I would like to say that lugging around with a 20kg backpack on my back – and a smaller bag on my front – in 30-degree heat was worth it, but I would be lying. It was character building, for sure; if those character traits were foul moods and learning curse words in different languages. I didn’t know how to pack light. It was like a magical myth that only Frodo Baggins knew how to do (who packs a teeny-tiny bag like that?!).
“You should get a suitcase instead of a backpack,” my family would tell me before I left.
“No! I want to do it the ‘proper’ way.” I wanted to be a legit backpacker!
I would come to regret this decision.
But I came to realise that it wasn’t the type of bag or suitcase that mattered, but the amount of luggage. My green Osprey 70L backpack would bulge dangerously and make me look like a turtle. I knew that if I fell backwards, I would be sprawled out on the ground waving my arms and legs around like one too. There would be no getting back up without help!
There was also the matter of spatial awareness which no longer existed, and I had to be careful not to knock unsuspecting people off their feet if I turned suddenly.
Arriving at destinations red-faced and sweaty, and feeling quite claustrophobic being surrounded by all this stuff, took some of the fun out of travelling. Especially when my room would be on the top floor without a lift…Come on!
It’s easy to buy things too when travelling – you see a top you like add it to your collection, and manage to stuff it down the side of your bag.
What kind of packer are you?
The way people pack is unique to them. Each trip is different and so will need different things, whether you’re planning a long-distance hike or a week at the beach. My first trip was a year in Australia. This was my first time backpacking as I usually just went on 2-week holidays, but this time it was for one year; I would need to accommodate for a range of activities and weather.
Do you bring ten bikinis for that one-week holiday? A different pair of shoes for each day? How about twenty pairs of underwear just in case you suddenly have an ‘emergency’ every single day?
We all pack extra for those just-in-case moments, but it’s worth it to overcome that “what if” anxiety.
Things to consider when packing light:
- The type of trip you’re planning – Will you be hopping from city to city, or camping in the wilderness? What kind of transport will you be using?
- Type of luggage – suitcase, backpack, duffel bag, etc.
- Are you happy to carry your bag or pull your suitcase through the airports, on buses and trains, and even walking for a considerable amount of time?
Here are my top tips on how to pack light, based on my own experience and mistakes I have made too. It’s written with general travelling in mind, for trips like camping your luggage would have to be a lot more specific.
Tips to pack light:
1. Cut the amount of clothes in half
Seriously. Scoop up half of the clothes you planned to take and throw them into a pile in the corner of your room. With backpacking it’s easy to take the mindset of home with you; like clothes in the wardrobe hardly worn that you plan to eventually wear one day when the exact occasion pops up; or a pair of shoes for every conceivable event.
Take enough clothes to last you one week. Have a pair of comfortable shoes for walking, a pair of flip flops, and a pair of nice flats if needed.
You can also wear the same clothes a couple of times before you need to wash them… No judgments here!
2. Buy a smaller backpack or suitcase than you think you need
This will force you to cut back on unnecessary items. Your back will thank you for it, and force you to pack light.
I started with a 70L backpack and I’m going to cut it down to 55L. This includes the little day pack that clips on behind.
3. Take useful and multi-functional clothes / products
Pack clothes that you can wear casually and on a night out – a buff bandana is useful as a headband, covering tattoos, or a face mask; Sarongs can be used as beach towels and to cover up when it’s cold. Get creative, you won’t believe some of the things you see when travelling.
Microfibre towels are also a great purchase as they save on a lot of space and are quick to dry. Just take one, you don’t need separate ones for your body, hair, and face.
Buy a warm but lightweight jacket that can roll up easily. It’s not ideal to be carrying around a big coat for colder weather.
4. Use packing cubes
These helped me so much! They smush your clothes down to make more space, organise your stuff and give you a limit to the number of things you can pack. Also, it saves time when getting out clothes, you don’t have to rummage through your whole bag when you know where your favourite shirt is.
5. Wear your biggest, heaviest shoes when travelling
So they don’t take up unnecessary space. I wear my hiking boots, which are also super comfy and that helps a lot. Maybe don’t wear your chunky heeled boots, as they won’t be comfortable. What are you doing taking them with you anyway, they take up so much space! Put them back! Sometimes I also wrap my jumper around my waist to save on space too.
When I could no longer fit my trainers in my bag, I used to tie them up on one of the bag straps and have them swinging behind me as I walked. I looked like a proper dork.
6. Dry your hair naturally
Be brave and ditch the hair dryer and straighteners! I wish I could dry my hair naturally and look like a beach babe but I don’t, although I don’t let that stop me. It feels nice to let my hair dry in the sun. I also like wearing it up in a ponytail or a plait.
An alternative is to use curlers or travel hairdryers and straighteners if you really can’t part yourself with one. When traveling you could even cheekily ask a friend / fellow room-sharer if you can quickly borrow theirs, if you are desperate!
7. Cut down on make-up and toiletries
You don’t need to take your whole bathroom cabinet with you. It’s uncomfortable wearing make-up in hot countries – I could feel the foundation running down my cheeks…not a good look. If you really can’t be parted with make-up then cut back to the ‘essentials’ like foundation and mascara.
You don’t need to bring ten nail varnish colours with you, or a miniature facial regime every night. It’s incredibly freeing to go out without make-up and realise that no one cares. Soon enough you won’t care either.
Buy a bar of travel soap. Not only is it cheaper and lasts longer than a bottle of shower gel and shampoo, but it can be used to wash clothes by hand. Multi-purpose! If you’re short on time then clean some clothes whilst having a shower – every backpacker will admit to doing that at least once on their travels! It’s a glamorous life…
8. Do laundry more often
This ties into bringing fewer clothes. Instead of doing a huge wash every couple of weeks, bring less clothes and wash more often. A small wash won’t take long to do, and you will have clean clothes in no time.
9. Buy cheap toiletries once at your destination
Instead of packing large bottles of shower gel and shampoo (if you’re not into the soap idea) then to save on space buy smaller bottles as you travel. I was not pleased when I grabbed my backpack from the back of a van to discover my shampoo bottle had exploded all inside.
This might be more helpful when you know you’re staying in one place for a little longer.
10. Replace or repair clothes whilst travelling
If you pack fewer clothes, they will wear out quicker. Instead of dragging a ton of clothing around, replace items when needed. There are always some great bargains to be found in markets and thrift stores wherever you travel. Or find a shopping centre and have some fun.
Get creative and repair your clothes! Bring a small repair kit with you and sew up those holes in your socks. It made me feel like I got my life more together with every stitch, no matter how dodgy my skills were at first.
Hostels usually have a section where you can donate clothes you no longer want. You can find some gems in there too to swap out.
It’s so easy to get caught up in packing and try to cater for every single occasion. In reality, you won’t use everything you pack. It’s not an exact science but a fine art that you get better at every time you travel.
I have by no means become a master of how to pack light but I’m improving each time and it’s an interesting challenge to see how I improve. It’s the little accomplishments!
I wrote this article as I was planning to pack for a 2-month trip to Greece, to help me think about how to pack light and it helped. What resulted was me going through all my clothes and donating half of it to the local charity shop. Maybe I went too far but I now have a nice, tidy wardrobe and I feel pretty good about myself!
Bonus tip!
One last tip on how to pack light – pack like you normally would, then go through everything again and trim it down. Keep going until it’s the amount that you would like. It gets surprisingly easier each time, and you begin to wonder why you ever used to pack so much in the first place!
Everyone has a different way to pack light; some people want to travel with only one small carry-on, whilst others aim to cut down to a 15 kg suitcase. Every person is different, so don’t feel pressured to take only the bare minimum with you, do what suits you.
Happy packing!
