Amy George Writes

When I started planning my first solo trip abroad, it was hard to find packing advice catered to WWOOFing and farm-oriented travel. Most articles were about rigid minimalist SEA backpacking or fashion-forward, checked-bag vacationing. So, I’m here to fill in the gap for WWOOFers, balancing outdoor work, leisure, and an extended timetable. This article isn’t a complete guide, but it outlines essential dos and don’ts. 

I volunteered in Northern Italy from September to November. The weather is relatively erratic in that season, so I learned to be adaptable and consider “what ifs”. You can travel lighter than this list in the summer, of course.

1. Luggage

• DO: Roller Suitcase

A roller suitcase is the smart choice. Don’t be like me; I bought an Osprey Farpoint 55 travel backpack while having little to no upper-body strength. Transit days were always a stressful, sore experience. Worried about the inconvenience of wheels on cobblestone? Don’t. Nothing was worth the back pain and lack of space for bulkier autumn-winter gear.

I would choose a hard shell specifically. Soft fabric may give you more wiggle room to overpack, but security and cushioning are your priority. Have you seen how airlines manhandle your bags?

Sidenote: only psychos would bring a duffle.

2. Toiletries

Overall, you’ll need less than you expect. Travel-size bottles are expensive, so focus on bare essentials and purchase anything else when you’ve landed.

• DO: Foldable Towel

WWOOF hosts might offer clean towels, but don’t risk it. It’s also convenient to have your own compact one for beach days or sudden rainstorms in leaky cabins (ask me how I know).

• DO: Bug Spray + Itch Relief

I had to spray myself with a fresh layer of OFF! after every shower because the mosquitoes were relentless. Bug spray was seemingly more expensive in Italy than in the US, so plan accordingly.

• DO: Sunscreen

If you can find a good daily moisturizer that already includes SPF, even better. 

• DO: Medicine/ First-Aid Kit

I strongly suggest bringing general cold and flu medicine; it’s an item you really don’t want to be missing at midnight or when the corner store only sells packs with a ratio of 2 nighttime pills to 7 daytime pills (why!?). Also, remember enough bandaids, Neosporin, painkillers, and menstruation products for your first 14 days there.

• DON’T: Razors

I had a single razor with extra disposable blades, but in retrospect, going au naturel would have been freeing. Trying to shave your back legs by doing shower yoga is nearly impossible in tiny European facilities.

• DON’T: Saline Solution

For my fellow contact wearers: don’t stress about finding saline solution. Travel forums had me in a panic, declaring it could only be found at an optometrist’s office. No, not all Italians have 20/20 vision. You can purchase it at most farmacias; stock up in metropolitan areas before longer stays in remote villages.

3. Clothing

In general, neutral-colored pieces are optimal for a finite wardrobe. Also, choose at least 50% of your clothing items based on how expendable they are. Don’t bring anything you wouldn’t want ruined or lost. That said, you should still like your options. I focused too much on bringing my “reject attire”, which left me with a bag full of ugly and uncomfortable outfits.

• DO: Overpack Intimates

If there are two things you should overestimate, it’s underwear and socks. These are the only articles that are invaluable when you can’t do laundry. Have a minimum of 2 weeks’ worth.

• DO: Layers

Bring an actual jacket and sweatpants; I optimistically thought I’d only need a cropped hoodie and lounge shorts. By early October, I was kicking myself. Some hosts are quite generous with heating and blankets…others are not.

• DO: Overalls

Overalls are a fantastic multi-wear piece. They’ll shield you while working in the muddy fields and are easily stripped off for downtime.

• DO: 1-2 Going Out Outfits

After toiling on the farm, it is a major relief to freshen up and actually look nice. A skirt, dress, or blouse goes a long way. If you really can’t sacrifice any more space, at least bring one sleek long-sleeved black top that is dual-purpose.

4. Footwear

• DO: Sneakers

White or black sneakers are a staple for a reason. A darker color is preferable for hiding dirt.

• DO: Rain Boots

I know reserving some of your limited packing space for bulky rain boots is irritating, but I promise they are a MUST. I thought I could survive on so-called “waterproof” hiking shoes, but I ended up squelching and suffering through the vineyards for weeks. It’s better to have them and not need them than the alternative. 

• DO: Throwaway Sandals

Buy a cheap pair of sandals or flip-flops in case temperatures rise or so you don’t have to walk barefoot in a questionably “clean”, shared shower.

5. Hats & Accessories

• DO: Work Gloves

Some WWOOF hosts said they would have spares, but it was a free-for-all (especially true if there is a large number of volunteers). Don’t leave it up to fate. You’ll want a barrier between your skin and the spiders, thorns, moldy tomatoes, etc.

• DON’T: Try-Hard Hats

A baseball cap will suffice; don’t splurge on a fancy wide-brimmed sun hat (oops).

• DON’T: Sun shirts

Nomad influencers led me astray once again. Sun shirts/sweatshirts are not suitable for transition seasons imo. Mine was too thin to keep me warm, yet covered too much to keep me cool. Plus, the fabric locks in sweat, giving you maybe 2 wears before it STINKS.

6. Laundry

• DO: Dr. Bronner’s 18-In-1

Works for laundry day or when you run out of body wash/shampoo. I tried detergent sheets, and they stick to everything; don’t bother.

• DO: Bra Bag

I will sing the praises of the mighty bra bag; some washing machines are harsh and/or will lose smaller articles of clothing, so put anything that needs extra TLC inside.

• DON’T: Dry Bags

Dry bags, however, are not worth the trouble. I saw multiple travel vlogs before leaving that raved about having a laundry alternative when machines were not available. But after having to violently shake and roll a heavy bag full of water, I believe washing straight in a sink is just as efficient, if not more so.

7. Misc.

• DO: Cash

The majority of bus drivers will require cash, and ATMs can be surprisingly scarce when you really need them.

• DO: A Suitable Lock 

Make certain the lock you pick is small enough for standard hostel lockers; mine was bigger and therefore an unnecessary burden. 

• DO: Reusable Water Bottle

Hydration baby.

• DO: Emergency Snack/Meal

Unable to eat dinner because of an allergy? A long 10-hour day burning calories and your host is a stingy asshole? Cup noodles or a handful of protein bars should do.

• DO: Recreation

When WiFi is unpredictable, have a back-up plan. Book, journal, sketch pad, deck of cards- you get it.

I’m wishing you all safe and back pain-free travels! You can find more tips for first-time WWOOFers here.