What to pack forTurkmenistan
in December
52° / 32°F
4 days of rain this month. Sunset around 5:40pm.Typical December, from ten years of weather
4 days
of rain this month
5:40pm
sunset
Type B/C/F
plugs
0 of 69 packed
Before you go
None of these fit in a bag. Sort them first and the packing gets easy.
Apply for your Tourist visa
Turkmenistan requires a Tourist visa before arrival. It is an online application and cannot be sorted at the border.
Passport valid past your dates
Turkmenistan wants 6 months left on a passport past December. Check the expiry date now.
Travel insurance
Most home health plans stop at the border. A quote takes two minutes.
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.
Trail app
Download your trails before you lose signal.
Some cash in local currency
Cards fail more often than you'd think. Carry TMT for markets and taxis.
Vaccinations / travel clinic
CDC lists Hepatitis A, Typhoid for Turkmenistan. Talk to a travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks out.
International driving permit
Rental desks here ask for an International Driving Permit alongside your license. AAA issues them same day.
The essentials
Tick the box when it is in the bag
What to wear
Warm hat (beanie)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Lightweight Merino Wool Beanie$32 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Simond Adult MT500 Merino Wool Beanie$17 was $24.99 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.
Gloves
Don't have one? Check these out.
Teca Fleece Gloves$12 was $30 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
Simond Adult MT500 Warm Touchscreen Gloves$25 was $34.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Forclaz Adult MT500 Touchscreen Stretch Backpacking Gloves$20 was $29.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Forclaz MT100 Fleece Gloves$5 was $7.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaInsulated puffy (down or synthetic)
Lows around 32°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
Repleto Down Jacket - Women's$74 was $185 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
Insulated Puffy Parka Jacket - Women's$152 was $379 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comInsulated winter boots
Don't have one? Check these out.
Quechua Women's SH100 Warm Waterproof Mid Snow Boots$25 was $49.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Forsake Rosie Winter Boot - Women's$69.98 was $140 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Men's SH100 Warm Waterproof Snow Boots$25 was $49.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaBuy it used: REI Re/Supply sells gear like this for less. See used gear
Fleece or midlayer
The layer you'll wear more than any other.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Bacano Fleece Jacket - Women's$87.50 was $175 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
Tempa Fleece Hooded Jacket - Women's$75 was $125 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
Baseline Midlayer Fleece Jacket - Unisex$109 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Quechua Men's MH120 Fleece Hiking Jacket$24 was $34.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaWaterproof insulated gloves
Don't have one? Check these out.
The North Face Montana Ski Glove - Men's$45.50 was $65 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comMerino base layer bottoms
For the mornings and the nights.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Classic All-Season Merino Base Layer Bottom - Women's$100 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comREI members usually get 10% back on full-price gear. Membership is $30, once. How it works
Neck gaiter / buff
Don't have one? Check these out.
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 AmericaThermal 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 SH500 Mid 2-Pair Winter Hiking Warm Socks$15 was $24.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Castelli Scorpion Logo 15 Thermal Sock - Women's$28 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comModest cover layer
For temples, mosques, and churches that check at the door.
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.
Sun and heat
Polarized sunglasses
Don't have one? Check these out.
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
Smith Era ChromaPop Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$113 was $189 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Knockaround Junipers Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$17.50 was $35 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
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.
Dual Slim Charger$64.95 at Peak DesignShop at Peak Design
Charger Evo Lock-On Grips$27.19 was $33.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Lizard Skins Charger Evo Lock-On Grips Electric$24.58 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.
Bags
Carry-on suitcase (hard shell)
Fits the overhead on every airline that matters. Skip the checked-bag line entirely.
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.comChecked luggage / rolling duffel
Don't have one? Check these out.
Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT 90L Wheeled Duffel Bag Midnight$349 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Virtuosa Wheeled Duffel$119 was $170 at SamsoniteShop at SamsoniteLaundry bag / travel detergent
Don't have one? Check these out.
Packing cubes
Don't have one? Check these out.
Bugs and health
Tick 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 Mixed Berry$19.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
SaltStick Fastchews Chewable Electrolyte Tablets Coconut Pineapple$19.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Tailwind Nutrition Recovery Drink Mix Salted Caramel-12 Pack Box$39.49 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comAnti-diarrheal + probiotics
Don't have one? Check these out.
Sleep
Packable blanket
Lows around 32°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.com
Rumpl Original Puffy Solid 2-Person Blanket Seascape$200 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Rumpl Original Puffy Fade 1-Person Blanket Blue Ridge Fade$100 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comWorking 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 SonyNice to have
You could skip every one of these
What to wear
Gaiters
Don't have one? Check these out.
Packable down vest
Don't have one? Check these out.
Money and documents
Luggage locks (TSA)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Power and phone
Short cables (USB-C)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Language app
A few phrases go a long way. Ten minutes a day before you leave is plenty.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Bags
Toiletry bag (hanging)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Compression sacks
Don't have one? Check these out.
Compression Stuff Sack$37.46 was $49.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil 8L Compression Sack Atoll$39.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Sea To Summit Lightweight 8L Compression Sack Surf$34.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comBugs and health
Sleep
Travel pillow
Don't have one? Check these out.
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 Wide Leg Everyday Pant - Women's$38 was $95 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
Ambato Everyday Pant - Men's$57 was $95 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
Quechua Men's NH100 Hiking Pants$20 was $29.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaThe basics
Nail clippers
Don't have one? Check these out.
Sewing kit / safety pins
Copy of passport
Pen (customs forms)
Earbuds
Don't have one? Check these out.
Small lock
Don't have one? Check these out.
Reusable shopping bag
Don't have one? Check these out.
Grocery Tote Messenger Bag$125 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Chrome Grocery Tote Messenger Bag Matte$125 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Packable Tote Bag$49 at Eagle Creek15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Eagle Creek
Boat And Tote Large Open-Top Tote Bag$49.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comSleepwear
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
Classic Lounge Shirt - Women's$22.73 was $64.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Sundays Lounge Shirt - Men's$27.98 was $69.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comToiletries kit
Don't have one? Check these out.
Pelican DK5 ModPak Toiletry Bag$49.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
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
Pack-It Hanging Toiletry Bag$40 at Eagle Creek15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Eagle CreekTravel-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
Huppy Peppermint Toothpaste Tablets in Tin$12.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Peppermint Toothpaste Tablets in Tin$12.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comChargers (phone)
Don't have one? Check these out.
LuminAID Trio Lantern + Phone Charger$79.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Solar String Color + Phone Charger$68.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Dual Slim Charger$64.95 at Peak DesignShop at Peak Design
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 Thong Underwear - Women's$34 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Everyday Merino Bikini Underwear - Women's$34 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Simond Trek 500 Merino Wool Backpacking Underwear Women's$29.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaTake this list with you
Open it again when you are standing over the suitcase.




















































