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Wander-Lush

10 Minimalist Backpacking Tips to Help You Travel Light

The art of minimalist backpacking is just as much about your attitude as what you pack. Here are 10 handy tips to help you lighten your load next time you travel.

About the author: Danny is a travel enthusiast who’s determined to make the most of his life. His blog helps others do the same: Check it out at wisehealthynwealthy.com . 

The first time I went travelling I filled a 70L backpack.

…And a 20L daypack.

…And carried a plastic bag with my hiking boots in it.

…Not forgetting the food cooler bag I had as well.

Needless to say, lugging all that around like an overladen mule wasn’t a highlight of the trip! In fact, it was totally unsustainable – after a while I sold, gifted, and left behind heaps of the stuff I’d brought.

That first experience of long-term travel was a definite insight into the physical and practical pain of over-packing! Since then, I’ve set about trying to master the art of minimalist backpacking instead.

In every trip that’s followed, I’ve tried to strip back my pack more and more, starting with building a capsule wardrobe and buying a compact travel camera .

These days, I travel full-time and fit everything (just about) into a 50L backpack that weighs 14kg!

It’s hard to overstate the difference it makes to the experience; I fully recommend the minimalist’s approach to packing to anyone hitting the road.

Want some tips on how to do it? Read on for 10 minimalist backpacking tips I wish I’d had before I first went travelling!

Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.

A quick note on minimalist backpacking

Of course, there’s more to minimalist backpacking than a light pack and minimal possessions.

For me, at least, it’s more of a mind-set.

It’s about entering into your travels with a devotion to simplicity. It’s about pure and simple freedom; you aren’t weighed down by the burden on your back, which liberates your body and spirit.

As always, having less stuff makes it easier to prioritise your experience of life . You aren’t distracted by materials, which helps you to focus on the process of exploration instead.

It just so happens that taking less stuff is a core part of the endeavour!

…Which leads me back to the main point of the piece. In the next section I’ll go through 10 tips that should help anyone cut back and pack light.

10 minimalist backpacking tips to help you pack light every time

1. Change your relationship with ‘stuff’

I think this tip is the one that can make the most difference to your packing.

Basically, minimalist backpacking demands a different outlook to possessions than the one most of us are brought up with. Our society is inherently materialistic – we have this idea that owning lots of stuff will make us happy.

But that idea just doesn’t fit with minimalist packing! Being successful here requires a ‘less is most definitely more’ approach to life.

The basic rule of thumb is that everything in your pack must be something you couldn’t do without . But that’s different for everyone. And, in our society, we’re taught that owning stuff is important.

Start weaning yourself off that idea. Try detaching your self-image and self-esteem from the clothes in your closet, and the car on your driveway.

Magic happens when you realise that possessing material stuff really isn’t important. You can (and are more likely to) be happy without it. Having fewer possessions is liberating and far simpler by nature.

At a very fundamental level, you’ve literally got less to worry about. 

2. Buy a smaller backpack

This is the piece of advice I needed before I went travelling: Buy a smaller backpack!

You’ll almost always fill the space you have at your disposal. It’s like having a massive house – you’ll keep buying and acquiring things until each room is filled.

By contrast, a small backpack puts a very tangible ceiling on what you can take travelling . This is one of the easiest and most effective ways to stop over-packing.

Ready to downsize your luggage? Check out these awesome minimalist backpacks .

3. Sell your stuff

Another way to prevent over-packing is to have fewer things from the outset .

Packing is far harder when you’ve got tonnes of things to choose from. By contrast, I sold and gave away all of my things last year, so packing light was a breeze… I just took with me everything I had left!

Selling your stuff before you start packing serves a dual purpose. First, it narrows down your selection, making it easier to settle on what to pack. Second, it narrows down your selection, meaning you literally haven’t got as much to take.

Nicely, it also provides some extra money to take travelling.

4. Be brutal (make it a game)

Treat your minimalist backpacking like a game.

Ask yourself: What’s the minimal viable amount of stuff I can take with me? From there, cull, cull and keep culling until you’re left with a threadbare, minimal backpack .

Be brutal with yourself. If you find yourself packing for possible eventualities (“But what if ‘X’ happens, and I need ‘Y’ to blah blah blah…”).

You’d be surprised how little you actually need on the road.

I left home with 2 pairs of socks, 5 pairs of underwear, 6 t-shirts, a shirt, 2 warmer tops, 1 pair of jeans, 3 pairs of shorts (one for hiking, another for running, and one ‘trendy’ pair), swim shorts, rain jacket , walking shoes, flip-flops, some ‘going out’ shoes (that I rarely use and could probably throw out), a cap (that I lost in Thailand), a camera, a laptop, a small first-aid kit, a travel towel, and a book .

I could definitely get by with less.

In fact, I was a little disappointed that that list went on for so long…

5. Don’t listen to your mum

My mum is my minimalist backpacking nemesis.

I love her, but if I took everything travelling that she wanted me to, I’d need a Sherpa to help me get around.

Mums are protective by nature, meaning they want you to stay safe and be covered for all eventualities on the road. The problem is that it just isn’t feasible – especially when you’re trying to cut down on your gear.

Obviously, this tip is very much tongue-in-cheek! But there’s still something to be said for a) sticking to your guns and not letting others influence your ‘less is more’ packing, and b) accepting the fact sacrifice is involved . You can’t take everything that might, at some point in time, come in handy.

6. Travel to warmer countries

Choose your countries wisely.

Anywhere that gets seriously cold and wet is problematic! Suddenly, you’re forced to carry a bunch of bulky cold-weather gear to keep your warm. Hoodies, jumpers, jackets, sturdy shoes and long trousers all take up tonnes of room.

Chasing the sun is a great way to travel lighter. At the end of the day, you walk around in shorts, a t-shirt, and flip-flops most of the time.

Take a couple of spare shirts and some sun cream and you’re good to go!

7. Go easy on the souvenirs

Don’t buy too much stuff while you’re travelling.

I mean, it’s literally the opposite of the whole ‘minimalist travelling’ buzz we’re after.

Remember the whole ‘let’s change our relationship with possessions’ thing I mentioned at the start? Well, it extends to being on the road as well.

I know it’s hard when you’re in a new country and surrounded by interesting market stands full of stuff you want to buy. You see something cool and/or want to get gifts for people back home.

There’s nothing wrong with buying gifts if you’re headed home soon!

But, if you’re travelling for longer, the last thing you want is to be ferrying around a bunch of stuff you’re not actually using.

If you do end up acquiring anything, try taking a ‘one in, one out’ approach . Tell yourself that for everything new you buy, you have to throw something else out.

That way you prevent your pack getting steadily bigger and bigger.

8. Make everything match

Here’s a clothing-related tip: Only pack shoes and clothes that all, in one combination or another, work together/match.

You might love that bright yellow t-shirt. But if it doesn’t match with your favourite orange shorts, then you’re less likely to wear it. You end up carrying stuff that you never use, which is never great.

Pack a travel wardrobe that allows you to wear any combination of clothes. You know that you can grab any pair of shorts and a t-shirt, or skirt and blouse, and feel comfortable and stylish.

Read next: My favourite sustainable travel clothing brands .

9. Start minimal, add when necessary

Remember that you can almost always find the things you need when you get to a country.

Equally, the clothing options you find in a new place are generally more-suited to the climate there anyway. For instance, go to a market in Southeast Asia and everything is lightweight and airy- perfect for the hot and humid weather.

Even better, it’s always at discount prices.

This fact means you can pack the lightest bag possible in the knowledge you can just plug any gaps as you go (if you need to).

10. Practice

Finally, minimalist backpacking takes practice.

I’ve made progress with the more travelling that I’ve done, but I’m still no expert!

If you’re determined to pack light for a long-term trip, then take some trial runs first . Go away for a week with a similar pack-full of stuff, and see how you go.

Go away for a month, and see how you go; run through different iterations of a potential backpack. For one thing, you’ll get more used to travelling with fewer possessions. More importantly, though, you’ll begin to hone down on what you actually need to take.

Time to master minimalist backpacking

Minimalist backpacking makes a mighty difference to how much you enjoy any reasonable stint on the road.

It’s more comfortable and easier to get around. More than that, though, it makes you realise how little you need to be happy, and helps you enter into the experience without the burden (literal and figurative) of a pack-full of things .

Hopefully the tips in this post will help you cut back on the things in your pack with greater ease. Good luck!

Minimalist backpacking tips: Pin it!

More resources.

• 10 ways to find authentic souvenirs when you’re travelling
• Tips for supporting small businesses when you travel
• 12 tips for eating like a local when you’re on the road
• How to avoid crowds when you’re travelling
• How to be a more mindful traveller
• Tips for long-term slow travel
• How to choose the best travel insurance provider
• More travel resources & booking tips

Love all of this. The only thing I’d add is that if you are just sticking to warm climates you will miss out. I appreciate that this is a piece about tips for packing light, so on that basis alone it’s sound advice. However, Iceland is one of the best places I have ever visited! Scandinavia generally is great. You will definitely need a jumper and a good raincoat though!

This has to be the best travel info I’ve run across. Great tips. I have been able to travel with just a carry-on plus a personal bag while cruising – it does work. Besides no one ever remembers that you wore something more than once. Safe travels!

One other thing, pack some older clothes or other items that you don’t mind leaving behind if it’s to your benefit. Pack camera and binoculars etc with a mind for possible loss or theft. This may not be as fashionable but might help you to avoid being targeted in some cases. A ratio of three tops to one pair of shorts or trousers can be helpful as a starting point. Socks can go quite a bit before needing laundry especially if they’re wool as it doesn’t retain odor. Same with t-shirt and unders. Don’t forget detergent pens, soap or similar to erase small spots on clothes. Avoid being the “ugly American.” I applaud all the suggestions noted above. I hope readers can use this as a starting point and not all inclusive.

Great tips! Thank you, James!

Thank you so much for taking the time to list out this tips! I’ve been traveling for half my life, but reaching my mid 30’s, I realized last trip how tiring it can be (and I already do carry on only) so I’ve been searching for tips to go a bit further in scaling back. I’ll be testing it out on my next trip to Italy.

Awesome Tara, good luck and safe travels!

Thanks for such a wonderful blog, the article is very informative!

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Home » Gear » How To Pack Light – The ULTIMATE Guide For 2024

How To Pack Light – The ULTIMATE Guide For 2024

When in doubt, leave it out! Packing light is all about cutting back on the details, and we’re here to help. Piling all your potential gear on the floor turns your trip from future plans to takeoff. As you decide which T-shirt to cram into your bag, you visualise what it will feel like to relax in your tee of choice and look forward to your impending freedom.

There are so many directions your gear can take you, making it hard to whittle everything down to the essentials. It may seem like overpacking is the only way you can stay prepared while on the road, but you’d be surprised at how little you need and at how much your pack will weigh stuffed full.

A few subtle shifts here and minute weight drops there quickly add up to a noticeably lighter pack. Packing light brings space, literally and in the itinerary, which gives you the confidence to take a step further outside your comfort zone.

Every trip has so many variables; it’s totally reasonable to panic pack a few extra pairs of underwear or carry around a set of swimming goggles, just in case.

No matter if your trip is one week or one year, you can live out of one backpack, and I’m here to push you in the right direction. We’ll walk through high tech gear that makes 40 litres feel like 400, examine some items better left at home, and throw in all the lessons learned the hard way along the ride.

So follow along and prepare to make some tough decisions, today we’re going to learn how to pack for any trip in one 40 Liter backpack.

The Best Gear To Help You Pack Light

Each of these items plays a crucial role in light packing, so follow along and see how they can fit on your next trip. 

40L Travel Bag

• > Included shoe compartment, laptop sleeve, laundry bag, and effervescent front pockets
• > Shoulder or carry it duffle style

Packing Cubes

• > Multicompartmental backpack set-up
• > See-through mesh material

Toiletry Bag 2.0

• > Guarantee easy access
• > Full of organisational pockets

Small Liquid Bottles

• > Complete with leak-proof lids
• > Varieties of dispenser options

NanoDry Packable Shower Towel (Large)

• > Weighs less than six ounces
• > Quick-drying package

VEER Packable Bag

• > Weather-resistant zippers
• > Adds shoulder straps

Navigator Sling 6L

• > Perfect aeroplane companion
• > Providing space for your passport and inflight entertainment

REI Co-op Trailmade Rain Jacket

• > Weather protection
• > Attachable hood

Step By Step Guide to Light Packing

Final thoughts on the art of packing light.

You’ll find the key theme to packing light is breaking down your luggage into categories and lists. Last-minute panicked packing is minimalists worst nightmare, as a cluttered, rushed mind will throw caution to the wind and try to pack it all. 

Use this step-by-step guide to start your process, and give yourself plenty of time to go through your list and check it twice. 

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Tip #1 – Get The Right Bag

Step one is to know what you’re working with. Finding your perfect backpack is no easy task, but the right bag is the difference between fumbling it and flipping it and tumbling it. No other singular item on the list will define how light you can pack more than which bag you’re using. 

If you use a 65-litre backpack, you’re going to find it a lot harder to widdle your bag down. Even if you leave 25% of the bag empty, you’ll be overpacking, and nobody steps out the door with their bag a quarter empty. 

You can boil it down with some simple math: however many litres your bag can hold = the amount of stuff you will end up bringing. That’s why I highly recommend using a bag you can fit in an overhead compartment.

It probably doesn’t sound like a whole lot of space, and that’s because it isn’t. You’ll have to maximise every one of those 40 litres to get the job done correctly. To do that, you’ll need a bag that meets you in the middle. One 40 Liter opening compared to a multipocketed high-tech backpack makes all the difference in the world. 

Our team recommends nothing less than the best, and the Nomatic 40L Travel Bag is the best bag for packing light in the business. 

Nomatic’s entire company is built around getting the most out of travelling with less. They have gear suited for all sorts of travellers, and their flagship backpack is one of the best modern home bases in the market. 

This pack is full of surprises. With an included shoe compartment, laptop sleeve, laundry bag, and effervescent front pockets, you’ll find a space for everything you need for short or long term travelling. 

Throw it over your shoulder or carry it duffle style while you get through security in a breeze. Keep your clean clothes separated from your laundry and even find a dedicated space for your underwear. 

Nomatic makes it easy to travel light by giving you organisation options that make the most out of limited space. Airlines restrictions aren’t getting any more lenient, but these bags are getting a whole lot smarter. Take back your travel days and treat yourself to a fresh bevvy with all that time you saved getting through security.  

Tip #2 – Use Packing Cubes

Our favourite kit: Nomatic Packing Cubes

There is no such thing as too many ways to store. Use packing cubes for everything from socks and shoes to your electronic cords and chargers. 

The main benefit of packing cubes is compression, as you can squish down these blocks to fill all sorts of spaces, but the benefits don’t stop once you arrive. Most affordable accommodation options are relatively short on storage spaces, and your packing cubes can function as portable shelves or shower bags in a pinch.

High-quality packing cubes can squeeze and save valuable inches. Nomatic’s packing cubes are a perfect fit for a multicompartmental backpack set-up. These three packing cubes should be more than enough space for all your clothing, and the see-through meshing makes it easy to only unpack what you need.

 You can further organise your tool shed with three cubes that range from 10L to 1.5L of storage. You won’t waste an inch as all of the bags can reduce by several litres depending on their fill. It’s never a bad idea to jump on an opportunity to fit more into less space, and the right set of packing cubes will make it look easy.  

Look for packing cubes with varied colours, remarkable features, or a see-through mesh material like Nomatic includes. Unicolored and completely sealed packing cubes can be more trouble than their worth if you constantly forget which one holds your t-shirts and which one stores the socks. 

Tip #3 – Choosing What To Bring

Now that you’ve laid out all your storage options, you should have a great idea of what kind of space you’re working with. Hint: it’s less than you think! We’ll all have to leave a few of our favourite t-shirts behind when condensing our lives.

This step is where the real fun begins. 

A few items on the universal packing list should serve as about 35% of your overall packed weight, and everyone will have plenty of personal choices to make. Your packing list will be dictated mainly by the climate you’re heading towards. These articles of clothing will always account for every itinerary’s bare minimum:

• 3 shorts 
• 3-4 pairs of travel underwear
• 3-4 pairs of socks
• 1 swim trunk
• 1 Pair pants (+1 worn on travel day if you’re headed north)
• 1 piece of rain gear
• 2-3 pairs of shoes

The hardest part of packing light is cutting down on clothing, but it has to be done with vigour. Travelling with only hand luggage means absolutely no more than one week’s worth of clothing coming along.

Keeping these tricks in mind while packing your bag will help you solve difficult questions and push you towards a lighter backpack. 

Oh, you should also know what NOT to pack too , including things like liquids, weapons and ya know, snakes too!

When in doubt, leave it out

Convincing yourself you don’t need a solution to every problem is the hardest part of packing light. Typically clothes are where we leave our guard down the most. It all starts with, “it’s just one t-shirt, it can’t weigh much” and ends with a packing cube stuffed full of tank tops.

Especially for your first attempts at packing light, leave any 50/50 items at home. You quickly realise there are very few items in your backpack you truly can’t live without. I don’t remember hearing many people living out of bags who wish they had packed more stuff, but practically every backpacker is looking for ways to reduce weight.  

Layer upon travel days

To get the most out of your space, wear your heaviest clothing items while flying. Most adventures will only require one heavier coat or even just a sweater that would take up the same space as an entire week of T-shirts. 

Not only will this save you space, but it will also keep you comfortable through climate-controlled settings. Aeroplanes and terminals stay cool, and the extra layers can quickly double as blankets or pillows if they aren’t needed.

Your largest pair of shoes, pants, and tops should make up your travel day outfit. Looking at our universal list, I like to wear my sweater, only a pair of pants, heaviest shoes and rain jacket while I’m heading through airports. 

Nobody wants to head through security looking like they just came crawling out of the woods, but wearing your hiking boots saves so much packing space I could care less. Sometimes I’m hotter than I’d like to be when I arrive at a tropical place, but it’s a small price to pay to remove my three most enormous pieces of clothing from my luggage. 

2-3 pairs of shoes will Do

Wearing your heaviest sneakers can only do so much. Shoes are just too bulky to justify bringing along a few extra pairs. You’ll have to make some hard choices and leave a few of your favourites at home, so select only your most multifunctional trainers for the mission. 

Versatility is the name of the game across your pack, but having several sets of skills is extra important when it comes to footwear. Narrow it down to two to three pairs of shoes that can all handle different scenarios. 

I like to group up one pair of waterproof hiking boots comfortable enough to wear around town with a couple of sandals when heading to the tropics. Cold weather changes those out for warm boots and a quality set of slip-on sneakers.  

The best part about packing fewer shoes is not feeling guilty at all about picking up the latest in authentic ‘Nikki’ slides at the local four-way intersection. 

Bring a pack inside your pack

One bag travel has one major flaw: no singular bag is best at fulfilling every niche. A 40L backpack is incredibly lightweight for a typical piece of luggage, but it’s way too big to work as a day pack. 

Without a packable bag , you’d have to unpack your entire suitcase every time you want to throw a few things together for a day out or haul your clothes with you on the tour. 

A Combination of bags better bet than a one-bag-fits-all solution. Everything you own could be going inside your packs and then onto your back, so we’ve got to get it right. Packable backpacks are bags that can reduce small enough to fit in your more giant backpack on travel days and come out to play once you’ve checked in. 

These bags can stretch your 40L’s into 60 once you get there, or just bring on a sweet day pack without checking bags. Some of these packable bags are just glorified gym bags, but others can haul some serious gear. 

The cream of the crop is this VEER Packable Bag . The bag redefines a breathable back panel by adding on an inflatable frame. This allows the packable pack to condense down to 6″ x 9″ and expands out to an 18L carry-all complete with an inflatable back frame. It’s the most heavy-duty packable bag on the market.

You’ll have more than enough space for groceries, a packed lunch, or a change of clothes on a pool day, and the weather-resistant zippers make the bag ready for more serious adventures. Wandrd even adds shoulder straps to ensure their pack is confident on long hikes. 

The other main perk of packing across several bags allows you to really bend the TSA rules in your direction. 

Case in point: Navigator Sling 6L , the lightweight packers perfect aeroplane companion. 

I like to take advantage of the airline industries dumb policies any chance I can get as my revenge for some companies poor customer service. It’s all about the little things, and the Navigator Sling is a little thing that sure can store some shit. 

This sling pack is a professional personal item built for travellers who know exactly what they want to keep close. This pack rounds out Nomatic’s arsenal of bags made for travel by providing space for your passport and inflight entertainment. Nomatic’s smallest bag clips over a shoulder or straps onto a larger backpack until it’s time to break out your tickets.

Suppose you are up against particularly draconian bag policies. In that case, you can keep this beauty hidden away until you reach your seat, stow your more unwieldy pack, sit back and enjoy the flight. Like every bag built for nomads, this pack’s 6 Liters has storage quirks that provide a place for everything you need to get through the flight. 

A good hip bag’s ultimate ability is activated when the plane runs out of overhead storage. If you ever feel like taking advantage of a free gate check, you can let your larger bag meet you at your destination and rely on your sling to take you across your travel day. 

Lay it all out

Once you have a rough idea of what you want to bring, lay it all out neatly so that every item is visible. 

If you start the process by throwing things into your bag without regard, you could end up halfway through the process with a full backpack, unsure if you’ve already packed underwear. And the benefits don’t stop there. 

This layout will give you much-needed perspective and get a good glimpse of how much space everything will take up. I typically start packing by laying out everything I want to take and checking that each item truly fulfils a void in my pack. 

Seeing everything stacked together helps me realise how much space it all actually takes up. Once it’s all on display, it’s time for cutbacks. 

Shop for multi-purpose clothing

At every corner, you’ll have to be brutal with your clothing selection. The sooner you can give up on having an outfit for every occasion, the better. You can reduce your closet and still smile in your fit check as long as you get creative. 

A fast way to cut back on clothing is by investing in versatile multi-purpose T-shirts made of breathable materials – as long as you don’t forget deodorant! 

High-quality materials can help the shirt last longer between washes and keep you feeling fresh. Spending a bit of extra coin on a T-shirt is absolutely a worthy cost when you could end up wearing it for a week straight. I try not to let many shirts and shorts into my pack that I can’t wash in the shower, just in case. 

Unfortunately, this also means avoiding some specialist gear wherever possible. Good ole fashioned generalists need not bog themselves down with too many details. Unless you’re travelling for a specific purpose, any one-time use items are not worth their weight.  

There is one major exception to this rule; rain gear. Luckily, A waterproof jacket doesn’t have to bring a significant burden. Many trips won’t require anything more technically advanced than the right packable rain jacket, AKA the REI Co-op Trailmade Rain Jacket . Thunderlight’s slim overcoat fits into its own large pocket and quickly rolls out and provide cover. You won’t find many rain jackets this flexible that still took the time to fully tape the seams and hems. 

This ain’t no flimsy poncho passing as weather protection, this is the real deal. Weighing in at less than a half kilo, it’s got an attachable hood that works with the same inside lining as the rest of the jacket. It pumps in a surprising splash of heat. 

And it all wraps up into a bag the size of your fist. Shove it down a deep dark corner of your larger bag on a travel day and immediately switch it into your day pack once your adventure begins. 

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Tip #4 – Toilet Talk

Banned from the dinner table and heavily regulated by TSA, packing your toiletries for carry-on travel is no simple task. 

Before we dive into the specifics, remember the golden rule of toiletry packing : most toiletries can be bought on the other side and at a much lower price, depending on where you’re headed.

Toiletry bag

Everything you’ll need for a month-long trip can fit in the Nomatic toiletry bag and slip into a corner of your larger luggage. I like to keep my toiletry bag close by during travel days, so I save packing your toiletry bag for the end to guarantee easy access.

Your toiletries can seem an obvious choice to tuck into a forgotten corner of your bag, but you’re playing a dangerous game. I think we’ve all noticed a sharp uptick of delays lately, and it’s only a matter of time before you’re spending some quality time stuck in an airport. 

Keep at least your toothbrush and deodorant in a convenient pocket. A breath of fresh air will keep your mind centred through flight delays and focused on getting your toes in the sand. 

Numatics Toiletry bag has a dedicated toothbrush pocket that keeps your teeth cleaners fresh and handy. The bag is full of organisational pockets that help you stay on top of things. Keeping make-up, medicine, and cleaning products in their respective containers instead of one giant black hole helps everything make it through the trip without spilling.

The added perk of all those extra pockets is this toiletry bag’s hanger set-up, which opens the bag up vertically and turns your travel bag into a multi-shelf toiletry cabinet. Toiletry 2.0 works perfectly alongside the best lightweight travel packs to create a formidable duo. 

Only bring the essentials

You can quickly lower your actual footprint by packing the bare essentials. This guide is geared around carry-on travel, which means you can’t bring anything over three ounces anyways. 

Your toiletry bag can start the trip incomplete and slowly fill up along the way. Most over the counter medications can be found anywhere, but do some research on your chosen destination country while formulating your toiletry bag. 

Focus your initial packing on prescription medication or speciality items that make the flight more leisurely, like melatonin and Advil. Tack on a basic first aid kit, and you’ll be good to go. 

I suppose there are specific luxury items you’d rather not travel without. You can always head to most local department stores’ sample counter or travel-size section to find a perfect travel-sized bottle before departure. 

They may not have the same brands at your final destination, but you’ll be able to find enough duct tape and WD-40 to get the job done. And if things don’t work out, remember the second golden rule. No matter where you are, you can find a pina Colada. 

Even when canals get blocked up, practically everything you need to thrive in a new community is already there. 

Another tip when it comes to packing light, forget that massive and heavy wallet and bring along the minimalist Nomatic Wallet instead.

The same mantra doesn’t apply to sunscreen. Any place you go where you will need sunscreen is aware that you will have to pay for it no matter what it costs. 

Here are the facts: sunscreen will be more expensive at the beach. Locals tend to use way less than tourists, so nobody cries afoul when a bottle of sunblock costs upwards of 30$. 

Sunscreen will be cheaper at home, so be sure to stock up before you go – and don’t forget to transfer them into carry-on approved Small Liquid Bottles . Use these toiletry wizards for everything from shampoo to bug spray to avoid any headaches. 

 Carry-on only travel disqualifies lots of liquid toiletries and beverages unless you get creative.

Anything you can’t find in your final destination can make the trip if you manage to transfer them into airline-approved sizes. Bottles like these transform your bathroom into 20 air travel certified containers, complete with leak-proof lids and varieties of dispenser options.  

My favourite feature is the unscrewable bottoms that allow you to easily refill your bottles without trying to throw together a makeshift funnel out of paper and aluminium. Don’t forget to label each bottle before you start putting your sunscreen on in the shower! 

Don’t Forget to Bring A Towel!

Carry-on travel doesn’t leave much space for a lush full-sized cotton towel, but the right travel towel is as close to essential as any part of your bathroom kit. There is no guarantee your accommodation has towels, and it’s always nice to have something to stretch out on or take to the beach. 

Your one-stop travel towel stop is the Matador NanoDry Packable Shower Towel . This legendary accessory has been in the running for the best accessory every year since its 2018 release. Its critical acclaim is thanks to the fact that this full-sized towel compacts down and fits inside its own carrying case to provide a portable towel that won’t soak everything else in your bag. 

The five-ounce towel fits into the palm of your hand and weighs less than six ounces, and expands to absorb 2.3X of its own weight in a quick-drying package. 

Now, you  could spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. Wrong size hiking boots, wrong fit backpack, wrong shape sleeping bag… As any adventurer will tell you, gear is a personal choice.

So give the adventurer in your life the gift of convenience: buy them an REI Co-op gift card!  REI is The Broke Backpacker’s retailer of choice for ALL things outdoors, and an REI gift card is the perfect present you can buy from them. And then you won’t have to keep the receipt. 😉

Tip #5 – What About Tech?

There’s no magic formula. Travelling with loads of tech makes it kinda hard to travel light. You’ll have to accept your tech for the burden it is or learn to live without some of your bigger gear.  

Ask yourself some tough questions

Do you need a big dslr camera, or will your phone do do you need a laptop, or will your device do.

A DSLR camera and laptops are frequently the heaviest items on my potential packing lists, and every trip, I get close to leaving one at home, but that quality is just tough to replace. I would love to sit here and tell you that everything you need to work on the road can be done with an Ipad mini, but that’s just not the case. 

Anyone working from the road may have to suck it up and carry the extra gear. Quick trips are a whole other ball game. Turn up vacation mode and leave the laptop at home. Just bring something light enough to entertain you through your travel days. 

The DSLR debate is a whole other ball game. It could be a great excuse to upgrade your phone, as some of the latest iPhone camera technology rivals anything I could capture with a heftier set-up.

Still, there is no lightweight way to shoot from a distance or capture certain high-quality shots, so decide what’s more important to you, your weight or your equipment.

Tech that works towards light packing

Not all electronics have to add on loads of weight. These items will fit into the most minimalist lists out there, and that’s because their value far exceeds their lightweight. 

• adaptable USB splitter
• NEO5R Headlamp  
• Anker Ultra High Power Bank
• USB Splitter

This handy tool turns one outlet into three USB-B ports, one USB-C connection and the international connections to plug into walls around the world. 

These days, just about everything can be charged by USB, so grabbing an adaptable USB splitter can help drop weight slightly. The right power adapters can easily be converted to work intercontinental style, so you’ll never be too far from a full charge. 

• NEO5R Headlamp

A headlamp is a camping essential and you don’t have to be heading into the woods to take advantage of some high-tech headgear. Whether it’s for some casual spelunking, reading after light’s out, or coping with surprise outages, this headlamp has far more uses than ounces. 

three AAA batteries will power this waterproof light for hours, and an optional redlight setting will help you see through the night without attracting any bugs. 

• A nker Ultra High

Amazingly enough, some airlines still haven’t found it necessary to add device charging capabilities to their aircraft. Add this to the fact that most local taxis and tuk-tuks don’t have wall outlets, and a portable power bank will pay for itself on your first travel day. 

Love it or hate it, we can’t get very far with dead cell phone batteries these days. This portable power bank is the cream of the crop, and it comes with a $25,000 connected equipment warranty to declare its prowess in powering sensitive electronics. 

Our GREATEST Travel Secrets…

Pop your email here & get the original Broke Backpacker Bible for FREE.

Less is more when you’re carrying your whole life on your shoulders. The final key to packing light is getting rid of your gear attachment. I don’t mean you should travel around without a sense of style, but you’ll have to let go of some hits while consolidating.

If you can’t imagine losing something, don’t bring it with you. You’ll have to get rid of something eventually. Bags don’t expand as your trip moves along; they just fill up unless you and your merry reindeer do all your travelling on Christmas Eve. 

Looking to shed weight after your trip has already started? Try out a light packing as you go system, getting rid of any parts of your kit that doesn’t prove helpful. If you’ve been carrying around something in your bag for a few months and never worn it, it’s time to say goodbye. In the right hostel bartering system, that heavy flannel for which you don’t have space becomes a free dinner.

While I was learning how to pack light the hard way, I had to ditch a green jacket in the Portland airport to get my bag closed enough for gate check. I still miss that coat, and if I had just left it in storage, it could have really helped out later. 

We all have favourite t-shirts, pallets and combos that aren’t practical enough to come with us, and if you want to travel with loads of options packing light may not be your strong suit.

That’s totally okay. Living out of an XL daypack isn’t for everyone. If you plan to stick around one place long enough to unpack for a while, you may not mind lugging an extra bag through the airport once every couple of months. Nobody knows your particular travelling style better than you do. 

What I do know, through years of lugging heavy packs across deserts, jungles, and chicken busses, is that you rarely find a traveller who doesn’t want to cut back a few pounds. Even going from three to two bags is a step in the right direction, and I guarantee you won’t ever dream of packing heavy again! 

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Aiden Freeborn

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How to pack for a big trip - tips from experienced travelers

Sep 17, 2021 • 8 min read

When traveling, your backpack is your home © hansslegers / Getty Images

Traveling light is an essential step towards embracing the spontaneity of travel. With a small pack, you can travel on impulse, sprinting down the platform to catch that departing train, and leaping from boat to village bus without missing a beat. From the comfort of home, it might feel like you need everything but the kitchen sink, but when it comes to packing, less is definitely more.

One of the first surprises for new travelers is that things from back home are easily available in other countries. If you can pick it up when you arrive, why haul it halfway across the world? The other big first-trip packing lesson is the value of having space in your pack–you never know when you might find a Buddha statue or hand-embroidered wall hanging that you can't live without.

If your backpack is bursting at the seams when you set off, you'll soon find yourself wrestling with multiple bags while the light load travelers are grabbing the best seats on the bus. Travelers with a single bag experience less stress–they're the folk you see whistling cheerfully as they walk out of the terminal building while you're still fighting to drag your suitcases off the conveyor belt.

Of course, packing is a deeply personal process. Everyone has their own standards of comfort, and their own notions of what counts as essential. But by following some field-tested tenets of traveling light, you can shed size and weight. And as every veteran traveler knows, you regret the things you didn't bring much less than the pain of hauling around things you didn't need!

The first law of travel physics

There's one inalienable rule of travel physics: the contents of your bag will expand to fill the available space. If your bag is stuffed full at the departure gate, you're already en route to a second bag if you spot anything you want to buy when you reach your destination.

Start with a bag that fits into a plane's overhead compartment, and fill it with only as much stuff as you can fit in without shoving. Leave behind the rest. For ninja-level packing, make a second pass and remove anything you aren't 100% certain you'll use. Tough decisions on your living-room floor will pay big dividends on the road.

Pack densely

Black holes are so compact that now even light can escape their gravity. Your bag should function on a similar principle. Folded is smaller than scrunched up. Folded and rolled is smaller still. If your clothes take up more than one-third of your bag, you are probably letting sartorial decisions take precedence over practicality.

Know your destination

The streets may look different to the street you live on, but the shops sell almost everything you'll find back home, from shampoo and sunscreen to camera cards and phone charging cables. Where tourists gather, you can probably also find plug adapters, the latest movies on DVD and the candy bars you grew up with. A few things genuinely won't be available in your chosen destination, but most will, so don't fill up your bag with things you can buy as and when you need them. 

The rule of three

Three pairs of socks. Three pairs of underwear. Three T-shirts. Wear one, wash one, dry one. You can get more miles out of leg wear, so two pairs of pants and one culturally appropriate pair of shorts or skirt should suffice. Stick to light, flowing clothing made from cotton and blends that dry quickly and look good without needing an iron to remove every wrinkle.

Pack less, wash more

It turns out most cultures have figured out how to wash stuff. Whether you use the hotel laundry or the local dhobi-wallah (clothes washer), a clean shirt is usually just a few hours away. Pack fewer clothes, and wash them when they get dirty, and that onerous weight on your back will get miraculously lighter. At a pinch, most lodgings have a sink and running water–bring a length of string and you've got an instant washing line.

Travel-friendly tech

Most modern electronics (like phones and cameras) switch voltage automatically when you plug them in. If in doubt, check the plug for a note saying ‘Input: 100~240v’ or something similar. Leave voltage-specific devices that require heavy, old-fashioned adapters at home. A three-way splitter plugged into a multi-country adapter should be enough to keep all your devices juiced. If you have USB-powered devices, even better. Bring a plug with multiple USB ports and you'll just need to carry the cables.

Only bring what you need

Repeat this to yourself as you pack. The unknowns of traveling make us want to surround ourselves with familiar items but this kind of ‘what if’ thinking is a fast-track to a heavy pack. If you aren't certain you'll use it, you probably don't need it. Remember, many things can be hired, bought or borrowed as you need them. That mask and snorkel? You can probably hire one when you reach the beach. That hairdryer? Most hotels have one.

Don't go shoe crazy

Veteran travelers rarely pack more than two pairs: a comfortable pair of trainer-type shoes that are good for trekking, day-wear and running, and a pair of flip-flops (thongs) for beach wear and dubious-looking bathroom floors. Only bring smart shoes if you're definitely going somewhere you can't get away with trainers (or pick some up locally when and if you need them).

Let tech be your friend

These days, your phone can double as your music player, camera and more, weighing not much more than a sandwich. Heavy books used to the bane of travel (though a blessing during long waits for transport). Today, you can load a whole library onto an  e-Reader and a whole record collection onto an MP3 player. Carry a small portable power bank to keep your devices going when you can't get to a wall socket.

Be weight aware

Some things–paper, glass, metal, batteries–are just heavy, so try not to pack them unless you really need to. If you need battery-operated devices, look for lightweight versions; a head torch powered by a button battery weighs much less than a traditional torch powered by heavy alkaline batteries. To stay on the right side of airline weight baggage limits, carry a small, portable luggage scale.

Function over form

Prioritize useful things. A ball-gown may look great, but a crumple-friendly cotton dress that you can wear on the bus, beach and dancefloor will take you a lot further. Here are some tried and tested travel essentials:

• A quick-drying pack towel : fluffy towels are bulky and take ages to dry; synthetic towels dry quickly and pack away to nothing. 
• A sarong:  it's a changing room, it's a blanket, it's a curtain for privacy, it's a towel, it's a bag, it's a sunshade, it's quite possibly the most versatile item in your bag. Oh, and you can also use it to cover your legs.
• Compression straps: they squeeze things into your bag, fix things to your bag, and fix your bag to other things, like the roof rack on back-country buses. They'll also function is a washing line (or bring some string).
• A cotton scarf or bandanna: it's a head covering for mosques and temples, a sun hat, a dust-mask, a neck and shoulder warmer; you can even use it as a fashion accessory.
• A frisbee: in addition to its friend-making potential, strategically packing it on the outside edge of your pack provides hard-shell protection for breakables. Additional uses: cutting board, plate, bowl, bottle opener, fan, dry place to sit.

Tips for the airport

Even if you get your packing list down to the essentials, you might find there are one or two items that just won't fit, particularly on the way home. If necessary, exploit the the airline industry's three biggest luggage loopholes:

• Wearing is not carrying: stuff your pockets, don your jacket, wear your hiking boots and pack your sandals.
• ‘Carry on plus one personal item’: most airlines let you supplement your carry-on bag with a camera bag or smaller backpack, giving you some bonus storage.
• Duty-free doesn't count: if you can't fit it in your bag, most airlines let you carry on air-side purchases without penalty in a carrier bag (which also has room for more loose items).

Savvy packer's pack list

Here is a list of everything we'd suggest for a multi-week trip to most popular backpacking destinations.

• Backpack (40L max, 35L is even better)
• Bag liner (or a large, heavy-duty plastic bag)
• Passport and other documents
• Compact umbrella
• Three or four light stuff sacks for organizing
• Three shirts or T-shirts
• Two pairs of pants (trousers)
• One pair of shorts (or a skirt)
• Three pairs of socks
• Three pairs of underwear
• Fleece jacket, hoodie or long-sleeved top (for air-conditioned transport and high elevations)
• Bandanna and/or scarf
• Comfortable walking shoes (wear them when you fly)
• Comfortable sandals or flip flops
• Sleep kit: mosquito net, sleeping bag liner (or a lightweight fleece blanket), ear plugs
• Shower kit: toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant (or try a piece of alum), small bottle of shower gel
• Food and drink kit: snack bars, a travel mug, water purification tablets, a water bottle, a folding knife for cutting fruit
• First aid kit: mosquito repellent, clippers, tweezers, plasters, headache tablets, small tube of antiseptic and your usual meds
• Camera and accessories (if you can't get by with your phone camera)
• Laptop (if your smart phone won't cut it) wrapped in a waterproof bag
• Smart phone and headphones (plus charging cables)
• Notebook and pens
• Parachute cord (or string)
• Lightweight head torch

You may also like: 10 destinations perfect for solo travel 10 places in the world with the most intense fall colors Our favorite lesser-known neighborhoods in the world's greatest cities

This article was first published in October 2014.

This article was first published October 2014 and updated September 2021

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Digital Nomad Packing List: The Ultimate Guide to Traveling Light

• March 24, 2024
• Last updated: March 24, 2024
• Digital nomad , What to pack

Home » Travel Blog » Digital Nomad Packing List: The Ultimate Guide to Traveling Light

Packing light is not rocket science. Whether you pack for one-week vacation or you’re looking for an ultimate digital nomad packing list for your long-term travels, minimalism is a king.

Traveling light will save you not only space and unburden your shoulders, but it’ll save you considerable amount of time (skipping the queues for checking your luggage ), and money (fees for check-in luggage).

Check out some pro travel packing tips based on long term experience of traveling only with a carry on backpack.

Digital nomad packing list

Digital nomad backpack, the north face backpack.

It has ideal size, lots of pockets, and also a laptop compartment. Bonus: very good back padding. Check price on Amazon .

Backpack rain cover

You can buy it separately if your backpack doesn’t have one included. It’s lightweight,  and you can use it as a cover for your camera bag and as a head/ shoulders cover during heavy rains. Check price on Amazon.

Combination locks

These are life savers! We can’t imagine travelling without securing our “mobile houses”. It’s always good to lock your backpack when you leave your room in a guesthouse/hotel and also every time you travel by bus/train/plane. Check price on Amazon.

Read more related articles:

• Best vlogging camera
• 10 Best Travel Books to Inspire Your Next Trip
• Best Camera for Travel Photography
• Best Hiking Backpack: A Practical Guide
• Best Travel Backpack

Compression sack for clothes

Great space saver! We played with an idea to buy packing cubes , but because of the design of our backpacks, we felt it’d be more convenient to get all our clothes into compression bags which saved a lot of space and we can easily separate clean and dirty stuff in the bag, too. Check price on Amazon.  Check this article for the best packing cubes.

Best laptop for digital nomad and other electronics

We were choosing our working tools very carefully and this is so far the best travel laptop we’ve found. Gianni edits his photos using Lightroom software and the computer is powerful enough to handle that. I would prefer for my video editing Macbook Pro, but this would add up on the weight so I keep the lighter model for now. Check price o n Amazon.

Macbook Laptop Sleeve

Very useful when you work in cafes and don’t want to carry along your backpack. It’s also a great protection of your laptop during travel days, when the backpacks move around more than usually. A must item in your digital nomad gear. Check price on Amazon.

Contactless payments are the best way to go if you’re constantly on the move. Unfortunately, you risk your cards being scanned by criminals due to the chips present in them. Placing your credit and debit cards  inside an RFID-blocking wallet  can keep your information safe.

If you just check your emails when travelling or do “only” writing, maybe you won’t need a mouse. But if you edit photos and videos, a mouse just makes the job easier and faster. Check price on Amazon.

WD My Passport Hard Drive

How to store all material from the road is probably the biggest issue when you work as a digital nomad and travel only with a carry-on. If you shoot in RAW, you know the files are too big to store in the iCloud. Carrying a portable external hard drive is so far the only solution how to keep your photographs and videos with you. Check price on Amazon.

Travel adapter

A necessary accessory when changing the countries around the world. Check price on Amazon . For different plugs and outlets, check out World-Power-Plugs.com

Kindle Paperwhite Wi-Fi

Your portable library! The best option for avid readers and carry-on travellers!  Check price on Amazon.

Very useful when you plan to document your digital nomad lifestyle while hiking, biking, running or swimming. Check price on Amazon.

Transcend Flash Memory Card

Just because you’re traveling doesn’t mean you can’t still make a great cup of coffee. The AeroPress not only brews a smooth, flavorful cup, but its compact, lightweight design makes it super portable and easy to take with you when you’re on the go.

More packing lists to read:

• What to Pack for Your Mexico Vacation
• What to Pack for Thailand: the Ultimate Packing List
• Packing List for Europe: The Ultimate Preparation Guide
• What to wear in Paris: The Ultimate Guide

What to pack for him

The north face trekker convertible pants.

The best choice if you travel with a carry-on! Gianni has been travelling with this model of North Face convertible pants for almost three years (bought a new one after 1.5 year) and he can swear by it. Check price on Amazon.

KEEN Men’s Newport Sandal

Honestly, we cannot imagine our travel without KEENs. They’re our most favourite travel shoes. Ideal for light trekking, walking in the cities, even in hot climate (for this we recommend buy a pair with a soft leather sole, not rubber). Check price on Amazon and read some more suggestions on the best walking shoes for men .

Barefoot running shoes for travellers

A must have item in your backpack if you are keeping yourself fit on the road. Opt for lightweight barefoot shoes if you feel comfortable with them. Check price on Amazon. Read our detailed review on Vivobarefoot running shoes.

Travel dress shoe

If you are looking for something classy, here is your option for   travel dress shoe from OAKA, which redesigned dress shoe into travel friendly, comfy and zero drop shoes in order to improve your mobility and health. Check the latest models of OAKA .

This is the moment to remember about your minimalistic packing. Take only 2-3 of them.  Check price on Amazon.

Short sleeves shirt

Always useful when it happens to attend a more formal occasion. Check price on Amazon.

A rain jacket

Great to pack if you visit countries during a monsoon season. Keep it as light as possible, preferably with a hood.  Check price on Amazon. Read our guide to the best rain jacket.

A must have item for your travels. Keep it minimalistic, and pack one, maximum two pairs. Tip: Opt for a swimsuit suitable for running. That way you don’t need to pack too many outfits.  Check price on Amazon.

Comfortable underwear

What to pack for her

Convertible light pants.

Ideal when you intend to go trekking to tropic destinations, and then stay in cooler places or opposite. Great space saver. Check price on Amazon.

KEEN Women’s Sandals

It’s a good idea to pack a pair with you. You can wear it while trekking, or as a pyjama while camping. And, naturally, for your yoga practice. Check price on Amazon.

Comfortable tops

2 or 3 tops will be perfectly fine. Try to pair it with the colour of your skirt or trousers. Check price on Amazon.

In case you plan to go out somewhere more formal, pack one. Check price on Amazon.

A skirt or a dress

Just take it. You don’t want to stay all the time in your hiking pants or shorts. Pick a lightweight one, preferably with some pockets. Check price on Amazon.

It’s good to have it when hiking through different climate zones or visiting a country in its monsoon season. Check price on Amazon.

A fleece hoodie

You’ll need it in the evening, and it’s a life saver when taking buses or train with strong a/c on your travels. Buy one with pockets. Check price on Amazon.

A pair of swimwear

Well, you’ll need one. Or two, but don’t pack more than two pairs of bikini. Check price on Amazon.

Keep it minimalistic. Max. 4 pieces, no matter how long your travels are going to be.  Check price on Amazon.

Bring one sporty, and one elegant. That’ll do it. Check price on Amazon.

A must have for all travellers, especially for those with a carry-on. You’ll be grateful for packing it with you because it’s the most multifunctional item in your digital nomad backpack. You can use it as a scarf, bed sheet, bed cover, curtain, headband, skirt, dress, beach towel, towel and much more! Check price on Amazon .

Love it! We use it as a scarf in buses/trains/planes with strong a/c, as a headband, hairband, camera protector and we clean our lenses with a buff, too. Check price on Amazon.

Which toiletries to pack

A toothbrush, a toothpaste, dental floss Travel size hairbrush Lip balm Aspirin Plasters Ankle support Menstrual cup > Ladies, this little thing will make your travels easier, and your bodies healthier.

Essential stuff

Passport Travel Insurance Cash Debit cards Credit cards Spare passport photos Photocopies of passports Vaccination card (What vaccinations do you need?) ID cards Bank reader

Miscellaneous

A gaffa tape Earplugs Waterproof dry bags for your documents Swimming goggles OverBoard Waterproof Dry Tube Bag

Here are other interesting packing articles you might want to check:

Carry On Packing List  by Make Time to See the World

Digital Nomad Packing List by Hobo with a Laptop

Packing cubes list  by Adventure in You

Best Backpacking Gear  by A Backpacker’s Tale

Packing lists  by Travel Fashion Girl

Never Ending Voyage Packing List

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Ivana Greslikova

• Published: March 24, 2024

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31 thoughts on “digital nomad packing list: the ultimate guide to traveling light”.

Great list for aspiring travelers! Personally, I’ve gotten my pack WAY down from when I started backpacking in 2006 with a 10,000 liter pack. But I still manage to have 10kg of clothes, toiletries and scuba goggles… along with my 13kg of electronics. It’s a real killer on the back, but I really don’t see how I can do less. The camera stuff alone is about 7kg with lenses, body, gear and tripod. Alas!

Hi Greg, thanks for commenting. We have reduced a lot our clothes, we have only a couple of changes, if we need some clothes then we buy on the road. As regarding the gears I have always tried to keep the minimum weight possible. We use DX cameras with only 3 lenses with us and in the future we might switch to mirrorless full frame. Laptops are Mac Air so weight reduced to a minimum. Great blog you have. 🙂

I was traveling last year with a huge 70l bag. Now on the road with only 25L + a 10L Decathlon bag. This later contains a700g sleeping bag (more convenient for CS) and 1.5kg camera gear, or my daily stuffs. One major point to travel light is obviously to go in warm places, and don’t bring warm clothes, that we all do here! A second point about photography is to get rid of the heavy DSLR and their lenses. I recommend the µ4/3 system (check especially the Olympus OM5 and their new M1, but quite expensive), the best compromise between quality and size. Or even with DSLR, depending what you like to shoot, a standard zoom can easily get replaced by one or 2 light prime lenses. I have 4 lenses and a body for less than 1,3kg (or 900g without the tele). The main issue with these systems is however the poor batteries so you need to carry 2 extra… Enjoy your travels!

Hi Eric, nice to hear from you. Yes, you are right, packing light is good for warm climates, that’s why we have chosen to travel first to South-East Asia. I have also 1,3 kg for my camera gears. I am following the developing of the full frame mirrorless, those cameras will be really travel friendly. 🙂

The decision about the cameras is always a big one. I am forever on the lookout for the best camera with the most features in the smallest package. For me that means it has to be easy to always have the camera with me which rules out pretty much all DSLRs. I know that’s a compromise, but if I cannot stick the camera in a belt pouch which I can carry easily all day long, I won’t take it along. My latest choice is the Nikon P7700 which takes good pictures, good video, has 7X zoom, most DSLR controls and a flip screen. The biggest thing is it does fit into my belt pouch. It’s not up to the standard of a full size DSLR, and you cannot exchange lenses, but my motto is the best camera is the one which you always have with you.

Luckily technology is gradually getting where cameras are getting more compact all the time. So this decision will become easier for us every year since there will be smaller and more powerful models coming out.

I agree with you that the clothes are the least important thing when you pack. You can always buy them cheaply on the road. The tech items is where we have to plan well. Macbook Air is a great machine, my only issue is that if you want to do any video editing on the road, this is really difficult with this small screen. If you mostly stick to photography, then this should be no problem.

The Nikon P7700 is a great camera also. We are thinking to buy smaller cameras at some point without compromising on image quality. I guess the 2014 will bring lot of new interesting models especially after Sony recently launched the A7r. As regarding the Macbook Air, we just love it 🙂

Great useful post.

It is so true that you literally need a few essentials and you can survive. None of these ridiculous backpacks bursting at the seams.

You know you end up living in the same outfits anyway.

Thanks, Charlotte, we are really happy with the stuff we are carrying and also we wish to reduce it a bit in the future 🙂 Happy travels!

I’ve bought pretty much everything on this list for my own carry on after finding this! Thanks!

Glad to hear that, Kate. Enjoy your travels 🙂

We have been travelling about 29 months, but the only time we have lightened our bags is in Central America, where we didn’t need shoes or clothes. We make films so we carry all manner of gear including tripods, bounce/shade boards etc. on top of that we carry a snorkel and mask each for diving, shoes for hiking/training and it starts to build up! We have just accepted that for our work and interests there is a certain amount of gear that we must have 🙂

I can hear you, Serena, we had a big dilemma which gears to pack and there have been some moments when we miss warmer clothes, but otherwise, we’ve been able to survive 🙂 On the flip side, you can train with your gears for longer and tougher expeditions 🙂 Happy travels guys!

Great list – well done! I love using multi-purpose products to keep the packing list short – things like lavender essential oil is great for insect bites or to help you get to sleep (which is sometimes tricky on your travels).

Thanks for the tip, Kerry. For the insect bites and mild headaches is great to use a tiger balm that you can buy in Asia easily. Happy travels!

Oh wow, I really wish the Kids had read this before packing to come to South East Asia. Watching them unpack and try to then repack each time we move on would be hilarious except that the joke is on me as I actually have to travel in the suitcase. Sardines have it easy! Boy even brought a scarf with him to South East Asia that he hasn’t used for over 10 years just because he said it had ‘sentimental value’ and didn’t know what else to do with it. All I can say is that it certainly smells sentimental. Thanks for such a useful guide, all the same. I will do my best to get the Kids to read it to understand where they’ve gone wrong. Kluk

Hi Kluk, thanks a lot for commenting! It took me some time to say “bye” to all sentimental objects and my favourite scarfs, too 😀 We’re very happy to carry only 10kg each, however, it happened a few times we needed some warmer clothes that hadn’t fit into our backpacks. It’s all about balancing and finding the right destinations, too. Happy travels and cheers to all your family 🙂

Wow you guys really know how to pack light! I always end up packing too many clothes and then not wearing half of them anyway. Next time i’m going to take a leaf out of your book and only pack a few clothes. Plus then I will have room to buy more if I see something i love!

Thanks for stopping by, Izzy 🙂 Yup, that’s smart, you can always buy whatever you need and like on the road! Happy & light travels 😉 Ivana

My rule of thumb has always been pack, then remove half the stuff because you won’t need it. I can’t remember who first gave me that advice, but I find it works more often than not.

Great tip, Mike! Not applicable for us, I’m afraid. We downsized to maximum and sold/gave away everything we own. What we carry it’s all what we have 🙂

Thanks for sharing your list! We’re making our own at the moment and packaging in a couple of weeks. Can I ask why you’re taking 4X 1Tb hard drives? I was just planning to edit as I go and upload to Google Drive/ Dropbox as I feel it’s safer than a hard drive that can be lost/ damaged. What are your thoughts?

Hi Felicity,

Now we actually carry 4x2Tb. I know, it looks too much, but what we have in our backpacks, that’s all what we have. Our luggage is our house basically 🙂 We’re on the road full time and we have no physical home, apartment, or flat. We had to upgrade the size because we shoot in raw, so the files are too big to upload to Cloud or Dropbox for us, unfortunately. We also do lots of videos, which are big in size, too. Moreover, it takes time for us to edit photos and videos for the articles, we don’t blog every day (lots of other blog related things to complete during the day), so that’s why we need to store them somewhere before working on them. Well, yes, it’s risky to carry them everywhere we go, but we have a backup drives with us, so hopefully all will be fine 🙂 Cheers and happy packing!

Guys, impressive list. We’re also travelling light whenever we can but as we love camping our backpacks are always quite heavy. Anyhow just out of curiosity, I was wondering, how about rainproof or windproof jackets? Ivana how do you manage wothout face cream or sun block? Safe travels!

Hi Kasia! We just upgraded our packing stuff and got some softshell rain and wind proof jackets, and ditched the old jumpers. They are light weight, and we usually wear them at the airport or just tie them to the side of the backpacks. Need to update the list on the blog 🙂 When in Asia, I usually don’t use any facial cream since the climate is so humid that skin hydrates itself 😀 And for the sunblock I use only coconut oil that I buy in Asia. No chemicals, smells nice and does its job 🙂

WOW – I am very impressed with how little you are able to bring when traveling. I have one of the 18+ (maybe even double that) bags of wardrobe so I couldn’t see myself getting to this point. But, definitely some really helpful tips and recommendations. Thanks!

The earphone is great and his discount is very shocking. I am a traveler. I read a many blog and post about packing list.But your packing list was different. That is very important for any traveler. I am very helpful for that. Can you give me some information about this earphone?

Very informative! Thanks for the tips!

Thanks a lot Vivienne

Great packing article. Thanks for sharing!

Cheers from a fellow Nomad

About to start my 2nd long journey (too much fun on the last one). I am adding a mirrorless camera with prime lens for this trip. Without using a dedicated camera bag, what are some of the ways with decent protection that these can be put into my 30L pack?

Hi Ron, we recommend Lowepro Passport Sling Camera Bag (the one mentioned in the article), which fits perfectly in a 30L backpack. I’ve been traveling with the 32L NorthFace bag and the Lowepro bag for over 4 ys now, without any problem. You’ll just need to a use vacuum bag or packing cube to create more space for the bag 🙂 Buon voyage!!

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Travel light: How to pack light and smart for your trip

A full guide to how to travel light, with tips and hacks for efficient, minimalist packing. Learn how to pack light for any vacation or backpacking trip.

• Post date October 22, 2018
• Post categories In Trip Planning

What is the secret to packing light?

The secret behind packing light is… bringing less stuff!

Simple, isn’t it?

Well, not really.

Because when we’re packing for a trip, be it a weekend city break or a year long round the world trip or anything in between – we will find ourselves packing all sorts of stuff that we think we might need, but actually don’t.

That’s perfectly natural.

We’re going to unfamiliar place, we don’t know exactly what we’ll find there, and we want some kind of reassurance that we’ll have everything with us.

It gives us a sense of control over an unknown situation.

I used to do that myself in my very early days as a traveller, but quickly learnt the lesson.

After a particularly uncomfortable night train from Bulgaria to Turkey, where I hardly had space for my bags in the train carriage, I realised there was no point in carrying so much stuff.

That’s when I decided to start travelling light.

Before leaving the train station in Istanbul, I sat down and made a list of all the things  I actually used  during that trip.

I saved the list and a few months later, when I was packing for my next trip, used it as my packing list. I ended up travelling with about  half  the amount of stuff.

Light travel with a carry on bag has huge benefits

In practical terms, travelling light means you travel with one  carry-on bag  that you can take with you on the plane, plus an optional smaller bag, like a laptop bag.

why is it best to travel with a carry on bag only?

Travelling with hand luggage only has huge advantages. It saves you money, stress and time , and makes your life so much easier when you travel.

Low cost airlines are getting increasingly strict about what they allow you to board the plane with.

The fees they charge for checking even one piece of luggage can sometimes be outrageous.

By travelling light, you avoid baggage fees when you fly low cost, so that your flight can be really cheap.

When you don’t check luggage, there’s no need to worry about your bag being lost, damaged, stolen or even just not arriving on the same flight as you.

It gives you some peace of mind on the flight. The same applied to trains and buses, where you always want to keep your bag with you.

When you get off the plane, you’re free to exit the airport fairly quickly, while you watch your fellow passengers wasting their precious vacation time waiting by the luggage carousel.

And finally, moving around is so much easier when you don’t carry heavy luggage.

Imagine walking to a train station or a bus stop, or searching for your hotel on the streets of a foreign city, with a heavy suitcase. It’s not appealing. You want the flexibility and freedom of light packing.

So now that we know why we want to travel light,  how do we do that?

The life changing magic of packing light

In her best-selling, cult-creating book  “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” , Marie Condo teaches a simple decluttering technique:

Lay all your stuff on the floor, pick each item and ask yourself “if it sparks joy within you”.

You can use a similar method when packing.

This is especially useful if your reason for overpacking is that you’re too attached to your things.

Instead of asking if the item sparks joy, ask: Do I really need this, or am I packing it “just in case”?

Pack only what you really need .

Only w hat you will definitely use.

Remember you can always buy or hire other things later, so “just in case” is not an excuse for overpacking.

The rest of this guide has more hacks, tips and tricks to help you travel ligh t .

I’ve divided it into four sections: Your bag, clothing, toiletries and gadgets.

Travel light: buy a smaller bag

The first trick you need to know if you want to travel light is: buy a smaller bag. In other words, make it impossible for yourself to overpack.

With a smaller bag you will have to make those decisions as to what you really need to take and what you can leave behind or buy at your destination.

With a larger bag, you’ll most likely be tempted to take all sorts of things you don’t really need, just because there’s space for them.

How small should your bag be?

I recommend a 30-40 litre backpack as your carry on bag for the plane.

It’s usually a good size for a carry on bag, that most airlines will let you board with.

I travelled with a 40L backpack plus a laptop bag for about 9 years and it was both easy and convenient.

It’s the ideal size if you want to travel light, and at the same time have enough space for your stuff.

It doesn’t matter if you’re going on vacation for a week or on a 6 month trip… as long as you can do your laundry once a week, why would it matter?

An all-in-one travel pack

The Journey is an innovative, sophisticated bag that’s ideal for the minimalist traveller.

Its creator describes as the bag that will liberate you from the hassle of extra luggage .

It’s been designed to include 5 different bags inside one carry-on sized travel pack.

These include a detachable day pack, a detachable hip pack, a hanging toiletry bag and two drawstring bags, plus a couple of compression bags.

Watch the video to see how The Journey works and read my full review on how I use this set of bag to travel light.

Why buy a backpack instead of a suitcase

I also recommend you buy a backpack instead of a trolley suitcase. It just gives you much more flexibility .

Going up or down stairs at train stations, for example, is not an easy task when you carry a suitcase with you (and you’d be surprised how many stations don’t have elevators or escalators…).

Walking on cobblestone streets or dirt roads with wheeled luggage is not a pleasant experience either.

With a backpack on your back, it’s much easier to use stairs, you can walk faster (or even run, say if you’re about to miss a bus… ) and both your hands are free.

Having both your hands free is so useful when you need to check maps on your phone for example, or have your take-away coffee on the go.

Of course, in some cases, a suitcase is perfectly fine. For example, if you suffer from back pain, or on a short vacation where you’re getting a taxi from the airport and staying at a resort without moving around at all.

Eagle Creek make a brilliant convertible carry on bag that you can use as wheeled luggage or as a backpack .

when you choose a backpack, pay attention to a few things that will make your travels easier:

The backpack should be a panel loading or front loading bag, meaning you can open it like a suitcase (as opposed to top-loading backpacks).

Your backpack should be lightweight , not just because it’s easier to carry, but also because airlines have weight limits on luggage.

And it should have pockets . Lots of pocket. An ever so helpful feature that will help you organise your things easily.

Clothing – tips and tricks for packing light

Clothes normally take up the most space in your luggage.

Let’s see what we can do about that…

Wear heavy layers on the plane

Heavy layers might not fit in your backpack when you travel light.

Don’t expect them to – a basic trick of travelling light is wearing some of your luggage on you.

Whatever you wear doesn’t count as part of your carry on luggage . Use that 😉

When you board the plane, you can wear any jackets , or tie them around your waist.

If you’re bringing heavy shoes, like hiking boots , wear them on the plane and pack your lighter shoes.

Hats and scarves can also come on board with you. None of these need take up any space in your luggage.

This trick isn’t useful only for saving space in your bag – it’s also a lifesaver when it suddenly gets freezing cold on the flight.

Pockets! lots of them

You can put many things in your pockets when you go on the plane.

Anything small that fits and that you might need during the flight should go in your pockets, such as your phone  and earphones for example.

SCOTTeVEST have taken the idea of pockets to a magnificent extreme with jackets and vests that look completely ordinary, until you realise they have about 20 hidden pockets in them!

Rolling instead of folding

This is probably the most basic tip for travelling light: When you roll your shirts, they magically take up less space and as an added advantage, crease less.

Packing cubes and compression bags

You can save more space in your bag and at the same time make sure your clothes are well organised by using  packing cubes and compression bags .

Sometimes called packing squares or packing pouches, you want to use packing cubes in different sizes to organise your clothes: One cube for t-shirts, another for socks and so on.

Packing cubes normally come in sets of 3-6 pieces and in different sizes and colours.

Use large packing cubes for your shirts and trousers, and medium sized ones for socks and underwear.

There are packing cubes that are just meant to help you organise your things, but it’s far more efficient to use packing cubes that also offer compression .

They minimise the space your clothes take, by sealing them in the bag after squeezing all the air out.

When compressed, your clothes will take up much less space. This is especially useful for any bulky garments you pack.

Eagle Creek is a brand famous for its packing cubes and compression bags. They are stylish, lightweight and durable. As an added bonus, they’re made from recycled materials.

are packing cubes and compression bags worth buying?

In my experience, yes, they are worth it.

If you’re struggling with overpacking and want to avoid it, or if you need to take some bulky winter clothes, then compression sacks will definitely help you make the most of the space available in your bag.

If your main issue is staying organised , go for ordinary packing cubes .

If you want the best of both worlds, buy the compression packing cubes . Watch the video to see how they work:

Buy quick dry clothes

A lot of smart technology is invested in making travel clothing more efficient. Make sure you use it to your advantage.

quick dry, moisture-wicking t-shirts

These tees are popular for workout, and are invaluable for travel.

When you select your travel clothes, quick dry garments are always the best choice. Cotton t-shirts are not.

As you’re not taking too many clothes with you when you travel light, you want your laundry to dry fast.

Quick dry fabrics are extra useful in hot, humid places, as they don’t absorb the sweat and keep you dry for longer.

I’m a fan of IsoCool quick-dry t-shirts .

The feel great on your skin and come out of the washing machine almost dry!

Mountain Warehouse make them super affordable.

They have a range of colours for women and men .

Fleece jackets

Travel with jackets are perfect for keeping warm in colder climates or at night and at the same time lightweight and dry quickly.

There are heavy fleece jackets too, in case you need them for intense outdoor activities and colder weather.

Some leading brands for quality fleece jackets are:

• The North Face

No need to pack your fleece jacket in your backpack though – it will take up too much space. Wear it on the plane or tie it around your waist.

quick dry trousers

Jeans are not quick to dry and can also be quite bulky, so they are not a good choice if you want to travel light.

To find quick dry pants, look for hiking pants , even if you’re not going hiking.

They are made of the right quick dry, moisture wicking materials . They will also typically be breathable and lightweight.

quick dry underwear

You want your underwear to dry quickly as well as be odour resistant.

ExOfficio   are probably the most famous brand known for making some excellent travel underwear for both women and men.

They dry quickly and smell less, so you can take fewer pairs with you when you travel light.

Matching colours

This packing tip is simple and will help you avoid a basic packing mistake.

Make sure whatever you pack can be colour-coordinated.

In other words, avoid packing anything that isn’t compatible with any outfit you may wear on your trip.

You don’t want to waste space packing garments that you’ll only end up using once or twice.

By colour coordinating, you can easily mix-and-match them to create many different outfits without packing a lot of clothes.

Another simple but clever packing tip when it comes to clothing is to use layering.

Check the weather forecast before you travel. If you’re going to a hot and sunny place, then don’t worry about layering obviously.

However, some places may be sunny in the morning and cold in the evening, or different parts of the country may have completely different climates.

Also, in colder countries, whenever you go on a train or enter a heated up space, like a shop, you’ll immediately feel the need to take some layers off.

That’s where layering gives you great flexibility when you travel, without having to carry any unnecessary items of clothing.

On a sunny day, you can walk around in a t-shirt, but when it gets cooler after dark, that same t-shirt becomes a base layer.

You want to pick only garments you can layer easily, so ideally they would be of similar thickness, though some can be of warmer fabrics.

A fleece jacket is super handy for layering when you travel, because it’s warm but also lightweight and can fold easily (plus it dries quickly as we mentioned already).

When it’s cold I would prefer layering two fleece jackets to wearing one big coat.

If I were to take off that one big coat, I’d have to carry it around with me, while the thinner jackets can fold easily into my day bag, or I can tie them around my waist.

What to do about shoes if you want to travel light

Shoes are a huge problem if you want to pack light. They’re just too bulky.

Flip flops  are an exception – they are super useful and don’t take up too much room.

You can wear them for the beach, when you take a shower and as part of a summer outfit too.

As for other shoes, it really depends on the type of trip you’re going on.  hiking boots  may be necessary. In that case, wear them on the plane and your pack lighter walking shoes in your backpack.

Your clothes should be colour-coordinated and the same applies to shoes, so dark shoes are often a safe bet.

Also remember that you can buy shoes at your destination, so sometimes it isn’t necessary to pack extra shoes at all.

When you pack your clothing, pack for a week , no matter how long your trip is.

This classic trick is one that’s used by many savvy travellers and all it requires is that you have access to a washing machine once week.

This way you can travel forever with a small backpack.

It’s so much easier to find a washing machine along the way than to needlessly carry heavy luggage with you everywhere you go.

Find a laundromat, use the washing machine at your vacation rental or even use your hotel’s laundry service.

If you really can’t find a washing machine, there’s always the sink.

Quick dry clothes are ever so useful and you’ll be glad you bought them when you do your laundry once a week.

You can buy laundry detergent in small, travel size packets. I suggest you buy these at your destination, rather than carry them with you on the plane.

Don’t forget to bring a small  laundry bag  to keep clean and dirty clothes separate inside your backpack. You can also use a compression bag just for laundry.

Toiletries – pack less and pack solid

When it comes to packing toiletries I would advise you to first, take less than you think you need, and second, opt for solid versions.

Pack less toiletries – you can buy them later

Toiletries take up a lot of room in your bag, but they don’t have to.

If you are going to stay at a hotel, it’s likely that you’ll be provided with shampoo and body wash, so there’s no need to bring those at all.

If you wear makeup, be sure to take only what you will definitely use, not stuff that you might want to use, and definitely not anything that you might only use once.

Always remember that anything you don’t bring with you, you can buy at your destination (unless you’re travelling to the middle of nowhere).

Shampoo, body lotion, shower gel, sunblock, toothpaste, deodorant – these are things you can buy cheaply anywhere you go.

When you travel with carry on luggage, liquids and creams you take with you on board the plane cannot exceed 100ml (or 3.38 oz). This isn’t a universal rule, but it applies in many countries.

You can bring small travel size bottles of essential toiletries for the first couple of days, and then buy the rest later.

However, I recommend you replace liquids with their solid versions.

Get solid toiletries to avoid flying with liquids

This will make it easier for you to pack despite the ban on flying with liquids and creams exceeding 100ml .

Liquids might also spill inside you bag and can cause damage or just be a hassle to clean up.

Soap  is easy – no need to carry shower gel when you can bring a bar of soap.

Even if you’re used to showering with shower gel at home, make an exception for your trip and it will make your packing easier and lighter.

What about shampoo ?

I started travelling with a shampoo bar in recent years and I’m really happy with it! Wish I’d known about it earlier…

How does a shampoo bar work? It looks just like a bar of soap and it lathers up when you rub it in your hands in the shower, and then you can wash your hair with it.

Browse solid shampoo bars here >>

Shampoo bars save space in your luggage and they last for a long time.

An added advantage is that you can use a shampoo bar as body soap too. This is useful if you want to go for super minimalist packing.

Gadgets – travel light more efficiently

Gadgets can also take up too much space in your luggage. Let’s look at ways to pack more efficiently.

Travel adaptor

You’ll probably need a  travel adaptor  and it’s best to buy a universal one that you can use in most countries with various sockets.

It should also convert electrical currencies where needed.

This way you don’t need to carry several adaptors if you’re going to multiple destinations around the world.

To save more space, instead of taking a phone charger, get a   universal adaptor with USB ports . It will let you charge your phone, tablet and power bank. You only need to bring the USB cords.

Reading when you travel light

To travel light,  make the most out of your phone .

It can replace quite a lot of things that there’s no need to carry anymore: books (both recreational reading and guidebooks), a camera, maps, a flashlight, a notebook, magazines… And obviously you can use it to listen to music and watch movies.

You don’t need to carry heavy guide books with you. Many travel guides have ebook versions.

This will save you a lot of space and weight when you’re packing.

When you pack headphones or earphones , make sure they are both compact and noise cancelling or noise reducing (useful for noisy flights or trains).

Portable chargers

A portable power bank is essential if you’re out and about all day and your phone runs out of battery.

If it runs out just when you need to check Google Maps to see which bus to take, or to check addresses, reviews, opening times or anything else – you’ll be so grateful you packed a backup battery.

Portable chargers are also useful for flights, so you can watch movies on your phone without worrying about the battery running out.

These chargers come in different capacities measured in milliamperes (mAh). The higher the mAh number, the more power the charger has.

I normally carry two, just for peace of mind, and charge them overnight.

Hope you find these tips helpful when you pack for your next trip!

Do share this article with any of your friends who might need packing advice.

If you have more tips on packing light, do share them in the comments.

save this guide on how to travel light on pinterest

• Tags Minimalist Packing , Packing , Packing Light , Packing Lists , Travel Accessories , Travel Gadgets , Travel Gear

16 Comments

Great tips on traveling light! Personally, I’ll always check a bag as my carryons are full of camera gear and laptop. But love all the ideas on how to make traveling easier and more functional!

Great tips and good reminder as well.

I definitely could work on traveling lighter. I do use packing cubes and I think they are a huge help! Great post. 🙂

Great tips on traveling light! Personally I’ll always check a bag as my carryons are full of camera gear and laptop. Lol. But love all the ideas on how to make traveling easier and more functional! ?

I love packing light!! Great items and tips on here! I LOVE using shampoo bars when traveling.

Thank you so much for the recommendations and the jacket with all the pockets looks amazing!!

I really need to check out the shampoo bars. I keep hearing about it and it’s great for carry on luggage.

Yes, it’s so convenient 🙂

I love traveling light! I do most of these but never thought about using a smaller bag to pack leas. Genius!! I’ve recently started using packing cubes and I LOVE them! Makes everything so organized. Thanks for this posts, it was super helpful! I’ll try the smaller bag for my next trip.

We do most of these things already, and we love it! Been on the road for 4 months now with nothing but carry-on: a 46L Osprey Porter and a 28L daypack (mostly for camera gear). All solid toiletries (including a laundry bar so we can wash clothing without a machine) and merino clothing that we can wear for days 🙂

Great article 🙂 Thank you for this. I have always used Osprey when travelling but that Eagle Creek backpack looks epic and very durable.

These are great tips! I am always guilty of packing way too much and then hating my life as I have to lug my bag around. I think I’m going to invest in a 40L backpack for my next big trip and see how that goes!

Good luck! I thinks it’s the best way to travel and you’ll get used to it easily 🙂

A great and enviable post. What a detailed guide! Great information and advice.

Indeed, there are hikers who are light grasshoppers, and there are hikers who are turtles, who move their hump, or part of it, wherever they travel.

I belong to the second type .. . I have already been jealous of Henderson (“Henderson the Rain King”, Saul Bellow), who traveled to Africa with his modest luggage including the following items: a toothbrush in his pocket, a credit card and a wide-brimmed hat.

Thanks to Tal Bright

Great guide! I pack in a 40L backpack which converts to a suitcase (the straps can be hidden) which I just love. It’s perfect for my full-time travel lifestyle. But I still get jealous when I’m boarding a plane and other people have much smaller suitcases than me.

A note about solid toiletries: I recently started travelling with a deodorant crystal – a completely solid object. But the people at the airport flag it as a liquid every time I go through security. I got so tired of being pulled aside that I now just put it in with my liquids.

Thanks Jane! I know what you mean about getting jealous when you see people with smaller luggage 😉 I think that if the deodorant crystal comes in the kind of packaging that’s similar to ordinary deodorant, than yes, it’s very likely to confuse airport security…

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Traveling & Packing Light

“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” ― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

The Complete Guide To Traveling Anywhere With Only A Carry On Bag Or Less

Hey! Welcome to this  ridiculously  in-depth guide about  how  to pack a suitcase!

I’m James Eagleman, a full-time traveler. Overpacking is by far the most common travel mistake I see. Here I will be providing you with your briefing on packing light and traveling light.

“The time has come to lay that baggage down and leave behind all the struggling and striving.” ― Sue Augustine

For some this guide may be a simple refresher course, for others, it will provide some useful hints and tips, and for a few, it might just be a life-changer.

This guide is descriptive, not prescriptive – I realize it’s not for everyone. You can take or leave any of the advice you read here. This is just my story of how I live my life.

I divided the guide into chapters, and each section has a list of actionable steps to help you travel light.

I hope you enjoy it.

James Eagleman, 2022

Traveling Light

It’s when we travel lightest that we most become ourselves. Underneath all your possessions you find your true self.

Nobody likes carrying heavy bags, paying checking fees, and worrying about airlines losing luggage. It’s a drag…

But we are addicted to Stuff.

And the airlines know we’re hooked. Baggage checking fees are a tax on our attachment to possessions. They’re a penalty for lack of fore-planning and imagination. Airlines lure us in with cheap flights then hit us with “extras” at every opportunity.

It’s when we travel lightest that we most become ourselves. Underneath all your possessions you find your true self. – James Eagleman

But you won’t hear me complaining…​

As a species, we’re able to travel more easily now than ever before.

The early humans took the best part of 100,000 years to travel out of Africa and populate the globe. They journeyed across Asia to North America and finally down to the southern tip of South America. 4000 generations of mothers, fathers, daughters, and sons lived and died their way westwards. Our family took a long journey, right?

Today you can fly direct from South Africa to Brazil in less than 10 hours. And all the while watching Netflix and moaning about your lack of legroom.

From this perspective, modern travel is miraculous. It ought to be thrilling… do you want to risk spoiling your awesome adventure by packing too heavy?

If your answer is no, then you’re going to need to learn to pack and travel light my friend.

5 Steps To Becoming A Lightweight Traveler

1. awaken the adventurer within.

The process of becoming a light traveler starts long before you pack a bag. It starts within yourself, with approaching travel in a spirit of adventure.

I don’t care if you are going on a dull business trip for the 100th time. If you’re flying through the sky at 550 miles per hour, there is something magical happening. Never forget that.

Light travelers don’t pack for every eventuality because that’s impossible. And finding yourself far from home without “that thing you left behind” is part of the adventure.

Embrace “what’s the worst that could happen?” thinking. Lay down your fears and feel the freedom that follows. Trust me everything will be okay, even if you run out of clean underwear.

2. (Tomorrow May Rain So) Follow The Sun

Traveling light is a whole lot easier in warmer weather. The more pleasant the climate, the fewer clothes you will need to protect you from the climate.

If you can avoid going to cold and wet places you won’t need to pack bulky sweaters, jackets, and boots. If you do go to wintry climates, make sure you wear your heavy boots and jacket on the plane.

Before you think about packing research the climate of your destinations. Think about what you’ll do there and the altitude you’ll be at. I like using  timeanddate.com  to research climate and they have a fantastic  sunrise and sunset calculator .

3. Accept the Costs

There can be costs to traveling light. I don’t deny it, but there can be savings too.

The costs are worth it and it balances out. The things you buy can be more expensive but you own fewer things. And anyway like Tyler Durden said:

“The things you own end up owning you.” – Chuck Palahniuk

Carry less stuff and get your freedom back.

4. Think Like A Traveler Not A Tourist

Is there a difference? I think so.

Travelers think differently than tourists  and packing heavy is a rookie mistake.

Tourists with huge bags are easy to spot and vulnerable to scams and thieves. You can be a target right from the moment you land. Unscrupulous taxi drivers often take visitors on an expensive detour.

And of course, you need that taxi because your bags are too huge for public transport!

With large luggage, you are less nimble and less able to escape sketchy situations.

5. Trade Things For Experiences

Light travelers carry fewer things. But they have more experiences.

For example, when was the last time you walked from the airport to your hotel?

It’s only about 7 km from Malta International Airport to the center of Valletta. That’s about a 90-minute walk and it’s a pleasant journey especially as you get closer to Valletta center. Of course, if it’s too hot you’d be better to take a taxi but by traveling light your options open up.

In fact, many airports are less than 2 hours walk to the center.

I always check the map and the street view and consider walking from the airport to the center. I can do that because my bag isn’t heavy.

And speaking of bags…​

When you travel light  your carry-on bag is your best friend.

Checking bags slows you down, puts your valuables at risk, and costs you time and money.  Carry-on only is the way to go.  You’ll save money and keep your valuables safe. It’s a no-brainer.

“It seemed like there was definitely a relationship between how much stuff a person carried and the amount of fun that they were having. The more stuff, the less fun.” – Tom Bihn Bag Designer & Maker

You can check a detailed list of airline  carry-on size restrictions  here. To prepare yourself for international travel get a carry on bag no greater than:

21 inches (53.5 cm), width of 14 inches (35.5 cm) and depth of 8 inches (20.3 cm)

Bags of this size and under will permit carry-on travel on most airlines.

Keep an eye on weight restrictions too. But if you follow this guide you won’t ever need to worry about going above carry-on weight limits .

7 Steps To Carry On Enlightenment

1. remember the 1st law of minimalist travel.

The amount of crap you pack expands to fit the available space in your bag.

Or to put it another way. If you have a big bag… you will end up filling it with a lot of crap.

“The amount of crap you pack expands to fit the available space in your bag” – James Eagleman

Just because a bag has a certain capacity, it doesn’t mean that you need to fill that capacity.

2. See Through The Illusion

We overfill our bags because we are too attached to our things.

You don’t need so many things but you are under the illusion that you need them.

You don’t need them.

This post is all about seeing through the illusion and showing you the road to a lighter life.

To beat your overpacking habit you first have to recognize that you have a problem ))

3. Acknowledge The Possibility of Traveling With Carry-On Only

You can break free from overpacking.

Accept that while it might not be easy it is possible. Many people travel the world with all their possessions in only a single carry-on bag. How do they do it? If they can do it so can you. You just need to figure out how.

4. Follow the One Bag Path

The road to carry on enlightenment is through the cunning use of a smaller bag.

If you dive in and buy a smaller carry-on bag and you will just need to make it work.

“Ahh but what about all my stuff!!” I hear you cry.

Don’t worry. By the time you’ve read this guide will have mastered the art of traveling and packing light. Chapters 3-5 deal with packing, not-packing, and planning.

But before that, you must…

5. Choose The Right Bag

The weight of your bag is important!

Rolling luggage is great if you are doing it home-taxi-airplane-taxi-hotel style. Walking longer distances away from the smooth floors of airport lobbies is rarely fun.

The best travel backpacks  are lighter and more secure than rolling suitcases. Some ultralight travelers even go without a bag altogether.

If you choose a backpack don’t choose a top-loading backpack. Your travel bag or suitcase should open completely to allow access to everything.

Make sure you can easily identify your bag. Even though you are traveling carry-on it could be stolen or switched.  In-flight theft is a thing .

6. If the shoe doesn’t fit… wear it!

When you keep your bag small you will need to wear your heavy items.

Wear your big jacket when boarding. Wear anything heavy when boarding. In fact, if you are serious you could buy a travel jacket that has lots of pockets to carry items. Scottvesttravel jackets are ideal for this sort of thing. Remember. Wearing is not carrying.

7. The personal item

I tend to not use the personal item allowance because not all airlines have the same guidelines. I don’t need the extra allowance and who wants to carry two bags anyway?

Don’t rely on the personal item allowance to carry more stuff. You can get into trouble with airlines that have less generous allowances.

CHAPTER 3

The 80/20 Rule

You might be familiar with the Pareto Principle also known as the 80—20 rule. If not, it roughly goes like this — for many events roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.

So for example… 80% of the profits come from 20% of the customers

Or… 80% of the crops come from 20% of the seeds sown.

There are hundreds of examples. The Pareto Principle is a rule of thumb it’s not supposed to be exact. I think the 80/20 rule applies to packing too — 20% of what you pack meets 80% of your needs.

As light travelers,  we try to only pack the 20%  of things to meet most of our needs. This means our haul can be up to 80% lighter. Wheyhey!

To meet the rest of our needs we improvise like Macgyver on a weekend in Paris.

Yes, you don’t have 7 pairs of underwear labeled Sunday through to Saturday…

But you did pack your travel soap and a universal sink plug.

How To Pack Only The 20%

​1. use a packing list.

The internet is full of packing list templates for many different types of adventures.

2. Assemble a Travel Clothes Wardrobe

In this section, I’m going to talk a lot about clothes, because clothes take up the most space. So this is where you can make the biggest improvements to your packing method.

It can take a long time to assemble a travel clothes wardrobe. But you don’t need to do it all at once. If you start to think about travel when doing your regular clothes shopping it can pay off over time.

Good travel clothes should be  quick drying . This allows you to wash it overnight and wear it again the next day. Doing some handwashing while traveling is one of the best ways to reduce your weight.

Try to  c hoose neutral colors  for your travel clothes. This way you can mix and match to create more outfits that work together.

Use layers.  It’s better to have more pieces of clothes for the same weight. For example, the t-shirt, shirt, and light sweater combo is better than a heavy sweater. It gives you more options.

Versatility.  Items of clothing that can perform double duties are a great idea. For example, shorts that also double as swimming shorts.

Trilogy theory.  3 shirts, 3 pairs of socks, 3 pairs of underwear. 2 pairs of pants and 1 pair of shorts.

Bendy Bras.  Sources tell me that bras without underwires can be rolled up.

Downsize your underwear.  This tip might not be everyone but some people are big pants people and some people wear skimpy thongs. Skimpy things are the correct packing light choice if not always the correct fashion choice.

3. Invest In Wool

Wool.  Wool has been engineered by nature for keeping sheep clean and warm. It’s durable, has a great insulation to weight ratio, and doesn’t wrinkle or get stinky. Wool and Prince make some awesome travel shirts for guys made from superfine merino wool.

Woolen clothes are more expensive than cotton, but they save you money in the long run.

If you buy wool clothing, you don’t need a lot of clothes. You can carry your entire wardrobe on your back.

Wool clothes are expensive, but they never stink even after weeks of wear. You can just hand wash them when you feel like it. And they dry quickly. You can hand wash a shirt, put it right on immediately and it will be completely dry within about 15 minutes.

I’m not talking sweaters either. You can buy woolen shirts and suits that look like business attire but behave differently.

Superfine merino wool is not itchy. It’s more comfortable to wear than cotton. It has fantastic wicking properties. It keeps you cool when it’s hot and hot when it’s cool.

By all means. If you want to spend your life pulling a wardrobe behind you or running a laundrette, then go right ahead. I buy wool.

3. Choose Travel Shoes Wisely

More specifics about wool and travel clothes in Chapter 3

4. Travel Gear

Travel Computing.  Take a tablet rather than a laptop. I work while traveling and I found that the best travel laptop in my case was a Microsoft Surface Pro. It has the power of a laptop but the size and weight of a large tablet. Avoid the inferior keyword cover and use a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse.

Pack a Foldable Day Pack.  Unless you’ve gone ultra-light your travel bag will probably be too big to use once you are at your destination.  

Compact umbrella or waterproof poncho.  If I am in hot climates I find a heavy jacket unnecessary. I like to walk in the rain and an umbrella or waterproof poncho helps with this.

Sunglasses .  Need I say more? Sunnies are essential for trips to bright sunny places. But don’t worry you can wear them on your head and they don’t take up any of your carry-on allowance.

Travel coffee maker.  I’ve written elsewhere how  travelinglight.com runs on rich black coffee.  I make sure to find room in my backpack for a travel coffee maker.

Sleep mask.  A sleep mask can really help for sleeping on the plane, jetlag or sleeping in unfamiliar rooms. It’s an essential piece of kit for your travel and lightweight too!

Earplugs.  Like a sleep mask earplugs help for sleeping during travel and in strange places. Gram for gram one of the best items you can pack in your carry on.

Fir st aid kit .  This one depends on where you are traveling to and what you will be doing.  A first aid kit  can be a handy thing to pack if you are going to be doing a lot of hikng

A Lightweight Travel Adapter.  You want to be able to charge those gadgets. Typically a travel adapter is quite chunky but  this one  is nice and small and light.

Money belt or neck wallet. RFID blocking wallet. Passport wallet.

Keep your cash and cards in different places. Keep emergency cash.

5. Travel Laundry

Doing laundry on the road is an essential part of traveling light. If you are used to doing all your laundry with a washing machine it might seem like washing clothes on the road will be a hassle.

Yes it is annoying but so is lugging around a heavy bag packed full of clothes.

In reality, to hand wash a few items will only take a few minutes and the benefits are huge.

Pack a travel sink plug. This will help because not all hotels have sink plugs.

You could also pack some travel detergent like Dr. Beckmann Travel Wash though I often just wash my clothes with shampoo.

A clothesline can help to dry things and it doesn’t take up much room.

To dry clothes fast roll them up in a towel and stand on them. I often hand wash a polo shirt, roll it in a towel, stamp on it and put it straight on slightly damp.

After about 30 mins it will be fully dry just from your body heat.

Leave It Behind

11 steps to becoming a zen carry on master, 1. use a not-packing list.

Here are some things that you might have thought about taking but probably don’t need. Do yourself a favor and leave them at home.

2. Know Your Restricted Items

Bottles can’t be more than 100ml. All your 100ml bottles need to fit in a single sealable one liter plastic bag. Nothing sharp. No scissors.

3. The Post Landing Repack

Use airport lockers. In short stays I sometimes take an airport locker and dump things that I know I won’t need.If I’m not working I pack my computer and some clothes into an airport locker.

4. Don’t Pack “What If” Items

“What if” rarely happens and when it does you will deal with it.

5. Use Local Shops

There are few wildernesses left on the planet. Most places sell toothpaste and toilet roll.

6. Air dry your way to freedom

Use a tiny microfiber towel. Buy a large towel locally and leave it behind when you leave.

7. Burn Your Books

Books are heavy. Don’t carry books.

If you are a serious reader take a kindle or even better buy audiobook editions and listen to your books

I like to take walks to explore a new area while listening to audiobooks.

I sometimes use this cable to listen to an audiobook on my phone and music on my ipod shuffle at the same time.

Download the kindle app to your phone or laptop.

Take photographs of sections of guidebooks. Apps like evernote allow you to concert photos of books to searchable text.

8. Make Your Children Carry Your Stuff Like Tiny Slaves

Okay… maybe not YOUR STUFF but at least get them to carry some of their own stuff. If you are  traveling with kids get them to carry something . Don’t make your kids the luggage, teach them to help.

9. Screw The Duct Tape

Not for the kids mouths…If you’ve seen The Martian you’ll know that simple duct tape can save your ass if you get stuck on mars. Are you going to mars?

If yes then sure take it. But if you are staying on earth then you probably don’t need it.

Duct tape can be used to make quick repairs to shoes, clothes, make rope and If your shows are so f*cked they’re held together with ductape I’m sorry but it’s time to go buy some new shoes.

10. Forget the Frisbee

Some travel bloggers recommend packing a frisbee since it’s a great way to break the ice and meet new people. Frisbes also make a half-decent cutting board, plate or fan. And with the right technique you could use one to kill an assailant in a pinch.

Sorry Frisbee! You are great n’all but that still doesn’t earn you place in my carry on! It’s not you. It’s me! I travel light!

It’s not that I think frisbees are a bad idea. I like the idea of tossing a frisbee in the park as a way to break the ice. I just don’t think you need to pack one and lug it around with you. Just buy one locally or a bat and ball or whatever.

11. Anything where “there’s an app for that”

If “there’s an app for that” then it probably shouldn’t be in your carry-on bag. Not so long ago electronic devices were huge.

Now our magical smart phones can replaces so many devices.

Unless you are a serious photography leave the DSLR behind your phone takes awesome photos now.

Packing Smart

Now that you know what to take…

And you know what not to take…

It’s time to go deep.

Mankind has long pondered the big philosophical ideas. What is the meaning of life? Who am I? Why is there something rather than nothing? What is true happiness? How do I pack a suitcase?

“How do I pack a suitcase” remains one of the most discussed ideas online.

As if there wasn’t enough written about it here are my tips of putting your stuff into your bag.

7 Packing Origami Ideas To Organize Your Load Out Of Existence

1. compress your clothes..

There are a few different schools of thought when it comes to clothes compression. My fear with compression is that it just allows you to fit more stuff that you don’t need in your bag. Anyway, here they come, use them wisely.

Roll your  clothes .  This is a classic travel tip smart granddads were doing this in the seventies.

Packing cubes.  The pro travelers favorite. Compression packing cubes can gain you an extra few inches worth of space.

Z ip lock bags.  The cheapos packing cube. 

Vacuum compression bags . These can suck all the air out that sweater and get reduce the size of it but it won’t do anything to help with your weight. In fact, the danger is you will simply pack more vacuum-packed sweaters that previously.

Rubber bands.  Yes just regular rubber bands. It might not be very sophisticated but rubber bands are a simple, lightweight method to compress items in your carry-on.

Stuff sacks . A sack that you stuff things into. Can be very helpful with dirty clothes.

Garment folders.  These can help with delicate items where you want to avoid creasing. They probably will have a flat iron where you are going though.

2. Use The Inside Of Your Shoes

You can put all sort of things inside your shoes not only feet!

Pack your underwear inside your shoes.

These travel adapters  fit snugly inside my walking shoes.

Roll your socks into little balls and squeeze them in there.

That half-eaten cheese sandwich from the airplane… that could fit inside your shoe!

The possibilities are endless! You get the idea ))​

3. Pack It On Your Person

You can fill your jacket pockets with items. You can put things in your pockets.

I mainly use this method for heavy items like hiking boots or jackets.​

4. Distribute Your Weight

If you have a rolling suitcase put the heavier things at the bottom. This will stop your case from being top-heavy and tipping over.

If you have a backpack put the heaviest items in the center closest to your back. This with put more of the weight onto your hips.

5. Pack It In The Post

Travel caching.  Before putting your things into your bag. Fold them nice and neat and put them into a cardboard box. Write the name of the hotel you are staying at on the cardboard box. Take the cardboard box to your local post office and ask them to send the box to the hotel you are staying at.

Note. Contact your hotel to check they will accept the package. I have found airbnb hosts can sometimes also accommodate.

Be sure to keep your most valuable valuables in your possession. Don’t mail that Rolex to the Airbnb guy.

Memories Are Your Best Souvenirs

Is it possible to pack too light?

For physical possessions, I suggest making do with as few things as you can comfortably manage without. It’s not that complicated really. If you use it…. you need it. If you don’t use it… you don’t need it.

But I believe there are some things that are always worth carrying.

The things in this chapter are very lightweight but perhaps the most important.

Carry as much of them as you can manage!​

5 Things That Are Worth Carrying

1. memories.

Why do we travel? Just to get from A to B?

From your first baby steps to your last steps — life is made up of all the little moments.

All life is a journey of some type. Even if you are just on a boring business trip or some other travel that you can’t be bothered with. The dullest trip is always part of a bigger journey. The journey from your first day at school to graduation. The trip from first date to marriage. From new start to becoming the boss.

From your first baby steps to your  last  steps — life is made up of all the little moments.

Even on the most mundane trip, there is the possibility that a special moment in your life will happen.

Be ready for it. You will want to pick up that moment and carry it with you forever.

Pack it in your heart and take it with you.

2. Peace of Mind

Did you know that the animals with the most predators sleep the least?

They’ve got the most to worry about right?

Our waking minds exist to worry and help us avoid danger.

Consciousness itself is a kind of threat detection system, to help us avoid predators and stay safe.

And when we travel to unusual places we feel more fear than usual. Anxiety can grow and spoil our experience of travel.

It doesn’t help that the news makes the world seem like such a dangerous place with terrorists waiting around every corner.​

But here’s the thing… most of the things we worry about NEVER HAPPEN!

Take this nugget of wisdom. Pack it carefully somewhere where you won’t forget it. And carry it with you always.

3. A Friendly Smile

A smile is our species way of telling people that we don’t want any trouble and we are no threat.

If you don’t smile. People can be intimidated and scared of you. It’s just human nature.

It can really ruin a good trip if people are threatened and wary of you. They become defensive and closed.

People say that Queen Elizebeth thinks the whole world smells like fresh paint… because everywhere she goes has been freshly painted.

If you walk around with a scowl, you’ll find a world full of surly defensive people. The world has been painted black because King Grumpypants is coming.

Pack your smile with you. For the best travel adventures wear it every day to show the world that you come in peace. And wherever you go the people there will smile back at you!

4. Small Talk

I’m an introvert and social situations can be stressful and tiring for me.

It’s easy for me to shrink into my shell and spend too much alone time because this is where I am most comfortable.

This might seem like a strange choice to mention for people whose small talk comes naturally and easily.

For me, it’s hard work. Small talk is something I need to carry with me and remember to use.

Why is it necessary?

Because travel can be isolating. You can be away from friends and family and normal social contact.

And social contact is essential to human health and happiness.

All introverts need to remember to pack their small talk so they can make social connections while traveling.​

Because social connections lead to…​

5. Friendships

Travel is a great way to invite interesting experiences into your life.

And shared experiences bring people together and can end up in life-long friendships.

As I get older I find I make more acquaintances and fewer friends.

If you do meet a friend on the road make sure you take that friendship with you. Pack it on in your bag and don’t forget it.

Real solid friendships are a rare thing.

Thanks for reading our guide to traveling light and packing light. I hope this book has given you some ideas and helped you with your travel plans!

Now it would make me most happy if you  take the core message with you and leave the rest of this post behind!

Bon voyage!

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My Ultralight Minimalist Travel Packing List for 2024

Executing minimalist travel is simple:

• Choose a suitable bag that you can carry onto an airplane
• Fill it with clothing, gear, and other travel essentials
• Leave everything else behind

By doing so, you’ll experience the world feeling light as a feather, unbothered by the burden of unnecessary stuff.

I’ve learned the value of minimalist travel through visiting dozens of countries over years of travel experience. I carry everything I need to travel, work full-time, and film/photograph my adventures in an ultralight 25-liter personal item-sized bag .

I’m here to share the packing list I use to prepare for minimalist trips of a week or more and analyze every piece of gear I bring along.

Stay tuned; it’s time to lighten up.

Minimalist Packing List for 2023

Why Bring Less Stuff?

• Minimalist Travel Bags
• Must-Bring Travel Essentials
• In-Transit Travel Clothing
• Minimalist Travel Wardrobe
• Cold-Weather Travel Clothing
• Connectivity & Organization Gear
• Minimalist Travel Toiletries Kit
• Everything Else
• Minimalist Packing List Variations
• Final Thoughts on Minimalist Travel

Packing the minimum you need to explore your destination comfortably, much like ultralight backpacking , will reduce the weight on your back as you move from place to place. The less weight on your back, the more mobile you will be.

In well-executed minimalist travel, everything in your bag serves a purpose, benefits your journey, and pushes you forward. If you ever have to ask yourself, “Why did I bring this item again?” you probably should have never packed it in the first place.

Believe me, I overpacked for years. I used to be the guy who hauled around an 80-liter backpack and was overwhelmed and exhausted daily by the sheer number of possessions I had as I traveled. It wasn’t worth it.

When I say that minimalist travel is the most liberating way to move about the world, it comes from years of experience. By packing less, we free up time, space, energy, and money to experience our journey without any dead weight holding us back.

Now, let’s dive into my up-to-date minimalist packing list for 2024.

Minimalist Travel Bag

Travel Backpack

Ultralight Daypack: Zpacks Bagger ULTRA 25

In the world of minimalist travel, it all starts with a personal item-sized backpack . I’m over the moon with my ultralight Zpacks Bagger ULTRA 25-liter pack, which is waterproof and weighs a ridiculous 10.7 ounces. Can’t afford to fork out 250 bucks? Check out the Matador Freerain28 .

BUY ON ZPACKS

Minimalist Packing Essentials

Wallet/Purse

Passport/Visa

Cash/Credit Cards

Insurance Documents

Copies of Passport/Visa

Do-it-All Cell Phone: iPhone 13 Pro

A smartphone should be a key cog of anyone’s travel packing list. My iPhone 13 Pro has a ton of storage (512 GB), a fast processor, an incredible camera, and a beautiful display. Yes, it’s one of the pricier smartphones out there, but I got a considerable discount buying refurbished.

BUY ON AMAZON

Minimalist Wallet: Slimfold Soft Shell

There’s no room for gigantic, bulging wallets in minimalist travel, so keep it simple. The Slimfold Soft Shell wallet does everything you’ll ever ask of it while never being a bother. It’s RFID-blocking, waterproof, and super comfortable to carry. Did I mention it weighs half an ounce?

BUY ON SLIMFOLD

Worn Clothing While In-Transit

Sweatshirt: American Giant

I almost always travel in a sweatshirt, even when visiting a warmer destination. I love its coziness in airports, airplanes, trains, lounges, and other environments with heavy air conditioning. My sweatshirt is a bit bulky, so it never goes in my backpack.

BUY ON AMERICAN GIANT

Merino Wool T-Shirt: Wool&Prince

If you bump into me while I’m traveling, chances are I’ll be wearing a Wool&Prince tee. These shirts are soft, comfortable, odor-resistant, and fit my frame well. They stay smelling fresh even after several days of use in a row. Thanks, merino wool!

BUY ON WOOL&PRINCE

Do-it-All Travel Pants: Outlier Slim Dungarees

I only bring one pair of pants when I’m minimalist traveling, so they’d better be top quality. My drawers of choice are from a fabric-obsessed NYC-based brand called Outlier. In their words, “If you only own a single pair of pants, these are the ones.” They’re a splurge, but worth it.

BUY ON OUTLIER

Versatile Shoes: Lems Primal Zen

My style of travel — lots of hiking, exploring, and city strolling — calls for a durable and versatile set of shoes. To meet all of these needs, I chose the Lens Primal Zens. These zero-drop shoes can handle the gym, backcountry, sidewalks, and everything in between.

BUY ON LEMS

Baseball Hat: Proof Rover

Like many minimalist travelers, I can’t be bothered with styling my hair every single day. For that reason, I always travel with a trusty baseball hat. The stylish and versatile Rover allows me to get up and go without looking into a mirror first.

BUY ON HUCKBERRY

Retro Sunglasses: Knockaround Fast Lanes

I’ve tried other sunglasses brands but always keep returning to the Knockaround Fast Lanes. They’ve got a classic look, polarized lenses, and ring in around 30 bucks. They elevate my minimalist travel swagger but don’t break the bank.

BUY ON KNOCKAROUND

Breathable Underwear: Mack Weldon

Comfortable underwear is oh so crucial in the world of minimalist travel, and that’s why the Mack Weldon 18-Hour Jersey Boxer Briefs are my new favorite undies for the road. They’re exceptionally soft and wick away moisture, keeping the stink of travel at bay.

BUY ON MACK WELDON

Super-Comfortable Socks: Darn Tough Crew

I’m a sock snob. That’s why I’ll only buy Darn Tough brand socks, even if they cost $20 a pair. They’re expertly crafted from an ultra-comfortable Merino wool blend, and each pair comes with a lifetime guarantee, though they’re so durable you may never need to use it.

BUY ON DARN TOUGH

Reversible Belt: Perry Ellis

I used to sport an Arcade Ranger stretchy belt, but it was a little too stretchy, and my pants would slowly start to sag as the day wore on. I recently switched to this reversible leather belt that still allows some stretch but just the right amount.

Packed Minimalist Travel Wardrobe

Button-Down Shirt

T-Shirts (3)

Athletic Shorts

Underwear (2)

Packing Cubes

Button-Down Shirt: Everlane Japanese Oxford

Though I’m a t-shirt guy through and through, I always bring a button-down shirt for fancier occasions. This is my favorite shirt of its kind in my at-home wardrobe, and thus, it has earned a spot in my backpack. It fits perfectly, looks great buttoned or unbuttoned, and has held up for years.

BUY ON EVERLANE

Well, hello again, incredible Wool&Prince Merino wool t-shirt! I usually pack an extra one of these when I’m traveling to stay fresh and switch up my color schemes as needed. As I mentioned earlier, these rarely trap odor, so they can be worn for days on end without raising a stink.

Performance Tee: Bluffworks Threshold (2)

Though I love my Wool&Prince tees, I’d rather not beat them up when working out, having a beach day, or going on a rigorous hike. That’s where my Bluffworks Tresholds come in. They’re made from polyester and elastane and are meant for high-intensity activities.

BUY ON BLUFFWORKS

Versatile Athletic Shorts: Olivers All Over

I throw on my All Overs when washing my travel pants or need something to wear while working out or swimming. They’re comfortable, can be worn out on the town, and take up barely any space in my bag. They make my minimalist wardrobe all the more versatile.

BUY ON OLIVERS

Breathable Underwear: Mack Weldon (2)

I’m addicted to my Mack Weldons; they’re the only underwear I ever want to wear. When minimalist traveling, I cycle between three pairs of these and wash them frequently. I can stretch their usage an extra day or two between washes if needed.

Super-Comfortable Socks: Darn Tough No Show (2)

When I find a product I love, I sing its praises. That said, my Darn Toughs are so delightful — so utterly comfortable — that I will give you some advice: buy these socks . When traveling, I bring one pair of crew socks and two no-shows. I wash them regularly, usually by hand.

Packing Cube/Shoulder Bag: TOM BIHN

In the world of extreme minimalist travel, real estate inside my bag is at a premium. To maximize the space, I use a packing cube to store my clothing. My functional TOM BIHN cube also doubles as a shoulder bag when used in conjunction with a shoulder strap.

BUY ON TOM BIHN

Optional Cold and/or Rainy Weather Clothing

Winter Jacket

Rain Jacket

Long Underwear

Lightweight Down Jacket: Arc’teryx Cerium LT

For cold-weather trips, a packable down jacket should be part of every minimalist traveler’s arsenal. I travel with my trusty Arc’teryx Cerium LT, which weighs 10 ounces and packs down to the size of a Nalgene bottle. It keeps me toasty warm into temperatures well below freezing.

Ultralight Rain Jacket: Montbell Versalite

If I plan on hiking or visiting a wet climate, a rain jacket is an essential part of my minimalist packing list. Weighing only 6.4 oz, the Montbell Versalite is incredibly lightweight and packable and has become my rain jacket of choice. It’ll always have a spot in my bag.

READ MY REVIEW

Long Underwear: Patagonia Capilene

If the weather on my upcoming trip is chilly enough to pack a down jacket, I’m also packing my long underwear. I bring the ultra-packable 5.3 oz Patagonia Capilene bottoms to insulate my lower half on my adventures to cold-weather destinations.

Multifunctional Headwear: KUIU Ultra Merino

Neck warmer, bandana, face mask, beanie – this KUIU Ultra Merino Buff can transform into whatever type of headwear I need. It takes up zero space in my pack and is far more versatile than a typical lightweight winter hat. It’s a minimalist traveler’s cold-weather dream.

BUY ON KUIU

Computer, Photography & Other Tech Gear

Laptop Case

Bluetooth Keyboard

Bluetooth Mouse

Laptop Stand

Camera + Lens

Camera Case

Camera Clip

Travel Adapter

Laptop: MacBook Pro 14

I know a laptop is so not ultra-minimalist, but I’m a travel blogger and rely on my computer to make a living. For now, it’s an essential part of my weeklong minimalist travel packing list. I’ve considered switching it out for an iPad Pro, but I’m not there yet.

Laptop Sleeve: tomtoc 360°

I rely dearly on my laptop and must keep it protected at all costs. This well-padded, water-resistant case shields my computer from the harsh rigors of travel and fits perfectly into the back mesh pocket on the outside of my Zpacks Bagger ULTRA 25 backpack .

Laptop Stand: Roost

I’ve been dealing with a herniated disc in my lower back recently, and this super lightweight and portable laptop stand has been a godsend. It raises my computer to eye level, reduces hunching, fixes my posture, and takes the strain off my back.

Bluetooth Keyboard: Apple Magic Keyboard 2

Since I use a stand to elevate my laptop, I need a Bluetooth keyboard so I don’t have to reach up to my computer to type. Though there are slightly more compact options on the market, my Magic Keyboard is a comfortable clone of my MacBook’s keyboard.

Bluetooth Mouse: Apple Magic Mouse

My old Keychron mouse broke, so I ran towards the brand I trust regarding computers. This mouse has been excellent for me and has stood up well to life on the road. What can I say? I love Apple products, and they all work seamlessly together.

Lightweight Travel Camera + Lens: Fujifilm X-T4

A camera isn’t necessary for most minimalist travelers since most cell phones take great photos. That said, I’m about to dive into YouTube soon (gulp), and I recently purchased this camera and lens . Expensive? Yes. The best mirrorless camera kit at its price point? Also yes.

Mini Tripod: PEDCO Ultrapod 3

What good is a fancy vlogging camera if you don’t have something to hold it steady? Though it’s a bit diminutive, this is the tripod I’ll pack when I start earning my chops as a videographer. It only weighs a few ounces and will stash away easily in my pack.

Mini Microphone: Rode VideoMicro

A badass camera deserves a worthy microphone. Though this compact little fella won’t capture audio as well as some of the higher-end options on the market, it has done a respectful job for me in the past. It only weighs a few ounces and packs away unnoticed.

Power Bank/Camera Lighting: Nitecore SCL10

Minimalist travelers love items that serve multiple purposes, which is why I’m ecstatic I found the Nitecore SCL10. It’s both a 10,000mAh power bank and a high-CRI lighting unit in a compact package. It’ll charge my gadgets while in transit and provide lighting when I’m filming.

Ultralight Camera Case: HMG Camera Pod

It’s not easy to find a lightweight yet protective camera case, yet here we are. As an ultralight backpacking gear nerd , I’m familiar with Hyperlite Mountain Gear and their super-light and innovative products. I recently stumbled upon this space-age camera case that weighs only a couple of ounces.

BUY ON HYPERLITE MOUNTAIN GEAR

Minimalist Camera Clip: Peak Design Capture V3

If you’re a minimalist traveling with a camera, and this clip isn’t part of your packing list, you’re doing it wrong. This ergonomic and lightweight clip allows you to stash your camera safely on your belt, backpack strap, or any other number of convenient places. It’s incredible.

BUY ON PEAK DESIGN

Lightweight Earbuds: Apple AirPods Pro

I used to travel with cheap $10 Panasonic headphones until I tried out my friend’s AirPods Pros. Now, I can never go back. These little beasts pump out the best sound of any headphones I’ve ever owned and have three different settings to control the amount of external sound that comes in.

Compact Bluetooth Speaker: JBL Go 3

As much as I adore my AirPods, I always pack a speaker to play tunes in my Airbnb, hotel room, or at the park. My compact little JBL Go 3 is waterproof, has a solid battery life, and can get surprisingly loud. This is the most “luxury” item that I travel with.

Charging Cables : Apple

No, these aren’t the most exciting items on my packing list, but they are some of the most necessary. They help keep my precious MacBook Pro, iPhone, and AirPods charged, and I’ll never take them for granted. To juice up my camera, light, and speaker, I use this tiny 6-inch USB-C cable .

Wall Adapter : Anker 735

As far as I know, this is about the lightest adapter on the market that’ll charge my MacBook Pro. It’s far smaller than anything I’ve used in the past and has come in handy during domestic and international travels. It has one micro-USB port and two USB-C ports.

BUY ON EBAY

Minimalist Travel Toiletry Kit

Toiletries Bag

Dental Floss

Glasses/Contacts

Contact Solution/Case

Ear Cleaner/Swabs

Nail Clippers

Medications

Multivitamins

Toiletries Bag: UltraLite Sacks

No, this ditty bag (Regular size) isn’t advertised as a toiletries kit, but it works perfectly for my current travel hygiene needs. It’s lightweight, durable, waterproof, and fits like a glove inside my pack. I use an ultralight trail wallet and a small zippered pouch for extra organization inside.

BUY ON ULTRALITE SACKS

Biodegradable Liquid Soap: Dr. Bronner’s

Dr. Bronner’s is the perfect minimalist travel soap. Why is it so special? For starters, it’s a liquid soap, making it extremely easy to travel with. It’s highly potent and has 18 different uses: body wash, dishwashing liquid, and laundry soap, to name a few.

Bamboo Toothbrush: SeaTurtle

This isn’t the exact bamboo toothbrush I use, but life goes on. So, why do I use a bamboo toothbrush when I travel? For starters, it’s a far more environmentally responsible choice than using a traditional plastic toothbrush. It works just as well and is entirely biodegradable.

Travel-Sized Toothpaste: Tom’s

The Dr. Bronner’s liquid soap I mentioned earlier can be used to brush your teeth, but I’ve tried that before and I’m just not feeling it. That said, Tom’s makes toothpaste full of high-quality ingredients that are good for your body and the environment.

Flosser Sticks: Plackers Micro Mint

Traditional floss can get tangled, grimy, and messy during travel, so I bring these handy flosser sticks instead. They’re washable and reusable and make flossing your teeth quick and convenient. Two or three of these should be all you need for a week of minimalist travel.

All-Natural Deodorant: Schmidt’s

My search for an all-natural deodorant that can stand up to the rigors of travel seemed hopeless until I came across Schmidt’s. This stuff keeps my B.O. at bay and smells excellent. It also comes in a compact .7-ounce travel-size, which frees up a lot of space in my toiletries kit.

Ear Cleaner: Mudder Ear Pick

Traveling with a ton of pesky q-tips is annoying, wasteful, and inefficient. That’s why a metal ear pick will always be a part of my minimalist packing list. It’s compact, easy to clean, and healthier for ear hygiene than traditional q-tips.

Noise-Deadening Ear Plugs: Howard Leight

Earplugs are one of the most underrated travel items that exist. They’re like a mute button for the constant annoyances of travel. Screaming baby on an airplane? Loud party outside of your hotel room? Snoring in the bed next to you? Pop these in and enjoy the sweet silence.

Other Personal Items

Water Bottle

Travel Journal: Moleskine Soft Cover

Whenever I travel without a journal, I feel naked, and I’m a hell of a lot less productive. But when I do bring my journal, I use it to take notes, make to-do lists, and recap my days. When my memory fails me one day, I’ll have my Moleskines to pore over and relive my glory years.

Waterproof Pen: Fisher Space Bullet

A durable travel journal deserves a reliable pen that will get ink on the paper under any circumstances. For me, that pen is the Fisher Space Bullet, which can write underwater, in extreme temperatures, and at any angle. This pen is sleek, timeless, and minimalist.

Titanium Water Bottle: Snow Peak Aurora

Staying hydrated while traveling can be difficult, so I bring an ultralight titanium water bottle everywhere I go. This bottle is a joy to travel with and a testament to perfectionist Japanese engineering. It’s expensive, but I’m a gear nerd and couldn’t help myself.

BUY ON SNOW PEAK

Minimalist Travel Packing List Variations

Ready to travel with way less?

Great, because I’ve given you the exact packing list I use for minimalist trips of a week or more. I don’t pack the same way for every trip, though, so here’s a brief overview of my setup and a few variations depending on my type of trip.

Note: None of the following weights include the ‘in-transit clothing’ I wear while traveling.

Weight of Backpack : 19.0 lb | 8.6 kg

This setup includes everything on my minimalist packing list, including cold-weather clothing. I can travel in cold climates, take professional-quality photos and videos, and work on my blog full-time with this setup.

Weight of Backpack : 17.5 lb | 7.9 kg

This setup includes everything on my minimalist packing list except for my cold-weather clothing. I can travel in mild-to-warm climates, take professional-quality photos and videos, and work on my blog full-time with this setup.

Weight of Backpack : 13.7 lb | 6.2 kg

This setup includes everything on my minimalist packing list except for my laptop, keyboard, mouse, and carrying case. I can travel in cold climates and take professional-quality photos and videos with this setup.

Weight of Backpack : 12.2 lb | 5.5 kg

This setup includes everything on my minimalist packing list except for my laptop, keyboard, mouse, carrying case, and cold-weather clothing. I can travel in mild-to-warm climates and take professional-quality photos and videos with this setup.

Weight of Backpack : 16.1 lb | 7.2 kg

This setup includes everything on my minimalist packing list except for my camera equipment. I can travel in cold climates and work on my blog full-time with this setup.

Weight of Backpack : 14.6 lb | 6.6 kg

This setup includes everything on my minimalist packing list except for my camera equipment and cold-weather clothing. I can travel in mild-to-warm weather and work on my blog full-time with this setup.

Weight of Backpack : 10.8 lb | 4.9 kg

This setup includes everything on my minimalist packing list except for my laptop, keyboard, mouse, carrying case, and camera equipment. I use this setup for cold-weather adventures when I won’t need my computer or camera.

Weight of Backpack : 9.3 lb | 4.2 kg

This setup includes everything on my minimalist packing list except for my cold-weather clothing, laptop, keyboard, mouse, carrying case, and camera equipment. I use this setup for mild-to-warm-weather adventures when I won’t need my computer or camera.

Remember this as you review my packing list: What works for me might not work for you.

Want to bring along your favorite pair of sandals? Do you think Bluetooth speakers are entirely unnecessary? Don’t want to bring your camera? Great! Bring what’s essential for you and leave everything else behind.

And if, after reading over this packing list, you’re convinced that minimalist travel will leave you cold, dirty, and underprepared, try it anyway. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how little you need.

Is Minimalist Travel Too Extreme?

Minimalist travel doesn’t come naturally to most people. When traveling, we rely on our possessions for comfort and familiarity, so packing next to nothing can make us feel a bit vulnerable. I get it.

But if minimalist travel were too extreme, I’d never have written this article.

Because choosing to pack only what adds value, and nothing more, is liberating and eye-opening. Less is more in the world of travel, and all it takes is one perfectly-packed minimalist trip to understand why.

So, before your next trip — whether it’s a day, a week, or a year — I challenge you to give minimalist packing a chance. You’ll experience the world light on your feet, with a clear mind and a heavy weight off your shoulders.

Last Updated on March 19, 2024

Noel Krasomil

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How to Travel Light & Not Look Like a Slob: The Lazy Girl’s Guide

Last Updated: July 11, 2022

*FYI - this post may contain affiliate links, which means we earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase from them. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out our Privacy Policy and Disclosure. for more info.

Wondering how to travel light?

First I have to warn you: whether you’re a backpacker or carry-on traveler, one of the downsides to traveling light is that your wardrobe is, by definition, woefully limited.

Now, don’t get me wrong – there are many things worse in this world than having only 2 bikinis on your Hawaiian beach vacation, but it seems like nowadays people are divided in two camps: the minimalist light packers who favour function, and the glam #OOTD traveler types who are inexplicably always wearing gorgeous flowing dresses.

… but my question is: what if I’m neither?! What if I’m both?! And also inhumanely lazy?!? (mostly that)

I’m by no means a stylish fashionista (I literally own 15 different grey cardigans and don’t know why), but looking presentable while travelling is still important for me.

From my experience, people are generally nicer and more willing to help you, plus on a very vain level, twirling in floral dresses is just really fun.

Genuinely, I don’t have the self-confidence to rock the stereotypical ‘backpacker’ look.

While other girls might look badass, carefree and cool in their loose tops and topknots, my attempts at this aesthetic veer more towards ‘deranged hobo’… which is a look that cannot be saved by any accessory.

… so for my fellow deranged hobos, this article is for you. The in-betweeners… who want to pack light, look decent, but not worry about looking glam at every second.

In this post, I detail how to travel light and feign that you’re put together wherever you go! Don’t worry fellow lazy girl, I gotchu.

Of course, these packing light tips are much more relevant to certain destinations than others. Most of my travels have been around Europe, where style might be more of a concern, but of course, if you’re reading this blog, I know you’re brilliant and amazing anyway… so use your common sense as to which tips make sense to where you’re headed.

How to Travel Light (and Not Look Like a Slob): Golden Packing Light Tips

1. pack a few knockout accessories – especially bold pieces like statement necklaces.

Honestly, beautiful accessories are the closest thing we have to magical ‘instant glam’ fairy dust.  People often question why “I look so dressed up” when legitimately all I’ve done is put on a sparkly necklace.

It’s a sneaky (and wonderfully lazy) way to look good, so I always try to have 2-3 nice pieces along with me, especially since they weigh close to nothing. (And cost next to nothing too… look at ALL these ridiculously pretty ones for less than $20).

Where can you find said magic dust? Well, if you’re looking for inspiration, Happiness Boutique has a wide selection of gorgeous pieces, including the sparkly gem I’m wearing in the photo above.

For other travel-inspired options, ModCloth has a bunch of beautiful necklaces I’m obsessed with at the moment!  Browse (and lose all self control) here.

2. Bring only what you wouldn’t mind being photographed in

Those wondering how to travel light should remember this: we’re living in the 21st century so odds are, at some point during your travels, you’ll be wanting photos taken.

My tip to you is to never ever bring anything that you wouldn’t want to see in photos, no matter how comfortable.

Many people tend to have a “lazy outfit” (probably giant sweatpants and hoodies, though I’m partial to this kangaroo onesie , myself). The problem with these is that they only serve one purpose: when you want to vegetate and become a human burrito.

When items only work for one certain occasion or purpose, then you’re not maximizing the space in your bag. So, even with things like sleepwear, think of items that are both comfy and decently put together (e.g. yoga pants instead of fuzzy panda bear fleece). This way you can potentially use them in other situations.

PRO TIP: Look into buying one of those dresses you can wear multiple ways. They’re so easy to find (and really cheap too! Here’s a cute one for under $20). They’re perfect for the day to night transition (and for pretending you’re not recycling the same 4 outfits over and over. lulz)

3. BUT don’t forget to prioritize comfort

This means those platform heels should probably stay at home, along with that skin tight clubbing dress.

Again, make sure the pieces you pack are multifunctional.

For instance, a nice top paired with dark jeans can be used for going out in the evening, and also for sightseeing during the day (with a pair of casual shorts).

One test I use is to think: “Would I mind sitting on a 12 hour bus with this on?”

If the answer is no, then I won’t pack it. There’s a wide variety of pretty clothes that are comfortable, so opt for those and never pack something that is *ultra cute* but uncomfortable to wear. I guarantee you won’t bother putting it on.

RECOMMENDATION: I seriously swear by my dress sandals from Clarks.  They’re the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever owned and one summer, I literally wore them everywhere, to the point where I got THE worst tan lines in history. Here’s a similar pair to what I have.

4. Make sure all your tops match all your bottoms

One of my favourite packing light tips.

Making sure all your tops match all your bottoms is an easy but simple trick to maximize the different outfits in your bag!

This will usually mean picking some kind of colour palette for your wardrobe, but since I have a weirdo obsession with colour palettes anyway, that’s more of a reward for me than anything else!

There are also some companies out there who now specialize in convertible travel wear that you can wear in a bunch of different ways. VacayStyle for instance has awesome collections, with pre-matched pieces that combine into over a dozen outfits . Perfect for the hopeless and uncoordinated! (aka me)

5. Pay attention to the fabrics! Pick items that don’t easily wrinkle

When I’m at hone, my favourite thing in the world is my clothing steamer, which works like magic and instantly smooths wrinkles.

Unfortunately, bringing this mammouth gizmo with me isn’t an option on the road, and as a result I’m often stuck with wrinkly clothes (which I vainly try to fix with my hair straightener).

Save yourself the grief – you want clothes that you can grab right out of the suitcase and throw back in just as easily. While irons may be available at hotels and hostels, ain’t nobody got time for that.

What fabrics are ideal? Well some travellers swear by Merino Wool ( scope out products here ) but there’s plenty of good options out there.

Of course, you know your wardrobe best (i.e. what holds up to wrinkles, what dries quickest) but for a good guide, check out this post on Best Fabrics for Travel from Her Packing List.

6. Pack a pretty scarf or two

A nice scarf is probably one of the most versatile things that you can pack.

I use mine for so many purposes (as a blanket, to wrap around fragile goods, as a makeshift pillow on buses, etc.) that I sometimes forget you’re actually supposed to wear it.

A colourful scarf can jazz up your basics immediately and is a sneaky way to make it look like you have several outfits! It’s also perfect for emergency situations where modesty is a must (e.g. visiting certain churches).

PRO TIP: Consider getting one of those secret passport scarves that let you hide your valuables like a ninja. Yes, these exist. Loads of options online for less than $20 ( see them here ).

7. Quality > quantity, pack only pieces you love (rather than more just for the sake of variety)

If you wanna know how to travel light, you should keep quality > quantity in mind, and never pack anything for the sole purpose of “just in case”. If that 1 in 1000 case pops up, there’s stores abroad where you can probably get the item you need.

8. Bring plenty of layerables

A good question is how to travel light even when it gets cold.

The answer is layers!

Even during the summer, odds are there will be some random anomaly of a day where low temps will make you feel like a human popsicle.

Bringing clothes that layer well together is crucial.

Don’t be that girl who had to wear a fancy trench coat over a casual denim jacket over an oversized sleeping T-shirt (aka me once because I’m useless).

9. Avoid lights and whites

For long-term travel, I’d stick to darker tones.

A lot of bloggers advise that you bring a plain white t-shirt because “it’s so versatile” and “effortlessly cute”.

I don’t know what kind of stainless universe these bloggers come from, but if you ask me to pack a white t-shirt, that thing will probably have chocolate on it before it even hits the suitcase (shout out to Tide to Go for being your gal’s BFF).

Pastel and lighter shades should also be avoided. One of my favourite light blue dresses started turning brown in certain spots during my 3 months abroad, which ruined the princess appeal just a bit.

Depending on the length of your trip, you’re going to want items that last through some wear and tear, so darker shades work better.

PRO TIP: Buy some travel-sized laundry detergent pockets . Tide makes these affordable ones for sink use. They could save your life between proper laundry runs.

10. Have one little black dress

LBDs are a lazy girl’s best friend (well, 2nd best friend after Netflix).

It’s an easy way to look nice and its versatility is unmatched. You can dress it down with a scarf and cardigan during the day, then quicker than the Flash, add some bling and you’re ready for a night out. Pro tip: A-line dresses like this one  are perfect for hiding any travel-induced food babies!

11. Invest in a nice purse

“But what about money belts and fanny packs” you murmur.

I’m sorry – I can’t do it. I just can’t.

Fanny packs and big clunky backpacks to me are akin to a giant sign that reads “I am a tourist. Please rob me if you can”.

To me, it doesn’t matter if you have the nicest outfit in the world, the wrong bag really shatters the whole ‘put together’ illusion that we’re attempting to create.

Luckily, there’s a lot of great bags out there that combine function and style. I would highly recommend the Lo & Sons Claremont camera bag, which is big enough to hold a camera + lens and plenty else if you get creative. There’s even a secret zipper on the back for your valuables! I bring it pretty much everywhere and it’s my go-to “look presentable” companion.

12. Pack shoes that can transition from day to night

While running shoes are practical, I argue that you can find flats, walking sandals and boots that are just as comfy, but more versatile for travel purposes.

Unless you plan on doing hikes or other sporty things, invest in some really good walking shoes that can be passable for a night out (e.g. high heeled boots, strappy sandals, etc.), again, rockin’ that dual purpose.

RECOMMENDATION (AGAIN):  One last plug for my favourite sandals ever. I promise, Clarks makes the most comfortable shoes. I’ve gone hiking in them!  Here’s a similar pair to what I have.

13. And this isn’t for everyone, but bring a friend who’s your size!

Here’s the thing: you can mix and accessorize all you want, but after a certain amount of time on the road, there’s no shaking the fact that  you  feel drab from wearing the same thing over and over.

If you’re able to travel with a friend, you have the potential luxury of sharing your wardrobe which, trust me, can work wonders on you feeling recharged and ready to take on your travels.

Even if you’re not the same size, share accessories like scarves and necklaces and you’ll feel brand new! No friends? This product makes it easy to grow one. … just kidding. *starts sobbing*

But you know, of course, I wouldn’t recommend choosing your travel partner based on their clothing size. That’s a little too  Mean Girls  for my liking.

A final note on modesty:

Depending on where you’re going, certain types of dress may be considered inappropriate, or will earn you the kind of looks you don’t want.

In Morocco for instance, I had to make sure my dresses were long and that my legs were covered because otherwise I would get stared down everywhere I went. Bring a pair of leggings/stockings and a scarf on every trip for moments like these when you need to cover up in a pinch.

So, do you have any extra tips on how to travel light?

Oh, come on guys, I’m definitely not perfect. Let me know in the comments if you have any extra tips on how to travel light and still look good!  Until next time! 🙂

Pssst… I hope you enjoyed this guide on how to travel light! Please note that this post does contain affiliate links, which means I would earn a commission from purchases made through my recommendation (but come at no extra cost to you). Feel free to email me if you have any questions!

My Go-To Travel Favourites:

🧳 Eagle Creek: My favourite packing cubes

💳 Wise: For FREE travel friendly credit cards

🍯 Airalo: My go-to eSIM

🏨 Booking.com: For searching hotels

📷 Sony A7IV: My (amazing) camera

✈️ Google Flights : For finding flight deals

🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

🎉 GetYourGuide: For booking activities

32 thoughts on “How to Travel Light & Not Look Like a Slob: The Lazy Girl’s Guide”

Great tips. I think the number one thing is making sure that every piece can be used and matched in different ways. The second to most important thing to me is: make sure you bring clothes that don’t get super wrinkled or in some other way need a lot of TLC. When you are traveling, the last thing you want to worry about is spending 30 minutes ironing one shirt or folding the cardigan in just the right way so that the hole doesn’t show. Bring your most effortless clothes!

Thanks, Susanna!! Yeah those are definitely key ones. You learn a lot just from trial and error I think, but hopefully this post will help a few newbies out !

I love this article! My color palette is basically grey, blue and black LOL! Great tips! May apply a few to prevent that hobo look!

Nothing wrong with that haha! Those are my go-to shades as well. Like I said in the post, I own 15 grey cardigans. #hoarderproblems

I am also very lazy so packing isn’t high on my prio list but I do want to look decent indeed, especially with all the pics happening. I always bring a scarf for fashion statements and/or comfort/warmth/pillow. I will never look like I’m in a photoshoot but as long as it is comfortable and I feel good in it, I am happy.

That’s my exact attitude as well! Sometimes I see these gorgeous photos of girls in long, flowing dresses on top of mountains and I just… I just don’t get it haha. I’m constantly pursuing that happy medium, because I know I’m not cut out for high fashion style blogging, but I still want to feel comfortable/confident.

Great tips! My last trip was the first time I properly tried to do the matching thing and it was amazing! Ive never gotten dressed so quickly in the morning as I could literally put on any clean top and any clean bottoms. I’ve even found myself thinking this way back home and now if it doesn’t match, I don’t buy it!

It’s SUCH a gamechanger, isn’t it?! And so cool that you’re doing that at home too. I just did a mass purging of all my clothes and am now trying to be more minimalist in my wardrobe. Think I’ll keep matching in mind for my next shopping trip!

Agreed, one must pack the bare minimums and repeat it in different combinations.

Heh exactly! I suppose guys are also less fussy about this kind of thing, hey? 🙂

Either I’m going for the deranged hobo look and just don’t care, or I can pull it off! Things like merino wool are my best friend! I’m actually wearing a jumper made of wool as we speak… And I’m at home! With my (somewhat still packed in boxes at my mums house) full wardrobe! It’s interesting seeing how everyone thinks about packing. I’m finding my bags are slowly getting less and less full as time goes on!

I think you just pull it off haha. So envious of that! But yeah I’m trying more these days to downsize my packing too. It’s definitely a work in progress but over time you really do learn what you need and what you don’t.

I actually never care how I look on pictures when I travel. But I have many friends that do and those will be very helpful for them 🙂

That’s so good to hear! Admittedly, I can be a little vain haha so how I look really impacts my confidence. Hope some of your friends will find this article useful!

This is such a great list! Like you, I don’t want to look like a complete slob but I’m not about checked luggage or a ton of wardrobe changes. A scarf is my best friend when traveling. I’ll have to remember the statement necklaces though. So easy and takes up very little room.

Yeah I think all travellers have their go-to ‘pretty scarf’ haha. It’s genuinely a lifesaver! And yesss so happy to have another girl join the statement necklace bandwagon. Hop on! It’s a sparkly ride 😉

Wow, great tips thanks. I always try and pack light as who wants to carry around a heavy rucksack but it is difficult to look good. I love your idea of travelling with a friend of the same size. Technically you could then travel very light and just wear her clothes 🙂

Hahah that’s brilliant. You show up to the airport with just a purse and she’s like “where are your clothes??” Then you give her a big hug, point at her backpack and whisper “OUR clothes.”

Yup to all of these tips! Although I love my pastels, so there’s always at least one piece that travels with me! But I also bring Tide to-go, just in case 😉 But you sound like my husband when it comes to white tees…lol, it’s like he attracts stains! Thanks so much for the little blurb to my blog! 😀

Great tip about the statement jewelry. I could definitely use a few pointers on that as I am awful at accessorizing. Overall great tips, and I think we have the same style on a lot of items! Thanks again for the link back 🙂

This is great, I will definitely have to keep these in mind! Keep up your wonderful work pretty gal! x

adelelydia.blogspot.com

Thank you, Adele!! <3

This is so necessary! My sister makes fun of me for buying all neutral colors but I always am glad that I have items to match pretty much everything. Thanks for the great advice. 🙂

Hehe no problem Gina! Team Neutral all the way. Like I said, I own 15 grey cardigans. How, I don’t know, but I do haha.

Great tips! Packing clothes that look good for day and night is absolutely essential for me!

Thanks, Emily!! Yess it can be tough to find those transitionable pieces at first but once you find the perfect one… best feeling ever.

This post is amazing thank you so much! I’m going travelling in South East Asia this summer and I have no clue how I’m going to pack light (I’m the kind of girl that needs a mini suitcase for one night away! But I’m also the kind of girl that then wears the one comfy outfit the whole time!) I’m terrible at packing light even though I know I won’t wear all that I do actually pack! Goodness me this post is helpful! Thank you!O

Yay Olivia – so happy you thought the post was helpful!! Pro tip for SE Asia: pack only the bare essentials because you are going to do a LOT of shopping. You can pick up super cute dresses for like $5 USD if you haggle, and the comfiest pants ever so don’t worry about packing much at all because there’s tons of opportunities to shop and pick up what you need once you’re there.

This is the answer for my upcoming one-month eurotrip this May! I’ve been thinking on and off about bringing lighter shade clothes and dress because I still want to look ‘cute’ though I only want to bring eight pieces, but now I read this… I should reconsider it again. Thank you so much!

hejnerissa.com

You’re welcome, Nerissa!! SO happy you found it helpful. Have an amazing time in Europe!

It’s 2020 so no travelling but when I do get to travel again I will incorporate some of your tips. I find these useful whether you are a backpackers or luggage hauler. Last year my daughter & I went to Costa Rica. She took a backpack. I took luggage. Both of us learned some valuable lessons from that trip. I over-packed. She under-packed. Her clothes were a wrinkled mess. I had to lug that suitcase up many, many flights of stairs. No elevators in Costa Rica. And my nice white t-shirt that I wore numerous times ended up very dirty and stained. Lessons learned. Thanks for the tips.

Just came up on Pinterest. Good advice. I usually go light, and yes avoid light colours and for me, also black. But I have to be colour coordinated or I don’t feel right, which actually makes putting a wardrobe for a trip easier. a couple of things – longer sleeves are useful for under layers, hot places (I burn) and for modesty, and shirts that roll up can be worn several ways. And your “little black dress” – the concept is excellent, but the colour can be any darkish colour that makes you look great – for me, it’s more likely to be dark green, dark brown or aubergine. Black makes many look sallow or washed out.

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Ultralight Travel: How to Pack Light Every Time

Sarah Schlichter

Deputy Executive Editor Sarah Schlichter's idea of a perfect trip includes spotting exotic animals, hiking through pristine landscapes, exploring new neighborhoods on foot, and soaking up as much art as she can. She often attempts to recreate recipes from her international travels after she gets home (which has twice resulted in accidental kitchen fires—no humans or animals were harmed).

Sarah joined the SmarterTravel team in 2017 after more than a decade at the helm of IndependentTraveler.com. Sarah's practical travel advice has been featured in dozens of news outlets including the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Budget Travel, and Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio. Follow her on Twitter @TravelEditor .

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "A journal. Even years later, reading my notes from a trip can bring back incredibly vivid memories."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Road tripping and hiking through the rugged mountains of Patagonia."

Travel Motto: "'To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.'—Freya Stark"

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Aisle. I get restless on long flights and like to be able to move around without disturbing anyone else."

Email Sarah at [email protected] .

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Packing light doesn’t mean sacrificing style or comfort, but it does require rethinking such travel basics as suitcases and shoes. An ounce here, a half-pound there—when you’re packing for a trip, these small increments can add up fast. Do the math and it’s easy to see why this matters: If your checked bag is too big or heavy, you’ll incur baggage fees on most airlines. If you are carrying on a suitcase, weight matters even more since you’ll be lifting your bag dozens of times while in transit (in and out of the car, onto the security belt, into the overhead bin, and so on).

After years of traveling, I’ve learned the many advantages of bringing only a carry-on, even on trips of more than two weeks: avoiding baggage fees, not having to worry about the airlines losing my luggage, and being less encumbered by heavy bags while navigating a new place. And while other flyers are waiting at baggage claim watching the belt go round and round, I’m breezing past them to hop in a cab and get on with my day.

Whether you’re looking to travel with a carry-on only or you simply want to cut your checked bag down to size, these tips for packing light can help.

How to Make Your Suitcase Lighter: The Basics

If the challenge of ultralight packing has you wanting to lock your doors and stay home forevermore, it helps to think basic instead of specific, at least at first. When making your packing list , start by separating your items into these key categories.

Packing light starts with a featherweight foundation. When you’re looking for a suitcase, consider these weight classes: A 22-inch carry-on roller suitcase is generally considered lightweight if it’s under 10 pounds. Manufacturers start claiming “ultralight” status at around the seven-pound mark. Brands such as Lipault and Delsey are both known for lightweight offerings in the five- to six-pound range. The MegaLite collection from IT Luggage is even lighter.

Whichever suitcase you choose, make sure that it has enough pockets and compartments to help keep you organized, and that it’s as roomy as possible without exceeding your airline’s size requirements. For more suggestions, see 10 Ultralight Rolling Carry-on Bags Under 5 Lbs.

When choosing clothes to pack, consider lighter fabrics. Wool and heavyweight fleece are sure to keep you warm, but they also tend to be both bulky and heavy. Fabrics known for being particularly lightweight, on the other hand, include silk and synthetics such as nylon and polyester. Cotton, linen, and cotton blends are slightly heavier, but they tend to still be on the lighter end of the spectrum and should remain on your list of options.

When it comes to shoes, packing light is a tricky balancing act between bulk, style, and comfort. The lightest available shoes, such as sandals and ballet flats , may not offer enough support for long days of walking. If you’ve got a heavier pair you need to bring, let your feet do the lifting and wear them when you’re in transit, reserving your suitcase for lighter shoes. Above all, be realistic about your shoes. Unless it’s for a specific special occasion, all your shoes should be multi-use. (Bonus points if you can pull your trip off with just one pair. For help, see One Shoe Trip? These Are the Best Pairs That Do It All .)

The lightest option for toiletries, of course, is to pack none and either depend on your hotel to provide you with basics or purchase them when you arrive at your destination. If you can’t travel without, solid shampoos , conditioners , and small bars of soap tend to weigh less than their liquid counterparts (you can travel even lighter by cutting the bar and taking only the portion you’ll need for your trip). Travelon’s shampoo and body wash sheets each weigh in at about half an ounce per package of 50.

Electronics

Traveling with the right electronics can save you both weight and space. A typical e-reader or tablet weighs in at somewhere between eight ounces and one pound, roughly the same as a modestly sized paperback guidebook or sizzling beach read. You can store an entire suitcase full of books on one small device, and with a tablet, you can score handy additional features like travel apps that can help you cut down on your vacation paper trail. Just don’t forget the charger.

A jacket can add major bulk to your packing list, but plenty of outdoor suppliers offer surprisingly lightweight options—like the seven-ounce women’s Featherless Hybrid Jacket from Marmot or the 10.5-ounce REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket for men.

Outdoorsy not your style? Since so many companies now offer some variation of lightweight outerwear , you’ve got plenty of options that don’t sacrifice fashion for weight.

Key Tips for Packing Light

There are no hard and fast standards that can apply to every imaginable trip, but here are a few rules of thumb that have served me well when learning how to travel light, gathered from years of trial, error, and inspired experimentation.

Every Little Bit of Space Helps

Swap your pile of paperbacks for a tablet or e-reader, forget about those “just in case” items you could easily buy in your destination, and maximize your space by filling in nooks and crannies with small items (including stuffing socks, underwear, mittens, and even T-shirts into your shoes). See What Not to Pack for more help whittling your list down to the bare essentials.

Don’t Pack More Than a Week’s Worth of Clothes

To keep everything fresh, toss in a dryer sheet (you might find you can forgo perfume altogether with this hack). To erase wrinkles in a pinch, pack a travel-sized bottle of Downy Wrinkle Releaser and spritz your garments on the go. For trips longer than a week, plan to do laundry along the way.

Pack Outfits That Mix and Match

Pack only garments that can be color-coordinated with everything else in your travel wardrobe. If an item doesn’t work in multiple outfits, leave it at home. I generally try to limit myself to two pairs of pants and two pairs of shoes that go with everything else I’ve packed.

Maximize Your Personal Item

In addition to a carry-on bag, airlines allow you to bring a personal item such as a purse or laptop bag. I generally bring a small backpack, which can hold a lot more than a purse but will still fit easily under the seat in front of me. (If I need a purse during my trip, I fold it up inside a larger bag.)

How to Pack Light and Stay Organized

A cornerstone of ultralight travel is expert-level organization. The most common approaches to packing include folding, rolling, and compressing, which involves placing folded clothing in a sturdy plastic bag (like these ) and rolling the bag to force additional air out, thus saving space.

The folding method works best for garments with sturdier fabrics, such as denim jeans or chambray blouses, while rolling your clothes works best for softer fabrics that are less likely to wrinkle, such as cotton and wool. Compressing, while a great space saver, does not ensure a lighter bag; in fact, it can tempt you to over-pack, thus running the risk of incurring surprise weight-induced upcharges at the airport.

Consider folding outfits into “units” and placing them into your bag together rather than placing all sweaters in one pile, all jeans in another, and so on. The following packing tools can help with this type of organization.

Packing Cubes

Packing cubes, like this cute bear-themed set from Eagle Creek , are great for maximizing space in your bag. They categorize items and store them separately, making it easier to find exactly what you need in your suitcase. If you’re on a budget, you can use gallon-sized freezer bags —they do the exact same thing for a lot less money, and they’re sturdy enough to be reused over several trips.

Packing Folders and Envelopes

Another organizational aid, packing folders or envelopes offer the same efficient space-saving functionality as packing cubes, but they’re better at keeping your clothing wrinkle-free. These are good options if you’re toting lots of button-up shirts or blouses, and many come with boards to make folding easier. But keep in mind that any folded garment is still liable to crease along fold lines.

Packing Sacks

The most free-form of the packing aids you’ll find, packing sacks are like cubes but in softer bag form. They won’t keep clothing wrinkle-free, but they’re a great hiding place for belts, jewelry, hair-styling tools, shoes, and other necessities that you don’t want to toss into your bag willy-nilly. Consider these packing sacks from Eagle Creek; they’re water-resistant and partially transparent, so you can see what’s inside without tearing open each bag.

How to Travel Light in Tricky Packing Situations

I’m often asked how I manage to squeeze everything into a single carry-on and personal item, even for trips as long as a few weeks. I’ve put together advice for traveling light in three tricky packing scenarios.

Challenge No. 1: A Long Trip Through Multiple Climates

First off, if you’re going for much longer than a week, resign yourself to doing a little laundry. (Your shoulders and back will thank you when you’re not lugging 17 days’ worth of clothes.) You can pay your hotel to do it for you, look for a nearby laundromat—think of it as a glimpse into the local culture!—or simply wash your dirty duds in your bathroom sink.

Second, get creative. This is the time when all those clever convertible travel clothes are actually worth the money, like pants that can be turned into shorts by zipping off the legs or jackets that have a gazillion pockets for all your odds and ends.

The secret to dealing with multiple climates is layering. The same lightweight T-shirt that you’d wear when strolling around the humid streets of Buenos Aires can serve as a base layer during your hike in the snowy Andes. Keep your heavy layers to a minimum—you can wear the same sweater or fleece every day as long as you keep changing the lighter shirt closest to your skin. And be sure to bring your jacket on the plane with you so you don’t have to stuff it into your suitcase.

If your trip starts in a wintry climate and ends in a tropical one, consider mailing your cold-weather gear home so you don’t have to lug it around for the rest of the trip (or vice versa). An alternative is to bring along older clothes that you don’t mind donating or leaving behind along the way.

Challenge No. 2: A Week on a Cruise Ship

Shorts, bathing suits, and tank tops are easy enough to pack, but the most common sticking point for cruisers is formal night. How can you get a tux or an opulent ball gown into that teeny little carry-on?

Luckily, these days you don’t really have to. Many cruisers opt to skip formal night altogether and head to the buffet or order room service instead. But if getting gussied up for formal night is as much a part of your dream cruise as ocean breezes and fruity cocktails, you’ve got options. Men can pay to rent a tuxedo on some ships if they want to dress to the nines—but on many cruise lines you can get by with nice slacks and a jacket (a tie is preferred, and easy to squeeze into a carry-on). Bring multiple ties to change your look if there’s more than one formal night.

For the ladies, think little black dress . If there are a couple of formal nights on your cruise, save space by wearing the same dress twice with different scarves, shawls, jewelry, or other accessories. Choose shoes that can also go with sundresses or other less formal outfits at dinner for the rest of the week. For more help, see Top 10 Cruise Packing Tips from SmarterTravel’s sister site, Cruise Critic.

Challenge No. 3: The Business Trip

Business trips pose two primary challenges for people trying to pack light: looking professional without toting half your wardrobe, and bringing only the most essential gadgets to get the job done.

Unless it’s a particularly lengthy trip, you can usually get by with a single neutral-colored suit that can be mixed and matched with different shirts, ties, and/or accessories. For example, a woman can wear the same pair of black suit pants for a daytime meeting (pair with a button-down shirt and jacket) and for dinner out (substitute a flowing wrap for the jacket and add earrings or other jewelry to dress up the look). By sticking to neutral colors, you should also be able to keep yourself to a single pair of dress shoes . If you’re bringing a blazer or jacket, wear it on the plane to free up space in your carry-on.

The advent of the iPad and other tablets has helped lighten the load of the business traveler considerably by providing an alternative to bulkier laptops. Don’t have a tablet? If it’s a short trip, you can probably get by with only your phone.

A note for business travelers attending a conference: Forget about lugging all those folders and freebies you received on the trade show floor. Go through them the night before your departure and pack only what you really need or want. If you still don’t have room in your carry-on, have your hotel mail the remaining goodies back to your office.

Don’t let the task of packing light weigh you down. Armed with these top tips, you’re well on your way to your next destination, lighter of bag and spirit.

Outfits to Pack on Your Next Trip

Women’s business casual outfit for travel with carry-on, shop the look.

Ribbed Puff Sleeve Tee

Dress Pant Yoga Pants

Stainless Steel Water Bottle

20-Inch & 28-Inch Trunk Rolling Luggage Set

Men’s Comfortable Work Business Outfit for a Flight

Tech Button Down Shirt

Commuter Pants

Chrono Leather Watch

Leather Jeans Belt

Cycia Shoes

Women’s casual summer dress outfit from nordstrom.

Midi Wrap Dress

Coin Pendant Necklace

Woven Straw Bag

Miles Slide Sandal

Men’s casual summer outfit from nordstrom.

Floral Sport Shirt

Skinny Fit Jeans

Chronograph Leather Strap Watch

Original Achilles Sneaker

Comfy yet casual older women’s outfit for a scenic drive.

Wide Leg Crop Pants

Saylor Glasses

Long Cardigan

Men’s Comfy Outfit to Wear on the Airplane from Nordstrom

Armour Fleece® Jogger Pants

QuietComfort® 35 Wireless Headphones II

Baseball Cap

Knox Low Top Sneaker

Women’s outfit for walking to tijuana.

Big Rainbow Boyfriend Tee

Tye Dye Legging Shorts

65-piece Hair Scrunchies

Men’s Outfit for Walking to Tijuana

Paper Plane Print Tee

No Sweat Relaxed Fit Shorts

Vintage Canvas Backpack

Women’s Swimsuit to Wear in Hawaii

Retro Sunglasses

Halterneck Swimsuit

Drawstring Waist Chambray Shorts

Seasonal Flip

Men’s swimsuit with cooler outfit for the beach.

Natural Face Moisturizer & Mineral Facial Sunscreen

"Life is Beautiful" Printed Tank

Aviv Sandals

More from smartertravel:.

• 7 Things Not to Do When Packing a Carry-On Bag
• How to Pack a Suitcase: The Ultimate Guide
• A Traveler’s Guide to Minimalist Packing

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. Christine Sarkis, Dara Continenza, and Margaret Leahy contributed to this story.

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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How to travel light: 12 travel hacks to travel light

By: Author Monica

Categories Packing Tips , Travel Tips

I’m always harping on about how important it is to travel light. Travelling light gives you extra freedom and flexibility that you just don’t have with heavy luggage.

You can move quickly through airports and train stations and it’s so much easier to take public transport with a small bag. You’ll save money by not having to check your bags in on a plane and you can keep your luggage close when you’re on trains and buses.

You’re also less likely to lose things when you travel light because it’s easier to keep track of your belongings.

I’ve been thinking a lot about travelling light recently because I’ll soon be travelling with a baby and I’m pretty sure that travelling light + baby is pretty much impossible. I might not be able to pack light for the baby but I’ll definitely be able to pack light for me so the travelling light challenge is about to get extreme!

I could go on all day about the benefits of travelling light but I’ll leave it at that and start sharing my top tips for travelling light.

1. Use a small, lightweight case

The oldest trick in the book and possibly the simplest way to pack light – Use a small suitcase or backpack so you can’t possibly fit too much in it. Don’t be tempted to get a case that’s slightly too big because you will fill that space with unnecessary crap.

For more inspiration and proof of the benefits of travelling with a small bag, check out this post by Chris over at Backpacker Banter: My 25L Backpack Challenge . Yep, he travelled for 3 weeks around Thailand with nothing but a 25L backpack!

I like to travel with just hand luggage and recommend my range of luggage which is all available on Amazon. There’s the Travel Hack Cabin Case, the backpack and the tote.

It’s designed to be the perfect size for cabin baggage, meaning it’s as big as it possibly can be without being too big. It has separate compartments to keep everything organised and is an absolute dream to travel with. This is a great option is you plan to travel with cabin luggage only.

Below are a couple of great luggage options if you’re trying to travel light.

The Travel Hack Cabin Case

The Travel Hack Cabin Case is my all-time favourite for travelling light. The suitcase is perfect for a carry-on case for most airlines and weighs just 2.7kg but still has a massive 45 litre capacity. It also has handy pockets so you can access your belongings easily, whether you’re on the plane, going through security or at the airport.

• Generous 28 litre main compartment with packing straps and a variety of zipped pockets for everything from toiletries to straighteners.
• Rear padded compartment for a Macbook or a small laptop.
• Stylish 600D PU outer shell with faux leather inserts and rose gold detailing.

Cabin Max Metz

The Cabin Max Metz backpack is within the dimensions for most airline carry-on luggage and weighs just 0.7kg!

If you’re looking for ultra light but spacious luggage then this is the one.

• CARRY ON BAG 55x40x20 cm soft shell design to fit 94% of worldwide hand luggage gauges including: EasyJet and Ryanair, Eurowings, Vueling, Norwegian, Virgin, BA, Lufthansa, Jet2, Wizz Air, Iberia,...
• MAXIMUM CAPACITY - Large 44-litre capacity cabin bag makes it possible to fly without checking in baggage to the hold. Lightweight yet durable cabin bag 55x40x20 0.7kg (1.5lbs).
• CABIN BACKPACK - Featuring 3 main lockable zipped compartments, including document pocket, organisational accessories and tech pocket, including 2 zipped compartments. High strength durable,...

Tripp Ultra Light 4 wheel cabin case

If you’re looking for a lightweight suitcase then you can’t go wrong with the Tripp Ultra Light 4 wheel cabin case. It weighs 2.1kg, so you’re going to be left with 7.9kg for your belongings.

• 4 Wheel Carry On Suitcase
• Colour: BLACK
• 5 year guarantee

Antler Clifton Suitcase

The Antler Clifton Suitcases are great quality and so reliable. The cabin case is a little heavier at 3.5kg but if you’re looking for a really good quality case and you’re not as worried about weight then it’s a good option.

• CLIFTON LUGGAGE: Our Clifton cabin suitcase is everything you could want from a lightweight suitcase. Designed to last with its polycarbonate material, this carry on suitcase is strong, eye catching,...
• SIZE & MEASUREMENTS: Our carry on suitcase features flexible carry handles, 4 interior pockets, a zip closure & interior compartments. The cabin suitcase measures 20 x 40 x 55 (cm) with a packing...
• DOUBLE ANTI-THEFT TSA LOCKS: The Clifton cabin suitcase has anti-theft technology with its double TSA-approved locks for added security that separately secures the front pocket & the case itself. This...

Cabin Max Lightweight Backpack Trolley

If you aren’t sure if you want a backpack or a trolley then check out the Cabin Max Lightweight Backpack Trolley. It weighs just 1.7kg and has a 44 litre capacity.

• HYBRID - Cabin Max Lyon trolley backpack is a convenient wheeled carry on suitcase that coverts into a backpack for any type of travel. Just unzip the back section which covers the wheels and backpack...
• PACK TO THE MAX - Combines the maximum size allowed for hand luggage with an abundance of practical features
• DESIGNED TO FIT - At a massive 44L with dimensions 55 x 40 x 20 cm including wheels it is still extremely lightweight at 1.7KG

2. Pack 2 pairs of shoes and no more

Shoes can often be the bulkiest items in our bags so never travel with more than 2 pairs. Wear your bulkiest pair on the plane and a pack a smaller pair in your case.

I’m currently love the On Cloudnova trainers for trips where I’ll be doing lots of walking.

The Veja trainers are nice if you want some comfy white trainers that are a bit more stylish.

A comfy pair of Dr Martens are great for winter trips.

And I like a pair of Birkenstocks for daily wear in warm destinations.

Read more: What shoes should I take travelling?

3. 1 pair of trousers/jeans

Jeans or trousers are another bulky item to travel with so never travel with more than one pair and you should always wear these on the plane.

I usually opt for whichever jeans are my current favourites. You can’t go wrong with a comfy pair of black skinny jeans. My favourites at the moment are the classic Levi’s 501’s . I have them in a few different colours but black is the best for travel because they’ll match everything and no one really notices them, so you can get away with wearing the same jeans for days (don’t judge).

4. Minimise toiletries

If you’re staying in a hotel you can guarantee you’ll be provided with shampoo and shower gel so leave these at home. This means that most guys can get away with nothing more than a travel sized deodorant and toothpaste.

Most ladies will find it a little more difficult because there are some toiletries you just can’t leave home without.

I have a whole post over here about travelling with hand luggage toiletries and some nifty little products to make it easier to travel light! These tiny refillable pots are genius to help travel light with things like makeup and lotions.

How to Travel with Hand Luggage Liquids (& fit all your toiletries in that tiny bag!)

#5. Take an iPad/tablet

Cut down on tickets, books, magazines, a laptop, games, notepads, music, maps and travel guides and simply pack a tablet. My hand luggage used to be chocker with all sorts of entertainment options but now I just have my iPad and it’s made travelling so much easier.

Consider taking a portable powerbank  if you’re planning on taking long journeys. I have one that isn’t much bigger than a lipstick but it will charge my iPad for about 5 hours. It’s a good backup for emergencies too – like if you’ve got your hotel confirmation email stored on your iPad and the battery has died!

6. Pack simple clothes and lots of accessories

If you look at my Travel Style board on Pinterest you’ll see that I’m a bit obsessed with jeans and white t-shirts. It’s such a simple, easy style and so easy to pull off while you’re travelling. I’m really tempted to pack a bag full of white t-shirts next time I go away.

Team your jeans with sandals, white trainers, winter boots or heels. Then team your t-shirt with a blazer, a cardigan, a cosy jumper or a big scarf and you’ve got outfits for any situation without having to pack too much.

7. Pack ‘hard working’ clothing

No, you’re not sending your clothes to work, you’re looking out for clothes that have more than one use.

Think things like sarongs and scarves which can be used as towels, blankets and wraps.

You also can’t go wrong with black leggings. They’re easy to wash and dry and go with virtually everything.

It can be harder to pack light in colder climates. I love UNIQLO’s Ultra Light Down coats because they pack up into a tiny bag (similar to a cag in a bag) but they’re really, really warm!

8. Use packing cubes

I LOVE packing cubes. Not only do they keep your bag organised but they help make the most of your space and stop you overpacking. I tend to travel with four packing cubes. One for tops, one for bottoms, one for underwear and one for evening clothes. Once each packing cube is full you can’t possibly squish anything else in so you’re forced into packing light whether you like it or not.

Read more: Are packing cubes worth it and do they really save space?

Are packing cubes worth it and do packing cubes really save space?

9. Wash your clothes while you’re away

No matter where in the world you’re travelling, it doesn’t need to be expensive to get your clothes washed.

Fancy hotels in certain cities will charge a fortune to wash your clothes so look out for laundrettes or, cheaper still, wash your clothes in your hotel bathroom. You can’t go wrong with the Dr Beckmman Travel Wash . It’s so cheap and amazingly effective!

I usually soak my clothes in the sink and rinse them out while I’m showering. Laundrettes and apartments with washing machines will become your best friend if you’re travelling for a few weeks or more.

If you’re travelling in a developing country it costs next to nothing to get your clothes washed but be aware that if you’re paying £0.50 for a load of washing, you don’t want to be giving them your expensive designer clothes.

• Special concentrated washing gel
• Formulated to use when you are travelling or away from home
• Can be used in any type of water

10. Remember: you can buy everything out there!

No matter where you’re travelling, you’ll always be able to find the necessities. You might not find your favourite brand of shampoo but you will find something very similar.

If you’re going somewhere where you think you’ll need specialist equipment, wait until you get there to buy it. You’re not the first traveller to visit and you won’t be the last so you can guarantee you’ll find local shops selling everything you need.

When I travelled to Borneo I climbed Mount Kinabalu. I’d spent the past 18 months in Australia and didn’t have a single item of warm clothing or a decent pair of shoes. I was panicking but when I arrived to Kota Kinabalu I realised I wasn’t alone and the city was filled with hiking shops thanks to all the travellers who pass through and pick up the necessary hiking items.

11. Don’t use lots of small purses and pouches

(This doesn’t apply for packing cubes – I mean really small pouches for tiny things like jewellery or socks) The first time I went backpacking I was super organised and had a separate little pouch for everything. A pouch for medicine, one for toiletries, one for souvenirs. Yes, my bag was organised for about the first 5 days (out of about 450 days!) but I had lots of unused space in my bag. Socks and toiletries are the perfect items to squeeze in your bag and fill up the gaps. Lots of pouches lead to lots of gaps and lots of wasted space.

12. Use a bag or case that opens fully

I don’t recommend using a top-loading backpack. This means smaller items slip to the bottom and are forgotten. Use a bag that opens all the way and you have access to everything. You don’t need to be quite as organised and this reduces the needed for all those little purses and pouches.

Do you have any more travel hacks to help you pack light?

You can find even more packing tips over here.

Sunday 24th of March 2019

The last 2 hotels I stayed at offered at the most is the mini bar soaps. The first one gave the soap and had to buy travel sized shampoo, lotion, etc. I take bar soap and refill the empty bottles with everything else I neeed.

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15 Best tips to packing light: How to travel light

Wondering how to travel light? Check out these practical tips to packing light that will save time, money, and from chaotic experiences while traveling.

When I had just started traveling, I had a different definition of packing light. For my trip to Egypt that was going to last for 10 days, I packed items that a light packer could use for like 2 months.

The more I traveled, the more I learned how to pack light. I’ll admit I still pack a few things that I consider essential but others might not need but I’ve generally improved my packing techniques that I can now call myself a light packer.

Yeah, my friends can testify to that, because when we travel together for a couple of days, they are always suffering with their huge backpacks as I am just rolling with a small travel daypack (you can actually shop my favorite daypack from here ) and they wonder how I have everything I need.

But before we look at the tips to packing light, let’s look at some of the endless advantages of packing light for travel.

Advantages of packing light for travel

Other than just carrying a lightweight travel backpack, packing light comes with a lot of benefits that shouldn’t be overlooked.

• It is easy to use public transportation when you travel light. Instead of hiring a private taxi to accommodate your 5 suitcases, if you have just one suitcase or backpack, you can easily sit with it while using public transportation.
• There are minimal to zero chances of paying for extra baggage when you pack light. Actually, you’re less likely to exceed the required kgs of the airline if you pack light hence saving some money.
•  Fewer chances of losing your stuff. When you travel with so many things, you’re likely to forget somethings to wherever you travel to. But if you packed light, it would be easy to remember everything you packed in the first place so the chances of losing some of your stuff are less likely.
•  If you’re traveling by plane, packing light will help you spend less time at the airport during check-in. I mean whoever wants to spend unnecessary time at the airport check-in point because you carried so many things including some that you don’t need. Yes, you don’t need a lot of stuff, you just haven’t realized it yet.
•  Not giving a huge tip out of guilt to someone who helped you carry an overly heavy bag.

I could spend the entire day telling you why you should start packing and traveling light but since you came to this post to find out how to actually pack light, let’s get to it.

Related post: Best airport tips and tricks to make your travels easier

Tips to packing light

1. Use a lightweight travel backpack

The number one tip to packing light is to actually use a light travel backpack. There will be no point in packing light if the backpack you’re using is heavy itself.

The lightweight travel back I recommend is the Osprey backpack. You can buy it from here if you don’t have it yet

2. Use one sizeable backpack/ suitcase instead of many

Using one sizeable backpack for travel will help you pack light instead of using many small bags.

And by all means, if you get a big backpack, no question about that, you will fill it up. But since the ultimate goal is to pack light, get one sizeable backpack that will just fit all that you need.

This is commonly known as one bag travel and it is great when it comes to traveling light.

3. Pack only the necessities not what you might need.

Instead of packing all the unnecessary stuff, make some research about what you’ll need in that particular place.

There is so much information on the internet, so many packing lists for almost every country and city. Read them so that you know exactly what to pack.

If you’re planning to travel to Africa, here is a list of everything you’ll need before you go for your African safari or this Egypt packing list if you’re going to Egypt.

But if you’re just packing for a hostel stay, this packing list for a hostel , has everything you need to pack and what you should leave home before you go.

And if you’re traveling for 2 weeks, here is another post on how to pack for 2 weeks in just a carry-on.

But if you’re just going away for a weekend trip, here is the best packing list for a weekend getaway to help you pack only the essentials.

Related post:  Camping tips and hacks for beginners 

4. Use packing cubes.

This is by far one of the best smart packing tips and also the most efficient way to pack light for a trip. 

Using packing cubes will not only keep your backpack organized but will also help you dictate how and what to pack.

If you get yourself these packing cubes; they come in 4 pieces, which means everything you pack should be able to fit in the 4 packing cubes.

The best packing technique here would be to allocate each category of items to a specific packing cube.

For example, one for t-shirts/tops, one for bottoms and underwear and others like that.

Don’t forget to shop those amazing packing cubes from here . Alternatively, you can buy this set of 8 packing cubes.

5. Take advantage of the travel scales

There is no way you will know that you’ve packed light unless you actually know how much your luggage weighs.

So instead of waiting to reach the airport and find out how many kgs your luggage weighs (in which case it might be too late and you’ll need to pay for extra baggage), why not use a travel scale to find out.

You don’t have to buy the most expensive travel scale on the market, buy this relatively cheap travel scale and it will just do fine.

The other technique while packing for a trip would be to dictate the maximum weight your luggage should be.

As soon as the maximum weight is reached, that should be the end of your packing.

Or try to remove the unnecessary items you might have packed first to create room for the much-needed stuff.

This will help you pack light and eventually travel light on your highly anticipated trip.

Related post: Best tips for traveling on a budget

6. Don’t pack bulky items if there is a compressible substitute

We all know there are some essential travel items that can turn out to be bulky, so instead of opting for the bulky ones, why not go for the compressible options.

The best example here is an empty bottle- it is a travel essential item that you should carry but instead of packing this bulky water botter , why not buy this collapsible one that will save you plenty of space in your travel bag.

However, as you pack light, it doesn’t mean leaving behind the essential travel essentials. So here are some of the travel essentials you should pack.

Travel Essentials you should never leave home. –  A universal travel adapter : Since different countries use different adapters, I’d advise you to buy one universal travel adapter to cater for all regions. You can  buy one from here  if you don’t have it yet. –  A power Bank : One of the things you should never leave behind while traveling is the Powerbank! Phones have now become a great deal of our lives that we need to use them for so many important things. So take a power bank with you so that you don’t run out of battery.  This power bank   is small, light, and has the capability to charge your phone and other devices multiple times. – Microfibre travel towel – I always opt for  this microfibre travel towel  because it is super lightweight, easy to wash, and dries easily. –  First Aid kit : Regardless of where you’re traveling to, you’ll need to pack a First Aid kit for emergencies that might arise while traveling. Remember it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Just make sure that the one you pack has all the essentials and that it is small and light enough to fit in any kind of suitcase/ backpack.  This first aid kit   actually fits all the qualities mentioned above plus it is really cheap for what it offers. –  Collapsible water bottle : I always prefer carrying a water bottle while traveling so that I can just refill it when I run out of water. It also helps be a responsible traveler since you won’t have to use tones of disposable plastic bottles which are not great for our environment. Any water bottle can work but I prefer  this collapsible one  as it doesn’t take a lot of space in my bag.

7. Do not pack a hundred books to read while you travel.

If you’re all about reading while you travel, buying an E-reader will save tonnes of space in your backpack.

Books are heavy and take up a great deal of space yet you can still have your favorite books on an e-reader like an Amazon Kindle.

Save all that space and travel light by shopping an  Amazon Kindle from here .

8. Pack fewer shoes! 3 types of shoes should be enough.

Shoes are items that take up most of the space in a backpack and on top of that, they are heavy making the entire backpack heavier than it should be.

On my very first trip, I packed over 5 pairs of shoes (Yes I was a terrible packer and I still wonder why I carried all those shoes that I ended up not even wearing).

Now that I know better, I carry only 3 pairs and they are always enough and much needed.

I pack my favorite Nike sneakers for general traveling and trekking (they are also the ones I wear while flying so that they don’t take up any space in my backpack).

I pack these flip flops for just an evening when I am tired of the sneakers and want my feet to get some air.

Finally, I also pack showering slippers, I only pack them when I know that I will be sleeping at a hostel because I know they don’t provide any.

But if I am to stay at a hotel, I don’t bother packing them because in most cases, the hotels provide slippers and even if they don’t, I will most likely have a private shower so that shouldn’t be a problem.

But if you don’t have sandals, I recommend buying yourself a pair of from here .

Related post: Tips for staying in a hostel for the first time

9. Don’t pack your most heavy clothes, wear them instead

This is one of the most underlooked packing tips for traveling light that you should take into consideration.

Rather than packing the fancy heavy jacket that you insisted on taking, why not wear it on your flight.

To be honest, you might sweat a bit while at the airport, but as soon as you reach the plane, you won’t even realize it since the temperatures are much cooler inside.

This will leave you plenty of space in your travel bag for other essential items.

Related post:  Step by step guide to planning a trip

10. Pack clothes that can be recycled.

Yes, there is something called “recycling clothes” if you haven’t heard about it.

Instead of packing white jeans that you wear once and they get dirty immediately, why not carry these outdoor convertible pants , that you can wear even up to 3 times in a row and will still look ok (they can as well be converted into shorts btw).

If you’re a cleanliness junkie, you can still carry these exact pants but give them a space of 1 to 2 days without wearing them.

This means 2 or 3 of those pants will be enough for you, leaving you plenty of space in your suitcase/backpack. Shop the outdoor research pants on Amazon from here. 

11. Carry a microfibre travel towel instead of the normal cotton towel.

Microfibre travel towels are lightweight and weigh 10 times less than the ordinary cotton towels.

They not only dry fast when washed but are also lightweight – this will save you a great deal of space in your bag hence traveling light. This is the microfibre travel towel I recommend to pack instead of the “ordinary ones”

12. Pack light clothes that can easily be washed from anywhere.

While traveling, you’re likely to run out of clean clothes. So instead of carrying so many clothes because you don’t want to do laundry, why not carry clothes that can easily be washed and dry easily.

If you stay at hostels or travel in African countries, you’re likely to get laundry services at a really low price but if you choose to stay in a pricey hotel where laundry services literally cost an arm, you’re most likely better off doing your own laundry and that’s when packing easy to wash clothes can be to your advantage.

Related post:  Road trips games for adults

13. Cut down on the toiletries.

I agree toiletries are some of the essential things to pack while traveling but this doesn’t mean that you need all of them.

This is most common in women – we tend to overpack toiletries. So to make sure you just carry only the essential toiletries, why not buy a toiletries kit from here with everything you’ll need while traveling or get this sizeable TSA approved toilet bag to keep in your toiletries.

14. Cut down on the beauty cosmetics and accessories.

Who doesn’t want to take Instagram perfect photos with accessories to amplify the look while traveling?

With that, you might just end up taking your full makeup kit, the entire jewelry box, your mega nail polish box just to glam up while you travel.

But the amount of space they take up in your travel bag can be filled up with items you’ll actually need. So instead, pack a few cosmetics and accessories from each category.

15. Prepare your mind to be comfortable with less

If you’re used to having access to literally everything you need at a snap of your fingers, packing light starts with preparing your mind to be comfortable even when you don’t have everything you’re used too back at home.

If you learn that you won’t need all the designer bags and shoes you own to have an amazing trip, you’ll not pack them and this will eventually result in packing light.

If you use all these travel packing tips and tricks, you will be able to travel light for your upcoming trip.

More travel tips to help you plan your trip

• Things to do at the airport on a long layover
• Useful travel tips for first-time flyers
• Must-know tips for first-time flyers
• How to survive a long flight in economy
• Things to do before traveling abroad
• Things not to do when you travel
• Best backpacking tips for beginners
• Best hiking tips for beginners

* The adventurous feet is a proud member of the  Amazon Associate AND other affiliate programs. This means that if you purchase anything through this website, i might get a small commission without any additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting The adventurous feet*

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7 Best Travel Tripods for Your Next Trip – Lightweight & Strong

Traveling with a tripod may not be convenient, but it can open the doors for creative photography or video. Here are 7 great options that won't weigh you down.

Camera Gear Guides | Tripod & Monopod Guides | By Mark Condon | Last Updated: April 2, 2024

To find the best travel tripods of the year, I tested over 50 different models from various brands at different price points

From the latest lightweight carbon fiber tripod to budget aluminium models, this guide will help you choose the best way to stabilise your camera while not sacrificing weight and space.

Great stability, useful features and compact design takes up less space in your travel bag. Available in carbon fiber or aluminium with life-time warranty.

A good camera tripod will let you blur flowing water or star trails for beautiful long-exposure photography, create an engaging time-lapse video, capture panoramic landscapes, or even take a self-portrait.

Tripods allow you to get sharper and clearer photos than shooting handheld, especially in low-light environments.

A great tripod for travel should be strong, compact, and lightweight to carry mirrorless and DSLR cameras with long lenses attached with minimal vibrations.

The top models should also offer unique features to make your shooting experience more efficient and enjoyable.

Based on my testing and independent research, here are the tripods you should consider for your next trip.

(I’ll update this list as new models are released, so keep checking back.)

Table of Contents

I’ve been a professional photographer for over 10 years, having traveled all over the world to shoot weddings.

Whenever I fly, I like to pack the lightest tripod available with a height and sturdiness that suits my needs for the event.

Over the years, I’ve used many different tripods, from budget to high-end.

For this guide, I reviewed a mixture of tripods I own alongside those supplied by various brands.

This is a summary of what I consider to be the best tripods for traveling the world, based on various essential factors outlined below.

Stick to the travel tripods on this list to narrow your choices to the top options for the average traveling photographer/filmmaker, and remember the following factors when choosing:

• Size (when folded) – The smaller, the better for packability.
• Height – closest to the user’s eye level is best if sturdiness/strength is maintained. Min height allows macro/close-up work.
• Weight – the lighter, the better if sturdiness/strength is preserved. Between 1 and 1.5 kg offers good strength to weight.
• Build – a carbon fiber travel tripod is lighter and stronger than the aluminium equivalent, but also more expensive.
• Sturdiness is measured by rigidity under load vs. maximum weight capacity and the number of leg sections (less is better).
• Value for money – the price is justified based on overall quality. It is within the budget of the average travel photographer or backpacker.
• Additional Tripod Features – anything unique that adds value.

The best portable tripod will be different for each person reading this article – only you will know which of the factors above are most important to your needs.

What is the Best Travel Tripod in 2024?

1. peak design | best travel tripod for mirrorless or dslr cameras.

Material:  Carbon fiber or aluminum alloy | Maximum height: 153cm / 60.2″ | Minimum height: 14cm / 5.5″| Folded length: 39cm / 15.3″ | Weight: (Alu) 1.56kg / 3.4 lb (CF) 1.27kg / 2.79lb | Feet: Pads (spikes optional extra) | Number of leg sections:  5 |  Max load: 9kg / 19.8lb | Further Testing: Peak Design Travel Tripod Review

• Ultra-compact storage
• Well-built and durable
• Quick to deploy
• Unique & innovative features
• Feels great to use
• Good maximum extended height
• Often out of stock
• Carrying case is tight
• Size: 10/10

The standout feature of this highly portable tripod is its unique ability to collapse into a tubular unit, similar in diameter to a can of beans.

When folded, there’s none of the ‘dead space’ which is typical of other tripods – it’s svelte enough to slide into the water bottle holder of the Peak Design travel backpack , with no protruding ball head and ultra-compact quick-release plate. Folded height is impressive, at only 39cm.

Users of travel tripods are sensitive to the packed volume of the tripod – this is where the Peak Design tripod excels.

• Max Height: 9/10

At full extension (153cm), it’s among the taller tripods for cameras tested – tall enough for comfortable usage while still retaining good rigidity. It’s best to avoid extending center columns if possible, particularly on windy days, but this is the case with all lightweight tripods.

• Weight: 8/10

Both the aluminum and carbon fiber travel tripods are relatively lightweight – there are certainly lighter products, but they often sacrifice strength and rigidity. The 29g weight saving for the carbon fiber tripod for camera use may not be worth the extra price

• Build: 10/10

As with all Peak Design products, the Travel Tripod is very well-designed and built. There’s also a lifetime guarantee – perfect peace of mind for backpackers and frequent travelers. Also great as a tripod for spotting scope use.

• Sturdiness: 9/10

Despite having 5 leg sections, the stiffness and damping of the Peak Design Travel Tripod is impressive.

With a maximum load capacity of 9kg, you can safely support any camera + zoom lens. In high winds, there’s a hook beneath the center column to hang a weight, like your backpack.

It’s the best tripod for mirrorless camera users based on average mirrorless body sizes and lenses. Some flagship DSLR cameras combined with heavy telephoto lenses may unbalance it, but these are minority cases.

• Features: 10/10

Innovative features that don’t exist on other travel tripods. (Bottom left: smartphone holder concealed in centre column.)

In testing, I found that the Peak Design tripod still has the most unique and useful features of any other lightweight tripod.

It’s undoubtedly the best camera tripod for anyone who values original design quirks, despite the fact that other DSLR tripod brands have frequently mimicked it since its release.

The stem of the ball head nestles between the tops of the tripod legs when collapsed, ensuring no protrusions and compact storage.

Lever locks can be controlled with one hand while you adjust the camera angle with the other, making adjustment of locking angles fast and efficient.

Legs slide in and out smoothly, and leg locks are strong yet easy to open – full deployment of all 5 sections is very fast.

The Center column hook conceals a mobile phone holder  neatly tucked away.

Rubber feet are replaceable for spikes, and the column can be inverted for macro photography camera setups. Even the protective case is well-designed, with all-over padding and not an inch of superfluous material.

The unique rounded design with legs that tuck away neatly makes this my pick of the best backpacking tripod.

Sliding it in and out of a side pocket is so much easier than even the most compact travel tripod – since nothing is ‘sticking out’, it’s almost like you’re stowing a smooth waterbottle.

• Value: 8/10

Reddit users agree that the Peak Design Tripod is worth it despite the high price.

This is by no means a budget tripod – you’re paying for a unique design and innovative features that don’t exist on other models.

A lifetime warranty is a huge benefit, making the price tag more justifiable.

The aluminium model is the best bang for your buck, although carbon fiber feels/looks better and has a slight weight advantage (I own the carbon fiber tripod).

Final Score: 64/70

Truly one of a kind, beating all other travel tripods with a unique space-saving body / ball-head design, fast leg deployment, impressive strength-to-weight ratio, and overall good looks, giving it that desirable x-factor. Lifetime warranty is a huge benefit. Highly recommended as the best lightweight tripod for backpacking.

Check the latest price >>

2. HEIPI 3-in-1 | Best Travel Tripod for Stability

Material: Carbon fiber (aluminium sub tripod) | Maximum height: 149cm / 59″ | Minimum height: 14.5cm / 5.7″| Folded length: 44.5cm / 17.5″ | Weight: 1.35kg / 2.97lb | Feet: Pads and spikes | Number of leg sections:  5 |  Max load: 25g / 55lb | Further Testing: HEIPI tripod review

• Stable and solid construction
• Useful and unique sub tripod
• Efficient locking ring
• Impressive maximum load
• Hidden mobile mount
• 2 tripods for price of one
• Currently available on Indiegogo only
• Slightly larger/heavier than Peak Design’s

With a similar tubular design to the Peak Design travel tripod, the HEIPI saves space in your backpack by eliminating any gaps between folded legs and retracted ball head.

Everything tucks in perfectly, allowing it to slide into its carrying case easily (much better than Peak’s overly tight one).

150cm is decent as a maximum height, but as with the other options, it still means tall photographers will need to stoop a little.

With a carbon fiber body and aluminium subtripod, the HEIPI is light at 1.35kgs (1.2kgs without the sub tripod).

This is a sweet spot for lightweight travel without sacrificing on stability in higher winds or grassy/unlevel ground.

However, for truly lightweight travel, there are lighter options.

The HEIPI feels very well built, with the legs sliding in and out smoothly and leg locks securing everything in place with confidence.

The ball head is robust and durable and looks like it can stand consistent outdoor use and the rigours of travel.

All 3 component pieces work with 3rd party accessories (3/8″) – slider, ball heads, tripods, etc.

• Sturdiness: 10/10

Here’s where the HEIPI excels and is unique among the tripods I tested.

A separate aluminium ‘subtripod’ is set inside the main tripod, adding to its rigidity when retracted.

When extended, since there are 3 legs in place of a regular singular centre column, it’s 3x as stable as other travel tripods.

Due to the increased stability, I consider it to be the best tripod for astrophotography at this price.

It’s also the best travel tripod for DSLR users who need something strong while remaining portable.

The subtripod is extended and deployed by a centre column lock ring, easily rotatable with a couple of hand twists.

Opening it completely releases the subtripod, which can be used for low-angle, macro photography, or even as a mini tripod for use on a table.

When used in conjunction with the main tripod, the subtripod adds rigidity far superior to using a single centre column. This is currently the only travel tripod with this feature.

Rubber feet can be screwed open to reveal spiked feet for use on sand, ice, grass or snow. You also get 3x hex keys, a water-repellent soft case, and a quick-release plate.

The detachable ball head is like an extra accessory that can be used on either tripod—the main one or the sub one.

There’s a handy bubble level and even a counterweight hook which allows you to add some extra stability by hanging your bag under the tripod.

By no means a budget tripod, the HEIPI is a high-quality product and is priced accordingly. It’s great value for a carbon fiber tripod with this many features.

Remember that you’re essentially getting two tripods for the price of one (the mini tripod is useful and unique, fitting snugly into the main one).

It’s currently only available on the HEIPI site, but it’s still a good deal cheaper than the equivalent carbon fiber Peak Design Travel Tripod.

Final Score: 65/70

Innovative one-of-a-kind concealed subtripod design provides stability when extended and retracted and offers two-for-one functionality. Excellent maximum payload means you can attach heavier cameras and telephoto lenses with no issues. Compact, space-saving design is perfect for backpacking.

3. 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey | Best Tripod for Backpacking

Material: Magnesium alloy | Maximum height: 147.5cm / 58″ | Minimum height: 18.5cm7.2″  Folded length: 35cm / 13.67″ | Weight: 1.5kg / 3.4 lb | Feet: Pads (spikes optional extra) | Number of leg sections: 5 (+ 2 section column) | Max load: 14kg / 30lb | Further Testing: 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey Review

• Multiple attachment points
• Stylish design
• Strong legs
• 14kg maximum load capacity
• Bubble level
• Colours not for every taste

Designed specifically for travel and lightweight backpacking, the Punks Corey packs down to an impressive 35cm / 13.67″, with the legs folding back 180 degrees over the center column, helping to create a slim overall packed diameter for your camera bag .

• Max Height: 8/10

At (147.5cm / 58″) extended height, the 3 Legged Thing is tall enough for comfortable usage while still having good rigidity.

Legs can be positioned at multiple locking angles or splayed close to the ground for low-angle or close-up travel photography .

At 1.5kg / 3.4 lb, the Punks Corey is a lightweight travel tripod for photographers who prefer to travel carry-on only. Its size/weight make it ideal as a backpacking tripod.

Aircraft-grade magnesium alloy construction is unique for travel tripods, offering excellent durability and one of the best strength:weight ratios. Excellent ball head design.

With 5 leg sections and a unique 2 section center column, the 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey maintains great rigidity. A unique detachable d-ring under the column allows you to hang extra weight for increased stability. Impressive maximum load capacity of 14 kg / 30 lb.

Unique design and useful details make for a fun and functional tripod for backpacking.

Twist locks offer fast leg deployment. Double center column increases rigidity and allows efficient fine-tuning of overall height. Fast-adjusting AirHed Neo ball head with grippy knobs.

Precision-engineered leg lock system offers excellent stability and rigidity. 2 spirit levels (head/leg) for precise leveling. Ergonomic ‘bubble’ grip leg locks for all-weather use. Detachable monopod .

Invertible column for macro camera setups. 1/4″ screw foot with multiple accessory options. Tri-mount plate with hollowed spurs for clipping on accessories. Durable drawstring bag. ‘Toolz’ multi-tool, including hex key, coin key, key ring, carabiner, and bottle opener! Available in multiple attractive colours.

• Value: 9/10

Good value to suit most budgets. 5-year limited warranty against manufacturing defects.

Final Score: 63/70

Detachable monopod leg, the ability to splay the legs completely for low-angle work, unique detailing, friction control knob design, excellent strength:weight ratio and overall efficiency in use. Highly recommended lightweight travel tripod for backpacking.

4. Leofoto LS224C | Best Lightweight Travel Tripod for DSLR or Mirrorless Cameras

Material: Carbon Fiber |  Maximum height: 127cm / 50″ | Minimum height: 119cm / 47″ | Folded length: 47.5cm / 18.7″ | Weight: 1.42 kg (3.14 lbs) | Feet: Pads & Spikes | Number of leg sections: 4 | Max load: 6kg / 13.2 lb

• Lightweight & compact
• Sturdier than competitors
• Great ball head
• Unique removable centre-column
• Spiked feet included
• Lighter max load

At a folded length of only 47.5cm / 18.7″, the Leofoto tripod folds down nice and compact with everything fitting snugly into its included carry bag.

Since the centre column is removable and optional, there’s no negative space between all 3 legs, meaning that the folded tripod occupies much less volume when folded up.

The Lefoto tripod’s height is around 127cm / 50″, which is average among the tripods we tested. As with all travel tripods that focus on weight-saving and compactness, it’s not advisable to use the centre column for optimal stability unless the ground is completely even/stable and there’s zero wind.

• Weight: 10/10

The Leofoto LS224C is the lightest travel tripod I tested and much lighter than most others at its price point. Available only in carbon fiber, it weighs in at an impressive 1.42 kg (3.14 lbs) with the ball head installed, making it perfect for all-day backpacking or tight airline carry-on luggage allowances while traveling.

If you need an ultralight tripod for backpacking or solo travel, this is the model to get – it’s the best lightweight tripod for traveling I’ve come across.

• Build: 9/10

You may not have heard of Leofoto, but it’s a brand of Laitu Photographic, a manufacturer that has been making tripods and accessories since 2014. The LS224C is very well built and feels great when extending the legs. The leg hinge joints are nice and stiff, inspiring confidence when setting the Leofoto up.

Everything feels very stable on the Leofoto when the legs are fully deployed, and the centre column is unattached.

Obviously, this will reduce the tripod’s overall height, but it’s a small sacrifice for the greatly improved stability.

Source: The Center Column

As can be seen in the screenshot above, David from the Center Column rated the LeoFoto’s stiffness alongside much more expensive travel tripods.

• Features: 9/10

The LS224C is one of the few travel tripods we’ve seen that haven’t been designed around a centre column.

This is a great space-saver when packing light since the tripod can have its legs folded closer together, reducing the overall volume it occupies.

The twist locks on the leg joints don’t need to be twisted more than 1/4 of a turn before the legs release, making the tripod deployment fast and simple.

Leg locks can be pulled out to unlock the legs for them to be splayed to 55, then 85 degrees for close-up photography.

The rubber feet can be replaced with the included steel spikes for use on grass or soft ground – a nice feature not commonly seen on travel tripods at this price point.

Overall, this lightweight camera tripod ticks a lot of boxes making it a great buy no matter what genre of photography you’re involved in.

• Value: 10/10

With this kind of performance and features from such a light tripod for travel, it’s surprising to hear that the LS284C is available for under $200.

For such a compact tripod that weighs less and performs better than others twice its price, it’s incredible value for money.

Great build quality, impressively lightweight and stiffer than its competition. If you can get past the relatively unknown brand name, it’s an absolute bargain.

5. ZOMEI Z699C | Best Budget Travel Tripod for Beginners

Material: Carbon fiber |  Maximum height: 152cm / 60″ | Minimum height: 35cm / 3.7″ | Folded length: 35cm / 15″ | Weight: 1.3kg / 3.3lb | Feet: Pads and spikes | Number of leg sections:  5 | Max load: 15kg / 33lb | Further testing: Zomei Z699C Review 

• Great value for money
• Great for beginners
• Folds up nice and small
• Super light weight
• Converts to monopod
• Low quality protective bag
• Not ideal for cold weather/gloved operation

Folded up, the Zomei Z699C is compact enough to suit any small camera backpack . Folded height (35cm / 15″) makes it the smallest travel tripod I tested. Having a small tripod is great for traveling carry-on only, which is my preferred way to fly.

At full extension (152cm / 60″), the Zomei tripod is tall enough for comfortable usage while still retaining good rigidity.

Legs can be locked at multiple angles, or splayed close to the ground for low-angle or close-up travel photography.

• Weight: 9/10

At just 1.3kg / 3.3 lb, the plastic tripod head helps keep weight down. Carbon fiber construction offers the best weight savings.

Carbon fiber tripods are stiffer, lighter, more weather/corrosion/scratch-resistant, and in general, stronger than aluminium. They also look and feel nicer.

• Build: 7/10

Legs slide smoothly, and locks on each leg can be deployed all at once with one hand.

Grips could be larger/grippier for cold-weather / gloved operation. Leg grips are a nice addition and provides padding when in transit.

The plastic ball head is basic but includes bubble level. The protective bag feels low-quality but does its job.

Good rigidity and center column hook for additional stability.

Surprisingly sturdy considering its lightness – max load of 15kg / 33lb can support any camera/lens combination.

• Features: 7/10

The Zomei features everything most traveling photographers need.

Reverse folding design. Monopod conversion. Multiple leg angles, including inverted macro. Contoured rubber feet for flat and metal ‘spikes’ for outdoor/uneven surfaces.

Twist locks are great for fast deployment.

The Zomei Z699C is a great-value compact carbon fiber tripod . You won’t find carbon fiber at this build quality for less. It’s the best cheap travel tripod when you still need high quality and the best budget tripod for travel I’ve come across so far this year.

Final Score: 61/70

If you’re looking for great bang your buck this is the best affordable travel tripod. Details aren’t as impressive as higher priced rivals, but operation is decent and size/weight/strength are competitive. Easy and enjoyable to use for beginners.

6. Manfrotto Befree Live | Best Travel Tripod for Video

Material: Aluminum / Carbon Fiber |  Maximum height: 150cm / 59.06″ | Minimum height: 40cm / 15.75″ | Folded length: 40cm / 15.75″ | Weight: (Alu) 1.76kg / 3.9lb (CF) 1.36kg / 3lb | Feet: Pads | Number of leg sections:  5 | Max load: 3.9kg / 8.8lb

• M-Lock twist-lock system quick and convenient
• Fluid head tripod for smooth video panning
• Included carry bag
• Levelling ball joint for accurate alignment
• Hook for attaching accessories
• Fluid arm position can be adjusted
• No convertible feet
• No friction adjustment for panning

When folded down, the BeFree Live is a relatively compact tripod, especially considering it has that all-important fluid head and lever for smooth video panning movements.

However, the legs and head do not rest snuggly against the central core, making the entire volume of the unit larger than the other travel tripods we tested,

You could remove the tripod head completely to allow the legs to sit closer together if you want to pack it even tighter.

At 150cm / 59.06″, the maximum height is comparable to other travel tripods at this price point.

With its compact folded length of only 40cm / 15.75″, the height should be good enough for most travel photography.

The head itself weighs only 380g (0.84 lbs) which is really light for a fluid head and can hold up to 3.9kg / 8.8lb. As for the total weight of (Alu) 1.76kg / 3.9lb (CF) 1.36kg / 3lb, these are respectable for travel tripods for video.

There’s no need to opt for the carbon fiber model unless owning the most lightweight tripod is a top priority to you.

• Build: 8/10

Being a Manfrotto tripod, the BeFree Live is well-made and feels good in the hand when deploying the twist-lock leg sections.

The inverse foldable leg design is easy to operate, and everything sits nicely in the included carry bag.

• Sturdiness: 8/10

We tested the Manfrotto BeFree Live with a Sony a7IV and 24-70mm f/2.8 lens in average winds, and it performed well.

Unless you’re using a camera/lens setup that exceeds the max load, you shouldn’t have any issues with how sturdy it is.

• Features: 8/10

The arm of the fluid head can be fully adjusted, so it’s in the right position when you’re positioning the tripod.

When using the tilt control, there’s a tightening knob to open it up fully for a nice and smooth tilting movement.

The fluid head fits onto other travel tripods, so if you need to swap it for whatever reason, it’s simple to do so. There’s also a bubble level for precise setups.

It also features a feature called ‘Easy Link’ (standard 3/8” attachment) for optional accessories and a hook to attach a weight for stabilization.

At around $270, the BeFree Video is excellent value for money if you’re looking for travel tripods with fluid heads for shooting video.

Sure, you may be able to find cheaper, but it won’t be from such a reputable brand as Manfrotto. It’s the best video tripod at this price, and highly recommended.

Final Score: 57/70

The BeFree line of travel tripods is enormously popular, and this is the version intended for video shooters. Manfrotto is synonymous with making high-quality tripods, and the BeFree Live is no exception, available for a great price for backpackers who need a decent travel tripod for video.

7. Joby GripTight One GorillaPod | Best Phone Tripod for Hiking

Material: Plastic/Aluminum | Dimension: 1.34 x 1.57 x 6.50 in  Weight: 71 g (0.16 lbs) |  Max load: 325 g (0.72 lbs)

• Flexible legs
• Fits all smartphones
• Durable build
• Works as hand grip for vlogging
• Only 1-year warranty

As a mini (aka tabletop) tripod kit, the Gorillapod GripTight One is a lot smaller than other travel tripods and takes up little room in your travel bag – it’s so small, in fact, that it can fit easily into your pocket.

This makes it my top pick as best hiking tripod, when you don’t want to burden your backpack with a full sized light weight tripod.

• Height: 5/10

A small camera tripod such as a Gorillapod doesn’t have a fully extended height since it’s intended to be used with the legs partially splayed or bent to wrap around thin objects. It’s also an ‘attached’ ball head tripod, meaning that you can’t change the ball head for another.

Either way, you’ll usually be either crouching down or trying to find something higher to secure it to or balance it on.

It’s the best compact tripod if you’re really limited in space in your backpack or just need something to carry in a jacket pocket.

Weighing in at a tiny 71 g (0.16 lbs), this flexible tripod can be taken on every travel adventure without a second thought. It’s the best hiking tripod, so long as you don’t mind the lack of extension.

Made from ABS Plastic, Stainless Steel and TPE, the Gorillapod is the best tripod for travel when camera bag space is at a minimum. Obviously, it’s not as robustly built as some of the heavy-duty tripods , but it doesn’t need to be.

• Sturdiness: 7/10

The GripTight is designed for any smartphone, with or without a case (56mm – 91mm), such as all the modern iPhones and Samsung Galaxy devices. Leg joints are stable and strong, but you’ll need to find thin tubular objects to wrap them around or flat surfaces for optimum stability (since all leg lengths are identical).

The base of the mount features a 1/4″-20 standard tripod mount meaning that you can attach it to other travel tripods if you need some extra height.

Other than that, the key feature is the ability to wrap the legs around thin objects or use them all together as a handy grip while filming.

If you’re after the most portable camera tripod, nothing beats a Gorillapod, which can fit in a jacket pocket.

If you’re looking for the best tripod for hiking that is able to stand up taller like a traditional tripod, you’ll need look elsewhere on this list.

At less than $25, the GripTight One is amazing value for money, and the 1-year warranty is adequate for regular travel. This makes it the best mini tripod for anyone on a tight budget.

Final Score: 59/70

Gorillapods allow you to secure your camera to objects for a variety of shooting angles and added convenience when traveling alone. Rubberized ball joints provide grippy finger placement for one-handed selfies and vlogging.

FAQs about Travel Tripods

Do I need a tripod for travel photography?

Yes, a tripod will help you take better photos in low light when traveling by stabilizing your camera and reducing movement. This will allow you to use a slower shutter speed to capture more light without having to rely on a higher ISO which can introduce noise into your images.

A tripod can also be useful when taking timed shots or self-portraits, allowing you to include yourself in your travel photos.

That said, you can use any nearby object as a camera stand – rocks, walls, even the ground – as long as you don’t need adjustable elevation or optimal stability, you can use pretty much anything as a make-shift tripod.

How heavy should a travel tripod be?

It’s important to have a lightweight tripod for travel, so the usual trade-off between having a stiffer/more stable tripod that is heavier isn’t so relevant. As long as the tripod is strong enough to hold your camera and lens without swaying, try and find the lightest tripod you can – this will make your traveling experience more enjoyable.

How do travel tripods differ from regular tripods?

They are typically lighter, have more compact dimensions when folded, and are designed for easy transportation. Regular tripods might offer more stability and height but are usually heavier and bulkier.

Can travel tripods support DSLR cameras?

Yes, many are sturdy enough to support DSLR cameras and lenses, but it’s important to check the tripod’s weight capacity to ensure it meets your gear’s needs.

How do you stabilize a tripod?

You should set up the tripod on stable ground and only extend the number of leg sections that are absolutely required – try and avoid the centre column at all costs. If your tripod has a hook, hang something relatively heavy from it, such as your camera bag – just don’t exceed the maximum weight capacity.

Also, you obviously already know how many legs a tripod has , but do you know why they have 3 legs? It’s for optimum stability.

Are travel tripods stable in windy conditions?

While they are designed for portability and may not be as stable as heavier studio models, many come with features like hook weights for added stability in windy conditions.

Can travel tripods be taken on airplanes?

Yes, they are designed to fit into luggage or attach to backpacks, making them suitable for air travel. However, always check with your airline for specific carry-on restrictions.

How do I maintain my travel tripod?

Regular maintenance includes cleaning the legs and joints, checking for loose parts, and, if necessary, lubricating the moving parts according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Always ensure it’s dry before folding it away to prevent rust or corrosion.

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Mark Condon is a British wedding photographer and editor of Shotkit. When he’s not taking photos or reviewing the latest camera gear and software, Mark can be found cycling around the northern rivers.

50 Comments

Hi, Thanks for this amazing piece of product. Last morning I was trying to find out which tripod is the best lightweight tripod that I should go for. Your article was very useful in this regard.

I started to learn about photography recently, but mostly by myself with the help of the internet. And I’m looking to buy a tripod for it. But until now I have no idea which type I should take on. Because everything looks good nowadays. I might buy the small and the big one, as I wanted to try vlogging and even take photography more seriously. I really want to think before investing money on them, because I have a problem with budgeting sometimes especially when everything seems like a good item to invest in.

Ah yes, paralysis of decision! I know it well, Lala… Why not just go for my number one recommendation, or the second option on the list (which is slightly cheaper)?

Sirui T025X. Only 752grams and folds to 30.5cm. Max height 1.3m. Great for mirrorless. I’ve been using it for couple years now and its always with me everyday.

Ah yep, some Sirui reviews coming here soon actually Izham. They’re great value for money.

A great comprehensive review thanks for sharing

Glad you liked it, David :-)

What would be your thoughts on this tripod? My friend told me to give it a try but I’m not sure if it would be good from my small camera (the camera is pretty light).

Thanks in advance

Hey Roland! What is your camera/lens? It looks like an ok tripod, but depends on what weight you attach to it.

After reading the travel tripod reviews I purchased a ZOMEI Z699C tripod for my travels. On the first trip the bottom section of one leg dropped off. It rolled off a jetty and was lost in the sea so I couldn’t recover it. Zomei is not responding to my emails concerning either a warranty claim or the supply of a replacement leg for a repair.

Hey Robert – when you say it dropped off, did you loosen the leg to the point where it came off? All tripods listed here will behave in the same way if you keep twisting and twisting a leg. I can reach out to Zomei on your behalf, but it depends on the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Hi mark, you have put great effort but please also guide me that which is best shooting tripod among these with good quality and affordable price.

What are your criteria Rachel?

Thanks for the write up! I just purchased the Manfrotto MTPIXI-B PIXI Mini which was actually surprisingly cheap for a Manfrotto product. I plan on using it for Vlogs and my upcoming trip to NZ

Sure thing Lewis. I have that Pixi too – it’s a great alternative to the Gorillapod when you need something a little simpler.

I suppose there is a mistake in data about Gorilla weight.

Great spot Gienio! Thank you – I’ve fixed it now.

Here is my issue. I want a more compact version of the alta pro, something that is more between 3 and 4 lbs. Just not gonna happen. LOL.

Season’s Greetings! While the Oben CT3535 Carbon Fiber Tripod is good for a mirrorless or small DSLR with a smaller lens than the typical 70-200mm zoom, a much more robust Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod than CAN handle any 70-200 f/2.8 zoom on any DSLR or mirrorless camera, is the FLM CP26. It is absolutely Awesome, and the ball head has numerous features, some of which are unique to the brand, such as a Pan function that can ratchet 360 degrees in 15-degree increments…great for precise panoramas! It is superbly well made, a marvel of engineering and design! Highly recommended. FLM-Canada supplies the US. Happy Holidays!

If i’m not mistaken, the vanguard pro isn’t a travel tripod. This review is a bit misleading.

Actually, I stand corrected – maybe I should of read the start of the review!

Great review btw.

Is the Zomei review of the 669 or the 699? Obviously you mention the 699 a lot but the link and specs seem to be for the 669.

Hey Irvin, it’s the 699. I’ll double check those links – thanks for pointing that out!

Where are the tripods from 3 Legged Thing? I’ve got three different of them for different purposes. :)

Hey Peter, I intend to update this list in 2018 with a couple from 3LT – great tripods, I agree.

I spent ages assessing tripods before buying one a couple of years ago, so I was pleased my decision of a MeFoto Roadtrip was validated by your review which I just read now.

I’m completely happy with it, but I have to say, I bought a third party swiss arca plate. The one that comes with the tripod is virtually useless. Not only do you need a tool to tighten it, as you point out, but the rubber grip doesn’t protrude enough from the base to actually provide any traction. Which is a fancy way of saying it kept falling off. The plate I bought was this one:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008S6G09S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It has served me very well.

I also want to add that the two fixed positions of the legs hasn’t restricted me one bit, especially as you can take out the central column of the tripod and put it back in upside down, so the camera actually hangs underneath the tripod to get really close to the ground.

Thanks for sharing that Paul – good to know there’s a better plate out there for the Roadtrip.

The Velbon Ultra Voxi L is the best travel tripod that I have used. It’s folded length is only 36cm and I can set up and put away faster than any other tripod on the market.

I’ll add it to my list to review – thanks Dennis!

Very helpful thank you, I’ll be using it while I’m out in the field conducting research so really need to save space, the Pedco looks perfect for what I need.

What about 3 legged thing tripods? These are awesome, very well made, and I think outstrip a few of these recommendations… from a pro and amateur perspective. They also have the best customer support…

I’m due to review their new ‘Leo’ soon for this list actually Robin :-)

Good article Am going to try the OMEI-Z669C-PROFESSIONAL-CARBON-FIBER-TRIPOD Monopod important for me Thx

Mark, a good article, though I realize that selecting a tripod, like cameras or camera bags, is a subjective thing indeed! John, check out the Oben CT3535…it’s a sturdy little carbon fiber travel tripod that converts to a monopod. See specs online, but I can say that it’s great for a mirrorless kit, or even a small DSLR with a wide or mid-range zoom. The quality is quite high. IMHO, I’d avoid the cheaper tripods with a fixed center column or leg spread. They won’t work at all on uneven terrain!!

Hey Steve – thanks for the tip re. the Oben CT3535 – will check it out!

I’m a fan of the Rangers 55″ tripod/monopod; it’s simple, inexpensive, and gets the job done.

Ah yes, I need to add this one to the list Matthew – only came across it last month, but have been hearing lots of great reviews about it. Here it is for anyone interested.

Not sure how you could have possibly missed the most popular in terms of coverage (YouTube, forums, reviews, etc) the Sirui T-005X (or the carbon version Sirui T-025X.

What about the Sirui T-025X Carbon with C-10S Ball Head??? I heard is no less than the MeFOTO Aluminum Roadtrip, maybe even better.

I’ll have to check that one out, Omri – thanks for the tip.

Has anyone tried K & F Concept tripods?

manfrotto 190 290 vanguard veo

I have no access to camera shops locally, so this is very useful. The reviewer with Tiger were amazing. Thanks for sharing. ( Annice)

Bradley, yes, I agree that Gitzo is the best in terms of build quality and reputation, however, for about 1/3 the price, I find that the Oben CT3535 Travel Tripod is great for a mirrorless or small DSLR system. It is carbon fiber, with all metal control knobs, and quite well built.

The Vanguard Alta Pro is seriously the best tripod out there. I freaking love mine. To be able to shoot from directly above is great for product photography and stop motion.

Daniel/Mark, While I have no experience with the Vanguard tripod, and have no doubt it serves your purpose, I recently came across a unique and extremely high-quality travel tripod…the FLM “CP26 Travel Tripod”. It has super-strong 10x Carbon Fiber legs (26 lb load capacity!) with well-made twist locks, and a ball head that has several unique features that I’ve not seen in my 35 years of photography using tripods…For example, the “Pan” function permits butter-smooth normal panning, but in addition, adds a 15-degree ratchet function that is fantastic for us landscape/panorama photographers! There is also a “Tilt” knob that locks the ball head so that only one vertical/up/down plane is available. And finally, there is a “lock” function that locks the ball head from panning/turning, so that it can easily be unscrewed and/or mounted solidly. The kit comes with very well-made screw-on metal spikes, and folds up to a compact 15.5″ for travel. Quite ingenious and precision design overall, and highly recommended for travel!!  Bottom line: This FLM tripod simply exudes Quality. Here’s the link to that awesome tripod: https://www.flmcanada.com. Please tell Ari that Steve sent you. Thanks, and I think you’ll find the FLM CP26 Travel Tripod stunningly robust, and a work of art!

Hey Steve, thanks for that – very interesting indeed. I’ll see if I can get my hands on the FLM tripod you mentioned to review later this year.

I’m also a big fan of the CP-26 Travel. I have this and a CB43-FTR ball head and it’s excellent. I’ve taken it hiking in the Scottish Highlands, and regularly use it for my Sinar Norma large format camera. For me it’s perfect because of the load capacity and the exceptional ballhead. The friction control is very smooth, and when you have a heavy camera it’s also very important.

Hi, I think you are making a mistake of one order of magnitude in your weight difference calculation. For example, the weight difference of the two peak design tripod is 290 g, not 29 g. If it was only 29g, the carbon would not be worth it at all. 😊

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Mark Condon has been a professional photographer for 10+ years and has used and reviewed hundreds of tripods for backpacking around Australia and overseas travel. He prefers to fly without checked luggage (carry-on only), so a lightweight tripod is essential.

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• HEIPI 3-in-1
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The best travel tripod for 2024: finest lightweight tripods for your camera

The best travel tripods are super-portable camera supports

• Best overall
• Best for budget
• Best Premium
• Best Design
• Best Versatility
• Best Lightweight

How to choose the best travel tripod for you

How we test travel tripods.

1. The list in brief 2. Best overall 3. Best budget 4. Best premium 5. Best design 6. Best for versatility 7. Best lightweight 8. How to choose 9. How we test

Compact size and lightweight build are the name of the best travel tripod game, persuading you to pack one for outdoor adventures rather than leave it at home or in the studio, unlike the best tripods which can be very heavy and unwieldy. 

In 2024, there's the question of whether you need a tripod in the first place. After all, today's best cameras give plenty of reasons to leave the tripod at home , such as excellent high ISO performance and in-body image stablization. But believe us, there's still plenty of reason to fork out for a decent tripod . 

All of the models in this guide stand firm for long exposure photography, sharp photos and hands-free video while being small enough to be stowed in your camera bag . Most options included here are available in aluminium and pricier carbon fiber versions. Because travel tripods are quite small already, the minimal weight saved by using carbon fiber might not be worth the extra outlay of their aluminium counterparts. 

We've tested more than our share of tripods over the years, utilizing them while we're testing cameras and lenses – so we know if one offers incredibly stable shooting and decent value for money. Within this guide, we have gathered the best travel tripod you can buy right now and included further buying advice at the end of the guide.

Tim is TechRadar's Cameras editor, with over 15 years in the photo video industry and most of those in the world of tech journalism, Tim has developed a deeply technical knowledge and practical experience with all things camera related. He’s also worked in video production with clients including Canon, and volunteers his spare time to consult a non-profit, diverse stories team based in Nairobi.

The quick list

Short on time? Use our quick round-up below to find the best travel tripod for you. Use the links to jump to our full write-ups for more in-depth coverage.

The best travel tripod overall

The 3-Legged Thing Punks Brian 2.0 boasts a full height of 73.2 inches / 1.86m and a stylish design. A truly impressive specification for the price.

Read more below

The best travel tripod for a budget

If you're looking for your first ever tripod, Manfrotto's budget friendly offering ticks all the boxes when it comes to delivering the basics at a good price.

The best premium travel tripod

Smooth operation and build quality that will last a lifetime make this the best option for those who are happy to pay for the best. 

The best travel tripod design

As one of the most compact travel tripods around, the Peak Design makes for a great travel companion, albeit at quite a high cost. 

The best travel tripod for versatility

With an articulating center column, this heavy travel tripod is able to capture unique angles while providing great stability.

The best lightweight travel tripod

A basic offering from Manfrotto that is incredibly lightweight and therefore perfect for taking on your travels.

• ^ Back to the top

The best Travel Tripods in 2024

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Below, you'll find full write-ups for each of the best travel tripods in our list and a link to a full review. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.

1. 3 Legged Thing Punks Brian 2.0

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

When it comes to price and quality, the 3-Legged Thing Punks Brian 2.0 is hard to beat. For the price, you get an incredible level of versatility with the Brian 2.0, which can transform into a standard tripod, a tall monopod, or even a tabletop tripod when combined with the separately sold Vanz footwear.

The carbon fiber frame is lightweight at 3.70lbs / 1.68kg and provides a maximum height of 73.2 inches / 1.86m. This might be too tall for some, but it's always good to have the option – you don't need to use all the leg sections. Folding away to 16.5-inches / 42cm makes it easy to attach to a bag or throw in a suitcase.

As is custom in the Punks Brian 2.0 range, the tripod is available in either orange, blue, or black, depending on how much you want to stand out.

• Read our 3 Legged Thing Punks Brian 2.0 review

2. Manfrotto Element MII

The Manfrotto Element MII is a fantastic budget option that does all the basics really well. At only $155 / £109 / AU$259 you're guaranteed to get everything that Manfrotto is known for, including great build quality and a well engineered head. 

The Element MII has replaced the Element Big, a change that sees a reduction in leg sections from five to four. These changes make it easier to set up and pack down. Unfortunately, it's only available in aluminum, which makes for a heavy package considering it's such a compact design.

By offering a fairly basic specification, Manfrotto is delivering simple tripod technology at a great price. Through the Element range of tripods, Manfrotto is trying to appeal to beginners and those on a budget. 

• Read our Manfrotto Element MII Aluminium review

3. Gitzo Traveler Series 1

Professional users looking for one of the best travel tripods should look no further than the Gitzo tripod Traveler series 1. All the boxes are ticked with a lightweight and excellent build, with an impressive extended height.

Oftentimes, with travel tripods, the parts don't function as smoothly as their larger counterparts. This is not the case for the Gitzo Traveler Series 1. Moving from folded to extended is a breeze, and the head is as strong and reliable as you'll ever need it to be. The ball head features separate pan locking, and its 32mm ball diameter is just about large enough to support a full-frame DSLR.

All of this premium quality comes at a price. The Traveler Series 1 costs $680 / £539 / AU$1,154 . 95. If you're in the market for a travel tripod that will last a lifetime and you're prepared to pay for it, then the Traveler Series 1 is a great choice.

• Read our Gitzo tripod Traveler series 1 review

4. Peak Design Travel Tripod

The Peak Design oozes a unique design that results in it being one of the most compact and lightweight options on the market. Thanks to the shape, the legs fold neatly into each other, which provides a super slim overall diameter.

The head is integral to the tripod, which takes a little bit of getting used to, and it lacks functionality. However, ultra-low-level and tabletop shooting is possible thanks to the centre column design, so although it isn't in the 'best for versatility' category, it would easily be competing for the top overall spot.

With great design comes a high price, especially if you opt for the lighter carbon fiber frame rather than the aluminium alternative. The 5 sectioned legs are strong, delivering all the stability you could need as you're out and about.

• Read our Peak Design Travel Tripod review

5. Vanguard VEO 3T+ 234CB

The Vanguard VEO 3T+ 234CB is heavier and bigger than most of its competitors, something that will put a lot of people off, especially if they're doing a lot of travelling by foot. But with this weight and size comes a high level of stability that is ideal if you're shooting long exposures or time lapses.

One of the main things we love about this travel tripod is the articulating arm , which makes it possible to shoot at ground level. This is great for capturing unique and creative camera angles that would otherwise be impossible without defaulting to handheld.

Thanks to the ability to unscrew one of the legs, this travel tripod is also a very capable monopod, making it a highly versatile offering.

• Read our Vanguard VEO 3T+ 234CB travel tripod review 

6. Manfrotto Befree Advanced Carbon Fiber

At 1.25kg, this carbon fiber travel tripod is as lightweight as it gets, perfect for taking with you on your travels. It can also fit into small spaces, with a foldable length of just 41cm. If you're after a tripod that blends into the background and doesn't bother you on long journeys, then Manfrotto Befree Advanced will be great.

The lack of weight and size usually results in poor stability, something that isn't the case with this tripod. The legs are rigid and robust, which is not always guaranteed on a travel tripod.

There is no getting around it; this is a basic tripod with limited features. With no monopog leg option and a limited maximum height, it might be worth going for the slightly heavier 3 Legged Thing Brian 2.0 Travel Tripod. But if all simply need a basic support, which is true for most photographers moist the time, then this is a great option.

• Read our Manfrotto Befree Advanced Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod review

What to look for in a travel tripod

Choosing the best travel tripod isn't just about selecting the smallest and lightest model. Indeed, picking the lightest legs isn't always the best plan. Marginally heavier alternatives won't be a noticeable burden, but they can provide much more rigidity and versatility. 

Most of these tripods use a carbon fiber construction to save weight, but this ups the price. Some models also have aluminum counterparts. Each includes a compact ball head, but check carefully: a ball that's too small for a larger DSLR will become a precarious balancing act.

What makes a travel tripod

A neat trick shared by the vast majority of current tripods is that the legs swing fully upwards for stowage. The idea is that you first extend the centre column, then swing the legs up, so that the tripod’s feet end up encircling the head. This reduces the overall carrying length by up to 10cm or 4 inches. Indeed, many of the best travel tripods shrink down to about 30-40cm, making them small enough to fit inside a camera bag or rucksack, rather than needing to be tethered to the outside causing your bag to be unbalanced.

To give them a useful operating height, despite their small carrying size, most travel tripods feature four or even five telescopic sections per leg. Some go further still, with a two-section extending centre column. This naturally enables a greater maximum operating height, so you can be sure no matter how high your camera needs to be it will be able to get the shot you want.

The drawbacks are that each telescoping joint is an area of potential weakness, reducing rigidity, and the bottom leg sections are likely to be quite thin and spindly. A large number of twist or clip locks for all the sections also demands more time for setting up the tripod and folding it down again. 

Do I even need a tripod?

Today's very best mirrorless cameras and computational photography modes especially in smartphones and the OM System OM-1 that go a long way to eliminating the need for a tripod. We list 5 reasons why photographers no longer need a tripod that includes super-effective in-body image stablization for handheld shooting even with professional high-resolution cameras, in-camera HDR modes so you no longer need to do multi-shot exposure stacking, plus improved image quality at high ISOs. 

However, there are times and photography effects that still require a tripod. Tripods can be crucial for studio photography and for video work in general where you can lock off the camera in position for long periods and free up your hands. The same goes for long exposure photography, staging group photos, plus the times you need free hands to attach or remove accessories from your camera, like lens filters and mics. 

Significant advances in camera tech have put the once necessary photography accessory under threat, but there will still be a place for tripods for a long time yet. 

Tripods only have a fairly limited number of features. Despite that, we like to make sure we've tested every single part and compared them to others to see where each one stands apart from the rest.

We make sure to test our travel tripods over a period of time using a range of different cameras and lens combinations. Some tripods will be fine with specific cameras, but not others. By testing multiple types, we're able to see how ubiquitous each one is.

The process of folding and unfolding travel tripods is something that travellers have to do all the time. We therefore go through this process numerous times to see how each one feels and functions. 

Some tripods have features that are truly unique, such as the articulating center column on the Vanguard VEO 3T+ 234CB. Whatever the feature, we put it through its paces to see if it puts it above its competitors.

We do all of this while travelling around and thinking like photographers on the go. This helps us to make comments that are helpful for making informed buying decisions.

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Tim is the Cameras editor at TechRadar. He has enjoyed more than 15 years in the photo video industry with most of those in the world of tech journalism. During his time as Deputy Technical Editor with Amateur Photographer, as a freelancer and consequently editor at Tech Radar, Tim has developed a deeply technical knowledge and practical experience with cameras, educating others through news, reviews and features. He’s also worked in video production for Studio 44 with clients including Canon, and volunteers his spare time to consult a non-profit, diverse stories team based in Nairobi. Tim is curious, a keen creative, avid footballer and runner, and moderate flat white drinker who has lived in Kenya and believes we have much to enjoy and learn from each other. 

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The Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2024

We put the best backpacking water filters and purifiers to the test so you can stay safely hydrated on your next trip into the great outdoors.

You don’t need much to have a successful backpacking trip.  Yes, you’ll need some gear (like a tent, a sleeping bag, and a pack). But most importantly, you’ll need a way to get clean, safe water while on the trail.

Before we explain in depth how each water filter works, here are a few things that will help you through this guide. There are many different methods of filtering (or treating) water. The most common methods are through a cartridge or tube, with either activated carbon, UV light, or chemicals.

Filters also come in different styles: straw-style, pump filters, gravity filters, and UV or tablet treatments. They all make water safe to drink but differ slightly in size, durability, and price.

We’ve spoken to thru-hikers, hunters, and mountaineers, and read hundreds of customer reviews to find out which water filters on the market are truly the best.

Our team collectively tested a plethora of diverse filters for the creation of this guide. Current author and Senior Editor Chris Carter has been squeezing water through countless tubes and dropping tablets in his Nalgene each season to bring you the streamlined selection of 18 filters you see today. From stagnant green pools in the African savanna to bubbling alpine brooks in the Cascade Mountains, Chris has filtered water of all consistency and color in the wild and brings only the best filters on his excursions. Rest assured, we would trust every model in this guide to keep us safe and hydrated in the backcountry.

Be sure to check out our  water filter comparison chart  at the bottom, our comprehensive  buyer’s guide , or our  FAQ  section for help in snagging the best backpacking water filter for your adventure.

Editor’s Note: We refreshed this article on April 23, 2024,   adding the Lifesaver Wayfarer as the best pump-style model in our selection of the best backpacking water filters .

• Best Overall Backpacking Water Filter: Sawyer Squeeze
• Best Budget Backpacking Water Filter: LifeStraw Personal
• Best Backpacking Water Filter for Thru-Hiking: Katadyn BeFree 0.6L
• Best Water-Purifying Tablets: Katadyn Micropur
• Best Gravity Backpacking Water Filter/Best for Groups: Katadyn BeFree Gravity 3L
• Best Backpacking Water Filter Pump: Lifesaver Wayfarer
• Best Backpacking Water Filter Bottle: GRAYL GEOPRESS Bottle

Sawyer Squeeze

• Weight 2.5 oz.
• Filter type Bottle/inline filter
• Filter life Lifetime warranty
• Flow Rate 1.7 L/min

• Easy to use
• Lightweight
• Included pouches aren’t very durable

This water filter system is the gold standard for many thru-hikers and backpackers across the globe. The  Sawyer Squeeze filters down to 0.1 microns, making it effective against bacteria  and  protozoa (thus, slightly more effective and safer than other filters).

It has a great flow rate and comes with a kit to attach to a hydration bladder as well. Thanks to the combination of price and weight, it earns the distinction as the best backpacking water filter.

The Sawyer Squeeze has over 1,000 five-star ratings. Top feedback from customers includes the ultralight trail weight, the ease of use (specifically the reusable roll-up squeeze pouch), and the durability over time.

Many customers love that there are no annoying tubes — you just screw the filter onto the squeeze bag or a bottle (Smartwater bottles work best), and drink. For overall ease of use and durability, this  filter  has earned its place at the top of the list.

LifeStraw Personal

• Weight 1.6 oz.
• Filter type Straw filter
• Filter life 4,000 L
• Flow Rate N/A

• We love this filter for daily adventures and as a backup filter method on longer trips
• It lasts for up to 4,000 L, which is plenty for almost any outdoor adventurer
• It doesn’t work for filtering water into a bladder or bottle for reserve (you have to drink as it filters)
• You’ll also have to remember to empty the fiber chamber to prevent clogging before storing it away

The LifeStraw Personal is one of the most consistently high-rated water filters of all time. The simple straw-style filter uses a hollow-fiber membrane that filters out bacteria, protozoa, and microplastics down to 0.2 microns (the standard for water filters). It’s also the lightest on the market at 2 ounces and costs only $20.

That said, it’s only good for drinking water directly from the source and doesn’t work for filtering larger quantities into bottles, so it definitely has its limitations. For long-distance backpacking, you’ll probably need a secondary water filtration method. But it’s a great budget pick and solid option for emergency kits, backpacking, hiking, bugout bags, or international travel.

The LifeStraw works great, whether you’re going on a day hike or a month-long backcountry excursion. Our reviewers especially liked how easy it is to pack and carry, and we appreciate the clear taste on output.

For the ultra-minimalist, or the backpacker who wants an easy-to-use option they can pull straight from an outer pocket of their pack, the  LifeStraw Personal  is a must-have.

Katadyn BeFree 0.6L

• Weight 2.3 oz.
• Filter type Bottle filter
• Filter life 1,000 L
• Flow Rate 2 L/min

• Fast flow rate
• Easy to clean
• Clogs up faster than some models
• Doesn’t fit as many water bottles as the Sawyer Squeeze

To justify taking anything on an extended thru-hike it needs to be dependable, lightweight, and durable enough to last for months of torture. Today, you usually see one of two popular filters being used by long-distance hikers going the length of trails like the PCT and AT: the Sawyer Squeeze or the  Katadyn BeFree .

One of the authors of this guide has taken the BeFree on three different thru-hikes across America and has nothing but praise for this tiny ultralight wonder. At 2.3 ounces it barely registers in your pack, has a lifespan of 1,000 L, and a flow rate of 2 liters per minute, bumping it just ahead of the Squeeze and many others in the flow department.

Its 0.1-micron microfilter allows you to confidently gulp down any water you encounter on a long trail (though the murky cow troughs in New Mexico on the CDT did have our tester filtering twice), and the high flow rate means you’re not wasting a bunch of energy just to get a sip in. The wide mouth of the flexible flask allows it to fill up in just a couple of scoops, and you can clean the filter by simply swishing water around in the flask.

It’s not flawless, though. First, it isn’t as versatile as the Squeeze in that it won’t fit over standard water bottle mouths (this isn’t an issue if you plan to just use the included flask). Second, it tends to clog a little faster in filthy water than other filters, including the Squeeze.

Those gripes aside, this is still the top pick for hundreds of long-distance hikers, and for good reason. If you’re looking for an ultralight filter with a solid flow rate for long adventures, don’t pass the  BeFree 0.6L  by.

Katadyn Micropur

• Weight 0.9 oz.
• Filter type Chemical purifier
• Filter life 1 liter per tab
• Flow Rate 1 L/30 min.

• Destroy bacteria, protozoa, and viruses
• Lightweight, budget-friendly, and easy to stash in a pack, pocket, or a first-aid kit
• 4-hour wait time. (Because of this, we recommend treating your water ahead of time or in larger batches.)
• Expire after 5 years

If you really don’t want to sacrifice weight for a filter, chemical treatment is a great option.  Katadyn’s Micropur M1 tablets have been a top choice over the years, thanks to their purifying powers and easy-to-use instructions.

Some claim there is a slight aftertaste, although we like these much better than other chemical treatments. Also, many users agree that learning the wait times is important. The tablets destroy viruses and bacteria in 15 minutes, but it takes 4 hours to kill the pesky cryptosporidium parasite.

For backpacking trips, you can use tablets in the evening to ensure that you have clean water for the next day. These are also great options for trips where you’re operating out of a backcountry base camp for side excursions. Most filters have the potential to fail, so having a few of these tablets stashed away for emergencies is smart.

Katadyn BeFree Gravity 3L

• Weight 6.8 oz.
• Filter type Gravity Filter

• Requires no backflushing
• High flow rate
• You’ll need a place to hang the filter (so if you’re traveling to beaches or deserts, this might not be the best option)

Gravity filters use the force of gravity to pull water through the filter. For that reason, they’re extremely user-friendly. Just fill it with dirty water, hang it, and come back in a few minutes to find filtered water waiting in another container.

They work great for larger groups or when you want to filter a lot of water all at once. They’re also quite light, given their speed and ease of use.

At just 6.8 ounces, the  Katadyn BeFree Gravity filter is the lightest gravity filter on this list. The Katadyn BeFree filters 3 L at a time and comes with a quick-connect output hose to easily fill multiple bottles, pots, or bladders.

It also doesn’t require common filter maintenance like backflushing. Similar to the Sawyer Squeeze, the flow rate is great, and because the bag rolls down, it’s fairly packable.

It came in behind the  Sawyer Squeeze  overall, largely because it’s more expensive. For those who don’t mind spending a little more or are traveling as a bigger group in the backcountry, this is definitely one of the best backpacking water filters available. It’s proven itself over many backpacking and hunting trips in the Rocky Mountains and beyond.

The Katadyn BeFree system can filter smaller particles down to 0.1 microns. The majority of reviewers love that it’s both easy to use  and  clean.

For more info, check out our  full review of the Katadyn BeFree Gravity Filter .

Lifesaver Wayfarer

• Weight 11.2 oz.
• Filter type Pump
• Filter life 5,000 L
• Flow rate 1.39 L/min.

• Immediately filters water removing/killing all protozoa, bacteria and viruses
• Can filter 1,320 gallons/5,000 L before replacement
• Won't pump water once the membrane is blocked
• NSF/ANSI P231 rating
• On the heavier side compared to other filter types
• More work to assemble and use than squeeze filter

Standard water filters are great for removing particulates and eliminating bacteria, cysts, and parasites from water sources. But they don’t stop waterborne viruses. Pathogens like cryptosporidiosis (cryptosporidium), giardiasis (giardia), or hepatitis will pass right through them. To stop viruses, you need a water purifier .

That’s exactly what the LifeSaver Wayfarer ($110) is. This backpacker-friendly pump purifier removes 99.9999% of bacteria, 99.99% of cysts and parasites, and 99.999% of viruses from freshwater sources. It is rated to one of the highest levels of certified water protection. Plus, it uses LifeSaver’s proprietary “FailSafe Technology,” so water cannot pass through once the hollow-fiber filter membranes are blocked with contaminants.

The Wayfarer is simple to use. Plug the output hose into the top and the intake hose into the bottom and place that in your water source. Then start pumping. Within a handful of pumps, clear, virus-free water will start gushing out of the output hose and into your water receptacle.

LifeSaver sells replacement filters for the Wayfarer. Once it becomes harder to pump and your flow rate diminishes, it’s probably time for a replacement cartridge. On the LifeSaver website, they cost just $45. Each one should be good for purifying up to 1,300 gallons of water.

At 11.4 ounces, the LifeSaver Wayfarer is a light means of water purification and one of the most effective. And at just $110, it’s competitively priced, too. We found it an extremely welcome companion for car camping, backpacking, and traveling in foreign countries.

Read Review: 11 Ounces, 1,300 Gallons: Lifesaver Wayfarer Packable Water Filter Review

Best Water Filter Bottles

Water filters aren’t just great for backpacking and hiking, but can keep you feeling healthy and fresh while road-tripping or traveling abroad. A few of the options below are great for both!

Below are some of our top choices for travel water filters, whether your adventures take you overlanding, RVing, on day trips, or on international adventures.

GRAYL GEOPRESS Bottle

• Weight 15.9 oz.
• Filter type Bottle filter/purifier
• Filter life 65 gallons
• Flow Rate 5 L/min

• Convenient and great for travel
• Doesn’t just filter water, but purifies it as well
• More expensive option

The  GRAYL GEOPRESS uses electroabsorption and activated carbon to purify water. Simply fill, press down, and drink. It is that fast. (And yes, the convenience, fast filter time, and quality of this filter make it worth the $100.)

This is truly the best if you’re drinking from really sketchy, off-grid water sources or want a filter for backpacking that isn’t a bladder and hose system. The GRAYL protects against heavy metals, chemicals, and viruses in addition to common protozoa and bacteria.

We’ve tested this filter abroad and love it for international travel .  It’s ideal for when you want to filter all tap water before drinking, and it works wonderfully as a constant companion to keep you hydrated on the go.

We’ve also used it backpacking and thru-hiking on the Appalachian Trail. For one or two people, this bottle is an awesome purification method.

We love its fast flow rate of 5 L per minute (under 30 seconds to get clean water). The top complaint is its size (though it’s not any bulkier than a Nalgene). Also, the  replacement cartridges  are expensive and need to be replaced every 250 L.

Read our full GearJunkie review for more info on these unique purifiers.

LifeStraw Go Series 22 oz.

• Weight 9 oz.
• Filter type Bottle/straw filter

• 2-stage filter improves taste
• Durable build
• Sleek design with lots of fun colors
• Straw doesn't extend all the way to the bottom of bottle
• Straw cover cap unscrews relatively easily

Sleek, lightweight, and thoughtfully designed, the newly minted LifeStraw Go Series filter bottle is ready for a rowdy road trip across Mexico, or a casual day on the river. Its streamlined, stylish design joins forces with a 0.2-micron filter and 4,000 L lifespan to deliver a hard-working portable filter that’s equally at home on trail, or around town.

Muted and flashy colorways abound for whatever your vibe might be, and the quick-release top handle protects the nozzle, allowing it to be carried around with ease. It’s crafted with surprisingly quality materials for such an affordable model, and has a premium, top-shelf feel. While we love the ability to swiftly unscrew the top handle and snag a quick slurp, we found it can sometimes pop off when we don’t want it to, as it’s only screwed on by a couple of threads.

At $45, this is one of your best bets for a budget filter bottle. It uses the same type of hollow-fiber filter as the original LifeStraw but seamlessly incorporates it into a BPA-free plastic bottle, that’s now made from 50% recycled plastic. The filter straw takes a bit of a suck initially, but soon flows with ease, and has a phenomenally natural taste to it. We do wish it extended a bit lower into the bottle, as we regularly have to pour out a few milliliters of unfiltered liquid — which is a bit deflating on a backpacking trip.

The 22-ounce bottle is a solid alternative option to the straw if you won’t be near water sources as frequently. The activated carbon filter reduces chlorine, organic chemical matter, and odors for a better taste than other filters we tried, making it a fine bottle to tote around on daily outings.

Similar to the original LifeStraw, we love that this bottle is quick and simple to use. It’s even easier than just the straw, as the bottle provides a way to carry and store water when you aren’t near a source. We also dig the approachable price point.

RapidPure Purifier+ Bottle

• Weight 7.2 oz.
• Filter life 75 gallons per cartridge

• Filters extremely small particles
• Nalgene-like durability
• Bulky base doesn’t fit into cup holders or pack sleeves
• Replacement cartridges are expensive

While RapidPure is a newer brand, this bottle made our list due to its construction and convenience. The  RapidPure Purifier+ Bottle is a purifier, meaning it protects against viruses, protozoa, and bacteria, making it suitable for traveling virtually anywhere.

It uses replaceable cartridges with both activated carbon and electroabsorption technology to filter out particles 100 times smaller than the standard 0.2 microns.

This bottle protects against everything, has a great flow rate, and we love how easy it is to use. But the extra $17 for each replacement cartridge makes it a pricier choice. And we found the plastic cap and shape — especially the base — a bit bulky.

Platypus QuickDraw

• Weight 3.3 oz.
• Filter life 1,000 liters
• Flow Rate 3 L/min

• Efficient system
• Budget-friendly
• Some wish the reservoir was larger

A newer filter system on the market is the small and packable  Platypus QuickDraw . We tested it for several months last year (and plan to use it a lot more this year) and love its low weight, packable size, and good filter rate.

The QuickDraw’s hollow fiber filter component and 1L plastic reservoir come in at just 3.3 ounces. The dual-thread design is awesome and allows you to screw the filter onto both the reservoir or a threaded plastic bottle (like a Smart bottle).

We found it super easy to use and backflush, and we experienced a good flow rate. The filter is good for 1,000 L before it needs a replacement.

Factoring in the size, weight, and price, this filter nearly made it higher on the list. But the  Sawyer Squeeze  filters down to 0.1 microns — slightly better than the QuickDraw’s 0.2 microns — for a few bucks less. Overall, the  Quickdraw  is still one of the best backpacking water filters you can buy.

To learn more, check out our in-depth review of the Platypus QuickDraw .

Katadyn Hiker Microfilter

• Weight 11 oz.
• Filter type Pump Filter
• Filter life 750 liters
• Flow Rate 1 L/min

• Doesn’t require replacement filters as often as other choices
• You’ll have to pump it, although the flow rate is good enough to make up for the lost time.

The  Katadyn Hiker has been one of our long-time favorites for its great price and performance in the long run. Several users found it can last for 2 to 6 years before having to replace the filter.

The Katadyn Hiker filters down to 0.2 microns for bacteria, protozoa, microplastics, and chemicals.

Hundreds of users have commented on how well this filter works and how long it lasts. We’ve also found it to work great in subpar conditions (think freezing temps and murky water).

A few reviewers did note, however, that the bulkiness is a downside, and some prefer the quality of the newer model, the  Katadyn Hiker Pro  ($100). Regardless of which model you choose, the Hiker filter performs great, and the price is right.

LifeStraw Peak Series — Straw Filter & Squeeze Filter

• Weight Straw: 2.3 oz.; Squeeze Filter: 3.2 oz.
• Filter type Straw: straw; Squeeze Filter: bottle/gravity filter
• Filter life Straw: 4,000 L ; Squeeze Filter: 2,000 L
• Flow Rate Straw: N/A ; Squeeze Filter: 3 L/min

• Lightweight design
• Durable and sleek looking
• On the heavy side
• Squeeze filter has a shorter filter life than some

We put the new LifeStraw Peak Series — a personal straw filter, squeeze filter, and gravity filter — to the test this spring. The  Peak Series Personal Straw Filter and   Squeeze Filter turned out to work great for filtering water at various sources in the backcountry.

The personal Peak Series filter worked extremely well and had a good flow rate. After 20+ years of LifeStraw being on the market, it was nice to finally see a big upgrade in materials and design.

The new design is comfortable, easy to use, durable, and easy to clean and backflush. If you’ve used a LifeStraw filter before and are maybe looking to replace it, we definitely recommend the Peak Series version.

The LifeStraw Squeeze Filter also performed well in testing, though not as much as others on our list. It’s modular, so while it has the filter incorporated inside the squeeze pouch, you can also move it to the outside (and swap out the cap) if filling bottles or not drinking directly from the filter. Both are a great price.

Check out our full GearJunkie review of the Peak Gravity 3L and Peak Squeeze filters.

Platypus GravityWorks 4L

• Weight 11.5 oz.
• Filter type  Gravity Filter
• Filter life  1,500 L
• Flow Rate 1.75 L/min

• Bags are clearly labeled "dirty" and "clean," so there's no confusion
• Overall performance is great
• The filter won't work in freezing conditions
• It tends to clog with silty water
• Some reviewers wished the seals on the reservoir bags were better

This gravity water filter   has won a spot on our list for the second year in a row. Why? The Platypus is good for when you need water for more than just drinking (straw filters are great, but not for filtering several liters of water at a time).

The Platypus GravityWorks system is easy to use and makes filtering significant amounts of water at base camp a cinch. It’s also a great filter choice for car camping along rivers or lakes.

Although this gravity filter is a different style, we found the disconnecting shutoff valves and flow system easy to learn — and reliable as well.

The system also can clog, so this filter requires pretty good cleaning and maintenance.

MSR Guardian Gravity Purifier

• Weight 1lb., 3 oz.
• Filter life 3,000+ L
• Flow Rate 1 L/2 min

• Works great for group travel in the backcountry
• Purifies the dirtiest of water

With an easy-to-fill 10L reservoir and a 1 L per 2 minutes flow rate (which MSR claims is 2.5 times faster than the competition), the new  Guardian Gravity Purifier   takes technology designed for the military and brings it to groups of backcountry explorers.

The purifier meets NSF P248 testing standards, removing bacteria, protozoa, pathogens, and viruses through the 0.02-micron hollow fiber media. With an activated carbon component, it also pulls out chemicals, tastes, and odors.

MSR’s setup is simple, even if you do need ample space to get the dirty reservoir at least 6 feet above the clean water receptacle (fairly common for gravity water filters). The speedy flow rate is ideal, and the bottle adapter fits a range of sizes to allow the filling of separate water bottles or a larger container with the entire 10 liters.

This new purifier is up there as one of the best backpacking water filters for larger groups. With no backflushing required and a mesh carrying case, teardown is quick and easy.

If you’re going where there are no trees for hanging, this could be tricky. Also, at over a pound, it really only works for larger groups where you can split up the load.

Read  our full review of the MSR Guardian Gravity Purifier .

MSR MiniWorks EX Water Filter

• Weight 16 oz.
• Filter life 2,000 L

• Unique carbon/ceramic filter design
• Pretty expensive

MSR makes a few pump filters, but this one is our favorite. The  MSR MiniWorks EX  protects against bacteria, protozoa, heavy chemicals, and particulates. One of our favorite features of this filter is the fact that it’s compatible with both  dromedary bags  and   Nalgene bottles , so you can easily attach and pump into your drinking vessel.

The filter is ceramic, meaning you clean it over time instead of replacing it (although you may need to replace the tubing). Some users also noted an issue with pressure building up in the filter chamber, causing the flow rate to slow. If you don’t mind pumping, this is still a good filter option.

The MSR MiniWorks is the heaviest filter out of the ones we considered, though, and you’ll have to clean it often.

LifeStraw Flex Gravity Filter

• Weight 6.9 oz.
• Flow Rate 0.5 L/min

• Lighter than some other gravity filters
• Pretty slow flow rate
• Carbon filter needs to be replaced quite frequently

This gravity filter won a spot on this list for its price and lighter weight — just 6.9 ounces. The   LifeStraw Flex Gravity  filters down to 0.2 microns and protects against bacteria, protozoa, and microplastics (not viruses).

It’s also versatile. You can use it as a personal straw, as a gravity filter for groups, or screw it into a standard plastic bottle or bladder. It’s great for solo or group multisport adventures.

The flow rate is slower than advertised, and some users had issues with the seal on the bag. And while the hollow-fiber part of this filter is good for up to 2,000 L, the carbon filter portion only lasts 100 L (so you’ll need to buy replacements).

MSR Guardian

• Weight 17.3 oz.
• Filter type Pump filter/purifier
• Filter life 10,000 L
• Flow Rate 2.5 L/min

• Self-cleaning
• Super long filter life

The   Guardian  filters out nearly everything (including viruses), has an excellent flow rate, and even self-backflushes during use. For most people and places, however, it’s downright overkill.

If you’re setting up for a serious adventure that requires filtering a lot of very sketchy water, you may want to consider forking over the cash.

The Guardian can filter a hefty 2.3L per minute and physically removes viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and particulates, including hepatitis A, E. coli, giardia, cryptosporidium, and more. Just be ready to lug a large item that weighs in at over a pound.

The MSR Guardian is probably one of the best backpacking water filters on the market. So why didn’t it top the list? Well, in two words, price and weight. It costs a pretty penny at $390 and weighs considerably more than other filters.

Check out our  full review of the MSR Guardian .

SteriPEN Adventurer

• Weight 3.6 oz.
• Filter type UV purifier
• Filter life 8,000 L
• Flow Rate 1 L/90 sec

• Long lifetime
• Have to keep it charged

UV filters are popular for a lot of reasons. They don’t require pumping or filtering, and the wait time to kill bacteria and viruses is fairly short (between 60 and 90 seconds).

The  SteriPEN  made this list for its low trail weight, ease of use, and long lifetime. (The SteriPEN lasts for up to 8,000 treatments.) It’s also very small and packable, which makes it great for quick outings where you don’t want to carry extra water.

The downside is this pen is expensive and runs on batteries, which you’ll need to remember to pack for the trail.

Check out our   full review of the SteriPEN Adventurer .

Backpacking Water Filters Comparison Chart

How We Tested Backpacking Water Filters

The GearJunkie team is made up of adventurers from a plethora of different outdoor sports and activities, but each of their hobbies requires a central discipline: proper water filtration in the backcountry. It’s key to survival, and if done poorly, can quickly put you in a dangerous situation.

Managing editor Mary Murphy curated our initial selection of 14 filters back in May 2020. A prolific backpacker, Mary knows the value of a reliable filter for constant, dependable hydration in the backcountry. Author and Senior Editor Chris Carter took over this guide in August 2022 and has been digging through his gear closet and scouring the internet ever since to bring you the most current, deserving selection possible.

Chris has thru-hiked the Triple Crown of long trails, (the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail) and continues to pursue long-distance hiking around the world. Significant time backpacking and hitchhiking around East Africa forced him to purify water of the grimiest sorts and made him religiously fastidious in his hydration practices. He’s suffered from his fair share of water-born pathogens, and will only rely on the best of the best to filter his fluids on any adventure.

GearJunkie’s Camp, Hike, and Backpack Editor, Will Brendza, also contributed to this guide. Will has been professionally testing and reviewing outdoor gear for over 15 years and spends an inordinate amount of time out on the trail. He’s constantly testing and reviewing the latest and greatest outdoor products, including water filters and purifiers, to find the best gear to make his outdoor adventures more enjoyable.

For this guide, we carefully scrutinized the most reliable, functional water filters that outdoor enthusiasts from all ends of the spectrum depend on in the wild. We brought each of these filters on adventures and made sure that we would feel comfortable with all of them as our primary means of accruing filtered water in the field.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Water Filter

Filters vs. Purifiers

Water filters and water purifiers work in similar ways, but it’s helpful to know the difference when choosing. Filters protect against protozoa or parasites (such as cryptosporidium and giardia) as well as bacteria (like E. coli or salmonella), microplastics, dirt, and debris. Bacteria is the main concern when you’re drinking out of unsafe water sources in the backcountry or remote areas. Popular filters include the  Sawyer Squeeze and the  Katadyn BeFree Gravity filter .

Purifiers go an extra step by protecting against and filtering out viruses. This is more of a concern when you’re traveling internationally or to rural places where clean water may not be accessible. Products like the  MSR Guardian and GRAYL GEOPRESS Bottle  will purify your water while also filtering out larger debris, while purifiers like the  SteriPEN Adventurer  use UV light to purify water, but won’t clear the water of visible dirt and sediment. You can run the water through a bandana or t-shirt first before using these types of purifiers to clean out the biggest particles.

For truly heinous dirty/stagnant water, it can be wise to use a number of different methods to make certain you don’t get sick. Some will filter their water with something like the  Platypus QuickDraw , and then boil it, add a purification tablet like  Katadyn’s Micropur M1 tablets , or add a couple of drops of bleach to ensure everything is killed. This can be time-consuming, and make the water taste interesting, but it’s far better than catching a trip-ending sickness in the wilderness.

Types of Water Filters

There are a variety of different types of backpacking water filters, and we cover a broad range of them in this guide. Each one has its place in the backcountry, and which type you choose will depend on how clear the water will be on your adventure, how lightweight you are trying to go, and if you are traveling internationally.

Gravity and Inline Filters

These filters use gravity to pull water from a dirty bag, through a filter, and into a clean bag or directly into your mouth. These are often the easiest filters to use as you simply hook it up to a tree branch or tent and wait. These are usually heavier and take some time to set up, so aren’t the best options for fast and light missions. They tend to work best for large groups or to keep around a base camp.

Gravity filters allow you to keep a large amount of water handy, but they can be difficult to fill up in shallow water sources, so keep that in mind when choosing a campsite. We found the Katadyn BeFree Gravity filter to be one of the best options for large group trips.

Inline filters are often used in gravity systems, but they can also be paired with a hydration pouch or water bottle for quick use. Filters such as the ubiquitous Sawyer Squeeze  or the Platypus QuickDraw can be used in this way. These generally rely on the user sucking the water from a pouch or water bottle, through the filter, directly into their mouth. With the correct adapters, several models of inline filters can be used with a hydration pack you may already be carrying, offering easy filtration without adding much weight.

Straw Filters

While we don’t recommend them as your primary method of water filtration in the wild, straw filters are undeniably one of the easiest ways of procuring fresh water fast. Our favorite budget filter, the LifeStraw Personal , fits this bill. These are great for trail running, mountain biking, or as a backup to your primary filter. These filters allow you to get down and dirty by a stream or lake and drink directly from the source by sipping the water through the filter like a straw.

The main downside to straw filters is that they don’t offer any way to carry filtered water with you, unless you can fit the straw into a water bottle of dirty water you are carrying with you, which can be really annoying. It can also get frustrating having to practically lie down on muddy or rocky banks to get a drink any time you get thirsty. These filters suffice for day hikes, but you’ll probably want something different for any extended backpacking trip.

Pump Filters

Pump filters, such as the MSR MiniWorks , work great for pulling water out of shallow pools or creeks and can be a solid choice for small backpacking groups. They tend to run on the heavy side, take a little more effort to use, and can be quite complicated to clean. For these reasons, you don’t see as many pump filters in the backcountry as you used to, but they do still have their place.

In some cases, as with the MSR Guardian and the Lifesaver Wayfarer , pump filters do a better job at purifying truly nasty water, by removing viruses, bacteria, and protozoa, such as E. coli, giardia, and cryptosporidium. Something to consider a little more seriously while adventuring internationally.

Water Filter Bottles

Water filter bottles are handy to have for traveling, road-tripping, or light hiking, but are often on the heavy side for dedicated lightweight backpacking trips. Some of these bottles, like the LifeStraw Go Filter Bottle , filter water with a simple hollow-fiber straw that extends from the nozzle into the water, while others use fancier technology to deliver a pure, fresh swig.

The GRAYL GEOPRESS  uses electroabsorption and activated carbon to purify water by simply pressing it firmly on the ground. This isn’t your average Nalgene! Check out our in-depth review of the GEOPRESS if you want to nerd out a little more.

Chemical/UV Purifiers

Finally, purifying your water chemically or with UV light is another simple way to target viruses that may be present in a water source, as opposed to just bacteria and protozoa. Chemical purifiers use iodine or chlorine dioxide to deal with contaminated water, while UV purifiers employ ultraviolet rays. Some backpackers will also use bleach to treat their water (two drops per liter, then wait 30 minutes). This is a super simple solution but does leave your water tasting, well, somewhat like a pool.

We like  Katadyn’s Micropur M1 tablets for chemical treatment, as they tend to leave a more subtle aftertaste compared to other brands. The SteriPEN Adventurer has been our go-to UV filter for its long lifespan and light weight.

This is a great way to purify your water more effectively, but since these don’t have filters with them, it’s important to use them with clear water that doesn’t have a lot of debris in it. Chemical or UV purifiers are lightweight and simple, but should probably not be used as your primary method of filtration on a backpacking trip. It’s hard to get filtered water fast — they can leave an unsavory aftertaste and sometimes rely on batteries and electronics (in the case of UV purifiers). Since they are so light, however, it’s always a good idea to have them as a backup.

Filter Time and Flow Rate

Our picks for best water filters vary widely in terms of how quickly they can filter water, ranging from 30 seconds to 30 minutes to 4 hours (chemical treatments). Types of filters and methods of purifying will play a part, as will flow rate.

Flow rate is a unit that measures how quickly a certain amount of water can be filtered. Flow rates for gravity, pump, or squeeze filters listed here vary anywhere from 1L to 3L per minute. If you are encountering a slow flow rate with your filter, it may require priming or backflushing.

Similar to needing to prime a stove, some water filters require priming before initial use. Check the instructions (it varies by filter) on how to do this. Backflushing is a process where you need to clean water out of the filter system after use. This mainly applies to filters with pumps, tubes, or tubing, and it ensures that the inside of the filter stays dry and clean.

Another consideration here is location: if you are going to be traveling through a desert landscape, there may be few to no trees (a necessity to hang some gravity filters properly). For that type of setting, a different style of filter would be best.

And if you are going to be traveling with a companion or group, the  personal LifeStraw filter  obviously won’t be the best option (although we love it as a backup!).

Packed Size

This is an important point for ultralight setups and lightweight backpackers. You’ll want to choose a filter that works best for you and how much water you’ll need, but one that can also fit in your pack.

Filters like the  Sawyer Squeeze  and  Katadyn BeFree  are popular because the actual filter unit is so small, and the weight is close to nothing. The Sawyer Squeeze weighs just a couple of ounces, while the Katadyn weighs 6.8 ounces (but remember, it can filter up to 3 L of water at a time).

Filter systems that have water reservoirs and tubing also roll and pack down fairly small. Our personal preference on group trips is a gravity filter system, whereas on solo trips — though they weigh slightly more — our preference is a water bottle filter/purifier, given that we always carry a 1L bottle anyway.

Durability and Longevity

The lifespan of a filter greatly depends on its filter method (cartridge, hollow membrane, chemical, or UV light). Backpacking water filters can last anywhere from 250 to 4,000 L. Cleaning your filter regularly using the methods that the manufacturer recommends will also help prolong the life of your filter.

Filters that use a cartridge tend to last anywhere from 200 to 500 L before you need to replace the cartridge. On the other hand, with other filters that last longer, you may need to replace the entire unit at the end of its life. The  LifeStraw  is an example of this; it can filter around 4,000 L, and then it will stop working and need to be replaced.

For UV methods like the  SteriPEN , it’ll last forever as long as you charge or continue to replace the batteries (barring any damage, of course).

The best way to clean your water when backpacking is to use and find the cleanest water source possible. You’ll want to look for clear, running water — somewhere between a babbling brook and a rushing river.

Avoid stagnant ponds or areas where there might be runoff (from livestock, urban areas, etc.) or debris. You’ll also want to find a safe place to refill, pump, or hang your gravity filter.

With some filtering methods, like chemical filters and tablets, you’ll want to wait longer to ensure that the water is clean if it’s below a certain temperature (or cloudy).

Filters most commonly use a tube, pump, or gravity method of filtering. Purifiers use a combination of a tube or chamber with activated carbon or another chemical component to fight against one key difference: viruses.

All of the choices on this list protect against  at least  bacteria and protozoa, and many also protect against things like toxins, chemicals, and viruses. We recommend choosing the one that will work best based on your situation, budget, and preference.

The lifespan of a filter largely depends on the type of filter. Most hollow fiber or activated charcoal cartridges will need to be replaced every couple hundred uses, or after a certain number of liters have been filtered. Some filters, like the  LifeSt raw , can last for years, but when it’s run its course you’ll need to buy a new one.

There are also some filters and purifiers that just need new batteries or to be charged.

Yes! Purifiers like the  Grayl Geopress Purifier  and the Lifesaver Wayfarer are built especially to filter and protect against  everything  you could encounter, whether in the backcountry or in a developing country.

As long as you are following the instructions on your filter or purifier, it will protect against whatever it’s rated for (usually something like 99.999999% of bacteria and 99.999% of parasites and microorganisms).

Our top two considerations when buying gear like this are always: (1) how often we will be using it, and (2) price. Another important factor for many is how long a filter will last. If you backpack or hike 9-12 months out of the year, you probably want to drop more money on a filter that has a longer lifespan.

When all else fails, you can boil water to be safe. But let’s be honest, having a water filter on hand is much better.

The Best Insulated Water Bottles of 2024

We tested the best insulated water bottles for 2024 with options for every budget. Top picks include YETI, Hydro Flask, and more!

The Best Backpacking Stoves of 2024

The right stove makes life on the trail better. From ultralight canisters to four-season and multifuel options, we’ve found and tested the best backpacking stoves.

Based in beautiful Chattanooga, Tennessee, Chris Carter is a Senior Editor for GearJunkie, while squeezing in side gigs as an adventure filmmaker and content creator in the outdoor industry. Drawing from his childhood in Africa, experience as a rock climbing and backpacking guide, ultra-marathon running, and years of extensive thru-hiking, he’s passionate about journalism that gets people into the wild. He has thru-hiked the Triple Crown of long trails in America: the Pacific Crest Trail (2018), the Continental Divide Trail (2021), and the Appalachian Trail (2021), and has explored, rock-climbed, and backpacked all over the world. He hopes to spread his love of adventure and travel through his writing, art, and videography.

Mary Murphy is the Managing Editor of GearJunkie. She has been writing about hiking, running, climbing, camping, skiing, and more for eight years, and has been on staff at GearJunkie since 2019. Prior to that, Mary wrote for 5280 Magazine in Denver while working as an outdoor instructor teaching climbing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and mountain biking. Based in Denver, Colorado, Murphy is an avid hiker, runner, backpacker, skier, yogi, and pack-paddleboarder.

Will is a writer, journalist, and professional misfit based out of the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado. Will grew up on the Western Slope of the Rocky Mountains, reenacting “Survivorman” episodes and studying books like “Hatchet,” “The Monkey Wrench Gang,” and “Into the Wild.” He’s written on topics ranging from cannabis to local news, the environment and, of course, outdoor gear and adventure. If he’s not banging stories out on his computer, you’ll probably find Will skiing or mountain biking (depending on the season) — or drinking beer at some remote craft brewery.

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New challenge unlocked: hiking with a newborn. How to keep your baby safe on the trails

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Last week, my wife and I embarked on a special outdoor adventure. By the numbers, it wasn’t that impressive — a 2.3-mile, 300-foot “hike” up to the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook . It took an hour from start to finish. Much of the route was paved. But it was a major milestone for one very important reason: It was our first hike with our newborn daughter, Emma.

In the days before this short but important trip, some pressing questions bounced around my head. Would Emma put up a fight as I wrestled her into the BabyBjörn carrier? Would she wail the whole way up the hill? Would she spit up all over me? (It wouldn’t be the first time.)

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I was also skeptical about how enriching a hike could be for a 2-week-old infant. Emma can barely see. After nine months in the womb, just lying in her crib must feel like visiting another planet — would she even notice the difference between indoors and outdoors?

To calm my nerves, I spoke with Dr. Rebecca Dudovitz, a pediatrician with UCLA Health. I was relieved to learn that babies, even those as young as Emma, appreciate time outside just as much as adults do.

“It’s a great way to stimulate their development with new senses and sounds, smells, things to look at,” said Dudovitz.

Outdoor time offers a host of benefits for babies. In addition to sensory stimulation, it exposes them to common allergens, which reduces their risk of developing allergies later in life, and it’s actually safer than spending time in crowded indoor places — they’re less likely to catch a virus from another person. Perhaps most importantly, going outside can calm a fussy newborn (and their exhausted parents).

“It can be a useful strategy, especially at the end of the day when everybody’s tired and cranky,” said Dudovitz.

Dudovitz also gave me a few tips to ensure our hike was a success. Rule No. 1 is to keep babies out of the sun, as a newborn’s skin is sensitive and sunscreen isn’t approved for use until they’re 6 months old. (Long sleeves and a sun hat are required equipment.) She recommends staying away from places with mosquitoes; if you can’t avoid bugs, you can pre-treat baby clothes with Permethrin to ward them off. Finally, pay close attention to heat and cold as babies can’t regulate their temperature as well as adults can (feel your child’s torso to gauge their temperature).

Armed with that info, my wife, Emma and I headed out for our first hike. It was a perfect Southern California day, the kind that makes you wonder why anyone would choose to live elsewhere. Warm sunshine spilled down from a deep blue sky, and a fresh breeze rolled in from the ocean as we trekked up the hill from the parking lot.

All around us, the chaparral was lush and alive with blossoms. Mounds of bush sunflowers glowed in the afternoon light, and here and there I noticed patches of coast morning glories, their delicate white cups streaked with purple. Amid the blooms, sagebrush branches stood out with their wispy pale green leaves. I touched them as we passed and savored their sweet, earthy scent. When we reached the top of the overlook, we could see for miles in all directions — the Santa Monica Mountains rising in the distance, the broad blue plane of the Pacific Ocean, and the skyscrapers of downtown L.A. poking up to the east. It was beautiful.

What did Emma think of it? Hard to say. She slept the entire time, stirring only when I took off her hat to snap photos. I think she opened her eyes for 30 seconds total. Even so, my wife and I enjoyed the excursion, and I’m calling this inaugural family hike a success. Next time, maybe Emma will be awake to hear, smell, see and feel all of it too.

3 things to do

1. ID plants and potluck in Topanga Canyon

Go for an all-levels plant identification stroll in the mountains of Topanga with Herb Club LA . The 2.5-mile walk will last about an hour and is open to everyone (even leashed dogs). Afterward, the group will be holding a “late Earth Day celebration” at the dreamy local Topanga shop the Well Refill for a tea meditation and potluck featuring herbal sodas and vegan chocolate. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes and appropriate shoes for the hike, and — if they plan to take part in the potluck — to bring vegan dishes and reusable plates, cups and utensils to minimize waste. The event is free (with donations accepted) and kicks off Sunday at 11 a.m. For more information visit eventbrite.com .

2. Bike, walk, skate or scoot in SGV

Ditch the car on Sunday and experience what it’s like to roam freely on five miles of streets in Alhambra, San Gabriel and South Pasadena. Active Streets: Mission-to-Mission , presented by Metro Los Angeles and hosted by San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG), is a car-free celebration packed with live music performances, pop-up booths from local businesses and community organizations, and free games and activities. Walk, bike, skate or scoot through any part of the route — or conquer the whole thing, if you choose. The free event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you’re a San Gabriel Valley resident, you can borrow a classic GoSGV electric bike for $50 by filling out this form . Active Streets was formerly known as 626 Golden Streets — with the Metro “Gold” line becoming the “L” and then the “A,” the name changed.

3. The Earth Day celebrations continue

Though Earth Day happened on Monday, the L.A. celebrations are still going strong. On Saturday, you’ll find guided nature hikes and storytelling at the Chatsworth Nature Preserve , a seed swap at Barnes Park in Monterey Park and the Teen Climate Fest at Long Beach’s Aquarium of the Pacific . You can also get your gloves dirty on Saturday at the Madrona Marsh in Torrance, which is hosting a habitat restoration event . Pre-registration is required and participants should wear closed-toe shoes and bring sunscreen and water.

The must-read

Here’s a fun idea for getting outside and exploring Los Angeles: Go on a walking tour of the city’s bridges. For The Times, writer Adam Markovitz highlights nine spans all around L.A. that are worth checking out, including quaint walkways over the Venice Canals, the historic Shakespeare Bridge in Los Feliz and the new 6th Street Viaduct over the L.A. River. Whether you’re in it for the architecture or looking for some new views of the city, these bridges won’t disappoint.

Happy adventuring,

A recently published book, “ Places We Swim California ,” will get you excited to jump in the water this summer. It highlights over 60 swimming spots all around the state (including several in SoCal) and features road trip itineraries for discovering unique California beaches, rivers and hot springs.

For more insider tips on Southern California’s beaches, trails and parks, check out past editions of The Wild . And to view this newsletter in your browser, click here .

Sign up for The Wild

We’ll help you find the best places to hike, bike and run, as well as the perfect silent spots for meditation and yoga.

Michael Charboneau is a freelance writer covering gear and the outdoors, and he’s writing The Wild newsletter for a few months. He has written for a variety of publications, including Men’s Journal, Runner’s World and InsideHook, and he lives in West L.A. When he’s not writing, he can be found running, hiking and biking around Los Angeles and its mountains.

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I Bought These $28 Hiking Boots on a Whim 2 Years Ago, and They're Still the Most Reliable Trail Shoes I Own

They’re waterproof, too.

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Travel + Leisure / Daisy Rodriguez

I’ve been hiking through the Catskill Mountains since I was 2-years-old (OK, maybe I was more of a passenger princess back then), when my parents first bought our house in Narrowsburg, New York. There are a dozen trails within a 30 minute drive from our cabin that cut up the sides of steep inclines and take you wading through knee-high water. One summer weekend two years ago, when my husband, pup, and I planned to spend the weekend out in the woods, I realized I didn’t pack a pair of comfortable, reliable shoes . 

In an act of what I thought was desperation, we stopped in a nearby Walmart to check out the selection and find something that would get me through the weekend. At the time, I didn’t have super high hopes for the pair of $28 boots I bought, but after countless miles and trips up and down the mountain later, they’re still my go-to trail shoes. They’ve been so great, in fact, that my husband has since bought a pair for himself, too. 

Bearpaw Corsica Hiking Shoes

The Bearpaw Corsica Hiking Shoes have a sturdy, suede upper that comes up about 3 inches above my ankle, which has proven to be a huge asset for me and my ankles that tend to roll easily. Thanks to the design that weaves the laces up high enough to pull them tightly around that area, everything (aka my wonky joints) stays in place and I’ve avoided injury each time I’ve worn these boots. I grabbed a pair in the gray fog color, but the boots come in four different shades and two widths to suit nearly any style or need. 

These boots have been so good to me, that I’m ashamed to admit that I also didn’t believe that a pair this affordable could be truly waterproof. But, after being caught in several downpours while wearing them, I can say with confidence that they’ve kept my feet largely dry, while the deep, grippy traction on the bottom of each boot prevented me from slipping on slick rocks, too. Plus, this emergency purchase left me with zero time to break them in before hitting the trail for a 4-mile trek, but these shoes are so comfortable that they felt molded to my feet straight out of the box. 

With nearly 3,400 five-star ratings, it’s safe to say that plenty of other hikers agree. One reviewer said they’re so comfortable that while wearing them at home to get a feel for the boots, they forgot they had them on. Another customer added that the inside has ample cushioning to keep your feet comfortable all day long. 

If you’re looking for a sturdy and reliable new pair of hiking boots or find yourself in a pinch like me, don’t overlook the comfortable and high-quality Bearpaw Corsica Hiking Shoes for only $28 at Walmart. 

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Brewery Rowe: Travel writer explores ‘Beer Hiking’ in Southern California

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When a publisher suggested Johanna Flashman write a book on outdoor treks that lead to great refreshments, the veteran travel writer grabbed her pint glass and laced up her hiking boots.

“It wasn’t originally my idea,” Flashman said of “Beer Hiking Southern California,” which hit bookshelves on April 2 (Helvitiq, $27.95).

Working with the same publisher on another project, Flashman had been dreaming about “doing a kind of big tour of Southern California.”

When Helvitiq, a Swiss publishing house, proposed “Beer Hiking” in August 2022, Flashman wasted no time hitting the trails, the breweries and the keyboard.

“I started doing hikes in November 2022,” she said. “It was pretty fast turn-around — all the writing and research took about nine months.”

Flashman covered a vast amount of ground — and ecosystems.

“A lot of times when people think about Southern California, they think of the cities. But there is so much open space, as well,” she said.

“There are incredible mountains, Joshua trees, deserts, waterfall hikes, beach hikes and coastal bluffs. It’s very, very diverse.”

The resulting 288-page book — subtitled “The Tastiest Way to Discover SoCal’s Beaches, Mountains, and Deserts” — gives step-by-step directions to dozens of hikes, ranging from Powers Peak in Kern County to Volcan Mountain in Julian. Every outing is accompanied by trail notes, maps and a recommendation for post-hike hydration.

In the above examples, they are Lovely Raspberry Kettle Sour from Kern River Brewing and Elevation 5353 Cold IPA from Julian Beer.

“The beers were a lot of fun,” she said. “One of the things I wanted to focus on was to highlight breweries owned by people of color and those owned by women, because there aren’t as many as there should be.”

In San Diego County, her quest led to strolling through the Chicano Park Urban Art Walk; pausing for a Buenas Vibras Blonde Ale at Mujeres Brew House; scaling Valley Center’s Paradise Mountain and quaffing a Tropical Oasis Blonde Ale at Rincon Reservation Road Brewery; and exploring Jamul’s Mother Miguel Mountain before enjoying Can’t Touch This Imperial Red Ale at the Chula Vista Brewery.

Of the nine counties covered by “Beer Hiking,” only Los Angeles County, with its nine hikes, has more outings than San Diego County.

“I had eight breweries I could feature from San Diego County,” she said. “That’s not fair — there are so many good ones.”

Double play

Two reliable signs of spring: Padres baseball returns to Petco Park and so does Padres Beerfest .

This season’s pregame fests, featuring live music and $5 12-ounce pours, will be launched today before the home team’s contest against the Phillies.

The other dates:

June 7, before playing the Diamondbacks.

Aug. 2, prior to tangling with the Rockies.

Sept. 6, as the Giants comes to town.

Held on the grounds of the newly-redesigned Gallagher Square, Beerfest starts at 4:30 p.m. and ends shortly before the first pitch. The beer lineup is subject to change but, like our hometown team, usually includes a fair number of heavy hitters.

The next round

May 12: Treat Mom to brunch, Stone-style. The menu at the brewery/bistro’s Mother’s Day feast runs the gamut from barramundi to brisket, scrambled eggs to salmon. $67. Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens,1999 Citracado Parkway, Escondido. stonebrewing.com

May 16: Among the few U.S. breweries guided by a Black brewer is San Antonio’s Weathered Souls, led by Marcus Baskerville. You can meet him and sample some of his creations at North Park Beer’s collaboration beer dinner, with offers five courses and five beers. 6 p.m. North Park Beer, Banker’s Hill taproom, 3095 Fifth Ave., San Diego. bit.ly/3xGNPl6

Quick Sips, Springtime Edition

Italian-Style Pilsner

From: Jester King, Austin, Tex.

ABV (Alcohol By Volume): 4.8 percent

Style: Italian-Style Pilsner (self-evident, right?)

Drink or dump: Drink. A creamy white head caps a brew the color of sun-bleached straw. Plenty of flavor for a low-alcohol, light-bodied beer, reminiscent of fresh Italian bread with a peppery snap at the finish.

Ayinger Maibock

From: Brauerei Aying, Germany

ABV: 7 percent

Style: Maibock

Drink or dump: Drink. Pours a clear yellow, its sturdy eggshell head supported by a flotilla of pinprick bubbles. Bready malts predominate, with some honey, apple and a splash of bitters.

From: Silva Brewing, Paso Robles

ABV: 7.8 percent

Style: India Pale Ale

Drink or dump : Drink. Since 2017, former Green Flash brewer Chuck Silva has helmed his own Central California brewery. This IPA, featuring Citra, Simcoe and Mosaic hops, is a sparkling example of his style: full-throated bitterness floating over a firm malt base, aggressive yet approachable.

Rowe is a freelance writer.

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