one suitcase travel

How to Travel With Just One Bag, According to Reddit

Worried about checked bag fees consider honing the art of minimalist packing with tips gleaned from reddit..

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Forget about packing check-in luggage—focus on traveling with just one bag.

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Attention all chronic overpackers: We hear you and see you, but there’s really no need to pack 20 pairs of underwear for a four-day trip. Let’s face it—some of us have travel anxiety, and we take it out on our poor suitcases, stretching those zippers to their limits. But with ever-increasing fees and weight limits , maintaining an overpacker’s lifestyle (which requires at least a checked bag) is dubious at best. The solution? Forcing yourself to travel with just one bag, with advice courtesy of r/OneBag .

When we’re faced with a problem nowadays, most turn to the internet for an answer. And there’s no better way to crowdsource a solution than via the communities of Reddit. Here, visitors can find dozens of subreddits devoted to travel, like r/DigitalNomad , r/TravelHacks , r/SoloTravel , r/Shoestring and, of course, r/OneBag, which describes itself as “a minimalist urban travel community devoted to the idea of lugging around less crap.” Getting input and reading about the experiences of seasoned travelers is critical. But learning how to get the most out of those experiences while not drowning in excess toiletries and clothing? One might call that advice invaluable.

So, get out there with the freedom to travel unburdened, and remember, don’t pack your fears !

Traveling with one bag may seem like an impossibility. But with a little savvy planning, anything can happen.

Photo by qoppi/Shutterstock

What is one-bag travel?

One-bag travel is self-explanatory: It’s traveling with one bag. No check-in suitcase—just the one piece of luggage that you carry on to the plane. What’s the point? There are several benefits to one-bag travel:

• Freedom: Traveling with one bag physically frees you up and allows you to more easily navigate your new, exciting destination.
• Peace of mind: There’s less of a chance that your luggage will be lost by the airline (or that you may simply lose track of a suitcase) if you stow it in an overhead compartment.
• Budget-friendly: Forget about checked bag fees.
• Save time: No need to mope and sigh around the baggage carousel anymore. Simply disembark, bypass the baggage carousel, and go straight to your hotel with all of your stuff. Plus, since you’ll be traveling lighter, it will take less time to pack and unpack.
• Safety: For those who like to travel solo, packing your things in one bag is a great way to keep you and your personal belongings as safe as possible. With everything all in one place, it will be easier to keep track of your things.

Of course, there is a small con when it comes to one-bag travel: Since you’ll be traveling with carry-on baggage only, you’ll have to abide by TSA regulations when it comes to liquids. So, don’t plan on bringing back a souvenir bottle of wine or liquor when one-bagging.

Focus on packing a little less than you need and washing—and buying—any additional items you need at your destination.

Photo by Svitlana Hulko/Shutterstock

How do you even travel with only one bag?

Chronic overpackers might find the idea of using just one bag while traveling absolutely preposterous. But all it takes is some savvy planning .

Of course, not everyone will be able to comfortably take a monthlong European vacation with one Fjällräven Kȧnken backpack. But for those who master the art of traveling as free as can be, the pros outweigh the cons.

The bulkiest thing in everyone’s luggage is clothing. And though it’s not advisable to bring just one outfit for a trip, there are ways to bring less. Consider packing fewer pairs of underwear than you need and washing dirtied unmentionables in the hotel bathtub or in a wash bag . These biodegradable, pocket-sized detergent sheets make the chore easier. Investing in a few pairs of merino wool socks or other clothing items is also a great idea; thanks to wool fiber’s hydrophobic properties , B.O. particles have a hard time absorbing into wool clothing, so you can wash them less often.

It’s a good idea to wear your biggest and bulkiest items, such as jackets or boots, on the plane—they’ll keep you warm in that chilly cabin air. To save room inside your bag, invest in a few synthetic-fabric pieces , which are easier to roll or fold compactly (rolling is believed to save even more space than folding, but to each their own) than traditional fabrics, have greater moisture-wicking properties, and tend to dry more quickly. For environmentally friendly alternatives (polyester, acrylic, and nylon fabrics are some of the biggest contributors to microplastic pollution ), you might purchase plant-based linen, Lyocell, rayon, bamboo, or viscose clothing, which behave a lot like their synthetic cousins.

Since shoes cannot be folded, we suggest you make do with the pair you’ll wear on the plane. Pack a compact pair of slippers or sandals if you’ll need them.

As for toiletries , solid shampoo, lotion, conditioner, and bar soap are your friend. Lush has a wealth of bar-based beauty products, but brands like New Zealand–based Ethique (which also happens to be 100 percent plastic-free) and vegan-friendly Obia are great options. Not only do solid bars pack neatly, but also you won’t have to worry about them exploding in your bag. Plus, rather than bring all the toiletries you need with you, pack the essentials and buy anything else you might need at a local pharmacy at your destination. Who knows, you might find yourself a fan of a new Italian toothpaste .

Electronics also pose a packing problem—it might be worth it to invest in low-weight laptops and tablets if you know you’ll be on the move a lot. A multiport adapter is allows you to bring a single charger for all of your tech. As you’re packing, ask yourself: Do I really need this piece of electronic equipment? Do I need to bring my handheld gaming system? Or should I focus on connecting with the culture around me?

One of a traveler’s most important decisions: Which bag should you bring?

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The best luggage to buy to one-bag travel

While the internet can give you all the tips in the world, what luggage to buy for one-bag travel is a decision that only you can make.

One way to make it easier, per r/OneBag , is deciding which camp you fall into: Would you rather “buy a bag and tailor your packing list to fit into it, or box up your finalized packing list and measure L x W x H of it all and look for a bag with similar dimensions?”

Either way, there are a couple of things to consider when choosing a single bag. Do you have a format preference: a backpack, a duffle bag, or a suitcase? If it’s the latter, is it important to you to have four wheels over two? Would you prefer a soft or hard shell? Regardless of what kind of bag you choose, consider which airlines you commonly fly. Do they have stringent baggage policies, or are they more generous with baggage weight?

Here are some bag options frequently recommended by Redditors:

Duffel bags

Cotopaxi’s Allpa 70L Duffel Bag and Patagonia’s Black Hole Duffel Bag (which comes in 40L, 55L, 70L, and 100L) are perennial faves on the message board. The rugged bags are made of weather-resistant, recycled materials and can either be hand-carried or worn like a backpack (the straps for either option are stowable and removable).

Scrolling through the subreddit, you’ll notice that backpacks are the preferred system for one-baggers. And there are so many choices. One that pops up frequently is the Bellroy Transit Backpack Plus because it meets carry-on restrictions, has a removable sternum strap and hideaway waist belt to take the strain off your shoulders, and boasts internal compression straps to reduce bulk. Other much-loved options include the Osprey Farpoint and Fairview family of travel packs and the 40L Tortuga Backpack. For those looking for a hybrid roller/backpack, the wheeled versions of these bags also have good reviews . For something smaller, Redditors suggest Cotopaxi’s Allpa 35L Travel Pack because it’s lightweight and features a full-wrap zipper like a suitcase or the 30L version of Tortuga’s bag.

A hybrid backpack/suitcase

Baboon to the Moon ‘s collection of Go-Bags comes in a wide array of seasonal colors and sizes. Both the Small and Mini comply with TSA’s carry-on requirements while the Big would best be suited for local trips that don’t require a flight. The Go-Bag can be either worn as a backpack or carried like a duffel bag.

r/OneBag enthusiasts aren’t super keen on suitcases—the wheels make the bag heavier, and they’re not as easy to move through crowded streets or over cobblestones. But, if they were to pick one, it would be the Briggs & Riley Compact Carry-On Spinner or Away’s The Carry-On . Both have sizes that meet the carry-on limits of most airlines and lifetime limited warranties.

Keep these tips and tricks in mind while planning your one bag excursion.

Photo by everst/Shutterstock

One-bagging travel hacks

• Use packing and compression cubes : Easily keep your clothes separate from your power cords (or, more important, your dirty from your clean underwear) with these organizational bags. They’re particularly handy because they make it easier to pull out exactly what you need (as opposed to emptying your bag in search of your tweezers). The compression bags also help squish items into more manageable packages—it won’t save you any weight, but it’ll give you more space.
• Choose a rectangular-shaped bag : Because compression cubes are usually rectangular, it’s better to use a similarly shaped bag to maximize packing efficiency.
• Bring a carabiner : A carabiner clipped to the outside of your bag can be useful; it can hold an extra pair of shoes, a water bottle, a hat, or a jacket—though that might be cheating a bit...

Above all, remember that you don’t need to pack for every eventuality. Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you’re going to be a radically different person than at home, so pack what you’ll use—and nothing more.

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Home » Gear » one bag travel

One Bag Travel: How to Become the ULTIMATE Minimalist (2024)

In an attempt to be  prepared for anything , overpacking is the most common mistake travellers make. After years of travelling, I’ve realised that One Bag Travel  is the best way to travel light.

In this guide, I’ll go over the best one bag travel backpacks, how to pack like a minimalist, and what I pack on my backpacking trips. I mean, essentially it’s about taking less stuff whilst making sure you’ve got all the gear you actually need!

My goal is to help you forego the pain, back sweat, and baggage check-in fees that come with packing too much. Travel is about freedom, discovery, and experiences, and it’s hard to be free when you’re weighed down by heavy bags and possessions you won’t use.

Forget checked luggage, pack lighter and embrace the freedom that comes with carry on travel!

Frankly, one bag travel is an art. It’s about curating, refining, and minimising your set-up. Onebagging is more than a way to pack and travel, it’s a community and lifestyle devoted to the idea of packing fewer, higher-quality items to make life simpler… as well as avoiding checked luggage fees!

My ability to “one bag travel” has become a part of my day-to-day life. I now make a point to invest in better quality items than a bunch of crap that ends up in a landfill. Here I’ll not only include the best bags, but also my packing lists too.

Quick Answers: Best Bags for One Bag Travel

Top things to look for in one bag travel backpacks, the best one bag travel backpacks, how to pack for one bag travel, my one bag travel packing list, faq about the best one bag travel.

• Nomatic 40L Travel Bag – Best Backpack for One Bag Travel
• Tortuga Travel Pack – Best Urban Travel Bag
• Harber London Weekend Bag – Best Duffel For One Bag Travel
• AER Travel Pack 3 – Best One Bag Travel Runner-up
• REI Ruck Sack 40 – Best Hiking Backpack for One Bag Travel
• Boundary Supply Prima System – Best Photography Backpack for One Bag Travel
• Tropicfeel Shell – Best Hanging Wardrobe Backpack

Nomatic Travel Bag 40L

• > Carry On Compliant
• > Endless features

Tortuga Travel Pack

• Price > $$$
• > lockable YKK zippers
• > weather-resistant finish

AER Travel Pack 3

• > Shoe pocket
• > Many different storage areas

Harber London Weekender

• > Perfect for one bag travel
• > Stylish and hard wearing

REI Ruck Sack 40

• > Affordable
• > Classic rucksack look

Boundary Supply Prima System

• > Multiple Uses
• > Modular System

Tropicfeel Shell

• > Completely waterproof
• > Great internal packing cube system

Ready to learn more about the beauty of one bag travel? Great! But first, let’s cover the most important item in this art form, the bag itself. Get ready to discover unfettered freedom with the ultimate one bag travel backpack.

Start with the Right Sized Bag

People tend to fill the space they have when it comes to packing. If you give yourself less, space, you’ll be forced to pack less stuff! Choose a carry on sized bag and you’ll end up travelling lighter while simultaneously avoiding baggage claims and checked baggage fees.

40-liters is the sweet spot for carry-on travel backpacks . All of the backpacks I’ve reviewed below are the carry-on size and abide by TSA guidelines, so you can zip through the airport with ease and avoid the pain and cost of checked luggage and the queues at baggage claim.

In order to pack lighter and take advantage of the convenience of carry on travel, you should have a look at some packing lists to get an idea of what more seasoned travellers take so you can avoid carrying unnecessary items. Also, pick up some good packing cubes to organise everything properly.

Look for Multi-Functionality

If this is the only bag you are travelling with, you want it to work in multiple situations – urban travel, day hikes, as a laptop bag, etc. On that note, no backpack can do it all the best. You won’t find an incredible hiking backpack that doubles as a commuter, and that’s okay.

Just assess how you travel and go from there and pick the best one bag travel backpack that suits your needs. From rolling luggage to front-loading packs and those with a dedicated laptop compartment, as long as you pack lighter then you’re on to a winner!

Comfort Matters Most

It doesn’t matter how cool or stylish your bag is. If it isn’t comfortable, you won’t want to use it. Below are some things you should consider:

Torso Size and Length –  Travel Backpacks have a torso measurement to help you find one that will have the most comfortable fit. Men’s and women’s packs are different. Generally, women have a shorter torso than men, so women’s travel backpacks have less distance between the shoulder straps and hip belt.

Shoulder Straps and Hip Belt Comfort – You’ll want to look for padded and comfortable shoulder and hip straps that can be further customised to your shape and size. Women-specific travel backpacks have curved shoulder straps and a sternum strap designed to better fit female chests. The shoulder straps are often set a little closer together since women tend to have narrow shoulders and neck.

Don’t underestimate the importance of a comfortable hip belt. This is what helps take weight off of your shoulder so you can walk, hike, and climb comfortably, even with 35+ pounds, not that you’ll be carrying that much like a minimalist traveller 😉

The hip belt helps keep the pack closer to your centre of gravity so the load is better balanced against your back. Women’s hip belts often have extra padding and a slightly narrower hip belt to help the weight distribute evenly across your hips.

Finally, if you are investing in an urban travel bag, test out how the straps stow-away, as pictured below. Personally, I would avoid rolling luggage unless you really do struggle with carrying your pack as it just adds extra weight.

Materials and Durability

Aside from the perfect fit, durability is the next most important thing to look for in the best travel backpacks for women . You are investing in this backpack, and you want to make sure it’s going to last!

Your travel bag will be exposed to rain, puddles or leaks, so make sure your travel bag is strong, durable, and made from waterproof material.

Buying a backpack is an investment, and spending a little extra money for rip-proof and waterproof materials, and hardy zippers are important. Bonus points if the backpack comes with a lifetime warranty.

Note: Generally, the more durable the material the heavier it is too. Weight and durability are a trade-off, so figure out what matters most to you.

Opening Style

How your travel backpack opens will determine the convenience, accessibility, and practicality of a pack.

I’m personally not a fan of top-loading backpacks only, even for hiking backpacks, which should at least have front or side access too. It’s nice to have a travel backpack that zips open like a suitcase to pack and unpack your things. Multiple access points will help you stay organised too.

Personally, I would go for a front-loading pack whether I’m backpacking for months on end or just going on a trip for two weeks as it makes everything so much easier.

Organisation

The best travel bags have a well-thought-out design, so you don’t have to think twice about where to find your things. You can also keep your bag organized with packing cubes and a toiletry bag.

Security and Protection

If you’re only travelling with one bag, then all of your prized possessions are going to be in one place. Make sure your passport, computer, and tech are well protected! Have a look for a dedicated laptop compartment and locking zips which are particularly important for carry on travel.

Below, I individually review the best travel backpacks for one bag travel. These bags are multi-functional and carry on travel compliant (i.e. 45 litres and under). They also protect your gear and check off the most important boxes: comfort, durability, and function all whilst making it easier to pack lighter.

Next, I’ll give you my BEST tips for packing light without sacrificing style and comfort. Then, I’ll finish this guide with my packing list, including things I’ve dropped from my packing list to become more minimal, making one bag and carry on travel so much easier.

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Now, for just $30, get a lifetime membership that entitles you to 10% OFF on most items, access to their trade-in scheme and discount rentals .

Best Backpack for One Bag Travel

This bag was made for people who live out of one bag.

Nomatic bags  are designed to be modern, sleek, and efficient. This is accomplished by an extremely thoughtful design and tons of organizational and accessibility points, hidden pockets, high-quality tarpaulin and ballistic weave materials, and so much more.

Some of my favourite features include the separate shoe compartment (because who likes to store their dirty shoes next to their personals), book pocket, and dedicated laptop compartment and tablet section. I also like that this backpack easily transforms into a duffel bag.

It is exactly 40 litres, making it carry-on compliant just about anywhere.

Whether you are travelling for a business trip or you are a Digital Nomad travelling the world, this will keep your laptop and valuables secured all while looking stylish. Plus, you’ll have more pockets and sleeves than you know what to do with.

For more details and information on all of the pack’s features, read our full review of the  Nomatic Travel Bag !

UPDATE for 2021:  Nomatic no longer sells or does business in the European Union, which is an unfortunate development. Those living in the EU should consider the next bag instead…

• Carry On Compliant
• Endless features
• Organization Galore
• Urban environments only

Is the Nomatic Bag 40 Litres for you?

If you are a modern traveler who spends a lot of time on the road, the Nomatic Travel Bag is going to be one of the best one bag travel pieces you own. It was designed specifically for people who live on the road. Few bags are more functional than this one.

The Tortuga Travel Pack is easily one of the best carry-on travel backpacks on the market. The materials on this bag include SHELL200D Recycled Polyester with a weather-resistant finish and lockable YKK zippers.

Awesome features include front-loading and the main compartment that opens like a suitcase, a padded and removable hip belt, padded and hideaway shoulder straps with moulded foam, and weather-resistant material.

It is 40-litres, giving you extra space if you need it, but be careful when packing this bag full if you want to stay carry on compliant.

The Tortuga Setout features a TSA-friendly laptop sleeve that allows you to leave the device in your backpack while going through security.

This is an amazing backpack built for efficient, on-the-go travellers.

• Perfect for one bag travel
• The main compartment has plenty of space
• Organisation Galore
• Urban environments
• Not as feature-rich as others

Is the Tortuga Bag for you?

This bag is perfect for one bag travel. It’s carry on compliant, protects your gear, and can double as a day to day city bag.

Aer Travel Pack 3

The Aer Travel Pack 3 is what digital nomad one bag dreams are made of. It has a laptop sleeve, side handle, and opens wide for easy access.

There’s no need to make the difficult decision about which single pair of shoes to bring, because the Aer Travel Pack 3 has a dedicated shoe area. Bring your climbing shoes along without storing them next to your clean clothes.

As long as you don’t throw the Travel Pack 3 into a meat grinder or off of a thousand-foot cliff, it should last for 10-15 years at least. The 1680D Cordura ballistic nylon exterior (not waterproof) feels like it can take a beating without showing any signs of wear.

The zippers on all of the 3 main compartments can be locked for additional security. This is great for coffee shops, airports, trains, and even sitting on crowded buses. There’s no need to tempt pickpockets.

You can read the Aer Travel Pack review here .

Even though we recommend the AER to European travellers, Americans can also get it; the backpack is available worldwide! It’s just a great overall backpack and is great for those who miss out on the Nomatic.

• Shoe pocket
• Many different storage areas
• Side handles
• Carry on approved
• Small water bottle area
• Not waterproof
• No raincover

Is the Aer Travel Pack 3 for me?

The Aer Travel Pack 3 is for travellers who value one-bag travel with a well thought out bag design.

The Shell by Tropicfeel is a relatively new find to us at the Broke Backpacker but may just have changed the very fact of one bag travel. Firstly, the Tropicfeel Shell has an adjustable capacity extending from a 22L day pack to a full 40L carry-on, overnight, weekend sized pack. This saves you from having to bring a second pack to use for day trips and visits to the beach. Result.

The next awesome feature is that it literally comes with a built-in hanging wardrobe! You pack your clothes neatly into the mesh wardrobe, pop it inside the Shell and then unpack it and hang it up once you arrive at your destination! It’s easy to organise all the items from your packing list with this feature.

It’s a great bag for those who like to travel neat and also for business people who kind of need to stay presentable and organised. It’s made from fully sustainable materials making the Shell an all-round hit with us at The Broke Backpacker.

• Ideal for one bag travel
• Comes with a hanging wardrobe!
• Adjustable size
• Not ideal for hiking
• Not the most versatile

Is The Tropicfeel Shell For You?

If you are after an adjustable bag with a hanging wardrobe inside, then this is really the one and only bag for you! If neither of those features appeals to you, then there are more suitable packs! on this list. Simple

There’s no such thing as a great weekend without some high-quality leather right? (or is that just me…). This do-it-all leather weekend bag from Harber London delivers all your one bag travel needs no matter the itinerary with unmatched handmade details. Every inch of this bag was thoroughly inspected and tested to deliver years of epic trip taking. 

A water bottle holder is one of seven outer pockets. Then take advantage of the front zippered pockets or wide side openings to keep the main compartment zipped for the little things.

Once it’s time to go inside the main compartment, microsuede cushioning protect your valuables and finish off this quality bag. This bag is stylish, functional, hardwearing and made for the road. But alas, it does not come cheap…

• Stylish and hard wearing
• Simple to pack
• May fit in overhead compartments

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This bag has plenty of organizational compartments and thought out innovation as well as a supportive back panel, ventilated mesh padding, and a sternum strap. REI’s rugged rucksack is both a travel bag and a hiking bag, making it excellent for one bag travel!

They have a men’s and women’s version, so that the harness straps, hip belt, back support, and torso length can fit properly depending on one’s body type.

The hip belt is padded and wide enough to off real support, and the easy-to-remove top lid works great as a day pack or smaller bag to keep valuables when you’re on a plane, bus, or even in a tent!

The compartments are easy to reach due to full-zip designs and multiple access points. The sleeve along the back panel is designed to hold a hydration sleeve or laptop.

Perhaps the best feature is its build, which allows you to fill this bag with a ton of things, seemingly much more than 40 litres worth. When packed full, it is still well-balanced and sits comfortably on the hips.

I love this backpack and think it’s one of the best travel backpacks if you plan on doing some serious hiking on your travels. Talk about one bag travel! This bag works in all environments. My boyfriend uses this men’s version pack for all of our 5-day hiking trips as well as international travel.

• Classic rucksack look
• Good pocket organisation
• Great ventilation/back support
• No laptop compartment
• Preferable for hikers/campers

Is the REI Co-Op Rucksack the best bag for you?

Looking for a 40-litre travel bag that you can hike with. (Others claim they’re designed for travel, but the shape and fit say otherwise…) The REI  Rucksack is well-designed, comfortable, and durable. It will do everything you need it to for your travels or camping.

Wait… a camera bag that is a functional travel backpack? Yup. The Boundary Supply Prima-System backpack uses unique modules for organizing all of your items. It’s much lighter than most photography backpacks but still keeps your gear secure.

Moreover, you don’t  have to use this bag for photography, it’s just versatile enough to do so.

This is a great backpack set apart by its modular design. When you buy this backpack, you are also investing their included modules, the Verge and Fieldspace , for ultimate organization and storage.

While the  Verge is primarily used to protect camera gear in the main compartment, it can easily be used for other items or removed entirely.

This bag has side access to the main module/compartment as well as top access, a small front pocket and hidden pocket for valuables, a comfortable strap system, and a separate laptop compartment that is easy to access even when the bag is full.

Moreover, its unique design and magnetic straps make it perfect for commuting and travelling securely on the day-to-day. I’ve used this bag for a day out at the coffee shop, and week-long international trips.

The main drawback is that it only has one water bottle pocket that doubles as a tripod holder. This is fine if you are just using this bag to carry a water bottle, but a bummer if you are trying to carry both…

At 35L it’s also not quite big enough for a full photographer set-up AND full travel packing list, but if you’re going light and one bagging it, well, it’s perfect. If you’re just away for a short trip, the Boundary Supply Errant Bag might be better fitted.

• Multiple Uses
• Modular System
• 35L might be too small for some
• Only one side pocket for water bottle/tripod

Is the Boundary the best bag for you?

The bag’s low profile and minimalism make it great for commuting and riding public transportation, biking, travelling, and more.

If you are looking for a camera backpack for everyday use and travel, this bag is perfect! Check out our full review of the prima system  to learn more about this awesome backpack.

Nomatic Travel Pack – For the Ultra Minimalist

The slightly smaller Nomatic Travel Pack is another great offering from Nomatic and it’s perfect if you truly want to embrace the minimalist style!

This 20-litre daypack can be expanded to 30 litres, making it extremely adaptable for travel… if you travel light. An internal zip-shut mesh divider means you can keep clean and dirty clothing separate, and there are a compression packing cube and separate shoe compartment incorporated.

If that wasn’t enough, the bag also contains a separate area for a tablet and laptop of up to 15” which is TSA approved as it lays flat. It comes with plenty of pockets like a business bag, including a pocket with RFID-blocking technology to protect your electronic data!

My only qualm is that this backpack does not fit under aeroplane seats or in the overhead bins of smaller budget airplanes when it is packed to the brim (30-liters!). If you think you’re going to use this bag at its 30-litre capacity more than as a daypack, then I suggest buying the Nomatic 40-litre travel bag.

UPDATE for 2021 : Nomatic is not available for purchase for those living in the EU.

• Internal divider
• RFID-blocking pocket
• Only for the minimalist traveller
• Weight of 1.9 kg

Is the Nomatic Travel Pack for me?

The 20+10 litre Nomatic Travel Pack is a great alternative to the 40-litre Nomatic travel bag I’ve reviewed. This pack has a wealth of features for such a small space. If you don’t need a pack quite as big as the Nomatic travel bag, then this is an excellent choice.

WANDRD Packable Backpack – Bring this Bag Too!

This foldable backpack only weighs 10oz, so you won’t even notice it’s there. Because it is a foldable backpack, it will fit into any bag you travel with, so you can remain true to the one bag travel movement while having a smaller bag for day-to-day excursions, grocery trips, and more!

I even like to bring this daypack on multi-day treks, so I can leave my base camp and still pack the essentials. With a 34 litre capacity, you have PLENTY of space to bring extra water, food, and layers.

I love that it offers 7 easy-access pockets and pouches to organize your belongings. Honestly, I haven’t seen a foldable backpack with so many features.

An honorary mention goes to the Mile One Backpack , it’s a bit niche but check it out for an alternative.

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

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

Once you have the right bag, the next step is to pack it! I can’t even count how many trips I’ve packed for, yet I still have trouble narrowing down what to add to my packing list! It’s not easy to pack super light, especially if you want to pack for multiple activities. Going hiking? Hitting the town? How do you pack so many shoes?

Well, here on my rules for what to bring and what not to bring on your next trip. Bear in mind this was written for travellers and backpackers, not for people going on business trips or away for just one weekend! This is a packing list for longer-term travellers.

1. Pack with Purpose

Think about how you use every single item in your bag at home, and imagine how you will use it on your trip. Why are you bringing that shirt/ camera /jacket/etc.? Prioritise versatility and comfort on your packing list!

If you don’t plan to use the item in the first two days of your travels, DON’T BRING IT ! (The exception is your very minimal first-aid kit – the one thing we hope you never have to use but has a place on many different packing lists!)

One great way to do this is to pack everything you want to bring. Now, cut that pile in half. Cut it in half, AGAIN. Now, you’re getting somewhere.

2. Everything You Pack Should Have Multiple Uses

Don’t bother bringing a pair of shoes that you will ONLY wear out. Don’t bring a dress you’ll only wear once. And don’t bring running shoes if you never run. See the pattern here!

Think with versatility, and don’t expect to be prepared for every situation as you will be at home. If you want to pack light, you have to make a few sacrifices. Pack versatile, multi-functional items, like a…

Foldable Day Pack – Takes up very little space, can be used for days around a city, on a hike, or as your item in transport.

Buff  – One of my favourite things to travel with! It’s a scarf, beanie, and dust-protector all-in-one. It works for many different types of packing lists!

3. Stick to one Color Palette

Pick your favourite colour and only pack clothes that match it! This way you can maximize the number of outfits. Everything should be wearable with everything! For example, I only travel with blacks, blues, and greys. As much as I love white, I can’t be trusted around good food and stainable materials! White also doesn’t wash well on the road!

4. Pack for One Week

No matter how long you are travelling for – two weeks, one year, forever – simply adjust your packing lists for one week.

Remember, you cannot pack for every possible likelihood. If you are doing a long backpacking trip around the world or to multiple countries as many of our readers do, I controversially suggest that you leave your snow jacket at home unless you plan to use it at the very beginning of your trip (and don’t mind donating or sending home).

You can ALWAYS pick stuff up on the way, or have something very specific shipped out to you. For example, I travelled to India, Nepal, and Thailand a year back, and packing for tropical heat and mountain hiking was a nightmare, so I made a few sacrifices. I packed my hiking shoes and 2 favourite down jackets but decided I would purchase everything else in Nepal.

Here’s the deal: Mountain towns carry mountain gear. Beach towns carry beach clothes. Plus, you may meet other travellers to swap clothes and gear with (as I did for trekking in Nepal !). I’ve learned the hard way, sometimes it’s easier to purchase a couple of things in-country than lug it around.

5. Do Your Laundry

Plan to do laundry along the road! You can handwash your basics like socks and underwear. This is just another reason I recommend Dr Bronner’s bar, which can be used for body soap or laundry detergent. In many countries, you can save time and money by dropping off your dirty clothes at a cleaning service too.

6. Pack Layers

I always travel with a down jacket, one of the best layers ever! Depending on my trip I’ll have a shell for rain or snow that folds up small. There is no need to pack a bulky jacket when you can pack layers that will cover more climates.

One heavy sweater will eat up so much space in your bag that you’ll never fit everything else you need.

A merino wool base layer or thermal shirt will keep you warm and can easily be combined with other items or taken off as the weather changes.

Pack for a day with cool mornings, warm afternoons, and cold nights. Dressing in thin layers offers flexibility and keeps your pack light. When travelling in winter weather, wear your jacket at all times versus packing it.

7. Two Pairs of Shoe Limit

Shoes are the hardest part of onebagging!

I’m a big fan of Vivo Barefoot minimal shoes for travel because take up way little space and often have multiple uses. Vivo Barefoot hiking boots roll up into your suitcase too.

River sandals are also great. I have a low-profile pair of black sandals that I can hike in, wear around town, go river rafting, and even out on the town in.

Tip: You’ll want to wear your bulkier and heavier pair of shoes on the plane and pack the rest. Make sure your smaller pair of shoes are flat and light, like those sandals I just mentioned.

8. Wear the Right Fabrics

I have generally found that high-quality wool clothing is a worthy investment. Merino wool socks and shirts are expensive BUT you can wear them with anything, wash them far less often, and layer them easily.

If you invest in any wool, make it socks. I cannot go back to wearing cotton socks, which get sweaty and gross after one day of touring a city. Merino wool socks can last almost a week and still seem spanking clean.

Cotton might be cheaper, but it’s heavy, slow to dry, and doesn’t breathe well. Linen and even hemp can be breathable and light options for beach trips.

Break the cycle of cheap, disposable junk. This starts with fashion, one of the most wasteful industries on the planet! If you are backpacking the world, you want to bring clothes that can layer well (as previously mentioned) as well as clothes that are multi-functional, breathable, and cool/warm when needed.

9. Simplify Your Tech

As a digital nomad, I love that I can work from virtually anywhere with an internet connection, but that means it’s also easy to get weighed down by electronics and gear.

Keep it simple! If you do not work on the road, don’t bring your computer! Use your phone, or if you must, a tablet. If you need to store photos, just bring an external backup drive.

1. 13-inch laptop + charger

2. Phone + charger

3. Headphones

4. Mirrorless Camera with travel lens (16-70 mm), and filters. I love that I don’t need to bring multiple lenses on most of my trips. I keep it in a neoprene cover versus a large bag.

5. Travel-sized Tripod (sometimes).

6 . 2 extra prime lenses for camera + camera bag

7. GoPro, gimbal, and accessories

That’s it! I eliminated all the extra cords, chargers, and camera gear from my life. I stopped bringing my secondary camera and lenses that spent more time sitting in my bag than in use. Was it hard to do? At first, yes, but I never miss the extra stuff when I’m traveling, and spend more time enjoying the moment than trying to capture it.

9. Simplify Your Toiletry Bag

Toiletries can take up a lot of room, especially for us ladies. Forget the make-up, curling irons, and blow dryers.

They’re not worth it, hard to replace on the road, and might blow out an outlet anyway.

Stick to multi-use soap (like Dr Bronner’s), basic face wash and moisturizer (no toners, serums, and extras), minimal make-up, a bamboo toothbrush, and a couple of extra hair ties.

11. Stay Compact and Organised

Keeping your gear organised and compact will help you one bag travel. Packing Cubes weigh next to nothing and do a good job at bag organization. Use a compression dry sack to compress things down, like your hoodie, and warmer layers.

We have plenty of great resources on this site to help you find a few quality pieces to travel everywhere and anywhere. I have listed a few of the best below to help you define your one bag travel packing list .

Want to know how to pack a backpack ? Check out our dedicated post.

Best travel cameras

Best down jackets

Best Travel Pants

Best Travel Laptops

Best Travel Water Bottles

Travel Toiletries Packing List

Best Travel Jackets

Best Travel Shoes

I travel with an AER backpack for urban travel and longer trips OR my Kyte 46 or REI rucksack for my more adventurous trips. I pick ONE, hence one bag travel 🙂

3 tees  – for everyday use; one is merino wool

1 tank –  to workout in

1 nicer top –  for day and night

1 dress –  for day and night

1 short –  for everyday wear

1 running short

1 pair of pants

1 down jacket  – for cooler nights; hiking; transport, etc.

1 rain shell  –  to protect from rain

1 legging or bike shorts –  gotta do my yoga.

2-4 pairs of socks –  all merino wool

2 sports bras –  that go with all of my tops

7 underwear

1 light long sleeve sweater –  merino wool

1 linen button up –  to protect from wind and sun

1-2 Bikinis –  Dudes, look into trunks that double as everyday shorts.

Waterproof river sandals – I can trail run, river raft, hit the beach or hit the town in these. They’re the only shoes I travelled in around Bali! I just work out barefoot otherwise.

Vivo barefoot hiking shoes – They roll up and are lightweight. If I don’t plan to do any 10+ mile hiking, my river sandals work. Instead, I’ll bring closed-toed normal city shoes.

Accessories

Abaco Sunglasses

Buff   –  so many functions .

Beanie – Great for staying warm.

I stopped bringing the extra camera gear, accessories, and even a chargeable battery pack (if my phone dies, I simply enjoy the moment). Bring less tech and you’ll enjoy your trip MORE.

Macbook + charger

Phone + charger

1 Travel Lens

Mirrorless Camera

World Travel Adapter

USB card reader

Hanging Toiletry Bag

Dental Health Toiletries

Soap – Dr. Bronner’s

Shampoo/Conditioner

Facewash/Moisturizer

Menstrual Cup

Reef-Safe Sun Block

Mosquito Repellent

Microfibre Towel

Simple First Aid Kit

Miscellaneous

Passport/Wallet

Foldable Daybag

Compression Packing Cubes

Carabiners  –  Clip them to your pack.

Travel Security Belt

Tough plastic playing cards

Notepad and 2 pens

Ear Plugs/ Eye Mask

Travel Thermos/Coffee Maker

Headtorch  – useful in almost any country

Still have some questions? No problem! We’ve listed and answered the most commonly asked questions below. Here’s what people usually want to know:

What is one bag travel?

Basically travelling as a minimalist. All of your belongings can fit in one bag.

What is the overall best one bag?

We absolutely love the Nomatic Travel Bag. It fits 40L but is still small enough to count as a carry on, is super stylish and extremely durable as well.

How big should my backpack be for one bag travel?

That really depends on how long you’re travelling for and how much you need to carry. Usually, 35-50L bags are ideal.

What matters most on a one-bag travel backpack?

Comfort goes over everything. Make sure you measure your torso and keep the specs in mind when purchasing a bag. Your back will thank you!

Our GREATEST Travel Secrets…

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

Final Thoughts on One Bag Travel

One bag travel is not just a way to pack, but a movement to fewer, quality items versus carrying around a bunch of crap. By embracing one bag travel, you never have to forego the stairs or wait for a baggage claim. You never have to fear lost luggage or deal with fitting all of your crap in a train/bus/plane/taxi/tuk-tuk/back of a motorbike.

One bag travel will make your trip cheaper, lighter, and give you the ultimate freedom to go anywhere, anytime.

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

Ana Pereira

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How to Pack for a Two-Week Trip With One Small Suitcase

Expert advice from professional travelers on what to bring and where to put it.

By John Wogan

Ask any frequent traveler their rules for a trip, and you’ll likely hear the same advice: Never check a bag. Carry-on only. But fitting everything you need, especially for a longer stay, into one small suitcase and one handbag or backpack requires some ingenuity: The maximum dimensions for luggage going into most overhead bins are 22 by 14 by 9 inches, and though the majority of domestic flights don’t have — or at least don’t enforce — weight limits, some international and trans-Pacific flights do (certain Delta flights to Asia, for example, have a limit of 22 pounds, while Hawaiian Airlines’s maximum is 25 pounds). The payoff, if you do get it right: quicker airport experiences that don’t involve the risk of lost luggage and, upon arrival, fewer decisions about what to wear. Here, tried-and-true tips from a few experts.

Choose the Right Luggage

Though some regular travelers swear by soft bags — the New York-based stylist Ian Bradley, 38, favors the capacious extra-large L.L. Bean Adventure Duffel — most are committed to hard, rolling suitcases. “They’re lighter,” says Hitha Palepu, 39, a New York-based author and entrepreneur who wrote what might be the definitive book on the topic, 2017’s “ How to Pack: Travel Smart for Any Trip .” The polycarbonate material used for hard-shell suitcases, she explains, “is about half the weight of the rugged nylon used in soft suitcases.” These are the rolling bags our experts recommended:

A roller from the German brand Rimowa is often considered the gold standard, and many people we spoke with vouched for the products’ durability. “They’re more expensive but a worthy investment,” says the New York-based artist Laila Gohar, 35. (Like the Antwerp-based architect Vincent Van Duysen, 62, she flies with the aluminum Cabin model .) For those concerned about weight limits: The brand’s lightest full-size carry-on is the Essential Lite Cabin , at 4.9 pounds.

Palepu is a fan of the hard-shell suitcases by the American brand Béis , which are considerably less expensive than Rimowa’s. “They have the best in-suitcase compression, a really solid construction and a padded handle for dragging through the airport,” she says.

The New York-based chef and author Andy Baraghani , 34, who completed a multicity book tour last year, likes the Away Bigger Carry-On: Aluminum Edition because it feels indestructible, he says. “And its glossy finish stands out from the rest of the luggage at the airport.” (Just be careful to check that its above-average dimensions are compatible with your airline’s carry-on size limit.)

Edit Your Packing List Ruthlessly

“You can’t have a ‘just in case’ mentality,” says Gohar. “If something isn’t absolutely essential, it doesn’t make the cut.” Below, some strategies for identifying the bare necessities.

“Look for clothes with viscose or Lyocell blends, or silk and wool — those fabrics are more wrinkle-resistant than most,” Palepu advises. She prioritizes “pants that can be worn multiple times before they become unattractively baggy, patterned shirtdresses (prints help disguise wrinkles) and matching sets that can be mixed and matched with other pieces.” But her real workhorses are men’s non-iron button-down shirts from Uniqlo — they rarely get creased and work with a wide range of outfits.

Suits are also a great option because of their versatility. “They can be dressed up with heels for a night out, or down during the day with a tank top and sneakers,” says the London-based creative director Alex Eagle, 40. The gallerist Mariane Ibrahim, who lives between Mexico City, Paris and Chicago, has a similar philosophy: “My bag always includes an evening and a day suit, plus a few staple items in black and white (jeans, T-shirts).”

For Gohar, the key is building an adaptable uniform. “If you have a solid base look, you can get away with bringing one coat, one or two pairs of pants and simply changing your shirt daily,” she says. “And I’m not afraid to wash my clothes, or my kid’s, in the hotel sink. I just ask housekeeping for an unscented soap and then hang them to dry.”

It’s easiest to buy travel sizes of your favorite products and refill them from larger bottles at home, which eliminates excessive waste, says Palepu (alternatively, small empty containers can be found at stores like Muji). She also suggests streamlining by finding multipurpose products: “My EltaMD tinted sunscreen is hydrating enough to be my daytime moisturizer; I use my Le Prunier oil as a hydrating serum and a finishing oil and to slick back flyaway hair.”

Flight Essentials

Palepu likes to pack a simple cross-body bag with the items she’ll need between takeoff and landing (lip balm, sanitizing wipes, an e-reader), carrying it on board inside a bigger tote, then keeping it on her lap once she’s seated. The hotelier Philomena Schurer-Merckoll, 40, who splits her time between Marrakech and London, recommends the British brand Métier’s Perriand Weekend bag in lieu of a handbag; its hidden exterior pockets make things easy to reach on the plane, she says, and “the clip-in clutch means I have an evening bag for my trip.” And the fashion designer Phillip Lim, 51, recommends bringing a Bluetooth transmitter from Airfly, which allows wireless headphones to connect to the in-flight entertainment system.

Pack as if Every Inch Counts (Because It Does)

Work from heavy to light.

As a general rule, Palepu packs the largest items first, to maximize space. She recommends rolling most — but not all — garments, to avoid wrinkles, and always packs this very compact steamer to remove the few creases that do inevitably occur (she also uses the device to steam her face after flights before applying a hydrating mask). Here’s how she recommends filling a bag, from bottom to top:

Begin by laying any bulky sweaters flat at the bottom of one half of your suitcase, with the sleeves and any extra fabric flowing over the sides.

If you’ll need a coat once you arrive, choose a versatile one and wear it on the plane. If you really need another piece of outerwear, make it a thin one and pack it with your bulky sweaters.

Fold suit pants lengthwise to preserve the crease, then roll them. For packing suit jackets, Palepu endorses this method , which involves folding the garment into a square along the seams. Lay these pieces on top of your sweaters.

Roll any other pants as well as skirts, dresses, pajamas and workout clothes and pack these next.

Fold shirts and tops along the seams, to cut down on wrinkles, and lay these on top of the rolled pieces.

Fit underwear and socks in any remaining gaps.

Once all your clothes are in your case, fold your sweater sleeves over the top of your other items.

In the other half of your bag, arrange your shoes, stored in shoe bags, around the perimeter. (To save space, wear the bulkiest pair you plan to bring on the flight.)

Pack any other accessories and your toiletries in the center of your shoes.

Consider Packing Cubes

Packing cubes, which are zippered pouches designed to compress clothing and save space, are especially useful for multistop trips, providing a more seamless way to pack and unpack quickly. Bradley likes those made by Bagsmart and also repurposes the dust bags that came with some of his accessories. “I put underwear, shoes and shirting in one and pants in another,” he says. Packing cubes are particularly helpful for young families, too, says Palepu: Her children each have a set in their favorite color, which means their clothes are easily distinguishable if they share a suitcase. Joeonna Bellardo-Samuels, 44, a senior director at New York’s Jack Shainman Gallery, says one of her secret pleasures is “snagging good hotel laundry bags” to use in place of cubes. “Each one is embellished with a gorgeous monogram that reminds me of my adventures.”

Ship Souvenirs Home

If you’re going on a shopping-focused trip, Palepu suggests packing a foldable duffel in your carry-on that you can fill and then either check in for the return flight or ship home en route to the airport. “Dirty laundry is the best padding for packing fragile items,” she says. Likewise, Eagle packs an L.L. Bean Boat & Tote for return-trip overflow including gifts and her children’s laundry (packing it separately means it’s easier to throw in the wash once you’re home). “The zip on the top makes it secure,” she says. “So you can check it — if you really need to.”

Explore T Magazine

Hawaii’s Favorite Shave Ice Shops:  Cups of flaky ice topped with flavored syrups are easy to find in the state. But the best shops set themselves apart with fresh ingredients  and old-school charm.

Ellen Gallagher’s Futuristic Archives:  In an interview, the artist discussed marine life  and African American myth from her studio in the Netherlands.

Bumpy Gourd Wins Over Bartenders:  In bars from Hong Kong to Vancouver, the medicinal tang of bitter melon  is making its way onto drinks menus.

Time for an Oyster Roast:  Here’s how to host an outdoor seafood celebration  during a Northeastern winter, according to the founders of the newsletter The Perfect.

Fashion’s Latest Muses:  An industry long known for revering willowy bodies is taking a new interest in muscle with female bodybuilders  as models.

Objects That Inspire:  Simone Bellotti, the creative director of Bally, shares his influences  including club DJs, fishing apparel and ceremonial masks.

One Bag Travel Packing List – For Minimalist, Indefinite Travel

All Packing Guides:

• One Bag Living
• One Bag Travel Packing List

Can’t figure out how to pack everything you need into one bag?  That’s why we sat down to write this post… after  one bag living  out of a single 40L carry-on backpack for close to a year, we’ve learned a lot of great techniques we’ll share in this post to help optimise your and save space when travelling, alongside a packing list, that will cover everything you need for travel anywhere, that all fits inside one carry-on sized bag.

P.S. We’ve just finished a trip around the world and didn’t miss a single thing we didn’t pack or run into an issue of needing something we didn’t have enough space to bring. It’s worked out perfectly… and we actually dropped a lot of weight from our bags.

One Bag Travel Packing List Quick Checklist (TL;DR)

Here’s the only one bag travel packing list you’ll ever need:

How To Pack Everything in One Backpack for Short Trips & Indefinite Travel

To travel the world indefinitely take as many lightweight clothes as you can fit, but don’t go overboard! Wash your clothes consistently throughout your travels. We would advise that you pack lighter and wash more regularly, over packing heavy. Create a routine of washing your clothes each night in the shower. OR make use of the many launderettes you will find in many countries around the world.

A smart traveler thinks about the climate they are traveling to first.

Are you going somewhere warm, cold, rainy? Pack for this. If the area you’re going will be warm when you get there, but get colder as you stay there, you can get away with taking less clothes and picking up items on your travels as it starts to get harsher.

In warmer climates, you can pack a few tops, few shorts, some shoes and sandals and get away with it. Your clothes will dry quickly in the sun and you won’t get cold. However, if you are going somewhere during monsoon season, beware that hand washing clothes and drying them during these conditions without a fan or hairdryer will take a long time.

In colder climates ,  focus on bringing lightweight, quick-drying clothes that you can layer.  Good materials are nylon/polyester mix. These dry quickly, don’t absorb smells, and are generally warmer than cotton. If you have a lot of money, look into merino wool. You’ll also want a warm jacket, but a large coat is going to take up almost all of your space in your bag. So ideally, you want to swap out most of your shirts for thermals that you can layer and bring along a good rain jacket, some water-proof trousers, and some warmer fleece-style jackets you can wear underneath, with gloves (Sealskinz are great waterproof gloves), a wooly hat, scarf etc. Make sure you also get waterproof shoes/boots( Nike makes fantastic gore-tex trail running shoes), and pack thermal socks.

If you are going somewhere arctic, pack accordingly: boots, ski jacket, thermals, scarfs etc.

Here is the man’s one bag travel packing list for indefinite travel:

• Warm coat/jacket x 1
• Waterproof jacket x1
• Shorts x3 & Swim shorts x1
• Tops x7 (2 polos, 2 T-shirt & 3 lightweight long sleeve)
• Underwear and Socks x8
• Shoes x 1 (ideally gore-tex waterproof)
• Sliders/Sandals x 1

Here is the woman’s one bag travel packing list for indefinite travel:

• Warm coat/jacket x1
• Gym shorts x2 & Gym leggings x1
• Long flow trousers x1 (best trousers for hot weather)
• Tops x7 (2 playsuit tops, 2 T-shirts, 3 lightweight long sleeve)
• Bikinis x2 & Swimsuit x1 (for pool areas)
• Shoes x1 (ideally gore-tex waterproof)

What To Avoid Packing for One Bag Travel

In your one bag travel packing list, avoid anything bulky. Things like books, hard camera cases, large electronics, metallic water bottles etc. Swap out anything you can for a more compact version (E.g. collapsable waterbottle, or silicone water bottle.

Avoid packing multiple pairs of shoes. You should take multi-purpose shoes that are good for all weather. We recommend goretex waterproof trail running shoes because they are made for harsh conditions and have good grip for hiking etc. while remaining lightweight.

Safe space wherever you can. Can you remove a box? Some packaging? Swap out your towel for microfibre?

How To Choose The Best Travel Backpack (Carry-on Suitable)

For one bag travel, you want a bag that covers these points:

• Carry on size dimensions 50 x 40 x 20 – 40L spaces
• Strong, sturdy frame that doesn’t misshape when you pack it with clothes, a travel bag without a good frame may cause problems at check-in
• Good back and shoulder support (make sure you buy the correct gendered bag, women’s bags sit higher up to support their frame better)
• Mesh straps and back support to allow breathability and stop sweating
• A hip belt. You’d be surprised how much pressure this takes off your shoulders and distributes weight evenly
• Multiple compartments for bottles, laptops, electrics and easy-access items. You’ll be on the move a lot traveling and when you’re tired having compartments for certain items makes everything so much easier. Trust me! Me and Harry had 4hrs sleep on our way to Thailand and it was so much easier knowing where everything was we could easily find it all when hungry, tired, and annoyed.
• A security system to stop pickpockets and thieves
• A reputable brand name with a warranty and a great track record of customer support
• A bag that fits you well – try it on in-store (this is a must)

Recommended bags for packing your entire life into:

• Osprey Farpoint 40L (Men) & Osprey Fairview 40L (Women)
• Tortuga Outbreak 35L (popular on Reddit)
• Osprey Trek 55L (better suspension system for back, but less likely to get away with as carry-on luggage)
• Tortuga Setout
• Patagonia Black Out

Osprey Farpoint/Fairview 40

Optimising for Space & Weight | How To Fit More in Your Backpack (The Tardis Effect)

Vacuum bags vs. packing cubes.

The best way to optimise for space for one bag travel, is using compression clothing cubes or vacuum bags. These will help to reduce the size of your clothes which are what take up the majority of the space in your bag. Furthermore, if you’re bag is over the weight of an airline, you can remove one of these compression cubes and take it on board as a personal small bag.

Our packing cube left and vacuum bag bought from Lazada in Thailand (like Amazon but Thai’s version)

Vacuum bags are definitely better for creating space in your bag, but create a weird shape that won’t fit into a packing cube and don’t alter the weight of your bag. So if you were banking on taking out a packing cube to reduce weight at airline weigh-in, then you won’t be able to do this.

However, weigh-ins are extremely rare even on budget airlines, and in our whole travel with 10 flights, we were not checked for weight once. For long haul economy you should also have 25kg checked luggage as well. This is why long-term, pick a continent to travel through style travel is best – once you’re in the continent, connecting flights very rarely check your weight and you can get buses or trains in between countries.

Another thing to note about the vacuum bag is that it needs a hand pump to be used, so you’ll have to find space for that too. It’s better just to try pack light without all the extras!

Choose Light Clothing Materials

Older fabrics like cotton, wool etc. weigh a lot and take up more space as well as crease when folded. To optimise space further, you can choose synthetic materials like polyester, nylon etc. These are very cheap fabrics, dry extremely quickly, are light, don’t crease, and, something like a nylon polyester mix, will not retain smells.

We personally packed some nylon clothing for this. Most gym wear brands sell nylon clothing and have now started to sell more smart-looking fashionable stuff to wear. For instance, you can get polo tops, smart trousers etc. which you can potentially double up for daily clothing and smart casual events you’ll inevitably be going to.

If you’re on a budget, nylon is the best because it’s extremely cheap and the clothes last forever. We’re personally still using the same 3-4 shirts we took and the 2 pairs of shorts we took still, look and smell fresh, with no rips, they were worn to oblivion and washed around 2-3 times per week.

Wearing the grey synthetic top I have and the black synthetic polo. Polo is smart, you wouldn’t be able to tell it’s a gym polo unless you looked at the logo on the arm.

We also took 2 extra cotton tops but I pretty much wore these two and some really lightweight Hawaiian tops I picked up later on in the travels.

You can get other, more expensive materials like merino wool which have the same properties as nylon – they don’t crease, don’t smell, hold shape etc. Merino wool is also the best pick for cooler climates because it is naturally a very warming material.

One big problem with synthetics is that they are microplastics, and they have endocrine-disrupting chemicals in them. This means that wearing them *might* affect your hormone production, but whether that’s actually proven or true is up for discussion. I did my bloods before and after I went traveling and didn’t notice much change to my hormone production and am still healthy, so I don’t think it really affects it all that much. However, if you’re really into health, and optimising your testosterone or estrogen production, it’s something to keep in mind. Your options will be merino wool or cotton – the expensive and the heavy, but totally natural.

Here is a quick guide to lightweight travel fabrics:

• Lightweight
• Keeps shape
• No creasing
• Not very breathable
• Pretty stain resistant
• Not breathable
• Can smell bad
• Uncomfortable
• Dries very slowly
• Rips easily

Avoid Packing Hard, Un-foldable or Un-collapsable Items Where Possible

Another way we found to optimise space is by minimising the amount of things we took that weren’t collapsable. We did initially take some metal, double-walled thermos bottles (which were fantastic for keeping water cool in hot climates and every sip was beautiful), but we decided to drop them eventually because they took up so much damn space.

Anything that can’t be folded, or squashed to make it smaller, try to avoid. These take up a huge amount of space so don’t underestimate dropping something like that from your bag and the difference it can make.

Avoid packing hard things like:

• Hard camera cases/boxes – try to opt for a soft case or a pouch you can store your camera equipment in
• Toothbrush holder – just don’t use this, it seems like a nice idea to keep your toothbrush clean, but just chuck it in a separate pencil case or bag
• Metal/hard plastic water bottle – opt for a silicone foldable water bottle. Doesn’t contain microplastics, lightweight and takes minimal space
• Too many books – heavy, take up a lot of space, if hardcovers are difficult to pack
• Extra shoes – try keep to 1 pair if you can, or if you really need extra running shoes, get those toe style running shoes as they’re easy to pack
• All boxes/cases – these will hog extra space and are not often needed
• Multiple plug adapters – try to get a travel adapter that is has multiple plugs on it, or a compact multi-plug
• Electronics – keep them to a minimum. For instance swap out over-ear headphones for in-ears, try to get rid of things like hair straighteners, hair driers etc. (sorry ladies)

Hacks That Will Make Your Travel Experience Significantly More Enjoyable

Pack important things at the top.

Keep your important documents and things at the top of your bag For example: passports, tickets, first aid kit, cough sweets, electrics you’re going to use. Doing this makes it easy to get what you need quickly, rather than having to turf through all your clothes and items while you’re in the queue or on a flight.

Also when going through security, you have to take all your electronics out. Make sure you know where these are and they’re easy to get to. If you’re travelling a long time you have to do this a lot and streamlining the process really helps make airport security life easier.

Keep A Sleeve For All Your Important Documents

All visas, passports, and tickets should be kept in a small, durable sleeve or in a pencil case. This makes it easy to access when needed, and you know exactly where all your legal identification is. For flights, bus trips, and train journies that cross borders you’ll have to show these kinds of documents a lot, so it makes it much simpler if you know where it all is and if it’s all kept in one place.

If we’re honest, we didn’t use anything special to store these documents, a simple see-through, clear pencil case will do. The only downside to this is you’ll have to fold your visas to fit in the pencil case and border control dislike this sometimes. They never rejected us, just told us not to fold the visa in the future.

Use A Small Shoulder Bag

Getting a shoulder bag you is very useful for travel. You can store small amounts of money here for when you’re in markets, and when you’re in the airport you can store the sleeve with your tickets, passports etc. which will make security and border control much quicker.

It’s also fantastic for short adventure trips out for the day where you don’t need to take much apart from keys, money, sunglasses, suncream, and maybe your phone.

We personally used this fake shoulder bag we picked up from a market in Laos for something like £3. It’s lasted the whole trip, is very comfortable, good enough size for a small action camera, tripod, money, and a little more.

Some people might be a little worried about getting robbed with a shoulder bag, but we wouldn’t worry about it. Just keep your wits about you. We’ve been to places that were considered the most dangerous parts in Pakistan, been on the local train, general class train in India, done a lot of “dangerous” stuff. Don’t listen to the fear mongerers trying to sell you security belts.

Electrics Case

A cheap zip-up case with all your charging cables, USBs, memory cards, headphones and more is fantastic for long flights, bus journeys etc. You know exactly where everything you need for entertainment or work is. Keep it packed at the top of your bag, and it’s easy to get out, boot up a movie or listen to some music.

This has by far been one of the most useful things we bought and it was £5 on Amazon. You could probably get a cheaper one at a market in the country you are travelling to. This has lasted us a complete year and there have been no problems with it, or any breakages.

Medical Kit

Keeping a medical kit with everything you need for hygiene and medical situations is great for long journeys. If you have a headache, you know where your paracetamol is, and can grab it and take it quickly without having to trawl through your bag. You can make your own medical kit by getting a bag, and filling it with the essentials like bandages, anti-septic, cough sweets etc.

When flying on a long trip we found having cough sweets in this bag was a great addition. If you have to still wear masks on flights, your throat gets dry and clogged up, sometimes water just doesn’t cut it. So a cough sweet and some water is what you might need.

Carry-on Travel for Men & Women

Below is our one bag travel packing list for a trip we took to Asia for 8 months of travel.

One Bag Clothes Packing for Women

• Dresses x3 (don’t need that many)
• Jeans x1 & Skirt x1 & Belt x1
• Tops x5 (2 playsuit tops, 2 T-shirts, 1 long sleeve & 1 gym top)

One Bag Clothes Packing for Men

• Shorts x2 & Swim shorts x1
• Tops x5 (2 polos, 2 T-shirt & 1 long sleeve)

Carry on Travel for Women

• 2 clothes cubes (In the end took only the big one with everything)

First Aid Kit (Homemade)

• Medium Travel Towel
• Beauty Bag & Wipes
• Few books and pens
• Laptop, Ipad, Chargers
• Two shoes (Wear trainers on travels)
• Electric compartment case
• Water bottle (Not displayed)

Carry on Travel for Men

• 2 clothes cubes
• Water bottle
• GoPro compartment box
• Laptop, Charger & Extended Hard Drive
• Resistance band
• First Aid Kit (too, in his bag, not displayed)

• Variety of pills
• Antiseptic Wipes
• Anti-Bacterial Wipes
• Cough Sweets
• Variety plasters and blister plasters
• Deep heat cream

• Deodorant roll on
• Skin products
• Plastic cutlery
• Minimum make-up
• Toothbrush and Toothpaste
• Tweezers x2
• Nail clippers
• Needle and Thread

How can I save space packing clothes for one bag travel?

The best method to pack clothes is the bundle method. This allows you to pack your clothes in a compact way and packs them in a way that prevents your clothes from creasing.

What is the best lightweight clothing material for one bag travel?

The best material for minimal travel is merino wool. It is the most expensive, but provides warm, crease-free material that is exceptionally light, dries quickly, and does not absorb smells. If you are on a budget, a polyester/nylon mix is the next best option to merino wool, with all the same properties but not as comfortable to wear.

Backpack vs. Suitcase?

Traveling with a backpack is better for travelers who are more adventurous and on the move. You can take your backpack across all terrains and you’ll never lose it on a flight, but your clothes will crease and it can get tiresome carrying that heavy bag (it also isn’t stylish). Traveling with a suitcase provides better protection for clothes, gadgets and electronics. They’re also better for keeping clothes smart, which is why we recommend them for those who are not moving from place to place much. However, you can lose your checked luggage quite easily, the roller wheels will not go across all terrains, and they are more difficult to transport.

How long can I travel with just one carry-on bag?

If you take enough clothing for a week, you can travel indefinitely with one bag forever. Just make sure you are doing laundry or washing your clothes by hand and hanging to dry every time you get a chance.

Will a hiking pack fit in the carry-on compartment?

Any hiking pack up to 55L is suitable for most airline carry-on requirements. 40L is recommended to stay in all budget international and domestic flight guidelines.

Why travel with only a single bag?

The cost of checked luggage can mount up when using more than one bag for travel, and it’s much more difficult to be location-independent. With one bag, you can pack up and go anywhere. It’s lightweight and you can get off the beaten path a lot more to experience real adventure travel.

I’m Harry – and I was tired of the same old “10 best places I’ve never been but I’m writing about for some reason” blog posts. So… I’m a young traveller on a mission to travel the world and share my true, unfiltered experience, including all the gristly details. From packing my life into one bag for a year, to traveling Vietnam by motorbike, to sorting out Visas for specific countries – I’ve done it all, am doing it all and only give my advice on things I have done – not regurgitated cr*p from another source *cough* most publications *cough* . So bear with us! This project will take some time to grow, and will take a fair bit of money. But I’m determined to make it the single best source of information about traveling on the internet.

Related Posts

One bag living – the guide for men & women (written by nomads who have done it).

Inca Trail Packing List – The Guide For Men & Women

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How To Pack A Carry-On For One Bag Travel

Step by step instructions for the best way to pack a carry-on for minimal one bag travel.

How To Pack A Carry-On: Step By Step

If you've never traveled with just a carry-on, we highly recommend it. Why? Because it’s freeing. There’s no need to wait at the airport to get your checked luggage. You can breeze through security quickly. And you have everything you need on you at all times.

In most cases, a smaller carry-on-sized bag forces you to be mindful of what you bring, which means you won’t have to haul around bulky luggage or excess gear. Even if you jam your bag full, it’s still a relatively compact package.

In this post, we're going to walk you through step-by-step instructions for the best way to pack a carry-on.

The packing techniques we’re going to cover work great for long trips, short getaways, and everything in between. Some members of our team have traveled full-time for upwards of two years, using these packing techniques.

Before we get going, we want to let you know about Pack Hacker Pro—our growing community of minimalist travelers who are all about packing smarter, traveling lighter, and getting their hands on high-quality gear that lasts. We also offer some exclusive members-only benefits. Make sure to check it out if you want to help support our independent, unbiased reviews, guides, packing lists, and more.

Let’s get packing!

Step 1: Choose Your Bag

Which bag you choose will come down to your use case, travel style, and personal preference. We typically prefer to travel with a backpack as we find it takes carry-on travel to a new level. With a backpack, your hands are free. And you can navigate just about any terrain easier—from cobblestone streets to picturesque beaches—since you don't have to deal with the limitations of roller luggage.

If you're not sure what bag to get, we've reviewed hundreds of packs —and we've written a full guide on how to choose the best travel backpack —so we've got you covered.

For the purpose of this post, we'll be packing all our gear into the GORUCK GR2 —a 40L carry-on compliant backpack that's both functional and durable. But the same concepts apply for other travel backpacks, duffle bags, and rolling luggage.

If you’ve already got your bag, that’s great!

PRO TIP: If you choose a bag with a boxy shape, it’ll be easier to maximize the space inside.

Step 2: Lay It All Out

Now that you know which bag you'll be packing, it's time to find all the items you think you're going to pack, lay them all out, and get organized.

It’s important to lay your items out in a staging area where you can see everything you want to bring. You can use your bed, the floor, a kitchen or dining room table—whatever you’ve got. Just make sure that you have only the things you want to pack in this area. Nothing else.

You may be surprised by how much it helps to see everything holistically. It’s amazing. And it gives you a much better idea of what you’re going to need on your trip. What you’re packing depends on your use case—where you’re going, for how long, your travel style, etc. We’ve created comprehensive packing lists and have even written a detailed guide on how to create the best packing list for you —so check those out if you’re not sure where to start or are looking for smaller, lighter versions of what you already have.

Once you have everything laid out, it’s time to organize it. We've found three methods of organization that work well for us. Feel free to choose one or use a combination of all three.

First, you can organize your gear by Context .

This includes packing complementary pieces that you will use together near one another. For example, you may pack a hat, buff, gloves, and a packable jacket to stay warm. So, organize those items together. Or you may bring a tablet, pen, and notebook for when you want to read, take notes, or work. You can put those items together as well. You can also organize by outfit, but keep in mind that all the clothing you bring on a trip should be easy to mix and match with most items you pack.

Second, you can organize by Type .

This method is easy—simply organize similar objects with one another. Put all your socks in one pile, all your underwear in another, your t-shirts in another, and so on. This system works well if you're packing with smaller organizer pouches or a bag that has a lot of internal organization since you're able to keep things separate. It also works well for larger, bulkier items that will stand alone in your bag.

Third, you can organize your items by Category .

This method is similar to Type but is a bit broader. For example, instead of sorting just your shirts, you'll pack all your tops together—t-shirts, button-ups, sweaters, etc. Then, put all your bottoms together—like pants, underwear, socks. This method works great for toiletries too.

We typically pack with a combination of all three methods. (Pretty crazy, we know.) Let's run through how we do it, shall we?

We'll start by organizing some clothes by Category . We like to separate our bottoms from our tops. For bottoms, we have four pairs of socks and boxers, two pairs of pants, one pair of shorts, swim trunks, and a belt. For tops, we have one button-up shirt, three t-shirts, and a long sleeve t-shirt.

With each of these neatly (or neatly-ish) grouped together in our staging area, we can continue organizing the rest of your gear.

Next up, we’re going to sort our outerwear by Context . We keep everything we need to stay warm in one place so it's packed away if we're in warmer climates. So, our next grouping consists of a hat, compressible jacket, hooded sweatshirt (Merino wool, of course), a rain jacket, BUFF, and gloves. We've found that you're probably going to want easy access to all of this stuff if you get cold, so keeping it together just makes sense.

For larger items, we tend to organize by Type . It nice to keep your shoes and sandals separate from your other gear, just in case they get funky. Plus, the ground can be pretty gross, you know? We also separate out our button-up shirt so it doesn't get wrinkled or dirty.

Now, if you're paying close attention, you'll notice that we've already sorted the button-up shirt into the tops category but are now keeping it separate. That's totally okay—this is why we have everything laid out.

PRO TIP: Travel with wrinkle-resistant clothing, like Merino wool, because it’s easy to roll and pack without worrying about creases.

Moving onto our accessories, tech, and toiletries. We group our devices—like a laptop and tablet—together since they’re a similar Type . We sort our two differently-sized travel towels this way too.

For cords, chargers, adapters, battery banks, etc. we usually organize by Context . You'll probably want access to all of this stuff when charging electronics or working on the road.

All of our toiletries will go together since they’re in the same Category .

Outside of those items, we have a few leftovers that are not organized into categories—a packable daypack, wallet, notebook, deck of cards, passport wallet, and sunglasses. We're not exactly sure how to sort these yet and that's okay. We'll figure it out when we pack the bag (that step is coming, we promise). The important part here is to get the obviously similar items together in one place and work from there to get organized in a way that makes sense to you.

PRO TIP: Consider what you can wear in transit to free up space in your bag.

One last thing to consider in this step is what you can wear while in transit, instead of packing it in your bag. For example, you can add a whole additional outfit (not accounted for in the list above) if you plan on wearing it, not packing it. Or, you can lighten your load and make extra space in your bag if you take out one of the outfits and wear it instead.

The common items most people wear in transit include a belt, a hat, bulky shoes, a jacket, or a sweatshirt. Or some combination of them all.

Now, as we said, these are the methods of organization that work best for our gear and travel styles. (And we think they'll work well for you too.) If you've found another system that works for you, great! Use it!

Step 3: Compartmentalize

Now that you have everything laid out and organized using your preferred method, it’s time to compartmentalize. Start by sizing up your groupings and deciding the best way to compartmentalize the items. Basically, figure out how you want to keep these groups separate in your pack.

You can pack all your stuff directly inside your bag—making use of any built-in organization if that's your style. Or you can divide your gear into packing cubes and other organizer pouches. You can even use trusty old Ziploc bags and rubber bands to hold stuff together (they're handy to have on the road, plus you might have some already lying around).

We’ve found packing cubes, pouches, and Dopp kits to be invaluable companions while we’re on the road—so that’s how we like to pack our gear. Let’s start with clothing.

PRO TIP: Pick up packing cubes in different colors to further organize your gear.

The first thing to do is to fold your clothes. Now, there are a bunch of fancy folding methods out there—which we might cover at a later date—but we tend to keep it simple. And by simple, we mean we roll them. We've found that rolling your clothes makes them more packable and helps combat wrinkles a bit.

So, let's take all those bottoms we sorted earlier, roll them up, and place them in a larger packing cube. Large packing cubes are great to keep around for your bulky clothing items. If you're new to the world of packing cubes or are looking to up your game, check out our Ultimate Packing Cubes Guide —it has everything you need to know about these helpful organizers.

Next, we'll roll up all our tops and put them in a medium to small-sized packing cube. We'll also pack that button-up shirt we separated into its very own packing cube to give it a little extra space and avoid wrinkles even more.

All of our cold-weather gear (sorted by Category ) will be stuffed into a packing cube together. It's a good idea to leave your rain jacket out (loose inside your bag) so you have quicker access in case you get caught in a sudden storm.

Wrapping up the clothes, we usually keep our sandals in a separate shoe pouch. That way, if they get dirty, sandy, or otherwise gross, we can keep them out of contact with the rest of our gear. For bulkier shoes—as in, not sandals—we'll wear those in transit. No need to pack them. We also like to travel with a baseball hat, which you can wear, toss at the top of your pack, or attach it to the outside with a carabiner.

PRO TIP: Bring a carabiner to hang wet stuff, shoes, a hat, whatever else, on the outside of your bag.

Okay, moving on to toiletries and tech. Compartmentalizing toiletries is easy—simply put them in a dedicated toiletry case or Dopp kit (whatever you want to call it).

For example, on the grooming side of things, we'll bring nail clippers, a comb, trimmer, razor, and a toothbrush. As far as consumables are concerned, we'll bring hair pomade, lotion, toothpaste, and deodorant. And everything fits neatly inside a Dopp kit. Of course, your mileage may vary based on the toiletries you bring.

Two things to keep in mind when figuring out your toiletries.

1) Try to find the smallest versions of everything you can. Full-sized toiletries and grooming tools can get bulky, so if you can shrink down your razor, toothbrush, even nail clippers, it'll make packing much easier. You can also use small containers—like the humangear GoToob+—to shink your liquids and leave those big containers at home. This is especially important for carry-on travel as all your liquids must be TSA-compliant.

2) A Dopp kit with a clear window is great for packing your TSA-compliant liquids. And it's even better if your toiletry bag is weather-resistant or waterproof so if any liquids leak, they won't spill all over your bag. (No one likes to open their bag to find out a shampoo wrestling match happened somewhere over the Atlantic.)

PRO TIP: If your toiletry case isn’t clear or windowed, bring a separate quart-sized Ziploc bag to house your liquids—under 100ml or 3.4oz, of course!

Finally, if you're traveling with tech (which we usually are), you're going to want a way to keep all those cords and such organized. We usually recommend tech pouches. The size of the tech pouch, and how many you carry, will depend on your kit.

We're going to pack the items we laid out and organized in Step 2, into two separate pouches. One pouch will hold the smaller cords, cables, chargers, and a battery bank. The other will be for larger items like that unwieldy laptop charger.

We also prefer to travel with any laptops and tablets inside protective cases. Laptops are expensive after all—and can be vital for you to make a living, depending on what you do for work. So having a case gives you a little extra peace-of-mind that your computer will be safe while hopping from plane to train to coffee shop.

At this point, you should have all your gear organized and compartmentalized into neat little groupings or packages. Be honest—it's super satisfying to look at, isn't it?

Step 4: Pack It Up

Whew. Take a deep breath—you’re almost there. It’s time to pack the bag up, strategically.

Since clothing is the largest item, we like to start there. Like we mentioned oh-so-long ago near the beginning of this post, we're going to be packing all the gear we've compartmentalized into the GORUCK GR2.

Now, if you're traveling with a backpack, it's typically better to have your heavier items as close to your back as possible. And try to keep them in the top third of your bag. This will help distribute the weight and make more comfortable to carry on those long travel days. If you're packing up a duffle bag or rolling luggage, this is less important.

First, we'll place our sandals at the bottom of the bag, followed by the four packing cubes full of clothes.

PRO TIP: Pack in flat layers like you’re laying bricks or a foundation on a house.

Packing your clothing flat will make it easier to maximize the space in your bag without any unexpected bulges that make it hard to zip closed. (Just because you've seen people sitting on their bags in movies, struggling to get them shut, does not mean you should make a habit of it.)

If you're a Tetris wizard, you'll probably love this step. There's something so satisfying about fitting everything in its place just right. Plus, most packing cubes are designed to fit inside bags, which makes this packing process even better.

Next, we're going to use the mesh pockets on the GR2 to pack some of our free-floating items. The two microfiber towels and packable daypack we're packing can go here because they pack pretty flat and we don't need quick access to them. The mesh pocket above that is a good place to store toiletries—it'll be easy to unzip the bag and get them out for airport security.

Note that although your bag of choice will have different organization (unless you've picked the GR2), the idea is to use the internal pockets to pack the gear you don't have compartmentalized into other pouches.

Now that our main compartment is full, we're going to move to the secondary compartment on the front of the bag where there's plenty of room to store our tech pouches, tablet, and other loose items.

PRO TIP: Leave a quick-access or exterior pocket empty so you can quickly dump items from your pockets into your bag as you’re going through airport security.

The GORUCK GR2 has a zippered pocket that's ideal for smaller items that you want easy access to. Things like your passport wallet, regular wallet, sunglasses, headphones, a notebook and pen, a deck of cards, etc. Again, while it's handy to have this type of compartment, another organizer pouch or Ziploc bag can do the trick too.

Finally, we'll pack the laptop in the dedicated laptop compartment and the rain jacket in an exterior pocket so it's ready to go.

Step 5: Practice Your Trip

You've made it to the fifth and final step, which is perhaps the most important—and the most overlooked.

Now that you have all your gear packed up exactly how you'll be traveling with it, try living out of your bag/suitcase for a couple of days (a week is even better!) at home before you leave for your trip.

Take your bag to work, go on a walk around the block with it to feel the weight, generally just live as if you were on the trip already. Try to use only the stuff you have packed. This will make you mindful of what you actually need on the trip, and what you can leave behind. Anything you don't need during the trial run, you can probably leave at home.

It can also help you remember items you would have otherwise forgotten—like those things you use all the time so they didn't make it into your initial staging area (looking at you, phone charger).

PRO TIP: After you’ve practiced your tip, unpack your bag and reassess your gear. Remove what you didn’t use and add it anything you’ve been missing.

You can use this strategy after you’ve taken multiple trips as well. Keep track of what you use frequently and what you don’t use. Each new trip, you can probably start leaving more and more behind as you get more comfortable traveling with less.

The goal is to pack as light as possible, which makes travel smoother and more seamless. You don't have to worry about lugging around a ton of heavy gear and you can usually explore more since you won't have a heavy pack weighing you down.

The more you travel, the more you’ll optimize and tweak your setup to make it the best for you. Heck, we learn something new every time we travel—even after countless flights.

Time To Hit The Road

So, there you have it—the best way to pack a carry-on for travel, step by step. We hope these instructions help you pack lighter and travel smarter.

To recap: Step 1: Choose Your Bag Step 2: Lay It All Out Step 3: Compartmentalize Step 4: Pack It Up Step 5: Practice Your Trip

Make sure to check out our guides if you’re looking for the right travel backpack , duffle bag , or daypack . And if you’re still not sure what to pack, we’ve got you covered with our comprehensive packing lists . Happy travels!

June 8, 2021

Author: Tom Wahlin

Tom has lived out of a 40L backpack for 2 years of travel, helping him learn what to pack and what to leave behind. His top achievements include designing for Apple and eating large quantities of ramen (ongoing).

10 STEPS TO PACKING FOR ANYWHERE

To help simplify the packing process, we’ve created this 10 step packing guide for any trip.   Make this your first stop when planning  your next trip.  And don’t forget to  download your free packing checklist !

GET THIS FREE EBOOK!

How do I Pack for a Trip in Just One Suitcase?

Planning a trip to anywhere can be the dream of a lifetime until you realize you need to plan what to wear. Don’t stress! We’ve put together all the best tips from the entire blog so you can easily access everything in one easy location. Follow these tips for stress free packing for your dream trip:

To master the art of packing light, you’ll need a  capsule wardrobe that is an essential concept to understand in order to create a minimal yet highly functional (and fashionable) travel wardrobe. Read this  packing ebook  to help you create the perfect travel wardrobe for your trip.

If you feel extremely overwhelmed at the idea of packing light or have a complicated itinerary, review this  packing course  which shows you specific techniques to plan around limited clothing choices, varying climates, and other unexpected life situations.

Check  weather.com’s  extended forecast in advance and 3 days before you leave.  Think about how many days you will be in warm vs cold weather.

If you have a 10 day trip and will be spending 7 days in the cold and 3 days in warm weather, plan for 70% of your travel wardrobe to be for the cold and 30% to be for the heat.

If you are only spending a short amount of time in cold weather or if you’re unsure if you will encounter cold weather on your trip, pack only the essentials: two outerwear PLUS two additional items: long sleeve top and leggings.

Use any of our  International packing lists  to find clothing ideas to dress appropriately for your destination then use the guidelines from TFG’s  Signature Packing Lists  to help you customize your travel wardrobe.

If you don’t see your destination listed, post a question on  TFG’s Facebook Group .

Depending where you’re traveling,  you might encounter cold weather even in the summer. Always check the weather for your countries to get the most accurate idea about what to pack.

Because many people visit multiple destinations, it’s very common to experience mixed weather on your trip any time of the year. Or if you’re traveling somewhere like the UK in summer, you might experience all four seasons on the same day!

The key to packing for multi-season trips is to pack a travel wardrobe that coordinates so you can layer as needed. Review this  Round the World Packing List  and this  Travel Wardrobe for Mixed Weather  for an interchangeable capsule wardrobe that will take you from cold to hot with ease.

For tips on choosing clothing and shoes for trips with different types of weather, please read  this packing guide .

I’ve created this easy three part guide on  how to pack for cold weather  to help you stay warm while packing light.

Knowing how to pack for cold weather travel can be quite daunting especially if you want to pack light. If you’re traveling in winter, bundle up! 

There is one major difference between being at home in the winter and traveling when it’s cold: the amount of time you’ll spend outdoors. When you’re traveling, you’ll likely spend extended periods of time outdoors sightseeing. Don’t be unprepared. Consider layering lightweight clothing such as the ones featured in this  winter packing list  to minimize the need for bulky sweaters and coats.

Avoid bringing a thick heavy coat when possible and opt for a  packable down jacket  instead.  Thermals  are also key to keeping you warm without having to pack thick sweaters. Don’t skip these!

You can even wear  leggings  or tights under jeans or pants for extra warmth. If you’re not used to the climate, add additional layers until you feel warm. Don’t forget essential winter accessories like a scarf, hat, and gloves!

Picking the best shoes for travel will be one of your biggest challenges so start by   reading this 10 step guide to packing the  best travel shoes  for any trip.

Choosing the right shoes for a trip is challenging but it’s not impossible. The main thing to remember is that comfort is king – you can’t enjoy your trip to the fullest extent if you’re in pain and can’t walk. While the ideal shoes will be both comfortable and fashionable, style will have to take a back seat if it means you can’t wear a pair of shoes for hours at a time.

Bring no more than three pairs opting for shoes that match all your clothing.  Pack one pair for sightseeing (walking), one pair of any special activities you have planned, and then a third pair to either dress up your outfits or one that’s appropriate for a change in weather.

These are the best  shoes for sightseeing in the cold  and these are the best  shoes for sightseeing in the heat . Black ankle boots like  these  are the most recommended shoes when dealing with either cold or mixed weather.

Please note:  ballet flats  are a popular travel shoe option when you want a dressier look but they are NOT recommended for long hours on your feet sightseeing.

Choose one of these  cute and comfortable walking shoes  instead – they’re the options most recommended by our readers!

It’s important to note that people in any country generally wear the same things that everyone else does around the world – the only difference is HOW they wear them.   People value simplicity, clean styling, and a  good tailored fit  above anything else.

In general, day-to-day European style is more dressy than American style. This DOES NOT mean business clothing. Think dressy top (or the type of top you’d wear to work) plus nice jeans (dark colors are always a good choice).

Read this ultimate  Packing List for Europe , which is a five part guide offering general packing information for Europe along with what to wear in spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

Southeast Asia is an interesting place in the sense that cultural considerations in most countries encourage residents (and visitors) to wear modest attire but some times you will see locals wearing shorts, dresses, and other clothing that doesn’t seem to follow this ideal.

You’ll 100% need to cover your shoulders and knees when visiting temples in all countries, but you don’t necessarily have to do this when you visit other places unless you’re in a Muslim country such as  Malaysia  or Indonesia.

Read these tips about choosing clothing for  conservative countries .

In any destination, remember to pack for the environment. Are you spending your time café crawling in the cities or getting lost in the wilderness? As with most destinations, practical sense applies. Leave the beachwear on the beach because it doesn’t translate well to streetwear in the city.

The same goes for gym wear; unless you’re actually headed to the gym, don’t dress in your gym attire.

One of the most important aspects about packing efficiently is using  luggage organizers .

Watch this packing video to learn  how to use packing cubes  to maximize space and never check a bag again. These are the top 12 reasons why I prefer  packing cubes  to other organizers. We recommend  these  packing cubes – they’re ours!

Start with luggage.  If you don’t already own a suitcase, choose one wisely. Read these tips on  how to pick a suitcase  and consider one of these  top brands . Make your life easy with our  best suitcase recommendations .

There are times when  backpacks are better than wheeled bags . If you’re going on an adventurous trip, learn  how to choose the best travel backpack .

Use packing organizers.  Do you want to know the ultimate tool to travel in a carryon?  PACKING CUBES ! They changed everything for me and thousands of other travelers. See  my packing tutorial  on how to use them! Trust me, they are a must!

Use tried and tested packing strategies.  For a summary, read our top  75 packing tips .

I’ve recently taken on a few extreme packing challenges to show you that packing carry-on only is possible for any trip. If I can pack like an ultra-minimalist (with style of course) then you can pack more comfortably in a regular carry-on. Watch these packing videos to learn more:

• Luggage Free Travel: One Week in My Favorite Purse
• What’s in My Bag: 4 Weeks Carry-on Only

Watch all my packing videos  here !

The biggest mistake travelers make with toiletries is not considering how much product they actually use. There are five key steps when it comes to downsizing your toiletries properly for a trip:

• Find combination items . You can find two-in-one shampoos and conditioners, body cleanser that can double as shave gel, a foldable brush with a mirror attached on the handle, and  multi-use makeup products .
• Purchase empty containers  of various shapes and sizes and DO NOT default to choosing “travel size 100ml or 3oz” options. These are the  best travel containers .
• Stick to the basics . Simplify your skincare and pampering routine and bring a  capsule makeup collection . It’s only temporary.
• Replace liquid beauty products with solids.  While  solid toiletries  may not help you downsize they will help you meet the carryon  3-1-1 liquids rule .
• Choose the right toiletry bag.  These are the  best toiletry bags  and these are the  best  hanging  toiletry bags .

For useful tips such as downsizing toiletries and choosing the best travel makeup, read our  Ultimate Guide to Packing Toiletries . It includes a free printable checklist!

Don’t forget about safety:  Be cautious about where you stash your cash. The safest place for your passport is locked in your accommodation. Carry a photocopy or other ID when you’re sightseeing or are out at night.

Keep your valuables safe with these anti-theft products:

• Money Belts and Anti-theft Accessories
• Best Anti-theft Bags for Women
• Are these Safe Travel Items Worth Taking
• 10 Tried and Tested Tips to Avoid Theft While Traveling

Read these tips on  how to keep your passport safe  when you travel!

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BONUS SECTION: TRAVEL TIPS

Accommodation.

For accommodation, we love  Airbnb  for accommodation in Italy and other parts of Europe.  Sign up here  for a free $40 credit!

I prefer to to book “the entire home” instead of opting for shared accommodation on Airbnb. Aside from safety, I also like to feel like I’m living in the destination. It’s a small taste of local life plus you get more amenities than you would at a hotel such as a kitchen and washing machine.

Read these  Airbnb tips  for more info!

If you prefer the convenience and comfort of a hotel room, I like using both  Agoda.com  and  Hotels.com . Tip: Hotels.com gives you a free night for every ten nights you book!

For flights, I like booking through  Travelocity  or  Cheapoair  (whichever one’s cheapest). Although I prefer Travelocity because they have a 24 hour money back guarantee.

To maximize your vacation time, fly into the city where you’re starting your trip and out of the city where your trip ends. Many times it’s the same price and saves you from having to spend extra time and money to go back to where you started your trip.

For hostels, we recommend  Hostelworld  and  Hostelbookers . Always read the reviews before booking to get the best idea if the hostel is right for you. Some are quiet and family friendly while others are known for their party atmosphere.

As a personal tip, if you’re backpacking, instead of booking all your nights in advance, maybe just book one or two so you can first get a feel for the place without overcommitting. Of course, should you be traveling during a special event or holiday, book in advance.

Not sure about staying at a hostel?  Read this.

Travel Insurance

For travel, I recommend  Travel Guard , which saved me over $800 in hospital bills on my round-the-world trip. As a scuba diver, I also recommend using DAN, which helped me rearrange my and my husband’s flights at no extra cost when we had a dive incident.

Tours are a great way to travel if you’re not ready to travel alone. A few top choices include  G Adventures  or  Intrepid Travel . While I haven’t traveled through Europe with G Adventures, I did go to South America and Africa with them as a new traveler in 2008 and enjoyed my experiences!

For Europe tours,  New Europe  has excellent tours and the best part? They’re free! All you have to do is tip your guide.

One of my favorite type of tours to do when I travel are food tours. In Europe, I’ve received complimentary tours by  Eating Italy ,  Eating London , and  Madrid Food Tours . I can’t recommend them enough!

In Rome, I did a City Tour and a VIP Vatican Tour with  Roman Guy tours . Not only were there were only 3 people on my Vatican tour versus the groups of 25-50 around us but my guide Nina was a local fashionista. I also got to skip the massive lines and enter the Vatican one hour before the public!

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One-bag travel: 7 must-know tips to pack everything you need in carry-on luggage

Avoid airport hassles by packing light.

Raise your hand if you’re guilty of overpacking? It’s OK. Most of us have stuffed much more than is necessary into our luggage when heading on a trip. It’s not easy to decide what to bring or leave home when you’re packing for a trip for pleasure or business.

Travel tips on packing light

Travel like a pro by packing light.

Do you always think you never know when you’re going to need a particular item? Well, then it’s time to learn the art of packing light . There really is a method to learning how to streamline your packing — and would you believe you can actually get everything you need into your carry-on luggage — just one bag? It’s true.

Lost luggage is a major concern to many travelers. Imagine the nightmare of arriving at your dream destination only to find your luggage is on the other side of the world. If you want to trim down your packing and learn how to travel light, we’ve got the travel tips you need so that you can achieve one-bag travel and limit the odds of your stuff going missing on your flight .

One of the best travel tips is packing light. Having everything you need for your trip in your carry-on makes it easier for you to get where you’re going without the stress of trying to manage multiple pieces of luggage. You also have the added peace of mind of knowing the things you need for your trip are safely right over your head. There isn’t any time spent on the flight fretting over whether your bag made it on the plane. When you land, you are good to go with your carry-on luggage. There isn’t a need to crowd around the baggage carousel hoping your bags appear. Of course, packing light is easier said than done. So, here’s your go-to list for packing light for your next trip.

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Choose the right carry-on

There are plenty of options when it comes to choosing a carry-on bag. Roller suitcases are convenient and protective, but you end up losing a lot of potential interior space due to the handle and wheel attachments. Traditional hiking backpacks can be too long for overhead compartments, and they’re also a pain to dig through because of their layout.

Tortuga solves this by fusing a suitcase-like design with a backpack setup. It’s specifically fashioned to maximize every square inch allowed to you by airline restrictions, and it has a functional assortment of pockets and other organizational features. What’s more, Tortuga travel backpacks are durable, comfortable, and water-resistance. The bottom line is that no other bag allows you to pack so much into the carry-on space allowance.

How to pack a suitcase

Packing everything in your suitcase is all about space efficiency. You’ve probably heard the old “roll, don’t fold” adage in regard to packing clothes . Stuff socks and underwear into your shoes or better yet, don’t bring along an extra set of shoes at all. You’re packing light, remember.

In the end, proper packing isn’t so much about using specific tactics but more a matter of keeping organization in mind. If you just throw everything into a bag, very little will fit. If you take the time to find the right place for each item, you’ll be able to pack far more into a smaller space.

Forget “just-in-case” items

We’ve all packed those “just-in-case” items like an extra sweatshirt or a sweater, even if you’re headed to the tropics. The best packing tip is to leave those what-if items at home. Instead, when packing, keep in mind the things you actually use on a day-to-day basis. Anything that has you thinking “just in case” should stay at home.

Vacation packing list

Keeping a packing list when traveling is great for not only making sure that you don’t forget anything essential, but also for ensuring that you don’t bring anything extra. Wondering what to pack in a carry-on ? We’ve got a go-to list vacation packing list to help you get your carry-on ready to go.

• 2 pairs of shorts
• 2 pairs of pants
• 7 pairs of socks
• 7 pairs of underwear
• 2 pairs of gym shorts
• 2 gym shirts
• 1 rain shell
• 1 pair of flip-flops
• 2 USB-C cables
• 2 USB-A cables
• Bluetooth speaker
• 1 power bank
• Wireless headphones

You can also have a pair of running shoes clipped to the outside of my bag by a carabiner. Feel free to adjust the clothing items you need to bring based on your destination and travel purpose. Just remember need, not just in case.

Make the most of your personal item

In addition to your larger bag, travelers are allowed a smaller personal item that can fit below the seat in front of you. A large purse, laptop bag, small backpack, camera bag, or whatever else will fit works great. This is the perfect place to carry extra items that won’t fit in your carry-on, or to pack souvenirs from your trip.

Make the most of your jacket

If you’re headed to a chillier climate or even a warm one, think of your jacket as a third bag you wear over your body. Those pockets can be a place to store smaller items on your packing list and you’ll have a jacket for when the temperatures dip.

Buy toiletries at your destination

Don’t fill up your bag with everything from your bathroom sink. Bring a few essential items , then get everything else when you arrive at your destination. This can also help speed things along at airport security by skipping the part where you forget that you packed a bottle of whatever exceeds the 3.4-ounce liquid rule.

While stress is unavoidable when traveling, there are travel tips to streamline the whole process. It comes down to striking a balance between planning and improvisation. For people who travel often for business or pleasure, packing light is key. It may be hard to fathom, but you can actually take one bag on a trip when you know what to pack in a carry-on. A packing list when traveling is essential to putting together a carry-on that can get you comfortably through your entire trip.

Keep our other travel tips in mind when packing for your next trip. You’ll see that you may actually enjoy your flight when you’re not worried about whether your luggage got on the plane. When you touch down, you will really love not waiting around for the baggage to catch up.

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Traveling to Canada from the United States is relatively straightforward, but the documentation required can vary depending on your mode of transportation and citizenship status. While a passport is the most widely accepted form of identification for international travel, alternative options are available for U.S. citizens entering Canada by land or sea.

What you need to know about traveling to Canada So, what exactly do you need to cross into Canada? It really depends on how you're getting there. What documents do I need to cross the Canadian border by car? If you're a U.S. citizen traveling to Canada by land or sea, you have a few options for acceptable documentation:

If you're planning on traveling to an international destination, getting a passport is one of the first things on your to-do list. A U.S. passport is required to enter any other country, including Mexico and Canada. However, the U.S. Department of State also offers a passport card -- a smaller, wallet-sized version of a passport. While it might seem intriguing to opt for a passport card over a standard passport book, the smaller price comes with some limitations to consider. Below, we'll break down the differences between a passport card vs. book and how to determine which option is best for you. Passport card vs. book A standard passport book is required to enter any country by air travel. This means if you're planning on heading to the airport, you'll need to get a passport book regardless of your final destination. A passport card is a smaller, wallet-sized version of a passport that allows entry only into Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, or the Caribbean. A passport card cannot be used for air travel and is only valid for land or sea travel. For this reason, the passport card is a great option if you're planning on driving into Mexico or Canada. Many people who live in states that border these countries opt for a passport card so they can easily enter bordering countries.

A passport card is also a good option for those who want to get a valid form of ID to travel domestically. If you don't have a driver's license (REAL ID), a passport card can be used instead for domestic air travel.

Traveling by air doesn't come without its physical tolls. Hours spent in a pressurized cabin with limited movement and dry hydration levels can negatively impact our skin and immune system in ways we don't immediately notice. One of the simplest yet surprisingly effective ways to counteract these effects is by taking a cold shower after a flight. While it might not be the most appealing thing in the world to do after a flight, the cold exposure might just be worth it. Let's explore how this simple act can be a game-changer for frequent flyers. Benefits of cold showers after a flight

Revitalizing the skin One of the most notable changes that you may have experienced after air travel is how harsh it can be to the skin. The low humidity levels in airplane cabins can harm the natural moisture barrier on your skin and lead to dehydration or even breakouts. A cold shower can work wonders in this scenario.

• EXPLORE Random Article

How to Travel With One Bag

Last Updated: June 3, 2021 References

This article was co-authored by Archana Ramamoorthy, MS . Archana Ramamoorthy is the Chief Technology Officer, North America at Workday. In 2019, she went on a three-month sabbatical from her work and solo traveled throughout Southeast Asia. She is a product ninja, security advocate, and on a quest to enable more inclusion in the tech industry. Archana received her BS from SRM University and MS from Duke University and has been working in product management for over 8 years. This article has been viewed 468,709 times.

Travelling with one bag can be a freeing experience, and offers increased mobility and simplicity as you traverse airports and checkpoints. No long waits at baggage check-in counters, or lost luggage to worry about! Unless your trip is highly specialised, or requires carrying large heavy items, traveling light will ensure that you can avoid checking a bag and will be able to keep track of your own stuff.

Sample Packing Checklist

Traveling with One Bag

• Size: The largest dimensions that your airline will allow as a carry-on is a good starting point. If you can fit what you need into a smaller bag, doing so may allow you to travel more comfortably, and give you more options when storing the bag in the overhead compartments or under the seat in front of you.
• Big, easy to carry, durable and modestly priced bags are especially important to soldiers. Try a "giant duffle [sic] backpack" from a "tactical" store for checked baggage (the cylindrical girth and somewhat bigger length maximizes permitted volume, and the stowable backpack straps preserve mobility); or a maximum-carryon-sized boxy-shaped backpack. The color selection may be limited, but black is generally available and may helpfully avoid a military appearance in travel out of of one's own country.
• Storage: Multiple pockets help keep things organized, at the expense of a little added weight. Pockets accessible from the outside provide convenient access to travel paraphernalia such as an inflatable neck pillow or other sleeping aids and snacks, without unpacking or rummaging through everything else.
• A packable nylon or light synthetic canvas shoulder bag that folds into a little pouch is a great backup to have on hand in case you decide or happen to accumulate souvenirs. Choose a size within your airline's "personal item" carry-on limits to bring it on the plane with you, or check it in on your return trip.

• Three changes of clothing (at most). Perhaps more socks, underwear and shirts than pants. (Consider packing synthetic fabrics, which are lighter, fold up smaller, slide past each other readily rather than distorting piles, and dry faster––especially for pants, where any difference in feel is less noticeable.)
• Toiletries, such as a toothbrush, floss, soap, shampoo, razors, and anything else you need for grooming. See below for more information about packing toiletries.
• Medical items that you currently require, such as medication, bandages or eyeglasses.
• Any charge cords or other accessories you need for your phone, laptop, or other electronic items.
• Shoes, if you'll need a pair besides your traveling shoes.
• Empty plastic bags. You can put dirty clothes in them until washing to keep them from contaminating the clean ones. They should be clear so they aren't confused with trash and thrown away. Try produce bags.
• Laundry detergent for washing by hand. Put a few scoops of powdered detergent in a plastic sandwich bag if you're going on an airplane. An inexpensive, lightweight, and long-lasting alternative is to carry a bar of laundry soap.
• A portable clothesline (available at any camping or travel goods store).
• A universal sink stopper (a flat rubber disk, available at any hardware store), to help with hand-washing laundry. A rubber ball can be an alternative, but check that it doesn't tend to float and is large enough so as to not risk falling in.

• The bundle method. Wrap clothes around large and/or semi-delicate objects (such as bags of toiletries, pairs of shoes, or electronics), rather than folding or rolling clothes. Stuff underwear and socks into shoes to save space and to prevent crushing shoes. The bundle method saves space and also reduces wrinkling. [5] X Research source
• The rolling method. Roll each item of clothing into a tight cylinder. This saves space and minimizes wrinkles. See how to roll clothes for details.
• Combine rolling and folding. See How to Pack Clothes in a Backpack for more information.

• Remember that for carry-on air travel, your airline will require all liquids to fit inside a single plastic bag. Check your airline's carry-on rules for size specifications.
• Put toiletries that could leak (shampoo, gel, etc.) in individual plastic bags to avoid mess. If you use bar soap (which can substitute for other forms of soap such as shampoo and shaving cream), get a ventilated holder for it so it doesn't turn to mush through use and storage.
• For quicker trips through airport security, try to use solids rather than liquids. Shampoo is available in solid soap-block form and even single-use sheets. Check at a backpacking or outdoor store for more options.
• Save extra space by omitting common inexpensive items like body soap and shampoo, and purchase them instead when you reach your destination.

Expert Q&A

• Consider taking an e-reader, as this will take up much less space than any books you might have taken. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
• Pick neutral colors so your outfits are easier to coordinate. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• When traveling in a group, share common items (shampoo, detergent, books etc.). Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• If you are prescribed a number of different medications and are traveling to another country, make sure that you contact customs both at your starting destination and at your ending destination to find out if there are any regulations concerning your medication. Try to get whatever they say you need in writing . Start this process as early as possible; if there are doctor certificates or permits that are required, they may take some time to get. Some countries can be slow to respond and you do not want to have your trip postponed or try to take your medication in that country illegally. Do not pack your medications in your checked bags ; pack them in clear zip lock bags with any necessary documentation and carry them yourself. Do not carry medicine in unmarked or wrongly marked containers ; make sure they are all in the prescription containers they came in. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• Try to avoid putting valuables in any checked bag. Bring valuables onto the plane in your carry-on bag. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• While travelling to different country make sure to find out if they have any regulations regarding your prescribed medications. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Things You'll Need

• A single bag that suits your travel style
• Airline carry-on size restrictions, if not checking your bag
• Travel documents and funds
• A pragmatic mindset

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.onebag.com/bags.html
• ↑ https://www.onebag.com/list.html
• ↑ https://www.onebag.com/checklist.html
• ↑ https://thepointsguy.com/news/army-packing-technique-saves-money/
• ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/clothing/bundling-clothing
• http://ricksteves.com/plan/tips/packlight.htm

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10 Awesome Travel Essentials for One Bag Travel

The less you carry, the more enjoyable your travels become. One bag travel not only keeps you agile on the go but also helps you avoid baggage check-in charges and long waits at the luggage carousel. However, the key to becoming a one bag travel ninja is packing the right gear. Compact size, light weight, and multifunctional design are key when considering your one bag travel packing list. So we’ve selected 10 awesome essentials that are worthy additions to that list, helping you see and do more with less.

MODL Infinity Tool 2.0 (from $19)

A multitool you can wear on your wrist? The MODL Infinity Tool 2.0 is this and more, offering a host of different uses in a package that can be worn as a bracelet, secured on a bag, and much more. The revised system features new studlink and stud designs as well as glow-in-the-dark options, making this a versatile system for numerous outdoor and urban uses alike. Use it as a bungee cord, gear loop, or glow stick for visibility in low-light conditions, whether you’re hiking, camping, riding a bike, or sightseeing in the city.

FunkkOFF! TeethRefreshers (US$22)

FunkkOFF! TeethRefreshers let you keep your smile fresh while ditching bulky toothpaste tubes and long brushes. The compact 2-in-1 toothbrush and toothpaste design is the size of a lipstick, making it easy to stash in a pouch, bag, or pocket. The FunkkOFF! TeethRefreshers® are reusable up to 30 times and also include a small mirror on the base for added convenience.

KableCARD (from US$36)

Tired of tangled charging cables? The KableCARD provides a sleek storage solution for multiple cable charging options, along with space for a SIM eject pin and nano SIM card storage. For added functionality it also serves as a memory card reader, phone cradle, and source of ambient light. All in a package that’s slim enough to store in a wallet or pocket.

Matador FlatPak Travel Toiletry Bottle – 3 Pack (US$38)

Need to travel with liquids? Traditional carry-on-approved bottles may be small but still tend to be awkward to pack, taking up a lot of room in a toiletry kit. But Matador have come up with a nifty alternative in their FlatPak Travel Toiletry Bottles. Made with welded waterproof 30D Cordura® ripstop nylon, the bottles have a large screw-off cap for easy filling, with a flip-open design for dispensing as required. And as the name suggests, they pack flat when empty for even better space-saving storage on the return journey.

Bellroy x Carryology Tech Kit (US$69)

Part of our Carryology Essentials collection, the Bellroy x Carryology Tech Kit takes all the thoughtful functionality of Bellroy’s Tech Kit and serves it up with a hardware and materials upgrade, giving you practicality and sleek style in one. The kit is constructed with water-resistant YKK zippers and fabric and features a unique Auxikko pattern embossed on the leather detailing. Inside you’ll find multiple elastic loops and pockets to organize tech items and small EDC, making it easy to access them on the go without having to rummage in the recesses of your bag.

Trakke Foulden Clamshell Packing Cubes (~US$94)

Trakke’s Foulden Clamshell Packing Cubes help prevent a jumbled mess in your travel bag, keeping your gear neat and accessible while you’re on the move. Made in Scotland with dry-finish waxed canvas, the set includes a small and large cube, each with grab handles for easy retrieval from a bag. The handles also allow the cubes to be hung up on hooks or coathangers at your destination, creating hanging storage that keeps gear within convenient reach by partly unzipping the cubes.

Proof 72-Hour Merino UPF Hoodie (US$138)

As the name suggests, this merino hoodie is designed to be worn for three days straight without the need for washing, making it a great addition to your travel wardrobe. Featuring a blend of 84% 18.5-micron merino wool, 12% nylon, and 4% spandex, the hoodie provides all the travel-friendly benefits of merino wool (temperature regulation, odor resistance, and moisture wicking) with added durability and comfort. The UPF 50+ rating makes this a lightweight piece for protection from the sun, with the versatility to layer up in cooler weather. Plus you also get thumb loops to help keep the sleeves in place while you’re getting after adventure.

Salomon XA Pro 3D Trail Sneaker (US$175)

Shoes take up a lot of packing space, so if you’re only running with one pair on your travels, they better be versatile. Enter Salomon’s XA Pro 3D Trail Sneaker, which offers dependable grip through its All Terrain Contagrip design and moderate cushioning for comfort and energy return. Add in its understated, urban-ready aesthetics and you get a multifunctional shoe that will happily venture onto demanding outdoor trails while also nimbly navigating urban environments too.

Huckberry x Peak Design X-Pac Travel Duffel Bag – 35L (US$180)

So you’ve got all your awesome travel essentials sorted, but how do you carry them all? The Huckberry x Peak Design X-Pac Travel Duffel Bag is a great choice for those who want to roam with a duffel. The exclusive collaboration offers up Peak Design’s Travel Duffel in a handsome Coyote X-Pac that’s tough, weatherproof, and lightweight. Multiple interior and exterior pockets keep smaller items organized, while the wide opening makes it convenient to pack and retrieve gear. You’ve also got the option to carry it by hand, over the shoulder, or as a backpack using the hand straps. The 35L volume is carry-on-friendly and also versatile enough for other day-to-day uses too, such as trips to the gym or weekend adventures, making this a useful piece to have in your carry arsenal beyond travel use too.

Matador GlobeRider45 Travel Backpack (US$350)

For ultimate hands-free travel freedom, a backpack is the way to go. And Matador’s GlobeRider45 Travel Backpack provides a trusty blend of functional design, durability, and low-key aesthetics to accommodate a wide variety of settings and loads. The 45L pack features a weatherproof 420D Bluesign® nylon UHMWPE reinforced ripstop exterior and weatherproof YKK zippers for protection from the elements. The clamshell main compartment offers easy packing, while exterior-access tech storage and quick-access pockets make getting through airport security less of a hassle. As an added benefit, the hip belt and shoulder straps are also stowable to prevent snagging in tight spaces.

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One Bag Travel: Everything You Need to Know

Published October 15, 2021

Written by:

Fred Perrotta

Co-founder, tortuga.

Fred Perrotta is the co-founder and CEO of Tortuga. His first backpacking trip to Europe inspired him to start the...

Jeremy Michael Cohen

Jeremy Michael Cohen is a co-founder of Tortuga. He also works as a screenwriter and director. Aside from travel and...

The Tortuga Promise

At Tortuga, our mission is to make travel easier. Our advice and recommendations are based on years of travel experience. We only recommend products that we use on our own travels.

Table of Contents

One bagging is the packing version of minimalism.

Newbie travelers always start by bringing way too much stuff. They pack for every square inch the airline will allow onboard the plan plus however much checked luggage they can afford. We understand the instinct, but it’s the wrong way to approach travel.

Traveling is about what you experience, not what you packed.

If minimalism is about owning fewer but better things, one bagging is about packing fewer but better things.

Pack for trips of one week or more without checking a bag.

• Thick comfortable straps
• Easy to organize
• Durable, waterproof fabric
• Backed by our Worldwide Warranty

Doug Dyment, the creator of OneBag.com , puts it well:

[I]f you persevere, you will at some point reach a transcendent moment, in which your (one) bag will be small and light enough to carry  without consequence,  no longer of any meaningful concern. And—from that instant—your travel experiences will be forever changed, with an unfettered freedom that is quite simply beyond the understanding of those who remain bound to their baggage.

You can find the one bag community online at Reddit.

The  /r/onebag  subreddit describes itself as:

[A] minimalist urban travel community devoted to the idea of lugging around less crap; onebag travel. Fewer items, packed into a single bag for ease of transport to make travelling simpler with more focus on the experience than the logistics.

Whether you’re looking for a “transcendent moment” or just to lug around “less crap,” one bagging is the first step.

The minimalist lifestyle isn’t for everyone, but we think that one bag ideals can—and should—be applied to all travelers’ packing lists . Less stuff means more focus on the experience. Isn’t that why you’re traveling in the first place?

Traveling Like a One Bagger

Ever see that person in the airport who zips past a crowded escalator and beats everyone to the top, because they have a  travel backpack  and took the stairs? That person also didn’t have to wait at baggage claim. They never fear lost luggage. Their bags never get tagged at the gate for being oversized.

One bag travel saves you money because you never have to deal with baggage fees. You’ll feel more secure because your luggage never leaves your sight. And best of all, it gives you the ability to spend as little time as possible in the airport worrying about your luggage. Just land and get your adventure started.

Traveling with one bag make the “in transit” part of your trip faster, easier, and cheaper. So you can get on with it and get to the fun part.

How to Pack Like a One Bagger

If you’re new to packing light, let’s start with the core curriculum. One bagging is a slightly more limited version of carry-on-only traveling. Think of it as traveling with your carry on but no personal item. Or, for more advanced one baggers, traveling with a personal item but no carry on .

First, learn the rules of what you can bring onboard your flight.

Carry On Luggage Size Guide

With a firm grasp of the rules, we can move on to the general approach of how to pack less.

7 Secrets to Packing Light

With the theory portion covered, you’re ready for the tactics. Depending on where you’re starting, jump into our “Step Down to Carry On ” series which takes you step-by-step through the journey of packing less.

• Max Packer to Moderate Checker
• Checking a Smaller Bag
• From Checked Luggage to Carry on Luggage

One Bag Packing List

As OneBag.com recommends, you’ll need a carry on packing list . Download the linked packing list and use it as an all-purpose list for getting started. From there, you can customize the list based on your own style and preferences.

You can also check our blog for destination-specific packing lists to match your next trip.

What to Look for in a One Bag Travel Backpack

Any single bag is technically one bagging. But carrying a giant, 80L hiking pack that’s taller than you are, defeats the purpose of one bagging. Especially because you’ll have to check it.

One bagging is about “just what you need,” not “just in case.”

Carry-On-Sized

The right size for your one bag is carry on sized (or less). Carry ons have enough space for any length of trip, but are still small enough to carry easily. By limiting yourself to a carry on , you’ll never have to pay checked baggage fees or wait around for your luggage .

Most airlines have carry on restrictions of 22 x 14 x 9″, roughly 45L in volume. Hardcore one baggers will travel with a sub-20L bag that looks like a school backpack.

We applaud their commitment but also know that most people won’t go that far.

To strike the best balance of minimalism, packing space, and sticking to the airlines’ rules, we recommend a backpack between 35-40L. Check with your airline before flying . If you fly multiple connecting flights, check each airline individually. The Travel Backpack 30L works as a carry on with all European and budget airlines.

Front-Loading

Aside from their size, the other reason that hiking bags don’t work well for travel is that they’re disorganized and messy.

Remember the last time you had to dump everything out of your bag to find your last clean t-shirt buried at the bottom? If so, you know that a backpack that only opens at the top like a garbage bag is a nightmare to use.

Instead, opt for a backpack that opens from the front, like a suitcase, so you can always find what you need. A front-loading (or panel-loading) bag is always organized and easy to find whatever you need.

Get a backpack with a spacious main compartment for your clothes. Keep the main compartment simple for more flexibility in packing. If you need more organization, add a set of packing cubes .

Look for a good balance of compartments and pockets for all of your small stuff. But don’t overdo it. Too many pockets can be limiting and will take away from your packing space.

If you expect to carry a laptop or tablet , make sure your backpack has dedicated, protected spaces for one or both.

Comfortable

If you’ve used hiking backpacks, you know their best ergonomic feature: a hip belt. The belt allows you to transfer most of the load from your shoulders to your stronger leg muscles and keep your back happy all day long.

Other small details make a difference for overall comfort. Make sure that the shoulder straps and back panel are well-padded and that the backpack fits your torso.

Low Profile

One bag travel is about minimalism, simplicity, and ease. Your bag should reflect that too.

A colorful bag is useful in the outdoors but will make you stick out in urban settings. Go for a subdued color palette and minimal branding.

The Best One Bag Travel Backpack

Whether you’re new to packing light or a seasoned minimalist, we designed the Travel Backpack to be your one bag travel backpack .

The Travel Backpack has everything you need in a travel backpack . It’s carry-on-sized, front-loading, and comfortable. You’ll also find a TSA-friendly lay flat laptop compartment and a height-adjustable suspension system to fit you perfectly.

New one baggers will prefer the larger, 4OL Travel Backpack . If you’re looking to pack even lighter, downsize to the 30L version.

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Max Carry On Size

Fred Perrotta is the co-founder and CEO of Tortuga. His first backpacking trip to Europe inspired him to start the company. For over a decade, he’s traveled the world from his home base in the Bay Area while working remotely. When he’s on the road, Fred enjoys both walking and eating as much as possible.

Read more from Fred

Find the perfect pack for your next trip

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📜 Packing Lists

Learn how to travel extra light on your next adventure by looking at what other people pack for their own.

Short Cruise

A Month in Thailand

3 Week European Experiment with 1.5 Bags

1 Week in Nepal

Europe with some cycling

Five Days in Vegas

Nothing Fancy - Business Trip to Singapore

Packing List for South East Asia and Beyond

Indefinite Travel Pack

6 Months in South East Asia

11 Days in Japan

First One Bag to Vietnam and Korea

3-4 Day Trips with 16L

Indefinite travel packing list

Quitting a Job to One Bag Around Europe, Good Idea? Great Idea.

Packing List for a Two Week Honeymoon in Japan

Packing List for a 10 Day Trip to Berlin & Prague

Packing List for a 5 Day Trade Show

Packing List for Ultralight Hiking in Chile

Packing List for 4 Months through Mexico and Central America

Two Weeks in the Big Easy and Texas

5 Weeks in Asian and Europe with Too Many Dress Shoes and a 17km Run

Two Weeks, 7 Pairs of Underwear, in Uruguay

A Purplish Month in Southeast Asia

Minimalist Packing List from a Female One Bagger

Packing List for 10 Days in Washington DC

Packing List for Six Countries in Europe in 17 Days

Ultralight (under 7kg) Packing List for 10 Countries

Packing List from a Hobo with a Laptop

Packing List for a Five Day Company Meeting in Anne Arbor, Go Blue!

Beginner Minimalist Packing List for 10 Days in Spain and Portugal

Packing List for One Week in Naples

Packing List for a Month in Morocco

30 Day, 12 Cities, 1 Bag Packing List for Him

Photographers Packing List

Super Efficient European Summer Travel Packing List

One Bag Around the World for 1+ Year

Sri Lanka with a Suit

28 Weeks, 19 Liters, and an Experienced Packer

No Bag to Niagra

Pommes Frites at the European Parliament

17 Days in Southeast Asia with a Lifelong Friend

A Cold Trans-Siberian Train and a Hot Swampy Singapore

Packing List for the Beautiful Orange and Grey Contrasts of Paris in the Fall

Master Level Around the World Packing List

The Strongest Stripe Game Europe Has Ever Seen

Golden Week Trip to Korea

Giant Packing List for Two Climates

Packing List for a Cold Trip to Europe

Five Days in Los Angeles

Clean Nails from Milwaukee

Cyan Accents to Iceland and Faroe Islands

Blacks on Blacks - South Asia Tour

First Time OneBag Travel: 3 Weeks in Asia (Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand)

Packing List for Bouncing in and out of Schengen

Packing List for a Conference in Vietnam

Browse our minimalist packing lists by the following categories:

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The best packing cubes to save space and keep you organized

These travel cubes will keep your suitcase in order, whether you’re going on a short getaway or a round-the-world adventure.

Whether you’re packing for a weekend getaway or planning an around-the-world adventure, packing cubes can help streamline the packing process. Packing cubes are bags that come in different sizes in a set. They can help organize clothing and save room in your suitcase. Frequent traveler Kayli King uses packing bags daily to keep clothes organized in her van while traveling. “Honestly, after traveling so long, I can’t imagine not using them,” she says.  

After talking to King, we compared packing bags, looking for durable travel cubes with functional designs and a wide variety of sizes. Our top overall pick is the Gonex Compression Packing Cubes. Compression zippers, handles, and a low price tag make this set the best all around.

Our picks for the best packing cubes for travel

The best packing cubes for travel, best overall: gonex compression packing cubes.

Buy it now on   Amazon

Why we like it:   The Gonex Compression Packing Cubes are our choice for the best overall packing cubes. Despite being one of the more affordable travel cube sets on this list, these compression bags have plenty of features, including ripstop nylon, reinforced seams, and handles. They compress via double zippers that pull the edges of the travel packing bag together. The packing cubes can hold everything from socks to jackets and are designed to fit together like puzzle pieces. They’re also available in over 10 colors.

Keep in mind:   These packing cubes unzip only halfway, so you have to stuff your clothes inside rather than lay them flat. Some reviewers note that the compression zippers are difficult for people with arthritis or reduced mobility.

Product details: Size: 4-piece set: 9.8 x 7.5 x 3.54 inches (small), 11.8 x 8.9 x 3.54 inches (medium), 14.5 x 10.6 x 3.54 inches (large), and 17.3 x 13 x 3.54 inches (extra large) | Material:   Ripstop nylon | Weight: 12 ounces (set)  

Best for traveling light: Eagle Creek Pack-It Isolate Cube Set  

Buy it now at   Backcountry

Why we like it: At 4.2 ounces, the Eagle Creek Pack-It Isolate Cube Set is half the weight of other packing cubes on this list, but they’re far from flimsy. They’re made of ripstop polyester and have “self-repairing” zippers—if a gap opens in the chain, you can slide one of the zippers over it to close it. Eagle Creek also offers a warranty that covers fabric tears and zippers. Because they’re lightweight and sturdy, these travel cubes are great for hikers and campers who want to organize their backpacks.  

Keep in mind: The set includes only three smaller-sized travel cubes. While great for backpacks and carry-ons, you may want bigger packing cubes for checked luggage.

Product details: Size:   3-piece set: 4.5 x 7.5 x 2.5 inches (extra small), 7.25 x 10 x 3.25 inches (small), and 10 x 14.25 x 3.25 inches (medium) | Material:   Ripstop polyester | Weight:   4.2 ounces (set)  

Best for overpackers: REI Co-op Expandable Packing Cube Set

Buy it now at   REI

Why we like it:   The packing cubes in the REI Co-op Expandable Packing Cube Set are the opposite of compression bags. Each cube has a second zipper that, when unzipped, increases its width to six inches—double the size of other packing bags on this list. They’re designed to last with ripstop polyester treated with a durable water-repellent (DWR) finish. The packing cubes also meet the Bluesign criteria, the highest environmental standard for sustainable textile manufacturing.

Keep in mind:   REI Co-op recently updated its packing cubes, and some buyers believe the quality has suffered as a result. Third-party reviews mention thin material, unreinforced zippers, and mesh that snags.

Product details: Size:   3-piece set: 8 x 6 x 3 inches (small), 12 x 8 x 3 inches (medium), and 14.5 x 10.5 x 3 inches (large) | Material:   Ripstop nylon, polyester mesh | Weight: 8.3 ounce (set)  

Best upcycled option: Cotopaxi Cubo Packing Cube Bundle

Why we like it:   The brightly colored Cotopaxi Cubo Packing Cube Bundle is an upcycled option you can feel good about. The packing bags are made of 100-percent repurposed nylon and mesh. Kayli King likes that the mesh panels allow your things to air out and that you can hang them up by their handles.

Cotopaxi’s sustainability initiatives extend beyond its packing cubes. The company says that 94 percent of its products use repurposed, recycled, or responsible materials. They also offer programs to repair items and trade them in to avoid landfills.

Keep in mind:   Despite its competitive price, this bundle comes with only three packing cubes. The size range is small compared to other packing cube sets. However, King prefers this set for longer trips.

Product details: Size: 3-piece set: 7 x 8 x 2 inches (2-liter bag), 6 x 11.5 x 3 inches (3-liter bag), 10 x 11.5 x 5 inches (10-liter bag) | Material:   100 percent repurposed nylon and mesh | Weight: 9 ounces (set)

Best style: Calpak Packing Cubes Set

Buy it now at   Calpak

Why we like it:   While many packing cubes seem to favor function over fashion, the Calpak Packing Cubes Set balances both. The packing bags come in over 20 colors, with patterns like “cheetah” and “lime viper.” They’re durable, with thick polyester sides and mesh covers that let you see inside. Each packing cube has a zippered pocket for smaller essentials and an ID tag to write down the contents. If five travel cubes aren’t enough, you can buy additional Calpak travel organizers, like shoe bags and laptop totes.

Keep in mind:   The Calpak Packing Cube set is by far the heaviest and most expensive option on this list. You may want lighter packing cubes if you travel with just a carry-on or are concerned about overweight luggage.

Product details: Size:   5-piece set: 13 x 10 x 1.5 inches (envelope), 12 x 8.8 x 3 inches (small x 2), 5 x 11 x 3 inches (medium), 17 x 12 x 3 inches (large) | Material: Polyester and mesh | Weight: 1 pound, 12.8 ounces (set)  

Best set: Tripped Checked Bag Set

Why we like it:   The Tripped Checked Bag Set has a travel cube for almost every packing need. The set includes seven packing bags, including two extra large sizes, a slim cube, a shoe bag, and a roll-top laundry bag. Mix and match the travel cubes to fit your suitcase and packing needs. Most of the packing cubes in the Checked Bag Set also have a compression feature. Plus, they come in a wide range of colors and an illustrated set featuring national parks.  

Keep in mind:   While the packing cubes are made from a ripstop blend, reviewers mention that the material and stitching feel thin and flimsy. Some of the travel cubes don’t unzip all the way, making packing more difficult.

Product details: Size: 6-piece set: 12.5 x 6.5 x 6.5 inches (shoe bag), 12.5 x 4.5 x 3 inches (slim cube), 21 x 11.5 x 0.1 inches (laundry bag), 10 x 7 x 4 inches (small), 14 x 10 x 4 inches (large), 16 x 12 x 4 inches (extra large x 2) | Material:   Ripstop nylon-polyester blend | Weight:   15.5 ounces (set)  

Best budget: Veken 6 Set Packing Cubes

Why we like it: The Veken 6 Set Packing Cubes come with six packing cubes, including a laundry bag and a shoe bag. They cost less than half the price of most other packing bag sets on this list. The low price doesn’t mean low quality, though. The Veken 6 Set Packing Cubes are made of thick polyester, with sturdy zippers and mesh panels to help keep clothes fresh. Plus, they come in 12 colors.  

Keep in mind: The laundry and shoe bags are small. The polyester is not ripstop and can melt if dried on high heat.

Product details: Size: 6-piece set: 4.7 x 17 inches (shoe bag), 14 x 20 inches (laundry bag), 11 x 6.75 x 4 inches (small), 13.75 x 9.75 x 4 inches (medium), 13.75 x 12.75 x 4 inches (large), 17.5 x 12.15 x 5 inches (extra large) | Material:   Polyester | Weight:   10.4 ounces (set)  

How we chose the best travel packing cubes

We weighed the following qualities when curating the best packing cubes:

Third-party reviews:   We considered reviews from sources other than company websites and spoke with seasoned travelers to find out what they liked.  

Brand reputation: Anything you use for traveling should be functional, long-lasting, and, preferably, good for the planet. We looked for brands that value high-quality gear and sustainability.

Quality of material:   We chose travel cubes that were made to last, with durable materials like ripstop nylon and polyester, reinforced seams, and strong zippers.

Size range: Different-sized packing bags make for an easier packing experience. We chose packing cube sets in a range of sizes, from extra small to extra large.

Compression options: Some packing cube brands offer compression bags, which can be a nice feature if you’re tight on space.  

Tips for buying packing bags

Here’s what to consider when picking your own packing cubes:

Brand reputation  

Choose a trusted brand with a proven reputation. Brands with zipper and fabric warranties or repair programs will also help you get as many vacations as possible with your travel organizers.

If you only use carry-ons or smaller luggage, choose a packing cube set with fewer, smaller travel cubes. If you prefer to use checked luggage, go for a packing cube set with more travel cubes and bigger sizes.  

If you travel with just a carry-on or want to use packing cubes for hiking, choose an ultralight packing cube set. Every ounce counts when packing light, and some travel cube sets are nearly 1.5 pounds lighter than others.

Packing cubes are typically made of polyester or nylon, both strong synthetic fabrics. If you need something even more durable, look for ripstop nylon or polyester, which has extra threads to prevent tears from becoming bigger.

Some brands offer compression bags, which can save space. However, King finds that compressed bags can be awkwardly shaped, making them harder to fit together in your suitcase. If you are a heavy packer, travel cubes for shoes or laundry can help keep the rest of your luggage clean.

Frequently asked questions

Are packing cubes worth it?

Packing cubes can help save space in your suitcase and improve organization, reducing stress while traveling.

Does TSA allow packing cubes?

Packing cubes are TSA-approved, provided everything inside is within the regulations. Check with your airline on what is allowed in carry-on and checked bags.

How many packing cubes do you need for a suitcase?

How many packing cubes you need depends on the length of your trip and the size of your suitcase. Four to six packing cubes is a great starting point. You can adjust the number as needed.

How much does a packing cube cost?

The packing cube sets recommended here cost between 20 and 70 dollars. Some companies may sell individual packing cubes for less.

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I Travel Alone Often, and These Are the 16 RFID-blocking Bags I Recommend to Keep Your Info Safe — From $10

They’ll give you serious peace of mind.

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

Travel + Leisure / Madison Woiten

I first started traveling solo internationally long before my career as a professional travel writer began, back in college when protecting my belongings involved keeping a death grip on my airline tickets (remember cardstock tickets?) and cashier’s checks. I remember nervously walking around London — wearing my backpack in front, of course — and assuming everyone on the Tube was trying to figure out where I had stashed my cash. I learned from that trip that traveling in fear is no fun as a solo traveler (or as any sort of traveler, for that matter), and it’s definitely not necessary. What is necessary is being aware of your surroundings and making smart decisions, like not walking alone through dimly lit passageways and not letting others know you’re traveling alone.   More than eight dozen countries later — and hundreds of stories filed from hotel rooms and cafes around the world — and I can now attribute much of my safety success while on the road to being smart, being aware, and being prepared with gear that protects my personal info (like these data blocking charging cables ).  You’ll still often see me traveling with my backpack on my front while riding on crowded Metros around Europe where I live … only now that backpack is equipped with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-blocking technology. Digital theft is a growing problem around the world, and not just in crowded cities, where a simple skim (i.e., scan) of your bag could give thieves access to your name, address, credit card numbers, and expiration dates. For that reason, I always use an RFID-blocking wallet or bag to keep my credit cards and IDs un-skimmable and recommend travelers do the same. From bags that are meant to be worn on the front to bags that are both slice- and skim-resistant, these are my favorite RFID-blocking bags for anyone looking to protect themselves while traveling.  

Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Essential Messenger Bag

This roomy messenger is lightweight but durable, and by durable I mean slash-proof, cut-proof, and equipped with locking hardware to strap it down while at a restaurant or café. Travelon makes one of the top anti-theft bags out there, and this bag doubles as a wallet with built-in card holders and zipper pockets, all RFID-blocking, of course. 

Daitet Money Belt Bag

Travelers love this RFID-blocking money belt for “ peace of mind ” and that it’s easy to conceal when they’re on the go, saying it’s “ almost unnoticeable under a T-shirt ” and is “super light, durable, and works great.” Coming in at just $10 thanks to a 50 percent off sale, it’s also a steal. And Amazon shoppers have taken note, with more than 2,000 selling in the past month alone. 

Falanko Laptop Backpack

The RFID-blocking pocket is large enough to protect a wallet, a phone, and a passport all at once. I also love that this backpack is waterproof, so it can also protect a laptop against spills or unexpected weather. The built-in charging port and luggage strap come in handy, too. 

Baggallini Essential Crossbody Bag

Amazon reviewers love this crossbody’s multiple zipper pocket options, but I love how easy it is to keep clean. The entire bag is machine washable, which does not hinder the RFID-blocking capabilities in any way. 

Sherpani Geo, Anti-Theft Tote Bag

Although this anti-theft bag is smaller than the average tote, it’s great for storing a 10-inch tablet and perfect for protecting your digital identity with a spacious RFID-blocking pocket built right in. Even better, you can wear it as a tote, a crossbody, or a shoulder bag.

Kroser Laptop Backpack 

There are no less than 13 pockets in this TSA-friendly backpack. Some are mesh, some are zippered, but the most important ones are RFID-blocking. Reviewers obviously love its functionality, but many also mention how comfy it is to wear. 

Nautica RFID-Blocking Mini Crossbody

The RFID-blocking pocket in this crossbody is almost as big as the entire bag itself. This also comes with an interior zipper coin pocket as well as an exterior zippered pocket, but I love that it can be worn as a wristlet or a crossbody depending on which strap you use. 

Travelon Anti-Theft Metro Convertible Small Crossbody 

Don’t let the size deceive you — this durable bag is surprisingly spacious. It comes with Travelon’s signature 5-point anti-theft security system (i.e., slash-resistant strap, lock down straps, locking compartments, an RFID-blocking organizer, slash-resistant mesh), and it can be worn as either a waist pack or a crossbody. 

Wrangler RFID-Blocking Crossbody Purse 

Simply thread your belt through the belt loop for a hands-free RFID-blocking bag that’s great for travel. Designed to resemble an old-school camera bag, this petite purse is perfect for stashing the essentials, and keeping those essentials safe no matter where you go. 

Travelon Anti-theft Classic Sling Bag

Amazon has this popular travel sling on sale for up to half off right now in select colors. It’s an organized traveler’s dream bag, with multiple pockets and specific RFID-blocking card slots and passport pockets. I love that it has the versatility of a sling with the functionality of a backpack.

S-Zone Duffel Bag

Even without the RFID-blocking zippered pocket — which is huge, by the way, at 12.6 inches long — this bag is one of my favorites to recommend for travel due to its smart design. This anti-theft duffel can hold way more than you’d expect and opens like a suitcase to keep things organized.  

Bagsmart Laptop Bag

Leave it to Bagsmart to come up with one of the smartest laptop bags on the market. This TSA-friendly briefcase is fully padded for laptop protection and comes with a secret anti-theft RFID-blocking pocket for digital protection. It’s also water-resistant and big enough for a 15.6-inch laptop. 

AM Sea Blue Laptop Tote Bag

This unassuming floral tote is surprisingly techy, with an external USB charging port and earphone jack on one side and an RFID-blocking zippered pocket on the other. The bag is great for toting a laptop, but it’s also a perfect carry-on, with a full zipper closure for added security between gates and in flight. 

Vera Bradley Mini Hipster Crossbody Purse

I view this bag as more of a wearable wallet, with built-in RFID-blocking card slips and an ID window taking away the need for packing a bulky wallet. It has multiple zippered pockets and pouches for extra organization, and the small size makes it easy to stash in a larger carry-on or tote. 

Vankean Expandable Waterproof Laptop Briefcase 

This bag had me at “expandable.” It’s small, but mighty, with anti-theft features that include multiple RFID pockets. Aside from being expandable, I like that it’s waterproof, TSA-compliant, and holds up to a 17-inch laptop. 

Samsonite Classic 2.0 RFID Crossbody Bag

Samsonite loyalists will love this classic crossbody, especially because it has a solid RFID-blocking lining that protects against skimming. Multiple pockets and a sturdy shoulder strap keep it ideal for travel, and the main compartment is roomy enough to even hold up to a 10.1-inch tablet.  Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.

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The 10 Best Travel Umbrellas, Tested & Reviewed

By Claire Volkman

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The one thing that I absolutely never forget to pack: a travel umbrella. No matter where I’m going, except for the Wadi Rum or the Sahara Desert maybe, there’s bound to be some inclement weather. Rain, sleet, thunderstorms; no destination is without them. Having an umbrella on hand allows you to keep your travel plans intact, and even see the sights in some places without all the crowds.

However, the task of picking an umbrella is about as daunting as picking a suitcase . With about a million options to choose from and all of them claiming to be “the best travel umbrella,” it’s no wonder so many just pick the cheapest option and go. However, not all umbrellas are created equally—as anyone who has found themselves with one completely inverted during a torrential downpour will tell you. Below, we’ve rounded up the best of the best travel umbrellas, keeping features like durability, wind-resistance, and size in mind.

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Discover the best travel umbrellas:

• Best overall: Weatherman travel umbrella
• Most compact: Davek The Davek mini
• Best for cities: Amy's Automatic umbrella
• Most affordable: Repel windproof travel umbrella
• Most durable: Blunt Metro umbrella
• Best splurge: Pasotti Tropical umbrella
• Most lightweight: Totes mini manual umbrella
• Best patterns: Rifle Paper Company umbrella
• Most wind-resistant: Davek Elite umbrella
• Most sustainable: Totes recycled canopy umbrella

Best overall travel umbrella

Why we love it : Sturdy, wind-resistant, lightweight, and incredibly compact, the Weatherman travel umbrella is undeniably the best on the market. This umbrella has a serious fanbase, with hundreds of nearly perfect reviews on Amazon. It is surprisingly lightweight, and can easily fit in a carry-on or tote bag . It has an automatic open and close feature, a reinforced fiberglass base, and a water-resistant, Teflon-coated fabric. Plus, it shields winds up to 45 MPH and is tough enough to withstand even the heaviest of rainfall.

Worth noting : There aren’t many things to complain about this umbrella, however, it is a bit pricey coming in at $69. However, with a lifetime warranty, it’s well worth the splurge.

Dimensions:  Open diameter: 38"; Closed length: 12" Weight: 0.85 oz. Carrying sleeve included: Yes

Most compact

Why we love it: When they say mini, they mean mini. The Davek Mini is so small and compact that it fits in the palm of your hand. Measuring less than 7 inches when closed, you can easily stash this umbrella in your carry-on, backpack , or even a jacket pocket. Plus, it weighs less than a pound, making it almost unnoticeable when not in use. Made from reinforced fiberglass, it also comes in 10 bright colors so you can coordinate your umbrella with the rest of your outfit.

Worth noting: Because of its size, the canopy doesn’t provide overwhelming coverage. Additionally, it’s not built for extreme storms and functions best in light showers.

Dimensions : Open diameter: 38"; Closed length: 7"

Weight : 0.8 oz.

Carrying sleeve included : Yes

Best for cities

Why we love it : With a sleek and stylish small wooden or plastic handle, this lightweight umbrella features a wind-defying 8-rib canopy that’s also UPF 50+ certified, meaning it provides adequate sun protection, too. Small enough to walk down the busy streets of Chicago during a rainstorm without the awkward “bump and sideswipe,” it fits easily in a work tote, briefcase, or backpack. Plus, it features an automatic open and close, and comes in over a dozen bright and bold patterns and colorways, making it easy to stand out in a sea of black and blue canopies. It also comes with a five-year global warranty and is pretty affordable at only $40.

Worth noting: It’s small enough to fit in your hand, which means the canopy doesn’t offer premium protection in heavy rainstorms.

Dimensions : Open diameter: 38.1"; Closed length: 21.6"

Weight : 0.76 oz.

Most affordable

Why we love it : You can’t go wrong with this incredibly durable, lightweight, and affordable Repel travel umbrella. With over 36,000 4.5-star Amazon reviews, this is an overwhelming crowd favorite among travelers, worker bees, families, and everyone in between. I tested the durability during a heavy summer rainstorm in Chicago, and it stood up surprisingly well thanks to its 9-rib canopy, heavy-duty Teflon-coated fabric, and non-slip rubber grip. Plus, the automatic open and close feature makes it super easy to go in and out of buildings and restaurants without getting soaked or stuck. Another thing to note was how well it stood up to Chicago’s infamous winds—not bending, flipping, or even flapping during big gusts. The best part? It’s only $27 on Amazon and comes in 10 colors.

Worth noting: We didn’t find any problems with the umbrella, but some reviewers found that it didn’t stand up to heavier winds and isn't as lightweight as other comparable brands.

Dimensions : Open diameter: 42"; Closed length: 11.5"

Weight : 0.93 oz.

Carrying sleeve included : No

Most durable

Why we love it : This heavy-duty umbrella stands up to even the strongest rainstorms, and offers supreme coverage thanks to its patented wind-tip rounded edges, which work like mini umbrellas. It’s also built with a 360-degree spinning canopy which prevents it from breaking when dropped or knocked over. It’s extremely wind-resistant and has been tested to withstand the winds and rains of a category one hurricane. It’s also made from rip-resistant pongee fabric that is also super quick to dry, so you can easily go back indoors without needing a plastic cover.

Worth noting: This umbrella only features six ribs, which means it's smaller than Blunt’s other umbrellas.

Dimensions : Open diameter: 39"; Closed length: 15"

Weight : 0.85 oz.

Best splurge

Why we love it : If looking chic is just as important as staying dry, this is the umbrella for you. Handcrafted by Italian umbrella maker Pasotti, the canopy will stop people in their tracks—with a beautiful tropical pattern in sage, gold, and dark green. When I was walking in downtown Chicago, I had four people stop to ask me about this umbrella (and then a few ask to buy it from me). Although I originally gravitated to this umbrella for its looks, the functionality is why it’s my absolute go-to. The canopy extends 102 centimeters and has a 93 centimeter shaft, meaning I’m not going to get pelted by rain when it’s windy (which is everyday in Chicago).

Worth noting: At $275, this is by far the most expensive on the list.

Dimensions : Open diameter: 40"

Most lightweight

Why we love it : They weren’t kidding when they said this is one of the most lightweight umbrellas on the market, weighing only 8 ounces. Small enough to fit into most purses , carry-ons, totes, and computer bags, this umbrella doesn’t take up any more space than it needs too. One drawback with the size is that you need to activate the canopy manually (no quick release button). However, the handle is sturdy and the canopy provides ample coverage for most light-to-moderate rain storms. I love the fact that it comes in multiple colors and patterns, and the price makes it easy to stock up on a few (only $25 at Amazon).

Worth noting: Due to the size, it’s not super wind-resistant and wouldn’t be a great pick if you’re facing a heavy downpour or storm.

Dimensions : Open diameter: 43"; Closed length: 11.2"

Weight : 7.8 ounces

Best patterns

Why we love it : If you’re someone who buys a bottle of wine based on the label, these umbrellas are for you. Known for its bold, whimsical, and delicate patterns and floral designs, Rifle Paper Company’s umbrellas are true works of art. Each umbrella also features a sleek wooden handle and an automatic open/close feature.

Worth noting: This is not the umbrella to buy if you’re looking for durability, extreme wind resistance, or more bells and whistles. This basic umbrella provides decent coverage in light rain, but isn’t meant for heavy winds or downpours.

Dimensions : Open diameter: 43"; Closed length: 11"

Most wind-resistant

Why we love it : There’s a reason 81 people have given this umbrella a nearly perfect rating on Amazon—it actually holds up. Sure, it may be a splurge at $159, but it is well worth the price tag when you see how it holds up. Surprisingly compact, the canopy extends 50 inches, giving you extreme protection against even heavy rains. Plus, it’s small enough to fit in a carry-on, backpack, or large tote bag. The fabric is 201-thread count, making it luxurious to touch but also extremely powerful against rain. The best feature is the wind-tension frame system, which can withstand heavy winds and prevent inversion. We tested this against a very blustery 55 MPH wind day in Chicago, and there was barely any flapping or movement at all from the tough canopy.

Worth noting: It’s expensive, but comes with a lifetime warranty and replacement guarantee.

Dimensions : Open diameter: 50"; Closed length: 35"

Weight : 1 lb.

Most sustainable

Why we love it : Shopping sustainably is more important now than ever, and that extends to umbrellas, too. Tote’s recycled umbrella is made from 100 percent Recycled PET plastics, equating to about 7.5 recycled water bottles per umbrella. The handle and strap are also made from all renewable resources, like bamboo and hemp, and the production process uses less water overall. In terms of coverage, the Pet umbrella features Tote’s patented NeverWet invisible coating allowing the rain to drip off the umbrella 4 percent faster, leaving you with a drier umbrella once indoors.

Worth noting: Its compact design makes it easy to travel with, however, doesn’t provide a ton of additional coverage beyond your person.

Dimensions : Open diameter: 43"; Closed length: 11.5"

Weight : 1.15 lbs.

Best Luggage in 2024: Save $375 on a 3-Piece Luggage Set

You're going to look like a travel pro with these luggage options from calpak, royce & rocket, and paravel..

The products featured in this article are from brands that are available in the NBCUniversal Checkout Marketplace. If you purchase something through our links, we get a commission.

Your spring and summer travel plans deserve the best luggage . No matter if you're gearing up for business travel, international travel, or just a quick weekend trip across state lines, you need carry-on luggage and checked luggage that can stand the test of time and trends.

Travel with the best luggage in 2024! Our shopping experts have rounded up the best luggage, including the best luggage brands, to help you create the best luggage set for you and your journey.

These suitcases, rolling luggage, and travel bag options will help keep your things organized and safe while helping you look put together at the airport or on the road.

Below, you'll find customer-loved rolling luggage, carry-on bags, hard-side luggage, soft-side luggage, bags with a TSA lock, packing cube options to maximize organization, and so much more .

These travel must-haves from bestselling luggage brand options offer more than just wheels. We chose rolling luggage and travel bag carry-ons that include tons of pockets and pouches for toiletries, electronics, pet supplies , and wet items like swimsuits.

Many of our selected suitcase options offer expandable capacity, which is a great option for travelers who tend to bring a souvenir (or 10) home for friends and family.

Shop a must-see luggage set from Badgley Mischka, a fun patterned luggage set from CalPak, as well as editor-loved soft-side luggage options, including bags that are pink!

Discover an on-sale suitcase from the luxury travel brand Royce & Rocket, plus the best travel backpack option, with a peak design that features space for a laptop, and a duffel bag option that's actually easy on your shoulders.

It's time to ditch your old, broken suitcase. Upgrade to the best carry-on luggage and checked luggage with the options below.

Emirates is dealing with a 30,000 bag backlog as it grovels to customers about its handling of Dubai floods

• Severe flooding caused by the heaviest rain in 75 years brought travel chaos to Dubai Airport last week.
• The ongoing fallout has prompted Emirates boss Tim Clark to issue an apology to customers. 
• 30,000 bags still need to be returned to customers, he said.

Emirates, the Middle East's largest airline, is still trying to return 30,000 leftover bags to customers affected by the torrential rains and flooding that brought Dubai Airport to a standstill last week.

Over the weekend, the airline's president, Tim Clark, acknowledged that Emirates' response to the disruption had been "far from perfect" and apologized to customers.

"I would like to offer our most sincere apologies to every customer who has had their travel plans disrupted during this time," Clark wrote in an open letter posted online on Saturday.

Calling the previous week "one of the toughest for Emirates operationally," he said that the airline had been forced to cancel nearly 400 flights and delay many more after storms brought the region's highest rainfall in 75 years.

"Flooded roads impeded the ability of our customers, pilots, cabin crew, and airport employees to reach the airport, and also the movement of essential supplies like meals and other flight amenities," Clark wrote.

In total, 1,478 flights had been canceled at the world's second busiest airport by Friday morning, according to Reuters.

While planes remained stuck on flooded taxiways, submerged roads surrounding the airport left some passengers stranded in the airport.

Related stories

To accommodate disrupted passengers, Emirates said it had secured 12,000 hotel rooms and issued 250,000 meal vouchers.

Despite the chaos and a government warning telling people to stay at home, Emirates flight attendants in Dubai were also told to report for duty.

However, Clark acknowledged that many passengers had been frustrated by the congestion, lack of information, and confusion at terminals.

In an effort to handle the ongoing fallout, he said that a task force had been created to sort and return 30,000 pieces of left-over luggage to its owners.

The airline officially resumed regular flight operations at Dubai Airport on Saturday, but warned it would still take several days to clear the backlog.

Non-UAE-based carriers were still facing restrictions over the weekend. Foreign airlines with more than two flights in 24 hours were issued with a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) instructing them to reduce operations by 50%, Indian news agency PTI reported.

According to FlightRadar 24's data , all arrivals and departures were largely running to schedule again on Monday morning.

The oil-rich United Arab Emirates has become one of the most attractive economic hubs in the Gulf region.

Its efforts to diversify its economy away from oil, centered on Dubai as a tourism hot spot, have helped the country position itself as a major player on the world stage. In a sign of its growing popularity, the number of passengers traveling to Dubai Airport increased by 31.7% in the last year.

Watch: Thousands of bags pile up at US airports after flight cancellations

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I am flying into Sheremetveyo Airport at 5:30 am and I have my train to Sochi at 2:30pm from Kazansky train station.

Is there any place in the Red Square that I can store my luggage?

Go from airport first to Kazansky train station, left your luggage there and go sightseeing

is there no place near red square?

or is kazansky the most efficient solution?

Your sequence of actions:

1/ arrival in SVO

2/ earoexpress to Belorusskiy st.

3/ metro from Belorusskiy to Kazanskiy ( merto Belorusskaya=> Komsomolskaya)

4/ store your luggage in Kazanski St.

5/ metro to the city center. ( metro Komsomolskaya =>Teatralnaya)

6/ sightseeing

7/ back to Kazanskiy to pick up your luggage and depart with train to Sochi

http://mosmetro.ru/metro-map/

Hi Nomad ! The sistem I already tested is the possibility to use the luggage storage site related to the tourists with not eavy luggage interested to enter in Kremlin area or in one of the associated museum (like diamond museum). So if you buy the cheapest ticket available for the day you and only you, will be entitled to store free of charge one piece of luggage in the deposit not far from ticket sale center near Alexandrovsky park. Obviosly two luggages it means that you have to buy two tickets. Enjoy !

Take note carefully about the closing time of the storage site avoiding late arrival.

Sorry, NO WAY should you drag your luggage down to the Kremlin...do as stated, proceed from where Aero comes in directly to Kazanski (use Ring Line on Metro), then head on to Kremlin, and just return a little bit before your train to grab your luggage...

Hi Nomad ...I would like to revert the points of the matter:

1)first question: do you have some knowledge of russian and his alphabet ?

2)second question: do you believe are you able to take suddenly a russian metro also using app and so on in english ?

3)How many Kg is your luggage ? Using metro it means you have to bring your luggage up and down along several passages and obviously you are obliged to buy tickets and make also compulsory controls for luggage.

Take note that you will arrive with Aeroexpress in Belorusskij station and the distance to reach Kazansky is almost near 5 Km so you are obliged to take metro or taxi.

The distance from Kazansky station to Red Square is near 9 km so you need once again metro or taxi.

Now dear Nomad you have much more infos and I am sure that you will take the right decision fitting to your travel status and available time.

https://www.kreml.ru/en-Us/visit-to-kremlin/ticket-prices/kamera-khraneniya1/

#7 - are you totally sure that one has to lug luggage “up and down several passages”...I have found in making many, many trips that quite often - ESPECIALLY if not transfer involved which is the case here - one does not end up having to navigate stairs. I know, for example, that I can very readily hop in the green line at Byelorusskaya and get off at Paveletskaya with ZERO such worries..,in fact, I have carted one huge suitcase AND a roll abroad in doing so.

I will admit I do NOT know the situation with regard to stairs in entering the Ring line station at Byelorusskaya station and getting off at Komsomolskaya for the Kazanski Station..,maybe someone local can advise us here? That is, do escalators at both ends take one all the way up down.

BUT, be that as it may, no matter what the Kremlin storage says, I repeat that it does not make ANY sense whatsoever to lug around ANY luggage vs. taking maybe 20-30 minutes to drop it off at the train station.

There is a nice step-free way to travel from Belorusskiy to Kazanskiy - tram 9... No need to get underground, easy, little slower than metro for sure -but sort of a tour. Enjoy!

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I am flying into Sheremetveyo Airport at 5:30 am and I have my train to Sochi at 2:30pm from Kazansky train station.

Is there any place in the Red Square that I can store my luggage?

Go from airport first to Kazansky train station, left your luggage there and go sightseeing

is there no place near red square?

or is kazansky the most efficient solution?

Your sequence of actions:

1/ arrival in SVO

2/ earoexpress to Belorusskiy st.

3/ metro from Belorusskiy to Kazanskiy ( merto Belorusskaya=> Komsomolskaya)

4/ store your luggage in Kazanski St.

5/ metro to the city center. ( metro Komsomolskaya =>Teatralnaya)

6/ sightseeing

7/ back to Kazanskiy to pick up your luggage and depart with train to Sochi

http://mosmetro.ru/metro-map/

Hi Nomad ! The sistem I already tested is the possibility to use the luggage storage site related to the tourists with not eavy luggage interested to enter in Kremlin area or in one of the associated museum (like diamond museum). So if you buy the cheapest ticket available for the day you and only you, will be entitled to store free of charge one piece of luggage in the deposit not far from ticket sale center near Alexandrovsky park. Obviosly two luggages it means that you have to buy two tickets. Enjoy !

Take note carefully about the closing time of the storage site avoiding late arrival.

Sorry, NO WAY should you drag your luggage down to the Kremlin...do as stated, proceed from where Aero comes in directly to Kazanski (use Ring Line on Metro), then head on to Kremlin, and just return a little bit before your train to grab your luggage...

Hi Nomad ...I would like to revert the points of the matter:

1)first question: do you have some knowledge of russian and his alphabet ?

2)second question: do you believe are you able to take suddenly a russian metro also using app and so on in english ?

3)How many Kg is your luggage ? Using metro it means you have to bring your luggage up and down along several passages and obviously you are obliged to buy tickets and make also compulsory controls for luggage.

Take note that you will arrive with Aeroexpress in Belorusskij station and the distance to reach Kazansky is almost near 5 Km so you are obliged to take metro or taxi.

The distance from Kazansky station to Red Square is near 9 km so you need once again metro or taxi.

Now dear Nomad you have much more infos and I am sure that you will take the right decision fitting to your travel status and available time.

https://www.kreml.ru/en-Us/visit-to-kremlin/ticket-prices/kamera-khraneniya1/

#7 - are you totally sure that one has to lug luggage “up and down several passages”...I have found in making many, many trips that quite often - ESPECIALLY if not transfer involved which is the case here - one does not end up having to navigate stairs. I know, for example, that I can very readily hop in the green line at Byelorusskaya and get off at Paveletskaya with ZERO such worries..,in fact, I have carted one huge suitcase AND a roll abroad in doing so.

I will admit I do NOT know the situation with regard to stairs in entering the Ring line station at Byelorusskaya station and getting off at Komsomolskaya for the Kazanski Station..,maybe someone local can advise us here? That is, do escalators at both ends take one all the way up down.

BUT, be that as it may, no matter what the Kremlin storage says, I repeat that it does not make ANY sense whatsoever to lug around ANY luggage vs. taking maybe 20-30 minutes to drop it off at the train station.

There is a nice step-free way to travel from Belorusskiy to Kazanskiy - tram 9... No need to get underground, easy, little slower than metro for sure -but sort of a tour. Enjoy!

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