When it comes to packing for your next big trip, clothes and shoes often take up the most space in your bag. But don't worry, we've got you covered! Here are 10 tips to help you reduce, minimize, consolidate, and optimize your pack for ultralight and one-bag travel.
1. Bring the Right Clothes
In the world of ultralight travel, quality trumps quantity. Investing in high-quality, travel-specific apparel can save you time, money, space, and headaches over the long haul.
Think about it: if you pack twelve shirts, you'll probably wear the most comfortable shirt 90% of the time. The same goes for shorts, pants, socks, and shoes. One pair of high-quality travel pants can replace three regular pairs. The right travel shorts can triple as casual, workout, or swim shorts (aka hybrid shorts). A lightweight Merino wool shirt can be worn for 2-4 days before needing a wash. All these small choices add up to packing far fewer clothes.
From personal experience, I recommend Exofficio underwear, Merino wool shirts, Darn Tough socks, and quick-dry shorts and pants with zippered pockets. And if you're heading to cooler climates, a packable puffer jacket is a lifesaver.
Check out some of our gear recs on out Buyer's Guides page.
2. Be OKAY With Looking Like a Tourist (or a Hiker)
Let's face it, no one cares what you look like when you're traveling. Hostels are filled with a mix of styles, colors, and trends because everyone's coming from different places or heading off on various adventures.
The moment you step off the plane in another country, fashion rules go out the window. So, feel free to wear the same outfit every day. This simple mental switch can easily save you 2-3 outfits.
3. Color Coordinate and Stick to Neutral Colors
Throwing too many colors into your backpack makes packing, dressing, and matching harder. Stick to neutral colors to minimize decision fatigue while maximizing outfit combinations.
Solid-color shoes and grayish shorts or pants pair with almost anything. As a minimalist myself, I almost exclusively wear black shoes, gray pants, and black shirts. It's one less thing to think about each day.
4. Pack One Week's Worth of Clothes at MOST
A good rule of thumb is to pack one outfit for every occasion and build from there. For instance, I pack one hiking outfit, one lounge/travel outfit, and one "going out" outfit.
Add a second top for each of those outfits, and you have six outfits that mix comfort, style, and utility. From there, you can consolidate or expand as needed. Are your hiking pants comfy enough to lounge in? Great, that's one less pair of pants. Do your travel shoes look good enough for a night out? Perfect, that's one less pair of shoes. Mix and match until you have something suitable for most situations.
5. Be OKAY With Being a Little Grungy
Contrary to popular belief, it's okay to wear the same shirt two, three, or even four days in a row, especially if you've invested in anti-bacterial, Merino wool shirts, but even if not, most clothes will still be fine for a few days before they need a wash. Hang them up to dry at night, and you'll be amazed at how long you can stretch your minimized wardrobe. Just try not to roll around in mud or shower in beer.
Pro Tip: If weather and location permit, hang them out in direct sunlight between uses. Ultraviolet light from the sun kills 99% of bacteria in just 20 minutes—it's like having the world's best washer/dryer combo right outside your window.
6. Consider Packing ONE Pair of Shoes (Maybe Two)
This might sound extreme, but consider packing just ONE pair of shoes. How would that affect your outfit choices?
The simplest way to minimize your clothes is to choose a single look and stick to it. For me, it's the hiker look since regular shoes won't cut it for hiking. Yes, I wear my convertible hiking shorts to bars, and guess what? No one cares.
You may have a different approach. Maybe you're a city slicker who can hike in regular shoes, or a beach bum who only needs beach gear. Either way, your packing strategy should reflect your primary activities.
7. Embrace Multi-Use Items
Use items that can serve multiple purposes. A sarong can be a towel, blanket, or even an impromptu dress. A buff can be a scarf, headband, or eye mask. A 3-in-1 poncho can work as a rain jacket, beach mat, or picnic blanket. A bit of paracord with the right knots can be used in hundreds of situations (clotheslines, extra door security, tying tubes together on float trips, fastening backpacks to the back of motorbikes, etc. If you're packing a Scrubba wash bag, consider using it as a vacuum seal compression bag for travel days.
Get creative with your gear, sometimes it's the simplest items that provide the most value. My favorite underappreciated travel gear? The humble plastic bag... they're as good as any packing cube and can be used for dirty laundry, wet clothes, or, if we're talking zip-locks, they can work as compression bags too!
8. Roll, Don’t Fold
Rolling your clothes instead of folding them saves space and reduces wrinkles. Trust me, this little trick works wonders in a tight backpack. You should be doing this even if you're using compression bags, it still saves space (and keeps things neat)!
Summary
Packing light doesn't mean sacrificing comfort or style. With the right strategies, you can minimize your load and maximize your travel experience.
Ready to optimize your pack for ultralight and one-bag travel? Check out our collection of travel gear at ULT Gear and start your ultralight, one-bag journey today. Happy travels!