Right, let’s do this properly. Everyone loves a “what’s in my bag” post but nobody ever tells you the unglamorous truth. So here it is. The actual kit I use day-to-day living in KL as a British expat, sorted by category, with no fluff.
Some of these are Amazon links. If you buy through them, I get a small kickback at no cost to you. I don’t recommend anything I don’t genuinely use.
🌡️ Surviving the Heat
1. A Good Lightweight Backpack
You need something breathable and water-resistant. The afternoon downpours are sudden, heavy, and completely unforgiving. I use the Osprey Daylite 13L — it’s lightweight, fits a laptop, and doesn’t make me look like I’m about to summit Everest.
2. Cooling Towel
Sounds ridiculous. Absolutely essential. Wet it, wring it out, wrap it round your neck — you cool down immediately. The Mission Cooling Towel from Amazon is the one I use. About £8. Worth every penny when it’s 34°C and 90% humidity.
3. Portable Fan
For the moments when even the air con isn’t enough, or when you’re outside waiting for a Grab that’s apparently 12 minutes away. A small rechargeable USB fan fits in your bag and will get used constantly.
💸 Money & Finance
4. Wise Card
Non-negotiable. The Wise multi-currency card gives you the real exchange rate when you withdraw MYR from ATMs or pay in ringgit. Your UK bank will absolutely shaft you on the exchange rate. Wise doesn’t. Set one up before you fly.
5. Grab App
Rides, food delivery, groceries — Grab does all of it. It’s linked to your payment method and priced in MYR. Not an affiliate link, just genuinely essential. Download it now.
🔒 Tech & Connectivity
6. VPN
Some content is blocked in Malaysia. UK catch-up TV, certain sites, occasionally social media during sensitive periods. A VPN sorts this. I use NordVPN — it’s consistently fast here and you can stream UK content no problem.
7. Local SIM Card
Get a Celcom, Maxis, or Digi SIM from the airport or any convenience store. Digi tends to have good data packages for expats. Don’t rely on roaming — it’s expensive and unnecessary.
8. Universal Travel Adapter with USB-C
Good news: Malaysia uses UK-style 3-pin plugs (type G). Bad news: you’ll still need a multi-adapter when you travel elsewhere in Southeast Asia. Get one with USB-C built in.
9. Power Bank
The heat kills phone batteries faster than you’d expect. I carry a 20,000mAh Anker power bank everywhere. It’s heavy but has saved me more times than I can count when I’ve been navigating via Grab and my phone hits 8%.
🧴 Health & Safety
10. Mosquito Repellent
Dengue fever is a real thing in Malaysia. Not trying to alarm you — just be sensible. Use repellent. I use Jungle Formula Maximum which you can order from Amazon UK before you go.
11. Expat Health Insurance
Private healthcare in KL is good and relatively cheap, but for anything serious you want coverage. SafetyWing Nomad Health is what I’d recommend for expats — good coverage, simple online claims, and it doesn’t cost a fortune.
12. Water Bottle with Filter
Tap water in Malaysia is technically treated but most expats don’t drink it straight. Either buy filtered water (cheap and widely available) or carry a LifeStraw Go bottle — it filters as you drink and saves you buying single-use plastic constantly.
👟 Clothing
13. Linen Shirts
Jeans are a mistake most of the time. Linen shirts are breathable, look smart enough for an office with AC, and don’t make you look like you’re melting. Uniqlo’s linen range is cheap and holds up well to washing in tropical humidity.
14. Lightweight Trainers
You’ll be removing your shoes constantly — shops, restaurants, some offices. Slip-ons are your friend. I’ve been through several pairs and keep coming back to Vans Classic Slip-Ons. Cheap, easy, available everywhere.
🏠 Around the House
15. Dehumidifier
The humidity in KL is brutal on clothes, electronics, and general wellbeing. A plug-in dehumidifier or silica gel packets in your wardrobe will save your stuff from going mouldy. Available in Ace Hardware or Aeon Mall.
16. Filtered Water Dispenser
Most KL apartments either have one or the landlord will install one. If yours doesn’t, a Brita filter jug works fine and is available on Shopee Malaysia.
📱 Apps You Need
Not affiliate links — just essentials:
- Grab — rides, food, groceries
- Shopee — online shopping (it’s the Amazon of Malaysia)
- MySejahtera — for health records/travel if still required
- CIMB / Maybank2u — local banking apps
- Google Maps — works brilliantly in KL
- WhatsApp — Malaysians live on it. You’ll be on it constantly.
Affiliate disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. I earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. I only link to products I genuinely use.
🎒 More of Eddy’s Recommended Gear
Beyond the physical kit — the services and apps that make expat life in KL actually work.
💸 Wise — Send money home (or get money from home) without your bank taking a cut. Essential kit item that just doesn’t fit in a bag.
🛡️ SafetyWing — Monthly expat health insurance. More flexible and affordable than most expat plans. Cancel anytime.
🔒 NordVPN — For accessing UK streaming (UK TV, ITV), UK banking, and general peace of mind on public WiFi. Don’t leave home without it.
🏨 Agoda — Best platform for finding accommodation in KL. Consistently better prices than other booking sites for Malaysian properties.
Some links are affiliate links. I earn a small commission if you sign up — no extra cost to you. I only list what I actually use.
