Your Ultimate Guide to Packing Ridiculously Light
I can travel for weeks without a single checked bag. Here’s how.
For my first big overseas vacation, I brought a full-sized suitcase. Possibly two. Aaaand, knowing myself, likely also a giant purse. I almost cringe now to think of lugging a caravan’s worth of belongings around and cluttering up my hotel/hostel rooms with stuff. Was the burden of over-preparedness really better than the possibility of being under-packed? No way. Unfortunately, that was the only way I knew.
Fast-forward a few years, though, and I found myself hopping around Spain and Portugal for 3 weeks without a single checked bag — just a flimsy €5 backpack and a purse. It was my first taste of the freedom, spontaneity, and, ease of ultra-light travel, and it instantly won me over.
Want to learn how to experience that magic for yourself?
Whether you’re aiming to save money on checked-bag fees, to travel in a more eco-friendly way (less packing weight = less fuel!), or you just want to figure out how to lighten your load without sacrificing comfort, this guide is for you. Not only will I tell you what I bring and what I leave behind; I’ll also explain why, so you can feel comfortable with paring down your packing and find workarounds for your own needs. This list is divided…
