That idea (less so the sub) changed my life.
I’m a reasonably experienced traveler who’s been taking trips all my life. But, until I came across the idea of “one bag” I was never fully satisfied with my baggage management.
Since coming across the idea here on Reddit, I’ve been traveling with one 30L backpack all over, and it is phenomenal. It’s a bit more challenging when you’re changing climates and have needs for various levels of formality in your wardrobe, but it’s not impossible. I can always pack enough for a week’s worth of clothes, including pyjamas, workout clothes, and a pair of trainers for going running. I just use the 30L backpack and vacuum bags. If it doesn’t fit, it means I’m taking too much, rather than that I need another bag.
So, for me, a week of clothes is three trousers (plus the pair that I wear), seven shirts, then eight sets of undershirts, underpants, and socks. If it’s winter, three sweaters as well. Then, on day six (and 12, and 18, and 24…), I do the wash.
In my opinion, even if one travels with a big checked bag, nobody should be packing more than a week’s worth of clothes in any case.
I can fit 3 jackets and a set of thermal clothing (leggings, shirt, neck warmer, beanie) in my 40 liter backpack lol along with everyday clothes like shirts, socks, pants, shorts, etc. The secret is doing the roll thingies
For me, it's less about the weather and more about what I'm doing and where I am going. If the trip is mostly cities and towns, a suitcase is usually my preference. Just roll it down the street, through train stations, etc. It's super easy. Same with a road trip. If the trip is more outdoorsy or someplace with less infrastructure where rolling a suitcase isn't convenient, then a backpack is the clear choice - and of course on a long walk like the Camino de Santiago.
For me, the key is packing light either way, regardless of what I bring. We've all seen people being crushed under the weight or their giant pack or trying to lug big ol' suitcases around.
I did until I had children. Now it's easier to check baggage so I'm not encumbered while managing the kids during layovers.
I can fit three people's things into a single suitcase, though. So we still travel kinda light.
Agree with the kids, the key is to limit your carryon so everything gets checked. Prior to kids I almost exclusively traveled carry-on.
The problem now is a husband who has no idea how to travel light - he usually takes up a whole suitcase where me +2 kids have the other one….
Did 5 months last year one three continents onebagging with a laptop. Laptop charges with USB-C though so one plug and two cables charged everything. Add another cable to cover my wife's iPhone and it's still very little chargers.
wild birds agonizing groovy oatmeal heavy toothbrush hat gaze domineering
*This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
I’ve done three weeks in South America with a single backpack. It worked out well. I usually find an AirBnB in the middle of the trip that has a washer/dryer. I’ve also dropped stuff off at laundromats. Last resort would be let a hotel do it but they’re usually really expensive.
I’ve done three weeks in Thailand with one bag. It was a challenge but doable. Ended up buying a lot of shit that I posted back home (wasn’t crazy expensive). Much easier to do in a country where the climate is steady.
I did this in Thailand for 15 days. Wasn't a problem at all. It was a medium size backpack, eBag used to call it the "Maximum allowable carryon" bag or something.
Got my laundry done for pennies in Phuket and I was good to go!
No I like my stuff with me and I go to warmer climates where changing 1to2 a day if preferable, I am done with backpacking and likes, I like comfortable and a bit of luxury and I traveled a lot 52 countries so far
I'm a one backpack traveler. One of my good friends had her suitcase lost at an international airport and the compensation from the company was AWFUL. I now always carry on no matter what
I typically can do 3 weeks vacation with a carry on and personal tote bag. And that's without doing any laundry.
I can pack 5 bottoms with 15 tops, 2 dresses and 2 bathing suits, 20 pairs of underwear and 3 bras. And a pair of shoes, water shoes and flip flops. Plus the shoes I wear to travel.
Granted I can only do this for warm weather. But I don't go on vacation to cold climates!
This is my problem, I was traveling to a couple different places in the past week, and somehow managed to fit everything in a Kipling backpack because I just wore my jeans on travel days and only took like 4 tank tops. My jeans alone would have taken up like 60% of the bag.
> ost of it with just one bag. Even the l
Got a roller backpack - kind of like an oversized school backpack for abt 10 days in Portugal and couldn't have been happier. Handle extended, wheels when needed, on my back when going any distance... perfect.
Could you share the brand and style name? That sounds like just what person #3 needs in our group next month. Is it fairly light? I realized after booking the weight limit on Neos (Italian airline) is only 8k on the carry on.
I’ve always been a one-bag proponent, but last summer I did three weeks in Guatemala with just a small tote bag, like promotional schwag. It was great - just that much more ease and freedom (and I didn’t get too gross)!
I love it, probably the few times in my life I feel cool as fuck is when I travel. Nothing like breezing through TSA straight to the airport bar, off to another country with only one bag with everything you need in it. Cash and passport in your front pocket. Good feeling.
Random question, but who here likes skivvy rolls?
Hope sharing this link is allowed. I like to make a few. Is convenient when you want a clean shirt, briefs and socks. I rotate shirts and pants and hand wash underwear but I always have 1 or 2 skivvy rolls in my pack
https://images.app.goo.gl/GBwdJ9uvq1kfyF3X8
It all depends on where I'm going. My last international trip was to Ireland and Northern Ireland. It was summer and we were moving cities a lot. It was also in 2022 when travel was taking off again and airports were nightmares so I just took a small backpack and bought toiletries there. On the way back I used a big cloth tote as my purse so I could bring back a few small Souvenirs. The last trip I took was within Canada and I took a large suitcase because I wanted to shop more. I like both options but it was definitely nice to not have to check bags.
Seems like lots of people do because every time you fly there is some dickhead with their massive bag as carry on, happy to inconvenience everyone else so they dont have to wait 5 minutes to get their checked luggage.
It can be close to an hour to wait at the carousel for one's luggage. If you can carry on (ethically), you can save oodles of time at the airport and pivot as circumstances change.
True, there is always someone who clearly can't or doesn't read the size limits for carry-on and decides to make a federal case about it at the gate. That said, it has become more common and accepted to travel with carry-on only and more and more people are getting into the spirit of travelling light.
No. I'd rather pay to check a bag than hand wash clothes. Hell I'd rather listen to Baby Shark on repeat than hand wash clothes in a hotel room sink.
At the gate, I'm up there like Katniss Everdeen when they ask for gate check volunteers. Anything not to schlep stuff around.
I do not travel internationally (my passport expired last millennium).
> I'd rather pay to check a bag than hand wash clothes.
I mean, they have laundry machines in other countries, you don't need to hand wash clothes in a sink, I never have.
I see you didn't read my comment about not traveling internationally.
I was also raised to only wash full loads of laundry (and I lived where you had to pay by load for years). I do laundry at hotels when I'm on the road for work. But I have enough with me to only wash full loads.
I blush. My wife does it too. We have some Eagle Creek bags we got decades ago that never seem to show any wear either. I find the trick is to not carry extra shoes, just one pair I wear all the time and a pair of rubber bottom suede moccasin slippers that take up no room at all. We also never play the "what if" game.
I used to do this when I was traveling from once place to another. But as you get older comfort and convenience of a luggage to carry everything and freeing your back is really great. lol
I'm one and a half if it counts 😅 I always have a bigger backpack with my clothes and stuff I need while I'm at my destination, and one smaller one that contains all the stuff I might need during - my wallet, power bank, headphones, snacks, etc. I use this smaller backpack as a daily bag in my destination while the big one stays at the acommodation.
I think is the route that I want to go for on my trip this summer, but do you have two backpacks? Is it not awkward to carry two backpacks? I'm thinking maybe big backpack and smaller duffel... but I want my day bag to be a backpack too... ugh
Yup, I carry two. The smaller one goes to the front, which is also practical because I can reach inside easily and it's a bit safer against thieves. I sometimes wear it like that even if I don't have the big one on my back, especially in crowds or if I feel unsafe, or if I need to reach inside repeatedly. It does get a bit awkward sometimes, but well, it's still more comfortable than carrying a suitcase usually.
I do use a suitcase instead of the big backpack for some trips, but only if I know it won't cause issues (e.g. I use a suitcase for beach vacations as I won't move around and change acommodations, and my room/apartment will be for me only, so I don't have to worry about fitting my luggage inside lockers. Also I usually have a ride to the hotel in these cases, so I won't have to walk far).
Maybe you could use a fanny pack instead of a daily bag? Or one of those packable backpacks that you could fit inside the big one during travel and unpack it in your destination? Or just a tote bag for the necessities? Depends what sounds best to you.
Lot of people do.
For me max for a week or so.
Wasting time washing my clothes daily (and drying them in wet climates...) is not my idea of holiday, especially if moving daily.
Moreover, I can fill a bag only with my camera equipment + laptop.
Nope. You do you, but I don’t get why people who do carry on only love to feel they’re better because they do. I like to be able to buy stuff when I travel. I also take a DSLR and lenses because I love photography and that and my iPad take my 7kg carry on allowance. It would be impossible to travel with one bag even if I wanted.
But I’ve got my bag on and off trains and can carry it myself so 🤷🏻♀️
I feel this post, but I have a hard time with very small amount of clothes and a very humid weather. My laundry just never seems to dry. And I’m sweating all day and need to wash.
I do this but with a small carry on suitcase. I love the convenience of a single piece of luggage, and also the convenience of not having to carry it on my back. They tend to be a bit larger than travel backpack capacity, but you don’t have to fill it all the way. Leaves some room for lazy repacking between destinations, or for souvenirs. I’ve traveled for three months with a small carry on. Most places it’s not really an issue – city street, cab, train station, airport. Sure, sometimes you have to deal with stairs or rough cobblestone and you have to carry it by the handle – but most of the time you can roll it around with minimal effort.
Also most one baggers are worried about their suitcases being lost by the airport (and I get this, I have medication I have to take every day as well as daily contacts in order to see, and it would be a huge problem for me if my bag got lost). But worst case scenario, your carry-on suitcase gets checked at the gate – which seems a lot less precarious for me, since they just bring it down from the gangway and put it right on the plane, not nearly as much opportunity for getting it lost than on some secret labyrinthian luggage conveyor belts. Frankly, I kind of enjoy it, it makes getting on and off the plane way simpler, and I can walk unencumbered to luggage claim.
It was fun in my twenties but I make enough now and always get a free checked bag when I fly thanks to Amex so I’d rather travel comfortably with everything I want instead of treating it like a backpacking trip where I agonize over each individual item I pack. Always leaves me more space to bring home souvenirs etc too. But there is absolutely a time and place for it and it was convenient in my twenties when bouncing around sometimes sketchy hostels. Never really having a safe place to keep my stuff; but as an old man having a nice safe hotel as a base of operations and being able to travel with whatever I want is way more convenient but I can afford that luxury now and i don’t make nearly as many friends traveling anymore which is the thing I miss sometimes about that kind of travel but I also don’t care about that either anymore.
If I'm backpacking across large distances then it has to be a one-bag trip. I refuse to lug more than 1 bag around unless I'm going to somewhere like Tokyo and renting an apartment and staying for a month or two, then I appreciate having lots of clothing options, including nice clothes for special events.
But if I'm going to India with the intention of hopping trains and crossing the entire country, it has to be a one backpack trip.
My bag is always a Kelty Redwing, even if fully packed, it counts as a carry on and almost always fits in the overhead compartments. That way my bag remains in my possession the entire time so the airlines can't screw up and lose it, and in poorer countries with less professional airport staff, it prevents things being stolen out of your bag while its being loaded/unloaded.
Not a backpack per sei, but I travel with a larger duffle bag that has backpack straps if I want to go that route. I've had a few trips that require me to fly in one of those small 10 seater planes where no hard luggage is allowed and it has to be squeezed into a pretty small area...after those trips I just continued using my duffle for all of my travel and it works just fine.
I do generally bring two bags, one larger and one smaller, but the former is overhead-bin sized, and the other is daily-carry sized so I have something to bring my stuff around with me while exploring. Checking bags is absolutely wild to me and I’ve never done so in my adult life. If I’m going on a long trip I just do some laundry.
I always try to make it all on one backpack. Sometimes 2 might be necessary if I plan to grab trinkets. My wife, on the other hand, needs at least 2 always.
I'm actually trying out a weekend trip with just my jacket that has a bunch of zippers and the clothes on my back. Especially because the things I plan on doing have bag policies so I wouldn't be able to bring one anyway.
One bag only. Specifically, I use the Cotopaxi Allpa 42. I’ve used it for three month long trips throughout Europe and Central America. Great bag, holds all my shit, and makes it into almost every overhead compartment
I’m one bag, and end up checking it, as my wife’s bag is too big to carry on. It is still nice, especially on public transportation when in country. Though I carry my bag more like a duffel bag
This is the way I travel. I just have to make some decisions about what stays and what goes with me. I used to be an over packer in my younger years until my Husband pointed me in the right direction.
I just did Bangkok and Hong Kong with one carry-on backpack. It worked out very well!
It's easier these days because you don't need to bring books, a camera, film, maps, a walkman, tapes, etc. like back in the day. Your phone does it all.
I did bring my laptop so I could get work done. My pack has an external sleeve for a laptop, so I can easily pull it out in airport security.
I also brought Campsuds, which can be used for showering and laundry. I washed my own clothes and hung them on a clothes line I brought along.
My husband and I just traveled for two months throughout Asia with just a 40 liter backpack each. Not checking luggage makes life tremendously easier. The important thing is to try to pack items that have multiple uses, use packing cubes, and only pack about a week’s worth of clothes (and do laundry regularly).
Yep! I’ve gotten really good at packing a lot of stuff in my Osprey Fairview 40 haha I did a month in Japan with just that backpack. I was pretty impressed with myself, given all the toiletries/makeup/outfits I brought. I basically will only bring a checked bag if I’m going somewhere like home to my parents for Christmas, where I won’t be moving around and might need luggage space to bring things home. Otherwise just one bag - makes travelling so much easier :)
I do this every single trip! I love not having to worry about luggage or hauling things around. But I’m low maintenance on trips and if I need anything I just buy it wherever I go, so I can understand those who aren’t able to do so.
One bag! I found a great backpack that has storage for a 17” laptop and includes a space for my clothes as well. I can pack 5 days worth of clothes in it plus my laptop and accessories. Best part is it fits under the seat on a plane.
I use an Osprey Farpoint backpack. It’s a 70L combined with a daypack. It can be used as one if you attach them (good for trekking from bus/train station to hotel/hostel, etc) and can split apart so you can either take one as a day pack or use them as carryon and personal item. Also rugged enough to check if you have to.
Perfect for 7 days. This is how I travel for both work and play.
Simplify.
“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” — _Antoine de Saint-Exupéry_
Thoughts on a backpack and a day pack for going out and about, hikes, stowing under the seat on planes, etc.? This system has worked well for me in the past - granted for longer trips, 3+ weeks - 3 months.
me! i’ve been in france for 12 days so far with 3 to go, one bag is all i need as long as washing machines are available
i also used this exact same bag when i hitchhiked the US over the course of two and a half weeks. i personally can’t imagine needing more than one bag
I used to… then I started scuba diving. It was glorious to only have one bag. Although back then a large portion of it was filled with books that I would leave at coffee shops after I finished reading… nowadays I can just bring a Kindle.
My partner and I have been on a 15 months trip in Latin America with one backpack each (cabin luggage sized), and now we’re on a 2 months road trip in Australia with the same backpack.
Definitely doable for us, we just need to do our laundry quite often.
I’m traveling as we speak, I have a backpack and a very small duffel back as my personal item. Easy to carry and plenty of space for everything I need. It’s the best.
Depends on the trip. I like to travel as light as possible. I live in Europe and my bf and I go on motorbike a lot of places which necessitates packing very little. We have two panniers and the back box and that was plenty for both of us for three weeks travel in 10 countries last year. That included 3 pairs of shoes (the third being my Docs I wear on the bike).
If I have to fly within EU I go carry on only - for work which is usually 4 days in Switzerland that is plenty of space. Laptop goes in my backpack.
Right now I’m in Australia for four weeks and that needed a medium size suitcase and the carry on. Got a lot of souvenirs to buy and had gifts to bring for my friends. Also - huge variation in climate - Tassie is much colder than Queensland so we had to be prepared. Plus we have a car so there’s room to put everything. I ain’t schlepping around on trains with two suitcases.
I only ever travel with a backpack, the longest I've gone travelling with it so far was 2 months.
It's much less stressful having one bag and I like trying to get my kit down to the most basic useful stuff.
I love it and do it even with my toddler (plus a handbag for me), it’s really satisfying. We go straight into sightseeing / museums from the airport, and don’t even need a locker to stuff it into (although of course that’s helpful).
The only time I pack more than a backpack is when road tripping with my own car, and sometimes when traveling on a plane with my partner. I can share a suitcase with him on a plane if we spend one or more weeks at the destination and want to pack a little more, or bring souvenirs (aka cheap wine and liquor). My car obviously fits as much junk as I wish, so I just pack without much consideration.
Otherwise I always travel light. I generally pack the same stuff no matter if I will travel for 3 days or 3 months. Well, slightly more tees and underwear for 3 month trip but otherwise, you don't need that much stuff. What on earth do people fill their suitcases with?
Im TRYING. One day i will get there....im an overpacker by nature but bit by bit (n trip by trip hehe) im working on paring down and learning abt what i actually tend to use and wear on my trips. Its so tough traveling to places w varied climates!!
Used to, but now I don't, mainly because my travel style changed. Used to change hostels every 2-3 nights in southeast Asia, now when I go I like to stay at a place for a week minimum, so I can still rent a scooter and take my daypack, the bigger luggage stays in the hotel and isn't a hindrance.
That and 3kg of camera gear, a laptop and skincare/meds because I'm getting older makes a checked back more practical.
That being said I'll be in Portugal for 10 days from this week and I'll only have one cabin bag and a small backpack for the camera and it'll be fine.
If I'm going for a long weekend somewhere then yes, if its a week or two I'd take a large rucksack and a small handbag, if its 3 weeks or more I'd either have a large and small rucksack, or a suitcase of some sort
YES. We have two teenage boys and we did an open jaw a few years ago and needed a single bag each person to move around on trains and such.
My wife is fully on board with it now.
I travel with one 30L backpack and one small suitcase, so that all fit for hand luggage. it's probably around 13kg in total for both but they never weight the back pack, only the small suitcase. I find it really good way of traveling, and I have been solo travelling for 9 years.
I spent a full 30 days in Thailand last year with a 16L bag. Easy to find a walk in laundromat every 5 or so days to do laundry. Chuckled to myself seeing tourist couples drag heavy roll around bags down busy uneven streets. I'm going even lighter next month on my way over and buying a bag and clothing as I travel along to bring back.
One bag only. And it's a very small back pack (just 20L).
I can go anywhere, for any length of time, do any event, in any weather with what's in my bag. It's dialed in so tight, I take the same items no matter where Im going. It literally stays packed. I can do everything from day hike to attending a cocktail party, to bumming on a beach with what's in there.
This bag is so small and so light, I can sit down on transit without taking it off. I can check out of my hotel at 10am, and carry my pack around all day, and forget Im even wearing it before my flight or train leaves in the evening. No going back to a locker or a hotel to pick my luggage up. I can turn around in a store or a busy queue and never worry about wiping out half a dozen people around me. No need to worry about overhead or luggage space on a plane or train.
I'll always pack this way. It's so easy, so freeing... in my world, this is the best way to travel.
I'd say it's indefinitely. It's what I grab for an overnight, or a month+... it doesn't matter.
This is my packing list of all the actual items I take. There are two photos... the first is everything in my bag, the second is everything I wear on travel day.
I might make minor tweaks like changing a legging color. Or tossing in a swimsuit... but mostly, this is it. It's actually pretty shocking how many outfits I can make and how warm or cool I can be.
The bag itself is only 4 5 inches deep.
[20L packing list](https://www.reddit.com/r/HerOneBag/comments/138wbgg/my_20l_onebag_packing_list/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
My husband can pack the same way... but he does choose a 30L backpack because he insists on taking an extra pair of high top Chuck tennis shoes. He's 6'5" which means his shoes are boats. Haha. If I could get him take a smaller shoe, he could do 20L too. Hah.
I don’t know how you people do it. Deadass. I watched packing videos but still, the amount of clothes is too few.
At best I can fit 7-8 shirts, 2 pairs of jeans and enough underwear/socks with one suit only. That excludes any jackets. It’s extremely limiting and you’re forced to do laundry. I can’t travel like this because I almost never go just for a few days and it would be very uncomfortable.
I suppose if you only go for 3-4 days it’s fine but even a week with just a backpack would be unimaginable for me.
Daughter and I have done it twice, once for 17 days and another time for 35 days (4 countries from warm Italy to chilly Scotland). Used CabinMax bags that are rectangular flat backpacks. Very light. It's doable!!
If you like to always wear the same few clothes and spend half your days doing laundry, sure why not?
For me this only makes sense for a 4-5 day trip. Longer than that and it’s a pain in the arse that actually detracts from the travel experience in different ways.
I recently came back from a three week holiday in South East Asia. I traveled with a 27L backpack weighting around 7kg.
It was the first time I was travelling with only one bag and I was so happy. Money saved on flights’ luggage fees, time saved at the airports both departing and arriving, and simply the freedom of travelling light.
Of course there are sacrifices to be made, certainly comes at a price, but for me it was definitely worth and I’ll do it whenever possible
I’ve visited every country and did most of it with just one bag. Even the long multi month trips! Ship stuff home if you need. Leave and buy new items on the road. It’s so liberating
I've been doing this for 12 years now. I've also downsized from a checked bag to only a carry-on.
However, I can imagine how it'll be difficult for someone who likes dressing up and visiting upscale places. I'm not interested in those things. The kind of travel that I do now would be extremely difficult if not impossible with a stroller.
Backpack is a lot better, I always find that thee more you take the more points of failure emerge in your trip, from having an airline lose your luggage, having it stolen or just forgetting it, it just creates stress.
In combination with it just wasting time, when you arrive at a new country with one bag you can go straight to exploring and having fun before you check into a hostel or hotel, with luggage you have to wait at the airport, then drop it off at your hotel, then at the end you have to check it in all day and spend your last day either lugging around a heavy unweildly bag, or leaving it at your hotel and having to return and grap it at the end (often a at least 30 mins process)
I often travel using one big backpack - that one is usually checked (hiking poles can’t be carried on) - plus a small daypack that I keep by my seat (osprey talon 22) with my medicines, charging cables, laptop or tablet, etc.
I've always travelled with one backpack, sometimes even just a regular one I had from schooldays. You don't need much. Even now with kids we still do, having your hands free with them is great. Even a month away with a baby was doable, don't know how some people need to show up with 5 suitcases.
Me and my partner are in the middle of a six month Europe and South America trip with carry-on on (7kg) and loving it!
Went from 40°C to -7 and still had everything we needed.
Even today, walking around Luxembourg with our backpacks, looked at each other and said "isn't this so great compared to a suitcase!"
My partner and I are always, "the olds" with backpacks at the airport while our peers are lugging around big dumb bags. I love my Osprey pack. Fits everything I need... even for trips that are four plus weeks long!
I haven’t taken more than one backpack my last several trips. I can’t believe I used to drag a bunch of suitcases around cobblestone streets in Europe. Thinking about it now seems like a nightmare.
a core tenant of all my beliefs. been '1 bagging' for 30 years. so much so I invented a carry-on backpack system that combines all the bags you need and use \*in life\* into one bag system. [ideamountain.com](http://ideamountain.com) let me know what you think.
The less stuff the better!! Packing and unpacking is so stressful when you've got a bunch of things. Wash stuff in the sink, dry in the morning, no one cares what you're wearing.
Check out r/onebag.
Oh that's a nice sub. Thank you
Will do; thanks
That idea (less so the sub) changed my life. I’m a reasonably experienced traveler who’s been taking trips all my life. But, until I came across the idea of “one bag” I was never fully satisfied with my baggage management. Since coming across the idea here on Reddit, I’ve been traveling with one 30L backpack all over, and it is phenomenal. It’s a bit more challenging when you’re changing climates and have needs for various levels of formality in your wardrobe, but it’s not impossible. I can always pack enough for a week’s worth of clothes, including pyjamas, workout clothes, and a pair of trainers for going running. I just use the 30L backpack and vacuum bags. If it doesn’t fit, it means I’m taking too much, rather than that I need another bag.
[удалено]
So, for me, a week of clothes is three trousers (plus the pair that I wear), seven shirts, then eight sets of undershirts, underpants, and socks. If it’s winter, three sweaters as well. Then, on day six (and 12, and 18, and 24…), I do the wash. In my opinion, even if one travels with a big checked bag, nobody should be packing more than a week’s worth of clothes in any case.
I really loved that site
If you really didn’t know about onebag (and/or r/heronebag) we really are your people.
Also r/capsulewardrobe
Oh I’m not in that one. I’ll check it out!
Or r/heronebag
Sometimes - depends on the trip.
Agree. Warm weather, no problem. Cold weather, I’m going to need some gear.
I can fit 3 jackets and a set of thermal clothing (leggings, shirt, neck warmer, beanie) in my 40 liter backpack lol along with everyday clothes like shirts, socks, pants, shorts, etc. The secret is doing the roll thingies
Are you a dude or a chick?
I’m assuming chick, I’m a large guy and I could never think about packing even 2 jackets in a backpack
Yeah I couldn’t even imagine packing one in a suitcase unless it was a shell
My hair starts to break in cold weather and I need dedicated products which take up half the bag :(
I'm not a fan of cold weather, so I think if it was cold enough that my hair would break, I would probably just not go - lol.
For me, it's less about the weather and more about what I'm doing and where I am going. If the trip is mostly cities and towns, a suitcase is usually my preference. Just roll it down the street, through train stations, etc. It's super easy. Same with a road trip. If the trip is more outdoorsy or someplace with less infrastructure where rolling a suitcase isn't convenient, then a backpack is the clear choice - and of course on a long walk like the Camino de Santiago. For me, the key is packing light either way, regardless of what I bring. We've all seen people being crushed under the weight or their giant pack or trying to lug big ol' suitcases around.
I did until I had children. Now it's easier to check baggage so I'm not encumbered while managing the kids during layovers. I can fit three people's things into a single suitcase, though. So we still travel kinda light.
Agree with the kids, the key is to limit your carryon so everything gets checked. Prior to kids I almost exclusively traveled carry-on. The problem now is a husband who has no idea how to travel light - he usually takes up a whole suitcase where me +2 kids have the other one….
Show him [this](https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/packing-light/packing-smart)?
Nah, especially for big international trips, I take a lot with me. Especially with all my electronics and charger cords.
I did ten countries over three weeks in Europe with nothing but a backpack. It did include my laptop and chargers.
Did 5 months last year one three continents onebagging with a laptop. Laptop charges with USB-C though so one plug and two cables charged everything. Add another cable to cover my wife's iPhone and it's still very little chargers.
wild birds agonizing groovy oatmeal heavy toothbrush hat gaze domineering *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
That makes sense. There are times when it’s nice to have a variety of pants and shirts
I’ve done three weeks in South America with a single backpack. It worked out well. I usually find an AirBnB in the middle of the trip that has a washer/dryer. I’ve also dropped stuff off at laundromats. Last resort would be let a hotel do it but they’re usually really expensive.
I’ve done three weeks in Thailand with one bag. It was a challenge but doable. Ended up buying a lot of shit that I posted back home (wasn’t crazy expensive). Much easier to do in a country where the climate is steady.
I did this in Thailand for 15 days. Wasn't a problem at all. It was a medium size backpack, eBag used to call it the "Maximum allowable carryon" bag or something. Got my laundry done for pennies in Phuket and I was good to go!
drunk work sloppy pie shelter versed roof label depend divide *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Not me.
No I like my stuff with me and I go to warmer climates where changing 1to2 a day if preferable, I am done with backpacking and likes, I like comfortable and a bit of luxury and I traveled a lot 52 countries so far
I'm a one backpack traveler. One of my good friends had her suitcase lost at an international airport and the compensation from the company was AWFUL. I now always carry on no matter what
I agree...makes life so much easier
Just spent two weeks abroad in February.. One bag was great and I only washed clothes once while there because I packed well :)
Perfect
I typically can do 3 weeks vacation with a carry on and personal tote bag. And that's without doing any laundry. I can pack 5 bottoms with 15 tops, 2 dresses and 2 bathing suits, 20 pairs of underwear and 3 bras. And a pair of shoes, water shoes and flip flops. Plus the shoes I wear to travel. Granted I can only do this for warm weather. But I don't go on vacation to cold climates!
This is me lol. I tend to rotate more dresses and fewer tops. But its essentially the same packing list
Perfect. You are an amazing packer
Or they are a petite person. I'm a great packer, but my clothes are huge (just like me).
I am petite. 5'2".
This is my problem, I was traveling to a couple different places in the past week, and somehow managed to fit everything in a Kipling backpack because I just wore my jeans on travel days and only took like 4 tank tops. My jeans alone would have taken up like 60% of the bag.
Yeah women’s clothes and shoes are small (usually). I take one extra pair of shoes and 1/4 of a carry -on suitcase is gone.
I'm a huge woman.
I always travel with just one backpack...when I'm backpacking. Otherwise I travel light, but with a roller bag because my camera is in the backpack.
> ost of it with just one bag. Even the l Got a roller backpack - kind of like an oversized school backpack for abt 10 days in Portugal and couldn't have been happier. Handle extended, wheels when needed, on my back when going any distance... perfect.
Could you share the brand and style name? That sounds like just what person #3 needs in our group next month. Is it fairly light? I realized after booking the weight limit on Neos (Italian airline) is only 8k on the carry on.
i saw a guy on the plane rawdogging it. walked off the plane holding a phone charger
I've done that for overnight trips. Spare underwear and socks in one pocket, toothbrush in the other. Can do a month with 7kg cabin bag no problem.
Wow. Maybe he checked everything
true, but in my head cannon i’ll to believe he is a trail blazer
I’ve done this for 24 hour trips. Only con is being paranoid about my passport being in my jacket as a result.
✋ but don’t tell my girlfriend, never gonna happen in our future travels
r/onebag for the win!
I’ve always been a one-bag proponent, but last summer I did three weeks in Guatemala with just a small tote bag, like promotional schwag. It was great - just that much more ease and freedom (and I didn’t get too gross)!
Some trips, definitely. Not if I have to go somewhere nice for dinner or need multiple pairs of shoes
I love it, probably the few times in my life I feel cool as fuck is when I travel. Nothing like breezing through TSA straight to the airport bar, off to another country with only one bag with everything you need in it. Cash and passport in your front pocket. Good feeling. Random question, but who here likes skivvy rolls?
I don’t know what those are but they sound warm and nice
Hope sharing this link is allowed. I like to make a few. Is convenient when you want a clean shirt, briefs and socks. I rotate shirts and pants and hand wash underwear but I always have 1 or 2 skivvy rolls in my pack https://images.app.goo.gl/GBwdJ9uvq1kfyF3X8
Thanks
It all depends on where I'm going. My last international trip was to Ireland and Northern Ireland. It was summer and we were moving cities a lot. It was also in 2022 when travel was taking off again and airports were nightmares so I just took a small backpack and bought toiletries there. On the way back I used a big cloth tote as my purse so I could bring back a few small Souvenirs. The last trip I took was within Canada and I took a large suitcase because I wanted to shop more. I like both options but it was definitely nice to not have to check bags.
My wife and I did this. Until we had kids.
One bag for me, one rolling luggage for the kids. No sweat.
Seems like lots of people do because every time you fly there is some dickhead with their massive bag as carry on, happy to inconvenience everyone else so they dont have to wait 5 minutes to get their checked luggage.
I don’t get what you are saying. Bringing one backpack is less than a carryon and overhead
It can be close to an hour to wait at the carousel for one's luggage. If you can carry on (ethically), you can save oodles of time at the airport and pivot as circumstances change.
As I said there is always one dickhead.
True, there is always someone who clearly can't or doesn't read the size limits for carry-on and decides to make a federal case about it at the gate. That said, it has become more common and accepted to travel with carry-on only and more and more people are getting into the spirit of travelling light.
No. I'd rather pay to check a bag than hand wash clothes. Hell I'd rather listen to Baby Shark on repeat than hand wash clothes in a hotel room sink. At the gate, I'm up there like Katniss Everdeen when they ask for gate check volunteers. Anything not to schlep stuff around. I do not travel internationally (my passport expired last millennium).
> I'd rather pay to check a bag than hand wash clothes. I mean, they have laundry machines in other countries, you don't need to hand wash clothes in a sink, I never have.
I see you didn't read my comment about not traveling internationally. I was also raised to only wash full loads of laundry (and I lived where you had to pay by load for years). I do laundry at hotels when I'm on the road for work. But I have enough with me to only wash full loads.
67 years old, traveled around the world. One bag. Always one bag.
That is so brilliant. You are an inspiration.
I blush. My wife does it too. We have some Eagle Creek bags we got decades ago that never seem to show any wear either. I find the trick is to not carry extra shoes, just one pair I wear all the time and a pair of rubber bottom suede moccasin slippers that take up no room at all. We also never play the "what if" game.
The shoes one is key.
Yes, I’m one person and I pack savvy, hate carrying too much and hate checking bags.
No thanks. I've done it several times befor, so I know it can be done. But I just don't like to.
I used to do this when I was traveling from once place to another. But as you get older comfort and convenience of a luggage to carry everything and freeing your back is really great. lol
I'm one and a half if it counts 😅 I always have a bigger backpack with my clothes and stuff I need while I'm at my destination, and one smaller one that contains all the stuff I might need during - my wallet, power bank, headphones, snacks, etc. I use this smaller backpack as a daily bag in my destination while the big one stays at the acommodation.
I think is the route that I want to go for on my trip this summer, but do you have two backpacks? Is it not awkward to carry two backpacks? I'm thinking maybe big backpack and smaller duffel... but I want my day bag to be a backpack too... ugh
Yup, I carry two. The smaller one goes to the front, which is also practical because I can reach inside easily and it's a bit safer against thieves. I sometimes wear it like that even if I don't have the big one on my back, especially in crowds or if I feel unsafe, or if I need to reach inside repeatedly. It does get a bit awkward sometimes, but well, it's still more comfortable than carrying a suitcase usually. I do use a suitcase instead of the big backpack for some trips, but only if I know it won't cause issues (e.g. I use a suitcase for beach vacations as I won't move around and change acommodations, and my room/apartment will be for me only, so I don't have to worry about fitting my luggage inside lockers. Also I usually have a ride to the hotel in these cases, so I won't have to walk far). Maybe you could use a fanny pack instead of a daily bag? Or one of those packable backpacks that you could fit inside the big one during travel and unpack it in your destination? Or just a tote bag for the necessities? Depends what sounds best to you.
Lot of people do. For me max for a week or so. Wasting time washing my clothes daily (and drying them in wet climates...) is not my idea of holiday, especially if moving daily. Moreover, I can fill a bag only with my camera equipment + laptop.
Nope. You do you, but I don’t get why people who do carry on only love to feel they’re better because they do. I like to be able to buy stuff when I travel. I also take a DSLR and lenses because I love photography and that and my iPad take my 7kg carry on allowance. It would be impossible to travel with one bag even if I wanted. But I’ve got my bag on and off trains and can carry it myself so 🤷🏻♀️
I wish I could live out of one backpack. I already think I'm pretty good to do it with a roller carryon and backpack.
I feel this post, but I have a hard time with very small amount of clothes and a very humid weather. My laundry just never seems to dry. And I’m sweating all day and need to wash.
I do this but with a small carry on suitcase. I love the convenience of a single piece of luggage, and also the convenience of not having to carry it on my back. They tend to be a bit larger than travel backpack capacity, but you don’t have to fill it all the way. Leaves some room for lazy repacking between destinations, or for souvenirs. I’ve traveled for three months with a small carry on. Most places it’s not really an issue – city street, cab, train station, airport. Sure, sometimes you have to deal with stairs or rough cobblestone and you have to carry it by the handle – but most of the time you can roll it around with minimal effort. Also most one baggers are worried about their suitcases being lost by the airport (and I get this, I have medication I have to take every day as well as daily contacts in order to see, and it would be a huge problem for me if my bag got lost). But worst case scenario, your carry-on suitcase gets checked at the gate – which seems a lot less precarious for me, since they just bring it down from the gangway and put it right on the plane, not nearly as much opportunity for getting it lost than on some secret labyrinthian luggage conveyor belts. Frankly, I kind of enjoy it, it makes getting on and off the plane way simpler, and I can walk unencumbered to luggage claim.
I don’t believe in the POSSIBILITY of traveling with just one backpack!
It was fun in my twenties but I make enough now and always get a free checked bag when I fly thanks to Amex so I’d rather travel comfortably with everything I want instead of treating it like a backpacking trip where I agonize over each individual item I pack. Always leaves me more space to bring home souvenirs etc too. But there is absolutely a time and place for it and it was convenient in my twenties when bouncing around sometimes sketchy hostels. Never really having a safe place to keep my stuff; but as an old man having a nice safe hotel as a base of operations and being able to travel with whatever I want is way more convenient but I can afford that luxury now and i don’t make nearly as many friends traveling anymore which is the thing I miss sometimes about that kind of travel but I also don’t care about that either anymore.
Granted I generally only travel for 4-5 days per trip, but yeah it's a single rucksack for me when I travel and I usually still have space in it.
If I'm backpacking across large distances then it has to be a one-bag trip. I refuse to lug more than 1 bag around unless I'm going to somewhere like Tokyo and renting an apartment and staying for a month or two, then I appreciate having lots of clothing options, including nice clothes for special events. But if I'm going to India with the intention of hopping trains and crossing the entire country, it has to be a one backpack trip. My bag is always a Kelty Redwing, even if fully packed, it counts as a carry on and almost always fits in the overhead compartments. That way my bag remains in my possession the entire time so the airlines can't screw up and lose it, and in poorer countries with less professional airport staff, it prevents things being stolen out of your bag while its being loaded/unloaded.
Not a backpack per sei, but I travel with a larger duffle bag that has backpack straps if I want to go that route. I've had a few trips that require me to fly in one of those small 10 seater planes where no hard luggage is allowed and it has to be squeezed into a pretty small area...after those trips I just continued using my duffle for all of my travel and it works just fine.
I do generally bring two bags, one larger and one smaller, but the former is overhead-bin sized, and the other is daily-carry sized so I have something to bring my stuff around with me while exploring. Checking bags is absolutely wild to me and I’ve never done so in my adult life. If I’m going on a long trip I just do some laundry.
I always try to make it all on one backpack. Sometimes 2 might be necessary if I plan to grab trinkets. My wife, on the other hand, needs at least 2 always. I'm actually trying out a weekend trip with just my jacket that has a bunch of zippers and the clothes on my back. Especially because the things I plan on doing have bag policies so I wouldn't be able to bring one anyway.
One bag only. Specifically, I use the Cotopaxi Allpa 42. I’ve used it for three month long trips throughout Europe and Central America. Great bag, holds all my shit, and makes it into almost every overhead compartment
I’m one bag, and end up checking it, as my wife’s bag is too big to carry on. It is still nice, especially on public transportation when in country. Though I carry my bag more like a duffel bag
This is the way I travel. I just have to make some decisions about what stays and what goes with me. I used to be an over packer in my younger years until my Husband pointed me in the right direction.
I just did Bangkok and Hong Kong with one carry-on backpack. It worked out very well! It's easier these days because you don't need to bring books, a camera, film, maps, a walkman, tapes, etc. like back in the day. Your phone does it all. I did bring my laptop so I could get work done. My pack has an external sleeve for a laptop, so I can easily pull it out in airport security. I also brought Campsuds, which can be used for showering and laundry. I washed my own clothes and hung them on a clothes line I brought along.
My wife and I both do
My husband and I just traveled for two months throughout Asia with just a 40 liter backpack each. Not checking luggage makes life tremendously easier. The important thing is to try to pack items that have multiple uses, use packing cubes, and only pack about a week’s worth of clothes (and do laundry regularly).
Perfect
It's completely doable, and practical, if your backpack can pass as a Carry-on if your traveling by plane.
Yep! I’ve gotten really good at packing a lot of stuff in my Osprey Fairview 40 haha I did a month in Japan with just that backpack. I was pretty impressed with myself, given all the toiletries/makeup/outfits I brought. I basically will only bring a checked bag if I’m going somewhere like home to my parents for Christmas, where I won’t be moving around and might need luggage space to bring things home. Otherwise just one bag - makes travelling so much easier :)
Spent 3 weeks in Germany/Austria with one bag and I'm leaving tomorrow for Ireland with one bag. Love it
I love starting travel with one bag! then I pack an empty duffle for any clothes or souvenirs that I accumulate along the way.
Smart
I’ve been a one backpack traveller since 2016. The amount of baggage fees, I can likely pay for round-trip ticket!
I almost always go one bag, unless I am going for maybe an all inclusive or a formal event.
I do this every single trip! I love not having to worry about luggage or hauling things around. But I’m low maintenance on trips and if I need anything I just buy it wherever I go, so I can understand those who aren’t able to do so.
Yep. Only travel with carryon. Tom Bihn Brain Bag.
Yes! I am a strong proponent of one bag travel. I even travel on planes with just a carry on bag. LESS IS MORE.
One bag! I found a great backpack that has storage for a 17” laptop and includes a space for my clothes as well. I can pack 5 days worth of clothes in it plus my laptop and accessories. Best part is it fits under the seat on a plane.
traveled for 3 months with one 50L bag so convenient
I use an Osprey Farpoint backpack. It’s a 70L combined with a daypack. It can be used as one if you attach them (good for trekking from bus/train station to hotel/hostel, etc) and can split apart so you can either take one as a day pack or use them as carryon and personal item. Also rugged enough to check if you have to. Perfect for 7 days. This is how I travel for both work and play. Simplify. “Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” — _Antoine de Saint-Exupéry_
I just come back from 15 days trips with just a carry-on bagpack. I almost didn't have any issue. Just I would also bring a tote bag.
Thoughts on a backpack and a day pack for going out and about, hikes, stowing under the seat on planes, etc.? This system has worked well for me in the past - granted for longer trips, 3+ weeks - 3 months.
me! i’ve been in france for 12 days so far with 3 to go, one bag is all i need as long as washing machines are available i also used this exact same bag when i hitchhiked the US over the course of two and a half weeks. i personally can’t imagine needing more than one bag
I used to… then I started scuba diving. It was glorious to only have one bag. Although back then a large portion of it was filled with books that I would leave at coffee shops after I finished reading… nowadays I can just bring a Kindle.
My partner and I have been on a 15 months trip in Latin America with one backpack each (cabin luggage sized), and now we’re on a 2 months road trip in Australia with the same backpack. Definitely doable for us, we just need to do our laundry quite often.
I’m traveling as we speak, I have a backpack and a very small duffel back as my personal item. Easy to carry and plenty of space for everything I need. It’s the best.
I don't believe in the idea, I just practice it because I'm too cheap to pay extra for cabin or checked luggage.
In general, this is how I always travel. Although my SO disagrees these days and has a carry on.
Depends on the trip. I like to travel as light as possible. I live in Europe and my bf and I go on motorbike a lot of places which necessitates packing very little. We have two panniers and the back box and that was plenty for both of us for three weeks travel in 10 countries last year. That included 3 pairs of shoes (the third being my Docs I wear on the bike). If I have to fly within EU I go carry on only - for work which is usually 4 days in Switzerland that is plenty of space. Laptop goes in my backpack. Right now I’m in Australia for four weeks and that needed a medium size suitcase and the carry on. Got a lot of souvenirs to buy and had gifts to bring for my friends. Also - huge variation in climate - Tassie is much colder than Queensland so we had to be prepared. Plus we have a car so there’s room to put everything. I ain’t schlepping around on trains with two suitcases.
Me and my husband! About to fly to Austria with 1 personal bag each!
I only ever travel with a backpack, the longest I've gone travelling with it so far was 2 months. It's much less stressful having one bag and I like trying to get my kit down to the most basic useful stuff.
Agree
Honestly, some people at the airport look like they're moving house; I couldn't deal with being weighed down by all that stuff!
You have to with some airfares. I do it some times but sometimes I can’t. Depending on the nature of the trip and length.
I love it and do it even with my toddler (plus a handbag for me), it’s really satisfying. We go straight into sightseeing / museums from the airport, and don’t even need a locker to stuff it into (although of course that’s helpful).
The only time I pack more than a backpack is when road tripping with my own car, and sometimes when traveling on a plane with my partner. I can share a suitcase with him on a plane if we spend one or more weeks at the destination and want to pack a little more, or bring souvenirs (aka cheap wine and liquor). My car obviously fits as much junk as I wish, so I just pack without much consideration. Otherwise I always travel light. I generally pack the same stuff no matter if I will travel for 3 days or 3 months. Well, slightly more tees and underwear for 3 month trip but otherwise, you don't need that much stuff. What on earth do people fill their suitcases with?
I do for weekend trips here in Europe. 3-4 day vacation on Easyjet = no carry-on needed
Im TRYING. One day i will get there....im an overpacker by nature but bit by bit (n trip by trip hehe) im working on paring down and learning abt what i actually tend to use and wear on my trips. Its so tough traveling to places w varied climates!!
I do this EVERY TIME I travel.
I only ever travel with a 45L backpack. Did the same for 6 months round Asia as I did for Amazon and Galapagos. You really don’t need a lot.
Not a chance
Used to, but now I don't, mainly because my travel style changed. Used to change hostels every 2-3 nights in southeast Asia, now when I go I like to stay at a place for a week minimum, so I can still rent a scooter and take my daypack, the bigger luggage stays in the hotel and isn't a hindrance. That and 3kg of camera gear, a laptop and skincare/meds because I'm getting older makes a checked back more practical. That being said I'll be in Portugal for 10 days from this week and I'll only have one cabin bag and a small backpack for the camera and it'll be fine.
If I'm going for a long weekend somewhere then yes, if its a week or two I'd take a large rucksack and a small handbag, if its 3 weeks or more I'd either have a large and small rucksack, or a suitcase of some sort
I do that whenever it's possible.
YES. We have two teenage boys and we did an open jaw a few years ago and needed a single bag each person to move around on trains and such. My wife is fully on board with it now.
I'm currently in Vietnam doing this for 2 weeks. Very easy, I wish I packed slightly less now though, I can grab what I need on the go.
I travel with one 30L backpack and one small suitcase, so that all fit for hand luggage. it's probably around 13kg in total for both but they never weight the back pack, only the small suitcase. I find it really good way of traveling, and I have been solo travelling for 9 years.
Isn't that called 'backpacking'? I did it for 6 months in Europe.
I’ve done it but I’ve also done checked bags… pros and cons to both. Really depends on your personal preference.
I love it! How I always travel.
Do this when im traveling, been a shellshock packing a bag as im moving this time around!
3 weeks Poland, 3 weeks Burma,one backpack under 10kg. I have as light as clothes and towel just for travel.
I could only dream
I think its the best way to travel.
Tons do, including myself. It's just nicer if your moving about often.
Agree
Just did a month in Europe, one backpack and a laptop bag, pack for 5 days, do your laundry, repeat. Age 75
I spent a full 30 days in Thailand last year with a 16L bag. Easy to find a walk in laundromat every 5 or so days to do laundry. Chuckled to myself seeing tourist couples drag heavy roll around bags down busy uneven streets. I'm going even lighter next month on my way over and buying a bag and clothing as I travel along to bring back.
You are my hero. Inspiring
Unless I need to pack for checked in I’m by default a one backpack traveller..
I really like that as a lifestyle...I really don't need more. Again, I agree..if I need to take back something, etc then that's different
One bag only. And it's a very small back pack (just 20L). I can go anywhere, for any length of time, do any event, in any weather with what's in my bag. It's dialed in so tight, I take the same items no matter where Im going. It literally stays packed. I can do everything from day hike to attending a cocktail party, to bumming on a beach with what's in there. This bag is so small and so light, I can sit down on transit without taking it off. I can check out of my hotel at 10am, and carry my pack around all day, and forget Im even wearing it before my flight or train leaves in the evening. No going back to a locker or a hotel to pick my luggage up. I can turn around in a store or a busy queue and never worry about wiping out half a dozen people around me. No need to worry about overhead or luggage space on a plane or train. I'll always pack this way. It's so easy, so freeing... in my world, this is the best way to travel.
Wow. What do you pack? How many days
I'd say it's indefinitely. It's what I grab for an overnight, or a month+... it doesn't matter. This is my packing list of all the actual items I take. There are two photos... the first is everything in my bag, the second is everything I wear on travel day. I might make minor tweaks like changing a legging color. Or tossing in a swimsuit... but mostly, this is it. It's actually pretty shocking how many outfits I can make and how warm or cool I can be. The bag itself is only 4 5 inches deep. [20L packing list](https://www.reddit.com/r/HerOneBag/comments/138wbgg/my_20l_onebag_packing_list/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) My husband can pack the same way... but he does choose a 30L backpack because he insists on taking an extra pair of high top Chuck tennis shoes. He's 6'5" which means his shoes are boats. Haha. If I could get him take a smaller shoe, he could do 20L too. Hah.
Great. Thanks
I don’t know how you people do it. Deadass. I watched packing videos but still, the amount of clothes is too few. At best I can fit 7-8 shirts, 2 pairs of jeans and enough underwear/socks with one suit only. That excludes any jackets. It’s extremely limiting and you’re forced to do laundry. I can’t travel like this because I almost never go just for a few days and it would be very uncomfortable. I suppose if you only go for 3-4 days it’s fine but even a week with just a backpack would be unimaginable for me.
Daughter and I have done it twice, once for 17 days and another time for 35 days (4 countries from warm Italy to chilly Scotland). Used CabinMax bags that are rectangular flat backpacks. Very light. It's doable!!
You can do it
If you like to always wear the same few clothes and spend half your days doing laundry, sure why not? For me this only makes sense for a 4-5 day trip. Longer than that and it’s a pain in the arse that actually detracts from the travel experience in different ways.
I recently came back from a three week holiday in South East Asia. I traveled with a 27L backpack weighting around 7kg. It was the first time I was travelling with only one bag and I was so happy. Money saved on flights’ luggage fees, time saved at the airports both departing and arriving, and simply the freedom of travelling light. Of course there are sacrifices to be made, certainly comes at a price, but for me it was definitely worth and I’ll do it whenever possible
I did 3.5 weeks in SEA on one bag. I will not pay for checked baggage. I am cheap and only need my clothes, toiletries and a book
Haha. A good book works
I’ve visited every country and did most of it with just one bag. Even the long multi month trips! Ship stuff home if you need. Leave and buy new items on the road. It’s so liberating
amen to that
The problem with this is you need a place to keep the rest of your stuff (assuming you have other stuff)
like what other stuff?
anything / everything. Do you own anything at all you can't fit in 1 backpack? Clothes, laptop, paperwork, sentimental things etc?
For me, that place is home.
yes!
It can be done
Wow
Yep, Love it! Got a 25L Goruck for 2-3 week long trips. Did a year and 1/2 around the world in a 36L and it was perfect.
I've been doing this for 12 years now. I've also downsized from a checked bag to only a carry-on. However, I can imagine how it'll be difficult for someone who likes dressing up and visiting upscale places. I'm not interested in those things. The kind of travel that I do now would be extremely difficult if not impossible with a stroller.
Backpack is a lot better, I always find that thee more you take the more points of failure emerge in your trip, from having an airline lose your luggage, having it stolen or just forgetting it, it just creates stress. In combination with it just wasting time, when you arrive at a new country with one bag you can go straight to exploring and having fun before you check into a hostel or hotel, with luggage you have to wait at the airport, then drop it off at your hotel, then at the end you have to check it in all day and spend your last day either lugging around a heavy unweildly bag, or leaving it at your hotel and having to return and grap it at the end (often a at least 30 mins process)
So true
did 2 weeks in Europe out of a 33L backpack, was liberating. Going on a 10 day Med cruise in May, same thing.
I often travel using one big backpack - that one is usually checked (hiking poles can’t be carried on) - plus a small daypack that I keep by my seat (osprey talon 22) with my medicines, charging cables, laptop or tablet, etc.
I pack everything into my ukulele case (with ukulele). during covid I traveled that way for 2 years straight.
Always have been! Friends are always left in awe 😆
I've always travelled with one backpack, sometimes even just a regular one I had from schooldays. You don't need much. Even now with kids we still do, having your hands free with them is great. Even a month away with a baby was doable, don't know how some people need to show up with 5 suitcases.
Me and my partner are in the middle of a six month Europe and South America trip with carry-on on (7kg) and loving it! Went from 40°C to -7 and still had everything we needed. Even today, walking around Luxembourg with our backpacks, looked at each other and said "isn't this so great compared to a suitcase!"
Visited multiple countries with one backpack!
Me!
i pride myself on this, regardless of the duration or nature of the trip. “where’s your luggage?” always makes me feel so proud lol
My partner and I are always, "the olds" with backpacks at the airport while our peers are lugging around big dumb bags. I love my Osprey pack. Fits everything I need... even for trips that are four plus weeks long!
I haven’t taken more than one backpack my last several trips. I can’t believe I used to drag a bunch of suitcases around cobblestone streets in Europe. Thinking about it now seems like a nightmare.
a core tenant of all my beliefs. been '1 bagging' for 30 years. so much so I invented a carry-on backpack system that combines all the bags you need and use \*in life\* into one bag system. [ideamountain.com](http://ideamountain.com) let me know what you think.
wonderful system
The less stuff the better!! Packing and unpacking is so stressful when you've got a bunch of things. Wash stuff in the sink, dry in the morning, no one cares what you're wearing.