The minimalism of traveling with one backpack takes away a lot of your worries. Most of us naturally pack several pieces of luggage to carry along for a trip. One backpack would be unthinkable!
Yet, it is achievable and makes things a lot more streamlined. For one thing, you don’t have to continuously worry about the luggage. There can be a learning curve when you shift to a single backpack for travel. Take a look at these tips for easier use and adjustment for your travels and packing.
1. Managing The Clothes You Pack
Clothes you pack often lay the biggest claim to space in your luggage. So the first thing to do should be managing the clothes you take along. Minimalism starts from minimizing the biggest claim on space and volume in your packing.
For one, consider the possibility of not changing your clothes daily. Packing seven pairs for a week-long trip is overkill when minimalism is your mantra. Sure, if you’re going somewhere with plenty of physical activity, repeating clothes can be unhygienic. That is not the case for most destinations.
No one in the city you’re traveling to is going to care or even notice if you repeat clothes. So yeah, cut down on the number of clothes you pack. Even reducing one or two pairs can leave you with a lot of space in the backpack to work with.
2. Picking The Right Backpack
Choosing the right backpack is obviously going to be the key to packing. Taking along a theft-proof travel backpack dramatically lowers the risk of losing important documents, gadgets, money, and other things. However, these backpacks often have the limitation of offering limited storage space. They still might be useful to bring along if you’re traveling with someone else or a group.
Conventionally speaking, you’ll need a travel backpack with plenty of space. It should also be comfortable to carry when fully packed. Factors to look for are breathability of the fabric, padding, support for your shoulders and back, and weight distribution. And yes, the volume of storage available should stay the top concern.
Buy a large backpack that is right for your height and weight. Don’t go for overkill on size, because the backpack will quickly become a pain to carry if you overdo this.
3. Wear Bulky Items
Here’s the simplest idea to save space and weight in your backpack – wear your bulky items! The jacket you intend to carry along? It’s better placed on your own person rather than in the luggage. If possible, switch for other heavier items like jeans as well.
The principle is simple. If you can get a heavier item out of the bag and wear it, do it.
4. Pack Necessities First
Start your packing with necessities. Things you absolutely must take along get to call dibs on the available space. Underwear, T-shirts, socks, medication, get to call their place first. After the necessities are done, you get a good idea of the space available for other items.
Now is the time when you choose what clothes and accessories to carry. Have a very frugal outlook on things you want in your backpack. If something can be left out, leave it be.
5. Don’t Fold, Roll Your Clothes
When we think of clothes in luggage, our mind naturally goes to neatly folded clothes and dresses. Folding is not space-efficient. Balling clothes up is a waste of space and a crime against the fabric! Instead, roll the clothes you want to pack.
You must have seen the rolled clothes and fabric in the sales and marketing items of several manufacturers. Well, apply the same principal to your clothes. Rolling doesn’t create terrible creasing and is far more efficient in space use as compared to folding.
While we’re on the topic of clothes, pack some dark clothes. Dark colored clothing is less likely to show staining. They’re also easy to pair with other clothing options. It just makes it easier to manage clothes if you ever find yourself in a tight spot.
6. Manage The Toiletries
What toiletries should go into the bag? The correct answer can be none. This is especially true if you’re traveling to an urban area. You can easily buy the necessary toiletries once you get there. So what’s the point in lugging them around?
There may be instances where it is necessary to carry your toiletries. In these situations, make sure you pack them in small, travel-sized bottles. If your favored item isn’t available in small, travel-sized options, pack it in a small container. This prevents wastage of space and convenience in carrying the items.
7. No More Than Two Pairs Of Shoes
The correct answer here is no more than a single pair of shoes. However, if you must carry more, limit yourself to two pairs. Often, people wear sneakers but carry around an option for formal events and locations.
I think it’s overkill, but one certainly can enjoy some luxuries on a vacation! Still, put practical use first. If you can help it, stopping at the shoes you’re wearing is the best route. Certainly, no more than two pairs for anyone thinking of minimalist traveling with one backpack.