The ultimate Packing list for travelling light

(It doesn’t look like much once it’s divided into storage cases)

Every year as I continue to search for the ultimate Packing List For my hand luggage size bag, I like to blog about my progress in order to help out others who are trying to pack light as well.

Here is my up-to-date packing list:

(Doesn’t look like much, but this is all I need to travel RTW and write blog posts, simple life, easy travel)

My backpack of choice

My bag of choice is still the North Face Surge, its a fantastic bag, I’ve had it for 4 years on the road and still going strong with no signs of calling it a day any time soon.

You can buy the updated version, the North Face Surge with a new re-design.

Inside my Bag:

Clothes

• 5 x plain underwear
• 5 x black socks, ankle socks
• 5 x Gray/black plain T-shirts
• 2 x cargo shorts
• 1 x swim shorts
• 1 x trekking trousers
• 1 x Ultra light down jacket
• 1 x ultra light rain jacket
• 1 x button shirts
• 1 x jogging, sports shorts

Toiletries

• 1 x nail clippers
• 1 x tweezers
• 1 x toothbrush
• 1 x toothpaste
• 1 x Rollerball deodorant
• 1 x re-usable shower gel bottle
• 1 x Biz UV40 all day sun tan lotion
• 1 x beard trimmer with cable, case and adaptor

Electronics

• Apple MacBook Air 11 inch with charger and memory foam case
• Apple iPhone 15 pro
• Twelve South PlugBug laptop plug and USB Charger with international adaptors
• Amazon Kindle paper white
• Apple Headphones
• Jobby Gorilla Tripod with Phone attachment
• Wester Digital 1TB passport with case
• Apple HDMI out cable
• Apple Ethernet out cable

Additional items

• 4 x compression dry bags
• Pilot G2 Pen
• UK Passport
• Passport size notebook
• Number lock
• Platypus 1 liter water bottle
• Business card case with credit cards, flyer mile cards, membership cards
• Haviana flip flops
• UV Sunglasses
• Pack light towel
• Wallet
• DC skateboarding shoes

Specifications

Weight: 6.9KG
Volume: 32 liters
Size dimensions: 50 cm x 35 cm x 21 cm

My mental packing process

(Time lapse video of my packing, takes under 5 minutes for me to get ready and go)

As You can see by the time lapse packing video, I have broken items up into sets using the Dry bags or item cases. This not only protects the items, but makes packing much faster and easier.

I have an assigned area of my bag where I know each item goes, this ensures that I Never miss anything and frees up space in my bag.

Yes, a little extreme, but it helps me to organize my items better and gives me a clear sense of mind when heading to an airport that I’ve packed everything.

Because I have so little it demands that I depend on each item more to get full value out of justifying it a space in my bag, this is how I’m able to cut out unneeded gear and focus on what I truly need to travel.

Not travelling light? If you don’t fancy going to the total light extreme by following the above packing list feel free to check out this more indepth packing list by the Broke backpacker. Goes way more into detail for larger bags if you have the space and is also built for the adventure traveller in mind.

Do you pack light? What items can you not travel without that I’ve not listed or what items do you also use and agree with, post below in the comment section and share your advice, thank you in advance!