My new, super-light luggage!
A few months ago, I wrote about the contents of my carry-on (Minimalist Travel: What’s in My Suitcase). This is the only bag I travel with, whether I’m going away for one week or three months. You can read about it in detail in my earlier post, but generally it contains a packing cube of clothing, a toiletry bag, and odds and ends like guidebooks, energy bars, camera, iPod Touch, umbrella, etc. in the pockets. After years of overseas travel, I had this system down to a science.
Now that I live in England, however, I’ve been spending a lot of long weekends visiting European cities. And truth be told, my little carry-on is simply too big for these quick jaunts!
In order to maximize our travel time, my husband and I usually book a very early flight the day we arrive, and a very late flight the day we leave. Therefore, we often wind up carrying our bags for much of the first and last days. (Sure, we could leave them at the hotel, but we don’t like to “waste” time going back to get them if we have a full schedule.)
My objective, then, was to pare down my luggage to the size of a large purse. That way, I could enjoy sites, shops, restaurants, and walks without the carry-on on my back.
[EDIT: For those who have asked about my new bag (pictured above), it’s available on Amazon (affiliate link).]
My strategy: for a 2-day trip, I don’t pack a change of clothes; for 3 days, it depends on the itinerary; for 4-5 days, one change. This system might not be for everyone, but it works for me. (I have no problem doing laundry in the hotel sink if necessary.)
Therefore, my packing cube contains (at most) one pair of pants, one top, pajamas, underwear, and socks. For 2-3 day trips, I skip the cube altogether, and stuff the pajamas, underwear, and socks in a large ziplock bag.
I never worry about packing shoes, since I only travel with the ones on my feet.
The contents of my toiletry bag remained much the same; however, I’ve been able to reduce it to half the size by “miniaturizing” as much as possible. I never take soap, shampoo, or conditioner, and I use travel or sample sizes of everything else.
When I arrive at the hotel, I dump the toiletry bag and clothes, and use the bag as a purse (eliminating the need to pack an additional “day” bag).
I’ve tested my new system of “extreme light travel” on a few trips now; and I’m happy to say, it’s worked like a dream!
It’s amazing how lightly you can travel if you want to. Now, if I could only pare down to what fits in my coat pockets… :-)
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Just brilliant; we recently went to Paris for 2 days and took one cabin case between us; it had barely any items in it and we realised that we could take a much smaller bag; I’ll trial ‘extreme light luggage’ next time we go anywhere. :-)
Thanks, Laura — I think you’ll love it!
continue to love your site. where can i get the bag that you are now using-i guess the one in the photo?
Hi dianon! I added the bag information to the post — but just in case you miss it, it’s the Puma Fitness Lux Shoulder Bag and it’s available on Amazon.
Love your list and your approach to travel. What a great way to focus on the destination and the experience, rather than the luggage!
I’ve always thought if more women’s clothes had (real) pockets, that would make my life so much easier :)
Yes, ami, more pockets would definitely be nice! :-)
I did that for a week to other cities.
I just brought 3 packed items that turned into 3 outfits. A dress, and 2 extra tops — the third top being the t-shirt I wore to sleep that I ended up wearing on the last day.
Then just the shoes on my feet, and my travel outfit (with a light cardigan because airports are cold).
My toiletries all fit into that super tiny plastic bag they give you, and I brought makeup wipes rather than a lotion with pads.
It’s very freeing to just walk around with a large sort of gym bag or a backpack for a whole trip. :)
For my 6 weeks in Europe, I am doing the same thing, except I also need a wedding outfit and I’ll have a carryon with the bare minimum, so I can bring back foreign candy.
FB, I’m glad to hear you travel so light! You’re right, it gives you a wonderful sense of freedom.
And yes, foreign candy is a fabulous souvenir! :-)
I’m with you on packing light. I’ve gone back east to visit family for a week to ten days, and I never pack pants. I wear the same pair the whole time. Depending on what I’m wearing to the airport (long sleeved or short), I will pack one shirt of the opposite sleeve length, two pairs of underwear and one pair of socks. I wash the underwear and socks in the sink, and I wash my shirts and pants whenever my mom does a load in her machine. I pack a backpack, and the idea of having nothing to do on the plane/in the airport means I have at least two books, one or two knitting projects, my mini laptop, and possibly a spindle and some fiber (for the airport, not the plane…it’s hard to spin in those cramped seats).
Great system, veganprimate! You definitely sound like a super-light traveler, too. :-)
I´m in awe! Being a packing-light-nerd, I can´t tell you how much inspiration this post (and this website, which I have just discovered) is giving me!
Thanks, Viktoria — glad you like it!
I’m going to sigh and think about the day when I will be able to go somewhere without sippy cups and diapers. We’re about to make a road trip in two weeks, and while I pack light for the whole family – it still doesn’t even come close to fitting in one bag! :)
Though I should clarify, I do only pack one bag per person, but the bag is rather bigger than a purse – more like a backpack!
TheSimplePoppy, given what you have to carry, it sounds like you’re doing great! :-)
Loved this post! I aspire to travel this lightly. Gotta find the right sized bag…
Thanks, Willow! Yes, finding the right size bag can be a challenge. I tripped across this one while traveling in Singapore. :-)
For those who want to travel minimally, but not quite as light as Miss Minimalist demonstrates in this post, may I suggest this bag:
Small LL Bean Adventure Duffel:
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/63911?parentCategory=4522&feat=4522-tn&cat4=2915
I have the black carry-on Miss M has, but I’ve had this LL Bean duffel for a few years now. Now that I’ve learned how to pack more properly, I just did a test pack this evening for a trip later this summer. I was able to get into it:
Eagle Creek packing cube with: 1 sleeveless cotton shell, 1 short sleeve cotton t-shirt, my “t-shirt twin set” – sleeveless shell and button-up front shirt (t-shirt material, all from LL Bean) – these were all rolled up, 2 pairs of underwear, and 1 bra. The packing cube takes up most of the bottom of the duffel, but left room for another pair of shoes (wrapped individually in plastic grocery bags). I also fit a thin cotton night shirt, rolled up, a heavy-weight ziplock bag with small sized deodorant, conditioner, toothbrush, small toothpaste. Another ziplock with a few band aids and a small bottle of Motrin. A third ziplock with my Kindle charger.
I have a jacket and skirt set from Travelsmith that also fit in the duffel. Nylon material that is very soft and comfy. Black and white print reverses to a solid black. They were well worth every pricey penny! They roll up well without wrinkles. Each is rolled up in its own gallon size ziplock with the air pushed out. There’s also a zipock with a few power bars.
I’ll wear another of the LL Bean “t-shirt twin sets,” a pair of black linen cropped pants, and sandals (I don’t do socks at all in the summer).
My purse is a black PacSafe CitySafe 200.
http://www.ebags.com/product/pacsafe/citysafe-200/99888
I bought it for a European trip that fell through, but it’s so nice, I use it for my daily bag. In it, I always have, in addition to wallet, iPhone (with wall charger and earbuds), my Kindle in a case, small Moleskine notebook, several pens, solid hand lotion bar, lip balm, nail clippers.
This test pack was for a *car* trip, but I could easily do this for a plane trip. Just because you’re driving, doesn’t mean that you have to haul everything you own! This duffel is small, but by packing properly, you can get a lot in it. For a cold weather trip, I’d just add socks, silk long underwear, yoga pants/long sleeve t-shirt to sleep in (there’s still room left in the duffel!), and wear a heavy cardigan over a long sleeve t-shirt and different pants. I happen to be always hot, so I don’t bundle up a lot in the winter.
Tradd, thanks so much for your fabulous comment — those are great tips, and I love your packing system! :-)
I am always cold and I have to learn to travel light. It has always been a challenge and I never won however hard I try.
nicole 86, it can definitely be done! On your next trip, take half the clothes you think you need — and you’ll probably find you “survive” just fine. :-)
Nicole, i lived in SoCal for years and when i moved to Ohio i found that long silk underwear is REQUIRED wearing for me through most of the spring, winter, and fall. (i do a heavier weight or 2 layers of light-medium weight in the winter under everything i wear)
Lands End, Calbelas, or Winter Silks are all great sites with good quality silk long johns. Bonus? They pack down to next to nothing, as well as feel AMAZING to sleep in!
p.s. I also love the Smartwool Merino socks.
Amazing… this is sooo minimal… I tend to take my 20litre back pack everywhere, work, 1 day or 7 day travel…. but your bag is great..
Im longing for the day when I can “beam me up scottie” and pop home for something if need someting whilst on a break!!
The one thing I allways take is a large pashmina, can be used for about 10 differnt uses.
Great post as allways.
Regards
Ana London
Thanks, Ana! I would *love* to learn 10 different ways to wear a pashmina… :-)
You’ve convinced me to use packing cubes. I got them as a gift and didn’t really believe in them, but you’ve changed my mind. I’m about to take off on a 6 week trip that will take me from camping in a trailer to being a houseguest to tent camping to hotels. I was determined to keep things light, small & simple and you’ve given me some great inspiration with this post.
My biggest overpacking problem is with my dog gear, and I’ve realized today that they are born minimalists, and very adaptable. I can cut back to food & a towel & a leash and they’ll survive ;-)
Hi Julia! I like how the packing cube keeps everything in place, instead of flopping all over my bag. Your trip sounds wonderful — have a great time!
Thanks for sharing your extreme light packing list. It’s about the same as mine when I go on short city trips. I’ve learned that the trick for minimizing having to do the laundry is to take a good deodorant. :)
Also, I’ve found a lot of good stuff for traveling light in Muji, such as a tiny case with small containers for contact lens solution and contact lenses, and a mirror inside.
I do take soap and shampoo though, both in solid form (from Lush, you can break off a small piece for short trips).
Thanks for the great tips, Mia! I like the idea of breaking off small pieces of solid soap and shampoo — never thought of that.
And yes, Muji has some fantastic travel items! :-)
I am a big fan of traveling light. I ended up taking that route due to bad experiences with the airlines – British Airways in particular were awful. I had my case damaged, lost, sent to the wrong airport. Then there was the endless waiting at the baggage carousel – only to realize someone had lifted my case by mistake and had left the airport! And that thing was damn heavy to lug around too! In the end I got sick of it. I travelled extensively throughout SE Asia with nothing more than carry on. For my upcoming trip to Philippines I will be taking carry on only. It is SO much easier. Interesting article, and I can see I have a long way to go before I can consider myself a superlight traveler.
Hi Tony! The only time I’ve checked a bag with BA was when I moved here; thankfully, it made it, as it was all my worldly possessions (!).
Glad you’ve discovered the joy of light travel. Have a great trip to the Philippines!
Back in the mid-1950s I read in a fashion magazine about a woman who could take off for Europe with nothing but a large purse. Unfortunately, I don’t remember exactly how she managed this (remember, this was before permanent press), but it fascinated me. My father was military (five high schools) so I tried various combinations of clothing over the years until I ended up where I am now.
My husband and daughters think I’m odd because I have very few pieces of clothing whether I’m traveling or not.
Before I retired I had two or three more pieces but don’t miss them at all. What I have now is: long tunic (knee length–doubles as a dress, a short tunic (hip length), and a pair of slacks. Right now all of these are black, but I’ve been through navy, gray and charcoal. I also have a couple of “loungers” (sort of muumuus but not as blousy) that I wear around the house. One of the few domestic skills I have is the ability to wash and rinse clothes in a sink.
Cecily, I *love* your minimalist wardrobe! And yes, it’s certainly easier to pack when you don’t have many clothes to begin with! :-)
I just did a post on packing only a carry on (which is usually what I pack for trips). Having to do more weekend trips, and after reading your post, I was inspired to write a new post on packing for weekend trips using only a purse or a backpack. Hope you don’t mind! :)
That’s a wonderful post, Aspiring Minimalist — I really enjoyed it. The more light travelers, the merrier! :-)
Perfect timing! I am going to be flying this Thursday and had already decided to go carry-on only. Small backpack (not for hikers, but for students) and a purse is all I am taking. I’m going to read all these posts again and again and then go pack.
Way to go, Kim — hope you have a fabulous trip!
I love this blog! And just in time for my next vacation! I am definately inspired to pack much much less this time! I also use an itouch when I travel. I find the wifi is perfect and available in many locations now, eliminating the need for a laptop. Do you skype on your itouch?
Thanks, Sarah — glad you found some inspiration here! I agree, the wifi feature on the Touch is great. I haven’t tried using Skype on it yet, though — have you? If so, does it work well?
So delighted to have just discovered your glorious website! Thank you.
And what an utterly lovely person you are too!
I’m especially delighted to find your fabulous traveling light information and lists. My daughter and I are taking a trip to Amsterdam in a few weeks and we will be going with almost nothing – trusting that if we need anything we can get it there. You’ve made that easier for us, thank you!
Thank you for the wonderful compliment, Flora! {blush}
I’m glad you’ve found the lists helpful, and hope you have a great trip to Amsterdam — it’s one of my favorite cities!
I love the concept of minimal packing, but in real life I love having clean clothes to wear every day, clothes for different occasions, locations, and weather. My kids can go through two outfits in a day, easily, and in a small hotel room it can be hard to hang things up if you wash them.
I’m going overseas in June and I want to pack more minimally because I will be hauling an entire extra suitcase of things to give to my relatives. Handling that plus large bags for my family would be a nightmare!
Hi STL Mom! Have a wonderful trip; hope you find some ideas here for packing a little lighter. :-) I use a super-absorbent towel and travel clothesline to dry my clothes:
http://www.rei.com/product/783560
http://www.rei.com/product/765732
This post brings back fond memories of a four-day trip from Tokyo to Kyoto with nothing but a purse about the size of yours and two paperbacks stuffed into my jean jacket’s inner pockets. What fun!
Also, wanted to say that I just finished reading your blog from start to finish and I LOVE it! Keep up the great work!
Leah, that sounds like a fabulous trip! Thanks so much for the nice words about my blog — I’m really glad you’re enjoying it. :-)
Hi miss minimalist,
I love your website and blog! I just ordered the Puma bag via your affiliate link. ( :
I will be traveling for 2 weeks at the end of the month and look forward to doing it light.
I am also very interested in living a minimalist life style as I look forward to some
big changes in my life. I’ve already let go of a quite a lot but have more to do in this area.
Thank you for sharing your experiences!
Hi Beth! Thanks for using the affiliate link — I appreciate that. The bag has worked out really well for me, and I hope you like it too. :-)
Have a wonderful trip — keeping things light is the way to go. I always find that the less I have to carry, the more I enjoy traveling!
Hi miss minimalist,
Thanks for the post; it’s really helpful. I would love to know what kind of shoes you use. I’d love to find some shoes that are sturdy enough for travel but also nice enough for any occasion…
Hi Samantha! Someone asked me the same question on my other light packing post, so I’ve snipped my reply from there:
When DH and I travel, we walk EVERYWHERE–we’re usually on our feet from the time we leave our hotel in the morning until we return at night. So I needed a *really* comfortable walking shoe. For the last few years, I’ve been wearing the Merrell Spire Stretch:
http://www.merrell.com/US/en-us/ViewProduct.mvc.aspx/10445W/0/Womens/Spire-Stretch?galleryId=W-F
They may not be the most stylish shoes in the world, but they’re unbelievably comfortable and actually look quite nice with long pants (and they’re much more attractive than sneakers or hiking shoes for going out to dinner!). I’ve walked all over the UK, Europe, and Japan in them. :-)
The only problem is that they don’t work with skirts. Therefore, I’ve been thinking of replacing them with the very cute Merrell Brio:
http://www.merrell.com/US/en-us/ViewProduct.mvc.aspx/18194W/0/Womens/Brio?galleryId=W-F
If your itinerary doesn’t involve walking 10 hours a day, the Brio looks like an ideal travel shoe (I’m just not sure it offers the same footbed support as the Spire Stretch).
Hope that helps!
In 2008 we spend a month in Europe with our kids (7 & 14 at the time) and thought we were doing fabulously well to do it with one carry on suitcase per person. Clearly you folks are at a whole different level! It was the kids first major holiday so they don’t really have any “travel” clothes meant to wash in hotel sinks. Also, we were in sweaty hot weather for a month and climbing around a lot of dusty old ruins and castles. It was almost impossible to rewear anything without washing.
I’ve often said I’d travel with waaaay less if I travelled alone. My husband takes pictures nonstop on holiday and it would be painfully obvious that I was wearing the same 2 outfits on alternating days. I’m not against doing laundry in the hotel room but if I have to do it for 4 people it becomes a chore that takes me away from the vacation activities. We took a full week of clothing with us and did laundry (or had it done) at the end of week 1, 2 and 3 and came home in week 4 in our last clean clothes. One woman I work with looked at our vacation photos online and actually counted the different pieces of clothing I wore and declared there was no way all of that fit in a carry on suitcase. I explained it was a combination of one base colour/mix and match clothing plus the rolling tecnique. Not sure she was really convinced.
Forgot to mention that part of our trip was a 12 day Mediteranean cruise with formal nights. My husband also worked for a few days in Munich, so his carry on had to include a sport coat, dress pants, 2 shirts and 2 ties. He wore them on the cruise and then sent them to the cleaners so they were ready for the office. Another time I’d just plan to skip the formal nights and go to the buffet. It was dumb for the rest of us to take an extra outfit and shoes just to wear for a few hours at 2 meals.
I love, love, LOVE your bag! I am getting over a bag addiction, but I think this bag could replace the few I have left in my collection. It’s classy, simple, and I love the pewter color that they have on Amazon.
I followed a link from The Simple Dollar and found your site. You’ve got great ideas and are a true inspiration!
I’ve been obsessed with packing light since I was a kid and Dallas-Ft worth would lose my luggage every time I had a layover there (this was before direct flights from Colorado to Atlanta). I don’t mind wearing the same clothes over and over, bringing just one pair of shoes or washing clothes in the sink. Although it took me until my 40s to figure out the roll the clothes in a towel trick! As Rick Steves says, body heat will dry damp clothes pretty quickly.
And digital media players and cameras have helped so much in keeping the excess trimmed. I used to take an extra bag just to carry my camera stuff and tripod and all the audiobooks and rechargeable batteries and their chargers for a road trip.
I like your idea of taking what you really prefer to use for toiletries (i.e., face cleanser) and using the items provided by the hotel for items without a preference like shampoo. I think I might edit my toiletries with that in mind.
Oh, LOVED THIS :) I’m forever looking for tips and tricks to minimize what I take along on vacation, particularly when I fly. And oddly enough, I’ve actually considered using an oversized, hobo-style purse as luggage in the past! I have a great messenger from Title Nine that I use for local overnights but I am determined to use it for longer trips.
You know… you can sleep in the nude. It’s WAY more comfortable than jammies…
A good tip which I picked up from a friend is to use the local 1 euro/dollar/pound/etc store in your destination to stock up on stuff like shampoo, shower gel, etc. She also suggested to not bring slippers etc along on the trip as you can buy them at the 1 euro store and throw them away when you leave.
Inspirational! Thanks so much for the great tips. I’d love to see a post about cold/varied weather packing. I had a 2 week trip to Europe earlier this year and ended up freezing my butt off, losing my tennis shoes (and actually had to go out wearing socks with sandals in the rain, sooo embarrassing). I felt very unprepared and un-stylish. I guess I wouldn’t have lost my shoes if I only brought one pair. ;)
Miss Minimalist,
I love this blog and this post! I just heard of you and got your book yesterday and I’m already loving it and inspired. My philosophy about “stuff” is already changing and I’ve gotten rid of some things I’d been holding onto since the first time I lived in Japan at age 18, in 1999! Taking photos helps, and also realizing that the things are not the memories or the proof I was there. Coming from a family of pack rats, your book has been so helpful. Already worth the purchase price (for Kindle, to save book space, of course).
I’m no expert at packing light (I’m a novice to the minimalist lifestyle) but one tip I don’t see here is bringing clothes that I don’t love anymore but are still good enough to wear, and instead of bringing them home, I trash them during the trip. This way, if there is something I want to bring back with me there is the space for it. I know, ideally I would not be bringing stuff back (remember I’m a novice here) but perhaps food or other consumables not available at home would be acceptable? Either way, I get one last use out of the clothes and then I don’t have to bring them home.
Erica,
Instead of trashing the clothes you don’t like, donate them to a thrift shop/Goodwill/etc if you are in the States, or give them to someone less fortunate than yourself if you are in a poor area or country. Many would appreciate clothes that you no longer value. We plan on doing this next year on a trip out of the country.
This will be a chance to use up a bunch of samples and we will throw out old underwear on our trip after wearing.
Thanks for all the great comments and tips!
@Erica, I’m glad you’re enjoying my book — I appreciate your kind words and support!
Dear Miss Minimalist,
I recently bought your book and it was so awesome and helpful. It has helped me really refine the paring down that I’ve been doing while reading your blogs! My bf and I went to San Francisco for a week for vacation, and I read your blog and book for advice on packing. We ended up bringing two small backpacks we use at the University we attend. It was quite liberating to whiz through the airport/on the plane/off the plane with our little backpacks not worrying about any big suitcases. Also, it was very easy to navigate around SF with not much weight on our backs! Taking such a small amount of stuff ( and washing it halfway through the week at the hotel) made the whole trip less stressful in so many aspects of the trip. More importantly, the trip was overall much more exciting because we just could focus on having fun! Thanks so much :)
@Michelle, I love hearing this! :)
Fantastic and inspiring. I’m good but not this good!
I don’t pack pyjamas; I got a super-light nightdress intended for camping several years ago, washes and dries very fast, too. When my friend greeted me one morning, she was amazed I was going to change, as she thought it was my dress for the day…
Ooh, a multi-purpose dress…I’m intrigued! :)
Hi, what a fantastic blog! Excuse me being an ignorant English woman (it took me a few minutes to work out that your pants are my trousers and my pants are your underwear)but what are packing cubes?
mogwai61, I’m embarrassed to think how many times I’ve used the word “pants” to mean trousers while in England!
Packing cubes are zippered cases for clothing. You can see one pictured in my suitcase here:
http://www.missminimalist.com/2009/10/minimalist-travel-whats-in-my-suitcase/