Things to carry

Most hitchhikers carry a backpack with them wherever they go. The backpack should be sturdy, yet comfortable. First of all, you need as little as possible! The longer you travel, the less you want in your bag!

Most important

In order of importance:

1. A map of the area you plan to travel in, preferably showing gas stations and tollway stations.

   Like anything though, this is debatable. Some hitchers may like to just go by the sun and general knowledge of the region.

If you like to hitchhike with signs:

1. A big black marker.

   Sharpies work best, particularly the Magnum size. Eddings are also good, just make sure you have one with a broad end. That's easier to write with. Possibly some other colors; a catchy sign is an effective sign. Marks-A-Lot, in one hitcher's experience, have barely enough ink to last more than a few signs and aren't worth the space they take up.

2. An A4 transparent plastic map and some spare A4 papers, or a piece of cardboard

   You'll often be able to find cardboard and paper on your way - just ask (or dumpster-dive) at shops or gas stations.

For people who like it safe:

1. A mobilephone for sending SMS to a friend. to inform them about the numberplate of the car you jumped in .

Quickly accessible during rides

It's also good to make things you might need on the road easily accessible:

• all possible maps you might need
• clothes in case of rain or sudden chill (like when going a tunnel when you're in the back of a van).
• a plasticbottle of water

After that

Then, if you expect to be on the road for more longer time:

• A large towel (doubles as a blanket, shawl or pillow).
• Hygienic products such as:
  • toothbrush - even better in your pocket!
  • A small bottle of liquid peppermint soap--the kind which can be used as toothpaste or mouthwash as well. Try to stay reasonably clean.
• Toilet paper or tissues. Don't ask why, just do it.
• A stick of deodorant and/or spray bottle of cologne.
• A sleeping bag.
• An extra set of clothing, at the minimum, 2 extra pairs of socks and underwear, and an extra T-shirt.
• A nice warm jacket.
• Something to drink, food, fruit, nuts. You don't want your food and drinks to be all over your stuff, so make sure that this is carefully packed.
• Reading material, for waits and quiet rides. (such as On the Road by Jack Kerouac)
• A small sewing kit is crucial for longer trips (especially if you have only one pair of pants - hitchhiking with a hole in your crotch is quite difficult) Recommended: at least one pair pants and one shorts.
• A journal is always a good choice to keep track of where you've been and who you've met, and to later add useful information to this wiki!
• Some basic tools to make jewelry with, or other such, will keep you in pocket change and give you something to do on lazy afternoons in the park, and will provide you with an answer if the police ask what you're doing in town. Also good for starting conversations.
• A harmonica, pennywhistle, kalimba or the like is also nice.
• If it makes you feel safer: a film-canister full of pepper--kept in your most accessible pocket. You probably won't need to use it, but you should have it handy to be able to pop the lid and toss it in the face of an attacker.

Camping

If you decide on camping you of course need some more stuff:

• A tent (or at least a couple of large, sturdy leaf bags, one opened at the bottom and duct-taped to the other to make a 6' long waterproof bag to sleep in)
• A pad to sleep on (1" foam rubber x 2' wide by 5' long, for example)
• A metal cup big enough to hold a can of Sterno (packing space is at a premium) and a can of Sterno
• Matches or lighter
• A boy-scout type fork, spoon, knife set or your pocket knife and a spoon.
• A sharp pocket knife, preferably a tool-kit type with screwdrivers, etc.
• A length of coat-hanger type wire and a length of sturdy cord or string
• A canteen or plastic water bottle (glass WILL break!)
• Your clothes, stuffed into your backpack, make a good pillow and make it much less likely someone will steal your backpack while you are sleeping on it, particularly if you keep an arm through the straps while asleep.
• Most bridges have a flat, dry space underneath which is excellent.

External links

• What to pack, quote: "Your bag is your life. The smaller it is the less it sticks outs and the less vulnerable you feel. The closer you can stick to it and less cumbersome it is the happier you will be."