5 multi-purpose products to help you pack light

5 multi-purpose products to help you pack light

I have a rule when it comes to restaurants: If they offer two distinctly different cuisines, I won't eat there. Think of Thai restaurants making pizza or British gastropubs offering Indian curry. Most of the time, instead of doing one cuisine well, these multi-purpose restaurants do two cuisines poorly and are simply best avoided.

For a long time I have applied the same philosophy to multi-purpose products. But then I started packing for our trip.

A 100 pound weight is all very well until you decide to backpack for a year. 1 mosquito net, 1 sleeping bag, 1 mat and it's TOO HEAVY.

— Kia Abdullah (@KiaAbdullah) August 5, 2014

It's a predicament that many travelers face. When you're embarking on a long-term trip, every inch of space counts. To help future travelers pack light, we've compiled a list of popular multi-purpose products that are ideal for travel.

1. Dr. Bronner's multi-purpose soap

Normally I wouldn't be excited about a shampoo strong enough to mop floors and wash dishes, but Dr. Bronner isn't entirely normal. It is fair trade, organic and vegan, with no synthetic detergents or preservatives. It is gentle enough to wash your body, face and hair, but strong enough to wash your clothes and dishes.

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It requires different concentrations for different applications. So if you prefer a more no-nonsense solution, opt for Life Venture All-Purpose Soap instead. This can be used to wash skin, hair, food and clothing. It is biodegradable, pH neutral and long lasting. A small drop is usually enough.

2. Ceptics travel adapter and USB charger

With over 1,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, the Ceptics travel adapter is a clear favorite among frequent travelers. It works in over 150 countries, eliminating the need to carry numerous adapters on long trips abroad.

The various components slide in and out of the compact, self-contained unit, meaning you won't lose any important parts. It also serves as a USB charger, ideal for tablets and smartphones.

3. Blue Ridge Camping Hammock

Voted the world's best camping hammock by Outside Magazine, the Blue Ridge Camping Hammock is perfect for outdoor adventurers. Designed for difficult climates and terrain, the product can be used hanging as a hammock or bivouac tent or on the ground as a traditional tent.

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It stays taut, eliminating the "cocoon" effect, and comes with a removable rain cover and built-in mesh for a dry, insect-free night's sleep.

The system shrinks to 22 inches by 6 inches and weighs 1.9 kg (4.25 pounds), but has a weight capacity of 113 kg (250 pounds) and a decent interior space (86 inches by 42 inches). With over 50 five-star reviews on Amazon and a one-year warranty, it will make many campers happy.

4. North Face Daypack & Avalanche Safety System

I'm not a mountaineer in the truest sense of the word (if you must know, I struggled after 10 minutes on Cotopaxi), but the Avalanche North Face Patrol 24 ABS is perfect for Peter, who solo climbs in places like Galdhøpiggen in Norway.

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The daypack also serves as a sophisticated avalanche safety system. If you find yourself in a skid, simply pull a handle on the left shoulder strap, which will deploy two high-volume airbags. These keep you on sliding debris by increasing buoyancy and can improve visibility for rescuers. At over $1,000, it's not cheap, but it could - and has - saved lives in avalanches. In fact, North Face has a 95% success rate in real-world use.

5. Victorinox Swiss Army Knife

Well, we couldn't have a multi-purpose product list without listing the Swiss Army Knife, right?

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Personally, I love my Swiss Army Knife (blue one above), but those looking for ultimate space-saving functionality may want to opt for a Swisscard instead.

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The award-winning Swisscard packs multiple tools into a credit card-sized design that fits in your wallet. Our favorite comes with a 2mm screwdriver, emergency blade, scissors, stainless steel pen, retractable ballpoint pen, tweezers, toothpick and nail file.

Bonus: Baubax jacket

The Baubax jacket has been featured in The New York Times, Outside Magazine, The Guardian and many, many others. Touted on Kickstarter as the best travel jacket in the world, it has 15 features including a neck pillow, eye mask, headphone holder and drink pocket.

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We haven't tried it yet so can't recommend it firsthand, but it certainly looks useful. Available in four different styles – hoodie, blazer, windbreaker and bomber – the jacket is sure to become a must-have for travelers if it delivers on its promise.

Mission statement: Dreamstime

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