The Backpacker's Packing List: What I Actually Carry (After 3 Years on the Road)

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 19:28:00 -0500

I packed a 70-litre hiking bag for my first trip. I came home with most of it unworn and a serious back problem.

Three years later, I carry a 36-litre pack and nothing else. No checked luggage. No storage fees. No waiting at baggage carousels. I walk off every plane and straight through the airport.

Here’s exactly what’s in it.

The bag

The North Face Trail Lite 36 L— the standard by which all travel bags are measured. Lockable zip, clamshell opening (like a suitcase), laptop sleeve, detachable daypack. About $170 USD new, regularly on sale.

The 36-litre size is the sweet spot: fits in almost every airline’s overhead bin, including budget carriers, but holds enough for months of travel.

Clothes (the whole list)

I travel in warm-to-temperate climates most of the time. Adjust for your destination.

Item	Qty	Notes
T-shirts (merino wool)	3	Merino doesn’t smell after a day. Worth the price.
Lightweight trousers	2	One smart-ish, one for hiking/walking
Shorts	1	Doubles as a swimsuit for me
Underwear (merino)	4	Wash 2, wear 2
Socks (merino)	4 pairs	Same logic
Lightweight hoodie	1	Planes, cold temples, chilly evenings
Rain jacket	1	Packable. Takes up almost no space. Essential.
Sandals	1 pair	Worn on travel days, used as hostel shoes
Walking shoes	1 pair	Whatever I’m wearing at the airport

Total: 14 items of clothing. You do not need more.

The merino wool is genuinely a game-changer. Yes, it costs more. Yes, it’s worth it.

Tech

Laptop (13" — fits in the bag’s sleeve)
Phone + charger
Universal travel adapter — the small cube-shaped ones, not the giant brick
USB-C power bank (20,000mAh) — survives a full day of heavy use
Earbuds — the best airport/bus investment
Kindle — lighter than one book, holds thousands
Camera — only if you’re serious about photography. My phone does the job most of the time.

Toiletries

The rule: solid over liquid, always.

Solid shampoo bar (no liquids rules headache gone)
Solid conditioner bar
Solid soap
Deodorant stick (not liquid)
SPF 50 stick (face)
Toothbrush + toothpaste
Small microfibre towel (hostels rarely have these)
Razor
Basic first aid: ibuprofen, antihistamine, rehydration sachets, blister plasters, antiseptic wipes

Anything I run out of, I buy locally. This is not a survival situation.

Documents + money

Passport — kept in a slim under-clothes money belt when in crowded areas
Travel card (Wise or Revolut) — low fees, real exchange rates. Essential.
Physical backup of important documents — one printed copy in the bag, one emailed to myself
Small padlock — for hostel lockers

What I cut (and don’t miss)

Hair dryer — every hostel has one
Full toiletry bag — buy a small bottle of shampoo locally
Multiple pairs of jeans — too heavy, too slow to dry
Guidebooks — my phone has everything
“Just in case” items — if I haven’t needed it in three trips, it doesn’t come

As I said before, I used to pack most of these things because I thought I might need them, but over time I realized they were only making my bag heavier and my trip harder. Cutting them out gave me more space (and freedom) for the essentials that actually matter and helped everything fit comfortably inside my The North Face Trail Lite 36 L. Traveling lighter also makes moving through airports, buses, hostels, and long walking days so much easier, and honestly, I don’t miss any of these items at all.

Pack in Layers

Over the years, I’ve learned that the weather can change really fast when I travel (Especially in Tropical countries and the Caribbean Islands), so wearing layers always makes life easier. Instead of packing a big heavy jacket inside my bag, I usually wear it on the plane or carry it with me to save space in my luggage. If I don’t need a jacket, I bring a light scarf or wrap instead because it’s easy to carry and still keeps me warm in cold restaurants, buses, or theaters.

I also like scarves because they can make a simple outfit look better without needing extra jewelry. To keep things practical, I always pack one or two basic cotton t-shirts or camisoles that I can layer depending on the weather. These small clothing choices save space, keep me comfortable, and help everything fit more easily inside my The North Face Trail Lite 36 L.

The one-bag philosophy

The goal isn’t minimalism for its own sake. It’s freedom. When your whole life fits in one bag:

You move faster
You pay less (no checked luggage fees)
You lose less (nothing goes in the hold to be stolen or lost)
You stress less (no logistics, no waiting)

The first trip you do with a massive bag will be your last.

Traveling light changed the way I experience the world. Instead of struggling with heavy luggage, I can focus more on the journey, the people, and the moments around me. Having everything I need in one bag gives me a sense of freedom that makes every trip feel simpler, calmer, and a lot more enjoyable.

What’s your non-negotiable packing item? Tell me — I’m always looking to refine the list.

Packing on Travel Budget Girl