta Performance Windbreaker Jacket - Women's$65 was $130 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
Forclaz Men's MT500 Windbreaker Jacket$69.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Helly Hansen Ridge Infinity Shell Jacket - Men's$293 was $650 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Helly Hansen Odin BC Infinity Shell Jacket - Women's$228 was $650 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comHiking
Trekking poles
Don't have one? Check these out.
Komperdell Carbon FXP Team Trekking Poles - Pair Pink 135 Cm$148 was $270 at REIShop at REI
Leki Skysolo FX One Carbon Trekking Poles - Pair White 125 Cm$150 was $200 at REIShop at REI
Leki Sherpa FX One Carbon Trekking Poles - Pair Black 135 Cm$165 was $220 at REIShop at REI
Black Diamond Distance Carbon Trekking Poles Ultra Blue, 100 cm$117 was $180 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comMoney and documents
AirTag / tracker for bags
Don't have one? Check these out.
RFID travel wallet / money belt
Don't have one? Check these out.
Power and phone
Plug adapter, Type D
Lesotho uses Type D sockets. An adapter with USB-C ports charges several things from one outlet.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickGlobal Travel AdapterSee price at Matador15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Matador
Matador Global Travel Adapter Forget-Me-Not$38.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Global Travel Adapter USB 30W$40 at Eagle Creek15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Eagle Creek
Global Travel Adapter Micro$25 at Eagle Creek15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Eagle CreekPower bank 10k–20k mAh
Headlamp
Dark by 5:40pm. Every campsite chore after that is a two-hands job.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Multi-port USB-C charger (GaN)
One brick charges the laptop, phone, and camera.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Peak Design 65W Dual Slim Charger$64.95 at REIShop at REI
Dual Slim Charger$64.95 at Peak DesignShop at Peak Design
Lizard Skins Charger Evo Lock-On Grips Electric$24.58 was $33.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Charger Evo Lock-On Grips$27.19 was $33.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comVPN
Hotel and cafe wifi is shared with everyone else in the building. A VPN keeps your banking and email to yourself.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Sun and heat
Sunscreen SPF 50
Don't have one? Check these out.
Polarized sunglasses
Don't have one? Check these out.
Smith Era ChromaPop Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$113 was $189 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Costa Caleta Net 580G Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$174 was $248 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Ray-Ban Wayfarer Oval Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$171 was $244 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Zeal Bennet Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$59.60 was $149 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comWide-brim sun hat
Don't have one? Check these out.
Bugs and health
DEET or picaridin repellent
Don't have one? Check these out.
Ben's Eco Spray Insect Repellent - 30 Percent DEET$9.50 at REIShop at REI
Adventure Medical Ben's 30 Deet Tick & Insect Repellent Pump$1.92 was $2.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Ben's 30 Deet Tick & Insect Repellent$1.92 was $2.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Ben's Spray Pump Insect Repellent - 30 Percent DEET$5.95 at REIShop at REITick remover
Check ankles and, if there's a dog, paws and ears every night.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Travel first aid kit
Oral rehydration salts
Don't have one? Check these out.
SaltStick Fastchews Chewable Electrolyte Tablets Seedless Watermelon$19.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
SaltStick Fastchews Chewable Electrolyte Tablets Tropical Mango$19.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Tailwind Nutrition Recovery Drink Mix - 1 Serving Salted Caramel$3.25 at REIShop at REI
Unsweetened Hydration Sport Drink Mix$33 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comAnti-diarrheal + probiotics
Don't have one? Check these out.
Permethrin-treated clothing spray
Treat the clothes once and it lasts weeks.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Bags
Daypack (15–25L)
Carry-on backpack (35–45L)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickMatador 45L Global Travel PackSee price at Matador15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Matador
Matador SEG 45See price at Matador15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Matador
Pacsafe Go Carry-On 44L Backpack Jet$180 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Osprey Packs Archeon 30L Backpack$132 was $265 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comCarry-on suitcase (hard shell)
Fits the overhead on every airline that matters. Skip the checked-bag line entirely.
Packing cubes
Don't have one? Check these out.
Laundry bag / travel detergent
Don't have one? Check these out.
Working on the road
Noise-cancelling headphones
Don't have one? Check these out.
Sony WH-1000XM4C Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones Black (M4 2nd Gen)$300 at SonyShop at Sony
Skullcandy Sesh ANC Active Headphones$70.93 was $95 at REIShop at REI
Skullcandy Icon ANC Headphones$74.93 was $99.95 at REIShop at REI
JBL Live 780NC Wireless Noise-Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones$250 at REIShop at REISleep
Packable blanket
Lows around 36°F. One blanket that packs small covers the car, the campsite and the beach at sunset.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickOriginal Puffy Blanket - Seascape$99.95 at rumplShop at rumpl
Original Puffy Solid 2-Person Blanket$200 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comRumpl Original Puffy Solid 2-Person Blanket Seascape$200 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
National Park Original Puffy 1-Person Blanket$99.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comNice to have
You could skip every one of these
What to wear
Packable down vest
Don't have one? Check these out.
Money and documents
Luggage locks (TSA)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Passport holder
Don't have one? Check these out.
Power and phone
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.comShop at Backcountry.com
USB-C CableSee price at Peak DesignShop at Peak Design
Anker 2-in-1 USB-C to USB-C Cable (4 ft., 140W, Braided)$26 at REIShop at REI
Anker Wall Charger (33W, 2-Port) with USB-C to USB-C Cable$25 at REIShop at REILanguage app
A few phrases go a long way. Ten minutes a day before you leave is plenty.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Sun and heat
Lip balm with SPF
Don't have one? Check these out.
Bugs and health
Sunburn-safe insect bite relief
Don't have one? Check these out.
heat it classic Lightning Smartphone-Powered Insect Bite Relief$29.95 at REIShop at REI
Badger Outdoor Itch Relief Stick$9.95 at REIShop at REI
heat it classic USB-C Smartphone-Powered Insect Bite Relief$29.95 at REIShop at REI
heat it pro USB-C Smartphone-Powered Insect Bite Relief$49.95 at REIShop at REI
Motion sickness tablets / bands
Don't have one? Check these out.
Bags
Toiletry bag (hanging)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Sleep
Travel pillow
The basics
You own most of these. We are just making sure they make it in.
What to wear
Everyday pants
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickWild Rye Emmett Overalls$123 at Wild RyeShop at Wild Rye
Ambato Everyday Pant - Men's$57 was $95 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
GOREWEAR Everyday Track Pant - Women's$72 was $120 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Forclaz Men's Travel 100 Cargo Pants$45 was $59.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaThe basics
Chargers (phone)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Trio Lantern + Phone Charger$79.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Dual Slim Charger$64.95 at Peak DesignShop at Peak Design
Solar String Color + Phone Charger$68.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Charger Evo Single Compound Grips$10.12 was $10.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comMedications + prescriptions
Socks
Don't have one? Check these out.
Underwear
Don't have one? Check these out.
Everyday Merino Bikini Underwear - Women's$34 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Everyday Merino Thong Underwear - Women's$34 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
REI Co-op Women's Merino Hipster Underwear$29.95 at REIShop at REI
Simond Trek 500 Merino Wool Backpacking Underwear Women's$29.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaToiletries kit
Don't have one? Check these out.
Pelican DK5 ModPak Toiletry Bag$49.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Pack-It Hanging Toiletry Bag$40 at Eagle Creek15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Eagle Creek
Osprey Packs Toiletry Kit Daylite Hanging Night Shift$29.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Toiletry Kit Daylite Hanging$29.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Travel-size toothpaste + brush
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickMatador Toothbrush Caps 2-PackSee price at Matador15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Matador
Matador Refillable Toothpaste TubesSee price at Matador15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Matador
Dr. Bronner's Travel Toothpaste - 1 oz. Peppermint$2.95 at REIShop at REI
Peppermint Toothpaste Tablets in Tin$12.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comReusable shopping bag
Don't have one? Check these out.
Sleepwear
Don't have one? Check these out.
Pendleton Pajama Set - Women's$74.63 was $99.50 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Scotch Plaid Flannel Pajamas - Men's$89.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Sundays Lounge Shirt - Men's$27.98 was $69.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Classic Lounge Shirt - Women's$22.73 was $64.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comCopy of passport
Pen (customs forms)
Earbuds
Don't have one? Check these out.
Shokz OpenDots ONE Open-Ear True Wireless Earbuds$170 at REIShop at REI
Soundcore by Anker Liberty 5 Active Noise-Canceling Wireless Earbuds$130 at REIShop at REI
Shokz OpenFit Air Open-Ear Wireless Earbuds$120 at REIShop at REI
JBL Vibe Beam 2 Bluetooth In-Ear True Wireless Noise-Canceling Earbuds$64.95 at REIShop at REISmall lock
Don't have one? Check these out.
Nail clippers
Don't have one? Check these out.
Sewing kit / safety pins
Take this list with you
Open it again when you are standing over the suitcase.