Are you tired of lugging around a gigantic suitcase but don’t know how to travel otherwise? Or, maybe you have experience with an airline losing your luggage?
Well, I’m here to tell you that traveling light and smart comes with some major benefits. Discover how it’s possible by referring to the best minimalist packing list and learn to travel like a pro.
Vacation is calling, and you must go!
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We all know the story. You’ve stuffed your entire closet into your suitcase and now you’re stuck dragging it through the crowded airport. Been there.
Meanwhile, you’re clutching that Grande Almond Milk Latte from Starbucks and grunting your way through the terminal.
Then, you attempt to squeeze into a crowded tram while running over innocent flip-flop-laden summertime toes.
Ultimately, you spill that expensive caffeinated beverage all over yourself. Sound at all familiar? We can all agree that’s not a good way to kick off vacation.
After all, don’t you want to ease into your vacation with both arms free so you can covet that delicious latte and a decadent Krispy Kreme donut?
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Let us help you cultivate the best minimalist packing list for your backpack so you can be better prepared for your trip.
Yep, we just said “backpack”.
It’s actually termed a “personal size bag” on most budget airlines.
I know, I know, this sounds terrifying. What would you ever do without those 5 pairs of shoes and 8 different hats you were going to bring?
We completely understand but let’s take a deep breath together.
Continue below and discover how you too can experience minimalist packing and learn to travel like a pro. Even with a simple, small backpack.
Benefits of Minimalist Packing
Minimalist packing and traveling with a simple backpack isn’t just about saving space; it’s about freeing yourself from unnecessary burdens.
The burden of wheeling your luggage through the insanely busy Atlanta airport.
Or, how about the burden of lifting your carry-on into the overhead compartment?
Hassling with it and feeling rushed to pull it down once the plane lands. Meanwhile, you really just need to pee so badly after that long flight. We feel you.
How about when the plane runs out of space in the overhead compartment? Then, you have to end up checking your bag anyway. Oh, the frustrations!
There is an art to traveling light and packing smart. And, it makes it so that you can enjoy every moment without the weight of excess baggage.
We didn’t believe it until we actually did it.
The Truth: Minimalist Packing in Winter is Questionable
I’m just going to be honest with y’all. This whole idealist minimalist packing list is more for summer or maybe even fall travel.
We have not tried packing like this for a winter ski trip.
We typically try to take 3 vacations a year. It could be a short getaway to the beach in Gulf Shores, an anniversary ski trip to Colorado, a long vacation to hike the National Parks out west, or a leaf peeping trip to Ohio.
Each trip lends itself to a certain type of luggage that’s needed, depending on the season and length of trip.
Basically, you need the right bag for the right trip.
Hands-Free Travel and Baggage Fee Freedom
We recently traveled for 7 days with only a personal-size bag (i.e.- backpack). The big selling point? It saves money by avoiding dreaded airline fees.
The other benefit? The ability to travel seamlessly, hands-free and never have to wait at baggage claim for our checked bags.
Or, dare I say, having to track them down or even completely travel without your belongings after the airline lost your bags. Gasp!
Depending on where and when we travel, determines the airline we book.
In the summer, we’ll lean more toward booking budget airlines like Frontier and Spirit because we can pack smaller clothing items and flat sandals for hotter months.
That allows us to travel with a personal-size bag and avoid baggage fees.
In the winter, we’ll book Southwest Airlines because 2 checked bags fly FREE so then we can stuff all of our puffy sweaters, thick socks, and ski helmets into our checked bags.
Minimalist Packing Must Haves
1. Backpacks for Minimalist Packing
We recently booked a flight on Frontier Airlines from Tampa to Denver because it was super cheap and we were already going to be in Florida visiting family.
But, we all know that flying “cheap” on a budget airline doesn’t necessarily turn out to be cheap at all.
Well, we were determined to do whatever we could to avoid any additional fees on top of the base ticket price. The concept was liberating.
With this mindset, we were confronted with: Step 1: How the heck are we going to travel 7 days in just a little ole personal-size bag?
- The Weekender Duffel Bag (Amazon)
- ECOHUB 16” Travel Backpack (Amazon)
- Beraliy Large Travel Backpack (Amazon)
And, not just any bag. It had to be a bag small enough to slide seamlessly into the metal box where each bag undergoes scrutiny before you’re allowed to board the plane. Yikes!
Specifically, we knew we wanted it to be a backpack that we could easily throw on our backs and walk freely through airports and cities.
We also knew it needed to be big enough to store all of my must-haves (like my favorite hairdryer brush from Revlon) while also being small enough to meet the Frontier requirements for the personal-size bags.
Pro Tip! Before you return any bags to Amazon, make sure you go through each pocket, especially the little hidden ones. I ended up leaving 5 sports bras in one of the bags and only realized it days after returning it to Amazon. 🙄
We tried out the following backpacks from Amazon. They were all approximately $40 each.
When we say “tried out”, we put these bad boys through the wringer.
Packing, unpacking, and repacking each one of them several times trying to get it just right.
We even busted out the tape measure and reevaluated HOW to pack each of them efficiently. Folding, rolling, packing cubes, we tried it all.
Our Top 3 Travel Backpacks
Our Favorite Minimalist Backpack & Why We Love It
Ultimately, we decided on the Beraliy Large Travel Backpack, and here’s why:
1. Size Consideration: It was longer/taller than the other one which gave us an inch or two more to tightly roll our tops & bottoms then tuck our socks and underwear along the edges/sides.
And, it wasn’t too deep that we could overstuff it. We laid our clothes out as described and then put our sandals either on top with bottoms facing up or tucked them in along the edge near the zipper.
2. Backpack Type: The Beraliy Large Travel Backpack has comfortable shoulder straps which was a must. The straps even detach and can be stuffed into the backside without adding inches, making it a compact way to slide the bag into the metal sizing box at the airport.
This allows for the shoulder straps to not get snagged and flop out.
3. Accessibility: Easy access and compartments are crucial. This one has multiple entry points and pockets, so you can reach items without unpacking everything.
It also opens like a traditional suitcase instead of top-loading. That convenience feature was imperative for us.
4. Durability: We have only been on a few trips so far with this backpack so we can’t evaluate the longevity of the bag.
But, from what we’ve experienced so far, it seems to be made of high-quality materials and sturdy zippers. Can’t beat it for $40!
2. Packable Lightweight Day Pack
I know it may seem silly but one of the best ideas we came up with was packing a packable lightweight backpack like this one from Amazon.
The thing is, you really can’t hike with the backpack that your clothes are packed in. It would be too much to unpack that every time you were going on a quick hike.
We liked that this one folded into itself creating a cute little pouch. It’s also machine washable so it’s perfect for sweaty hikes.
Bonus Feature: It’s multi-purpose and doubles as a reusable grocery/souvenir shopping bag!
3. Footwear for Minimalist Traveling
As this trip was mostly focused on hiking in Colorado and Arches National Park, we made the deliberate choice to pack only our trusty hiking boots and a pair of rugged hiking sandals.
Although, it was a tough choice to opt out of packing a pair of sneakers as well; there simply was not enough space in our pack.
Fortunately, our hiking boots are incredibly comfortable. As a general rule, we always wear our bulkiest shoes, such as hiking boots, when boarding a plane.
In the case of our hiking sandals, instead of stowing them in the external pocket, we skillfully positioned them inside the bag’s large compartment along with our clothing.
Pro Tip! Use a plastic grocery bag to wrap up your sandals to keep clothes from getting dirty.
Our Favorite Hiking Boots & Why We Love Them
I am a HUGE fan of these KEEN hiking boots. I’ve worn them for about 8 years now and they are still in great condition.
These wonderful kickers have seen many a trail, from Angels Landing in Zion National Park to Marymere Falls in Olympic National Park to walking about Pike Place Market in Seattle and lots of places in between.
KEEN Voyageur Mid
- Super Comfortable
- Durable
- Breathable
- Waterproof
👉 Check out my full review of KEEN hiking boots for women here.
For men’s boots, we love the UGG Duck boots. While we wouldn’t consider these full on “hiking boots”, they are great for easy hikes and general walking around town.
These UGG Duck boots for men are also perfect for cold or rainy weather. Easy to slip on with the side zipper and comfortable enough to go on easy hikes or shopping Main St. in Breckenridge.
UGG Men’s Emmett Duck Boot
- Side zipper makes it easy to slip on & off
- Extremely lightweight & comfortable
- Waterproof
- Keeps feet warm
Our Favorite Hiking Sandals & Why We Love Them
It’s unnecessary to buy high-end expensive brands to fit your travel needs.
I purchased these O’Rageous Women’s River Sandals from Academy for about $20.
They were the perfect fit for hiking Arches National Park and splashing through rivers and waterfalls in Ouray, CO.
For men’s hiking sandals, we love these Men’s hiking sandals by Clark’s.
They’re a great flexible option for hiking, spending time at the beach, or simply strolling around town.
Pro Tip! Always make sure your sandals have padded cushioned straps around the top and ankle. Otherwise, you’ll end up with some gnarly blisters that will ruin the rest of your vacation.
4. Versatile Clothing for Traveling Light
When it comes to versatile clothing choices, having items that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits is essential.
Here are some versatile clothing options (especially for warm weather trips) to consider for your minimalist packing list:
- Neutral Colored Tops: Pack tops in neutral colors like black, white, gray, beige, or navy. These can be easily paired with different bottoms and outer layers. Basic T-shirts or tank tops are versatile and can be layered or worn on their own.
- Convertible Clothing: Look for items that can be converted, like pants that can become shorts or dresses that can be worn in multiple ways.
- Jeans: A well-fitting pair of jeans is a staple for most trips. They can be dressed up with a nice top or worn casually. Choose your favorite and most comfortable pair.
- Leggings: Leggings are comfortable and can be worn for hiking, as pajamas, or hanging out by the campfire. They can also be paired with tunics and dresses. These leggings by 90 Degrees are my absolute favorite pair! They have a convenient side pocket to carry your phone when hiking. They’re unbelievably comfortable and at only $25, a way cheaper option than Lululemon.
- Outer Layers: A lightweight jacket or cardigan can add warmth and style to different outfits. It’s a must for any trip. You can curl up with it on a chilly plane ride or bundle it up and use it as a pillow.
- Hats: Try to limit yourself to packing or two caps. Wear one on the plane and tuck the other in your pack.
Remember to consider the weather and activities you have planned when selecting your clothing. By choosing versatile pieces, you can create a variety of outfits without overpacking.
How to Pack a Small Backpack for Travel
1. Travel Hack: Should You Roll or Fold Your Clothes?
We go back and forth on this one. It’s not really applicable in every situation; it just depends on the type of clothes and shape of your bag.
Every travel hack enforces this idea but it doesn’t work for us all of the time. For example, if you roll a sweater, it turns out to take up an enormous amount of space rather than just laying it flat.
In this case, we rolled most of our clothes but also laid a few items flat. Give it a try and do what’s best for your minimalist backpack packing plan.
2. Packing Cubes
Packing cubes or compression bags can help you organize and compress your clothing, making the most of your bag’s space. We have used these packing cubes when traveling with large suitcases.
They work great and it helps to keep things from getting jumbled throughout a large bag.
However, we tried to use them in the personal size backpack but it didn’t make sense because we were traveling with so few items anyway.
So, we opted to go without for our minimalist backpacking trip.
3. Toiletries
Opt for travel-sized toiletries or invest in reusable silicone containers. Remember that many hotels provide basic toiletries, so you might not need to bring everything.
If you end up needing supplies along the dusty trail, don’t panic; Walmart or Walgreens is usually not too far away.
Bonus Feature: If you buy the Beraliy Large Travel Backpack from Amazon, it comes with 2 clear plastic pouches that perfectly fit travel-size toiletries.
4. Electronics
Bring only the necessary road trip essentials. A smartphone, chargers, and if necessary, a navigation unit that operates off of satellite instead of cell service.
If ever traveling through the mountains or desert out west, we always throw our handy Garmin Navigation System into our backpack.
There are so many incidents where cell service drops out and you need to have a map as a backup plan.
Whether it’s a downloaded map that you can use offline or a small portable navigation system, always be prepared.
5. Reusable Water Bottle
Staying hydrated while traveling is essential. Rather than buying plastic bottles and abusing Mother Nature, we choose to use reusable water bottles.
We never travel without our Takeya water bottles. We own a few different sizes 18oz, 24oz, and 40oz bottles.
The 24oz size is our favorite because it’s the perfect size to hold the most water whilst still fitting into car cup holders and also sliding easily into the water bottle pocket on the side of our backpacks.
We love the Takeya brand because it keeps water cold even after hours of sitting in the hot car or hiking mid-summer through Arches National Park.
We don’t go anywhere without them!
6. Layers
Dress in layers when traveling. This allows you to adapt to varying temperatures without overpacking.
A lightweight packable puffer jacket like this one from Amazon is perfect to stuff into your pack, wear on a plane, and the perfect layer for chilly weather.
We always include a lightweight jacket, thin sweater, one thin long-sleeve shirt, a few T-shirts, and tank tops.
For bottoms, one pair of shorts, a thin pair of hiking pants or leggings, and one pair of jeans.
It goes without saying but don’t forget to pack underwear and comfy socks!
That’s basically all you need to feel comfortable throughout your adventure.
7. Personal Items
Include any personal items you can’t do without, such as prescription medication, eyeglasses, or contact lenses.
Recently, we figured out the most awesome little travel-size bottle for liquids or oil-based products that typically leak out of their original packaging.
This glass dropper bottle was the perfect solution to our problem! In the past, our oil-based products would leak everywhere no matter how we cautiously we wrapped it up or how tightly the bottle cap was squeezed.
We transferred the product into this little dropper bottle and haven’t had any problems since. Can’t believe we didn’t think of this sooner!
8. Souvenirs
Skip them! Let’s be honest, do you really need another shot glass, key chain, or other random trinket that’s just going to collect dust?
Pictures, videos, and one-of-a-kind memories are all you need for keepsakes. Cherish them dearly.
Final Thoughts on Minimalist Packing
Travel light. Travel right. Mastering the art of minimalist packing is a game-changer for travelers.
It’s not about depriving yourself of necessities but about embracing the freedom of travel with fewer burdens.
With the best minimalist backpack packing list, you’re equipped with the essentials while shedding the stress of excess luggage.
This approach encourages us to be intentional about our choices, both in the items we pack and the experiences we seek.
It’s about discovering the beauty of simplicity and realizing that a well-planned, compact backpack can hold everything you truly need for a memorable journey.
As you embark on your next adventure, remember that every item in your backpack has earned its place, and you’ve crafted a travel experience tailored to your desires.
So, go ahead, and explore the world with a light heart, knowing that the best adventures often come from the simplest of journeys.
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