I checked a bag exactly once in the past three years. It got lost on a layover in Istanbul, showed up two days later smelling like diesel, and I swore I’d never do it again.
Since then I’ve done trips to Japan (14 days), Mexico (12 days), and Portugal (10 days) with nothing but a 40L backpack in the overhead bin. Here’s what actually works — and what doesn’t.
Start with the shoes
Shoes are the biggest space thief. Wear your bulkiest pair on the plane and pack one flat pair — sandals, minimal sneakers, whatever collapses. Two pairs total. That’s it.
If you’re going somewhere with hiking, wear the boots on the flight. You’ll look ridiculous. You’ll also have room for everything else.
The 5-4-3-2-1 rule
This one’s old but it holds up:
- 5 underwear (wash every 3 days)
- 4 tops (two neutral tees, one button-down, one layer)
- 3 bottoms (one you’re wearing, one packed, one shorts or swim)
- 2 pairs of shoes (as above)
- 1 hat or scarf for sun
The key insight isn’t minimalism for its own sake. It’s that you’ll wear the same few things anyway. Nobody on your trip is tracking your outfit rotation.
Toiletries: the hotel tax
Hotels and Airbnbs have soap and shampoo. Unless you’re camping or staying in hostels, you don’t need full bottles.
What I do bring: a solid deodorant, sunscreen (hard to find the right SPF abroad), any prescription meds, and a tiny tube of toothpaste. Everything else I buy on arrival if needed, or just use what’s there.
The real trick is laundry
Every country has laundromats or laundry services. In Southeast Asia they’ll wash, dry, and fold your bag for two dollars. In Europe, most Airbnbs have a machine.
Plan one laundry day around day 5 or 6, and suddenly you only need clothes for a week, not two.
What about formal stuff?
One dark merino wool t-shirt and dark chinos pass for “smart casual” almost everywhere. For genuinely formal events, you probably knew about them before packing and can plan accordingly.
Don’t pack “just in case” clothes. That silk blouse you might need if you stumble into a rooftop cocktail party? Leave it. You won’t stumble into a rooftop cocktail party. And if you do, you’ll be fine in a clean t-shirt.