Q. Tell us a bit about yourself and what made you decide to travel with only one bag?
Hi, I’m John from One Bag Travel. I’m from Connecticut, United States. I started one-bag traveling after almost missing a morning ferry in Croatia because my friends overpacked giant checked roller bags. It took them forever to repack their clothes—too bulky that they couldn’t move quickly while dragging the roller bags on cobblestone streets at 4 am. From then on, I vowed to travel more lightly and nimbly.
Air travel is also a significant contributor to climate change so if we all packed a little less, we’d help cut emissions.
Q. Why, in your opinion, should travelers pack lighter? What common packing mistakes do you see and how can they be avoided?
Once you start traveling lighter, more trip options open up. Some activities become challenging when dealing with heavy luggage—like figuring out how to move it, where to store it etc. With just a backpack, moving between places is easier, and you don’t have to worry about checking into a hotel to store your stuff.
The two biggest packing mistakes people make are not planning to wear clothes one or two times between washes and not doing some laundry in the middle of a trip. Unless you are in a hot and sweaty climate, clothes can be worn a few times before needing a wash. Even in hotter climates, you can easily get a good enough wash in a hotel or hostel sink.
Once you master doing laundry while traveling, you can easily cut down 2-3 outfits worth of clothes per week.
Q. When did you decide to share your experiences with one-bag travel on your website, One Bag Travel, and what do you hope people can gain from your insights?
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Q. Tell us about some of your best travel experiences when you had only one bag with you?
The best experiences I’ve had with only one bag include the ability to enjoy layovers at airports and the freedom to land and hit the ground running at my destinations. Traveling with just one bag offers numerous moments of convenience, avoiding the hassle of lugging around heavy suitcases or waiting for hotel check-ins to safely store your luggage. The last time I traveled with two checked bags, a delay with them caused me to miss my flight.
Q. What are some of your packing hacks to maximize space and functionality?
I actively try to avoid space hacks because the more space you have, the more you pack! All those fancy folding tricks, and vacuum bags just make you pack more. Traveling light isn’t about space, it’s about weight.
Q. With only one bag for your travels, I assume you go for laundry quite often. How do you handle laundry on longer trips?
For longer trips I plan my trips having laundry access in a hotel or Airbnb. For short trips, regular bar soaps or gels and a hotel sink are good enough to get smells and stains off. You rarely need a full machine wash unless you are adventure-traveling in hot climates.
Q. What are some essential gear items you can’t travel without?
My two essential gear items are a sling bag which is basically a small backpack that I can wear so my valuables are on my chest, and a few packages of dry laundry detergent.
Q. Have there been times where you wished you had packed something extra?
A few times I haven’t had enough T-shirts when I travel to hot climates. I know that sounds hard to believe since they don’t take up too much space. In hot climates, when you sweat a lot, I like to change my t-shirt in the middle of the day. I end up going through so many t-shirts that it’s hard to keep up with laundry.
Q. Your packing lists are comprehensive (such as what to bring for a month in Thailand or a week in Nepal). Have all these been validated for practicality?
Most of the packing lists on the website are submitted or created by real people who have experience traveling to that location. I have some experience myself so I can always vet what other people are saying works.
Q. How did your packing approach change as you became more experienced with one-bag travel?
I used to use 40L bags but now I have gone down to 35L and 30L bags for most trips. I don’t need that extra 5L. I also double check my list now. One time I packed way too many chap sticks!
Q. While traveling with one bag is convenient, what kind of quality do you look for, and which bags are your go-to, especially considering the current carry-on limitations imposed by most airlines?
My primary bag is an older 40L Tortuga Travel Backpack that has survived multiple trips and countries. If I had to buy a new bag today, I’d buy a 35L or 30L bag. Airline restrictions will only shrink in the future so the smaller the better. The other factor I look at is the quality of materials. Your bag will take a lot of wear and tear as you move about the world, so quality materials will ensure your bag survives for years.
Q. Switching from a heavy suitcase to just one bag for travel is a big change. Any advice for those determined to make the transition to traveling with only one bag?
Embrace being in the moment a bit more and having just enough in your suitcase to experience the world. You don’t need all those things you thought you needed. The only way to find out what you don’t need is by not having those things.
Q. Last, your message to our readers.
Give one bag travel a try! You won’t miss it. Whatever you can fit in your travel backpack is good enough!
Photos by John Farrell
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