How to Pack Like a 1950s Explorer (Minus the Cigarettes and Unnecessary Linen)

In the 1950s, the world still felt vast and full of mystery. Commercial air travel was glamorous but far from accessible to everyone. International travel meant a mix of rail journeys, steamships, and bumpy local buses. The “explorer” of that era—whether an anthropologist heading to Papua New Guinea or a photojournalist bound for the Sahara—had to be ready for months in the field without the convenience of next-day shipping or ultralight synthetic fabrics.

Packing wasn’t just about throwing clothes in a suitcase; it was a form of strategic survival. Luggage space was precious, and items had to withstand rough handling, variable climates, and weeks without resupply. Yet somehow, these travelers managed it—without modern luggage wheels, waterproof zippers, or battery packs. And, if photographs are to be believed, they did it looking surprisingly put together.

Let’s take a historically accurate look at how a 1950s explorer packed—and how you can borrow the best of their methods today, without hauling a steamer trunk or tucking a carton of Lucky Strikes into your duffel.

The Luggage: Built for Abuse, Not Aisle Space

The carry-on wheelie didn’t exist in the 1950s. In its place were hard-sided trunks, canvas-and-leather duffels, and stout rucksacks with brass buckles. The most famous names—Globe-Trotter, Hartmann, and Ghurka—produced luggage designed to be stacked in ship holds or strapped to the roof of a Land Rover.

Key traits:

• Durability over weight. A trunk could weigh 20 pounds empty, but it would survive being dropped from a cargo loader.
• Lockable hardware. Theft-prevention was mechanical, not digital.
• Canvas covers. Some explorers wrapped trunks in waterproof canvas sheaths to survive tropical storms.

Modern takeaway: Go for impact resistance over ultralight fragility when traveling somewhere your luggage might take abuse—think overhead bins jammed full, or dusty bus roofs in rural transit systems. High-denier ballistic nylon and reinforced seams echo that old explorer toughness without the added 15 pounds.

Clothing: Fewer Items, Better Fabric

1950s explorers didn’t carry “outfits.” They carried uniforms. The typical wardrobe was minimal but built from fabrics that could endure rough washing and shifting climates.

The essentials back then:

• Tropical-weight wool trousers – surprisingly breathable, naturally wrinkle-resistant, and less prone to mildew than cotton.
• Khaki drill shirts and jackets – military surplus was common; cotton drill could take serious abuse.
• Wool socks and undershirts – merino was already valued for odor resistance.
• Lightweight rain cape – waxed cotton or rubberized fabric.

Fast fashion didn’t exist, so these pieces were meant to last years. Buttons were reinforced, seams double-stitched. You didn’t bring six of anything—you brought two of each and maintained them meticulously.

Modern takeaway: Choose versatile, repairable fabrics like merino wool, cotton canvas, and modern technical blends that mimic durability. Avoid overpacking; if a 1950s botanist could trek through the Amazon with three shirts, you can manage a weeklong trip with four.

Footwear: The One-Pair Rule

Explorers often traveled with one main pair of boots or shoes—sturdy leather, hand-welted soles, often resoled multiple times. Heavy, yes, but also infinitely repairable by cobblers anywhere in the world.

Back then:

• Desert boots (Clarks) were popular in dry regions.
• Double-stitched hiking boots for mountainous or mixed terrain.
• Leather sandals in hot climates for camp use.

Modern takeaway: Don’t bring a shoe for every occasion. Bring one primary pair suited to 90% of your trip’s conditions, plus a lightweight backup (today’s packable sneakers or sandals). And yes, still waterproof them before you go.

Tools: When “Multi-Tool” Meant a Pocketknife and Ingenuity

Without rechargeable gadgets, tools were purely mechanical. The toolkit often included:

• Folding knife or multi-blade pocketknife
• Hand-crank flashlight (or one with spare bulbs and batteries)
• Compact binoculars
• Field notebook and pencils (ink was unreliable in humidity)
• Compass (military surplus prismatic compasses were common)

A 1950s traveler didn’t expect to replace or recharge items easily—they chose gear that could be repaired or improvised in the field.

Modern takeaway: Even with smartphones and GPS, a small analog backup kit can save you in remote or power-scarce areas.

Medical Supplies: Your Own Mobile Pharmacy

In the 1950s, you couldn’t assume you’d find safe medicine abroad. Explorers often carried:

• Broad-spectrum antibiotics (penicillin was common)
• Antimalarials
• Water purification tablets
• Antiseptic powder
• Bandages and a tourniquet

These were stored in waterproof tins, sometimes doubled in wax paper for extra protection.

Modern takeaway: Today, your travel pharmacy might include prescription meds, rehydration salts, a small first-aid kit, and modern water filters. But the principle is the same—self-sufficiency is not optional when heading off the beaten path.

The 1950s Explorer Packing Philosophy

The most striking difference between then and now isn’t the gear—it’s the mindset. Packing in the 1950s meant:

• Expecting to repair, not replace.
• Accepting limited variety for maximum function.
• Preparing for unpredictability as standard, not exception.

Explorers didn’t aim for comfort on every day of the journey—they aimed for survivability and adaptability.

Adapting Old Wisdom to Modern Travel

You don’t need to carry a sextant or waxed linen maps (unless you want to). But the core values of 1950s packing—durability, versatility, self-sufficiency—translate beautifully to today’s world of budget airlines, lost baggage, and overbooked hotels.

Here’s how you can channel that vintage practicality:

• Invest in lasting pieces. A good travel bag can serve you for decades.
• Pack intentionally. Each item should earn its place.
• Be repair-ready. A small sewing kit and duct tape can work miracles abroad.
• Travel lighter than feels comfortable. The discomfort fades; the freedom stays.

Timeless Tips

1. Pack for the trip you’re taking, not the trip you wish it was. Romantic visions are nice; reality is nicer when your gear matches the terrain.
2. Every item should have multiple uses. A wool sweater can be a pillow, blanket, or padding for fragile items.
3. Quality beats quantity. Three well-made shirts beat ten disposable ones.
4. Plan for scarcity, enjoy the surplus. If you expect not to find what you need, you’ll be delighted when you do.
5. Leave space. Souvenirs in the 1950s were carved masks, woven textiles, and hand-bound books—not airport trinkets. Make room for treasures.

The Modern Traveler’s Advantage

The 1950s explorer carried more weight and faced more uncertainty, but their principles still hold. Our fabrics are lighter, our tools more efficient, our medicines safer. Yet many of us still overpack and underprepare.

If we blended their discipline with our technology, we’d travel smarter: fewer bags, better gear, less reliance on daily conveniences, and more focus on the experience itself.

The best packing list, then and now, isn’t a spreadsheet—it’s a philosophy. One that says: be ready for what’s ahead, respect the place you’re going, and carry only what you can keep track of and care for.