Have you ever traveled somewhere with just a backpack?
I love to travel, and I like to put all my luggage in a single backpack, so I can take it with me everywhere without having to pay extra for my flight ticket. But before I realized how light and happy I feel with only a small bag that has everything I need in it, I used to be the worst packer ever.
Even if I had to travel for 2-3 days, I used to take an entire suitcase with me, just in case I needed something. I put several different outfits in there, at least 2 pairs of shoes, full-size shampoo, conditioner, and other personal care products, and before I knew it, my suitcase was as heavy as a huge rock.
And the worst thing is that the majority of times I did that, I ended up not wearing all the shoes I packed, I didn’t need that much shampoo, and I didn’t even have time to wear some of the outfits I chose before leaving.
As you can probably imagine, given my reputation as the greatest packer that ever existed (*I’m joking*), the 1st time I traveled with a single backpack, it was something that made me anxious, but I actually liked it.
But enough about me and my packing experience, because I’m sure I’ve already bored you. If you want to travel somewhere and you only want to take your backpack with you, I have some tips for you.
However, keep in mind that backpacks can come in many, many sizes, so you should find one that fits your needs. If you travel by plane, just choose one that is okay with the measurements accepted by the flight company, and you’ll be good to go.
Now that we’re done with this huge intro, click on the next page so you can actually see all these tips:
1. Miniscule-size items
I know, I know, when you pop into the store and you’re looking for your favorite shampoo, conditioner, cream, and any other personal care products and you see that there’s a bigger one that’s also more affordable, you sure want to get that.
Of course, you can get the items you want and use them at home, and you can look for travel-size containers to put some of the products you bought in your backpack.
But if you want to keep things simple, just get the travel-size version of your favorite items. They’re typically made so that they can last you 2-3 days, which is great for a short trip.
2. You have to be brutal
Once you have the products for your personal care ready to go, it’s time to decide which things you need to put in your backpack. Clothing, shoes, books, or any other things you think you might need there—but do you really need all of them?
Let’s talk about the essentials. You absolutely need clothes, but instead of packing every single piece you think you’re going to need, just look at the weather for the period of time you’re going to be away and look in your wardrobe for the pieces that you’ll get the most use out of.
Think of neutral colors, pants, and blouses that you can style in many ways, so you can wear them throughout your trip without feeling like you don’t know what to put on.
As for shoes, make sure you pack something lightweight and easy because they are going to weigh down your backpack, so don’t forget that.
3. Use your vacuum cleaner
You probably know that by now, but I’m going to say it either way. Vacuum-sealed bags are absolutely amazing, and they’re going to make more room in your backpack (These ones from Amazon are absolutely great. They’re strong, easy to use, and budget-friendly, so check them out if you want to save some space when you travel by plane).
They’re very simple to use, and in just a couple of minutes, your luggage is almost done. Open your package, grab your bags, and put your clothing items inside. Fold the bag in half and press your vacuum on it until the air is almost squeezed out. When you’re done with that, seal the bag, and you can put them in your backpack.
However, don’t use this tip as a way to overpack, because you risk making your backpack heavier and harder to carry. So be mindful of the things that you really need to use on your trip.
4. Wear your heavy shoes
There are 2 main reasons why I’m telling you to wear your heaviest shoes on the flight. The 1st is that you don’t want your footwear to take up all the room in your backpack since you also need to put other things in it. The 2nd one is that it’s going to be way easier to carry your backpack when it’s a little bit lighter.
If you’re traveling in the colder months, your boots are probably going to be the heaviest pair of shoes for your trip, but let’s not forget about clothing, because that tends to get big in the fall and winter too. If you want to wear a thick flannel or sweater on your trip, don’t put it in your backpack; wear it instead.
You can always layer with something lightweight underneath, such as a T-shirt or long sleeve, and if you’re feeling hot, you just take off the last piece of clothing when you’re on the plane.
5. Use every single inch you have
If you shake your backpack a little so that everything falls into place, you’re actually going to notice that there are quite a few random small spaces where you might fit a couple of extra items.
Whether it’s a Kindle so you can read on the plane, a small camera to take some pictures (if you don’t want to use your phone for that), or socks and underwear, you can easily fit them in a tiny space.
Speaking of that, if you put shoes in your backpack, you can actually fit small things inside of them, such as a small bottle of perfume, deodorant, products, or socks.
And if you have pockets, don’t forget about those either, because they can fit quite a lot of things, depending on the size of your bag!
6. Roll your clothes
I know I previously said that 1 of the best ways to make more room in your backpack is to put your clothing items into vacuum-sealed bags, and I still stand by that tip. But what if you’re going to a place where you’re not going to find a vacuum cleaner? I mean, hotel rooms don’t typically have such a gadget, do they?
So if you’re not able to vacuum your clothes on the way back home, another thing you can do to save some space is to roll your clothes instead of folding them. Besides having more space in your luggage, the great thing is that they’re not going to get as wrinkly as they would normally when folded.
Do you have any other tips on how to save more space when you travel with only a backpack? Feel free to share them with us in the comment section down below!
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