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13 Easy Minimalist Packing Tips for Travel
Do you ever find yourself staring at a mountain of clothes and gadgets before a trip, feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone. In a time where we are constantly bombarded with ‘must-haves,’ it can be liberating to dial down and adopt a minimalist approach to travel.
In this post, I will be sharing my top minimalist packing tips that I have developed through my extensive experience as a minimalist traveler. Through multiple long trips, I have only had about a 25-liter backpack with me.
This post is just about general packing tips, it’s not a minimalist packing list. If that’s what you’re looking for, you should check out my minimalist travel packing list for women instead.
Best Minimalist Packing Tips
1. Start minimalist travel in summer
Summer is the perfect time to start practicing minimalist travel. The warm weather usually means you can get away with packing less clothes, and the clothing you bring is not as bulky.
Don’t get me wrong, you can totally travel as a minimalist in winter, I’ve done it myself. But I think the first minimalist packing trip should be in summer. It’s easier and you’ll get a feel for how liberating it is to travel with just one small bag.
So, starting in summer will give you a good foundation for transitioning into cold-weather packing. You’ll have a better understanding of what items you truly need and use, and what you can do without. Then you can easily travel minimally in spring, fall, and winter as well.
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2. Make sure you have the right bag
A good minimalist travel bag is crucial for minimalist travel. It should be lightweight, durable, and have enough compartments to keep your items organized. I also really like bags with an outside pocket for a reusable water bottle, as I bring mine on every trip.
And most important of all, it shouldn’t be too big otherwise it’s easy to overpack. It’s easier to bring less stuff if you have a smaller bag.
A good minimalist backpack is usually the best choice. It allows you to carry everything on your back and keeps your hands free. For a long time, I traveled with my old school bag, so it doesn’t need to be fancy. Currently, I use a 25-liter Patagonia backpack.
When traveling by plane, check carry-on size restrictions. Decide if you want to pay the extra cost for a carry-on luggage item or if a personal item bag is enough.
I prefer traveling with just a personal item bag that fits under the seat in front of me. Don’t forget to empty your water bottle before airport security.
3. Use packing cubes
Packing cubes are a game-changer for minimalist traveling. They help keep your clothes and other items organized and compact.
I have one packing cube for my clothes and one for my electronics. So, everything has its place in my backpack and is organized.
Another tip is to roll your clothes instead of folding them, it’s a great way to minimize wrinkles and save space.
🎒🌏 Share your packing tips in my free Facebook group for minimalist travel!
4. Wear your bulkiest outfit for travelling
Wear your bulkiest outfit while traveling to save space in your backpack.
If you’re traveling to a colder destination, wear your bulkiest outfit on the plane. This will save space in your bag and keep you warm during the flight.
And if you’re going hiking on your vacation, wear your hiking boots while traveling and pack a smaller pair of shoes in your small carry-on bag. Or switch to minimalist travel shoes, they take up less space in the backpack.
5. Bring outfits that you can mix up
When packing clothing for a trip, it’s important to choose items that are versatile and can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits. This does not mean that you can’t wear colorful clothing, but sticking to one color scheme helps them coordinate better.
You can create a so-called capsule wardrobe for every season. Read here, how I create my colorful winter capsule wardrobe.
Also, opt for lightweight, quick-drying materials that can be easily washed and worn again. This will minimize the amount of clothing you need to bring.
Most people add Merino wool items to their travel wardrobe, I never wear Merino wool as I’m vegan and I really don’t think it’s necessary at all.
6. Start wearing layers
Instead of packing bulky sweaters and jackets, start wearing layers. This will not only save space in your bag but also allow you to adjust to changing temperatures easily.
Wear a base layer made of breathable material, then add on a light jacket or cardigan, and finish with a raincoat or windbreaker if necessary.
7. Bring clothes for a maximum of one week of travel
No matter how long your trip is, try to pack enough clothes for a maximum of one week. This means you’ll have to do laundry at some point, but it’s worth it to not overpack.
Remember, you don’t usually have to wash every item of clothing after wearing it once. I pack 7 pairs of underwear and do laundry when I run out. I bring around 3 to 4 T-shirts and wear them multiple times before washing.
If you’re staying in an apartment chances are high that there is a washing machine and laundry detergent there. In case there isn’t, just look for the nearest laundrette.
8. Lay everything out on the floor before packing
Before putting everything in your bag, lay it out on the floor. This will give you an overview of what you’re bringing and allow you to make any necessary adjustments.
It also helps to see if all your clothes go together and if there are things that can be left behind. Remember, less is more when it comes to minimalist travel.
9. Minimize your toiletries
Toiletries can easily take up a lot of space in your bag. To minimize, try to bring multi-purpose products such as a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner or a face wash that also works as a body wash.
Try using dry toiletry items, such as a shampoo bar instead of liquid shampoo and a body butter instead of body lotion. This way, you won’t have to worry about liquids at airport security and your toiletries will be lighter.
A great way that I minimize my travel toiletries is by not wearing any make-up.
10. Only bring essential electronics
Electronics can also take up a lot of space and weight in your bag. Only bring the essentials you really are going to use. Don’t bring your camera if you only take photos with your phone anyway. And only bring your laptop if it’s really necessary.
This doesn’t mean don’t bring any electronics, of course. Bring your phone and a power bank to charge it while exploring new cities. Consider bringing an e-book reader for holiday reading, it’s usually more lightweight than a paper book.
Don’t forget to bring a travel adapter if you travel to a destination with different plug sockets.
11. Don’t pack ‘just in case’ items
One of the biggest mistakes in minimalist packing is bringing ‘just in case’ items. Trust me, you won’t need them and they’ll just take up unnecessary space.
You won’t go to a gala dinner while on a beach vacation, you won’t go on a multi-day hiking trail when you do a city trip. I hope those exaggerations make clear what I mean.
Only bring what you know you will use or wear. If there are any emergencies or unexpected situations, chances are you can find what you need at your destination.
Also, keep your travel essentials really to the essentials you’ll use a lot during your next trip.
12. You don’t need to buy new things
It can be tempting to buy travel-specific items, such as a special quick-drying towel, special travel outfits, or a specific backpack. But these are not necessary and can add extra weight and expenses.
Instead, pack things that you already have at home. A regular towel will work just fine and your trusted old small backpack will do the job. Plus, using what you already own can save you money for your actual travels.
In the long run, you might realize that you need some new specific items. But for the start, it’s a good idea to just use what you already have anyway.
13. Use a checklist
If you feel unsure about your first minimalist travel trip, get this free minimalist packing checklist to make sure you have everything you need. This will help prevent overpacking and ensure you have all the essentials for your trip.
Final thoughts: Minimalist Travel Packing Tips
Remember, the key to minimalist travel packing is to only bring what you really need and leave behind unnecessary items.
Use packing cubes, layer your clothing, and choose versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched.
Don’t forget to lay everything out before packing and use a checklist to stay organized. And most importantly, enjoy your travels with a light and clutter-free backpack. Happy packing!
🎒🌏 Learn more packing tips and hacks in my free Facebook group for minimalist travel!
Read More:
- Minimalist Packing Checklist for Women
- Ultimate Minimalist Packing List For Women
- 13 Easy Minimalist Packing Tips for Travel
- Minimalist Packing For Winter For Women
- Best Tips for Minimalist Toiletries for Travelling
- My 13 Favourite Minimalist Travel Accessories
- Best Minimalist Shoes for Travel: Comfortable & Stylish
- Best Minimalist Backpacks for Travel (Carry-On Size)
- Packing List for Europe in Spring (Carry-On Bag Only)
- Honest TrustedHousesitters Review + Tips & Discount Code
- An Honest Suri Toothbrush Review
- Can I Bring A Water Bottle On A Plane? Bring a Reusable One!
- Can You Take an Electric Toothbrush on a Plane? Yes!
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