Clothing Optional (Nice-to-Have Extras)
Thermal underwear, a buff, swim trunks that double as shorts, one nice shirt and a few other extras, with notes on when each one is worth packing.
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 a lot of time 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
From the blog
Minimalist Travel
Recent posts in this category.
Jackets, Coats and Ponchos, Oh My!
Puffer vs down, rain shell vs poncho, and why three thin layers beat one heavy coat when you are living out of a small backpack.
Laundry EVERY Day (It's Not as Bad as It Sounds)
Why washing one set of base layers every day is what makes a three-set wardrobe work, plus the five-minute routine that makes it painless.
Shorts, Pants and Trunks
How to pick the two or three pairs of bottoms that will carry you through hikes, beaches, bars and long flights without filling your backpack.
Space Saving Toiletries (Minimizing Your Pamper Pouch)
Bars instead of bottles, one soap for everything, and buying the rest on arrival: how to shrink your toiletry kit down to a sandwich bag.
The High-Tech Minimalist (Packing List)
Packing recommendations for the high-tech minimalist: lighter, warmer, faster-drying gear so the same tiny pack works in cold and variable climates.