Once you force yourself to pack the light, your life on the road becomes a lot easier. You will be more mobile, more comfortable, and you will often save money too - because keeping strong hand luggage avoids many surcharges on flights (especially with budget carriers).
I have met people who carry up to 90 pounds or 40 kg when traveling. It's crazy! They walk their way, too heavy a backpack full of things they will never need. They sweat, they curse and finally swear they will never pay so much. It's not a fun lesson to learn.
Nowadays, I travel with a total weight of about 11 kg or 24 pounds (although it is less when I did not bring so much electronics for my blogging). It is very beneficial to pack well, and I recommend doing tests at home. Put all your equipment on your bed or floor, think about each item and try to eliminate all non-essential items. Try packing and unpacking a few times to see how it feels. If you are disciplined, you will feel free as a bird instead of being packaged like a mule.
This publication is mainly about packing for a hike or booming trip, although many tips can be used equally for shorter trips or holidays. You can find even more minimalist packaging guides, but in a few areas, I prefer to swap some weight for convenience. Of course, every traveler is different, and the approach I will show in a minute is just one example.
Choose the right bag
Before talking about packaging, it is worth thinking about the bag you will use first ...
The best way to avoid overheating is to start with the bag of good size. This will eliminate the temptation to keep adding more things and requires you to prioritize.
I recommend getting a bag with a capacity of about 40 liters. You might need a little bigger if you plan to go camping, but if you stay in hotels or hostels, a bag of this size should be absolutely good. If you do not know which bag, check my list of the best backpacks.
A smaller bag is much easier to handle during transit. For example, you can easily switch on the back of a tuk-tuk. You can place it under your seat in a bus, where it will be more secure and easier to access. And if you need to run to catch this last train, you will not be as crowded and could actually do it!
Backpacks also have advantages over wheeled luggage, at least for trips in general around the world. A suitcase is good for a holiday in a fixed location or when you are only staying in modern urban environments, but it's not so good for sandy beaches, cobbled streets or dirt roads. A backpack is also more malleable and easier to store than a hardshell suitcase.
Most backpacks with a capacity of approximately 40 L will be accepted as hand luggage, although it depends on their exact dimensions, so be sure to check the specifications.
I used to travel with a 45L backpack, but I am now traveling with an Osprey Farpoint 55. This backpack can be divided into a 40-liter main bag and a 15L lunch bag. It's not exactly minimalist, but I needed a little extra space for the many electronics that I use for my travel blogs. I would say that 40L is enough for most travelers, and if your backpack has more than 55 to 60 L, it may contain some inaccuracies compared to the original.
Best Travel Backpacks 2018 - Carry-On & Full Size
