My version of minimalist travel is packing only the bare essentials; 2-3 days worth of clothes, a small hiking backpack and a few "must-have" items... your version may be completely different, check out What YOU Should Pack for a list of questions to ask yourself while packing and The Bare Essentials for my take on the absolute minimum necessary for minimalist traveling. Everything I pack fits into this 21L Mystery Ranch Backpack - small, comfortable and light enough to hike with; and the convenience of a butterfly-opening. Note: I've found "comfortable enough to hike with" to be the best determining factor for selecting a minimalist backpack. You can see what I've experimented with here. What I Pack I pack just three sets of clothes (with some variations), one pair of generic hiking/trail-running shoes, one pair of barefoot sandals, and a few essential "must-have" items. For clothes, I pack one pair of convertible hiking pants; two pairs of pocketed, multi-use, gym, swim and lounge-wear shorts, three quick-dry t-shirts, four pairs of boxers and four pairs of socks. If I'm traveling long-term or unsure of the climate, I'll add a pair of thermal underwear, a quick-drying, long-sleeve shirt (women's here) and a micro-puff jacket (women's here). And, of course, I'm wearing some of these clothes at any given time - hopefully. My essential items include a hanging toiletry bag, a universal travel adapter (or this), two portable wash bags* (one small, one large), a waterproof dry-sack, a portable charger, a floating/waterproof phone case, a water-resistant, shoulder-strap sling bag, and of course, my phone. Lastly, if I'm traveling indefinitely (as I was prior to Covid), I'll bring my 13in laptop. I wash one set of clothes every day, usually just a shirt and one or two pairs of socks and underwear. Every morning when I shower, I fill up my portable wash bag and let my clothes soak for ~15 minutes (or longer, if you want).. and when they're ready, I'll rinse them in the sink and hang them up to dry. It's an extremely quick process, taking less than 15 minutes a day, and for the benefit of a much smaller pack, definitely worth it. I go into excruciating detail in my post Laundry on the Road Part I (Washing), if you're interesting in learning more. When it's hot, you'll barely touch most of the clothes listed - hopefully you're strolling on a beach somewhere without a care in the world. When it's chilly, simply add layers; thermal underwear plus short-sleeve shirt plus long-sleeve shirt plus micro-puff jacket = more warmth than you might imagine; and if it's really chilly, you can find inexpensive hats, gloves, scarves, thick socks and just about anything you could possible want, wherever you are in the world. How I pack I call it The Minimalists Method (M²).. for no reason other than I felt like it needed a name.. :D I use the same portable wash-bag to compress my clothes when packing, it's better than compression bags because it has an air/water release valve that allows you to push all the air out prior to packing. I use two of them, a normal sized one and a Mini Ultra-Compact option for socks and underwear. While not completely necessary, you'll find it super helpful to have two options for washing clothes - and both bags can pull quadruple-duty as wash bags, dirty clothes bags, compressions bags and/or waterproof bags for your sensitive items. I also recommend a SeaToSummit dry sack - dry sacks are thinner, lighter, more flexible and far more versatile, versus laptop specific cases like the AquaQuest Storm - although this is one of the best options on the market, if you go that route. I prefer dry sacks because, as with the portable wash-bags, they can serve multiple purposes and give you the most flexibility for your buck. What I don't pack It's maybe worth nothing what I don't pack as well.. I don't pack a towel, they take up a lot of space and are almost always available for rent at the hostel, at the beach, or are provided freely if I'm pampering myself at a hotel. If you do decide to pack a towel, I'd actually steer clear of the ubiquitous, micro-fiber towels; despite their compact size, I find them very uncomfortable and not great at giving you that "dry" feeling after a shower. I don't pack more than 3-4 days worth of clothes, for reasons listed above, and the fact that you can purchase anything you might need on the road, if it becomes necessary. I don't pack a clothes line, or any variation of compact hanging lines; in all my travels, it's almost never been convenient to hang a line in the limited spaces provided by hostels; you're better off bringing a small bit of paracord in the rare cases you can use it. Summary Of course, no two people will ever pack the same, but hopefully this gives some insight into what and how you can pack to save space and maximize flexibility. Please feel free to comment or share your own packing list, I'd love to hear what methods people are using to keep their pack small, and what items are considered essential for your travels! Read Next: Laundry on the Road - Different methods for doing laundry on the road, and the pros and cons of each

(Updated June-2022) A continuously updated list of small, optional "extras" you might find useful while traveling. Most are obvious, but as new products get released, I'll try to update this post with the "latest and greatest" options for each category. Nano Day Bag I pack a SeaToSummit Nano Day Pack - while not a necessity with an already small backpack, I do find myself using it frequently, as you'll often be separating stuff into "things I'm bringing" and "things I'm not bringing" - it makes life just a little bit easier. Water-Proof Electronics Bag 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 lots of options. As a cheaper/smaller alternative, consider a floating water-proof phone bag - again there are lots of options, just make sure it's IPX8 certified (waterproof up to 100ft/30m). Check out my post on Choosing a Backpack for more detail and recs. Compression Bags I don't use compression bags, although they're great for organization, I prefer to use my wash-bags to compress and pack my clothes (see The Minimalist Method), but if you're packing a larger backpack and like how they look, to each their own! Search packing cubes on Amazon and pick your favorite color. 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. Earplugs I don't normally use reusable earplugs, I find them less comfortable than the throw-away plugs you can find at any convenient store, but I do keep a pair in my bag just in case; search "reusable sleeping earplugs" on Amazon. Multi-Functional Buff Considered an absolute must-have by many travelers, a multi-functional buff comes in handy as a face mask, neck warmer, headband or sleep mask. 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. Toiletry Bag /w Hooks You can easily use plastic bags for your toiletries, it's cheap, easy to replace and the epitome of minimalism; but after months and months of travel, I can't imagine having a toiletry bag without hooks, and for as little as $7 dollars, I think it's worth it. I'm currently traveling with Travelon toiletry bag because it's the smallest/lightest I could find, or search "small hanging toiletry bag" 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. RFID Protected Wallet & Key Holders Check out the Ridge Wallet and Key Holders for minimalist-style card and key holders. Collapsible Kitchenware If you do a lot of cooking in your hostel or Airbnb, you may find a collapsible spork to be a must-have; there are full-size and folding titanium options, or if you're worried about getting flagged for the metal on flights, there are plastic options as well. Not all hostels have kitchens, but those that do will almost always have kitchenware that you can use, but if you're really worried about it; you may want to consider collapsible cups or bowls as well. More to come soon!

For the sake of those who may not be convinced that minimalist travel is practical, cost effective, inspiring, easy, good for the environment and good for the soul.. here's a comprehensive list of all the benefits minimalist travel may have to offer.. From a practical perspective, the benefits of traveling light are numerous.. No luggage fees or lost bags - everything you own is always with you.. Freedom to change your plans on a whim.. ex. randomly renting a motorcycle and riding to the nearest volcano, or spontaneously jumping on a boat heading to an unexplored island.. Utilize full travel days - No need to stop at the hostel/hotel to drop off your bag.. ex. hitting the beach or going for a hike before catching your next bus/train, or jumping off your flight and heading straight to the nearest hot spot.. The ability to go with the flow if your plans change against your will.. ex. your flight gets cancelled and you're delayed a day - a smaller bag means you can leave your stuff in the tiny lockers provided by airports, train stations, hostels, etc.. or even better.. If you DO get stuck with your bag, it's far less of a burden to lug it around; you can comfortably explore a city, go on a hike, go to the beach, or do pretty much anything you might do on a normal day.. Easy packing and moving - no need to hunt down a million things when you're hungover and trying to catch a flight.. Less fear/worry of lost or stolen items - if you take the "true" minimalist approach, you can replace everything you need with just one or two quick stops.. In short, it's freedom... for when you don't have plans, don't want to make plans, or have to change plans unexpectedly. Beyond the practical benefits, it's worth noting some potentially overlooked benefits.. Less waste - when you embrace minimalism and/or minimalist travel, and start recognizing how little you actually need, your needs, and therefore your environmental impact is reduced.. Lower cost - even if you care nothing for the environment, the less stuff you have or need will inherently translate into less money spent on things.. Less space - it probably goes without saying, but when you pack like a minimalist, you simply don't need as much space; whether you're on a plane, a train or curled up on your hostel bed, less stuff equals more space... or more likely, just more space for other people.. It can be viewed as a stepping stone or trial run into the world of minimalism... if you're looking to downsize, move into a smaller home, or just looking to get rid of the junk that's been piling up.. minimalist travel can help you prepare your for minimalist living, if that's on your to-do list.. "Your life gets instantly simplified... gone are the days of deciding what to wear, when to do laundry or what to bring on your next big adventure (hint: you can bring everything).." And finally, from a philosophical perspective, minimalist travel can bring.. Peace of mind - the less stuff you have, the less you have to worry about losing things and the less likely you are to be emotionally tied to the things you do have.. Just imagine that brand new $300 "travel" bag getting stolen a week into your trip... now imagine losing that $30 camelback you randomly picked up from a local store down the street, which one makes you feel better? A simplified life - when you only have a few sets of clothes and few must-have items, your life gets instantly simplified; gone are the days of deciding what to wear, when to do laundry or what to bring on your next big adventure (hint: you can bring everything); it's nearly impossible to express how easy life is when everything you own fits in a tiny backpack; you may just have to experience it for yourself.. A taste of humility - go to almost any country with that giant backpack or suitcase, and you'll instantly feel out of place.. we are spoiled.. or rather.. we're sold the idea that we need lots of stuff to be comfortable, happy, productive, etc... but it's simply not true.. Try minimalist travel for a few weeks and you'll realize that you still have more stuff than 90% of the world; it is a humbling experience.. I could probably go on.. but I think this paints a decent picture; there are many, many reasons to embrace, or at least consider, minimalist travel.. The truth is, the list of things you absolutely need is tiny (see A True Minimalist), and, in fact, the less stuff you have, the more free you are likely to feel; this is true in life, and in travel. In the same way that camping can reconnect you with nature, minimalist travel can reconnect you to the simple fact that you can go almost anywhere in the world with just a passport and the clothes on your back. Not only that, it can also just be fun! There's something innately satisfying about finding new ways to make your pack smaller, or finding new tools that can do twice the work while taking up half the space - just how small can you really go? My goal isn't to sell you on minimalism, there are a ton of great websites touting the benefits of letting go.. https://www.becomingminimalist.com/ https://www.theminimalists.com/minimalism/) This site, rather, is meant to show you what's possible, what you can expect, what the limitations are and how you can get started if you're new to the world of packing light. Note: I travel with a 21L backpack - small, comfortable and light enough to hike with - but any bag in the 18-25L range should work. I've found "comfortable enough to hike with" to be the best determining factor for selecting a backpack - and no, I don't get paid to advertise products, these are just things I love and use! You can see what I've experimented with here. My hope is that by reading some of the articles and implementing some of the strategies, you can maximize your freedom and flexibility, while doing the things you love, and worrying less about what you have (or don't have). Read Next: Is Minimalist Travel Right For You? or The Five Types of Minimalists

Why a site dedicated to minimalist travel?? A few reasons actually, some selfless and some (admittedly) selfish; and while I don't think anyone really cares why I built this site.. sometimes I just need to journal it out for myself.. :) I was truly inspired by the "true" minimalist I met in Thailand, he had no worries and it really blew me away, and I think his perspective is worth sharing - check out The True Minimalist. I believe that if people recognize how little they actually need, how simple life can be, how stuff can weigh you down without realizing it, and how all the important things in life are free... the world might just be a better place.. that freedom from worry could translate into creative pursuits, more human connection, a healthier environment, etc... there are many, many potential benefits of minimalist travel, and I think it's worth sharing - check out The Benefits of Minimalist Travel. I'm a technologist and gadget junky at the core, and while the story above was extremely inspirational and eye-opening, I still love finding tools and methods that can make travel easier and more enjoyable.. it's a balancing act and a challenge, and who doesn't love a good challenge? Check out The Hypocrisy for a glimpse into my conflicted soul. It feeds my creative side, thinking about where we're at and what we're capable of today in terms of minimalist travel, thinking about what the future will hold, how travel will be different in 5, 10 or 15 years, and what tools or products could be developed to make travel easier for everyone - check out The Future of Work and Travel. I'm truly just curious if I'm a weirdo for being obsessed with this concept.. are there other travelers out here trying to do the same thing? Could we build a community of like-minded travelers that are always looking for ways to make travel easier? Lastly, minimalist or not, I think travel makes us better people, it's a way for us to connect with different cultures, different ways of life, different belief systems; and ultimately, finding commonality between us, despite our wildly different circumstances and upbringing; and the more exposure we get to alternative ways of thinking, the better off we are as a collective.. The point of this site isn't to tell people how to pack, what to pack or how to travel; instead, my hope is to.. Give some insight into minimalism in general, why it's important, how it can change your perspective, and how it may potentially benefit your life.. Help people understand the realities of minimalist travel; the pros, the cons, the benefits and the limitations of packing the bare minimum.. Share my experiences on the road, as examples of what you may run into and may want to prepare for before your trip.. Share how I pack and what I pack, in the hopes that it will give you some idea of what's possible, and potentially help you define your list of essentials.. Share new tools, products, toys, gear, methods and anything else I find that can make travel easier and more accessible to more people.. Provide ideas, options and alternatives to help minimize your pack.. Ultimately, I want people to know how easy it is to travel, how little you actually need to travel and how much inherent freedom you already have to go almost anywhere in the world with just the clothes on your back, despite our preconceived notions of what's "necessary" in today's modern world- in the hopes that it encourages more people to travel.

A made-up journey from pure minimalist to semi-minimalist to digital nomad.. just for fun! You live on an island, which is great, because you barely have any clothes; but your lack of stuff gives you an incredible sense of freedom and peace of mind; and aside from your passport, phone and wallet, everything you have is easily replaceable. The "True" Minimalist Must-Haves: Passport and ID Bank/credit card (or lots of cash) One or two pairs of clothes (hopefully weather-appropriate) Cheap generic shoes or sandals Cell phone, headphones, chargers A small bag or backpack (or plastic bag) But you're getting a bit edgy, island life is wearing off and you've done ALL the hikes multiple times.. it's time for a change; so you take a risk, upgrade your wardrobe (anticipating daily showers) and buy a couple tools to make the transition easier. The "Mostly" Minimalist Upgrades: Passport and ID Bank/credit card (or lots of cash) Two or three pairs of multi-function, quick-drying clothes Hiking or trail-running shoes, barefoot or minimalist sandals Cell phone, headphones, chargers, portable charger Small hiking backpack or hydration-pack (recommended 18-25L) Hanging toiletry bag, protective/waterproof phone case Portable wash-bag and/or sink stopper, paracord for washing/drying clothes Padlock for hotel/hostel lockers Universal travel adapter Towel CONGRATS! You left the island and made it to the mainland; you're still limited to hot or warm climates, but your new stuff makes laundry, hiking, beach days and hostel-living so much easier. But that only lasts a few months... after awhile, you're beached out, your skin is starting to feel like leather and people are starting to wonder if you're just visiting or actually living at the hostel. You decide to make a move, but you'll need some warmer clothes; and now that you're rejoining civilization, maybe some identity protection. The "More Than Mostly" Minimalist Upgrades: Passport and ID Bank/credit card (or lots of cash), RFID protected wallet Three or four pairs of multi-function, quick-drying clothes Thermal underwear, long-sleeve shirt, compressible jacket or raincoat Hiking or trail-running shoes, barefoot or minimalist sandals Cell phone, headphones, chargers, solar powered portable charger Medium-sized hiking backpack or hydration-pack (recommended 18-25L) Hanging toiletry bag, protective/waterproof phone case Portable wash-bag and/or sink stopper, paracord for washing/drying clothes Padlock for hotel/hostel lockers Universal travel adapter Towel At the expense of a bigger backpack and some additional space, you just bought yourself 10 degrees North or South.. you can now visit bigger cities and cooler climates, and the options feel endless.. But boredom strikes again, you've explored the city, seen all the sights, filled your brain with history and culture but now, now you want to contribute.. you don't just want to see how history unfolded, now you want to make history; it's a sad (or happy) day, but it's time to get a laptop. The "High-Tech" Minimalist Upgrades: Passport and ID Bank/credit card (or lots of cash), RFID protected wallet Three or four pairs of multi-function, quick-drying clothes Thermal underwear, long-sleeve shirt, compressible jacket or raincoat Hiking or trail-running shoes, barefoot or minimalist sandals 13-14in Laptop, cell phone, headphones, chargers, solar powered portable charger Medium-sized backpack, laptop bag or hydration-pack (recommended 18-25L) Hanging toiletry bag, protective/waterproof phone case, dry-sack for electronics Portable wash-bag and/or sink stopper, paracord for washing/drying clothes Padlock for hotel/hostel lockers Universal travel adapter Towel You're still mobile, but now you can work; your bag is a little bigger and a little heavier, but you're still super flexible, and you can always revisit those islands when you need a mental break. You're happy for now, you can see yourself upgrading a few things to make work a bit easier, but that's in the future, and you're focused on the now.

In its simplest form, minimalist travel is packing only the bare essentials, and nothing else, for long or short-term travel. Minimalist travel can mean different things to different people.. everyone's list of "necessities" is different, and no two people will ever pack the same; so the best I can do is give you my take, in the hopes that it can help you define what minimalist travel might look like for you. On one hand, minimalist travel can be considered an offshoot of minimalism in general... where it's more about letting go of our attachment to things and remembering that we don't need nearly as much as we think in order to survive (or travel). Note: If you haven't read A True Minimalist yet, it's a good starting point to get an idea of what's possible. From this perspective, minimalist travel can serve as a reminder of how little we actually need, how easy life is with less stuff, and how freeing it can feel when we're not weighed down by our things. If you take this approach to travel, it's helpful to remember a few key things.. Everything you could possibly need is available for purchase, anywhere in the world, often for very cheap; so you don't have to worry at all about what you're packing; clothes, toiletries, power cords, and power banks, gloves, jackets, hats, you name it; if you're going where people live, you're going to find everything you need to live; so yes, you could grab your passport right now, hop on a plane and fly to Thailand, if you wanted.. and you'd be fine. No one cares what you look like when you're in another country, you're going to stand out no matter what you wear; this simple concept can make it infinitely easier to disconnect from your things; no longer are we worried about packing fancy "night on the town" outfits, wearing hiking boots into a bar, or matching hats and belts to shoes; it simple doesn't matter; and once you stop caring what you look like, you can easily simplify your wardrobe to just a few, every day, all day outfits. Lastly, if you've fully embraced the concept of detaching from your "stuff," it frees you up to purchase and donate, lend and borrow, rent and lease whatever you may need, when you need it; versus buying custom-made travel gear for every situation. So instead of worrying about that $100 ultralight, portable, packable puffer jacket, you'd perhaps, instead, buy a cheap, $20 jacket from a local store wherever you're staying, and leave it or donate it to future travelers; or instead of buying that fancy, $200 state-of-the-art digital nomad backpack, you'd take a cheap, forgotten computer bag you find in your closet, and it's one less thing to worry about; or better yet, don't even bring your laptop. Even if you have zero interest in minimalism in general, this minimalist approach to travel can be extremely eye-opening and enlightening.. and I'd highly encourage you to explore the idea, or dare say, try it, and see if or how your perspective changes. On the other hand, and for many people, minimalist travel may be more about efficiency and flexibility; efficiency in that you want to pack as light as possible, in the smallest footprint possible, and flexibility because you know that by packing light, you maximize your time and give yourself the ultimate freedom in terms of travel plans. From this perspective, it's more about finding the latest and greatest tools, tricks and methods to keep your pack small without sacrificing modern comforts. "For me, personally, minimalist travel is packing only the bare essentials, a week's worth of clothes, a small hiking backpack and just a few "must-have" items..." For me, minimalist travel is a combination of embracing some of the core concepts of minimalism above; with the realities of our desire for comfort, flexibility and style; it's attempting to take the best of what minimalism has to offer and the best of what technology has to offer, and finding a perfect balance between the two; it's packing only the bare essentials; a week's worth of clothes, a small hiking backpack and a few "must-have" items... and keeping a constant eye out for tools or gadgets that add value without sacrificing mobility or peace of mind. I keep my pack small by packing just a few sets of clothes and doing laundry every day.. it's humbling, therapeutic, and, oddly enough, helps me keep a healthier schedule. This change, along with being okay with looking like a full-time trail guide at all times; drastically simplifies what goes into the pack; and with it, comes all the benefits of packing light. For you, minimalist travel may be completely different... maybe it's one full weeks' worth of clothes and all the latest gadgets; or maybe it's less stuff, less clothes and even more freedom. At the end of the day, each person's list of "must haves" and "nice-to-haves" will be different, and your definition of minimalist travel will be tailored to you and distinctly unique. I built this site with the hopes of helping people recognize how easy it is to travel and how little you actually need; while at the same time, sharing what I've learned and experienced, in the hopes that it will help you build a travel style that fits you best. If you haven't yet, check out The Bare Essentials for my take on the absolute minimum needed to travel, and The Minimalist Method to see how and what I pack. Read Next: WHY Minimalist Travel? or Is Minimalist Travel Right For You?

Suggestions for what to look for in travel-specific clothing.. Clothes are always personal, but in general, try to focus on multi-use, quick-dry, light-weight and comfortable. Durability is actually less important if you're traveling long-term and packing just a few sets; they will wear out and you will need to replace them as your socks get holes, your shirts get stains and your swim trunks get forgotten in the shower; which is why I'm a proponent of inexpensive, easily replaceable stuff wherever possible. That being said, there are a few hard and fast rules to live by.. 1) don't skimp on shoes - you'll be wearing these a lot and they must be comfortable, and ideally multi-use.. 2) always go for quick-dry clothing if possible - drying is the biggest inconvenience when you're washing every day, and quick-dry clothing makes it so much easier.. 3) start flexible - utilize convertible hiking pants and shorts that triple as workout clothes, beach or lounge-wear.. 4) stay flexible - aside from (potentially) big-ticket items like shoes, pants and jackets, everything else should be inexpensive and easily replaceable. Lastly, zippered pockets are a traveler's best friend, I look for multiple zippered-pockets whenever I'm upgrading or changing out clothes; hopefully you won't have to do this too often for your pants and jackets, so plan ahead if you're purchasing clothes prior to your trip. Pants - I pack two pairs of quick-dry, convertible hiking pants, although you could easily get away with one. I'm generally wearing one pair while the other is drying, and they have the added benefit of working fine as swim trunks/lounge-wear. I went with Columbia brand (women's here) as they were comfortable, light-weight and had plenty of zippered pockets. Shirts - I recommend sticking to a generic, inexpensive brand - so long as they are quick-drying. I purchased a 5-pack of Real Essentials Crew-Neck T-Shirts (women's here) and picked my favorite four colors; for $33 total, it's the easy button and they're perfectly comfortable for every day wear. I also pack a single, long-sleeve, quick-drying shirt (hood optional) - even for hot climates - as you'll appreciate the option to add a layer on those randomly chilly nights (search here on Amazon). Socks - Anything will do, socks are cheap, take up minimal space and should always be easily replaceable on the road. Underwear - I'll again recommend any generic brand, but it's worth noting that I love and exclusively wear Exofficio (anti-bacterial, odor-resistant) boxer briefs (women's here).. I'm sure there are comparable and/or identical generic brands that cost less, but when you find something you love, you stick with it. Swimsuits - Men's suits are, by nature, light-weight and quick-drying - on top of that, I recommend finding a brand that has multiple, zippered pockets and a style/fit that allows them to double as workout gear (I pack two pairs). You may want to consider whether or not your shorts have a mesh lining; comfort is king when you're wearing the same clothes every day, so keep that in mind and stick with what you like if you're traveling long-term. Unfortunately, I can't speak to the options for women, but thankfully swimsuits don't take up too much space, so I'd imagine the additional item wouldn't cause much of an issue. Optional Clothing Jackets - Jackets take up a lot of space, and by sticking to warmer climates, you can (hopefully) ignore this all-together, but for those of you traveling to cooler climates or multiple destinations, you may want to opt for a light-weight, water-resistant, compressible puffer jacket (men's here, women's here). A word to the wise.. use clear nail polish to seal up any nicks or scratches, it's cheap and easy and it will give your jacket some extra life when you inevitably snag it on a tree branch. Ponchos - You can buy cheap, throw-away ponchos anywhere, but if you're looking to reduce waste and don't mind the additional space, opt for a fancy one that doubles as a park blanket; check out Agptek or SaphiRose, or search "reusable lightweight ponchos" on Amazon for options. Thermal Underwear - Even in the warmest of climates, it gets cold sometimes, so I (sometimes) pack one set of thermal underwear just in case; this is completely optional, as you can easily purchase additional layers if you find yourself in a cold spell. Note: If you're traveling to cooler climates, and only cooler climates, it's actually just as easy to keep your bag small; you'll be layering your clothes every day, so you should still only have to wash socks, underwear and an undershirt on a regular basis.

I call it the Minimalist Method, or M² for short. It's really just a fancy name for how I pack as efficiently as possible; I know it won't work for everyone, but I thought I'd share my process/methods in case others found it useful or insightful. To start, I pack just 2-3 days worth of clothes, a small hiking backpack and a few "must-have" items. Everything I pack fits into this 21L backpack - 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 backpack; you can see what I've experimented with here. What I Pack To start, I pack just three sets of clothes (with some variations), one pair of generic hiking/trail-running shoes, one pair of barefoot sandals, and a few essential "must-have" items. For clothes, I pack two pairs of convertible hiking pants, two pairs of pocketed, multi-use, gym/swim/lounge-wear shorts, four quick-dry t-shirts, five pairs of boxers and five pairs of socks. If I expect to visit cooler climates, I'll add a pair of thermal underwear, a quick-drying, long-sleeve shirt (men's here, women's here) and a micro-puff jacket (men's here, women's here). And, of course, I'm wearing some of these clothes at any given time - hopefully. The essential items include a hanging toiletry bag, a universal travel adapter (or this), two portable wash bags (one small, one large), one waterproof dry-sack, a portable charger, a floating/waterproof phone case, a water-resistant, shoulder-strap sling bag, and my phone. Lastly, if I'm traveling indefinitely (as I was prior to Covid), I'll bring my 13in laptop. How I Pack I use the same portable wash-bag to compress my clothes when packing, it's better than compression bags because it has an air/water release valve that allows you to push all the air out prior to packing. How I Minimize I wash one set of clothes every day, usually just a shirt and one or two pairs of socks and underwear. Every morning when I shower, I fill up my portable wash bag and let my clothes soak for ~30 minutes (or longer, if you want) - when they're ready, rinse them in the sink and hang them up to dry. It's an extremely quick process, taking less than 15 minutes a day, and for the benefit of a much smaller pack, definitely worth it. I use two of them, the normal sized one shown above, and a Mini Ultra-Compact (below) for socks and underwear. While not completely necessary, you'll find it super helpful to have two options for washing clothes - and both bags pull quadruple-duty as wash-bags, dirty-clothes bags, compressions-packing bags or waterproof bags for your sensitive items. When it's hot, you'll barely touch most of the clothes listed - hopefully you're strolling a beach somewhere without a care in the world. When it's chilly, simply add layers; thermal underwear + short-sleeve(s) + long-sleeve + micro-puff jacket = more warmth than you might imagine; and if it's really chilly, you can find inexpensive hats, gloves, scarves, thick socks and just about anything you could possible want, wherever you are in the world. I go into excruciating detail on washing clothes on the road in my post Laundry on the Road, if you're interesting in learning more. I also recommend a SeaToSummit dry sack - dry sacks are thinner, lighter, more flexible and far more versatile, versus laptop specific cases like the AquaQuest Storm - although this is one of the best options on the market, if you go that route. I prefer dry sacks because, as with the portable wash-bags, they can serve multiple purposes and give you the most flexibility for your buck. What I Don't Pack I don't pack a towel, they take up a lot of space and are almost always available for rent at the hostel, at the beach, or are provided freely if I'm pampering myself at a hotel. If you do decide to pack a towel, I'd actually steer clear of the ubiquitous, micro-fiber towels; despite their compact size, I find them very uncomfortable and not great at giving you that "dry" feeling after a shower. I don't pack more than 3-4 days worth of clothes, for reasons listed above, and the fact that you can purchase anything you might need on the road, if it becomes necessary. I don't pack a clothes line, or any variation of compact hanging lines; in all my travels, it's almost never been convenient to hang a line in the limited spaces provided by hostels; you're better off bringing a small bit of paracord in the rare cases you can use it. Check out What Not to Bring for more thoughts and recommendations. More Information Check out What YOU Should Pack for a list of questions to ask yourself while packing, The Bare Essentials for my take on the absolute minimum necessary for minimalist travel, or Clothes and Gear for more space saving tools and products. Please feel free to comment or share your own packing list, I'd love to hear what methods people are using to keep their pack small, and what items are considered essential for your travels!

As I've mentioned in a few of my articles, I argue that all you really need to travel is your passport, some way to pay for things (presumably) and whatever clothes you're wearing.. (see The True Minimalist). That being said, you probably don't want to walk around naked while your clothes are washing/drying, so maybe it's a passport, cash and two sets of clothes... crazy talk I know; but with things like the No Bag Challenge, it's 100% doable and, in my opinion, a great way to travel - with a few tweaks to make life a little easier. So what are the bare essentials? In my semi-professional opinion, just these eight (ish) things.. A generic hiking backpack (18-25L) Two to three sets of multi-function, quick-drying clothes* A generic pair of hiking shoes A sink stopper or portable wash bag (or two) A toiletry bag (or Ziploc bags work too) Universal travel adapter + power cables Phone, wallet, passport, etc. Headphones, portable charger, sandals, dry-sack (optional) I'd argue that this is all you really need to travel - if you're sticking to warmer climates. The list seems small, doesn't it? That's because you truly don't need much to go anywhere in the world.. okay "anywhere" might be a bit of a stretch.. but if you're careful with where you go and when you go, you can easily get by with just the things on this list (or less). It's so easy to overpack for "what if" situations, and a much better question to ask is.. "What's the worst that could happen if I don't bring this thing?" And usually, the answer is... you replace it. So yes, you can hop on a plane right now and go anywhere you want - and assuming you have some money in your bank account, you'll survive just fine. Will you be comfortable? Maybe not at first, but it would take half a day to get back to some sense of normalcy, and the freedom that comes with knowing how free you are, is priceless. As stated in the title, this is an opinion piece, and I don't expect my packing list to match up with yours (or anyone's) - but if you're curious how I pack so little, check out the The Minimalist Method (M²) and the How-To Guides for details. Read Next: The Minimalist Method

A packing list for the "mostly" minimalist.. Must-Haves: Passport and ID Bank/credit card (or lots of cash) Two or three pairs of multi-function, quick-drying clothes Hiking or trail-running shoes, barefoot or minimalist sandals Cell phone, headphones, chargers, portable charger Small hiking backpack or hydration-pack (recommended 18-25L) Hanging toiletry bag, protective/waterproof phone case Portable wash-bag and/or sink stopper, paracord for washing/drying clothes Padlock for hotel/hostel lockers Universal travel adapter Towel Pros Minimal investment in clothes and gear Near complete freedom from worry or attachment to things Partially (mostly) flexible travel destinations.. if you plan ahead for weather/seasons Fairly minimal cost to replace everything Cons Limited to cool/warm/hot climates (but not cold) Ideally need to wash one set of clothes daily at a minimum Read Next: The High-Tech Minimalist (Packing List)

A packing list for those looking to go "full on" minimalist... Must-Haves: Passport and ID Bank/credit card (or lots of cash) One or two pairs of clothes (hopefully weather-appropriate) Cheap generic shoes or sandals Cell phone, headphones, chargers A small bag or backpack (or plastic bag) Optional Add-ons/Upgrades: A small bag or backpack Third pair of clothes (crazy I know) Sink stopper for washing clothes (if you're not doing it in the shower).. Paracord for hanging/drying clothes Padlock for hotel/hostel lockers Universal travel adapter Towel (maybe) Pros Near complete freedom from worry or attachment to things Everything is replaceable at minimal cost Cons Limited to warm/hot climates (doesn't sound too bad, does it?) Ideally need to wash one set of clothes daily at a minimum Read Next: The "Mostly" Minimalist Packing List

Must-Haves: Passport and ID Bank/credit card (or lots of cash), RFID protected wallet Three or four pairs of multi-function, quick-drying clothes Thermal underwear, long-sleeve shirt, compressible jacket or raincoat Hiking or trail-running shoes, barefoot or minimalist sandals 13-14in laptop, cell phone, headphones, chargers, solar powered portable charger Medium-sized backpack, laptop bag or hydration-pack (recommended 18-25L) Hanging toiletry bag, protective/waterproof phone case, dry-sack for electronics Portable wash-bag and/or sink stopper, paracord for washing/drying clothes Padlock for hotel/hostel lockers Universal travel adapter Towel Optional Add-ons / Upgrades: Portable/waterproof music/audiobook player E-Reader, Kindle/Fire or iPad GoPro camera/recorder Heated feet and hand warmers Smart watch Pros Highest level of comfort, convenience and flexibility Extremely flexible travel destinations, weather be damned Cons High up-front cost, higher risk of stolen gear, high cost to replace everything Ideally need to wash one set of clothes daily at a minimum Read Next: The Evolution of a Minimalist