How I Use a Backpack to Travel for a Week

Whenever I go on a trip, I always make sure to travel light. I remember the days of yesteryears where I would attempt to pack at least 25% of my belongings with me.  After adopting a lifestyle that incorporates travel and impromptu international trips, it forced me to reevaluate how I traveled, and more importantly how to travel efficiently.  On all my trips within the last few years, I have only carried my backpack and a personal bag (usually my tote bag or purse).  Before I get into the tips, I just want to note that it is important to understand your body and if carrying any kind of weight on your back causes you pain, don’t do it! Consider a small, roller suitcase that can accomplish the same space-saving goals of a backpack.  With that being said, let’s get into the strategies I use to travel for a week using only a backpack.

 Pack 3 daily outfits, 2 “fancy” outfits

Whenever I travel anywhere, I make sure to plan outfits and not simply just throw clothing items in my bag without a plan for how I will wear them.  Now, planning outfits definitely depends on the location you are traveling to. For example, when you travel to a warmer climate, clothing items will be much lighter whereas if you are traveling to a colder climate, the clothing items will be much heavier and take up much more space in your backpack.  As such, I think it’s important for me to describe how I pack my outfits for both warm and cold climates.

 -1 pair of pants: I try to pack a light pair of pants wherever I go.  This can be a pair of light jeans, or a pair of palazzo or harem pants during the summer. Whatever pair of pants I bring, I make sure it’s light enough so I don’t overheat myself.  In the winter, I bring a pair of heavier dark jeans.  Bringing a pair of pants is more of a safety procedure as sometimes temples and shrines require clothing items to be lower than your knees.  You can accomplish this with other clothing items, but bringing a pair of pants sets my mind at ease. 

 -1 skirt/shorts: I either bring a pair of shorts or a skirt with me.  Which one I bring usually depends on what outfit I have planned in my head.  If it’s a colder climate, I bring along a second pair of jeans rather than shorts or a skirt.

 -2 shirts: I bring 2 short-sleeved shirts, usually two different colors. For colder climates, I bring 2 long-sleeved shirts or turtlenecks. 

 -2 dresses:  I usually bring a flowy, everyday dress with me while also packing along a “going-out” dress that I can wear if I decide to check out the night scene in my location.  I do this for both warm and colder climates.

 With this list, I have 3 daily outfits with me that I can mix-and-match throughout the week.

What you wear to the airport also determines how much you’ll need to carry with you, so be sure to have a strategy about your “airport outfit”.  For warmer climates, I usually wear a nice flowy shirt with leggings or light pants.  For the cold, I wear boots to the airport rather than sneakers, a large comfy cardigan that I can pair with any of my outfits, and my winter parka. All of this will allow you to pack more in your backpack.

 Only Pack One Pair of Shoes 

We all know that shoes take up the most space in suitcases.  Because of that, I only pack one pair of shoes.  I either bring a pair of cute sandals if I am going somewhere warm, or a pair of chic booties if I am going somewhere cold.  When I travel, I wear my Nike sneakers usually—these are my “travel shoes” and what I wear every day while on vacation. The shoes that I pack are my fancy shoes, or shoes I wear when I want to look put-together. 

Me on a recent trip carrying my backpack to keep my valuables.

Limit Toiletries to One Makeup Bag

I know for us women, we like to pack our lipsticks, concealer, foundation, etc. when traveling.  And that is very understandable considering we always want to look our best when in a different land.  But, 99% of the time we never even end up using all the makeup items we bring.  The weather is either too hot and your face melts within 20 minutes of outdoor exposure, or you are literally bundled up because of the frigid temperatures.  For me, I know that my travels are more about experiences so I prioritize necessity over luxury.  When packing makeup, I think to myself, am I really going to use this? Or am I just imaging the possibilities and numerous makeup looks I can accomplish in my head but probably never get a chance to create while on vacation? This is very important to consider, so when I travel, I only bring a few makeup items: concealer, powder, foundation (sometimes), mascara, and red lipstick.  That’s it.  I can create an entire 5-minute makeup look with this and then I’m back out to exploring my location. This goes in my toiletry bag, along with my makeup brushes, toothbrush, and diva cup!

Fit All Liquids in One Clear, Plastic Bag

Regardless of if I am traveling via airplane, train, or bus, I always just pack one clear, plastic bag that is TSA-friendly.  We can sometimes get carried away with our liquids, thinking we have to pack our entire bottle of body wash, or that family-sized container of lotion.  Only bring enough liquids that you believe will cover your entire trip.  For example, when I travel, I bring along only the following liquids in separate, less than 2-ounce bottles:

 -Facial oil

-Facial scrub

-Facial toner

-Facial moisturizer

-My favorite perfume

-Toothpaste

-Body oil

-Sunscreen (if I’m going to the beach!)

 All of these items can fit perfectly in my plastic bag and I am not burdened by trying to search through my tote bag in my suitcase for my concealer.

Pack a Week’s Worth of Underwear

I always pack enough underwear to cover my entire trip—something that is non-negotiable wherever I go.

Packing light has been life-changing after learning how to best travel efficiently and to not just travel with my entire closet.   Fitting my belongings in a small carry-on reduces the headache of searching for my black suitcase among 300 identical suitcases while in luggage claim in my dream country.

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