What’s in My Bag? Travel Edition
In 2022, I visited 21 countries and 37 cities, resulting in 54 flights - that’s a lot of mileage (I’m sorry to the carbon emission Gods). The one thing all these trips had in common was my lack of check-in luggage. Why pay an astronomical amount to waste time waiting at the check-in counter and then at the baggage carousel, praying your luggage hasn’t been lost? I’ve mastered the art of one-bagging, and here are my top travel essentials:
The Backpack
The vessel that carries all your belongings. I started the year rocking my TUMI work bag, but after 1 long day in Rome carrying my bag for 12 hours, I realized I needed to invest in something with proper straps. Enter the Arc’teryx Mantis 32L Backpack, my companion ever since. Features I love about this bag:
It’s small enough to fit under the seat, meaning you can avoid paying the carry-on fee that most European budget airlines charge.
It has a chest and waist strap that efficiently distributes the bag’s weight. The shoulder pads are supportive, and it has a padded back panel with a frame sheet.
The main compartment opens 180 degrees, meaning you can access your stuff without removing everything like a top-loaded backpack. It’s got 3 other compartments and 2 mesh side holders, making it easy to organize as everything has a home within the bag.
2. The Day Bag
For the airport and day adventures, I have my Matador 16L packable backpack and Patagonia 1L fanny pack handy. I use them interchangeably - I like the fanny pack for the airport to have my passport and valuables close to me and the Matador for carrying a water bottle when hiking. It’s also waterproof!
Bonus: I usually always pack a small 3L and a large 20L MEC dry bag, which is helpful to organize things within your bag for water activities or any unforeseen rain.
The Matador backpack and Patagonia fanny pack in action
3. Packing Cubes
Apparently, packing cubes are controversial - but the haters haven’t tried these packing cubes from Peak Design, which are compressible!! It’s a magic bag. Everything you put in there will instantly shrink down thanks to its clever zipper design. There’s also a back compartment for your dirty laundry. I have them in Small and Medium, but I usually only pack the Small when I’m going on weekend trips as it fits nicely into the base of my backpack. Otherwise, both sit perfectly side-by-side in a carry-on-size suitcase.
The magic of compression without the undetectable extension charm!
4. Power Solutions
The annoying thing about flying on a budget airline is there are no charging ports on the plane. Meaning you need to be prepared with your own solution. I always pack my Evo mini-adaptor, which has 2 USB-A ports. I also supplement with an Anker power bank (this one also has a built-in wall charger) in case there is no power source in sight. If I’m bringing my laptop, I’ll pack the appropriate adaptor head for my MacBook charger to avoid bringing a converter.
I love how tiny the Evo adapter from Micro Novelty is compared to others on the market
5. Crossbody Phone Case
With so many pickpockets to watch out for in Europe, my solution is to go ~bag less~ when I go out exploring. I’ll put my hotel key in my pocket and wear my phone on this crossbody phone case. It makes it secure while also being easily available for navigating, texting, or paying with contactless. I recently got a new phone and immediately ordered another case!
6. No Fx Credit Card
Speaking of contactless, I’ve rarely had to pay for anything with cash this year. One of the many trends post-pandemic is the rise of the cashless economy - market vendors, buskers, and, I kid you not, even homeless people are accepting tap these days. My go-to credit cards that have no Fx charges (while earning points!) are Yonder (if you’re in the UK) or Brim (if you’re in Canada). I will always carry €1 with me, though, on the off chance I might need to pay to use a public bathroom!
7. E-SIM
In most instances, my GIFFGAFF (use my referral for a £5 credit) SIM card has allowed me to roam from home for free within the EU. However, when I needed an alternative SIM card, I turned to Airlo (use my referral for a $3 USD credit) for their e-SIM, which allows you to purchase and load a data-only e-SIM onto your phone (available for iPhones & Android). You can choose the duration and quantity of data you need prior to flying so that when you land, you’ll automatically connect to the local network - hassle-free! The best part is you can keep your existing SIM card inserted, which is handy for maintaining your iMessage identity and/or if you’re expecting any calls.
8. Water Bottle
Hydration is key, especially on airplanes, but most budget airlines don’t provide free water. The best solution has been this foldable water bottle, which I fill after security and can fold up when it’s not in use. It’s also great for day trips since it becomes lightweight after you’ve finished the water. On my bigger trips or places where I know clean water might be an issue, I pack my Nalgene bottle with a Rapid Pure filter attachment; so you can stay hydrated worry-free! Trust me, I learned the hard way re: contaminated water after my last trip to India in 2011. Since the Nalgene can be bulky, I pair it with this sling I got in a market in Bolivia, which is the best hands-free solution.
9. Neck Pillow
Maximizing a Euro weekend trip means really early morning and late evening flights. I never use to be one to use a neck pillow, but this inflatable one from MEC is portable and provides that little bit of comfort to knock out on the plane so you can feel like your best self upon landing in your destination.
10. Quip Toothbrush
As someone who uses an electric toothbrush at home, bringing something with a charger seemed excessive, but manual toothbrushes weren’t cutting it. After getting countless ads, I finally tried the Quip toothbrush, and I love it - the vibration paired with the 2-minute timer is great. It also comes with a case that doubles as a toothbrush stand. Pair with these toothpaste tablets (one less liquid to carry), and you’re golden! Use my promo code PTCGB2YR to get $5 off your first order.
11. Electronics Organizer
In terms of electronics, I usually have to pack:
MacBook charger
Various USB cords & lightning cable
Apple Watch charger
Headphones with jack & iPhone adaptor
SIM-eject tool
Headlamp
Power adaptors & converter
GoPro
To house all my bits and bobs in one place, I found the perfect organizer in the Side by Side Power Pack. It has multiple compartments, elastics, and one side with a stretchy material that can fit a surprising number of bulky items. It’s perfect for anyone that has OCD…
12. Travel Hair Straightener
This is probably the furthest thing a minimalist could pack, but when I cut my hair short, I reached a stage where it needed to be straightened or curled for it to “look good.” I didn’t want to have to fuss around with a large straighter + adapter situation, so I found this portable, rechargeable hair straighter perfect for on-the-go! It doesn’t get as hot as your conventional hair Straightener, but it gets the job done and can be recharged via micro-USB.
The Hostel Bonus
If I’m not staying in a hotel, these are some additional things I would pack:
Microfibre Towel - Hostels often charge extra for towel rentals so this packable microfibre towel does the job as it’s lightweight, dries quickly and can provide extra privacy if your bunk bed doesn’t have curtains.
Sleeping Bag Liner - I have a silk sleeping bag liner which is great for when you think the sheets might not be the cleanest or you want to cover the pillow to protect your face. This is also a great option for camping in a sleeping bag. I have the cocoon shape, but some people prefer the rectangular shape as they find it less claustrophobic. If you’re on a budget, I would also opt for a cotton or synthetic sleep sack since a silk one can be 3x the price.
Headlamp - The Energizer headlamp is great for when you need to sneak around in the dark while all your bunkmates are snoozing. I like having one with a red light option as well as multiple brightness settings to switch between depending on the situation.
Carabiner - Never know when you’ll need one of these to clip an extra bag you didn’t expect to buy or a wet pair of shoes you don’t want to put in your bag.
A lock - Handy for locking up your luggage and belongings in a locker or inside your backpack for extra security and peace of mind.
If you’ve read this far and are still curious about the “one bag” lifestyle - browse this Reddit thread for more inspiration! I’ll leave you with this satisfying knolling shot of what I packed for a 2-week trip to Sri Lanka in January 2020… most of these items are still in rotation today! A testament to it being tried and true. ✈️
*Disclosure: I only recommend products I use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post contains affiliate links at no additional cost to you; I may earn a small commission.
