How to Pack Light for a Week: Tips, Lists, and Bags
The best packing advice I've ever received was from a Colombian astronomer in Geneva, Switzerland. As he watched me heave my full 48L Osprey off the ground and on my back, he took a sip of espresso and said "If you want to pack lighter, get a smaller bag. Whatever size bag you have, you'll always find a way to fill it."
His advice stuck with me as I continued my 6-week journey through Europe: schlepping my things from train station to hostel; packing and repacking so as to fit it on a Ryanair flight; and the constant feeling of relief whenever I dropped it on the ground and abandoned it for a while. It would be nice to have a smaller bag, I thought. But what would I get rid of? Without the constraint of space, I wasn't forced to pack less and struggled to envision traveling with less.
How to pack light for a week
Five years and thousands of miles of travel later, I finally decided to act on his advice and downsize from a 48L to a 22L bag for week-long (and sometimes longer) trips. Even if it seems extreme, I recommend it for anyone who wants to:
– Avoid paying for checked bags (even on budget airlines or basic economy tickets)
– Easily take public transportation or walk a few blocks with your luggage
– Spend less time packing and unpacking
– Feel less burdened by your bags
The packing tips: How to pack light for a week in a 22L bag
Packing this light isn't easy, but below are a few strategies I use to pack for a week well enough to fit in a 20-22L bag:
1. Pack three days' worth of clothes and limit your shoes
Don't assume you need seven outfits for a seven-day trip. Instead, pack three knowing you can mix and match those items to create enough options for your entire trip-while still being prepared for every situation. Shoes also tend to take up a large portion of our bags: bring 1-2 pairs max. I usually wear a pair of boots, then slip a thin pair of flip-flops or Toms in my outer mesh pocket (if you're more partial to a sneaker, I'd also suggest Natives, they're great looking and slipper-like).
2. Bring travel-size items only
With limited space to use, you won't catch me traveling with a 12-ounce bottle of shampoo. Keep everything as small as possible-you probably need less than you think, anyway.
3. Limit your just-in-case items
"The space in our pack is a precious commodity. It should be used efficiently and guarded from our own laziness of packing items ‘just in case'. Yes, we should be prepared. But let's be smart about it," advises the Carryology HQ team in The Best Backpacks for One-Bag Travel. Though in reference to hiking, it applies to travel as well. Trust that you can pick up most ‘just in case' items on the road if and when you actually need them. Stick to only bringing the "know I'll need" items.
4. Pack a couple of days in advance, then revise
When you're in a rush, it's easy to pack too much-or all the wrong stuff. To avoid this, set aside time a few days before your trip to gather everything you'll need. Then, the day before, take a second pass at everything. Is there anything you forgot? Anything you could omit? Do you really need five t-shirts?
5. Use compression cubes or stuff sacks
Packing cubes help keep items in your bag organized while traveling, but compression cubes also do this and help you fit more in a small space. Make use of compression cubes, such as Eagle Creek's Pack It Specter Compression Set ($32 for two) or stuff sacks, like those from Sea to Summit, to make your items more compact.
6. Roll or fold, it doesn't matter
The TL;DR on this debate is no, rolling clothes instead of folding them does not save you more space in your bag-though it does better organize it. Do whichever you prefer.
How low can you go?
Packing for a full week of travel (or longer!) in a 22L backpack may seem crazy, unnecessary, or just too difficult. But it's also such a great feeling to travel without the burden of things on your back. So why not give it a go? After a little practice and thoughtful crafting of your own ultralight packing list, I'm sure you can downsize your bag and pack extra light for a week of travel too. Let us know how it goes in the comments below!
