7 Simple Packing Tips to Master One Bag Travel

Keeping your luggage allowance low can sometimes be a tough ask, but with these seven simple tips, you can shave off some serious bulk.

1. Pack for Reality, Not Hypotheticals

Stop packing for “what if” scenarios. If you’re hesitating about bringing something, that’s your answer – leave it. I learned this the hard way: every time we packed something “just in case,” I never used it.

2. Choose Fabrics That Work Harder

Lightweight, quick-drying fabrics are game-changers for one bag travel. One top that dries overnight beats three bulky ones. This is how to pack light without running out of clothes.

3. Packing Cubes = Space Control

If you’re not using packing cubes, you’re missing out! They’re not just about organization – they give you actual space control. We use separate cubes for underwear/socks, basic tops, tech stuff (cables, converters, power banks), and toiletries. And compress it all down to manageable cubes.

4. Wear the Bulky Stuff

Hoodies, sweaters, crew necks – whatever takes up the most space gets worn during travel. My travel outfit does the heavy lifting so my bag doesn’t have to. This is one of the best packing hacks for carry on only travel.

5. Accessories Need to Earn Their Place

We’re not anti-accessories, just picky. Every item needs multiple purposes. A scarf? It’s a scarf, headpiece, AND a blanket. The goal isn’t less items – it’s about being smarter with your packing choices.

6. Digital Over Physical

Books are heavy and inconvenient (yes, even though physical pages are nice). We switched to Kindle and tablets. Less weight, less clutter, one less thing to lose. This applies to magazines, guides, everything.

7. Reassess After Every Trip

When we get home, we look at what we didn’t use. This is how you actually get better at minimalist packing for travel – learn from each trip and refine your system.