Minimalist Packing for Travel

Mastering the art of minimalist packing brings many benefits: it’s cost-effective, incredibly convenient, and liberating. But, let’s be honest, pulling off minimalist traveling is easier said than done!

In this minimalist packing guide I’ll share detailed tips that will streamline and condense your travel packing process. I’ll go over practicalities such as how to avoid bulky items and choose multi-functional pieces. Importantly, these tips to packing light will also ensure you remain both comfortable and stylish during your travels.

For more packing inspiration, check out my packing list for long-term and multi-season travel.

Why Pack like a Minimalist? My Thoughts

I didn’t truly appreciate the merits of packing light until I was forced to do so myself on an extended trip to South America.

There’s only so you can fit into a bag that you’ll carry on your back for a year, and the challenge becomes even greater when packing for everything from the sweltering topics to frigid Patagonia. As a fashion lover I nearly cried seeing how few clothes and shoes I’d be limited to for one year. 

Thankfully, this pain was short-lived and I quickly came to enjoy the benefits of minimalist packing. I could quickly pack up and move to a new location, and laundry day was easier. There was no “what should I wear today?” dilemma each morning. I no longer had an addiction to buying new clothes and was not a slave to trends. What became important to me was functionality and high quality clothing that I could wear over and over. This feeling of freedom greatly surpassed any joy I’ve ever gotten from buying a new piece of clothing. 

While I realize that living out of a backpack for a year is not for everyone, I think we all can benefit from packing light. Whether you’re on a weekend getaway or an extended trip, here are my top reasons to take on a minimalist packing approach:

Cost-Efficient Travel

Checking in a bag for domestic flights can be just as expensive as the flight itself.

Ease of Mobility

A small carry-on bag makes it easier to navigate various types of transportation and makes you less conspicuous as a tourist. You don’t want to lug a heavy bag around the bus station or down a narrow cobblestone street.

Convenience

The less you have, the easier it is to keep track of your stuff and move between places quickly. No more “what do I wear?” dilemmas in the morning!

Room for Souvenirs

Extra space allows you to take home fantastic local products.

Minimalist Packing Guide

Minimalist Packing: Avoid Bulky Items

Bulky items can quickly consume the precious real estate in your bag, especially if you’re trying to pack winter clothing. Below I’ve listed some of the common culprits that will sabotage your efforts to pack light, along with some suitable replacements.

Jeans

Jeans take up a lot of space and are slow to dry in rainy or humid climates. If you must, bring only one pair. Instead of jeans I pack linen pants and a midi skirt, which are just as stylish, arguably more comfortable, and occupy half the space.

Denim Shorts

Denim shorts, in addition to being bulky, can be uncomfortable in scorching weather. Instead I pack lightweight, quick-drying shorts that can be worn for everything from hiking to walking around the city. My minimalist packing list also includes lightweight dresses adaptable for day or night. Depending on your destination, dresses may fit in better with local clothing choices. You might even find beautiful locally made dresses during your travels!

Bulky Jackets and Coats

A lightweight, compressible down jacket will keep you just as warm as a bulky coat for a fraction of the space. Quality matters; I’ve had mine for years and have worn it comfortably in freezing, snowy locations.

Chunky Sweaters and Sweatshirts

Replace a bulky sweater with several lighter, travel-friendly options. A chambray shirt will give you the look of a denim jacket without the weight. Pack a light fleece sweater and flannel shirt that can be layered as well.

Cold Weather Clothes

Instead of packing a lot of cold-weather attire, bring thin base layers. A merino wool top and bottom can be layered under normal outfits for extra warmth (go for a scoop neck layer to wear under lower-cut tops). I use this travel trick to convert summer maxi dresses into cold weather appropriate outfits.

Bulky Towels

Replace your bulky towel with a lightweight, fast-drying microfiber towel.

Bulky Purses

I don’t use a purse. Instead I carry my valuables in a small crossbody bag that is sleek enough for a night out. I’ll use a lightweight tote bag to carry larger items such as water bottles or shopping purchases.

Books

Consider packing a lightweight Kindle instead of carrying physical books. Bring at most one book and exchange it at your destination (just another reason to stay at hostels with free libraries!).

Laptops

I’d encourage you not to take any large electronics with you. Use your phone to look up essential information and spend your free time immersing yourself in your destination. If you really can’t go without your technology, bring a lightweight tablet instead of a laptop.

Minimalist Packing for Shoes

For some minimalist travels, you can manage with just one pair of versatile shoes. I recommend white sneakers that can be worn for walking in the city, going out at night, and even gym workouts. My go-tos are Keds and Converse.

For warmer climates, I’ll bring a pair of good walking sandals. If my plans involve running or hiking, I take trail runners or hiking shoes.

Please note: Minimalist packing does NOT mean that you should wear your hiking boots or flip flops everywhere! This will make you look poorly dressed, and in dressier cities you’ll be an obvious target for thieves.

Pack Minimalist, Multi-Functional Pieces

As a minimalist traveler, you should strive to pack pieces that can be worn in many different situations. Here are some of the multi-functional travel essentials that I typically include in my minimalist packing list:

Rain Jacket

A light rain jacket doubles as a windbreaker, and you’ll need one if you’re going hiking or in the mountains. Bringing a rain jacket allows you to skip packing an umbrella.

Lightweight Scarf

My minimalist packing list always includes a lightweight scarf, which doubles as a towel or beach blanket. I also use it as a beach cover-up, for sun and mosquito protection, and as an extra layer when it’s chilly. 

Pajama Clothing

Pack normal t-shirts and pants comfortable enough to be worn as pajamas. I wear my linen pants and athletic clothing to sleep, eliminating the need to pack a designated set of pajamas.

Athletic T-Shirts

Pack soft athletic t-shirts that are subtle, stylish, and suitable for city wear.

Hiking Pants

Invest in quality hiking pants that are not only functional for outdoor activities but also stylish enough for travel days, lounging, or gym sessions. A slightly loose fit means they won’t cling to you in hot weather and allows for layering thermals underneath in cold weather. I’ve received many compliments wearing mine in the city!

Bras

I pack only one underwire bra because they are bulky and delicate – not ideal for squeezing into a full travel backpack. Instead of packing more bras, I wear my bikini tops under regular clothing. Consider bringing tops you can wear braless; they’ll be more comfortable in hot and humid climates and can double as pajamas. Lightweight bralettes are also a comfortable and space-saving option.

Stay Organized on your Minimalist Travels

Use packing cubes to keep your clothes organized. This will make it easier to put together outfits. Packing cubes are especially useful in hostels, where there is limited space to spread out your belongings.

You can also find packing cubes that compress down, saving you even more space. Also consider bringing a compression sack to condense your bulkier clothing items.

Minimalist Packing for Toiletries

Travel with bar soap and bar shampoo, which are compact and TSA-compliant. You can buy larger bottles of toiletries once you arrive at your destination. If you must pack your liquid toiletries with you, put them into small, carry-on friendly containers.

Ladies, consider traveling with a menstrual cup. It packs small, and it is also more sustainable and economical in the long run. 

Most standard medications are readily available in pharmacies abroad, and in certain countries birth control pills can be obtained over the counter.

Rent Specialty Items

If you’re trying to pack light, it may not be worth it to pack equipment such as hiking poles. These items are bulky and sometimes prohibited in carry-on bags. 

Luckily, major sports destinations will rent these items to you. I’ve found hiking shoes, trekking poles, camping gear, and cold weather jackets for rent at affordable prices in small mountain towns.

Use Laundry Services

In many travel destinations, same-day laundry service is readily available and affordable, either at your accommodation or in nearby shops. You can also hand wash items like underwear and socks with bar soap to hold you over until your next laundry day.

Choose Quality Items to Enable Minimalist Packing

Don’t worry too much about getting your travel packing list perfect. You can buy most forgotten items upon reaching your destination. However, make it a priority to bring high quality shoes, sports clothing, and cold weather clothes, since these will greatly impact your comfort. Depending on your destination, these items could be hard to find and potentially even more expensive than in your home country.

It’s a good idea to bring durable and high-quality pieces, since you want them to withstand frequent use and the wear and tear of travel. However I’d encourage striking a balance between high-quality clothing and pieces that you won’t be devastated if you lose. You will likely lose some clothing to stains, tears from extensive use, or in the laundry. Over the course of a year, I lost 4 pieces of clothing through laundry services!

Make Stylish Choices

Get the most out of your minimalist clothing by selecting items with a cohesive color scheme and textures that match. Ensure that each top and bottom can be matched with multiple other pieces. Avoid bringing too much white clothing, which can easily stain. On the contrary, patterns will conceal stains.

Don’t limit yourself to shades of black and beige, though, especially when traveling to vibrant destinations like South America. Locals may embrace colorful clothing and you might feel out of place if your travel outfits are very bland!

Minimalist Packing Tip: Accessorize Your Travel Outfits

Use accessories to add style to your outfits. Headbands can add a pop of color and are also practical for sports or extending the time between hair wash days. Jewelry is another way to switch up your look without adding bulk to your minimalist packing list. Just leave some space in your bag to buy some unique pieces at your destination. Also avoid bringing expensive-looking jewelry that may attract thieves.

While you shouldn’t bring your entire makeup bag, essentials like eyeliner, mascara, eyeshadow, and lipstick can really elevate your look. In budget-friendly destinations, treat yourself to a hair treatment, lash lift, or manicure.

Thanks for reading, and I hope these minimalist packing tips help you to pack light on your upcoming travels! Which tip did you find most helpful? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Head to my Travel Tips Page for more tips that will help you prepare and budget for your travels.

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