If you've ever found yourself dragging heavy luggage through an airport, rushing to make your next connection, only to have one of your overstuffed bags explode in the terminal, then you might be over packing a bit. These three principles of minimalist travel will help you do more on your trip all while bringing a whole lot less.
Three Principles for Minimalist Travel
Don't Check a Bag
This the first and most crucial principle of minimalist travel. By limiting the number of bags you bring on your trip, you will automatically be forced to pack smart and light to fit your essentials. Not only does not checking a bag limit the amount of stuff you can lug around, but it also saves you valuable time.
When I'm traveling, I want to maximize the amount of time I have to explore and enjoy my destination. A checked bag equals more time spent at the airport and less time spent actually traveling. If you aren't carrying tons of stuff around on your trip, it's much easier to move quickly and be flexible with your plans. If you brought everything and the kitchen sink, it's much harder to catch that crowded bus in Peru or hop on a motorcycle in Vietnam.
There are of course exceptions: if you are going on a surf trip you will need to check a surfboard. However, as a general rule of thumb, if you only have one bag and a small backpack, a whole world of possibilities remains open.
Multi-Use Items
One of the best ways to fit everything you need in your bag is to bring items that serve multiple purposes; like sunglasses with a bottle opener built into them. It is a simple guideline that, just like the no checked bags principle, this will pay you back a thousand times over when you follow it.
Focus On The Trip Not Your Luggage
This last tip will fall into place naturally as long as you adhere to 1 & 2. When you bring less stuff, you strip away all the things that can accompany every-day life. If you don't have extra bags to fill with curios, you will spend time getting to know the place you are visiting, rather than the things that place sells to tourists.
Now that we've laid out some key principles for minimalist travel, I'm going to share some gear that I have found useful for keeping my kit lightweight for weeks on the road. I've also tried to select items that are made sustainably whenever possible. In addition to using sustainably made items, I also use offset programs to help reduce the high carbon cost of traveling by plane. For more information on offsetting your trips, check out CarbonFund.Org.
Gear Guidelines
Wandrd HEXAD Carryall Duffel 40L
A duffel bag with backpack straps perfect for travel. This 40L bag has lots of cool features like spill proof pockets, an RFID passport pocket, padded laptop sleeve and is made of waterproof tarpaulin. The backpack straps are also removable if you'd prefer to carry it as a duffel.
Patagonia Lightweight Travel Mini Hip Pack 1L
This is a great micro pack that is super compact and stuffs into its own pocket for easy storability. I use it to keep my phone, cash, and whatever other small essentials I need close at hand while traveling.
Ex Officio Give & Go Boxer Brief
These boxers are great for travel, they are incredibly comfortable, odor-resistant, and compressible. On top of that, they are easy to wash in the shower. So you only need to bring a few pairs, even if you are traveling for weeks. Just be sure to be diligent when it comes to washing them so that your travel companions will still want to travel with you.
United by Blue Crest Trail Case
I use this to keep all my personal items & toiletries organized while on the road. It keeps me from digging around in my bag and pulling everything out just to get at my toothbrush. As an added bonus, United by Blue also removes a pound of trash from global oceans and waterways for every product sold!
Nomad Power Pack & Expedition Cable
When I travel in a foreign country, my iPhone transforms from mere convenience to a Swiss-Army Knife like tool. A smartphone in your pocket gives you the power to navigate unfamiliar streets, communicate with anyone no matter what language they speak and of course take photos of the many places you visit. Consequently, my Nomad Power Pack and Expedition Cable are essential for travel. My Expedition Cable allows me to charge while on the road and the Kevlar core means it's virtually impermeable and great for every day use.
Also in The Journal
Finance Tips: The Essential Guide to Managing Your Money
Many people go through years of education, go to college, and graduate into the "real world" without ever learning how to do something that is so essential: setting themselves up for financial success. Let's go over the basics of getting your finances in order, along with actionable tips, tools, and apps to help you out.
Featured Mavryk: Ian Gutierrez
Meet Ian Gutierrez: photography, videographer, co-founder of Futures Past and Gold Standard Studios. His passion for his craft began when he was in elementary school. Check out his interview to learn more about his experiences and tips on how to kickstart a career in a creative field.
Featured Mavryk: Anthony Schmidt
Behind some of So Cal's tastiest mixed drinks and most popular restaurants and bars, bartender Anthony Schmidt has carved a name for himself in cocktail innovation, hospitality and commitment to the craft. We spoke to Anthony about what decades in the restaurant and bar industries have taught him and what drives him, and what's next.