Travel is my passion. And packing light is my mission. I only fly with one carry-on. So I guess you could call me, “a man who packs light.”

Why?
1. To eliminate the possibility of lost or stolen luggage. I never check-in my bag. I just bring one carry-on. Because my vacations are usually short, losing luggage on Day 1 would pretty much ruin the trip.

2. To be mobile. As soon as I deplane, I’m out the terminal. Because my bag is a backpack, I don’t need to drop it off at a hotel or locker. I can go straight to the museum or café. I also do not use a “rolly” bag, which does not work on stairs or cobblestone.

How does minimalist packing work?

Laundry. I pack five sets of clothes (not including what I wear on the plane.) This means that I would only need to do one load of laundry for a 12-day trip. My t-shirts are polyester, my socks are SmartWool, and my underwear is microfiber. Everything hang dries in a few hours.

The Bag:

I have an Osprey Porter 46 travel backpack. It’s the largest allowable carry-on (22″ x 14″ x 9″) for most airlines. I like that it opens fully, giving you access to all of your contents. Comes with stow away shoulder straps. It’s been one of my best purchases ever.

Packing Cubes:

Packing cubes help keep you organized. They compress your clothes and save a lotta space. I slip a Bounce dryer sheet into each one to keep things “fresh.”

Travel Wardrobe:

I wear my bulky clothes on the plane. I rotate two pairs of dark blue jeans for short trips and three on longer trips. I also wear my baseball cap on the flight.

Shoes:

I only bring one pair. I know that this is the deal breaker for some. I wear black trekker shoes on trips. Great for walking around the city or exploring nature. Super comfortable and waterproof. They’re versatile and can match jeans or shorts.

Jacket:

I wear my jacket on the plane. It’s usually cold. I recommend a black jacket. It’s neutral, and dressy enough to get by.

Toiletry Kit:

I’ve had this toiletry kit forever. I’ve tried to downsize to a smaller model a few times, but this one works so well. It has a great organizer and enough room to keep medicine and vitamins all in one place. This kit has a hook for hanging. Sometimes there’s no counter space. (Sometimes there’s no counter.)

Daysack:

I pack a light, collapsible daysack inside of my backpack. I always have an umbrella with me. I hate rain. I also carry toilet paper, just in case…

Electronics:

My iPhone is the only device that I travel with. I’ll also bring AC adapters and a portable charger.

The 3-1-1 Liquids Rule:

For carry-on luggage, you can only bring one quart size bag with travel-size containers up to 3.4 oz or 100 ml. Anything larger will need to be checked-in or confiscated.

Tips & Hacks:
• I print a copy of my passport for my bag, and I also email a copy to myself.
• I have the AT&T International Day Pass for my iPhone. It costs $10 per day.
• I bring an ample supply of Airborne vitamins to stay healthy.
• I pack spare disposable masks in my backpack and daysack in case the one I’m wearing breaks.
• ChapStick & sunscreen are must-haves. Don’t forget the imodium!
• No need to carry a water bottle or heavy flask. Bottled water is available everywhere.
• Notify your bank that you’ll be using your ATM & charge cards abroad.
• TSA pre√ is well worth the money. Take the express line and never take shoes off again.

Minimalism:
Part of what makes you a minimalist is “doing without.” I do sacrifice a few things that a lot of people wouldn’t. I don’t bring slippers, shorts, or an iPad on my travels anymore. I also don’t buy stuff on my trips. I’m too poor. All of my spending money is for food.

Conclusion:
I’m so looking forward to traveling again! (熊本!）This kind of packing is not for everyone, but it works. It’s so “freeing.” You should try it. Pack light…