Please note: I do NOT get paid to review or advertise products, I'm just sharing what I've learned and experimented with in regards to bag size, style, type, etc., in the hopes that it will help you decide what's right for you. In addition to that, these recommendations are geared towards minimizing your footprint for long-term, international travel; and while the same tools and methods will work for short-term or domestic travel, they may not be nearly as applicable, beneficial or realistic. Your backpack will always be a personal choice, but my recommendation is to keep it as small, simple and cheap as possible - your "backpack" will get a lot of wear and tear, and the cheaper it is, the less you'll worry about losing it or replacing it as it wears out (and it will wear out!) For each bag type/size, I'll tell you what I loved and didn't love, and why I settled on a small hiking backpack. For a quick overview, I've traveled with the "traditional" 55-65L backpacks (REI if you're curious), a 33L Aer Travel Pack 2 "digital nomad" laptop bag, a 25L Skog Waterproof backpack, a 20L Gregory Day Hiking Backpack, and my current backpack, a 21L Mystery Ranch Urban Assault bag. But before we get into that, ask yourself the following questions.. What's the minimum size bag you need to fit everything you need? If you're attempting to follow the Minimalist Method and wash your clothes every day, you can drastically reduce the size of your bag; for advice on what to bring or not bring, check out What YOU Should Pack, and then look through the Gear and Clothes section for tools and gadgets that can significantly reduce your need for space. Once you've figured out how many clothes you'll be bringing, you can then narrow down your bag search based on other factors such as... Will you be hiking or walking a lot? - Consider a hydration or hydration-compatible backpack Will you be spending a lot of time on or near water? - Consider water-resistant bags/backpacks, waterproof electronics bags or waterproof laptop sleeves Will you have your laptop? - Consider laptop sleeves, dry sacks or laptop-specific bags And now, onto the various types of bags and backpacks you're probably considering.. "Traditional" 55-65L Backpacks I won't go into the details here, I think it's obvious I'm a proponent of packing the bare minimum, but to give you an idea of what I hate about large bags.. Pros of large (45-70L) backpacks.. They give you ample space for everything you could possibly need; two weeks worth of clothes, multiple pairs of shoes, hiking, camping and cooking gear, space for gifts for friends and family. Cons of large backpacks They're expensive; and the more you spend on your bag, the more time you'll spend worrying about whether or not it's safe at your hotel or hostel. They're bulky - you'll constantly struggle to find places to store your luggage, since you can't take it with you on day trips or half days, and you may struggle to fit that big bag in the limited storage space provided by hostels. They're heavy and limit your flexibility - the second you start moving, that bag becomes a burden, even if it's just a "travel day" - lugging it around is annoying at best and painful at worst. They effectively invite you to pack more than you need, it's no secret I'm a proponent of packing the bare minimum, but it's hard to imagine even filling a 40L bag with useful things. Laptop Bags If you're the digital nomad type, you may like and prefer the professional look and built-in protection of a laptop bag, but I've found myself regretting the purchase for a few reasons. They're expensive, and the last thing I want on a long-term trip is to constantly be worried about my nice, new $200 laptop bag. They scream "laptop" by design - if and when I bring my laptop on long trips, I actually don't want people to know I have a laptop, I'd rather not invite unwanted attention, even if it's safely locked up in a storage locker.. and when I'm on the move, a low profile bag is always preferred. On the plus side, laptop bags are designed to protect your money-maker and keep your things well-organized; they look amazing and frequently come with well-thought-out design considerations like RFID protected pockets, adjustable/hidden straps, expansion pockets, and water-resistant materials, etc. If your laptop is your life, and the above considerations don't concern you, there are a lot of options.. I'm a fan of Aer, Nomatic, Peak Design, and Gravel bags; or do the typical google search thing and find something you love. Also feel free to check out my post But I NEED My Laptop to determine if bringing your laptop is absolutely required. Lastly, if you decide on any other bag type, but still want extra protection for your laptop, consider a waterproof laptop sleeve like the Aqua Quest Storm. Waterproof Bags I started researching waterproof bags as my go-to for long-term travel, but I'm not sure if the reasons are completely obvious, so I'll give you a couple examples.. I once rented a motorcycle in Costa Rica, and while riding back to San Jose to return the bike, got caught in a tropical downpour, I had to ride to get "home," but was completely soaked head to toe, bag and all. Our boat broke down off the coast of Cozumel in massive winds and waves, everything we brought had to be transferred to another boat, only there was no way to keep the boats close, so we had to jump in and swim to the rescue boat - again, everything soaked. After checking out of a hostel near Iguazu Falls, Brazil, we took an unplanned boat ride near the falls, I had everything with me, but didn't realize we'd be going into (i.e. under) the falls, if there was ever a time for a waterproof bag, this was it. I could keep going, but I think you get the picture... on the plus side, waterproof bags offer you peace of mind for those (planned or unplanned) water-based excursions; they're great for day trips to the beach, waterfall hikes, hot spring soaks, lake-side paddle boarding, boat outings, etc. however... What I don't like about waterproof bags, is how heavy and inconvenient they become when you're doing anything other than water-based activities.. I've come to prefer (and require) easy-open bags with either a clam-shell or butterfly opening - versus the roll-top design inherent to any waterproof bag. Instead, I've opted to use smaller, light-weight dry sacks for all the electronics inside my backpack, which provides both flexibility and organization, while getting the same peace of mind as you would with a fully waterproof backpack. You can see how I pack here. Hydration/Camelback Backpacks I'm an advocate of hydration or hydration-compatible backpacks, although my current backpack doesn't fall into that category; and I would mention saving the planet from water bottles, but the truth is that you will want to or have to buy filtered watered in many (if not most) of the countries you visit, so you may not be saving anything - but at least with a hydration pack, you can buy large water jugs and fill your hydration pack at the hostel. Alternatively, you may want to opt for a small, collapsible water bottle for your daily outings, I'm a fan of the 25oz (750ml) Hydaway water bottle, due to its soft, silicon construction, versus the Vapur Flexible water bottle, with its Polyethylene (i.e. hard plastic) construction, which I constantly feared cutting my hands on when I reached into my bag; you might also consider the 1L Hydrapak Stow if you're looking for an ultra-lightweight, water filter-compatible option. Day Bags Despite the already small, daily-use backpack, I sprung for a low-profile, semi-waterproof chest sling bag; there's something comforting knowing that your most valuable possessions are tied tightly to your chest when you're on long trips or falling asleep on a train. It may take some trial and error to find one you love, I tried the Osoce anti-theft bag, the Zomake anti-theft bag, the Weiatas anti-theft bag and the Waterfly sling chest bag, before finally settling on the Topnice chest sling bag, due to material/fabric comfort alone. Another item that I love and have used used hundreds of times - although recently I haven't needed to pack it - is an ultra-compact, compressible day bag. I've had an 18L Sea-to-Summit Nano Pack that I've used for 15+ years, and it's still in great shape, but there's an Amazon Basics option and a water-resistant Osprey option as well; I doubt you can go wrong with any of them. Hiking Backpacks (My Personal Preference) As you've maybe seen in other posts, I travel with a 21L Mystery Ranch backpack (shown here) - it's small, comfortable and light enough to hike with. I've found "comfortable enough to hike with" to be the best determining factor for selecting a minimalist backpack, it's comfortable when you're on the move and packing everything, and works just as great as a day bag when you're settled in a city for days, weeks or months at a time. This bag does come with a small laptop (or iPad) sleeve that fits my 13in laptop perfectly, although you wouldn't be able to go much bigger, and while it's perfect for my needs, I don't expect it to be perfect for everyone. Benefits of hiking backpack.. Perfect for daily use and packing all your belongings when you're on the move Easily replaceable if it gets lost, damaged or stolen - the nearest outdoor gear or sports store should have many options Generally inexpensive, usually under $100 to replace in a worst-case scenario Many hiking packs are hydration-pack compatible, with all the benefits mentioned above Cons of a hiking backpack.. Extremely limited in how much you can pack (but that's why you're here, isn't it?) No built-in laptop protection - despite being able to fit small laptops, there's generally not a lot of padding for your money-maker A lot of them are ugly - at least in my opinion - it can be difficult finding a bag that looks decent whether you're hiking, hitting the beach, exploring a city or hitting a coffee shop to work Not a lot of internal organization - most hiking packs are simple by design, but this can be annoying when you prefer to have specific pockets for all your stuff Summary There are thousands of options to choose from, and it completely depends on your personal list of essential items, which you'll need to decide on before you even choose a backpack. So before you go looking for the perfect bag, ask yourself these questions.. What's the minimum size bag I need to fit everything I need? Do I need my laptop and/or do I need laptop protection? Do I need a waterproof bag or can I use a dry-sack for my electronics? Do I want the flexibility (and inherent limitations) of a small backpack? Do I want lots of internal organization/pockets for all my things? Read Next: The Minimalist Method - How I keep my pack small and maximize flexibility

I feel the need to acknowledge a somewhat hypocritical aspect of this site - should I really be making product recommendations, while touting the benefits of minimalism? Can I really say I'm a minimalist when I pay $80 for a set of socks? It's something I admittedly struggle with.. On one hand, I love the concept of minimalism and the freedom that comes with not caring about material possessions... knowing that all the important things in life - love, connection, happiness, creativity, expression, creativity, contribution, novelty, exploration, etc. are all free - they're available everyone, at all times, wherever you are in the world - there's nothing physical or material in that list. Minimalism can serve as an incredible reminder that we already have everything we need; the basic necessities for survival are universal, and everything else is internal. Minimalist travel is like putting your phone on airplane mode and realizing how much happier you are; it's like going for a long, solo hike and remembering that you're surrounded by beauty; it can help you recognize how lucky you are, how little some people have or how unimportant your material possessions are; it can help you notice the weight of material things, how we get emotionally tied to our stuff and how those emotional ties can wreak havoc on our minds; and it can help you identify the true value of things, what means a lot to you, what doesn't, and why. There are many, many reasons to consider minimalist travel; but it's the philosophical concepts that are so eye-opening and, potentially, the most beneficial. On the other hand, I'm a technology enthusiast at heart; I love the ingenuity and creativity of the human race, I love thinking up new products, designing and building things that make people's lives easier, and finding new tools or products that simplify life and travel - it's just fun. In my post What IS Minimalist Travel, I mention that minimalism is, for me, a combination of some of the core concepts of minimalism and our inherent desire for some level of comfort, flexibility and style. Note that I say desire and not need; there's a fine line between desire and need, and it's different for everyone. I would argue that I need my phone, and you may argue that you need five pairs of pants.. and neither of us are wrong, but my hope with this site is to help you define what's necessary for you, while sharing some of the tools, methods and mindsets that can make travel easier and more enjoyable. some options and alternatives to minimize your stuff through a mix of sacrifice, creativity and yes, occasionally, the right tools. At the end of the day, I hope to simplify the travel experience, to make it more accessible to more people, and to show that you don't need a million things or a lot of money to enjoy traveling. Lastly, and on one foot, I have an immense respect and appreciation for high-quality, long-lasting tools and products; they're frequently beautiful, eloquent, well-designed and simple to use; you can feel the thought, energy and time that was put into them; like an amazing piece of art.. and I like to think that high-quality, long-lasting tools are better for the environment long-term. I have this beautiful, black leather duffel bag that was my grandfathers, passed onto my dad and then on to me when he passed, I've had to get the zippers re-stitched, but other than that, it's in great shape; I wonder how many duffel bags I'd have gone through if I didn't have this one? How much money would I have wasted trying to find one I loved? How many of those bags would be in a landfill somewhere, waiting to decompose over their 10000 year life-span? My point is, you can be a minimalist and still appreciate and respect high-quality products, you can be a minimalist and still embrace the creativity and usefulness of a well-designed tool, and you can be a minimalist and still embrace the necessity of new technology that makes life and traveling easier. Note: This post is a work in progress, check back later for full thoughts and sentences "Do you see yourself using this for 10, 15 or 20 years?" "Could you see yourself passing this down to your children, or your children's children?" "Is it useful, beautiful or necessary?" That's the question you should be asking yourself; whether you're cleaning out your closet or packing for a long trip; if it doesn't fall into one of those categories, donate it - and notice the weight come off your shoulders. My grandmother was a hoarder, my mother.. a semi-hoarder.. she has thousands and thousands of pictures, antiques, trinkets and memorabilia.. and it's incredibly hard for her to part ways with certain things. One of the most helpful things to remember in this case is to ask yourself if that cherished memory of yours.. could become a cherished memory for someone else... If you'll never wear that shirt again, but it reminds you of your best friend... could it perhaps, someday, provide the same value to someone else? If you'll never use that cup again, but it brings up memories of some of your favorite times at your favorite bar with your college friends, could it mean the same to someone else down the line? (need to finish) Okay, I've gotten off-track a bit... let's get back to the conundrum. (need to summarize) Ultimately, minimalism can help you recognize how little you need and how stuff can weigh you down.. but it's equally important to acknowledge and embrace the ingenuity and creativity behind the products and tools we can't live without. Note: This post is a work in progress, check back later for full sentences and concepts

A continuously updated list of "must-have" and "nice-to-have" gadgets to keep your pack small. Water-Proof Electronics Bag Let's start with the basics... protecting your most precious items.. I keep my electronics in a 13L Sea-To-Summit Dry-Sack; it gives me peace of mind, helps keep things organized and comes in handy for any planned or unplanned water-based activities. Note the optional sizes; I use the 13L bag because it fits my laptop, but there are multiple options, depending on needs. Check out my post Choosing a Backpack for more detail and recs. Go Pro // Underwater Camera You have a few options if you're looking to record your underwater adventures, you can opt for a waterproof phone case, a waterproof camera, or go the classic GoPro route; of course, GoPro is the de facto standard when it comes to action cameras, but there are less expensive alternatives if you're willing to take the chance; the GoPro Hero 10 is the latest model (as of July, 2022). I won't make any specific recommendations around waterproof phone cases, as there are hundreds of options on Amazon; just make sure it's IPX8 certified (waterproof up to 100ft/30m). Powered 4-Port USB Splitter If you're traveling with a laptop, or if you want to charge multiple toys at once, a 4-port USB splitter takes up very little space and comes in very handy; please note that most splitters are not powered, so if you need more than just laptop connectivity (for your mouse, keyboard, etc.), be sure whatever you buy specifies powered ports. Check out the Anker USB Hub for a super low-profile, unpowered splitter, or the Atolla USB Hub for a slightly larger, powered splitter. And if you really need to up your game, the Anker 565 11-in-1 Splitter adds HDMI/DisplayPort, USB-C, SD/MicroSD Card, Ethernet, and Audio ports, while still charging your devices. Travel-Sized Power Strip Depending on how much stuff you're trying to power, you may need or want a standard outlet power strip, many (or rather, most) hostels have limited outlets in hard to reach places, so make sure whatever you buy has a flexible cable; check out the NTOP Travel Power Strip for a starting point. Wireless Bluetooth Sleep Masks Sleep masks are a godsend when you're sharing a room with strangers, and I highly recommend keeping one in your pack; the one I'm currently using is this LC-dolida, or search "wireless Bluetooth sleep masks" on Amazon. Headphones I'm sure you already have headphones, they're cheap and available everywhere, but I didn't want to assumptively leave them off the list.. search "in-ear wireless headphones" on Amazon. Foldable Phone Stand There are a bunch of options for foldable phone stands, and they are extremely useful; for an inexpensive option, check out the iMangoo kickstand; or for a more durable, flexible and long-lasting option, the Pocket Tripod Pro; or search "minimalist folding phone stand" on Amazon. Portable Chargers The smallest charger currently available.. Charmast (10000mAh), or search "small portable travel chargers" on Amazon. This low-profile, magnetic Speedy Mag Wireless Charger looks useful and promising, but I can't seem to find the specs or charge capacity, so check it out at your own risk! Durable, high-capacity, solar charging.. Tometc Solar Charger (33800mAh), or search "solar power bank charger" on Amazon. Nomad Base Station Pro.. if you have lots of toys that need charging. Lightening Charger + Multi-Port Cable This is an absolute must-have when you're always on the move, you can charge your phone from dead to 100% in about 45 minutes, coupled with a multi-port cable, you can recharge all your devices while you wait for the hostel bar crawl host to arrive. There are many options, such as a dual port (20W usb and usb-c ports), a multi-port (100W usb and multiple usb-c ports), or the original Anker USB-C single-port (20W usb-c port); just be sure they provide 20Watts of power (per port) and that you have the proper cables to power your devices! Note: This post is under construction, check back later for more recs and tech!

My Amazon account is riddled with tried and tested, tossed and cherished toiletry items - all so you don't have to go through the pain of driving 30 minutes to the nearest Kohl's Amazon Drop-off Return. Below are a few of my favorite space saving items for long-term travel; please, please remember that you can buy everything you could possibly need from a local convenience store, but if you want the best in miniaturization technology for the bathroom, check out these recommendations. Hanging Toiletry Bag - Everyone needs one, you might as well get one with a hook; you may not always have the option to hang your bag, but when you do, it's extremely convenient. Check out the Purevave or Travelon hanging bags, as they are the smallest, lightest options on the market. Evo Micro Shaver - About as small as it gets when it comes to electric shavers, but there are lots of options; I currently use and love my Meridian trimmer, but may opt for the smaller Evo when it's time to upgrade.. (or downsize??), whichever way you go, you can't go wrong. Parker Travel Razor - These are cute and tiny and even if you don't shave, they give your toiletry bag a classic, sophisticated feel; Parker razors are designed for different types of Gillette blades which are available around the world, or pack a few extras before you leave, check out the Mach3 blade option here and the 5-blade Gillette Fusion option here. Travel Nose Trimmer - Even tinier and cuter, nose trimmers don't take up a ton of space, at home I use the Wahl Travel Trimmer and while traveling I use this amazingly simple, battery-free Royal trimmer; and I absolutely love it; there's also a larger, newer version that simplifies trimming, but takes up more space; it's the price we pay for squeaky clean noses. Traveling Panda Mini Toothbrush - You can find toothbrushes (toothbrushers? teethbrushies?) anywhere, but I came across these while searching for minimalist travel gear, and if you really, really want to save on toiletry space, these are good for your bag and good for the environment. Reusable Cotton Buds - If you're an obsessive ear cleaner (and you should be, according to my brother), you may find reusable cotton ear buds to be right up your.... ear canal; truth be told, I can't believe these took so long to become a thing, but I'm happy they did. Reusable Travel Bottles - Frequent travelers know the risks when they put lotion or liquid soap in their toiletry bag, specifically if that bag is being checked - the unpressured luggage compartment on the plane can (and usually will) translate into an explosion of your precious shampoo bottles, giving the rest of your toiletries a slimy (but thankfully good smelling) feel. And while one of the benefits of minimalist travel is that you rarely (if ever) have to check a bag, you may find yourself on smaller planes where they've run out of overhead space, or maybe you just want bag break, or maybe there's a risk of your bag getting crushed - in which case, these leak-proof travel bottles may be just what you need - just don't fill them to the brim!

What if I told you, you could get up, grab your passport right now, and fly to (almost) any country in the world.. with no plans, no bag, no destination and no reservations?? Would it make you nervous? Anxious? Excited? Would you worry about money? Clothes? The weather? Your job? The language barrier? Or how to explain your erratic behavior to family and friends?? (<- that's impossible) These are all, in fact, legitimate concerns... in fact, most of them should give you pause.. or at least cross your mind - if you're in the 99% of the population that doesn't fly to exotic destinations on a private jet for the weekend. But for the rest of us, there's good news, because you CAN do this, with just a tiny bit of planning and a little bit of know-how. I've argued throughout this site that you barely need anything to start traveling, especially if you embrace the "pure minimalist" travel philosophy.. but even if you don't, you have a lot more freedom than you think. It's easy to overthink and over plan, it's the hallmark of a good traveler (just kidding).. but if you've never traveled long-term, you run the very real risk of overthinking, over planning and over packing. The truth is, you can buy anything you might need, often for very cheap, in whatever country you're visiting; and your basic human necessities; food, running water, electricity, shelter, clothing, etc.. are all universal needs, which means you can find them everywhere. Granted, you'd be much better off with a little bit of planning and a few essential items, but it's important to remember that you can survive and thrive and have the time of your life, without worrying about forgetting that one, super special, life-changing, custom-made, only-available-where-you-live thing that you need to have when go to that fictional country that doesn't have stores. Don't let the marketing gods trick you, you don't need anything to travel, just your curiosity, creativity and sense of adventure. Happy travels. #endofrant

No one cares how you look when you travel... no one but you that is; it's a lesson I learned the hard way after prepping for a year-long trip, and making the mistake of packing casual shoes, hiking shoes, dress shoes, nice jeans and a beautiful, elegant button-down shirt. But the problem was.. I never wore them.. like.. ever. Yes, I went out on the town, yes, I went to plenty of bars and even the occasional club, but I didn't get a second look wearing my generic, black trail-running shoes, hiking shorts and quick-dry t-shirts. No one cared... not my travel mates, not the doormen, not the bartenders, not even members of the opposite sex I was purportedly trying to impress.. (or at least, give off some semblance of style). "The truth is, no one cares what you look like when you're traveling..." The truth is, no one cares what you look like when you're traveling, yes, you may not want to look like a hiker when you're out on the town in your home city/state, but the second you step off that plane in another country, none of the rules or expectations apply. To the locals, you already look weird - whether by the tone of your skin or the constant look of confusion on your face - everyone knows you're "from out of town;" and to the travelers you meet on the road.. guess what, they're not in their Sunday best either. Especially if you're traveling long-term, you're likely hitting countries and off-the-wall places that have no idea what a "typical American" wears; you stand out because you're traveling, and that's it. I remember once, getting a long, curious look as I was checking into a nice hotel for a one-night, pamper-myself-stay after three weeks in a shared hostel.. the receptionist was eyeing me up and down, at first I thought she was judging me for my overly-casual attire.. but it turns out, she'd just never heard of Nike, so she was eying the symbol on my shirt. That's about the worst you'll run into when you're traveling, and frankly, if you get judged by a fellow American for being the least stylish person on the planet, you probably don't want to hang out with them anyway. I'll fully admit that I cared way too much about how I looked before hitting the road, only to learn that all my careful style-conscious planning was a waste, and perhaps this is common knowledge, but if you're trying to pack for every possible occasion, learn from my mistake, and leave the fancy stuff at home. #endofrant

Aside from your clothes, shoes and backpack, these are - in my opinion - the few (and only) "must-have" items for any long-term travel. Bags and Backpacks Generic Hiking Backpack - anything in the 18-25L range should work, I'm a fan of Mystery Ranch bags due to their butterfly opening and seemingly endless options; see Choosing a Backpack for more thoughts and recommendations. // The True Minimalist Version: a cheap backpack from the nearest store. Scrubba Portable Wash Bag - if you're following the Minimalist's Method, you'll want a way to consistently wash your clothes. // The True Minimalist Version: use a sink stopper or wash your clothes in the shower. Sea-to-Summit Waterproof Dry Sack - this will come in handy more times than I say "minimalist" on this site. I keep all my electronics, including my laptop, in this low-profile dry sack; you'll be happy you did too, when you find yourself caught in a tropical rainstorm. // The True Minimalist Version: there are no trustworthy alternatives, unless you want to take a chance on Ziploc bags. Shoes and Clothes Generic Trail-Running Shoes - keep it simple with one pair of shoes, just make sure they're comfortable, as you'll be wearing them everywhere; see Oh My God, Shoes! for more thoughts and recommendations. // The True Minimalist Version: a cheap pair from the nearest store. Xero Barefoot Sandals - save space and stay (arguably) stylish with the smallest footprint sandals available. // The True Minimalist Version: the ubiquitous $1 sandals that can be found at any store, near any beach, anywhere in the world - you never have to worry about not having sandals. ExOfficio Underwear - people rant and rave about Merino Wool, and it is great, for some stuff, but when I tell you I travel with just four pairs of underwear... believe me when I say, ExOfficio is king based on durability alone; they're comfortable, breathable, light-weight and quick-drying; everything the body needs. // The True Minimalist Version: a cheap set from the nearest store. William Painter Titan Socks - super strong, steel-thread woven socks, built to last forever (or at least 10,000 washes).. I can't express how much I love these socks; they're expensive, but worth every penny. // The True Minimalist Version: cheap socks from any convenience store. Convertible Hiking Pants - a two-for-one deal - if you don't mind looking like a hiker all-day, every day. Nano Puff Jacket - arguably a must-have if you're traveling to cool or cold climates; I recommend the Amazon Essentials version, because it's inexpensive and effectively identical to the $200 name-brand jackets. // The Minimalist Version: a cheap coat from the nearest clothing store. Ultra-light Rain Coat - https://www.cleverhiker.com/best-rain-jackets Toiletries and Convenience Items Hanging Toiletry Bag - everyone needs a toiletry bag.. why not get one with a hook? It's not always an option, but you'll appreciate it when it is; there are thousands of options on Amazon, but the smallest, lightest option I've found (and currently use) is this Travelon Compact bag. Note: it is very small, but absolutely perfect in my opinion; check out Space Saving Toiletry Items for more ways to minimize your bathroom sprawl. // The True Minimalist Version: Ziploc bags. Electronics and Gadgets Universal Travel Adapter - I'm extremely upset it took so long to find this.. and I recommend it to everyone, it works in 150+ countries and takes up almost no space, and it's an absolute "must-have" for any long-term travel; see Electronics and Gadgets for more thoughts and recommendations. // The True Minimalist Version: a charger from any local convenience store. (Hint: they always have the appropriate wall outlet / plug type). Portable Chargers - while not absolutely required, you'll appreciate having one for those long days (or nights) of exploration, and while some may opt for a solar charger, I find it far more useful to pack the smallest, lightest, slimmest chargers to keep my pocket packing to a minimum; check out the iWalk Lightning chargers (iPhones / Android) for "no cable" options, or the Charmast Portable Charger for a low-profile, universal option. // The True Minimalist version: a portable charger from any local convenience store. Space Saving Extras Ultra-light Daypack (Optional) - for bag organization or quick trips to the store The Ridge Wallet - the most minimalist wallet on the market, RFID-protected and tough as nails (or carbon fiber) Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle - Note: This post is under construction, check back later for updates!

A list of space saving tools and products to help minimize your pack. RFID Protected Wallets & Key Holders The Ridge® - Designed For The Minimalist The Ridge Wallet is an expanding minimalist wallet that protects your cards and cash; made from Aluminum, Titanium, Carbon Fiber, and Damascus; slim profile, RFID-blocking, front pocket design with a Lifetime Guarantee... check out https://ridge.com. Check out the Ridge Wallet and Key Holders for minimalist-style card and key holders. Collapsible Water Bottle HYDAWAY Collapsible Water Bottle - Ultra portable, leakproof, non-toxic and dishwasher safe, this collapsible water bottle fits in your pocket and is perfect for those long hikes and beach days. Nano Pack Day Bag Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Nano Ultralight Day Pack - Lightweight, 18-liter day pack that compresses down to the size of an egg and can carry up to 45lbs, it's perfect for quick trips to the store, short hikes or keeping stuff organized in your backpack.

This is what I imagine (and hope) travel will look like in the future.. It may be idealistic, but ultimately, it would be amazing if people had the freedom to move around the world without worrying about how they were going to work, how they were going to dress for style, leisure, comfort and sport, and how they were going to communicate. We're a long way off from this completely subjective "perfect" world, but it's fun to think about and hopefully, somewhat inspiring, if you're like me, and dream of seeing as much of the world as possible without worrying about where you live or work. Work / Income I go into detail on this in my post The Future of Work, but I'll recap here just in case. VR Headsets will replace laptops; yes, they're bulky and somewhat expensive today, but they'll only get smaller and lighter, eventually taking up no more space than a pair of sunglasses. Google Glass already demonstrated the potential for wearable heads-up displays and Facebook is well on their way to creating virtual workspaces with their Oculus headset. If you haven't tried a VR headset yet, let me assure you, it's the future of work; with virtual desktops, virtual meeting rooms and thousands of apps being developed to model your home or work office, I suspect most people to be working (and playing) in a virtual world in the next 10-15 years; and it's only a matter of time before your "home office" is wherever you are, just a click away. And this isn't just limited to "knowledge workers" as you might expect.. doctors are already performing remote surgeries from thousands of miles away, and expect many professions to follow suit with remote controlled robotics and machinery. And if VR headsets are too bulky for your taste, wearable VR/AR contact lenses are already being developed, so you may not even have to worry about packing a ruggedized glasses case. Haptic gloves will replace keyboards; they may take a little more time, but they too will get smaller and lighter, and they're already under development; they'll bridge the gap between traditional keyboard users and Gen Alpha kids, who will likely never work on a laptop... or drive a car, for that matter. Of course, this all assumes that Elon Musk's Neuralink doesn't bypass the need for keyboards all-together by dictating our thoughts to digital form, without the need for an old person's "input device." In short, eventually you won't need your laptop, and it's arguably the biggest issue with long-term travel today. Travel Clothes Travel-specific clothing is already available, but there's a lot of room for improvement in this department. Today, we're working with a hodge-podge of brands and styles that can do some of what we want; light-weight, multi-functional, quick-drying, anti-bacterial material is readily available; but we're still limited in terms of comfort and flexibility. Eventually, though, we'll get Smart Skin Clothing that has all of the above.. along with climate-controlled fabrics, customizable skins, RFID-protected pockets and water-tight zippers. If we want to get super "futuristic," it's not hard to imagine a world in which your smart clothing can be worn day-in, day-out, with limited need for cleaning; making the idea of traveling with just one or two sets of clothes both realistic and efficient. It's also worth mentioning some expected advances in travel tools that will make washing and drying clothes even easier. Portable washers and dryers already exist, although both are in their infancy... I've tried and tested a few different ones, namely this handheld portable dryer and this ultrasonic-powered portable washer, both are neat and hold great promise as they get better, but until that day comes, my portable wash-bag will have to suffice. One of the issues with portable dryers is the noise they make, which can feel like an annoyance to fellow travelers if you're sharing a room... so I'm really hoping that Dyson eventually incorporates their supersonic hair dryer technology into a miniatured portable dryer, for the travel-tech enthusiast in all of us. Sports and Activities This goes hand-in-hand with Smart Clothing, but it's worth noting that most of the stuff you'll be doing while traveling will require either.. 1) little clothing (think water-based activities - swimming, paddle-boarding, kayaking, canyoning, rafting, surfing, etc.).. or 2) some type of active-wear (walking, hiking, skydiving, horseback riding, motorbiking, ATV-ing, etc.), or specialized gear (i.e. camping gear, climbing gear, wet suits, helmets and safety equipment, skiing/snowboarding equipment, etc.) that you can already rent. Aside from your every day clothes, you should have no issues renting, borrowing or buying the gear you need for anything you might want to do - you already don't need to pack for every possible situation, so you already have a ton of freedom when it comes to traveling with the bare minimum, and this will only get easier. Communication / Language Barriers In a perfect world, we'd all speak a universal language, but until that day comes, language is and can be a concern. Both in-ear and real-time language translators are readily available, and eventually they'll be ubiquitous; when headphone technology and battery power makes it convenient to wear "all day" headphones or semi-permanent ear implants around the clock. And, of course, they'll be useful beyond just language; imagine being able to turn off all sound so you can sleep peacefully, or tuning into your meditation playlist to the exclusion of all else, or playing white noise to drown out all the chaos; there are a million benefits to in-ear or semi-permanent headphones, whichever way it goes, and it'll make for one less thing you have to worry about as you trot around the globe. Summary Travel tomorrow will look a lot different from travel today.. and I can't wait for the day when technology allows us to move, live, work and play freely, from anywhere in the world. If you're aware of any new tools, tricks, products, technologies, etc. that you think will impact travel or make travel easier, please leave a comment or create your own post; I'd love to hear about it!

This is what I think the world may look like in 5, 10 or 15 years... in regards to work and travel. Digital nomads will be the norm, not the exception.. Of course, we'll always have to take into account time-zone considerations, country-specific rules, high-speed internet access and general social/employer acceptance of remote work.. but there's plenty of good news across all these issues.. In terms of employer acceptance, it’s no secret that the pandemic accelerated the move to remote work, which is just shy of fully remote work and a few steps shy of complete nomadic freedom; so we're already well on our way to being able to work from anywhere, at least for some professions, with many more to follow (more on that later). And as companies get more comfortable with remote workers, they'll begin to accept and eventually embrace the benefits of having a global workforce, it’s win-win for employers and employees (think global talent pools, simplified global expansion, potential for lower base pay or location-based pay, a local presence if needed); it may just take some time for companies to embrace this mindset. In terms of country limitations and rules, more and more countries are starting to embrace and encourage short-term work visas, check out this list to get a glimpse, and keep in mind that most countries will allow you to visit for 30-90 days with no limitations; so if you're willing to move around a bit, there's plenty to see and do. In terms of time zone differences, it’s worth noting and remembering that there are likely thousands of places you can travel to that are well within reasonable ranges for your employer; and while time-zone considerations will always be a thing, I suspect our methods for communicating and sharing information across time-zones will only get better. Lastly, High-speed internet and 5G connectivity are spreading around the world, and while it may take some planning on your part, you should have no issues finding amazing places to visit that also have stable internet and a thriving digital nomad culture. The real issue with long-term travel - if you're a digital nomad - is that you're tied to your laptop... it's not the end of the world, but it's not perfect either; your laptop is bulky, expensive, fragile and a target for theft... you can travel with it, but it's not ideal... but eventually.. VR Headsets will replace laptops; yes, they're bulky and somewhat expensive today, but they'll only get smaller and lighter, eventually taking up no more space than a pair of sunglasses. Google Glass already demonstrated the potential for wearable heads-up displays and Facebook is well on their way to creating virtual workspaces with their Oculus headset. If you haven't tried a VR headset yet, let me assure you, it's the future of work; with virtual desktops, virtual meeting rooms and thousands of apps being developed to model your home or work office, I suspect most knowledge workers to be working (and playing) in a virtual world in the next 10-15 years; and it's only a matter of time before your "home office" is wherever you are, just a click away. And by the way, this trend isn't just limited to "knowledge workers;" doctors are already performing remote surgeries with robotic arms from thousands of miles away, who's to say you can't lay brick with a human touch while enjoying a short visit to a floating city in the Maldives? Or maybe you'll skip the fragile VR headsets all-together and opt for wearable VR/AR contact lenses- in any case, you'll have options. Haptic gloves will replace keyboards; they may take a little more time, but they too will get smaller and lighter, and they're already under development; they'll bridge the gap between traditional keyboard users and Gen Alpha kids, who will likely never work on a laptop... or drive, for that matter. Of course, this all assumes that Elon Musk's Neuralink doesn't bypass the need for keyboards all-together by dictating our thoughts to digital form without the need for an old person's "input device." In short, eventually you won't need your laptop, and it's arguably the biggest issue with long-term travel today. In-ear language translators will become the norm, making communication in another country relatively seamless and easy. These already exist, although I can't speak (no pun intended) to their effectiveness or ease of use, but they can only get better! Note - This post is under construction, check back later for more thoughts on the future of work!

Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime. That's the ultimate goal, or at least my ultimate goal... to educate and inform, to give people the freedom and knowledge that they can go anywhere at anytime, with just the clothes they're wearing and whatever they have in their pockets; to show people how easy it is to travel; to find tools that make travel easier and eventually, hopefully, build products that make travel easier... ultimately, it's to inspire people to get up, get out and go see the world without worrying about what to pack. This is an idealistic world for sure, but the more we travel, the more we connect with people from around the world, and the more we realize how much we have in common.. and showing people how easy it is to travel can only help us better understand each other's cultures, beliefs and ways of life; and it's why I'm so passionate about travel in general! Today, you can travel many places with just your passport and whatever you're wearing.. tomorrow, my hope is that you can travel anywhere, on a whim, with just your passport and the clothes on your back. But this idealistic future will require some changes to how we think and what we pack.. The limitations we run into today... Money - unless you're retired or independently wealthy, you may still need a way to work, which introduces a slew of concerns such as work flexibility, productivity, time zone considerations, etc. Comfort and Style - while you could go anywhere at the drop of a hat - or pin, you'd immediately be at the mercy of weather, climate, and potentially, social norms. Lifestyle and Activities - so you jumped on a plane and flew to Thailand, do you really have what you need to hike the Phetchabun Range or island hop and sleep in a hut? Language - assuming you're not a world famous polyglot, you may have some concerns in regards to communication, safety and getting around in general. Rules, Regulations and Safety - sadly, at least for the foreseeable future, some places just aren't safe for travel, and various countries will always have VISA and passport requirements. These are all valid concerns, and while we may not have the freedom to go anywhere, anytime just yet, I'd like to address all of the above and compare what's possible today, with how I think the future will look in 5, 10 or 15 years. Money and Work There are a million blogs and articles explaining how to travel inexpensively, and it's worth repeating here, you don't need to be rich or retired to travel; but that's not the picture I'm trying to paint; what I'm more interested in, is the tools, apps and future products that will allow you to keep working while you travel; because that's the ultimate form of freedom, work if you want to (or have to) - wherever you are. Right now, if you're a digital nomad, you're tied to your laptop; it's not the end of the world, but it's not perfect either; your laptop is bulky, expensive, fragile and a target for theft... you can travel with it, but it's not ideal. I go into detail on what I think work will look like in my posts The Future of Work and The Future of Work and Travel. Comfort and Style Travel-specific clothing is already available, but there's a lot of room for improvement in this department (ahem.. store). Today, we're working with a hodge-podge of brands and styles that can do some of what we want, with light-weight, multi-functional, quick-drying, anti-bacterial material readily available. But we're still limited in terms of comfort and flexibility, and if we're aiming for the ultimate goal of "anywhere, anytime - with just the clothes on your back," we'll have to wait for some key advancements in material science. Eventually, we'll get Smart Skin Clothing that has all of the above plus (in a perfect world), climate-controlled fabrics, customizable skins, RFID-protected pockets and water-tight zippers. I was super excited for these app-controlled skin-changing shoes that hit Indigogo awhile back, but it may be years before they become available, if ever. But it's not hard to imagine a world in which we can pack just one or two sets of "smart clothes" while maintaining massive flexibility in terms of where we go, when we go and what we do. It's also worth mentioning some expected advances in travel tools that will make washing and drying clothes even easier. Portable washers and dryers already exist, although both are in their infancy... I've tried and tested a few different ones, namely this handheld portable dryer and this ultrasonic-powered portable washer, both are neat and hold great promise as they get better, but for now I'm sticking with hand-washing using a portable wash-bag. One of the issues with portable dryers is the noise they make, which can feel like an annoyance to fellow travelers if you're sharing a room... so I'm really hoping that Dyson eventually incorporates their supersonic hair dryer technology into a miniatured portable dryer for the travel-tech enthusiast in all of us. We are many, many years away from implementing all the technology required to make one or two sets of clothes do ALL the work wherever you are, but it's fun to dream and even more fun if we can help move the needle in this space. Lifestyle, Activities and Sports This is partially related to the "smart clothes" referenced above, and they go hand-in-hand; smart fabrics should, theoretically, give us lots of flexibility in terms of where we go and what we do, but we're already at the point where we can do almost anything if we're willing to get creative, rent gear or buy what we need when it's necessary. For "extreme" activities, you'll likely be provided with whatever stuff you need, or you'll have the option to rent when you're onsite... this is for things like canyoning, sky diving, cave diving, scuba diving, rock climbing, surfing, whitewater rafting, kayaking, skiing or snowboarding, etc.. these are activities with specific requirements, and any place catering to travelers or tourists will have everything you need to make your time safe and enjoyable. In addition to this fact, and as you might imagine, the starting point for any adventure will have stores and shops tailored to that experience, effectively "outfitters" at the base of any big undertaking; so you don't need to pack for life or death, in fact, you barely have to pack at all. For the more casual activities; hiking, boating, paddle-boarding, island hopping, beach bumming, bar crawling, whale-watching, horseback riding, four-wheeling, sight-seeing, city walking, whatever; you don't need anything except whatever you're wearing that keeps you warm, cool or comfortable. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I'll reiterate again, everything you could possibly need is available at the nearest store in the nearest city to the nearest airport - wherever you go. Language and Communication In a perfect world, we all speak a universal language, but until that day comes, language is and can be a problem; mostly in terms of getting around, but also just safety in general. The good news is that there are real-time language translators readily available. I cant' speak to how effective they are.. but as all things do, I expect they'll get better with time, eventually allowing for seamless communication via in-ear translators.. I'll be testing a few of these out on my next trip, and I'll write a detailed post then, but in the meantime, a quick search for "language translators" on Amazon shows a number of options... if anyone has any experience with these, please comment or share your thoughts! Rules, Regulation and Safety There will always be unsafe destinations and country-specific VISA requirements and limitations, and there's not much we can do about that... the best we can do is plan ahead and choose places that are safe, accommodating and accepting of long-term travelers. Summary Today, you can go almost anywhere in the world with just a few essential items and a little bit of planning; tomorrow, you'll be able to go almost everywhere in the world, with even fewer things and even less planning. It's an idealistic world for sure; to think someday we'll be able to work from anywhere and have all the tools we need to stay comfortable and productive, but it's a goal worth striving for, and it's why I built this site.

Questions to ask yourself if you're packing for long-term travel. How and what you pack will always be personal, but there are number of great questions to ask yourself before any big trip, especially if you're trying to minimize your pack.. The biggest question.. for any trip.. and for every item you're considering.. is.. "What's the worst that could happen if I don't bring this thing?" If you don't bring a jacket, could you get by on a cheap sweater or long-sleeve from a nearby store? If you don't bring a raincoat, could you grab a cheap poncho on the run? If you don't bring a towel, could you rent one from the hostel or buy one at the beach? If you don't bring that extra pair of "nice" clothes, could you live with looking like a traveler at a less fancy bar, or could you find the clothes you want in a worst-case scenario? Another noteworthy question, related to the above and worth asking for each item.. "Is this item easily replaceable?" and "if this item gets lost or stolen, how am I going to feel?" If you're looking for peace of mind, and embracing minimalist travel for the freedom it offers, you should always aim for easily replaceable items. I would argue that your clothes are already easily replaceable, and should be easily replaceable, if you're traveling long-term. We have a tendency to pack for "worst case" or "just in case" scenarios, but the reality is, you can get almost anything you need, usually for cheap, from a nearby store in any major city. The only hard-to-replace necessities will usually come down to your phone, your laptop and anything else you've spent a bunch of money on.. If the worst-case scenario is that you'd have to buy it.. you're likely much better off leaving it at home, and buying it when you need it.. In addition to the above questions, if you're attempting go "minimalist," you may want to ask yourself.. What's the average temp or expected temperature range in the places I'm visiting..? Could I get by with one set of cold weather clothes; a single pair of pants, a set of convertible pants or a set of thermal underwear? Do I really need a jacket? Are my travel plans flexible enough to stick to warm climates and/or avoid cold climates? (link to fair-weather fan, cold weather gear, etc.) What are you looking to do while traveling? Long hikes? Camping? Beach days? Water excursions? City explorations? Can I find clothes and shoes that work for all of these activities? (link to shoe recs, clothing recs, etc.) For the more "extreme" activities, can I rent the gear I need? Or will the activities I'm thinking of have specialized gear provided? (Hint: most do) If you're attempting "extreme" minimalist travel, ask yourself.. Can I get by on just two or three sets of clothes? Am I willing to take 15-20 minutes out of my day to wash clothes? Am I comfortable making laundry a daily habit? Am I okay with planning out my days and taking into account how long it will take for my clothes to dry? (link to dry times) If you're debating on your laptop, accessories or electronics, ask yourself.. Do I absolutely need my laptop? Or can I do everything I need to do on my phone? (insert link) Have I looked into laptop alternatives that make working on my phone easier? (insert link) Do I need an eReader or tablet, or could I survive on my phone and audiobooks? (insert link) (Note: This post is under construction, check back later for more updates and useful questions!)