How to pack light for any trip

Clockwise from top left: Minaal Carry-on 3.0 backpack, Away small toiletry bag, Samsonite 20” spinner suitcase, REI ultralight stuff sack, and Thule packing cube.

People who know me well know that I love packing. I learned minimalist packing by necessity 20 years ago, when I traveled through 14 countries in 8 months as a recipient of the Bonderman Travel Fellowship. Carrying as little as possible gave me the flexibility to live the fellowship’s motto: “to wander and wonder.” I was so ruthless about packing light that I even cut the tags out of all my clothing.

These days, whether I’m traveling for work or fun, I retain that lightweight spirit by flying with only a carry-on bag, regardless of how long the trip is. For the many friends and colleagues who have asked me for packing advice over the years, this is the post I’ve promised you.

Let’s start with luggage

For work trips, I bring a 20” Samsonite hard-sided spinner as my roller bag. I experimented with other brands like Monos and Away, but found their suitcases heavier and not any better, despite being more expensive. My Samsonite suitcase is smaller than the maximum allowed carry-on and fits in the overhead bin of even small airplanes, meaning I never have to worry about losing my luggage in the dice roll that is the baggage claim. The suitcase’s simple clamshell design, with no expansion zippers or exterior pockets, makes it very lightweight and easy to pack.

In one half of the open suitcase, I pack my clothes. I use a modified version of the Bundle Packing method because it ensures your clothes come out free of creases and wrinkles. The other half of the suitcase holds everything else. If my clothes or other items don’t fit in their dedicated half of the suitcase, I know I’ve packed too much, and I start over.

For personal travel, I use a 30-35L backpack. I highly recommend Osprey packs, though I’ve used the Minaal Carry-on 3.0 on my last couple trips. I’m still in search of the perfect travel backpack and welcome recommendations. If I need a small daypack, I bring the Matador Refraction Packable Backpack. It packs down very small, yet holds a surprising amount of stuff, including a laptop and two 20-ounce water bottles in its discreet exterior pockets.

Stuff sacks vs. Packing cubes

For the past 20 years, I swore by stuff sacks to keep my travel items clean and organized. Stuff sacks are exactly what they sound like—a sack that you stuff your stuff into. They are best used for clothing and compressible items like underwear and socks. I always bring a large gray stuff sack that becomes my laundry bag to segregate dirty clothes from clean clothes. I prefer ultralight stuff sacks like the ones from Sea-to-Summit. I don’t use waterproof or compression sacks, as I don’t find those added features worth the weight. The compression straps just get in the way.

Recently, I’ve started experimenting with packing cubes—mainly because packing cubes are a must for the Minaal pack’s peculiar design. The best ones I’ve found are these packing cubes from Thule. They do a good job at compressing clothing volume without causing wrinkles. They’re also easier to use for larger clothing items like jeans, which don’t fit well into a stuff sack.

Selecting clothes and shoes

For all types of travel, I choose highly versatile pieces that can mix and match into different outfits. That flexibility means I don’t need to pack extra “just in case” outfits. Here is what I brought for a 9-day work trip to make 7 different outfits with creative layering:

• 3 dresses

• 1 black skirt

• 2 blouses

• 1 jardigan

All of my work clothes are wrinkle-free and machine-washable, thanks to MM LaFleur. (Tip: Check out their Second Act website or Poshmark for good-as-new attire at a fraction of the cost.) Items that you can hand wash in a sink and air dry quickly can minimize the number of items you bring. Merino wool is fantastic for socks and shirts. It does not wrinkle, offers lightweight warmth and cool breathability, and does not retain odors. Some of my favorite brands for merino wool or quick-drying underwear and clothing are Ibex, Arc’teryx, Ex Officio, Smartwool, and Marmot. 

Shoes take up a lot of space, so I try not to bring extra shoes. Like Conan O’Brien, I usually wear black running shoes on the plane. If it’s a work trip, I pack a pair of Rothy’s flats in a color (usually black) that matches all my work outfits. I unabashedly admit that I’ve committed the fashion sin of wearing socks with sandals. I can walk miles in Chacos, and if I’m traveling to a warm location, they’re all the footwear I need. The socks are for the cold plane ride.  In general, wear your bulkiest items on the plane instead of packing them in your bag

Toiletries and Miscellany

A lot of people bring more toiletries than they probably need, and this is where you can drastically reduce the volume of stuff you pack. I manage to fit all my toiletries plus a phone charger, the world’s best earplugs, an eye mask, several tea bags, and more into the Small Toiletry Bag from Away. For all toiletries, I bring the minimum amount needed for the length of the trip. Muji is an excellent source for tiny tubes and bottles to hold small amounts of toiletry liquids and gels. I bring as little as 0.5 ounces of some toiletries.

Here are some of my other favorite travel items:

• A refillable toothpaste tube that you can resize to the exact amount you need.

• A magical soap bar case that lets your soap bar dry out while packed, somehow without getting surrounding items wet.

• Lightweight travel utensils to minimize use of disposable forks, and to make meals in a hotel room easier. Any fork, spoon, and knife from home would work fine, too.

• A foldable yoga mat to do pilates on the go.

• A small camp towel if I need to bring a towel for some reason.

• Biodegradable Campsuds. They work as shampoo, dish soap, and laundry soap. They’re super concentrated, so a very small amount produces great froth. 

Less is More

If you want to pack light, ruthlessly scrutinize every item and interrogate yourself about whether you really need to bring it. “Just in case” items rarely make the cut. The less you bring, the more nimble you will be. When you pack light, you can maneuver through public transit easily and add activities to your itinerary spontaneously without worrying about what you’re going to do with your luggage. Happy packing and happy travels!

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