The Art of Traveling with a Backpack

In this article, I share my experience regarding the art of traveling with a minimalist backpack. 😉

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Traveling with a small backpack: why this choice 🎒

For a long time, I thought it was impossible to travel with just a small backpack.

Like many people, I had the impression that a trip necessarily required a large suitcase: several pairs of trousers, lots of T-shirts, shoes for all occasions, a full toiletry bag… In short, everything that could possibly be useful.

Then I discovered something that would completely change the way I traveled: Many minimalists travel with only a small backpack.

At first, I wondered how they did it.

And most importantly: «"But how can you leave for several days or several weeks with so few belongings?"»

Today, I know the answer.

In reality, with just a simple backpack, I almost never lack anything. I've simply learned to distinguish what's essential from what's merely reassuring to carry.

And that difference changes everything.

Why travel with only a small backpack?

For me, the main advantage is very simple: I carry less stuff, so I feel freer.

Imagine that you arrive in a city after several hours of travel.

With a large suitcase, you have to pull it behind you, climb stairs, cross a cobbled street or look for an elevator in a train station.

With my small backpack, I put it on my back and I walk.

That's all…

I can take a bus, get on a train, walk several kilometers or take a path that is not suitable for suitcases.

This is especially useful when I don't know exactly how my trip will go.

Less weight to carry

This is probably the most obvious advantage.

The more things you own, the more you have to transport them.

And a 20-kilo suitcase can quickly become a nuisance when you have to move it several times in the same day.

Conversely, my goal is to have a bag that is light enough to carry without thinking about it.

Personally, I consider that a set Backpack + belongings, around 7 kg maximum remains a good option for comfortable travel.

This is obviously not a universal rule. Some people will be perfectly comfortable with 8 or 10 kg, while others will seek to go even lower.

The idea is not to break a record.

The idea is to transport only what you really need.

Otherwise, you will do this:

More freedom during the trip

A small backpack is much better suited to different situations.

I can use it to go away for a few weeks to a hot country, travel to a cold country, go to the mountains, go hiking or spend a few days by the sea.

And that's precisely what I like about it: I don't need to have a different bag for each activity.

The same backpack works everywhere.

Therefore, I am not trying to predict absolutely every possible situation.

I'm taking clothes versatile which can be used in several contexts.

My backpack isn't just for traveling.

I don't just use my bag for travel. It's become my bag for almost all my outings.

A day at the beach? Same bag.

A trip to the mountains? Same bag.

A hike? Same pack.

A few weeks of travel? Always the same bag.

This is probably one of the aspects I appreciate most about minimalism: I don't need to accumulate equipment for every situation.

A single object can have multiple functions.

I will talk about that later in this article.

A bag that can be packed in two minutes

One of the advantages I didn't initially consider is the time saved.

Today, packing my bag takes me less than two minutes.

Why? Because I know exactly what's in it.

I don't need to spend an hour thinking about what to take. I just check if everything is there.

What do you have in your backpack?

My equipment is relatively simple:

1 T-shirt
1 tank top
1 thermal sweater
1 convertible pant
2 pairs of socks
1 boxer
1 boxer swimsuit
1 winter hat
1 neck warmer
1 bob
1 pair of sunglasses
1 phone charger
1 waterproof rain cape
1 Decathlon microfiber bath towel 80 x 130 cm
1 small toiletry bag

In my toiletry bag, I only keep the essentials. That is to say:

a small toothbrush
a mini toothpaste
a small bottle of shower gel
a small bottle for laundry
dental floss

And we must not forget one important thing that many people forget: I also wear clothes on the day of departure.

Indeed, they too are part of my available wardrobe.

How do I organize my belongings in my backpack?

Having few possessions is one thing. Managing to organize them properly in a small backpack is another matter entirely! 😉

To sort my belongings, I use a very simple solution: freezer bags.

Yes, you read that right!

I don't use travel pouches specifically designed for storage. Freezer bags work perfectly.

Why? Because they are accessible, cheap, very lightweight and available in different sizes.

I particularly like the recovery aspect of this solution.

For example, I've sometimes taken bags that had been used to pack clothes when my girlfriend bought new outfits. Instead of throwing them away immediately, I give them a second life in my backpack.

Actually, I suggest you use whatever you can find to organize your things. Over time, you'll discover tricks for organizing your bag effectively.

In my case, freezer bags do their job very well: My belongings are grouped together, protected and easily accessible, without adding much weight or expense.

Sometimes, the best solution is simply the one you already have on hand. 🎒

What if I forget something?

This is often the main concern when starting to travel light.

«"What if I need something I didn't bring?"»

My answer is simple: It can happen. And it's not the end of the world!

Moreover, it should be noted that it is also possible to forget something with a suitcase filled with 20 kg.

The difference is that with a large suitcase, you sometimes carry ten things "just in case" to avoid a problem that will probably never happen.

With a minimalist bag, you are more accepting of the unexpected.

And in most destinations, essential items can be purchased locally if necessary.

You can't plan for everything, and that's also what makes a trip interesting.

The only real downside to backpacking: doing laundry

Obviously, travelling with so few clothes has a consequence.

I have to wash my clothes every day.

This is probably the main "drawback" of my method.

Since I don't have ten T-shirts in my bag, I can't just put my dirty clothes in a corner for a week.

Most of the time, I therefore do my laundry by hand every night.

And honestly, it takes me about five minutes when I simply wash the day's clothes.

In a hot country, the problem is very simple to solve: clothes usually dry quickly.

However, in a cold country, it's a little different, because you have to anticipate more.

For example, I can wash my clothes in the evening and dry them near a heat source.

Minimalist travel sometimes requires a bit of improvisation. And ultimately, improvisation is also part of the vacation experience. 😉

How to choose your minimalist backpack?

For me, four criteria are important.

1. Choose the smallest bag possible (according to your needs)

Not the smallest bag imaginable.

The smallest bag that truly meets your needs.

If a 20-litre bag is sufficient, there's no need to take a 40-litre one.

Why? Primarily for two reasons:

A large bag makes you want to fill it
The bigger the bag, the heavier it is (even with nothing inside).

2. Choose a lightweight bag

The weight of the bag itself also matters.

A very heavy bag when it is empty doesn't make much sense for a minimalist approach.

So I prefer a relatively light bag, and then only add the things I really need.

How can you distinguish a lightweight bag? Personally, I look for the simplest backpack possible with the fewest pockets possible.

Indeed, every pocket, zip or closure adds weight.

The goal is simple: a comfortable, lightweight, minimalist bag that is sturdy enough for my use.

3. Pockets adapted to its use

We do not all have the same needs.

Some people like to have a large main pocket.

Others prefer several small pockets to organize their belongings.

Personally, I value simplicity above all.

I want to be able to quickly access my belongings without having to empty the entire bag.

4. A discreet and versatile bag

Finally, I like simple and discreet bags.

You don't need to have an extremely flashy bag or one bearing a big brand name.

You'll never see me with a Louis Vuitton, Hermès or Gucci bag.

It's not a question of price or style, it's a question of safety.

I like to own a versatile and practical bag.

It can accompany me in the street, on public transport, in hotels or on hikes without attracting particular attention.

For me, a good minimalist bag must above all be functional and discreet, rather than spectacular and complicated to use.

Backpack or suitcase: what's the difference?

	🎒 Small backpack	🧳 Suitcase
Weight	Generally lightweight	Often more important
Freedom of movement	Excellent	More limited
Storage	Very compact	More cumbersome
Preparation	Very fast	Longer
Transport	Easy to wear	It often needs to be pulled
Stairs / Paths	Easy	More restrictive
Airport	Depending on the dimensions, it may avoid the hold.	Frequent cargo hold depending on the model
Airfare	Can avoid baggage fees	Fees may apply depending on the company and the fare.

However, be aware: A small backpack is not automatically free on a plane. The permitted dimensions and weight depend on the airline and the fare chosen.

Therefore, you should always check the conditions before leaving.

Conclusion: Am I missing out on something with a small backpack?

Honestly, no.

There are obviously disadvantages, but they are surmountable.

I have been travelling this way for several years and I don't recall ever experiencing a significant lack of something.

This doesn't mean this method will suit everyone. But for me, minimalist travel works.

And above all, it brings me something that I find much more important than the quantity of possessions I own:

of freedom.

Indeed, I can:

I can pack my bag in two minutes.

to walk without dragging a suitcase behind me.

changing accommodation easily.

to avoid spending hours at the airport checking my suitcase in the hold

And most importantly, I no longer have this feeling that I have to take my whole house with me to be sure I don't lack anything.

Traveling light is not, ultimately, about traveling with less. It's about learning to recognize what is truly essential.

What if I forget something one day?

Well… I’ll do like everyone else.

I'll find a solution. 😉

Because after all, The goal of a holiday is not to perfectly pack your suitcase.

The goal is to enjoy the trip.

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Overall, this blog lives on sharing a frugal and minimalist lifestyle.

For a question of transparency towards the readers. All recommended products are in order to make life cheaper, simpler and to promote the essentials.

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About me

I decided to create this blog to develop and help readers who are looking for a simpler and more economical life.

Compared to before, I was a person who consumed a lot until the day I realized that my consumption made me sadder and poorer 😑

Now I prefer the minimum of my needs to be happy and achieve my financial freedom.

Without realizingI started to focus on saving and investing to depend on a boss for as little time as possible and to speed up my personal projects.

As a result, I am getting richer in a way that I never imagined since I have an average salary in Switzerland.

It is for this purpose that I decided to create this blog. In order to share and learn with other people who seek freedom and simplicity 😉

Are you rather minimalist or frugal Jonny?

I am as minimalist as I am frugalist. However, there are situations where I lean more towards an art of life.

To conclude, I think the most important thing is to feel comfortable in your lifestyle 😊