How To Travel With Only A Personal Item | 8 Minimalist Packing Tips

44 Comments

1. 

   Lauren Maternowski 3 years ago

   Use code BCPACK for 15% off your first purchase at Backcountry (exclusions may apply): https://packha.kr/s30e

2. 

   Star-Lord 3 years ago

   Awesome video as always!

3. 

   Flygtjej74 3 years ago

   Great info!!! The best 311 bag that I’ve found so far is a Travelon hanging toiletries bag. It has separate dry and liquid compartments. The liquid compartment is 1qt size and is clear on both sides and you just fold it out for TSA inspection. It is 8,5 x 6” and about 2” deep, if not packed too full.

4. 

   Bryan Valdez 3 years ago

   Thank you for the video and the discount code. I just found the backpack I was looking for and for a great price. 👍🏼

5. 

   Luis Clague 3 years ago

   i backpacked all throughout europe with my north face borealis last fall 🙂
   the biggest game changers for me were
   – bring my bulky running shoes tied to one of the utility straps on the outside
   – starting rolling up instead of folding my clothes
   – left my laptop at home and learned how to do most things just relying on my phone

6. 

   J 3 years ago

   Buying stuff like toiletries extra clothing at destination helps a ton. Might not be able to bring it all back though! I had to buy a suitcase a couple times (granted I was bringing back souvenirs…)

7. 

   Eric Patrick 3 years ago

   I Carry Ditty Bags In My Backpack.

8. 

   missmayflower 3 years ago

   16x13x6 is the personal item size on Westjet and lots of European airlines. USA seems to have larger allowances.

9. 

   xSwaghettiYolonesEx 3 years ago

   Layer up on the flight. Undershirt, t-shirt, hoodie/jumper/sweater,jacket. Saves packing them and planes are usually cold anyway. Also wear your big headphones around your neck, and stuff tech (powerbanks, phone, even tablet) into jacket pockets with zips.

10. 

    Pedro Jorge 3 years ago

    What are those nike sneakers at 1:31?

11. 

    Michael Meyer 3 years ago

    Many airlines now only allow personal item. This has brought back germent items such as fanny packs. JetBlue Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines for domestic and then Norse Airlines, Iceland airlines, Norway airlines, and several international frugal budget airlines only allow a personal item no carry on bag, checked bag, or meals.

12. 

    Srah Sunshine 3 years ago

    Thank you on the update Tom i enjoy watching your videos as much as i can i only have a phone so I need to cut down with my cords as well this is very helpful need to find the cord hookups like these i have a portable car jump charger too and i use that as my light and to charge my stuff if needed

13. 

    Helen Stewart 3 years ago

    As a female, a quick dry sun frock, give you so many more options, as tshirts can be worn under the dress or over the dress.

14. 

    Jennifer U. 3 years ago

    I’ve found that contact lens cases – the little plastic ones that often come with saline – are a great way to pack creams, foundation, hair gel and whatever other small amount you might need for a week or weekend trip. Lightweight and very compact.

15. 

    Peggy Woods 3 years ago

    Start with the bag you want. Then gather all you're thinking of packing. Do a packing "dry run", then start culling items until it all fits. I've switched most of my toiletries to solid form and those all fit in a small toiletries bag. For instance, I got toothpaste tablets in a small tin. You chew one, then brush. I have a combination soap/shampoo bar (cut in half) stored in one of those great Matador soap bags. I am currently working on packing for a trip I don't go on for 6 weeks yet, and it all fits in a small backpack.

16. 

    Wonder8 3 years ago

    I always bring a jacket with zipper pockets. Fill up the pockets and tie it over one shoulder like a sling.

17. 

    Alana Licious 3 years ago

    I pack a sarong, in a pinch i’ve used it as a blanket, towel, clothing/cover up, even as a privacy screen in hostel bunks.

18. 

    nadrile 3 years ago

    Of course it depends what you’re doing and where you’re going. But now that my current phone lasts ages longer and has a bigger screen, I can leave my tablet and take a smallish notebook (or just folded papers) and a pen instead. I like to take notes on my travels so I don’t have to remember details, like important translations, directions, timetables, opening hours, my wife’s birthday, some kind of travel plan and so on.

    A small light foldable bag that can fit in a bum bag (that you can fit inside the carry on) are very useful. You can leave the bigger bag with your stuff and just take what you need. My own bum bag also has a longer strap so it can be used over the shoulder just for a different look. Also a warmer top layer can be replaced with a towel that looks like a big scarf for those occasional cool nights in warm countries instead of a just-in-case jumper or a college shirt.

    This has been covered here too and on other videos, minimize everything: you don’t need all your keys with, all your cards and so on. Leave with less stuff, you can always get what you need on location.

19. 

    KaoticoEizex 3 years ago

    I find the osprey daylite travel pack 26+6 perfect for personal item, I always pack light and return home with bunch of stuff so I always include a collapsible bag to use that one as personal item and the osprey expanded as carry on full of souvenirs or my wifes shopping lol

20. 

    Robert Williamson 3 years ago

    Afraid of pushing my bag under the airline seat and there is something gooey and sticky on the floor under there. I use the overhead. My 21 litre Minaal Daily 3.0, and an Osprey 6 litre crossbody sling, and a tiny waist fanny pack does me great for trips of several months to southeast Asia. Carry on only…… no checked bags

21. 

    bangalorebobbel 3 years ago

    One should also carefully consider what clothes to wear on a flight, especially in order to carry items.

    Cargo pants might not be the finest pieces of fashion but they are immensly helpful to carry items like smartphone, power bank, chargers, cables, passports and so on, which you then don't have to put in your personal items bag. Small items like usb sticks, adapters, cables or charger you can put all in a simple USB-HDD carry case and put that in one of the cargo pockets for easy handling. The pockets in a jacket can be used as carriers for underwear and socks. There are even travel jackets with a huge number of big pockets, and everything there in doesn't count since a jacket is neither luggage nor personal item in their terms.

    And not to forget: one should also consider that such tricks are mainly meant to save you money on your flights and that luggage is usually only checked before you enter the flying vehicle. Inside the plane or after arrival you can stuff everything in any ultralight foldable backpack (like e.g. the shown Matador) for better comfort, if you want.

    Finally, if one has problems with all that stuff one should also consider another option: some of the low cost airlines offer an upgrade which is somehow similar to premium economy of big airlines. Among the benefits are usually also some better carry-on rules. To opt for such an offer can be cheaper than paying for the cheapest ticket plus extra luggage fees.

22. 

    TRIP730 3 years ago

    I traveled with American airlines recently for a 2 week trip and had an overhead peak design travel 45ltr, a matador packable rucksack as the personal item and the aer day sling 2 to carry items such as my passport, switch, power bank and cables. The sling is a must as it's free real estate on a plane and American airlines didn't mind at all.

23. 

    Tinmanjohn 3 years ago

    😎👍🏻

24. 

    Laura Claire 3 years ago

    Thanks for the useful video. Just wondering what brand the yellow cable with usb converter is? Does it come with the Anker charger or sold separately? It looks more durable than other ones I have seen.

25. 

    Mixeddrinks 3 years ago

    zipper zip loc bags in various sizes is the real hack. Cheaper and more visibility and water tightness

26. 

    M Dubb 3 years ago

    Cathay Pacific is 12x16x6 inches or roughly 19L for their personal item, and since they want to sell upgrades they do enforce, although I haven’t seen testing boxes in personal item size yet. For true single bag travel, there is a huge preserved volume advantage with unlined, unpadded packs that use thinner straps (even webbing straps) but at that point we may as well give up and use a Red Oxx Market Tote grocery bag.

    For the most part, I was never successful with onebag travel (22” height and 45” total of the three linear measurements, 40-45L) so I don’t think I shrink that down even further to a personal item (16” tall, 34 linear inches, 19L). It’s a great goal to play with, but I don’t think I can manage with less than the personal item plus a good sized hip pack in the cabin, supplemented by a 22” classic wheelie repurposed as check in luggage – at least for my flights to Asia.

    Yes the Kanken packs are among the most efficient due to the thin backpack straps, removable rear panel foam pad, and lack of lining and built in padding so thank you for remembering them. Wish they made a 19L.

    Packing cubes are less stressful but inevitably each cube has some dead air space. So unacceptable inefficiency in a 19L limit world.

    For electronics, I use a 4.7” iPhone with USA SIM but for security reasons, walk around with a 4” iPhone (which unfortunately won’t upgrade to iOS 16). Then, an iPad mini, despite the eye strain, with a keyboard case. No room for laptop!

    At the end of the day I think a personal item can be made to work on intra European flights and USA long weekend getaways. My interest in trying to work within the confines of a personal item sized carryon has more to do with the total on body weight my bad hip can bear, not luggage allowance, and the reduced weight my bad shoulder can bear in throwing a regular carryon wheelie overhead. So I’ve been gradually down sizing my luggage burden from 22” overhead with 26” checked and a 26L daypack at my seat, to just a personal item and hip pack inflight and a 22” bag as checked luggage. I feel less well prepared, but it saves body suffering. PS – a Baggu, larger Chico sack or similar takes up little space but is a convenient place to store winter jackets at my seat in the cabin or after landing in a warmer destination.

27. 

    Worldens Travel Hong Kong 3 years ago

    Great ideas for travellers 🧳

28. 

    Anne Bialecki 3 years ago

    So love the sizes and portability of these bags. How refreshing are your tips for what to pack and what to leave. Light weight means easier travelling. 👏

29. 

    Karen von Bargen 3 years ago

    I’d love to see one of these style videos for people with mobility or health problems.

30. 

    Paul Ho 3 years ago

    I strongly believe the Topo Global Travel Bag deserves more appreciation, but I really thought we were getting away with using it as our personal item under the seat. It actually might work, but I was just able to use my wheeled Global Pack Carry On and Core Pack under the seat in front of me.

    Pro tip: if you are debating bringing something small that might be provided, bring something to barter instead. It's easier to bring a pack of gum for the flight crew in exchange for those earbuds if they have it than worrying about yours and where to have them on hand. Works great for charging cables at front desks too!

31. 

    Nick Siekierski 3 years ago

    I have a great Dakine backpack that has been my go-to carry-on bag for a decade. The key tip for me when traveling economy is having a backpack that slides under the seat in front of me with an easily accessible top pocket (mine is officially made for sunglasses but it fits earplugs, mints, AirPods, my wallet, passport, a pen, etc.) for quick access. These days there is an array of various sling and fanny packs that you could use to store all of these things separately and give you more leg room, but with packed flights we have it's a good idea to have a bag you can fit under the seat to avoid the hassle of checking your carry-on (this happened to me recently and I forgot that my carry-on contained my Covid test results, it worked out since I was able to download them to my iphone at the last minute but still it's better to keep your belongings with you).

32. 

    iambusra 3 years ago

    My most "extreme" Backback travel was 3 weeks trough India. But I've got practice from shorter 1 week trips before and used the packing cube tips from your channel. I'll go on my first business trip with just a backpack soon. Super curious how that one will be. 😄

33. 

    M79 Ba11Dog 3 years ago

    Whats the best backpack carryon for you Packer?

34. 

    Paulo Saini 3 years ago

    Any photography 1 bag recommendations? I have a Nikon Mirrorless and 2 zoom lenses. Plus my clothes:)

35. 

    Danielle JM 3 years ago

    I just wanted to say thank you! I use to be a terrible packer. I would dread packing and it would take me forever. I like to camp a lot and packing was always stressful. I took a job with business travel and have to fly for short 2-4 night trips. Your tips and product recommendations have been invaluable ❤️. I got an AER travel backpack, their tech pouch, and toiletries kit. They have all been perfect.

36. 

    Alex 3 years ago

    Wait!
    So y'all don't just carry your ender chest in your pocket?!

37. 

    samsam95 3 years ago

    Hi! I think a review of the Bellroy weekender 30L/45L would be a great addition to your duffel bag reviews!

38. 

    Александр 3 years ago

    Hi.
    Please review the backpack Thule Aion 40l.

39. 

    Anand Somasundaram 3 years ago

    AirPod pro 2 is the best travel buds. It has quick charging, amazing noise cancellation and can now be charged using Apple Watch charger

40. 

    Kathryn Higgins 3 years ago

    Great tips – thanks. We also wear SCOTTeVESTs. They have lots of pockets for wallets, AirPods, passports & documents, cell phone and even an iPad. Can get a bit heavy if you load them up but it frees up space in your carryon. We wear them at our destinations – the inside pockets help to protect valuables from pickpocketing.

41. 

    Lynne Eie 3 years ago

    Really like this idea of underseat packing!!

42. 

    Eve Koivula 3 years ago

    Get a pair of cargo pants or a vest with massive pockets and you can easily pack 50 % more stuff with you, plus you always have your valuables secured.

43. 

    Zain Khataw 3 years ago

    what brand cable are you using at 8:18–8:24?

44. 

    Bucket List Travellers 3 years ago

    That USB-C to Lightning cord looks really handy. haven't seen anything like that before. great tips! 😀