I have always believed in the one bag travel policy. It’s always cheaper to travel with less because you can avoid baggage fees and time spent organizing your bags.
And nowadays, you do not need to carry much to explore the world in a meaningful way.
Now that I am a full-time nomad, I can focus on experiencing what life offers me instead of being burdened by material things.
One-bag travel is a minimalist approach where travelers use a single bag (usually a backpack or a carry-on suitcase) for all their belongings, aiming to streamline the travel experience and potentially save on baggage fees.
It involves careful packing, selecting versatile clothing, and potentially doing laundry during the trip.
The trick is to find a system that works for you so that you don’t overpack and only bring the gear you need.
Below, I’ll share what is in my travel backpack to inspire you to ditch check-in bags, overweight suitcases, and travel light!
The Travel Backpack
I highly recommend the Aero Jet travel backpack by Gossamer Gear.
Aero Jet Travel Backpack
Clothes
- 2-3 T-shirts – Easy to pack and wash.
- 2-3 Tank Tops
- 1 Light Rain Jacket – Marmot rain jackets are super light and come in fun colors.
- 3 Shorts (1 casual, 1 outdoor, and 1 for sleeping in)
- 1 short Skirt
- 1 midi Skirt
- 1-2 pairs of Pants or Jeans – Something lightweight, quick-drying, and that can be dressed up or down.
- 2-3 Dresses (usually 1 maxi, 1 midi, 1 mini) – I try to choose dresses that are thin, lightweight, and easily packable.
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1 long-sleeved shirt that I can also wear like a cardigan or shawl if it’s sunny. Usually, I prefer it oversized.
- 1-2 swimsuits – Check out Andie Swim and Knix.
- 1 Travel Towel – Check out Geometry and use code ALEXGOESGLOBAL for a discount.
- 3-4 pairs of socks
- 5-7 pairs of underwear
- 2 Bras (1 sports and 1 shaped)
- 1-2 pairs of Slippers or Flip Flops
- 1 pair of Sneakers or Hiking Shoes
- 1 Sunhat
- 1 Ball cap
- 1-2 Sunglasses
- 2 Headbands
- 1 Scarf
As my day bag, I carry a PAKT sling bag. It’s a spacious and practical travel bag! See what’s in my sling bag.
Toiletries
- 1 toothbrush and toothpaste
- 1 Electric shaver
- 1 small bottle of shampoo
- 1 small bottle of conditioner
- 1 small bottle of liquid shower soap
- Deodorant
- Sunscreen for the body and face
- Make Up
- Eyeliner
- Blush
- Eyeshadow
- Brushes
- Lip Gloss or Lip Oil
- Chapstick
- Other Items:
- Nail Clipper
- Tweezers
- Hair Ties/Clips
- 2-3 laundry pods
First Aid Kit
- Band-Aids
- Probiotics
- Ibuprofin
- Hand Sanitizer
- Bug Repellant
My Blogging Gear
- Sony Alpha DSLR + Carrying Case
- Compact Tripod
- Desktop Tripod
- Laptop
- Laptop Charger
- Tech Pouch
- Phone Lanyard
- Power Bank
- Bluetooth Earplugs
- Universal Power Adaptor
Looking for gear to film and capture your adventures? Visit this guide to see all the content creation equipment I use.
Miscellaneous
- Inflatable Travel Pillow – Blow it up to your desired firmness and pack it away when you don’t need it.
- A Combination Lock – For hostel stays and locking up your belongings.
- Drawstring Bag for my Shoes
- Collapsible Water Bottle or Cup
- A Needle & Thread
- Flashlight
- Carabiner
- Fashionable Purse and Bag Hooks by Attaché or Clipa
And remember, less is more!
I’ve found that everything I pack on this list leaves me room for more. But I always aim to travel back home with less than I started with.
Looking for a travel backpack? Check out our Gossamer Gear travel backpack review.
Looking for gear to film and capture your adventures? Visit this guide to see all the content creation equipment I use.
Shop What’s In My Travel Backpack
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