Packing light may sound straightforward, but it took a lot of practice and mistakes to refine and get to the point where I’m happy with my choices. Now I can travel the world with only a daypack – and know I have everything I need, without feeling like I’m missing out. I’ve probably spent far too many hours obsessing over weights, functionality and deciding what brings me joy when on the road, but the effort of choosing carefully has been worth it. Everything I now bring I enjoy using and is genuinely useful.
Here, I’m sharing some of those favourite things, which come with me on every trip. All tick the lightweight, aesthetically pleasing and genuinely useful boxes and have shown themselves to be durable too. I’ve included my small travel bag as well. As far as minimalist travel goes, making use of what you have is the golden rule, and that’s often the best way, but if you’re looking to make some intentional purchases, I hope this list will be of some use to you.
1. Ultralight Power Bank
The Iniu 10,000mAh 45W power bank is one of the lightest and most compact in its class and is often sold with a choice of colours. My sunny yellow one makes me happy and is easy to locate. A change from black!
Weight: 163g including cable
- Powerful enough to charge both my phone and laptop
- 10,000mAh 45W power bank
- One of the lightest for this spec
- 2 USB-C and USB-A ports
- Digital readout to show remaining charge
- Pass through charging
- A little USB-C to USB-C cable attached by magnets, so one nice neat tidy package
👉Check out the INIU 10,000mAh 45W with USB-C Cable
2. International Power Charger
Many International travellers bring power cords and plugs and then plug them into an International travel adapter to fit the correct size socket at their destination. If you travel solely with items charged by USB-C or USB-A and not too many of them, you may be able to leave the bulky International travel adapter at home and just bring a plug with interchangeable ends for everything.
I mostly travel in Europe, so this set up fits me perfectly. These three plug ends covers most countries. I’m missing type D (used in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Namibia), type M (South Africa) and type H (used exclusively in Israel, although Type C is used there too) and type I (Australia and New Zealand). All these ends can be bought cheaply locally if needed, so I’m happy to save the space and leave an International travel adapter block at home.
Weight: 164g (the set)
- Enough capacity to charge a laptop (check individual models) as well as phones and other electronic devices if combined with a suitable fast charge USB-C to USB-C cable
- Fits flat to the wall – light, it doesn’t drag, pull or fall out of sockets
- Folding US pins (type A) fits Type A and Type B sockets
- 3 pin (type G – UK, Malta, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Malaysia parts of Asia, Caribbean and others)
- 2 pin (type C – European plug which also works in type E, F, J, K plug sockets).
👉 You can buy the Anker 65W PD Gan Wall Charger – UK/US/Europe on Amazon
3. Colour E-reader
My Kobo Clara Colour E-Reader saves bringing real books. I love the fact that it integrates with my library card (via overdrive) which means I can borrow books for free, rather than paying for them as I did with my Kindle*. While I research trips on the internet, I still like traditional guidebooks. Thanks to a switch from black and white Kindle to a colour Kobo, I can enjoy reading them on a colour screen which brings maps, photos and charts to life. It’s a very soft colouring though, a very different and more restful experience than reading on a tablet or phone.
Weight: 173g excluding case
- Lightweight, glare-free and ideal for travel
- Saves phone battery
- allows reading ‘distraction free’ from phone notifications
- Colour screen is excellent, especially when reading guidebooks and maps
- links to overdrive for borrowing books from library for free or from other providers such as Borrowbox
👉Check out the Kobo Clara Colour E-Reader
- Overdrive integration varies from country to country, so check for your home country before deciding whether Kobo or Kindle work better for you. For me, in UK, Kobo is the more straightforward option for borrowing books from the library using Overdrive.
4. Tracker – Alternative to Airtags
This is a lightweight, budget friendly tracking alternative to Apple AirTags. I’ve been using Chipolo for over a year and have kept checking for accuracy and I’ve been impressed. You can attach it to keys or anything else with the attachment hole. There are credit card shaped ones too. Reassurance, especially for the forgetful minimalist!
Weight: 8g for a pop tracker
- Chipolo pop syncs with Android (Find My Device app) and Apple (Find My app). Other chipolo products work with one or other, not both.
- locate your items with the app or by making the chipolo tracker ring from the app
- Comes in various colours, singles or packs of four
- Battery lasts about a year and is easily changed
👉 Check out Chipolo pop
5. USB-C to USB-A
A tiny USB-C to USB-A adapter is always useful. There’s plenty of USB-A charging ports about, especially in public spaces, train or bus seats and hotel rooms. This little adapter lets me take advantage of these ports with a USB-C to USB-C fast charge cable, without bringing a second cable.
Weight: 3g
I have a couple of these, including one I keep in my wallet, so it’s always with me when out an about.
6. Multi-Purpose Dry Oil
Leave lotions and potions plus hair conditioner at home and use this one luxury product for everything. I just pack the 30L size bottle of NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil . I could decant into a smaller plastic bottle, but I like keeping it in the nice glass bottle.
Weight: 90g for a nearly full 30g glass bottle
- Formulated to work on hair, face and body with scent too.
- Feels luxurious and like a treat to use.
- One little bottle replaces all face and body lotions.
- Great hair detangler and hair treatment. Much pefer it to solid conditioners and many liquid hair conditioners too.
- Very effective face moisturiser
- Scented, vegan
- A little goes a long way.
👉Check out NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil
7. Soap Dry Bag
I don’t think I’d travel with sold toiletries, without a soap dry bag . Essential for storing your solid toiletries.
Weight: 10g
- Stops moisture leaching out to everything else in your toiletry bag.
- Dries out the solid toiletries inside and stops them going soggy. Particularly useful if you need to pack things up, before your solid toiletries have had a chance to dry out.
- Has a suction cup so it sticks to the shower wall.
- A dupe for the Matador Soap Bag which isn’t always easy to source for a reasonable price in Europe. The Matador one doesn’t have a clip and sucker but you may well be able to attach one.
👉Check out Travel Buddy Soap Dry Bag
8. Laundry Sheets
I’ve been a committed sink washer, when travelling, for a long time. Hotel shampoo or a bar of soap will do for a few washes, but there’s a place for proper laundry detergent too. If you’re using a washing machine at your accommodation or a public laundromat and washing detergent may not be provided, or it may be a mystery product you don’t want to risk using. Hunting for a small box of washing powder in a local supermarket becomes a sport that’s rarely fun, and leaving behind most of it unused is deeply annoying. These laundry detergent sheets are ultralight and airport security friendly. Bring as few or as many as you need. I use them at home now as well as away.
Weight: 4g per sheet
- Easier for travel than liquid detergent or powder
- Ultra-compact and mess-free
- Effective cleaning for both machine and hand washing
- Sheets can be torn in half for small washes
- Cost Effective
👉Check out Dr. Beckmann Laundry Detergent Sheets
9. Loop Quiet 2 Earplugs
Whether it’s the noise of public transport or a late-night party you didn’t sign up for, a good pair of earplugs can make all the difference. I’m not a fan of the foam ones – these Loop earplugs are a definitely an upgrade. The little loop makes them easy to remove, so you’re not left awkwardly fishing around in your ear.
Weight: 10g including case
- Powerful 24 dB noise reduction to muffle unwanted noise
- great for travel and sleep
- Comfy to wear with a range of ear tip sizes
- Reusable and easy to clean with carry case
- Other options, some with adjustable volume control, various colours
👉Check out the Loop Quiet 2 earplugs
10. Credit Card Sized Mult-Tool
Okay, I’ll admit it – this one appeals to the geek in me. But this Victorinox Swisscard multi-tool genuinely brings me joy every time I use it. It’s a compact and ultralight way to carry a surprising number of useful little things – all tucked into something the size and shape of a credit card. While it might be tiny, you’re still getting the Swiss made precision engineering, you expect from Victorinox. This is designed to last. a perfect gift too, for your minimalist travel buddy.
Weight: 26g
There are several variations of Victorinox Swisscard available with different combinations of tools, but I rate this one for its mix of practicality and travel-friendliness.
- Credit Card Sized handy multitool
- Scissors, nail file, tweezers, toothpick, magnifying glass
- Pen, screwdriver tips, ruler
- ‘Nailcare’ version has no no blade – I’ve taken it on numerous flights without issue
👉 Check out Victorinox Swisscard multi-tool
11. Ultralight 15L Daypack
At 15L this packable daypack is a perfect size to store everything you might need for your day. It’s lighter and smaller than any others I’ve found. It’s also cute and comes in a range of colours, along with a whole famly of other bags including totes and crossbody bags. Put this in your pocket and be prepared, whether it’s somewhere to store an extra layer when the weather changes, a shopping trip, picnic, laundry bag or for a day at the beach.
Weight: 30g
- Ultralight packable bag
- lightest and most compact in class
- rain resistant
- very strong
- choice of designs and styles
👉 Check out Nanobags
12. Ultralight Umbrella
Useful for sudden showers and hot sunny days. This ultralight umbrella is lighter than a raincoat and often more practical in warm climates. I know many would say an umbrella is one of the first things to ditch when you’re packing light, but I would say, it depends how heavy and bulky it is and where you typically go on holiday.
Weight: 92g
- Sturdy umbrellas tend to be heavy. While this one won’t do well in high winds, it does a pretty good job most of the time.
- Light enough to go unnoticed in your bag, which means it’s there when you need it.
👉Check out Fulton Ultralight Umbrella
13. Buff or Lightweight Scarf
I normally bring a buff with me, or a light scarf. This has many uses.
Weight: 30g
Some uses for a buff:
- Scarf for decoration or to keep your neck warm or protected from the sun
- Headband
- Head cover (e.g. for mosques and some churches)
- Twist in the middle, and tuck one half inside the other to make a beanie
- Wear as balaclava or snood, eye mask and or face mask
👉Check out Coolnet Uv Buff
14. Small Minimalist Travel Pack
First question, what do I mean by a minimalist backpack? For me, it’s one in a classic style where quality and comfort are prioritised, so it will last and you’ll want to hang on to it. A gimmick free bag which is big enough to hold the essentials, but not too big that it’s heavy or over engineered.
This Cabin Zero Military 28L fits this brief perfectly. It’s comfortable to carry and it oozes quality, despite the modest price tag. I’ve had it for over two years, it’s been in fairly constant use, and it’s taken a beating as my ‘One Bag’ for trips across the Atlantic, to the Arctic and across Europe. It’s been thrown around on trains, boats, planes and buses, been hiking and it’s turned out to be smart enough for my work/travel bag too. It works well both as a daybag and a travel bag. I’ve squeezed it comfortably in the personal item sizers for the budget Airlines of Europe, including Ryanair and I’ve finally stopped dabbling with other bags, including much more expensive ones. I’ve found my One Small Bag. It’s earned its place and I’m looking forward to it coming on many more adventures with me!
Weight: 825g
- Dimensions: 43 × 30 × 16 cm
- Fabric: 1000D nylon, YKK zips, clamshell opening, water-resistant coating. Self standing.
- Thick padded straps, back panel with load lifters, sternum straps
- Side Compression Straps, Side waterbottle pocket, strong handle on top and side
- Internal laptop sleeve with false bottom – keeps laptop protected
- Webbing if you want to connect more pouches, pockets and clips
- Lifetime warranty and Okuban Tracker
👉Check out the Cabin Zero Military 28L Backpack
15. Favourite Compact Packing Cube
Packing cubes appear on lots of travel lists, but I’ve tried a few and I’m picky! I don’t find the big sets that suitable for small bag travel as there won’t be room for all of them. Packing cubes are great for organising and containing your clothes so they are not loose in your bag. How much space they save depends on how well they fit your bag and whether the contents are compressible. I usually have just one medium one and make sure everything fits inside (except jackets and the clothes I’m wearing). This keeps me accountable for the clothes I bring. This medium Thule packing cube is a compression one, with an extra zip to squish things up even more. I use the extra zip for most trips, but if I have clothes for four seasons in my tiny bag, I’ll leave it uncompressed rather than fighting with the zip. That way I can stick with the one packing cube for all trips, big or small. A perfect minimalist solution.
130g for a medium – not the lightest in class, but a quality item and one which works for all trips, so it makes it on the list!
Good Packing Cubes Should:
- fit your bag (without leaving ‘hard to fill’ spaces)
- be ultralight without rigid sides so they don’t of themselves take up space and add a lot of weight
- open on three sides, for easy packing with a strong zip
- An additional zip for compression can be useful, especially with bulky winter gear
- A handle to pull them out of bags easily.
👉 Check out the Thule compression medium packing cube
Do you have any mini travel essentials you bring on every trip?
I wouldn’t claim there’s a single perfect list – every journey is different – but what I’ve learned is that a few carefully chosen items make all the difference.
Do you have any recommendations? Do let me know in the comments.
And if you like travelling light, here’s some more you may enjoy.
- Minimalist Travel Essentials: My Top 15 Tiny Travel Accessories
- Minimalist Packing: Why I Ditched Bulky Organisers for 4 Simple Pouches
- Carry-On Toiletries for a Month? Here’s What I Fit in a Tiny Pouch
- Lightweight Tech for Travel: What to Pack and What to Skip
- One Travel Capsule Wardrobe for All Seasons in One Tiny Bag
