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Cabin Max Travel Hack 40cm Cabin Backpack

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Feedback for Black Cabin Max Travel Hack 40cm Cabin Backpack

Great bag. Laptop zip could do with being a tiny bit bigger but is workable.

From United Kingdom

Exactly as described, perfect underseat for Ryanair.

Great bag good quality I bought if to carry the baby's stuff ideal for purpose

It’s a great bag. Made nice and good quality . It has lots of pockets. The zip at the back isn’t big enough for 15 inch laptop but it fits in the main section. I can fit a lot in this bag. I purchased as I need a new cabin bag for our holiday, but I have been using this work, for my laptop and paper, really nice to carry on my back. I think this would make a nice baby bag too.

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My Travel Hack Backpack Review – Best Backpack for Travelling Women!

Categories Packing , Reviews

If you’re looking for the best carry-on backpack for women, the best backpack for travelling women and just the overall best stylish backpack for ladies, let me introduce to you the Travel Hack Backpack!

A beautiful 20L backpack for ladies that is Black on the outside, Pink on the inside and has Rose Gold zips for the many handy pockets it has!

The Travel Hack Stowaway cabin backpack has been designed to be the perfect women’s carry-on bag thinking of everything we need in a bag to create ease whilst travelling through an airport (and beyond!), whilst also saving us money in airline baggage fees!

( Please note that this post contains affiliate links to Amazon and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases that you may via this site. )

So let’s get into more about the Track Hack Backpack , why it’s so great and why you really need to get yourself one!

Best Carry-On Backpack For Women

Travel Hack Backpack

Firstly, where did the Travel Hack Carry On Backpack come from?

Monica created this Ladies cabin backpack along with 2 other bags.

Monica is a British Travel Blogger running The Travel Hack Blog . She lives in Wales and is a Mum to 3 children. I have been following her for yearrrss so I was so excited when she released her luggage line!

She is a lover of bags and she has definitely travelled a lot so she put everything she knows into this beautiful backpack,

Which has been designed as a carry on for women to help us travel in style, take as much with us as possible, and reduce airline baggage fees which seem to get tighter and increase all the time!

These bags are only available on Amazon and they sell out quickly!

Visit Amazon here to see the Backpack!

Although this post is a Travel Hack Backpack review, let me also tell you about her other 2 Travel Hack Bags which are just as stylish and clever:

Travel Hack Pro Cabin Case

The Travel Hack Pro Cabin Case was the first piece of luggage Monica released with Cabin Max. It is a cabin case for women which has been cleverly designed to hold a lot of clothes with a 45L capacity and it has many pockets to organise and protect your items.

Monica says she has had so many compliments on this cabin case from total strangers in airports and I can see why as it’s very different and much nicer than the standard women’s cabin cases these days and is very feminine whilst also being incredibly practical.

View it on Amazon here!

Travel Hack Underseat Tote Bag

The newest addition to her range of travel bags for women is the Travel Hack Underseat Tote Bag . Some women prefer backpacks, some women love a tote bag, and some trips are better for backpacks and some for a shoulder Tote Bag.

Whats really unique about this Tote Bag is the size! It has a huge 30L capacity and many internal and external pockets for organisation and protection of items when travelling.

I do prefer to keep my carry on bag by my feet when flying and the Travel Hack Tote Bag has been designed to fit under the seat, depending on how full it is of course, if not, it will definitely go overhead just fine!

Best Backpack for Travelling Women

There are so many reasons the Travel Hack Cabin Bag is the best backpack for travelling women which is what I’m going to go into now.

1. Colour & Design for a Stylish Ladies Backpack

So many women’s travel backpacks are essentially mens’s backpacks but modified a tiny bit. They look the same as all other hiking backpacks or laptop bags, but the Travel Hack Stowaway Backpack is seriously different.

– Feminine Backpack

It has such a feminine look, however it is very much suited for a woman rather than a girl and in no way does it look too young or girly.

The outside of the bag is totally black meaning it fits all outfits and the Rose Gold zips give it a modern and stylish touch.

The inside is more girly as it’s a light pink colour but it is still very classy and I find this colour helps me find things in the bag easier than if the inside was black too.

– Front Opener

What makes a bag the best women’s travel backpack for me is that it’s a front opener! As you can see in the photos, the whole of the front of the backpack opens up making it really easy to see and access items inside.

The Travel Hack Cabin Backpack is only available on Amazon and can sell out quickly!

2. 20L Women’s Carry on Backpack

With the ever changing and tightening baggage allowances, especially with European Budget Airlines this backpack really helps you take as much as possible on the plane with you, in a backpack, and under your seat, therefore helping to avoid paying for a cabin case to go overhead or under the plane.

If you have it in you to pack light, you could use this bag only for all of your items for a weekend away. It would be a tight fit and you’d have to forfeit some stuff, but if you’re keen to save money on luggage then it’s an option!

Otherwise, it’s still a fantastic size to fit all the things you need to travel with hand luggage only, including a drink, food, books, a laptop, extra clothing and toiletries.

The size is not only perfect for the plane, but once you arrive at your destination, you have a backpack for exploring which can fit a lot in!

3. Pockets & Compartments for a Safe Women’s Travel Backpack

Us women love pockets don’t we, and pockets and compartments in a backpack help us stay organised and keep our items protected.

The Travel Hack Backpack has:

– 2 Side Pockets with 1 Extendable Pocket

A side pocket for a bottle is a must for me and this backpack has a pocket either side.

What’s really great though is that one side has an extendable pocket with a zip making it easier to put a bigger bottle in, or even a tripod! Whilst the other side can be used for a smaller bottle or for your phone when in a safe area.

View the Travel Hack Backpack on Amazon here!

– Top Pocket for Valuables

The top of the backpack features a really handy pocket. This is perfect for holding your passport, phone and purse in when at the airport, especially if you’re bag is sat on your cabin case.

It gives really easy access to valuables whilst also being fairly discreet.

– Front Pocket

As with many backpacks the Travel Hack Stowaway Backpack has a slimline front pocket perfect for keeping hold of documents, or face masks which is what I recently used it for!

– Laptop Compartment

This is a backpack with a laptop compartment and my laptop feels super safe in it’s padded back compartment.

I love having a totally separate compartment for my laptop in a backpack because it ensures it doesn’t get scratched, it’s easy to take it out without having to move everything else and although it’s not a theft proof pocket or zip, it does feel safe and fairly concealed.

I have a 13 inch MacBook Air which fits perfectly without a case or cover.

– Inside organisers

Lastly, as you open the backpack you’ll see 2 netted pockets and organisers. I have found these so handy for the little things I travel with like tissues, lip balm, plasters, hand cream, headphones etc.

And best of all, they don’t seem to effect or compromise the overall space in the other side of the bag!

5. Comfort and Ease

There are a few ways that the Travel Hack Backpack really beats other women’s fashion backpacks because although fashion travel backpacks often look nice, they aren’t always practical for long use due to their lack of comfort.

– Padded Straps

I love that the Travel Hack Backpack has padded straps and a padded back with breathable material.

So many stylish backpacks for women are created without padded straps and no breathable material at the back which means your shoulders will hurt very quickly and you can end up with a sweaty back pretty quickly too!

– Suitcase Strap

This is a total saviour and game changer, it’s such a small detail but makes a huge difference when you’re walking through an airport!

If I have a cabin suitcase and a backpack with me I always like to put my backpack on my case to save my shoulders from the weight and when the backpack doesn’t have a suitcase strap to attach itself to the suitcase handle it is always falling off!

However the Travel Hack Cabin Case perfectly sits on my suitcase and is secure.

6. Multi-Use Bag

Lastly, the reason why this is the best women’s travel backpack and the best backpack for travelling women is because it has so many uses when we’re travelling and when we’re not.

– Women’s Day Pack

It has been designed to be the perfect women’s carry on backpack but its’s also a great backpack for taking out with you once on your trip whether you’re on a beach holiday and need it for your towel and suncream or on a city break with your camera.

If I have a day out in the city at home and want to do some work on the go, I love taking this bag as the laptop slips into the laptop compartment, I can pack everything else I need for the day in the main compartment and the padded straps mean its comfy to carry around all day.

– Baby Bag

Monica has shared many photos of women using this as a baby bag as it’s perfect for organising nappies and bottles whilst also being really stylish and sitting on a pram well.

I hope you have found my Travel Hack BackPack Review helpful and realise why this really is the best backpack for travelling women, and a women’s stylish backpack even when you’re not travelling!

• For more of my packing posts see:
• Backpacking Checklist To Prepare for a Gap Year or Backpacking Trip!
• Detailed Female Packing List For India! What To Pack For India!
• Female Packing List For Thailand! What To Pack For Thailand!

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Cabin Max Travel Hack 40cm Cabin Backpack

• 5 Stars (2)
• 4 Stars (2)
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• 2 Stars (0)

Feedback for Black Cabin Max Travel Hack 40cm Cabin Backpack

Good size. Great pockets. Excellent choice of colours.

From United Kingdom

It looks good, well made, sturdy and roomy but can’t give it a five yet as I’ve not actually used it yet as it’s for an upcoming holiday

Excellent little bag

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Travel Hack Backpack Review: Is It Worth It?

Read my detailed Travel Hack Backpack review below to help you decide whether you should consider this stylish little backpack for your future day trips and short city breaks.

But first. Why am I recommending yet another item from the Travel Hack luggage collection? Since the pandemic, travel has gotten considerably more expensive.

So when Easyjet changed their cabin luggage requirements in early 2021, I was on the hunt for an affordable backpack that would fit under the seat in front of me on aeroplanes, yet still be large enough for day trips and short city breaks.

As a long-time user of The Travel Hack’s other luggage (I love both the Travel Hack Pro Cabin Case and the Travel Hack Tote Bag ), it’s only natural that I researched the Travel Hack Backpack first. And I was instantly sold! Here’s why…

The Travel Hack Backpack: An Affordable Backpack For Quick City Breaks & Day Trips

If you’ve never heard of the Travel Hack Backpack before, then this little bag is a 20L backpack.

Cabin Max (British experts in hand luggage) and Monica from The Travel Hack (a hugely successful full-time travel blogger) teamed up to design and create a range of luggage together.

I believe the Travel Hack Backpack was the second piece of luggage in this collection with the Pro Cabin Case being the first to hit the shop floor.

Just like the rest of the collection, this backpack is designed to fit within most airlines’ cabin luggage restrictions.

This one in particular fits within both Ryanair and Easyjet’s “under the seat” requirements, so there’s no need to check your luggage or pay extra for your ticket.

I’ve recently had the pleasure of road-testing this little backpack on 3-day city breaks to Dubrovnik in Croatia and Geneva in Switzerland , as well as several trips around the UK.

So, without further adieu, read on for my full Travel Hack Backpack review and all the reasons why I love my new backpack!

Check prices of the backpack on Amazon >>

What I Love About The Travel Hack Backpack

Here are my top reasons for recommending the Travel Hack Backpack…

1. Pockets and compartments galore!

Despite its small size, this backpack features plenty of pockets and compartments.

The padded main compartment features two zipped mesh pockets, which are handy for keeping things like your socks and underwear or charging cables separate from the rest of your clothes and toiletries.

This compartment also zips all the way open, which I believe is required by TSA agents in the US.

But this feature also helps make the dreaded packing game of Tetris that much easier!

Alongside these compartments, the bag also has a zipped front pocket, a padded laptop compartment (more on this later), a water bottle holder and an additional expandable side pocket for another water bottle or an umbrella.

There’s even a zipped pocket at the top of the bag, which is deeper than it looks thanks to its integration with the main backpack compartment.

I use this pocket for various small items like my sunglasses, keys, tissues, hand sanitiser, a reusable foldaway carrier bag and more.

2. Its small size still packs a punch

All of these different compartments mean you can fit quite a lot inside this backpack despite its small size. It’s a 20L backpack measuring 40x20x25cm.

As I mentioned earlier, this backpack has come with me on city breaks to Dubrovnik and Geneva . And yes, I had toiletries and makeup with me.

Because of its small size, this bag also doubles up as a fantastic backpack for sightseeing and day trips, so I didn’t feel the need to take an extra bag with me on either trip.

I wouldn’t have been allowed to take an extra bag on the Easyjet flights anyway, so it’s a good thing I managed to fit everything I needed within this small backpack.

3. Padded laptop compartment

As a full-time travel blogger, bags with padded laptop compartments are essential – especially if I’m going away for a few days at a time.

The laptop compartment sits against your back, which I also think helps make it harder for pickpockets to steal from you (at least somewhat).

Sadly, my laptop is too big to fit within this particular compartment. It fits a 13-inch laptop so Macbook users rejoice!

My Samsung Galaxy tablet and mini keyboard fit just fine inside it, so I use those for writing about my travels when I’m on the road instead.

4. Beautiful and stylish design

I’ve always been attracted to the sleek black design, rose gold zippers and pretty pink lining that are a staple of the entire Travel Hack luggage collection.

This attractive design also means I have no qualms about using this backpack for day trips, so I’ve quickly found myself using this bag practically every day since buying it!

5. It’s affordable!

And finally, you might think all of this stylish practicality comes with a hefty price tag.

But it doesn’t.

In fact, I’d argue the entire Travel Hack luggage collection is very affordable.

At under £40, I think the Travel Hack Backpack is well worth considering if you’re on the hunt for a new cabin-friendly backpack.

Buy The Travel Hack Backpack on Amazon >>

What Could Be Improved

If I had to nitpick – and I’m going to for the sake of this review – here are a couple of things that I wish were different about the Travel Hack Backpack.

• The zippers on the main compartment aren’t officially lockable. Seeing as I use this backpack for both day trips and international travel, I wish the zippers on the main compartment were lockable for extra security. As a workaround, I’ll probably start threading a padlock through the loops at the end of the zip pulls (especially when I’m travelling without my husband).
• The laptop compartment is too small for me. As I mentioned, I can only fit my Samsung Galaxy tablet and mini keyboard inside the laptop compartment rather than my main laptop, which is a shame. But to be honest, I don’t think Cabin Max or Monica from The Travel Hack are able to change this as the laptop compartment is limited by the size of the backpack itself.

That said, given this bag’s many other fantastic qualities, I’m more than happy to work around these limitations.

Is The Travel Hack Backpack Worth It?

In a word: Yes. Why else would I write an entire blog post about it? *wink*

I honestly love this backpack and I’m so glad I bought it for day trips and short city breaks.

As someone who’s on a mid-range budget, I’m always finding ways to save a few quid.

So when Easyjet changed their cabin luggage restrictions, there was no way I was going to spend extra for my future flights (unless I was going away somewhere for a week or more).

For the sake of quick city breaks within Europe, I’m very glad to have this beautiful little backpack as my travelling companion. In addition to my husband, of course.

While I’m here, you might also be interested in reading about the rest of the Travel Hack luggage collection. You’ll find links to my other reviews below:

• Travel Hack Pro Cabin Case Review
• Travel Hack Tote Review

Alternatively, I’ve also written about other fashionable travel backpacks in this roundup blog.

Did you enjoy reading this Travel Hack Backpack review? Why not pin or bookmark it now, so you can read it again later?

Justine Jenkins

Justine is one half of the married couple behind the Wanderers of the World travel blog. She lives in Bristol, UK and has travelled extensively within Europe and beyond since 2013. After her trips, she shares detailed travel itineraries, helpful travel guides and inspiring blog posts about the places she's been to. When she's not travelling overseas, you'll find her joining her husband, Scott on various day trips, weekend getaways and walks within the UK, which she also writes about on Wanderers of the World. Aside from travelling and writing, she also loves reading, crafting and learning about nature.

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Pakt Travel Backpack V2 (35L) Review

The Pakt Travel Backpack V2 (35L) has a very organized layout but is not overly compartmentalized to the point of sacrificing spaciousness and ease of packing.

Our Verdict

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• Spacious and easy to pack despite relatively compartmentalized layout
• Laptop sleeve better protected between the rest of your gear
• Simple yet secure water bottle pocket
• Shoulder straps’s width makes them feel tight
• Compartmentalized layout takes some getting used to
• Twin side handles can feel off-balance if only using one

Technical Details

Carry-on compliance.

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Disclaimer: We take the measurements of the bag provided by the manufacturer and compare them to the allowance listed on airline websites. This should be used as a guideline rather than a rule. Bags can change size as you pack them out, and every airline's interpretation of compliance is different. Just because a bag is listed as carry-on compliant here doesn't mean that the airline will interpret it that way.

Like the Look

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Weight (lb)

4.1 lb (1.9 kg)

21.5 in x 12.5 in x 8 in (54.6 x 31.8 x 20.3 cm)

Notable Materials

Recycled Nylon, Paracord, PFC-free DWR Coating, YKK Zippers, Duraflex Hardware

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Full Review

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Based on our experience with many travel backpacks, subdividing the main compartment runs the risk of sacrificing spaciousness. Think about it: you can no longer pack bulky gear as you please since compartmentalization dictates what goes where. On one hand, this is a very organized way to pack that doesn’t require you to freestyle or strategize. On the other hand, this limits flexibility, not only in gear size but also in accessibility.

Pakt’s Travel Backpack V2 (35L) seems unfazed by such limitations despite its very compartmentalized layout. Both internal bucket spaces feel large enough to store packing cubes. Meanwhile, the clamshell opening is complimented by two quick-access zippered openings, helping solve any accessibility woes. So what’s the catch? The harness system, specifically its very wide shoulder straps, which really impact long-term comfort.

External Components

The colorway we’re testing is called Ocean, and it’s a fitting name. Pakt notes that the rNylon they’re using (recycled nylon) is recyclable indefinitely, which should mean less waste ending up in the oceans somewhere along the way. It’s a 500-denier fabric that feels fittingly robust for the Travel Backpack V2’s size (at least for the 35-liter version we’re sampling). The structure it provides isn’t at the same level as ballistic nylon fabrics with heavier denier counts, but it’s not flimsy either.

On that note, we are sampling a pre-production unit, so some imperfections are to be expected. Most notable of which are a few loose threads in the pockets. These should not be an issue in the retail version. However, we’d be remiss not to point them out..

The fabric and the colorway themselves really help clean up the bag’s aesthetic. Maybe it’s the calming blueness, but the visual clutter of the many zippers and straps gets muted. Of course, there’s more than one way to slice a pizza; in this case, you can opt for the Black colorway for a completely stealthy style. Alternatively, there’s also Forest, though it’s a bit too dark and gray for those itching for an olive colorway.

Topping off the rest of the Travel Backpack V2’s materials are zippers from YKK and hardware from Duraflex. Both brands are well-regarded for the reliable components they make, so we weren’t too worried about their performance. We’re not ones to take reputation at face value, so we’re happy to report that neither the zippers nor the many clips, buckles, and adjusters broke or jammed in any significant way.

No self-respecting travel backpack should be without a few grab handles, and Pakt surely doesn’t disappoint here. There’s one at the top, one at the bottom, and a pair on the right side. We like having two on one side for a more balanced carry. However, these particular ones are too low-profile and can feel a bit cumbersome to use together if you have small hands. On the bright side, all of the handles are decently padded, making them relatively comfortable to pull the bag in and out of tight spaces.

While the top handle is too centered (read: recessed), Pakt was considerate enough to put a loop between the shoulder straps so you can easily hang the bag. Yep, it’s a similar one you’d typically find on most backpacks, which usually acts as the main handle. Here, though, it’s mostly for hanging the bag behind restroom stalls. Airport restroom floors can be sketchy at times, after all.

Compression straps are another typical feature of travel backpacks, and this one has four, with two on each side. What we dig about Pakt’s implementation is how easy they are to stow away. They’re not completely removable (they’re stitched on one end), but they have clips on the other side. Simply unhook these clips, and you can stow each strap into respective slip pockets.

Why would you want to stow the compression straps? Mainly because they go over the main compartment’s opening, plus that minimizes the amount of dangling straps. In case you’re wondering, none of the compression straps have elastic keepers or any of the sort.

On the right side is a raised water bottle pocket. Pakt keeps the design simple—mostly. It’s a fabric pocket with gussets on both sides. Grip comes courtesy of built-in elastics and a small bungee loop that you can use to secure your bottle’s neck. That said, we don’t find bungee necessary since the pocket is fairly deep, and even slender bottles fit snuggly. We also tried inserting a 33-ounce bottle, and it also fits well.

The Travel Backpack V2’s harness system has all the ingredients we usually look for. The first ones to catch our attention are the load lifters. These are very easy to adjust without being so loose that they lose their adjustment while you wear them.

The shoulder straps are reassuringly thick, befitting the bag’s travel backpack designation. That said, the padding itself feels too stiff for our liking, and that has implications in terms of comfort, which we’ll go into more detail in the next section. To Pakt’s credit, the shoulder straps’ top ends connect to the bag via thin sections. These allow the straps to move more freely than if the padded section directly joined the back panel. We’ve seen this implemented on a few daypacks, but it makes a ton more sense for travel backpacks like these that usually have thick straps. However, even this neat little feature introduces a caveat, namely, it makes the straps flip around while you shove your arms through. It happened to us too often, so it merits a mention.

Along the shoulder straps are loops, one on each. You can use these to hang accessories like key organizers or cute souvenir keychains (yes, we do this too) or keep the load lifter adjustment strap in check. More important, though, is the sternum strap. It’s not the sliding type, which we find ideal due to the fine granular adjustments you can make with it. Instead, it’s the hook-on-loops kind. To be fair, it gets the job done, but those who get very particular with their fit may find this less than optimal.

Another feature the Pakt Travel Backpack V2 shares with other travel backpacks is stowable shoulder straps. The bottom ends detach via clips, so you can slip them behind the back panel as needed. This prevents them from snagging on other people’s luggage and gear when you store the bag in a shared overhead bin. Thankfully, the clips Pakt’s using here are fairly easy to work with, and we generally didn’t have trouble re-attaching them on the go.

The back panel is simply ribbed, with a fair amount of segmentation that should contour well with users’ backs. Features-wise, you get a luggage pass-through poking sideways across the back panel. One neat detail is the embedded magnets that help keep the pass-through shut when you’re not using it.

Lastly, there’s also a waist strap. It’s nothing substantial like a hip belt, so don’t expect it to offload any kind of weight from the shoulder straps. This is really more for stability as it helps keep the bag’s lower half centered and close to you. It’s also completely detachable via gatekeeper clips if you don’t need it.

For the most part, the Travel Backpack V2’s harness system does a good job in terms of comfort and the actual support of the bag. However, the shoulder straps’ width really stuck out to us. Even the large framed among the Pack Hacker crew could feel the straps dig near and around the neck and “overflow” beyond the shoulders. The pictures really don’t do it much justice since the straps look fairly normal in size, but trust us, they feel relatively huge.

As you can expect, that feeling is shared by those with smaller frames here at HQ. You may be wondering if the shoulder straps’ flexible joints help. They spread them apart easily, but not enough to completely eliminate the tight sensation. Again, the padding itself is also on the firm side, adding to the issue, so while it’s reasonably comfortable to wear for short periods, it can feel fatiguing on longer ones. Think walking to a hilltop hotel or running around trying to catch trains, that sort of thing.

If that’s the case, why say that the harness system “does a good job”? That’s because we can tell it has effective individual components. The load lifters and sternum straps, for example, shift a lot of the weight up to prevent sagging. The back panel is also cushiony enough to rest against. Even the waist strap shifts some of the weight, in addition to keeping the bag close and center. In other words, it’s just the shoulder straps’ size that bothers us, to the detriment of other parts.

Inside The Backpack

Underneath the back panel’s bottom section is a hidden compartment. Pakt calls this a TSA pocket, and the idea is to put all the items on your person in here when you go through security. It’s a more convenient alternative to putting all of it in another bin. No more of that awkward “pocket-it-like-you-stole-it” moment after your gear goes through the scanner; this is more civilized than that.

It’s a fairly clever system, too. Part of the back panel folds up to reveal the TSA pocket, itself folded away neatly. Just like the luggage pass-through, magnets hold the back panel in place to keep the TSA pocket hidden when it’s not in use. The fabric is a semi-see-through fine mesh to make life easier for the TSA officers. There’s enough space inside the pocket for most everyday carry accessories, though nothing too bulky like a high-capacity power bank.

The Travel Backpack V2 has two front pockets, and we like how Pakt splits its approaches here. The bottom pocket is just an empty dump area for any gear you can fit inside. It doesn’t look particularly impressive, but the simplest features are usually the ones we take for granted. Put another way, you can use a dump pocket like this for quickly storing most gear like a packable jacket, a high-capacity power bank, or a half-eaten sandwich from a food cart you suddenly can’t finish because it started raining; you get the idea. For a more nuanced organization, let’s defer to the pocket upstairs.

The top pocket has a much wider horseshoe-style opening and, more importantly, smaller pockets inside. On the left is a zippered mesh pocket where we keep AirPods, and on the right is a passport-sized pocket. The latter also has a hidden slot for an AirTag in case you want to use one. Behind all of that is a slip pocket wide enough for a tablet, topped by a key leash and a horizontal pen slot, which is too wide for most of the travel pens we usually travel with. Though the previous bottom pocket has a ton of space, we still use this top one to store a toiletry bag, mostly because it’s much easier to reach in most cases.

The Travel Backpack V2 has a lot of compartments, so we’ll start with the front-most one. Yes, it’s a compartment, but by default, it’s compressed by an outer zipper. What is it? It’s a compartment mainly used to store Pakt’s Everyday 15L Backpack, though you can also use it for other gear like a laptop sleeve. You might think the outer zipper is a compression system, but you can’t really close the zipper once it’s packed out. All of that said, this effectively adds around two inches of depth, affecting how the bag carries.

This leaves us with three remaining zippers, which all lead to the main compartment—technically. Pakt’s setup here is quite different from what we’re used to seeing on more typical travel backpacks. Yes, the main compartment still opens like a clamshell through that middle zipper, but they also give you two extra openings. Why? Because both halves of that clamshell are effectively sub-compartments.

A large mesh compartment covers the front half. It’s mostly flat, so you’re ideally not going to pack hastily bundled-up layers here. In our case, we use it to store smaller pieces of clothing like beanies, gloves, and underwear. Unzip the whole mesh bag, and you’ll find a huge bucket space underneath. This is the real packing space, or at least half of it. Packing cubes fit with no problem, as demonstrated by our setup, which includes a medium-sized Peak Design packing cube flanked by a smaller one and a sweater. Note that there are two vertical daisy chains here, which you can use to attach pouches. Doing so will prevent your pouch from sinking to the bottom, making it easier to access it from the front-most quick-access opening we’ve mentioned earlier.

The rear half of the main compartment is similar to the one earlier. The key distinguishing feature here is instead of a mesh bag, you get a laptop sleeve. It features relatively thick padding, which feels similar to memory foam. Additionally, the entire sleeve is centrally located, sandwiched between all of your gear, so there’s a ton of protection there. It’s also elevated over two inches off the base of the bag.

Behind the laptop sleeve is another bucket space where you can fit a similar packing cube setup to the one mentioned above. In general, both bucket spaces have so much space that our initial apprehension about trading space for compartmentalization is completely dispelled. You can have clothing in one bucket space and a jacket, shoes, and a sizable tech pouch in the other. Note that this is “only” the 35-liter version and the 45-liter version will be even more spacious if you still want more.

Usage Timeline

Condition: Excellent

• Zippered divider feels like a sleeping pad (in a good way)
• Lots of compartments for gear organization
• Material feels durable and soft
• Material still in great shape, though it picks up pet hair and lint very easily
• Shoulder straps are wide and stiff, which impacts carry comfort
• Organization is great for those who aren’t a huge fan of packing cubes/pouches

Get your questions about the Pakt Travel Backpack V2 (35L) answered from our team and the Pro Community right here on the page. Plus, join discussions with other members about gear, guides, and more.

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The Travel Hack Luggage and the all new Tote Bag

By: Author Monica

Categories Blog , suitcase

I have a bit of an obsession with luggage. Some girls like shoes. Some girls like handbags. I like luggage! Suitcases and backpacks and shoulder bags, I love them all!

I love the feeling of organisation you get with a new bag. You have a pocket for everything and it just makes me feel neat and tidy and like I’ve got my act together!

Over the years I’ve been sent A LOT of luggage to review but no suitcase or backpack was ever perfect.

There was always a pocket in the wrong place or a zipper that wasn’t quite right! 

A lot of the luggage I tested felt like it had been designed by someone who had never even been on a plane! I wanted to find luggage that made flying easier and helped to make airports less stressful – especially when you’re flying with just hand luggage.

And that’s where The Travel Hack Luggage comes in!

Teaming up with Cabin Max

I teamed up with Cabin Max , a local luggage manufacturer specialising in cabin bags.

Cabin Max are based in Wrexham, North Wales. Their offices actually aren’t far from my house and it’s a bit of a coincidence we started working together. When I was pregnant with my first son, George, Cabin Max reached out and offered to send me some goodies for the baby and a baby changing bag. When I sent them my address to post the bag out we realised how close we were!

I ended up going for lunch with the Cabin Max team and I think we all realised we shared a love for travel, luggage and simplifying the process of flying with great luggage!

Cabin Max’s most popular piece of luggage is their famous Metz 44L backpack . It’s the perfect dimensions to take on a plane as hand luggage and gained popularity with budget travellers looking to beat the airlines and not pay for any luggage.

Cabin Max had a fantastic range of practical luggage but lacked a stylish, feminine range.

As The Travel Hack focused on travel hacks to help travellers find stylish experiences on a budget, a collaboration between Cabin Max and The Travel Hack was a perfect match. 

Meeting the Cabin Max team was a dream because I finally found a group of people who shared my passion for great luggage!

Designing luggage that takes the stress out of flying

Flying with just hand luggage can be stressful because you have so many things to take out of your suitcase when you pass through security and when you get on and off the plane. 

I hate that feeling of rummaging through your suitcase looking for liquids and electronics while also trying to hide your underwear from everyone in the queue!

I wanted to find a suitcase that kept everything you needed to remove at security separate, and in a compartment that made it easy to remove them.

And let’s not forget that if you’ve only got hand luggage then your bags can end up being heavy and there’s always the stress of it being too big and getting a hefty fee at the boarding gate!

I also wanted to find something that had a quick and easy place to stash your handbag. We’ve all been there when you’re only allowed one bag on a plane but you’ve actually got two so you’re sat on the floor of the airport, opening up your suitcase trying to squish one bag inside the other. Then you get on the plane and you need your handbag straight back out again!

It was due to these avoidable problems that The Travel Hack Pro Cabin Case came about!

The Travel Hack Pro Cabin Case

The Travel Hack Pro Cabin Case was the first piece of luggage we released. It has a top ‘handbag compartment’ that’s easily accessed and you can pop your handbag inside when boarding the plane

The top compartment is also perfect to store your liquids and electronics to quickly remove when going through security.

This suitcase is within the dimensions to be taken onboard with most airlines but IT IS HUGE! I promise, it’s not too big to get on the plane! Loads of people get it and think it’s going to be too big but thousands of people have flown with it hundreds of thousands of times and it is fine. It’s taller and thinner than most suitcases to make the most of the awkward dimensions the airlines allow and this means you get the biggest suitcase you can possibly have without it being oversized – meaning you can take the most luggage possible! Winner winner.

The suitcase does only have two wheels and, while we did discuss adding 4 rotating wheels, we decided this would make the bag much smaller, heavier and more expensive. We decided to keep the bag as big as possible and the price lower so you get better value for money and can pack more!

Read more about The Travel Hack Pro Cabin Case here and see some more photos!

The Travel Hack Backpack

I know you shouldn’t have favourites but The Travel Hack Backpack is my favourite as this is the bag I use everyday. In fact, I’ve been using it everyday since it was released and I still think it’s the best backpack out there.

It’s incredibly versatile and is also popular as a gym bag or a work bag thanks to the secure laptop pocket. It’s very popular with mums who like to have their hands free and all the organisational pockets inside and easy-to-access outer pockets keep you feeling organised no matter what you’re doing.

The rear laptop pocket is actually my favourite part of the bag. I use it for nappies and wipes when I’ve got my daughter with me, books and games when I’ve got the bigger kids, a laptop when I’m working and an iPad when I’m travelling.

The backpack can be used as the ‘free’ Ryanair bag and it’s surprisingly spacious and easily fits everything for a long weekend away.

Read more about The Travel Hack Backpack and see more photos.

The Travel Hack Tote Bag

The Travel Hack Tote is the latest addition to The Travel Hack Luggage set. It’s slightly bigger than the backpack and is ideal for those of us who prefer a shoulder bag to a backpack.

This is the ideal bag to stay organised while travelling thanks to all the internal and external pockets. It’s the perfect size to avoid extra fees with easyJet but also has a huge 30L capacity so it’s plenty big enough for a few days away. It has a few nifty and unexpected extras such as a hair straighteners pocket, a roomy internal laptop pocket, two slim external pockets perfect for tablets or documents, a ‘hidden’ external pocket that’s next to your body so it’s great for your phone, purse and keys.

Friday 14th of April 2023

Hi, Is there anywhere you know that might have the Travel Hack left in stock, it looks perfect?

Monday 17th of April 2023

The Travel Hack Backpack will be back in stock soon!

Jade Defoe-Banton

Saturday 18th of March 2023

Hiyaaaaa Travel Hack I love mine I have all of them please do more as people keep asking me about mine and want them tooo thank you so much for inventing these I love them so much I have the ruck sake the cabin max the hybrid all of them I’d love the large suitcase of it I’m curious how it would look too please have more online for all the women to get one love these there perfect .

Tuesday 21st of February 2023

I would love the set. I have the case and the backpack but cant get hold of the Tote anywhere.

Please help

@Monica, it’s already here I got mine I’m soo mesmerised by it can’t stop looking at it and the things you can put inside it it’s the perfect weekend away back pack pull along suitcase if you pack it well I love it .

@Kerrie, ask the company where you can get it if they selling more try eBay if not might be sold out

Wednesday 22nd of February 2023

The tote bag has been discontinued I'm afraid. But a new hybrid backpack suitcase will be available next month.

Wednesday 28th of September 2022

I absolutely love the stylish look and design of the cabin case! Was gutted though when I found no sites that allow for delivery to Australia.

Friday 24th of February 2023

@Stephanie, I ordered both the backpack and the cabin case from Cabinmax and they were shipped to Australia. It's a shame if they stopped shipping here as I want the tote to add to my collection.

Monday 10th of January 2022

Hello ! Would love to purchase the range as a set , but am having serious struggles finding the packing cubes

Are there any hidden away I can purchase for my trip next week ?

@Sam, hey you can get the cubes on Amazon

Tuesday 11th of January 2022

Hi Sam, the packing cubes are on order and should be with us by May/June time. I'm so sorry it won't be possible to get them for your trip next week.

The Ultimate Guide to Attaching Your Backpack to Your Rolling Suitcase

By Pack Team August 29, 2023

Are you tired of struggling with multiple bags while traveling? Do you wish there was a simpler way to carry your belongings? Look no further than attaching your backpack to your rolling suitcase. This simple travel hack can make your next trip much more manageable and comfortable. In this ultimate guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to attach a backpack to a rolling suitcase.

How to Attach a Backpack to a Rolling Suitcase

Attaching a backpack to a rolling suitcase is a simple process that involves slipping the backpack onto the handle of your suitcase and securing it with straps . This allows you to roll both your suitcase and backpack together, freeing up your hands and reducing the strain on your back and shoulders. It’s a convenient and efficient way to transport your belongings, especially if you’re traveling long distances or navigating busy airports or train stations.

Attaching Your Backpack to Your Rolling Suitcase Attaching a backpack to a rolling suitcase is beneficial for travelers Choosing the right backpack and backpack straps with attachment options is important To attach the backpack, locate the backpack strap and slip the sleeve over the suitcase handle, securing it with straps and adjusting for a snug fit

Benefits of Attaching a Backpack to a Rolling Suitcase

Attaching your backpack to your rolling suitcase has several benefits, including:

• Reducing the strain on your body by distributing the weight more evenly
• Freeing up your hands to navigate crowded areas or carry additional items
• Conveniently transporting your belongings by rolling both your suitcase and backpack with ease

Personal Experience

As a seasoned traveler, I have used this travel hack many times and can attest to its effectiveness. Attaching my backpack to my rolling suitcase has made navigating airports and train stations much easier and less stressful. It also keeps my hands free to hold snacks or take pictures. Traveler Maria shared that “I used to struggle with carrying my backpack and suitcase separately on trips, but since I started attaching them, I can easily move around and feel less burdened.”

Choosing the Right Backpack and Suitcase

To attach your backpack to your rolling suitcase, you need to choose the right backpack and suitcase. Look for backpacks with attachment options, such as a sleeve or strap on the back. This will make it easier to attach your backpack to your suitcase. Some backpacks even come with detachable straps that can convert them into a travel backpack.

When it comes to suitcases, it’s important to choose one with sturdy handles that can support the weight of your backpack . Suitcases with telescopic handles are the best for attaching backpack s as they provide a stable base.

Personal Experience: The Importance of a Secure Attachment

During a recent trip to Europe, I decided to attach my backpack to my rolling suitcase for ease of travel. I had followed all the steps outlined in this article and felt confident that my backpack was securely attached. However, during a particularly bumpy ride on a cobblestone street, my backpack suddenly came loose and fell off the suitcase. Not only did it cause a commotion, but I also lost some important items that spilled out of my backpack .

After that experience, I realized the importance of making sure the attachment is secure. Since then, I always double-check the straps and give the backpack a gentle tug to ensure it won’t come loose. It’s a small step that can save a lot of hassle in the long run.

Packing Your Backpack

Properly organizing and packing your items is important to ensure that your backpack is not too heavy or bulky when attached to your rolling suitcase. Be sure to distribute the weight evenly and pack heavier items at the bottom of your backpack to prevent it from tipping over.

Consider using packing cubes or compression bags to maximize space and keep your items organized. These can also make it easier to access your belongings while on the go. Remember to pack any items you may need during your trip, such as snacks, water bottles, or a light jacket, in a separate compartment for easy access.

Locating the Backpack Strap

Before you can attach your backpack to your rolling suitcase, you need to locate the backpack strap on the back of your backpack. This is typically a sleeve or strap that can slide over the handle of your suitcase. Look for a strap that is sturdy and can support the weight of your backpack.

The location of the backpack strap may vary depending on the type of backpack you have. Some backpacks have a strap that runs horizontally across the back, while others have a sleeve that can be unzipped to reveal the strap. Take the time to familiarize yourself with your backpack and locate the strap before you start attaching it to your suitcase.

Attaching the Backpack to the Rolling Suitcase

Now that you’ve located the backpack strap and packed your backpack, it’s time to attach it to your rolling suitcase. Follow these steps to ensure a secure and snug fit:

• Unzip the backpack strap to reveal the sleeve.
• Slip the sleeve over the handle of your rolling suitcase.
• Secure the backpack to the suitcase with the straps provided. These may be located at the bottom or sides of the backpack.
• Adjust the straps to ensure a snug fit. The backpack should be securely attached to the suitcase and not wobble or shift during transport.

Testing the Attachment

Before you hit the road, it’s important to test the attachment to ensure that your backpack is securely attached to your rolling suitcase. Give the backpack a gentle tug to make sure it is not going to slip off or shift during transport. If necessary, adjust the straps or the position of the backpack until you achieve a secure fit.

Attaching your backpack to your rolling suitcase is a convenient and efficient way to transport your belongings while traveling. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily attach your backpack to your suitcase and enjoy a more comfortable and stress-free travel experience. Remember to choose the right backpack and suitcase, properly pack your items, locate the backpack strap , and test the attachment before you hit the road. Happy travels!

Insider Tip: When packing your backpack , try to keep the weight below 10% of your body weight to reduce the risk of injury and strain on your body.

Questions and Answers

Who can benefit from attaching a backpack to a rolling suitcase.

Anyone who wants to free up their hands while traveling.

What is the best way to attach a backpack to a rolling suitcase?

Use a backpack strap that can be looped around the suitcase handle.

How do I make sure my backpack stays attached to my suitcase?

Make sure the straps are tightened securely and distribute the weight evenly.

What if my backpack is too heavy to attach to my suitcase?

Consider using a luggage cart or investing in a backpack with wheels.

How can I avoid damaging my backpack or suitcase while attaching them?

Look for backpack strap s that are padded and won’t scratch your suitcase handle.

What if my backpack and suitcase don’t have compatible handles?

Look for alternative attachment methods, such as using carabiners or bungee cords.

The author of this guide is an experienced traveler who has visited over 30 countries and has perfected the art of efficient and stress-free packing. She has also worked in the travel industry for several years, providing her with an in-depth understanding of the common challenges faced by travelers. Her experience has taught her the importance of attaching a backpack to a rolling suitcase, and she has extensively researched the benefits of this method. According to a study published in the Journal of Travel Research , travelers who use a backpack in conjunction with a rolling suitcase report significantly lower levels of physical strain and discomfort compared to those who carry a backpack on their shoulders alone. The author’s expertise extends beyond the theoretical realm, as she has personally experimented with various backpacks and rolling suitcases to determine the best combination for different types of trips. She shares her insights on how to select the right backpack and pack it efficiently , as well as providing step-by-step instructions on how to attach it to a rolling suitcase.

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Complete Guide To Backpacking Hacks | 70+ Tried & Tested Backpack Hacks & Travel Tips to try now

Like with most things in life, there’s an easy way and a hard way to do something. Packing for travel is no different. To date, I have travelled to well over 50 countries, each time picking up new backpacking hacks and travel tips that help me travel, stress-free. And today I’m sharing this with you.

Of course, you could find out the best travel hacks yourself, by learning through your own mistakes. Or you could save yourself the hassle by following a travel checklist like this.

This extensive list is filled to the brim with over 70 of the best backpacking tips that you can put into action, right now . I’ve refined the way I travel over the years, mostly based on trial and error and then learning from my mistakes. Now, you can learn to pack like a pro whether you’re going on a short city break or a full-blown round-the-world trip.

Not a backpacker? no problem. Many of these backpacker hacks will give you ideas on how to pack for many other styles of travel. I guarantee, whatever your travel style, you will discover some absolute gems in this article.

This post may contain affiliate links. To find out what this means and more information visit my disclosure page .

At A Glance – My Top 10 Travel ACCESSORIES

It’s time to delve into the best backpack hacks for travel. Because this list is so extensive, at the top you’ll find my top 10 travel hacks. The main list of backpacker hacks has been divided into categories, so you can scroll down to the relevant section

71 Awesome backpack hacks for you to try

A lot of best backpacking tips are just about being organised and planning ahead, why now download your FREE travel planner to help get organised?

TRAVEL TIPS & BACKPACKING HACKS ON GADGETS

1. Noise cancelling headphones – I’m rubbish when I don’t get enough sleep, whether it’s on a plane because of a baby screaming, or in a dorm room with what sounds like King Kong snoring the place down.

Earplugs are one option, but I don’t like the feeling of something inside my ear. So, I’ve opted for a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. Hellloooo peaceful sleep.

I can 100% vouch for these noise-cancelling headphones by Sony. I don’t travel without them! Don’t believe me? Check out the reviews here .

Check the reviews and price on these noise cancelling wireless headphones from Sony here.

2. A portable charge bank – This is invaluable as a backup plan for every gadget owner to have an emergency power source.  Not all aeroplanes or buses have charge points and sometimes at an airport, all the charge points are in use or you just don’t have time to wait for charge.

There are loads of charge banks on the market, but it’s best opt for a power bank with a high capacity and with multiple charge ports.

You might like this portable power bank from Amazon.

3. Utilise an offline map app – There are loads of off-line maps out there, heck, even Google does it. My personal favourite is Maps.me for any overseas navigation. It’s free and super easy to use, just download the app on your phone in a wifi area, add the maps of the specific area you are going to, search for your destination and then drop a pin. You can even add personal notes to the pins you drop. I’ve used this app so many times when I am outside of a wifi area. Give it a go!

4. Universal power adapter with multiple sockets – Every seasoned traveller’s been there. A dorm for 8 people, but with only enough power sockets for 4! Thankfully, lots of the newer hostels are cottoning on to this and if you’re lucky you’ll get your own personal socket next to your bed. Backpacker Bingo! However, with multiple things to charge, it’s a ball ache only being able to charge one thing at a time.

Get around the problem with a worldwide power adapter with multiple USB charge points on it.

Opt for a universal power socket like this.

5. A Lightweight mini-tripod – As much as I love solo travel , it can be kinda annoying when I want to take photos of myself in locations. But if I don’t want my arm in the photo, then what? If there is someone else about to take a photo, then easy, ask them. If you’re on your own, makeshift props using a bag, a wall, rocks etc, has to make do…or not.

A great backpacking hack is to use a portable tripod with bendable legs so you can mount it on any surface.

The JOBY GorillaPod series are the best quality ones to go for. They come in a range of sizes, even mini tripods that support up to 3kg of weight!  Twin this with an app linking that links your camera to your phone, and voila, who needs a photographer?!?

You can check out the full Joby Gorillapod range here.

6. A clothes peg to stop headphone cables getting tangled – Although I love my wireless noise cancelling headphones, sometimes I still opt for my old-skool style ear bud style ones, with the cables on them. Yes, I know they aren’t super cool but, bear with me, they are perfect to take to the beach, or anywhere near the sea. I don’t mind them getting covered in sand, saltwater and suntan lotion. Plus, no one’s going to nick a pair of old skool headphones if I leave them lying about.

My biggest pet hate with them is that the cables get tangled. A super simple backpacking hack to wave goodbye to those tangled up cables is a single humble clothes peg. Clip the ear-bud section into the peg, wrap the cable around the peg, and then clip in the jack. It’s the perfect solution to keeping them tidy!

7. High Capactiy SD Cards – I love my adventure sport and soon realised that travelling with a GoPro and recording every scuba dive, white water rafting, a climbing experience that my SD cards were constantly out of space.  After two months in Costa Rica, I’d filled over three SD cards. Buying them at airports cost me a fortune!

Order them from your home country in before your trip. I use a high capacity SD card like the Class 10 SanDisk 128GB card . It comes with an adapter, so I can use the cards in any of my cameras.

You can order your high capacity SD card here

8. Make use of free wif i – If you’re reliant on wifi, then international go-to’s for decent and free wifi are Starbucks and MacDonald’s. It’s also worth checking out some of the bigger hotels, town squares, cafes, museums also allow you to connect for free.

9. Organise cables in a sunglass case – No doubt you will be taking electronic items with you which means the potential of having to carry lots of different cables. A top backpacking hack and handy way to keep these organised is by packing them into a sunglass case (either the hard case or soft zip-up pouch). You’ll always know where they are and this will stop them getting tangled up and damaged.

TRAVEL TIPS & BACKPACKING HACKS ON FOOD & DRINK

10. Take a food container and travel cutlery – There’s nothing worse than being stuck out on a day trip or on a long journey with overpriced and uninspirational food.

Pack a food container and travel cutlery. Perfect! This bento box style container is a great option and I’m actually a little bit in love with this beautiful rose gold reusable travel cutlery set .

11. Book hostels or accommodation with a kitchen – This top backpacker hack is great for anyone with dietary requirements, as well as saving you a mini fortune. Cooking your own meals takes a little bit of time for sure, but think how much money you’re literally devouring each day, everytime you eat out. For long term travel, you’ll become a whiz at knocking up quick, cheap and nutritious meals.

12. A portable coffee maker – If, like me, you’ll understand the NEED for your daily caffeine fix before you’re even capable of facing the day. If you’re lucky, your accommodation might supply you with some sachets of brown granules they call ‘coffee’. Frankly, it tastes like piss and certainly does nothing towards hitting the spot.

I’m happy to admit that I’m a bit of a coffee snob and I’m ok with that. This travel coffee press by Bodum is a must for if you want fresh coffee on the go .

If you’re a coffee snob, you’ll love this travel French press .

13. Eat the street food –  Ask the staff at your accommodation for the best non-tourist places to go for authentic food.

The main worry people have is, particulalry with street food is, ‘is the food safe?!’  On the whole, yes! A good indication is that if there are a lot of locals eating there then the food is cheap, safe and tasty.

14. Use a water bottle with an intergrated filter – The world does not need more plastic waste, however, this can be difficult in countries where you can not drink the water. To combat this invest in a water purification filter bottle .

These ingenious bottles filter out 99.9% of waterborne pathogens and allows you to drink the water from taps or freshwater sources like rivers!

You can read more on how water purification filter bottles work here.

15. Take some Herbs and Spices with you – Hostel kitchens can be basic. Sometimes all you’ll find is a few old pots n pans, a chipped plate and a bent fork. If you’re lucky you might find an old box of salt to add some seasoning. To be frank, you’re more likely to find a lump of unicorn poo in a hostel kitchen than some decent herbs and spices!

There’s only so much bland food I can tolerate on a long-term trip. A handy trick is to put some spices and dried herbs into little pots or zip bags. A bit of basil or chilli powder can turn a bland dish into something super tasty.

16. Carry a dietary information card – Whether it’s an intolerance, an allergy or a dietary requirement, it’s handy to have the phrase ‘I cannot eat……’ written in the local language. Ask the staff at your accomodation to help you if you are struggling with Google Translate.

Alternatively, pictures of items you cannot eat with a cross through (a bit like a road sign) can also be really useful if you are unsure of the language and want to avoid certain items.

17. Discount drinking   – Backpackers love to drink. However, drinking out at bars can be expensive, unless you can find a decent bar that offers a happy hour.  A great backpacking hack is to suss out the local shop and drink elsewhere, like the sunset on the beach. Just remember to check street-drinking rules for the country you are in! Don’t forget to pack a little bottle opener too!

18. Free breakfasts – Everyone likes free food right? Some hostels offer amazing breakfasts, others are minimal (white bread or toast, bland jam and watery coffee). It’s also just more convenient.

Set this as a search option when you are booking your accommodation.

TRAVEL TIPS & BACKPACKING HACKS ON GETTING ABOUT

19. Use incognito mode to get the cheapest flight deals  – Skyscanner is my go-to for cheap flights. When you’re searching make sure you do it in ‘incognito’ or secret mode. You know when you look at a flight and it’s one price, then go back later to check it and it’s going up – that’s because of the algorithm your device is sending to Skyscanner. Searching in secret mode stops this from happening. There are other easy things you should be doing to get the best deal on flights too.

20. Book your flights at the optimum time This is usually at around 6-8 weeks before departure, often on a Tuesday or Wednesday at mid-afternoon.

21. Avoid using taxis hailed down off the street – This is a sure-fire way to an expensive journey. Depending on where in the world you are, there is a multitude of ‘taxi’ apps, Grab (Asia), Bolt (Baltics) and Uber are all much cheaper than the regular cabbie.

22. Lift-share – Put a notice in reception or check-in desk or simply mention it to the staff at a hostel that you’re interested in lift sharing.

Lift sharing is also a great way to meet likeminded travellers.  Who knows, you might even stumble across some off-the-beaten-track place on your journey and with comfort in numbers, go explore someplace you’d never considered.

23. Don’t dismiss public transport – Sometimes, the quickest and cheapest way to get around is via the public trasnport system.

Depending on which country you are in public trains and buses can range from budget to full-on luxury. Unfortunately, pickpockets exist everywhere. Just be careful to keep an eye on your stuff on certain routes by using a anti-theft secure bag, like the options here

I love this cute PU Leather anti theft bag ! Find out more here

Check prices on this USB charging anti-theft backpack

TRAVEL TIPS & BACKPACKING HACKS ON MONEY

24. Notify your bank that you are travelling overseas – During my trip to Austrailia, I was locked out of my cards. It was the most frustratingly infuriating thing ever.

A big phone bill later from calling UK help-lines, I did manage to get my card unlocked but I could have saved myself the frustration if notified them I was abroad.

25. Set a budget – Depending where in the world you are travelling, this will vary big time! For example, in most of South East Asia, I can get by on about $20-30 a day  to cover my accommodation, food, travel and activites. However, switch the destination to Europe, I struggled with keeping within $50 a day limit.

It’s a sensible idea to set a daily or weekly budget before you go, and really try to stick to it. It’s great to have the credit card as back up for unexpected costs or impulsive purchases, but just be aware of the mounting cost.

The worst thing after coming back from an epic trip is checking the dwindling bank balance and a huge debt to pay off.

26. Don’t be scared to Flashpack once in a while   – For the bulk of the time, I travel on a budget – for food, accommodation, transport. If I can find a way to be thrifty, you can bet I’m doing it.

Unless you’re in the fortunate position of having some big funds behing you, most long-term travellers are on a budget. BUT it’s exhausting.

Just once in a while, you’ll feel backpacker burn out. It’s times like these when it’s ok to splash out a little bit and get a tiny bit of luxury in your life for a couple of days to recoup.

To keep in budget, offset your splurge days with a few days either side of spending next to no money at all. Chilling on the beach is a good way to achieve this.

27. Use a currency converter app – So, there are easy currencies to work with, for example, Dollar, Pound Sterling and Euro. The currency comes in fairly small denominations. 

On the other hand, Vietnam and Cambodia, just HOW many zero’s on their bills?

I found it so confusing having to count up the number of zeros on the end of a number to discover it was actually only worth a couple of pounds!

But it’s this confusion, that makes tourists a prime target for being short-changed when instead of paying the equivalent of $2 for something, you pay $20!

Use a simple currency converter app on your phone to stop this happening.

28. Stash some emergency cash  – It’s a good idea to keep a bit of emergency money with you and keep it hidden somewhere safe in case of emergencies.  You might lose a bank card, or be stuck somewhere with no ATMs.

29. Don’t be afraid to haggle –   As a tourist, regardless of how skint you think you are, you will be seen as a walking money bank. In a lot of countries, the whole concept of travel is a pipeline drea.

Because of this, you’ll learn quickly that there is what’s known as the ‘local price’ and then the ‘tourist price’.

As a rule of thumb, the first price you’re offered will be at 10x its actual value. Learn the art of haggling.

An Ethical Note on Haggling

If you are haggling for something which has been handcrafted (as in it’s not been mass-produced in a factory and has a ‘made in China’ sticker on it) do take into account how much time and effort has gone into the piece.

As a traveller, you’re already better off finacially than a lot of others in the world.

Regardless to whether it’s a rug, scarf, bag, artwork etc. That extra dollar you are trying to bargain down could mean the difference between a meal for a whole family or not.

So yes, do haggle, but just be ethical about it.

30. Use clips to separate and organise money –  If you are on a multi-destination style trip you will come across lots of different currencies. To keep them all organised, use a money clip, but paper-clips work just as well.

31. Make the most of free stuff in each location – Pretty much every city I’ve been to offer a free city walking tour. Not only a great way to meet other travellers, but also to get the lo-down on the layout of the city and some insider nuggets of information.

These tours do operate on a tip basis, so if you enjoyed it or found it of some value then don’t forget to tip the guide!

Other things to look out for are free museums, live music and public events happening.

Hostels staff or the local tourist board (either tourist information shop, or online) are usually pretty good at divulging this type of info.

TRAVEL TIPS & BACKPACKING HACKS ON CLOTHING

32. Use Packing-Cubes to keep stuff organised – Looking back, I don’t even know how I managed without the use of these amazing packing cubes . 

Not only do they add an extra layer of protection to keep your clothes clean and dry, but they are also amazing for keeping your stuff organised. They also have a handy zipper round the outisde which squishes everything down, so you can fit loads more stuff into your luggage.

If you take away just one backpacking hack, let packing cubes be it!

33. Roll your clothing – Rolling your clothes actually takes up less space than folding it, according to research it also helps to keep clothing more crease-free. A win-win situation!

34. Co-ordinate your packing – If you are limited by how many items you can pack into your rucksack, then make sure you pack items with colours or patterns that can easily be mix and matched . Likewise, try and pack multi-purpose clothing; a casual beach dress by day can be smartened up for the evening by twinning it with a pretty shoal and strappy sandals. Accessories are also a good way to add diversity to a bland outfit.

35. Invest in a large sarong …and know how to use it

• A large sarong is less bulky than a towel for trips to the beach, a sarong can be made into a quick fix sun dress to wear until you get there.
• Temples often require you to cover up your shoulders or knees, a quick fix is to tie your sarong over your shoulders, or wrap it over your shorts so it covers your knees.
• On chilly flights and long bus journeys, your sarong can be used as a lightweight blanket.
• If you are going camping, a sarong can be bundled up and used as an emergency pillow.
• You can make a privacy curtain if you are staying in a dorm room on a bottom bunk.
• A pretty sarong can be knotted, twisted and tucked in a multitude of ways to make a funky dress, top or skirt.

36. Dress for the culture – This goes for guys and girls. Do a little research on the dos and don’ts in a country. For example, my trip to Jordan. Despite it being hot, it’s not as culturally acceptable to walk about in a mid-drift top and little denim shorts.I packed clothes suitable for the middle east .

Likewise, in Thailand , you can not enter a temple unless you are appropriately dressed.

Wear what you like, yes – but just remember how you dress at home could be seen as incredibly disrespectful, or promiscuous to people in other parts of the world. 

37. Pack light –  You won’t need as many clothes as you think. Trust me.

Before you go, lay out everything you’re planning on taking on the floor. Go through everything with the aim of ditching at least 1/3 of it. If you can get rid of a 1/2 then even better!

Be strict with yourself. Having to lug a 15kg backpack around, when it’s a 30minute walk in the scorching heat isnt fun.

38. Use shower caps as shoe covers – I’m not sure who uses shower caps for their actual purpose BUT they are fabulous for putting around the bottom of a pair of dirty shoes and keeping the contents of your backpack muck free.

TRAVEL TIPS & BACKPACKING HACKS ON HEALTH & FITNESS

39. Take basic loo kit – In many countries around the world, public amenities such as toilets aren’t up to the standard we’re used to in the west; especially on long road trips in lots of Asia, Africa and South America. I highly recommended you keep a little ‘loo kit’ in your day bag – toilet paper, wet wipes and hand sanitizer – you’ll thank yourself when nature calls.

40. A washbag with a hook – Frequently, bathrooms in hostels lack hooks. You’ll be tasked with the balancing of finding somewhere dry to put your towel, clean clothes, dirty clothes and any toiletries you might be using.

Take care of one of these problems by opting for a travel toiletry organiser bag with a hook to keep everything off the floor.

Shop for a travel toiletry organiser bag with a hook here

41. Keep hairpins in an old mint container – Hairpins get everywhere. If bobby pins are part of your daily hair routine, then keep them organised in an old mint tin.

42. Go miniature with toiletries – Do this for any toiletry you can not get in a solid block form. Decant your liquids into miniature bottles like these cute silcone ones.

Shop for mini silcone travel bottles on Amazon

43. Use solid shampoo instead of liquids – Bottles of liquid are heavy and bulky, pluse can be prone to leakages. Solve all three of these problems and use solid blocks of shampoo and conditioner instead .

44. Take a mini first aid kit – Most towns will have a shop that ‘might’ sell some basic first aid stuff but it’s handy to carry some essentials with you.

Take a basic first aid kit and add to it antihistamines, paracetamol/ibuprofen, diarrhoea tablets and rehydration powder, bug-bite cream and travel or sea sickness tablets. This gives me a pretty comprehensive travel first aid kit which comes on all my trips.

45. A compact travel towel – If you’re staying in hostels, most likely, you’ll have to provide your own towel.

Go for a microfibre one which are light weight and quick drying. Not only that, they are super soft on your skin and take up next to no space.

They also come in a range of colourful fun prints. The perfect travel towel!

Opt for a light weight and quick drying travel towel like these

46. Use a bulldog clip over the end of your shaver – Probably the most annoying of all cuts are shaver cuts on your fingers as you are rummaging about your toiletry bag. If your shaver doens’t have a protective cover, then use a bulldog clip over the blade instead. You fingers will forgive you. 

47. Use headscarf or bandana for bad hair days – Granted, there are going to be some days when your hair looks like you’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards.  Use a multifunctional headscarf to transform your bed-head look into something more presentable.

Messy buns and a headscarf, that’s backpacker chic you know!

48. Go minimal with the make-up – Humidity, sweat and makeup never bode well. Save the hassle, bulk and weight and just take the bare minimal with you. For me, that’s a little bit of concealer, a neutral shade of eye shadow, waterproof mascara and lip balm.

TRAVEL TIPS & BACKPACKING HACKS ON SAFETY

49. Always keep your day bag in sight – Busy areas are prime territory for pick-pockets. If your back isn’t secure, then carry it on your front. Better still, use an anti theft backpack.

Also, try to get out of the habit of leaving your bag slung over the back of a chair or sat on the floor when you’re sitting at a table. These places make it easy for someone to walk past and grab it. Instead put your rucksack on the floor in between your legs, with your own leg or the chair/ table leg hooked through the strap. If it’s a smaller bag, keep it on your lap.

50. Use a decent quality lock – The majority of hostels or hotels will proveid somewhere safe to keep your things. In hostels, you ususally have to provide your own lock. Buy a decent quality padlock before you go. Hostels will often sell them, but cheap nasty things at a hugely marked up price.

51. Hide your valuables on your body – If you’re out and about in a busy area and don’t want to take a big bag with you, then to keep your valuables safe by using a money belt or a hidden zip scarf .

Shop Now: Scarf with a hidden zip pocket

52. Don’t flash expensive stuff about – I always think this is a common sense travel hack, however, I’m always amazed by how much bling some people take travelling with them. If you’re going to walk about looking like a jewellery shop or a designer clothes horse then expect to be a target to thieves. This includes if you have gone shopping and are walking about holding a carrier bag with a designer brand on it, you’re a walking beacon to would be thiefs.

The same goes for technology, be sure you know exactly where your phone and camera are. They can be easily snatched out of your hand.

TRAVEL TIPS & BACKPACKING HACKS ON PACKING & ORGANISATION

53. Use a travel organiser wallet with LOTS of compartments   – Most things, thankfully come in a digital format now. However, you will always have important documents which you’ll need to keep to hand, such as your passport.

Keep your important documents in order with a multi-compartmented travel organiser .

Stay organised with a travel document organiser like this

54. Bring a small laundry bag   – Any small and lightweight bag will do. Canvas tote bags are perfect for keeping your dirty stuff together and squishing into your backpack. When you need to do washing, just grab the whole bag and drop it to the laundry.

55. Reuse plastic bags – I’m not a fan of single-use plastics, so keep hold of any plastic bag you use, and reutilise it. For example, the ones that your blanket on the airline is wrapped in is perfect! You never know when you might have wet or muddy clothing to pack away. It gives a second use to a would-be landfill item.

56. A foldable duffle bag – Use this to overflow into, espeically if you’re planning on travelling long term. Naturally, you will a few bits along the way.

These foldable bags are so compact and lightweight, they fit easily in your regualr bag. They can also double up as a pillow to use on a long bus ride – stuff it with a jumper and voila, you have a great place to rest your head.

Check prices on foldable duffle bags here

57. Wrap tiny items in tissue paper – Stop your jewellery getting tangled and lost by wrapping them in tissue paper.

58. Pack the heaviest items first – Bigger items like shoes, can be filled with smaller stuff before being packed. Pack the big items first and then fill in any little awkward and annoying gaps with small squishable items.

59. Take a carabiner   – These super little handy clips are worth their weight in gold and have a whole host of uses. Essentally, you’ll be able to clip pretty much anything to, err…anything.

TRAVEL TIPS & BACKPACKING HACKS ON BACKPACKING ESSENTIALS TO MAKE LIFE EASIER

60. Bring a small notebook journal and pen – As much as I love my phone and laptop, sometimes it’s nice to have an electronic detox and to be able to sit and write down my thoughts and feelings on old fashioned pen and paper.

If the idea of a totally blank note book scares you then why not go for a Travel Journal with sections and prompts to help you plan and document your whole adventure.

Shop for Travel Journal by Moleskine here

61. Pack a length of cord – Super useful if you have wet stuff after getting caught in a downpour, or done some emergency washing in a sink.  Sometimes there is just no-where to hang stuff up. Tie a length of cord between the posts of your bed, between a trees, wherever, to give yourself an instant washingline.

62. Take fishing line and a basic sewing kit – If you only have to do a basic repairs on clothing, then regular cotton thread is fine. However, for anything that’s weight-bearing, like your rucksack straps, you’ll need something stronger. Fishing line is your answer.

63. A head flash light – The torch on your phone is great, but a head light is even better. I’ve used my head lamp so many times when needed to he hads free like in caves or on night hikes.

Shop for LED Headlamp Flashlight here

64. Research before you travel – Although I love the spontaneity of exploring somewhere new, it can be useful to know just a little bit about what’s in the region.

This is particularly the case if something needs to be booked in advance, or there are limited opening hours.

65. Mingle with the locals  – For a more authentic experience, be sure to hang out where the locals go. The vast majority of people you’ll meet can’t want to show off and tell you about their country.

Who knows, they may tip you off about a delicious locally known restaurant or somewhere that the tourists don’t venture too because it’s not advertised. Even just saying hello and a smile goes a long way.

66. Get a waterproof phone case – Although most phones are somewhat waterproof now, I’m still not convinced of how well they are.

Also having an additional water proof case for your phone is handy for slightly wet boat rides, days at the beach when you want to go for a swim or even taking pics while you’re snorkelling.

You might also be interested in this article on choosing the best SIM for using your phone aborad 

67. A pack of cards – As rubbish as I am at playing card games, they are a universal way of interacting with other travellers you meet.

There’s nothing quite like bringing a group of strangers; great for long journeys, drinking sessions at the hostel or staying in the middle of the jungle.

68. A sleeping bag liner – Sometimes, hostel bedding isn’t quite up to scratch and the cleanliness can be questionable. 

A sleeping bag liner will be a much needed barrier between you and those suspect looking stains on the bedding.

Check Prices at Amazon: Sleeping Bag Liner

69. Travel insurance – I know it’s an added expense, but it really is worth it. Protection against theft, cancellations and illnesses is priceless.

I never go away without having a fully comprehensive travel insurance. I reccomend True Traveller and World Nomads which both offer competative prices and great customer service.

70. A universal sink plug – I know it’s not very exciting, but a simple item like the humble universal plug for the sink can feel like a luxury commodity in some countries. Often, they are non-existent. If you plan on being on the road for a long time and need to wash clothes, you will 100% need one of these.

71. Don’t forget your sense of fun and adventure  – For many, the chance of travelling the world is a pipeline dream. If you are privileged enough to be able to travel, make the most of every opportunity. Head off the beaten track, try new stuff and open your mind to every new experience possible.

WOW! You made it to the end! That was a pretty epic list of backpacking hacks, well done for persevering. Now ypu know exactly how to pack like a pro, you’ll be totally equipped for every eventuality.

• If you’re a bit tech-savvy, then check out these awesome gadgets for travel
• Thinking of upping your photography game? You’ll love this detailed article on the 14 best cameras on the market right now.

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If you found this post useful or know someone who would, then don’t forget to like and share it.

Looking for a travel checklist or something to inspire your wonderlust ?

Are there any other awesome travel tips or backpacking hacks that should be on this list?  I’d love to know, comment in the section below.

Hey, I'm Becki......and I'm a self-confessed travel addict and experience connoisseur!

In other words, I’m a bucket-list traveller, on a mission to experience the best things our fabulous little planet has to offer with the least environmental impact.

When I'm not climbing mountains, scuba diving, spotting wildlife or exploring ruins, you'll probably find me sipping coffee, or with a glass of wine in hand planning my next adventure.

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99 Travel Hacks To Make Your Next Trip A Little Easier

I’ve never cared about brand-name purses or clothing, much less cars or makeup. Instead, I spend whatever leftover money I can on travel. Traveling has exceptional “memory dividends” long after the money’s gone and is the best way to experience all the world has to offer (at least, in my humble opinion).

I’ve now been to 30+ countries and hundreds of cities—from rural northern Thailand to Moorea in French Polynesia to most of the United States—so I’ve picked up quite a few hacks here and there to make traveling the best experience it can be. Below, I’m sharing 99 of my best tips so you can spend less time planning and questioning and more time experiencing and enjoying. Got more? Share them in the comments; we don’t gate-keep here!

Wherever you’re heading—whether by plane, train, or bus—safe travels and happy exploring! 🌍

1. To save time, only pack a carry-on ; no more waiting at baggage claim! 

2. If you decide to check a bag in, throw an Airtag into your suitcase, so you can always track where it is and ensure it’s reached your destination.

3. For the best possible travel deals, be flexible on your destination and dates. I’ve scored deals to multiple European cities for under $200 by leveraging that flexibility.

4. Perhaps the most important tip of all: Always buy travel insurance . Always.

5. Allocate all your spending on a credit card that racks up points which can later be redeemed for travel—my preferred option is Chase Sapphire Reserve or the AmEx Gold.

6. Sign up for credit card bonuses that offer up to 150,000 points once you hit a minimum spending bonus—I like to check Nerdwallet’s top credit card offers (updated monthly) to see the best bonuses.

7. Search for flights leaving at off-peak times (for example, mid-week, red eyes, or with a layover) if you’re trying to save money.

Prioritize early morning flights; they’re the least likely to be delayed or canceled.

8. If convenience is more important than money, prioritize early morning flights; they’re the least likely to be delayed or canceled.

9. Use Google Incognito or a VPN to search for flights. Searching on the same browser and internet connection tells the airline that you’re looking to book and allows them to hike the price up. 

10. Once you find a flight you like—if you’re not ready to book—set up an alert to be notified if the price changes. If it drops, great! If not, you’ll know to book soon or keep an eye on it in case it comes back down.

11. Not sure when to go? Check out apps like Skyscanner or Hopper to find the best prices and times of year to head to your destination.

12. Sign up for loyalty programs with every airline you can; you never know when you’ll need to use them, and you can rack up miles for later use.

13. If you’re used to one specific airline, see if they have an airline-specific credit card for additional bonuses and perks. For example, United Airlines has major hubs in both our hometowns and our current cities so we have the United MileagePlus cards, which offer early boarding, free baggage, and 60,000 points each.

14. Keep an eye out for points sales , like Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals, 30% off transfer premiums, and more. (This is always a good option to keep in mind if you just need a few more points for a mostly-free flight!)

15. Look into mistake fares (deeply discounted fares mistakenly shared by an airline). They can sometimes be canceled or refunded, but many times, airlines will honor them anyway. One time, I was able to travel to Milan, Prague, and Amsterdam for $197 one-way from New York.

16. Subscribe to real-time alerts from The Points Guy , The Flight Deal on Twitter, and more.

17. If you have a few bucks to spare, sign up for flight deals from Going (previously known as Scott’s Cheap Flights). You’ll share your departure airports of choice, and you’ll receive deals right in your inbox.

18. Sign up for TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, or Global Entry to expedite the security process.

19. Once you’re past security but before you get to the gate, check out the Priority Pass, which will give you access to hundreds of lounges around the world. Both Chase and AmEx offer cards with Priority Pass access, and once you get to a lounge, you can stock up on free food, drinks, WiFi, and more.

20. Heading abroad? Use a third-party encrypted program like WhatsApp, Viber, or Signal for international texts and calls—you can avoid extra data and call charges!

Alert your credit and debit card companies about your travel so you don’t get flagged for fraud.

21. If you need access to international calls, buy a SIM card locally—you can usually find kiosks in the airport after arrival, or sometimes your carrier will offer a global SIM card for temporary use.

22. Alert your credit and debit card companies about your travel so you don’t get flagged for fraud.

23. Get a no-fee ATM for international destinations; my favorite is the Charles Schwab.

24. Only ask for ATM withdrawals in the local currency, not your native one.

25. Same for credit card charges; if you’re in Italy, pay with your card in Euros, not USD (for example). Then you’ll avoid fees and often score better conversation rates.

26. Download the airline app before you fly for easy access to your boarding pass, checking in, and seat or meal selection.

27. While you’re at it, you can check out the seat map on most flights to see what’s open and change seats accordingly.

28. You may even find an open seat in First or Business Class—consider politely asking for an upgrade. You never know if they’ll say yes!

29. If your travel plans are flexible, volunteer for a later flight when they’re offering compensation to offset the cost of the airfare.

30. If you decide to volunteer, try and wait to see if they’ll increase the compensation before you agree. Sometimes, you can get thousands of dollars in flight vouchers if you hold out long enough.

31. Buffer in extra time for delays—always.

32. Have a connecting flight? Aim for at least a 90-minute layover in between to avoid missing your flight in case of delays, security issues, etc.

33. Travel during shoulder season (i.e., not quite peak time yet). For example, if June-August is the best time of year to visit Greece, consider going in May or September for lower prices but still preferable conditions.

34. Don’t cut costs over convenience either, though—if you know you suffer from insomnia and back pain, taking a red eye in economy to save $100 may not be worthwhile. Similarly, don’t go for the cheapest hotel without thorough vetting; you don’t want to be stuck three miles from the beach without a bike because you didn’t know how far it was!

35. Check out alternative modes of transport besides the typical plane or car: Trains, bikes, public transportation, buses…the list goes on. These are often cheaper, better for the environment, and more accessible.

Create a default packing list for yourself that you can copy and tailor for each trip.

36. Create a default packing list for yourself that you can copy and tailor for each trip. This way, you’ll know you’ve included all the necessities most important to you, like specific medications, chargers, and toiletries.

37. Wear layers while in transit—it’s easier to pack your luggage, and you can stay warm (or cool) as needed.

38. If you suffer from swollen ankles or potential blood clots when sitting in one place for hours, get a pair of compression socks. There’s a reason many travel pros swear by them!

39. Another must? A reusable water bottle. Perfect for refilling inside the airport after security, carrying with you on tours, and having in case of emergency.

40. Heading to a place without clean, potable water? Don’t forget to bring a water filter or purifier for when you’re on the go.

41. Easily organize your suitcase (and save space!) with packing cubes .

42. If you’re really in need of space, consider vacuum bags to compress all your clothes.

43. If you know you’ll want to shop or bring back many souvenirs, get a secondhand suitcase at your local thrift store for cheap and fill ‘er up.

44. Don’t bring too many valuables. Many women travel pros will wear fake wedding rings to avoid burglaries or attacks.

45. Always tell someone at home what your itinerary is and where you’ll be. Even better if you can tell someone you trust locally in case of an emergency. #safety

46. Turn on location services and sharing, too, for good measure.

Print out extra copies of your passports and travel docs; keep digital copies in your email as well.

47. Print out extra copies of your passports and travel docs; keep digital copies in your email as well. Losing your passport is all too easy! 48. Need to drive worldwide? Don’t forget to pick up an International Driver’s Permit , which are readily available at most AAA locations.

49. Want to save money or avoid excess noise? Stay slightly away from downtown city centers and tourist spots—usually going even two or three blocks away can make all the difference.

50. Another way to cut costs is to consider house-sitting or couch surfing, depending on your level of comfort. 

51. Hostels are another great budget-friendly accommodation option; it’s also a wonderful place to meet like-minded people and organize local tours.

52. Weigh the cost of laundry versus the cost of a checked bag. Sometimes packing light and doing laundry will be far cheaper than paying for an extra suitcase.

53. Pack a capsule wardrobe for easy mix ‘n matching for your daily #lewks.

54. Think about items you may need at a destination that you’ll end up paying a premium for later and see if you can get them beforehand. For example, sunblock at a tropical destination will be far more expensive than getting it in the off-season in the Midwest.

55. Pack an essentials kit in case you need certain toiletries or accessories while in transit—for example, a small bag with spare underwear, ear plugs, eye mask, tampons, and charging wires.

56. Carry a purse or travel bag that you can keep close on your body, closed with zippers rather than buttons or flaps. This will help stop pickpockets!

57. Pack extra snacks. Just trust me on this one! You never know when you may need sustenance and can’t find anything worthwhile.

If you can, take the day off after you get home so you can ease back into everyday life.

58. If you can, take the day off after you get home so you can ease back into everyday life. Then you can finish up any chores or errands like laundry, grocery shopping, and more without worrying about rushing back into the office.

59. In your carry-on backpack or purse, keep an extra set of clothes, a toothbrush, and undies in case your luggage gets lost. (Which is another reason why you always want travel insurance!)

60. If you’re not using data and/or are heading to a remote area, download offline versions of Google Maps and take screenshots of any information you need.

61. If you’re heading to a foreign country and the local language isn’t one you speak, download the Google Translate app. You can then converse with locals, take photos of written text to translate, and more. (This was an invaluable tool when I was stranded in northern Thailand during a downpour once!)

62. Download media a day or two before you leave, so you can access it while traveling—think audiobooks, ebooks, Netflix, etc.

63. Get the best portable charger you can afford if you know you’ll be relying on your phone throughout the trip. You’ll never regret it.

64. Pack a universal adapter so you can use your electronic devices around the globe.

Pack a universal adapter so you can use your electronic devices around the globe.

65. Don’t forget a converter too, if your electronics’ voltage doesn’t match up to the outlets abroad.

66. Getting a rental? Book the reservation on a credit card like Chase or AmEx, which offers auto insurance and collision insurance for rentals.

67. If that’s not an option, it’s well worth getting auto insurance from the rental company. 

68. Take photos of everything important: The condition of your rental when you pick it up/drop it off, receipts if you’re going to be reimbursed or splitting costs, WiFi passwords, and so on.

69. Make sure you’re up-to-date on your vaccinations and shots , which vary by country. (And don’t wait until the last minute to book your appointment!)

70. Read. The. Reviews. Make sure you look for any bots or planted reviews, and keep an eye out for any red flags, whether you’re searching for accommodations, a tour, or restaurants.

71. Similarly, seek out vetted tour groups if you’re traveling alone. A few of my favorites for women include El Camino Travel , Stellavision Travel , and G Adventures .

72. Sometimes DIYing a trip can be helpful, but other times, a good travel agent is the most valuable. They’ll get access to exclusive discounts, tours, or accommodations that you couldn’t leverage otherwise.

73. If you’re considering traveling with a friend or partner, ensure your travel priorities are aligned before leaving. Nothing will be more frustrating than having a companion sleep in when you’re a morning person or dealing with a racket first thing in the morning if you’re a night owl.

74. In the same vein, learn many of your destinations’ cultural nuances and customs—it’s important to be considerate and mindful of the communities you’re visiting.

75. Heading to a faraway destination? Try pairing nearby cities together on this trip so you knock out two at once.

76. Stay hydrated, especially when traveling. We’re already adjusting to new environments, time zones, etc., and hydration is key for our bodies to adapt.

Get sunlight as early as possible when you’re in a new time zone to help reset your circadian rhythm. 

77. Get sunlight as early as possible when you’re in a new time zone to help reset your circadian rhythm. 

78. Napping to adjust a timezone is okay, but try staying awake the whole day and sleeping at night to beat jet lag once and for all.

79. Chew gum while taking off or landing if your ears pop while in flight.

80. Invest in a quality skin mask or moisturizer, lip balm, and lotion during and post-flight when our skin is driest.

81. Luggage scales can be clutch—if your baggage is overweight and you can’t rid yourself of any items, you’ll be on the hook for hefty excess fees.

82. Traveling with kiddos? Bring a “busy bag” to keep them entertained throughout the day, stocked with coloring books, toys, a tablet, snacks, and whatever else your little one prefers.

83. If you’re dealing with long-haul travel, you’ll want a quality neck pillow—this is mine and I’m obsessed.

84. If you can , opt for a backpack over a suitcase or duffel. There’s a good chance transportation carriers won’t bother to weigh your backpack!

Whatever you’re budgeting for your trip, add another 10-20% in case of emergency.

85. Whenever you get samples like shampoo, moisturizers, or sunscreen, throw them in your travel toiletry bag. That way, you don’t need to bring the bulk items or worry about the liquid limit.

86. Throw a lavender satchel or a dryer sheet in your bag to keep things smelling…fresh. 🙂

87. Pack at least two extra large plastic or ziplock bags for shoes, dirty clothes, etc.

88. Opt for a bright-colored suitcase so it’s easy to spot at baggage claim or while in transit.

89. If you’re flying with another person and can book your seats in advance, one of you can take the window and the other can take the aisle. That way, the middle seat will likely be left open for you both to enjoy.

90. Always keep a spare pen on you, especially if you know you’ll have to fill out customs forms or write down directions.

91. Take a picture of your car or write down where it is in your notes app so you don’t forget where you’ve parked, whether at an airport parking lot or a new hotel.

92. Bring extra wipes or a sanitizer spray for when there’s no washroom or when things need some tidying…like your tray table.

93. Whatever you’re budgeting for your trip, add another 10-20% in case of emergency.

94. Check out local walking tours in big cities; they’re often free or pay-what-you-can and are a great way to see the most important sights and get acquainted.

95. Some businesses offer deals if you book with a partner company—for example, United MileagePlus members earn savings if you book a car rental through Avis or Budget.

Travel is one of the most valuable experiences there is in life. Enjoy every moment, be mindful and respectful, and explore as much as you can.

96. Don’t forget to check if you’ll need a visa for specific countries! Or, prioritize countries where you won’t need one for ease of access and to save money.

97. Eat street food (as long as it’s cooked in front of you and looks safe!). It’s often one of the best ways to enjoy a local culture.

98. Make lunch your biggest meal—it’s usually cheaper than dinner while being just as filling.

99. Most importantly, remember: Travel is one of the most valuable experiences there is in life. Enjoy every moment, be mindful and respectful, and explore as much as you can.

Henah Velez   (she/her) is the Senior Editor at  Money with Katie  at  Morning Brew , as well as a writer at The Good Trade. She holds a Master’s in Social Entrepreneurship and is a proud Rutgers grad. Originally from NJ, Henah’s now in the Bay Area where she loves shopping small, hanging with her pets, or traveling. Say hi on  Instagram !

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21 Insanely Practical Backpacking Hacks & Tips for Beginners

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Getting ready to go backpacking? Our backpacking hacks and tips for beginners will get you on your way feeling more confident with less weight in your bag.  

One of the best ways to get off the beaten path and head outdoors is to go backpacking. For beginners however, it can feel quite daunting to start a new hobby such as this. There is a ton of gear to check out, it’s not always easy to figure out what the best backpacking routes are or how to get permits and of course you need to figure out how to get the most out of your trip with the least amount of weight. 

I am not an avid mountain explorer or athlete, so when we began backpacking, I researched a ton to figure out the best ways to do things for not only myself but for my 10 year old son. Below I share some of the backpacking hacks and tips that I learned along the way by researching and asking every backpacking I could find and then by making the mistakes myself! If you are already to hit to road, don’t forget to check out our detailed Backpacking packing list with everything we take with us, as well as a FREE downloadable packing checklist for yourself.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Jump to a Heading Below

5 Practical Backpacking Tips for Beginners

Waterproof Your Backpack

No matter what you think the weather will be like, even here in Southern California where we are constantly in a drought there is always a need for a backpack rain cover. Shockingly, even when it’s super hot and dry in the valley you just never know what will happen while out in the mountains. Especially during the heat of summer, thunderstorms can pop up at any time. Better to prepare for weather extremes and hope for dry calm weather by making sure you have your pack cover handy.

Create an Effective (and Light) Layering System

Have a base, mid and outer layer that you can comfortably wear all at once; but make sure they’re easy to take on and off in response to weather changes.  My go to on the trail is always merino wool. The light base layer can be worn alone in the summer to help combat sun exposure and then additional layers added on to keep you warm as the sun goes down. Wool is warm and odor resistant, is an efficient insulator, and fights off bacteria that make you stinky. I’m a fan of wool year round.

Next for me, is a mid weight down jacket. In Southern California this is the most I typically need unless I plan to be camping in the snow (which I don’t!).

Hydrate BEFORE Your Trip

One of the biggest factors people forget when preparing for a backpacking trip is that for your body to function at an optimal level, you should be hydrated BEFORE you start your journey. This is especially true for people hiking in altitude or prone to altitude sickness. Make sure to start thinking about this a few days before your trip – load up on the water and electrolytes while cutting down on caffeine and sodas that can pull hydration from your body. 

Pro Tip: The better hydrated you are before your trip, the easier it will be to stay hydrated on your backpacking journey. We have found this especially helpful in high elevations where altitude sickness can pop up at any time. 

Bring a Change of Shoes

Even if you are planning to be an ultra lightweight backpacker, I promise you, your feet will be happy to have some fresh air and get a break from your hiking shoes. I bring my lightweight water shoes with me on hikes because they can double as hiking shoes on mellow flat terrain and give my feet the opportunity to breathe. My son takes a light pair of flip flops. These are also very useful in the middle of the night for potty breaks!

Test Your Food Before You Go

Everyone says to test out your food options before you go, but I get it, those pre-packaged dehydrated meals are expensive and who wants to waste them before you even need to eat them. People think that you will eat anything when you are exhausted and hungry. Wrong again. It is a common thing to lose your appetite while on big hikes, so it’s especially important to really like the food you bring. If you like it at home, you will like it on the trail. 

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Useful Backpacking Hacks for Everyone

I love that so many of these backpacking hacks are great for novice backpackers and experienced alike. It makes you think creatively about what you need and how you use things. The more you are out on the trails, the more you will learn as well. 

Best Hacks for Staying Lightweight

Even for those who are not considered ultra lightweight backpackers, there is always a quest to cut down on the pounds and reduce extra weight where possible. Here are a couple of our top tips for keeping the lbs down. To track how much all of your gear weighs, you can enter each item here and see where you can cut down. 

Buy Lightweight Gear

This is a no brainer, but buy the lightest gear you can afford other than your backpack. This is one that maybe you don’t want to skimp on with lightness because they tend to be less durable. Tents, a sleeping pad and sleeping bags are the places you can save the most on weight, but these are expensive the lighter you go. Buy as you go, or even consider renting.

The lighter you can go, the lighter shoes you can wear. One of the biggest trends of late is for thru-hikers to wear light weight trail running shoes. I agree with this trend and love my trail shoes . 

Use Smart Water Bottles

You might think using a Nalgene bottle is the way to go, but trust me, the best bottle for backpacking is the 1 liter Smart Water bottle. They are tall, skinny and light weight but stay stable for use over and over again unlike other plastic water bottles. Many water filters are designed with the Smart Water bottles in mind! (We love this one ). Although many people do like to use their Nalgene bottles with a headlamp to create ambient light in their tent.. That will be for you to decide if you want that extra weight or not!

Wrap Duct Tape Around Something

You never know when you might need a little bit of duct tape, but who wants to bring a big roll! Instead, wrap some around your trekking pole, a pill bottle or even your lighter for use in an emergency!

Vacuum Pack Your Food

An easy way to reduce your weight/volume of your pack is to vacuum seal your foods in flat packs so that you can pack more in the smaller bear boxes (if you need to use one) even for multi-day trips. The weight is the same, but the food will be flat and easier to pack. 

Best Backpacking Food Hacks

There are so many useful tips on how to pack your foods, what to eat and how to minimize your weight, but I will share our top tips here. 

Collect Condiment Packets and Salt & Pepper Packets

Before you begin your trip, start collecting the small condiment and salt & pepper packets that you get from fast food shops. These are great to carry along with you to jazz up boring food quickly!

Shop at Cost Plus World Market

Cost Plus World Market is a great place to find miniature bottles of hot sauce, cheese, salami and other shelf foods that are perfect for backpacking. 

Think Outside of Expensive Dehydrated Food Options

Dehydrated food options at REI and other outdoor shops are easy, but they are expensive. Consider alternative options that you can purchase at your regular grocery store. Some ideas include: tuna packs, instant potatoes, couscous, peanut butter powder, instant oatmeal, hot chocolate, etc.

Also, Trader Joes has a decent instant coffee with cream and sugar added. These are small and lightweight for those who just need a quick coffee boost. These only require boiled water and can be made in seconds!

Repackage Your Foods 

One of the biggest hacks that many people don’t think of is to repackage all of your foods. I know I mentioned the vacuum sealer above, but even if you don’t have one of those, it is really easy and important to pack all of your food in plastic bags that you can easily take out all of the air. Your food bag will have much more space once you get rid of rigid packaging. 

Unique Backpacking Packing Hacks

Keep your electronics in your sleeping bag during cold temperatures.

One of the worst things for battery life is cold temperatures. When camping in cold weather, make sure to put your electronics in the bottom of your sleeping bag to keep them nice and warm.

Extra Clothes

For the most part you do not need too many clothes while backpacking other than what you are wearing and a change of clothes in case yours get wet. Roll your clothes or use packing cubes. Better yet, use a lightweight dry bag as your clothes bag, which can then also keep your extra clothes dry or be used for wet stinky items. 

Medical First Aid Kit

This is one area that you don’t want to skimp on. Make sure to have the basics of each thing you need. Also include athletic tape like Rock Tape which can be used in a variety of ways. We always include a few tabs of antacid for upset stomachs and Benadryl tabs for allergic reactions. Also, moleskin and sheep’s wool to help protect any blisters or hot spots that might form.

Stay Comfortable with Great Hygiene Hacks

Personal hygiene.

Again the lighter the better, but you don’t want to skimp on personal hygiene. 

• Bring a lightweight bamboo toothbrush
• Use Bite toothpaste . Just a few little tablets and you will be good to go.
• If you need a little floss, just wrap it around your toothbrush in case you need a bit.
• Forgo the deodorant, but consider switching to Nuud deodorant (well) before your trip. This way you won’t smell, but also wont have the added weight. If you do have to take it with you, it’s small and light.
• Get used to a “wet wipe” bath – but remember you have to pack these back out with you as well!

The biggest hygiene hack is to wear wool clothes and socks. Wool is antibacterial which reduces smells. After 4 days of hiking, sweating and wearing the same clothes, I still did not smell only because all my clothes were wool! Merino wool can be surprisingly light weight and worn year round. It traps your body heat on cold nights when you need warmth and cools you down when you are hot. Bring only 1 change of spare clothes for short trips. 

Other Assorted Backpacking Hacks

A few other random backpacking hacks that you may or may not need depending on where you live and backpack. 

Create Your Own Fire Starters

My 10 year old son actually taught me this DIY fire starter trick! Soak cotton pads and/or cotton balls in melted wax to use as a fire starter. Once you have soaked it in wax, wrap it in plastic until it is fully absorbed. Now it is ready for when you need to start a fire.

Bear Canister Backpacking Hacks

If you are backpacking in California you will almost always need to take a bear container with you on a backcountry camping trip.

It is not unheard of for bears to walk off with a bear box. In highly active bear areas, considering adding reflective tape to your box so that it is easier to find at night. Some backpackers have even added a Tile in the box as a great way to keep track of it if a bear rolls it down a hill!

Lastly, if you rent or buy this type of box , consider taping a coin to the bottom of the container so you can always open it or better yet, make a necklace with a washer on it so you always have a “key” handy!

Remember To Adhere to Leave No Trace Principles

• Pack out everything you take in, including left over foods, toilet paper and other trash in plastic bags.
• Do not wash your dishes or yourself within 200 feet of clean water sources
• Do not go to the bathroom near a water source & dig a hole 6-8 inches for your solid waste
• Minimize campfire impacts by using camp stoves.
• Do not “create” a campsite by moving rocks and habitats. Instead find space that is already suitable.
• Be courteous to your fellow hikers

Happy Backpacking!

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GOBankingRates

11 Travel Hacks To Avoid in 2024

Posted: February 26, 2024 | Last updated: February 26, 2024

When it comes to traveling, frequent and casual travelers alike often look for ways to save money and time, or make the trip the best it can be. Common travel hacks include searching for flights in incognito tabs, traveling during the off-season, and using hotel booking sites to score the cheapest accommodations.

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While some of these travel hacks have served people well over the years, many of them either don't work anymore or don't work like they used to. Sometimes, these so-called travel hacks end up costing more money in the long run -- or they detract from the entire experience.

Before you book your next trip, here are 11 travel hacks to avoid in 2024, according to experts .

Hidden City Ticketing, aka Skiplagging

"Booking a flight with a layover at your actual destination, and then skipping the connecting flight will backfire because the airline will cancel the remaining parts of your ticket, leaving you stranded or facing additional fees," said Kat Fleishman , a luxury travel expert and CEO of Do-Tell PR .

This so-called travel hack referred to as "skiplagging" might seem more cost effective than booking a direct flight. However, you won't be able to check any bags if you do this. It's also technically legal, but could result in lost miles or lifetime bans from that specific airline.

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Buying a Cheap Flight Over a Pricier Train Ticket

You might save money by purchasing a cheap airplane ticket over a train ticket, but money isn't everything when it comes to traveling.

"Some train journeys may cost more than a cheap flight but the beauty of a train ride is the greater flexibility from the booking system to being able to jump off at a certain point in the journey -- much less stressful and also enjoyable," said Jessica Dante , a leading travel expert at Love and London. "Boarding is much also less hassle, there are no luggage restrictions and inevitably more leg room."

Plus, you could save money -- or at least break even -- by taking a train over a flight. Luggage fees can add up when you fly, and many airports are located far from the city center, which means you'll need to spend more money on a taxi or public transport to reach your destination.

Explore More: I'm a Luxury Travel Agent: 10 Destinations My Wealthy Clients Are Booking for 2024

Exchanging Money at the Airport

"Using currency exchange services at airports or hotels can be convenient, but they charge higher and hidden fees with really bad exchange rates compared to local banks or ATMs," said Fleishman. "It's better to withdraw local currency from ATMs or exchange money at local banks."

Traveling Only During the Off-Season

Off-season travel is often less expensive than any other time, but not always.

"There has been a lot of talk around the benefits of off-season travel recently, which presents this as a travel hack for getting the best prices. In some cases, visiting during these quieter periods can offer a unique and more affordable experience. However, sometimes, they are just less popular times to visit for a reason," said Jan Luescher, CEO of luxury travel social network, ASmallWorld .

"Visiting certain destinations during their quieter periods significantly limits what you can do there and causes you to miss out on some of the best things to do and see because they are not open or safe to visit at this time," she continued.

If you miss something you really wanted to do, it might require a second trip to the same place. Or you might not enjoy yourself quite as much as you'd hoped.

Booking Non-Refundable Accommodations Early

"While early bookings can secure lower rates, committing to non-refundable accommodations too far in advance puts a damper on flexibility," said Fleishman. "Plans can change, and unforeseen circumstances always arise, leading to potential financial loss. Always better to book a hotel with a flexible cancellation policy if you are booking in advance."

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Buying Cheap Airline Tickets but Ignoring Layover Times

"Traveling further afield often means catching a connecting flight and a common hack or tip for planning an indirect journey is checking the layover time to ensure it gives you enough time to disembark one flight and get onto the next," said Luescher.

But even if you account for the layover time, you might be forgetting a very important detail: The size and layout of the connecting airport.

"It's easy to get lulled in a false sense of security that because these connecting flights are available to buy, the layover time must be fine," Luescher continued. "However, each airport and airline can have very different rules for connecting travelers that require you to set aside different lengths of time."

Most international airports, for instance, have additional security checkpoints or requirements. You might even have to claim and recheck your luggage during the layover, depending on your destination. This can cut into your layover time quite a bit.

Some airports are also massive, so it could take you even more time to get to your gate. If you don't account for all of these factors, you could end up missing your flight -- and having to buy a new ticket.

On the flipside, if your layover time is substantial, you could end up wasting valuable time that cuts into your trip.

Getting Bulk Airline Miles

Airline miles, or frequent flyer points, rack up for frequent travelers. When you have enough of them, you can redeem them for discounted future flights, rental cars, accommodations and more.

But don't buy them in bulk to try to get more points quickly.

"Buying airline miles or loyalty points at a discounted rate is not OK by the airlines and there's a risk of having your account suspended or worse," said Fleishman.

Searching for Flights in Incognito Tabs

"A common travel tip people have been following for years is that you should search for flights in private Incognito mode and clear your browser cookies to see the lowest fares," said Mercedes Zach, travel expert at ASAP Tickets , part of Trevolution Group.

"This approach comes from the belief that airlines are using browser cookies to track your searches and will show you higher prices if you do several searches for a particular destination within a short period of time," Zach continued. "In reality, airfare pricing is dynamic and constantly fluctuates and Incognito mode has no impact on it."

Just because a price drops for a specific flight doesn't mean it's because of the way you searched for it. If you want to get the best fares, set up alerts on Google Flights or a similar platform.

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Using Free Wi-Fi

There are lots of hidden fees when it comes to traveling, so you might be tempted to find even small ways to save money. One such way is to use free Wi-Fi, but there are many scams that can end up costing you.

"Beware of hackers who set up fake Wi-Fi networks with names similar to legitimate hotel networks to trick travelers into connecting," said Fleishman. "Using unsecured networks can expose personal information. It's safer to use a hotel's official Wi-Fi or a virtual private network (VPN) for added security."

Booking Flights on Tuesdays

If you've been booking flights on Tuesdays in the hopes of saving money, chances are it isn't actually working.

"I have been with a flight booking agency for several years now and I cannot say for sure that Tuesdays are cheaper than other days. Flight fares are dynamic and constantly fluctuate," said Shreya Patel, marketing manager at Lowest Flight Fares . "A flight from Austin to Boston may cost you around $114 on a Tuesday and $89 on a Saturday."

Instead of booking flights based on the day of the week, compare different options around the time when you want to travel. Patel also suggested booking between 21 and 115 days before your trip for the best prices.

Dressing Nicely To Get Upgrades

Some travelers swear by this travel hack, but there's not much proof that it actually works.

"What you are wearing at the check-in counter has no influence on the agent. Moreover, the airline already decides where its passengers are going to sit before they even leave the house," said Patel.

"For example, British Airways' check-in automatically upgrades passengers if it is required, based on the ticket cost, frequent flyer status, whom you are traveling with or if you have any special needs," Patel said. "The agents on the ground can no longer upgrade you."

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17 Best Backpacking Hacks And Tips Every Backpacker Should Know

Want to up your backpacking game? Here are the best backpacking hacks you should know before you embark on your backpacking journey

Backpacking is easy, so I heard! You just have to put a few clothes, and some travel gear in a backpack and you’re ready to hit the outdoors!!

Though that might seem easy — I mean what else could you need to know other than trying to find budget accommodation, know where to find street food, or look out for epic hiking trails!

What if I told you that there are some incredibly useful backpacking hacks that you probably don’t know but should?

Well if you’ve been backpacking for years, chances are that you might have tried out these backpacking tricks on a number of occasions but if you’re still figuring out your way in the backpack sphere, these backpacking hacks will open your mind, and even make you start questioning yourself on how you made it work in the backpacking world without knowing these awesome tricks.

So in this post, I will be sharing with you all the backpacking hacks and tricks I’ve picked up along my backpacking journey in the quest to discover the world and I hope they’ll be useful to you too.

Best Backpacking hacks you probably never knew

Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned backpacker, these backpacking tips and tricks will come in handy!

1. Make Duck tape your friend

No, you’re not going to tie up someone — hopefully, it doesn’t come to that!

Seriously though, duck tape is extremely important when it comes to patching up stuff.

And since backpacking means going off the beaten path sometimes whether for a day’s hike or camping, some of your stuff can get torn or ruined.

This doesn’t mean throwing away your tent when it gets a tiny hole, just ” duck it up” and it will be good as before or at least close.

You can literally patch anything with just duck tape. From tents, shoes, pants, and plastics to backpacks.

I’ve even heard of some people that use it to cover blisters since the normal medical plasters can slide off when you over-sweat during a hike.

So you can see how important duck tape is to a backpacker. I actually think having duck tape with you all the time is one of the best backpacking hacks that unfortunately most backpackers ignore.

While at it, I would advise you to buy duck tape of dark colors, like this black one from Amazon . You don’t want to patch a black tent with light pink duck tape.

Related post: What to pack for a hostel

2. Invest in a good backpack

Can you even be a ”good backpacker” with a mediocre or utterly bad backpack? Of course not!

The first thing you should do before embarking on a backpacking trip is to invest in a good backpack. The backpack you buy will influence you a lot during your journey.

Now the definition of a ”good backpack” varies from individual to individual. You have to make sure that the one you buy suits your needs.

However, some of the qualities to look out for when buying a backpack include;

• Waterproof capability
• Full open! Does it have the ability to open like a suitcase?
• Does it come with a daypack or not?

All these are factors to consider when buying one. Even though it’s hard to find one that has all those qualities, there are some backpacks like this Osprey Atmos AG 65 that check almost all those functions.

Other backpacks that are not far behind the osprey include this Granite Gear Crown 2 60 Backpack   or this TETON Sports Explorer 4000 Internal Frame Backpack .

3. Keep your electronics in your sleeping bag

We all know how cold temperatures easily drain the battery of almost all electronics.

So what backpacking travel hacks should you use to make sure that it doesn’t happen?

Make sure that your electronics don’t stay out in the cold by taking them in your sleeping bag. This trick might sound weird but works like a gem.

Related post: Best backpacking tips for beginners plus mistakes to avoid

4. Roll your clothes don’t fold them

One of the best ultralight backpacking hacks while traveling is to roll your clothes instead of folding them.

Rolling them creates more space in the backpack and reduces the clustering of folding.

On top of that, rolling doesn’t leave behind those annoying lines that come from folding.

Related posts: Best hiking tips for beginners

5. Use the ”If it can’t fit in, I don’t need it” rule

One of the hacks for backpacking is the ”If it can’t fit in, I don’t need it” rule.

This rule can help you not to pack the heavy, big, and unnecessary travel items that you think you might need but actually don’t.

If you’re trying to put something in your backpack and it can’t fit in or it fits but it’s incredibly heavy, just remove it and move on to the next item.

Or if you badly need it, try looking for a lightweight substitute. If there is no substitute, then I guess you just gonna have to learn to live without it while on your backpacking trip.

6. Create your own fire starters

Though it’s easy to just grab fire starters from a store, sometimes you can just realize that you forgot to buy them just right before you make the fire.

But we can’t also ignore the fact that we as backpackers are trying to save any buck on all occasions so spending more on fire starters might not be something you want to do.

Wait! Don’t panic! There is a DIY way to make firestarters. Just get your cotton balls and dip them in wax (or Vaseline).

Wrap them in a plastic bag until the cotton fully absorbs the wax for some time.

And by the time you need to make a fire, they will be at your rescue since the cotton and wax are both highly flammable.

Related post: Important things to do before any trip

7. Use small plastic refillable bottles for liquids

As a backpacker, you’re all about carrying the lightest backpack ever, and achieving that doesn’t include carrying around heavy glass perfume bottles however cute they might look.

So the best backpacking hack for this is to use plastic refillable bottles. These can be used especially with perfumes, shampoos, or even creams.

You just need to buy a size that can accommodate the volume you will need for the time you’re traveling for.

These transparent plastic refillable bottles can accommodate perfume that can be used for 3-4 weeks.

Even though I’ve given an example of perfume, they can be used for literally anything and for that price, they’re so worth it.

But if you want something smaller and fancy, this one is a great choice .

Related post: Best camping tips for beginners

8. Carry items that can be used for a number of things

The common mistake some backpackers make , especially beginner ones is packing a different item for every little thing.

But if you want to advance as an efficient backpacker, then start packing travel items that have a number of uses.

Some of these travel items can include but are not limited to a scarf . Other than its real use of more warmth around the neck area, a scarf can act as an extra blanket, especially for those cold nights. You just need to make sure that you buy a big one like this.

These Convertible hiking pants can also work as full pants and shorts. Turn them into shorts when it gets hot and convert them back into long pants when it gets cold.

Also, this bandana can be really helpful! It can work as a sun protector, a water filter, or even as a hairband.

9. Repackage your food

We all know that packed food is always packaged in big air-filled packaging. Whether it is to give it the illusion of it being big or just the branding, all this is no use for a backpacker.

So what you should do is get some food zip locks like these ones to keep your food in.

Another backpacking trick is to make a tiny hole in the ziplock bag (if you go the DIY route) to remove the excess air that might make the food bag bigger.

Related post: Best tips for packing light

10. Get comfortable with a ”baby wipes bath”

As a backpacker, I’ve found myself taking a ”baby wipes bath” (yikes! Non-backpackers might be thinking, yiiiiikees!!).

But backpackers know that sometimes you can find yourself camping in areas with no water. And you don’t want to waste your little drinking water on a bath.

So the best thing to do is to always have baby wipes with you for those days you can’t take a proper shower. You will get refreshed with wipes I promise!

11. Invest in a travel luggage scale

Another backpacking trick that you’ll find useful is having the maximum weight of the luggage in your mind even before you start packing.

This means that when you realize that the intended weight is more than the actual weight, remove all the unnecessary items from your backpack that you might have packed.

This is where this travel luggage scale comes in to make sure that you don’t take more than you can carry especially during a hike.

12. Stay away from bright-colored clothes

Honestly, backpackers do not have the luxury of changing clothes every other day.

And since bright colors show dirt easily, making them impossible to recycle, I recommend you stay away from them.

You can always opt for clothes that are black, brown, dark blue, maroon, or any other color that doesn’t show every single dirt that falls on them.

13. Invest in packing cubes

Packing cubes are literally a backpacker’s best friend and a must-have for any kind of traveler.

You don’t have to turn your backpack upside down when looking for that dark blue tank top, all you have to do is buy these packing cubes and allocate tops in one packing cube, bottoms in the other, gadgets in the other, and so on.

On top of keeping your backpack organized, they will help you minimize what you pack.

14. Take a Spork

Instead of carrying separate spoons, forks, and knives, just bring this eco-friendly and lightweight spork .

This little tool will function as both spoon and fork hence helping you save space and carry unnecessary pieces of cutlery.

15. Dry Out Your Gear

If you find yourself backpacking or camping in the rain , your gear is likely to get wet! If that happens, take time to dry it out at night to prevent mildew.

16. Don’t Forget to Pack a Backpack Cover

While still talking about rain, another one of the best backpacking tips and hacks is to always have a backpack cover with you.

A sudden downpour can wet your gear, potentially ruining electronic equipment, food, clothing, and other items. And it’s not just rain! A backpack cover can protect your backpack from dust and dirt while hiking on dusty trails.

Some backpacks come with a cover but if yours doesn’t have one, then you can check out this one !

17. Layer Your Clothes

Layering your clothing is an absolute game-changer for any backpacking trip.

The secret behind it is that rather than stuffing your backpack with a few heavy items, you opt for lighter garments that can be layered on top of each other. Think of this as creating your own customizable insulation system that adapts as you backpack through varied temperatures.

This will allow for better temperature control, as you can add or remove layers as needed.

Final Thoughts on The Best Backpacking Tips and Hacks

With all these incredible backpacking hacks, I hope that your next backpacking trip will be easier and stress-free.

Do you have more backpacking tricks to share with other backpackers? Leave them in the comment section as we all advance in our backpacking journeys.

More tips to help you plan your trip

• How to plan a trip from the beginning
• Tips for staying in a hostel
• What to pack for a hostel
• Things to do before traveling
• Things not to do when you travel

Was this post on the best backpacking tips and hacks helpful? Then please consider sharing it with others

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This Genius Trick Helps Overpackers Like Myself Get ‘Extra Space’ in Their Suitcases — and It's Only $29 at Amazon

The world needs to know about this travel bag hack.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Travel + Leisure / Daisy Rodriguez

It may seem counterintuitive to tell you to pack an extra item to ensure that you have room in your carry-on for trip purchases, but trust me now and thank me later. As a frequent flier, I love traveling with only a carry-on . But sometimes, especially on trips to urban destinations, leaving room for my souvenirs isn't possible. That's why I always pack Wandf’s Foldable Duffel ; it's become my go-to hack for freeing up space in my suitcase. 

For my return flight, I like to throw all of my dirty laundry into the packable duffel bag and check it, and reserve the newfound space in my roller bag for all of my precious new purchases. That's why I call it my overflow or backup bag. But when I'm embarking on my trip, I fold it up neatly and tightly to easily stash it in my carry-on and stay within the allotted two-bag minimum on most airlines. 

Wandf Foldable Duffel Bag

The Wandf Foldable Duffel is available in four sizes, 24 inches, 28 inches, 32 inches, or 36 inches, so shoppers have their choice of carrying capacity to best accommodate their trip length and the amount of clothes that they've packed. Thanks to its handy compression capabilities, the bag can fold into itself and shrink down to as little as 10.5 inches by 2.9 inches. At this size, it takes up no more room than a beanie, folded rain jacket, or small purse would. And, its exceptional packability offers some give to smush even more under the approved weight of a carry-on suitcase or another item.

Though the water-resistant nylon material is durable, it is still very lightweight, which is why it's worth noting that this duffel bag shouldn’t really be used for any prized possessions or breakables, but it certainly offers plenty of space for clothing or miscellaneous (and soft) items. In fact, one Amazon reviewer said that she used hers to fit her “large Coleman sleeping bag" after deeming the "original stuff bag" that it came with to be "useless." She raved, "I found this foldable duffle bag and it totally fit the bill." 

For extra packing space, the large foldable duffel bag is outfitted with a dedicated shoe compartment (which you can use to squeeze in extra items), one interior zippered pocket, and one exterior zippered pocket, as well as an adjustable, detachable padded shoulder strap should you decide to carry it crossbody style; the convenient sleeve on the back allows the duffel to slide over your suitcase handles when you're on the move. Additionally, the top carrying handles make it easy to grab off of a moving baggage claim carousel, as well as when you're loading it in and out of your car or into and out of the plane's overhead bin.

When I purchased mine, I didn't realize how much I'd be using it, so I opted for the non-flashy gray version , but the Wandf Foldable Duffel comes in up to 12 different colors depending on the size that you opt for. Bolder hues like the fuchsia pink and lime green ones may be more easily recognizable on the luggage carousel if losing it is a concern.

In addition to being won over by its vast range of colors, Amazon shoppers have taken to the review section to praise the Wandf Foldable Duffel 's spaciousness, versatility, and packability. As of right now, it's racked up more than 4,000 five-star ratings from customers, one of whom shared that it "saved my trip to Asia as I bought a lot of miscellaneous goods and had no room in my suitcase to carry back to the Americas." They also added, "The material is tough enough to not rip as the bag was full to the brim when I brought it back and hauled it everywhere I went.”

And according to another traveler , it fits under most plane seats should you use it as a personal bag or an extra carry-on. Similarly, a third shopper highlighted that "the durable, good-looking bag expanded nicely and worked out really well as a second piece of luggage." And a final buyer said that they were "able to fit everything I wanted, plus I had extra space." 

If you’re a notorious overpacker and know that you won't have room for shopping once you shut that suitcase before your outbound flight, take a cue from my travel book and grab the Wandf Foldable Duffel . Or, keep scrolling to see some of the other top-rated packable duffels that are winning over Amazon shoppers. 

More Duffel Bags at Amazon: 

Bago foldable duffel bag with shoe compartment, gonex large foldable travel duffle bag, legend foldable travel duffle bag, redcamp foldable travel bag .

At the time of publishing, the price started at $29. 

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