Packing light may sound straightforward, but it took a lot of practice and mistakes to refine…

When you’re living out of a small bag, it’s the little things that go walkabout. Cables, battery pack, passport – they’re all easy to forget or misplace, especially when repacking in a rush. As a regular traveller, I’ve learned having a system is essential. Not because I’m naturally tidy, I’m absolutely not! But because it’s one way I can stay organised and stop forgetting things!

Packing for a trip can be equal parts exciting and exasperating. This can be especially true when it comes to travel toiletries. It took me a while (and a lot of trial and error) to figure out what I actually need, and what just takes up space. With stricter airline rules and rising baggage fees, travelling with carry-on only has become a bit of a game, but it’s one I’ve been determined to win!

If you’ve already seen my 4-season travel capsule wardrobe or ultralight tech kit, you’ll know I always travel with a small daypack and aim to keep things simple, light, and genuinely useful. I’ve been packing a bag, or living out of one, most weeks, for the last 30 years or so, either for work, pleasure or family commitments. So, it’s fair to say I’ve had some packing practice!

The ‘noise’ around skincare and the products we should and shouldn’t use can be overwhelming. Harsh chemicals and long routines have never appealed to me. I’m not a dermatologist, but I am a busy person. I’ve found a minimalist approach works better. For me, trouble comes from applying more, not less and knowing this has helped a lot when deciding on travel toiletries.

Tech for travel can get out of hand fast. We want to capture every moment in crisp detail, stay connected, and maybe even squeeze in some remote work. But while there’s no one-size-fits-all setup, most of us could pare things back, and further than we think. A ‘tech head” by nature, here’s what I pack.

I’ve been travelling regularly for work and leisure for a long time and gradually refining a setup which is quick to pack, truly minimal, yet still works across a range of climates and activities.