4. Toiletries: Go Tiny or Go Home
Travel-size everything. Decant your favorites into mini bottles, and ditch what you can buy at your destination. Solid shampoo bars and multi-use products (hello, 2-in-1 moisturizer/SPF) are your new best friends.
5. Wear Your Heaviest Items
Plane outfit = travel hack central. Wear your bulkiest shoes and outerwear to save space in your bag. Bonus: layers = cozy and climate-control-friendly in chilly airports or over-air-conditioned planes.
6. Be Ruthless (Then Ruthless Again)
Lay everything out. Cut half of it. Then cut again. Ask yourself, “Will I actually use this, or do I just like the idea of using it?” Marie Kondo the heck out of your packing list.
Summary
Traveling with just a backpack doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort—it means traveling smarter. With the right gear, a focused mindset, and a little planning, you’ll move through cities, airports, and adventures with ease. Less stuff = less stress. And trust me, future-you won’t miss dragging that extra suitcase up a cobblestone hill.
Published on Mar 29, 2025
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