How-To Guides Recommended Articles: The 5 Methods for Doing Laundry on the Road - The pros and cons of each method 9 Tips for Booking the Perfect Hostel - D on't let a bad hostel ruin your experience 50+ Travel Tips for First-Time International Travelers - 50+ tips collected over years of travel ​ Jul 8, 2021 4 min Drying Clothes on the Road Laundry on the road, drying clothes while traveling; clotheslines, hangers and portable dryers. 106 0 Jul 5, 2021 5 min Laundry on the Road Laundry on the road, hand-washing in the sink, washing in the shower, portable wash-bags and other methods for doing laundry while traveling 103 0 Jun 25, 2021 3 min Washing Clothes in the Shower Washing your clothes in the shower, hand washing, sink washing, wash bags, etc. 641 0

Packing Tips & Guides Recommended Articles: 9 Tips for Packing Fewer Clothes - For long or short-term travelers Top 10 Ways to Minimize Your Pack - For long-term travelers looking to minimize their pack 6 Packing Rules to Live By - six things to keep in mind while you pack ​ 2 days ago 3 min 8 Things You SHOULD Pack for Long-Term Travel 8 things you should consider packing for long-term travel. 8 0 2 days ago 13 min 50+ Tips for First Time Travelers 50+ travel tips for first time international travelers and anyone looking to minimize their pack. 6 0 4 days ago 8 min 16 Things You Should NEVER Pack 16 things you should never pack for long-term travel. 12 0 4 days ago 6 min 9 Tips for Packing Fewer Clothes 9 tips for packing fewer clothes for long or short-term travel 16 0 5 days ago 4 min The 6 Packing Rules You MUST Follow (for Long-Term Travel) Six simple rules to follow while prepping and packing for long-term travel. Rule 1 - If you're unsure if you'll need it, DON'T BRING IT.... 16 0 6 days ago 6 min The 7 Things You MUST Pack for Long-Term Travel The only 7 things you need for long-term travel (a minimalist's packing list) 20 0 Mar 10 7 min The Ultimate Guide to Minimizing Your Pack 12 Tips for Keeping Your Pack as Small as Possible Please note: this post is geared toward long-term travelers and digital nomads and is... 16 0 Feb 1, 2023 5 min Top 10 Ways to Minimize Your Pack The top 10 ways to minimize what you pack for short or long-term travel. 19 0

Everything Else Philosophy and Opinion Pieces Recommended Articles: ​ The "True" Minimalist (An Inspirational Story) - arguably a " must read " and the inspiration for this site What IS Minimalist Travel - an attempt at defining minimalist travel WHY Minimalist Travel? - beyond the practical benefits, why is minimalist travel worth trying? The Benefits of Minimalist Travel - a comprehensive list of the benefits of minimalist travel and why it's worth trying The Hypocrisy - the struggle between "letting go" of material things while embracing necessities and "toys" 5 days ago 6 min 12 Major Benefits of Minimalist Travel 12 major benefits of minimalist travel and why it's worth trying. 12 0 Post not marked as liked Jul 28, 2022 4 min The Hypocrisy The struggle between "letting go" (pure minimalism) and embracing technology and useful products. 14 0 Post not marked as liked Jul 26, 2022 2 min What If I Told You.. Grab your passport and go, right now; you'll be amazed at what you discover. 8 0 Post not marked as liked Jul 26, 2022 2 min No One Cares (Except Maybe You) Tips to minimize what you pack (hint: no one cares what you wear or how you look when you're traveling). 27 0 Post not marked as liked Jun 28, 2022 4 min The Benefits of Minimalist Travel For the sake of those who may not be convinced that minimalist travel is practical, cost effective, inspiring, easy, good for the... 59 0 Post not marked as liked Jun 14, 2022 4 min What IS Minimalist Travel? What does it mean to you, what are your goals and how do you want to travel? 100 0 Post not marked as liked Jul 15, 2021 4 min Why Minimalist Travel? From the practical to the philosophical to the fun, why minimalist travel is worth trying and how you can get started. 112 0 Post not marked as liked

Clothes, Tools, Backpacks and Gear A continuously updated list of the latest and greatest space-saving clothes and travel wear. ​ Laptop Accessories and Alternatives - Laptop accessories and work-from-anywhere alternatives (2022 , 2023) Phone Accessories and Adapters - Phone accessories and convenient extras (2022 , 2023) Space Saving Gadgets and Electronics - What to pack to simplify and minimize cables, cords, and power - under construction! Space Saving Toiletries (unisex) - Upgrade your bathroom game (and finally have an excuse for being in there so long..) Convenient Extras - Optional "extras" you may want to consider for travel - not required, but useful Top Space Saving Items for Minimalist Travel (2022) - coming soon! ​ Other Recommended Articles: ​ Travel Clothes (What To Look For) - Recommendations and considerations for travel-specific clothing Favorite Space-Saving Items - My favorite space-saving items for use at home and while traveling​ Warm Weather Travel Gear - Clothing and gear recommendations for warm, hot, or rainy climates - coming soon! Cold Weather Travel Gear - Clothing and gear recommendations for cool, cold or wet climates - coming soon! All Weather Travel Gear - Clothing and gear recommendations for moderate or varied climates - coming soon! 5 days ago 2 min Tom's Minimalist Packing List (2024) A minimalist packing list for 2024. 9 0 Feb 4, 2023 3 min Oh My God, Shoes! The number one problem people seem to run into when trying to pack, for short or long-term travel, is shoes. And rightfully so.. there is... 34 0 Dec 30, 2022 1 min Top Laptop Accessories 2022 External Portable Monitor - Bluetooth Mouse (rechargeable lithium battery, no USB plug) Bluetooth Keyboard (rechargeable lithium battery,... 5 0 Dec 30, 2022 2 min Top Phone Accessories 2022 The best minimalist phone accessories for 2022. 3 0 Aug 8, 2022 2 min Laptop Accessories and Alternatives Options and accessories for remote work, laptop tools and alternatives, phone-as-a-laptop thoughts and recommendations. 24 0 Aug 4, 2022 7 min Choosing a Backpack Bag and backpack considerations for minimalist travel. 56 0 Jul 26, 2022 3 min Electronics and Gadgets Portable chargers, cables, tech and gadgets for long-term minimalist travel. 13 0 Jul 26, 2022 2 min Space Saving Toiletries Space saving toiletry items for long-term minimalist travel. 22 0 Jul 26, 2022 3 min The Bare Essentials (Packing List) A list of what I consider bare essentials for any long-term travel, minimalist or otherwise. 32 0 Jul 19, 2022 1 min Space Saving Items Space saving items for daily use and minimalist travel. 28 0 Jun 30, 2022 3 min Convenient Extras (Gear) A list of convenient extras that make minimalist travel a little easier. 49 0 Jul 9, 2021 4 min Cold Weather Travel How to keep your pack small when you're expecting cold weather. 18 0 1 2

Getting Started Guides If you're new to the site, and have never heard of minimalist travel , check out.. The "True" Minimalist - A true story showing what's possible, and the inspiration for this site Why Minimalist Travel - A comprehensive list of the benefits of minimalist travel and why it's worth trying Is Minimalist Travel Right For You? - Questions to ask yourself if you're considering minimalist travel ​ Other Recommended Articles: The Bare Essentials - The absolute minimum required to travel, with some limitations (opinion piece) Pre-Travel Questionnaire - Questions to ask yourself before packing for long-term travel The Minimalist Method - How and what I pack to minimize space and maximize flexibility 2 days ago 3 min 8 Things You SHOULD Pack for Long-Term Travel 8 things you should consider packing for long-term travel. 8 0 2 days ago 13 min 50+ Tips for First Time Travelers 50+ travel tips for first time international travelers and anyone looking to minimize their pack. 5 0 4 days ago 8 min 16 Things You Should NEVER Pack 16 things you should never pack for long-term travel. 12 0 4 days ago 6 min 9 Tips for Packing Fewer Clothes 9 tips for packing fewer clothes for long or short-term travel 15 0

Tests and Experiments Using nothing but small children and lab rats.. or lab children and small rats.. whichever you prefer.. (it's a JOKE Google!).. Below are the results of hundreds upon hundreds of hours of testing and re-testing; applying, un-applying and re-applying; researching and reverse-engineering; purchasing and returning; reaching out to fellow unaccredited scientists and local "experts," and in every conceivable way.. testing the assumptions we've unconsciously internalized from spending hours and hours soaking up ads on Instagram and TikTok.. i.e. my own personal version of Myth Busters for Travelers. ​ I'm a bit skeptical, skeptical that the way we do things is the only way to do things.. and partially convinced that businesses (large or small) have a vested interest in making sure we keep doing things the way we do them now... even if there's a better, cheaper or more environmentally friendly option.. for fear of doing anything that might affect their lines of business or revenue generating products. ​ And so, I've created this page as a landing zone for at-home research, product testing and scientifically rigorous experiments designed to answer some age-old questions like... ​ How often do you really need to wash your clothes? Are washing machines the best and/or only option? Is laundry detergent necessary or could I just use water? Does it matter what kind of soap I even use? Are quick-dry fabrics really quick-drying? Are moisture-wicking fabrics really moisture-wicking? A re stain-proof clothes really stain-proof? Are anti-bacterial clothes really anti-bacterial? In other words, a re travel-specific clothes worth it? Etc. ​ This is just a start, but you may find the results interesting, and maybe it will change how you live and possibly.. how you travel. :) Check back soon Once posts are published, you’ll see them here.

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Acerca de About For the past year, I've been testing, experimenting and traveling with nothing but a 21L backpack (yes, you read that right!). A personal experiment in frugality, simplicity, minimalism and mindset; everything I travel with fits in this little backpack. ​ This blog is dedicated to showing you the tools and tricks I've used for traveling with as little as possible, with the hopes that other minimalists and "light packers" will share their tips for getting by with nothing but the bare essentials. ​ I would love your thoughts/comments/feedback on my approach as well as any tips, tricks or tools you use to reduce your footprint. ​ Please feel free to comment, ask questions or post your own advice - or contact me directly below! ​ Happy traveling.. :) ​ Read Next: Why Minimalist Travel Get in touch! Questions, comments, feedback or recommendations? Shoot me a message - I'd love to hear from you! First Name Last Name Email Thanks for submitting! Message Send

Everything Else Site Map / Pages: ​ Getting Started Guides - Questions to ask yourself if you're planning for a long trip and how to get started "going minimalist" FAQs and Q&As - Questions you may be asking yourself if you're considering minimalist travel How-To Guides - Methods and tips that can be applied to minimize your pack for short or long-term travel Packing Guides - Recommendations and packing tips for various locations/climates/activities, etc. Clothes an d Gear - Recommendations for clothes, tools, products and gear designed to minimize your footprint Tests and Experiments - Testing assumptions , products and methods as they relate to minimalist travel - coming someday Philosophy - Thoughts and opinions on minimalism, minimalist travel and the future of work and travel Blog Posts - All the posts in one spot, moderately organized, as much as my brain allows About / History / Why - How I got started with minimalist travel and why I built this site :) ​ Recommended Articles: The Bare Essentials - The absolute minimum required to travel, with some limitations (opinion piece) The Future of Work and Travel - What work may look like in the future and how it will change minimalist travel The Five Types of Minimalist - A completely made-up categorization of the five "types" of minimalists and how they pack Feb 8, 2023 3 min Fair Weather Travel The case for fair-weather and summer vs winter travel. Advice for long-term travelers. 15 0 Post not marked as liked Feb 6, 2023 4 min Realities and Limitations A comprehensive list of the limitations inherent to minimalist travel. 10 0 Post not marked as liked Jan 22, 2023 2 min Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime Anyone, anywhere, anytime; the ultimate goal. 7 0 Post not marked as liked Dec 29, 2022 1 min What is Long-Term Travel? What is long-term travel? 11 0 Post not marked as liked Jul 6, 2022 4 min The Future of Travel The future of work and travel. What travel may look like in 5, 10 or 15 years. 11 0 Post not marked as liked Jul 5, 2022 3 min The Future of Work and Travel The future of work as it relates to travel. 14 0 Post not marked as liked Jul 3, 2022 6 min The Dream The ultimate goal, to give people the freedom and knowledge that they can go anywhere at anytime with minimal effort or planning. 12 0 Post not marked as liked Jun 28, 2022 4 min The Benefits of Minimalist Travel For the sake of those who may not be convinced that minimalist travel is practical, cost effective, inspiring, easy, good for the... 59 0 Post not marked as liked Jun 28, 2022 3 min The Goal of This Site Why a site dedicated to minimalist travel?? A few reasons actually, some selfless and some (admittedly) selfish; and while I don't think... 13 0 Post not marked as liked Jun 16, 2022 3 min The Evolution of a Minimalist A made-up journey from "true" minimalist travel to digital nomad. 14 0 Post not marked as liked Jun 14, 2022 4 min What IS Minimalist Travel? What does it mean to you, what are your goals and how do you want to travel? 100 0 Post not marked as liked May 2, 2022 2 min The Bare Essentials (Opinion Piece) The bare minimum necessary to travel. 59 0 Post not marked as liked 1 2

Welcome Welcome to Mr. Minimalist! My name is Tom, full-time traveler, and part-time blogger. I spend most of my waking hours thinking of ways to make travel easier for as many people as possible. That obsession has translated into what you see here, a hodgepodge of travel tips, packing tips, how-to guides, and references to space-saving gadgets and tools. I'm not here to sell you anything, and I don't get commission for any of the products I reference, I simply want people to know how simple and easy travel can be, and how little you actually need. The tips found here are things I wish I'd known before hitting the road many years ago, so it's great for people planning, or considering, long-term travel. As the name suggests, many articles are focused on minimalist travel, but the packing tips and how-to guides are applicable to a wide range of travelers. ​ If you're interested in staying up to date on the latest travel hacks, packing tips or products that help minimize your pack, I send out a monthly newsletter with the highlights, feel free to join! Getting Started Some Frequently Asked Questions on Minimalist Travel and how to get started. Minimalist Travel (A Brief Overview) The what, why and how of minimalist travel. The 12 Major Benefits of Minimalist Travel 12 reasons everyone should give minimalist travel a try (at least once). The ONLY Things You Need for Long-Term Travel The 7.. (maybe 12) things you should prioritize and pack prior to leaving the country. 16 Things You Should NEVER Pack Sixteen things you should avoid packing for long or short-term travel. 6 Packing Rules You MUST Follow (for Long-Term Travel) Six packing rules for minimalist and long-term travelers. 50+ Tips for First Time International Travelers A consolidated list of travel advice spanning years, for long or short-term travelers. Subscribe to Newsletter For travel hacks, packing tips, how-to guides and product updates. Enter your email here Sign Up Thanks for submitting! Packing Tips & Travel Hacks 2 days ago 3 min 8 Things You SHOULD Pack for Long-Term Travel 8 things you should consider packing for long-term travel. 8 0 2 days ago 13 min 50+ Tips for First Time Travelers 50+ travel tips for first time international travelers and anyone looking to minimize their pack. 5 0 4 days ago 8 min 16 Things You Should NEVER Pack 16 things you should never pack for long-term travel. 12 0 4 days ago 6 min 9 Tips for Packing Fewer Clothes 9 tips for packing fewer clothes for long or short-term travel 15 0 5 days ago 4 min The 6 Packing Rules You MUST Follow (for Long-Term Travel) Six simple rules to follow while prepping and packing for long-term travel. Rule 1 - If you're unsure if you'll need it, DON'T BRING IT.... 16 0 5 days ago 6 min The 7 Things You MUST Pack for Long-Term Travel The only 7 things you need for long-term travel (a minimalist's packing list) 20 0 Mar 10 7 min The Ultimate Guide to Minimizing Your Pack 12 Tips for Keeping Your Pack as Small as Possible Please note: this post is geared toward long-term travelers and digital nomads and is... 16 0 Feb 1, 2023 5 min Top 10 Ways to Minimize Your Pack The top 10 ways to minimize what you pack for short or long-term travel. 18 0 1 2 3 How To Guides 1 day ago 5 min 9 Tips for Booking the Perfect Hostel 9+ travel tips for booking the perfect hostel. 6 0 2 days ago 13 min 50+ Tips for First Time Travelers 50+ travel tips for first time international travelers and anyone looking to minimize their pack. 5 0 Jul 8, 2021 4 min Drying Clothes on the Road Laundry on the road, drying clothes while traveling; clotheslines, hangers and portable dryers. 105 0 Jul 5, 2021 5 min Laundry on the Road Laundry on the road, hand-washing in the sink, washing in the shower, portable wash-bags and other methods for doing laundry while traveling 102 0

Why Minimalism isn't about having less stuff.. it’s about letting go of societal constructs that you need to look a certain way, have certain things, or live a particular lifestyle. Minimalist travel is a reminder that you don't need anything.. it's an exercise in letting go of what you've been taught about what to wear, how to look and how to live. I've spent the last year living and traveling out of a 21L backpack.. and I couldn't be happier. Yes, you will need some stuff to make this possible, but it's actually much easier than you might think. However, minimalism is a two-way street.. you WILL have to give up some of your usual comforts, you WILL have to plan ahead each day and you WILL have to learn some new ways of doing things - but I think, if you're willing to try it out for awhile, you might just realize you can get by with far less than you ever imagined. ​ Read Next: Why Minimalism or Why Minimalist Travel Why: Blog2 Custom Feed Feb 8, 2023 3 min Fair Weather Travel The case for fair-weather and summer vs winter travel. Advice for long-term travelers. 15 0 Post not marked as liked Feb 6, 2023 4 min Realities and Limitations A comprehensive list of the limitations inherent to minimalist travel. 10 0 Post not marked as liked Jan 22, 2023 2 min Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime Anyone, anywhere, anytime; the ultimate goal. 7 0 Post not marked as liked Dec 29, 2022 1 min What is Long-Term Travel? What is long-term travel? 11 0 Post not marked as liked Jul 6, 2022 4 min The Future of Travel The future of work and travel. What travel may look like in 5, 10 or 15 years. 11 0 Post not marked as liked Jul 5, 2022 3 min The Future of Work and Travel The future of work as it relates to travel. 14 0 Post not marked as liked Jul 3, 2022 6 min The Dream The ultimate goal, to give people the freedom and knowledge that they can go anywhere at anytime with minimal effort or planning. 12 0 Post not marked as liked Jun 28, 2022 4 min The Benefits of Minimalist Travel For the sake of those who may not be convinced that minimalist travel is practical, cost effective, inspiring, easy, good for the... 59 0 Post not marked as liked 1 2

FAQs, Q&As and a few As A landing page for all the questions you may be asking yourself in regards to minimalist travel. ​ General Questions ​ What IS minimalist travel? There's the philosophical answer, What IS Minimalist Travel? , and a more practical, "real-life" answer, detailing how and what I pack.. aptly named How and What I Pack ; you may also want to check out The Bare Essentials (Opinion Piece) for an opinion piece on the bare minimum required to travel (hint: it's not a lot). ​ Why minimalist travel? What's the point? What are the benefits? Check out The Benefits of Minimalist Travel for the long-winded answer, and Why It Matters for a shorter, story-filled version. ​ What are the drawbacks of minimalist travel? How can I determine if minimalist travel is right for me? Check out Is Minimalist Travel Right For You? and Laundry Every Day , arguably the biggest hurdle to potential minimalist travelers. ​ Clothes / Comfort (How to Pack, What to Pack) ​ How do you minimize what you pack for clothes? There are three key ingredients to minimizing the clothes you pack.. 1) You need to accept the concept of doing laundry every one or two days, check out Laundry Every Day for a pros and cons list and arguments for giving it a try, 2) You need to be careful with the clothes you pack and, if possible, stick to quick-dry clothing for everything; check out Travel Clothes (What To Look For) for recommendations in this department, 3) You have to be okay with looking like a tourist and wearing the same one or two sets of clothes every day; check out No One Cares (Except Maybe You) for my take on why it doesn't matter, and lastly.. 4) In a perfect world, you stick to warm/moderate climates, which instantly and massively reduces your pack; check out Fair Weather Travel for my arguments for warm-weather travel. ​ Okay, clothes I could handle, but HOW do I pack all the SHOES I need..?? Check out Oh My God, Shoes! for suggestions and answers to this age-old question. ​ You pack so little, how do you deal with cold weather? Aside from the obvious answer of sticking to warm climates (see Fair Weather Travel).. there are a few things to consider for keeping your pack small.. 1) If it's truly cold, you won’t be sweating the way you would normally, so yes, you could easily get away with one pair of thermal long-johns and wear them for 3-4 days before washing, especially if you're wearing underwear and/or an undershirt under the long johns.. 2) if you can fit it, pack a puffer jacket.. 3) buy your accessories while traveling, then donate (link to donate article about hostel donations) them when you’re leaving for warmer climates, (including long socks, scarves, hats, gloves, etc) bakalav??? Mail them home when you’re done if you love them.. (good time to wrap and send gifs as well… 4) consider hand warmers and feet warmers for extended outdoor activities, 5) consider usb powered gloves and socks if you know you’ll be traveling in the cold long-term, 6) layer! This should maybe be number 2 and I think of it as obvious coming from a cold state (MN link) in many ways, cold minimalist travel is easier than warm-weather minimalist travel, because you simply don’t get sweaty // check out my clothing/temp guide here 7) consider sock sacks (don’t exist yet - the same thing I recommend for wet seasons) // see the future in cold weather tech // consider international shipping ​ How do you look professional for work calls? IF I'm working (I try not to), I wear the same button down dress shirt (link here) for every work call... no one seems to notice or care.. or it becomes a running joke.. but in any case, I throw it on for video calls and take it off immediately after, so it rarely needs to be washed. ​ What clothes or travel brands do you recommend for minimalist travel? More to come here, stay tuned.. ​ Are antisweat products really antisweat? What does moisture-wicking really get you? ​ What is the most comfortable material to wear long-term? ​ Washing Clothes / Laundry ​ What's the best method for doing laundry on the road? I go into lots of detail on washing and drying clothes on the road in my posts Laundry on the Road Part I (Washing) and Laundry on the Road Part II (Drying), along with ​ How often do I need to wash my clothes? Do I need to do laundry every day? Yes and no, for the stuff touching your skin.. i.e. absorbing sweat.. you'll likely want a freshly cleaned pair of sox/underwear every day... (depending on weather, how much you move/sweat, etc.).. but for the bigger items (shirts, shorts, pants, etc).. I've found that I can easily go 2-3 days without washing (shorts may be a bit obvious, but yes, even shirts don't need to be washed every day.. ).. It's worth noting that nature's way of cleaning is via sunlight and air.. yes.. it's that simple.. the UV-light from sunshine can kill germs in ~6 hours (according to Google), just by being outside.. so the "shadow" parts of your clothes.. (underwear, armpits of shirts, socks, etc.).. are what really need to be cleaned.. but if you remove your shirt at night (as I'd imagine most do).. and hang it in a window.. you'll be amazing at how it much it doesn't smell the next day.. How annoying is it do laundry every day? It sounds like a burden... but i n reality.. it's not annoying at all .. in fact, it's somewhat therapeutic.. like brushing your teeth or shaving. Every time I go to the shower (usually/hopefully, daily).. I'll bring my "dirty" socks, underwear and t-shirt, and wash them in the sink or shower .. then hang them up to dry.. and every 2-3 weeks, when it's convenient, I'll take all my clothes to a typical laundromat and give them a "deep" clean. Do I need to wash my clothes with soap, or could I just rinse them with water? Again, the answer is nuanced, and can depend on the material/stains/dirt, etc. If you just wore your clothes and had a normal day, i.e. not a lot of sweating, no coffee/beer stains, etc.. then washing them with water is okay for a couple times, but after 2-3 water-only washes, you'll likely find yourself wanting that "freshly washed" result that can only come from using soap, soaking your clothes and scrubbing the parts that get the most... "use." If I'm using a wash bin, wash bag or sink, how long do I need to soak my clothes before they're considered "clean?" The answer here is interesting, the soaking process is what allows water molecules to slowly break/dislodge dirt, grim and yes, germs, from your clothes.. this happens over time.. but after 10-15 minutes, any additional time can actually be bad for cleaning clothes, especially if the country you're in doesn't have the cleanest water.. I've had a number of experiences where I let my clothes soak, with soap, for a full day.. and they come out smelly musky and gross.. immediately prompting me to re-wash them.. Your best bet is to soak your clothes for 15-20 minutes in soapy water, then scrub/shake/rub each item, rinse and hang them to dry.. the abrasion is what actually removes dirt/oil/grim etc. from your clothes, so it's an important part of the process. It may be worth noting that if you're handwashing your clothes with soap and running water, you likely don't need to soak your clothes AT ALL... the abrasion from your soapy hands and the running water from the sink or shower will effectively loosen/remove any dirt, germs, bacteria, etc. in the moment. Your clothes will likely be MORE clean than even a modern washing machine (assuming you're targeting the "problem" areas). And if you're skeptical.. compare it to hand-washing dishes in the sink.. are those dishes less clean than washing them in a dishwasher? ​ Do anti-bacterial / anti-sweat clothes really work? Do stain-proof clothes really work? Coming soon (see below)! ​ Does this stain-preventers really prevent stains? Sort of... I've done a number or tests and will share the results as soon as humanly feasible. ​ Are there alternative methods for minimizing how often you do laundry? TBD TBH.. I've been testing "stain-proofing" sprays (namely Nanoman ) and "stain-proof" clothes (namely Ably ).. along with anti-sweat, sweat-proof, anti-bacterial, quick-dry, products for awhile now, and they DO help with minimizing stains and sweat, which can reduce how often you need to wash your clothes, but I feel the need to do a deeper dive and more testing to say yay or nay to any particular product. ​ It's worth noting that on my last (six week) trip, I sprayed all my clothes with Nanoman Fabric Protector and legitimately noticed when a wayward beer from an extremely drunk patron just rolled off my shirt.. and I found I could wear my shirts 2-3 days easily before washing them.. what I don't know is if that was because they're anti-sweat/anti-bacterial, or if that's from the Nanoman protective coating.. I hope to have a better answer to this soon. ​ Drying Clothes ​ ​ What's the best method for drying clothes on the road? Check out Laundry on the Road Part II (Drying) How fast can I expect my clothes to dry? This depends on a million factors.. material, thickness, size of garment, air temperature, humidity, sunlight e xposure, heat exposure, air exposure, air speed, elevation (yes, even elevation) and level of wetness at the start of the dry cycle... it's incredibly difficult to predict "how fast" something will dry without a super computer.. (and now you know why it's so hard to predict the weather).. BUT.. The short answer is that most standard cotton clothes WILL dry even in the coolest of temperatures in under 2 days.. (assuming they're not hanging in the rain); in wet/humid climates, it will likely take a full 24 hours, in hot/dry climates, it can take as little 30 minutes .. Your best bet is to 1) pack ALL quick-dry clothing, 2) use a rope-based hanger to hang your clothes in a window (if possible), and 3) stick to warm climates. :) What's the fastest way to dry your clothes? See above... use quick-dry clothing, and lay claim to the sunniest real estate. ​ What is the fastest drying material? And how fast does it dry? Quick-dry synthetic fabrics are 100% worth it, I'll do a deeper dive on this topic in a later article! ​ Are there alternatives to air drying? Infrared light? Portable dyers? Yes, I'll expand on this in a future article! ​ Packing ​ What's the best bag/backpack for minimalist travel? Any bag will do.. sort of! Consider a multi-sized bag.. ​ Do you use compression bags, are they necessary and/or useful? Body Odor (It shouldn't be a concern, but just in case..) ​ What causes body odor? What causes smelly clothes? Do my clothes smell or do I smell? Does odor causing bacteria live on YOU or your clothes? Odor is the result of bacteria feeding off the (mostly) scentless sweat coming from your body.. interacting with it (i.e. eating it) and effectively pooping out the gases that we then inhale/smell.. (ewww).. that bacteria can live on both your body and your clothes, which is why we wash both with (hopefully) some regularity... MOST of the bacteria actually lives on YOUR skin, which is why you can wear the same clothes for multiple days in a row, IF YOU'RE SHOWERING.. before it starts to stink.. the bacteria on your clothes, once removed from their food source (i.e. your body).. actually just start to die by themselves.. no food, no smell.. fascinating right? So you can wear the same clothes multiple days in a row before the sweat Can I smell my own body odor? Or can I tell if my clothes stink? I'd imagine we've all experienced this at some point.. yes you can smell your own BO up to a certain point, however, other people may smell it sooner and/or be more attuned to it (good or bad, actually).. so even if your shirt doesn't smell after 10 days of continuous wear, you may want to give it a wash just to be safe.. What is the fastest/easiest method of cleaning? Is water actually required? Water actually is NOT required to clean your clothes, as mentioned in previous Q&A posts, the main goal of cleaning clothes is to remove stains (dirt, grim, beer, wine, etc.).. to make them LOOK clean, and to kill germs (bacteria/viruses) so that they ARE clean i.e. don't smell.. We've all worn a favorite shirt that had a tiny stain that you hope no one notices.. did it ever feel "unclean".. no.. because stains by themselves are not "dirty".. (although it looks dirty).. So it's not hard to imagine that your socks (assuming you're wearing shoes) don't actually get stains.. and in that case, you can completely clean them just by a simple rinse (with or without soap*) and then letting them air dry (ideally in the sun).. Are there other/better ways of washing your clothes? UV light for example? UV-light cleaners are all the rage these days, and yes they do work (although studies show that many/most are not effective (link here)).. but depending on where you're staying and what your living situation is, you can ideally rely on good old-fashioned sunlight to do the same work for free. How quickly can odor causing germs be killed? You're actually better off just removing them, versus killing them.. ​ Everything Else ​ This is all well and good, but is minimalist traveling only for guys? Excellent question... sadly, I can only speak to my experiences, and I know, but nature or nurture, minimalist travel is much easier for men.. but I can only speak to the male perspective, because that's all I have.. I would LOVE to have a female contributor providing feedback and insight into how to make minimalist travel more applicable/accessible to women, if you have any ideas or are interested in helping in this area, please let me know! Are waterproof bags really waterproof? Are they worth it? YES.. I'm in a hot climate with lots of bugs, what's the best way to keep bugs away? Are there alternatives to bug spray? What are some natural methods of keeping bugs away? Do ultrasonic insect repellents really work? Why do hammocks (lying outdoors in the sun, being used ALL the time by different people..).. do they get cleaned? Personal Questions ​ Am I a minimalist in my "normal" life? IF you have other questions, please let me know! ​ Feb 6, 2023 4 min Realities and Limitations A comprehensive list of the limitations inherent to minimalist travel. 10 0 Feb 2, 2023 3 min Laundry EVERY Day The pros and cons of doing laundry and hand-washing your clothes every day while traveling. 8 0 Aug 8, 2022 2 min Laptop Accessories and Alternatives Options and accessories for remote work, laptop tools and alternatives, phone-as-a-laptop thoughts and recommendations. 24 0 Jul 9, 2021 4 min Cold Weather Travel How to keep your pack small when you're expecting cold weather. 18 0