Minimalist packing list for a month

Travel Backpack

Hip Pack

Ultralight Daypack: Matador Freerain32

In the world of ultra-minimalist travel, it all starts with your backpack. Im smitten with my completely waterproof Matador Freerain 32 liter pack, which weighs a ridiculous 10 ounces. Dont need that much space? Check out the super affordable 4Monster 24 Liter.

Is the Freerain32 not quite your style? Check out 2022s best minimalist travel backpacks to find the pack that best suits you.

Waterproof Hip Pack: Ultralightsacks Fanny Pack

When I want to explore, but dont feel like taking my backpack along, Ill strap on my trusty hip pack. I use it to stash snacks, sunglasses, extra camera lenses you name it. Its made of completely waterproof DCF material, so I stash electronics inside without worry.

Cell Phone

Wallet/Purse

Passport/Visa

ID Card/Drivers License

Cash/Credit Cards

Tickets

Insurance Documents

Copies of Passport/Visa

Maps/Guidebook

Travel Itineraries

Travel Reservations

Versatile Cell Phone: Xiaomi Mi 9

A quality smartphone doesnt have to cost as much as your laptop. My Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite has a ton of storage [128 GB], a fast processor, an impressive camera, and a beautiful display all for a fraction of the price of the exorbitant higher-end phones.

Minimalist Wallet: Herschel Charlie

Theres no room for gigantic, bulging wallets in minimalist travel, so keep it simple. The Herschel Charlie does everything youll ever ask of it while never being a bother. It has an RFID blocking layer as well, so nobody can skim your credit card info.

Long-Sleeved Shirt

Pants

Shoes

Hat

Sunglasses

Underwear

Socks

Travel Belt

Breathable Long-Sleeve Shirt: Carhartt Force Extremes

If you check out my ultralight backpacking setup or my carry-on only packing list, youll notice that Im completely in love with this shirt. Its soft, comfortable, lightweight, and versatile enough for travel, backpacking, and everything in between.

Comfortable Travel Pants: prAna Stretch Zion

Travel pants are an extremely important part of an ultra-minimalist wardrobe, as I only recommend traveling with one pair. For me, those pants are the prAna Strech Zions theyre durable, stylish, and intelligently designed for both travelers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Trail Running Shoes: Salomon XA Pro 3D

My style of travel lots of hiking, exploring, and city strolling calls for a durable and versatile set of shoes. To meet all of these needs, I chose the Salomon XA Pro 3Ds. These lightweight trail runners can handle backcountry, sidewalks, and everything in between.

Baseball Hat: Zpacks Classic Trucker

Like many ultra-minimalist travelers, I simply cant be bothered with styling my hair every single day. For that reason, I always travel with my trusty mesh-back trucker hat. Its lightweight, stylish, breathable, and allows me to get up and go without needing to look into a mirror.

Durable Sunglasses: Merrys Vintage

Though I rarely lose things, Ive can never seem to hold onto sunglasses longer than a year or two. Luckily, I discovered Merrys a durable, polarized, and stylish set of shades that costs less than $15. Now, next time I lose a pair, Ill skip feeling sorry for myself and buy another set.

Breathable Underwear: ExOfficio Give n Go

Antimicrobial underwear is oh so important in the world of minimalist travel, and thats why the Give n Gos have been my go-to boxer brief for nearly 10 years. They are exceptionally comfortable and wick away moisture while consistently keeping the stink of travel at bay.

Super-Comfortable Socks: Darn Tough No Show

Im a sock snob, Ill admit it. Thats why Ill only buy Darn Tough brand socks, even if they cost damn near $20 a pair. Theyre expertly crafted from an ultra-comfortable Merino wool blend and each pair comes with a lifetime guarantee, though theyre so durable you may never need to use it.

Anti-Theft Travel Belt: Jasgood

Its smart to have a secret place to hide your cash in the unfortunate event that your wallet gets lost or stolen, so wear an anti-theft belt to keep your money safe. Because no matter what happens, youll always have your secret stash of cash safe and secure.

T-Shirts [2]

Underwear [2]

Socks [2]

Athletic Shorts

Rain Jacket

Packing Cube

Dry Bag

Merino Wool T-Shirts: Montbell Plus Light

I love these Merino Wool t-shirts because they breathe well, fit perfectly, and dont trap the inevitable odor of travel. Theyre a 53% Merino Wool/47% polyester blend, which helps wick moisture away and keeps me cool on hot days. Theyre a solid staple of my minimalist packing list.

Breathable Underwear: ExOfficio Give n Go

Im a bit addicted to the Give n Gos; theyre the only underwear Ill ever buy. When ultra-minimalist traveling, I cycle between three pairs of the Give n Gos and wash them as I go. If needed, I can stretch their usage an extra day or two between washes.

Super-Comfortable Socks: Darn Tough No Show

When I find a product I love, Im not afraid to blatantly sing its praises. That said, my Darn Toughs are so delightful so utterly comfortable that Im going to give you some advice: buy these damn socks. When traveling, I only pack two extra pairs and, of course, I wash them as needed.

Lightweight Athletic Shorts: Patagonia Nine Trails

When Im washing my travel pants or need something to wear when Im working out or swimming, I throw on my Nine Trails. Theyre comfortable, have three zippered pockets, and take up barely any space in my bag, making my minimalist wardrobe all the more versatile.

Ultralight Rain Jacket: Montbell Versalite

I hike a lot when I travel, so I consider a rain jacket an essential part of my ultra-minimalist packing list. Weighing only 6.4 oz, the Montbell Versalite is incredibly lightweight and packable, my rain jacket of choice. It will always have a spot in my bag.

Compression Packing Cube: SuitedNomad

In the world of extreme minimalist travel, the space inside your bag is at a premium. To best maximize my space, I use a compression packing cube to store my clean clothing. The cubes clever set of zippers smushes my clothes into the tightest space possible.

Laundry Bag: Outdoor Research CarryOut 5L Dry Bag

You may have noticed that there arent enough socks, underwear, and shirts on my minimalist packing list to stay fresh for a week. Thats where the dry bag comes in. When my clothes get dirty, I add them to this dry bag with water and a touch of Dr. Bronners soap and wash my laundry as needed.

Winter Jacket

Thermal Top

Long Underwear

Warm Hat

Gloves

Lightweight Down Jacket: Arcteryx Cerium LT

For cold-weather trips, a packable down jacket should be part of every minimalist travelers arsenal. I travel with my trusty Arcteryx Cerium LT, which weighs 10 ounces and packs down to the size of a Nalgene bottle. It keeps me toasty warm into temperatures well below freezing.

Thermal Top: TSLA Baselayer

In spring and fall climates, a down jacket can be a bit much, so I pack a thermal top instead. Layered with my travel shirt and my rain jacket, this handy thermal traps my body heat and keeps me comfortable when temperatures are chilly, but not downright freezing.

Long Underwear: Patagonia Capilene

If the weather on my upcoming trip is chilly enough to pack a down jacket, then Im definitely packing my long underwear. I bring the ultra-packable 4.7 oz Patagonia Capilene bottoms to insulate my lower half on my adventures to cold-weather destinations.

Multifunctional Headwear: Merino Wool Buff

Neck warmer, bandana, face mask, beanie this Merino Wool Buff can transform into whatever type of headwear you need it to be. It will take up zero space in your pack and is far more versatile than a typical lightweight winter hat. Its a minimalist travelers cold-weather dream.

Merino Wool Gloves: SmartWool Touchscreen Liner

Looking for warm set of minimalist gloves thatll allow you to use your smartphone? These SmartWools are perfect for the job, and while Ill admit theyre not the warmest gloves on the market, theyll give your hands all the protection and functionality you need.

Laptop

Laptop Case

Camera

Camera Clip

Headphones

Travel Adapter

Laptop: MacBook Pro 13

I know, a laptop is so not ultra-minimalist, but Im a travel blogger, and I rely on my computer to make a living. For now, its an essential part of my weeklong minimalist travel packing list, though Im seriously considering switching it out for an iPad Pro.

Laptop Case: ProCase 12 12.9 Inch

I rely dearly on my laptop and I need to keep it protected at all costs. This sturdy, water-resistant case shields my computer from the harsh rigors of travel and fits perfectly into the back compartment of my backpack for easy access.

Lightweight Travel Camera: Olympus O-MD E-M10

Should you travel with a camera when your cellphone is perfectly capable of taking photos? Thats up to you. For my line of work, photography is essential, so I designed my packing list to fit my compact micro four-thirds camera, which is perfect for minimalist travel.

Extra Camera Battery: Powerextra

If I use my camera regularly say 100+ photos a day a fully-charged battery will last between 3-4 days. So, if Im minimalist traveling for a week, Ill include one extra camera battery on my packing list. If Im traveling for longer than that, Ill bring along my battery charger as well.

Minimalist Camera Clip: Peak Design Capture V3

If youre a minimalist traveling with a camera, and this clip isnt part of your packing list, youre doing it wrong. This ergonomic and lightweight clip allows you to stash your camera safely on your belt, backpack strap, or any other number of convenient places. Its incredible, plain and simple.

Lightweight Earbuds: Panasonic ErgoFit

I tend to lose or break headphones on a regular basis, much like I do with sunglasses. For that reason, I opt for the ultra-budget-friendly and minimalist ErgoFit earbuds. Theyre lightweight, comfortable, and pump out surprisingly quality sound, all for under $10.

Laptop/USB Charger: Icalla 60W

This tiny travel adapter charges my laptop and cell phone simultaneously and is half the size of my computers stock charger. Now, thats efficiency travel gear nerds far and wide can appreciate. Looking for an international travel adapter? Check out the MingTong All-in-One.

USB Charging Cable: Cable Creation6

Yes, Im aware this charging cable is extremely short, but being an ultra-minimalist traveler means packing the bare minimum. I cant really use my phone while its charging unless I want to jam myself up next to the outlet and look ridiculous, and Im entirely okay with that.

Toiletries Bag

Soap

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Deodorant

Dental Floss

Glasses/Contacts

Contact Solution/Case

Ear Cleaner/Swabs

Razor

Nail Clippers

Tweezers

Medications

Advil

Sleep Aid

Multivitamins

Lightweight Toiletries Bag: Sea to Summit Traveling Light

Ultra minimalist travelers dont need to sacrifice hygiene in order to travel light. A compact and well-organized toiletries kit can hold everything you need to stay fresh, clean, and stink-free on the road. My 1.6 oz Sea to Summit 2L bag holds all of my hygienic staples with room to spare.

Biodegradable Liquid Soap: Dr. Bronners

Dr. Bronners is the perfect minimalist travel soap, hands down. Why is it so special? For starters, its a liquid soap, which makes it extremely easy to travel with. Its highly potent and has multiple uses body wash, dishwashing liquid, and laundry soap to name a few.

Foldable Toothbrush: Lingito On the Go

Squeezing every single toiletry on your packing list into a tiny bag is like a game of minimalist Tetris: youll need all the right sized pieces to make it work. A compact foldable toothbrush is a perfect part of the kit, and will free up room for all your other micro-sized health products.

Travel-Sized Toothpaste: Dr. Bronners Peppermint

The Dr. Bronners liquid soap I mentioned earlier can be used to brush your teeth, but Ive tried it before and Im just not feeling it. That said, the company does make actual toothpaste that is full of high-quality ingredients that are good for your body and the environment.

Flosser Sticks: Plackers Micro Mint

Traditional floss can get tangled, grimy, and messy during travel, so I bring along these handy flosser sticks instead. Theyre washable, reusable, and make flossing your teeth quick and convenient. For a week of minimalist travel, 2 or 3 of these should be all you need on your packing list.

All-Natural Deodorant: Sams Natural

My search for an all-natural deodorant that could stand up to the rigors of travel seemed hopeless until I came across Sams Natural. This stuff lasts all day long and smells incredible. It doesnt come in travel-size, however, so I move mine into a smaller container that will fit seamlessly into my kit.

Ear Cleaner: Mudder Ear Pick

Traveling with a ton of pesky q-tips is annoying, wasteful, and inefficient. Thats why a metal ear pick will always be a part of my minimalist packing list. Its compact, easy to clean, and is healthier for ear hygiene than using traditional q-tips.

Noise-Deadening Ear Plugs: Howard Leight

Earplugs are the most underrated travel item that exists. Theyre like a mute button for the constant annoyances of travel. Screaming baby on an airplane? Loud party outside of your hotel room? Someone snoring in the bed next to you? Pop these in and enjoy the sweet sound of silence.

Ultra-Minimalist Travel Towel: Lightload Microfiber

Most hotels and hostels offer full-sized towels to customers, so it doesnt make sense to lug around one of your own. I do, however, recommend packing a hand-sized Lightload travel towel instead. Weighing only half-an-ounce, theyre compact, convenient, and there when you need them.

Journal

Pen

Water Bottle

Travel Journal: Moleskine Soft Cover

Whenever I travel without a journal, I feel naked and Im a hell of a lot less productive. But when I do bring my journal, I use it to take notes, make to-do lists, and recap my days. When my memory fails me one day, at least Ill have my Moleskines to pore over and relive my glory years.

Waterproof Pen: Fischer Space Bullet

A durable travel journal deserves a reliable pen that will get ink on the paper under any circumstances. For me, that pen is the Fischer Space Bullet, which can write underwater, in extreme temperatures, and at any angle. This pen is sleek, timeless, and minimalist. Need I say more?

Collapsible Water Bottle: Sawyer 32 oz Pouch

Staying hydrated during travel can be difficult, so I pack a collapsible water bottle that comes with me everywhere I go. When not in use, this ultralight pouch rolls up and stashes away into my hip pack or back pocket. Its not only perfect for travel but for hiking and backpacking as well.