A Great Bag can make the difference on how much extra you spend when flying, how much extra weight you keep on your shoulders while adventuring, and how many socks you can pack vs actually need to. They can get pricey but are oh so worth it.
Lennon Wall
prague, czech republic
Packing light is an easy lifestyle to jump into. I started as someone brought a full checked bag and personal item when going on a vacation to someone who uses a carryon for a weekend getaway, month long trip, or 6-month study abroad.
Perks:
1. No checked bag means no lost luggage and it’s easier to change flight
2. You look cooler
3. A bunch of other reasons – I’ll add a full link in the future
When searching for my bag, I went straight hybrid between nice Europe trips to backpacking across the US and Asia. If it could hold up over a hiking trip in backcountry and be my only item for a six-month adventure – even better.
Nowadays, I have two bags – my OG South East Asia sidekick and the one featured above, from Europe for Europe. They’re both light, user-friendly, holds everything, durable, and carry on size! I do recommend the Osprey BY FAR. It is everything I could every want and then some. Full honesty – mine was a few years older, but $200 is pretty standard for a lot of bags.
My Europe bag was a last minute decision. I initially tried to bring a smaller bag without hip support but after 1 day walking around 10+ miles I knew I needed an upgrade. I went to a sports store and found this on a great sale for around $50. Unfortunately, 3 days in, it ripped, so I bought safety pins and made it work. On the last day of the trip when I was back in the same city, I took it into the store and they gave me a new one.
Also, as a woman, it fits based on a women’s build – which is much more important than I realized.
Women have their weight on their hips with less on their shoulders. It also allows for more lower central weight that upper which, once again, rests on my waist which I can totally handle, verses my shoulders which is not nearly as pleasant.
Important Items
Best things to keep in your bag
Travel Towel
Seat to Summit Quick Dry
Packing Cubes
Divide and conquer
Black Chacos
Or your wet shoe of choice
Osprey Backpack
Holds everything you need
How to Pick a Backpack
Decision 1: What kind of traveling do you foresee? Backpacking Europe or Hiking Yellowstone Backcountry.
I went for a crossover. Known for being one of the largest bags that fits as an airplane carryon, and I can easily carry for a 3-day backpacking trip. I took it with me as my only item to South East Asia for months. This bag has been with me to 2 or 3 dozen countries, and an equal number of states. We’re buds.
Things to keep in mind.
• Get one that fits you. If you’re a tiny human, get one meant for a tiny human.
• Get one for men or women depending on how you’re built
• They legitimately fit your back and hips better
• Learn how to pack your bag. Women specifically need to pack the most weight in the lower center of their pack. It’s a game changer.
I went for a medium women’s, and wish I had done small. For reference I wear size 6 jeans, but have a smaller waist and often wish I could tighten the straps more.
assuming you got an osprey like bag
How to pack makes all of the difference
Bottom
Shoes. Fits 1-2 pairs at a time. I keep a rotation of walking shoes and Chaco’s. The walking pair are the most important. You need something comfortable to make it in 10+ miles of walking daily with your pack, but cute enough that all your photos in them are ok to share. The Chaco’s are for everything else. Long hikes, rivers and lakes, or shower shoes if you feel less risky.
Mid-Section
Use the packing cubes above. I kept one bag with electronics (chargers, SD cards, external hard drive). One bag for clean clothes, one for clean undergarments and socks, and one bag for dirty everything. *Pro Tip* Keep a dryer sheet, or three, in the bag with your dirty clothes, and one with the clean. Helps everything smell better for no extra weight.
Sides
Socks, undergarments, swim suit You never know when you will need a swim suit, but don’t be caught without one. Some places will not allow undergarments (even when they cover more) as a substitute.
Top
Toiletries. I love my electric toothbrush but I pack a lightweight or child’s one. Toothpaste, face lotion, SPF foundation, mascara, Chapstick, nail clippers, tweezers, and my two luxury items are q-tips (1 per day +2 spare), a hairbrush I really like, and a travel towel.
Amount
Socks - 3x Undergarments - 3x Shirts - 1 tank top, 2 tops, 1 sweatshirt, 1 jacket Scarf - 1 large enough to use as a blanket but thin enough to roll up small
Trick
Take an extra mesh bag and attach it with safety pins to the bottom of your bag. You can wash your clothes in the shower with you and leave them in that bag to dry during the day! Hello 3 pairs of socks.