How to Be a Luggage Minimalist

When minimalism became a trend, it advocated for clearing away clutter to make space for your life. It’s not about wearing white T-shirts all the time or dressing like Steve Jobs. It’s not about selling your furniture or all of your stuff. It’s about breaking away from toxic consumerism culture and being more mindful of what you buy.

In that spirit, I call myself a pseudo-minimalist or minimalist adjacent. I try to be intentional about what I buy, making purchases according to my values instead of social or marketing pressure. However, my values include getting a little treat every day. What’s a girl doing to do? I don’t want to give them up, so I factor them into my life. It’s a mix between minimalism and Marie Kondo’s sparking joy.

But there’s one area in which I’m a strict minimalist: travel. Luggage minimalism is a new trend, and I’m on board. I’ve always been a carry-on queen and will go on vacation for weeks with just a carry-on. I travel with two bags: my luggage, and my fanny pack. Where they go, I go.

But I wasn’t always a luggage minimalist or a packing pro. I came to this lifestyle out of necessity. I spent one heroic European vacation trying to maneuver giant suitcases around train stations, through cobbled streets, and through the pouring rain. I resolved never to live like that. I wanted to be like George Clooney in Up In The Air. Not his sad, lonely life but his airport efficiency. The key: minimalist carry-on luggage.

The beauty of the minimalist travel suitcase

To be a luggage minimalist, you have to first identify your reason for travel. If you travel for work, your travel essentials bag will be easy to repeat. with slight variations for weather. If you travel to see family, your luggage minimalist dreams might be weighed down with gifts. If you travel for leisure and adventure, your travel essentials will be different each time.

But before we get to what to put inside your travel essentials bag, you need to find the perfect minimalist travel suitcase. Minimalist carry-on luggage should be lightweight, maneuverable, and truly carry-on size. Don’t overstuff a duffel until it can’t fit in the bins. And make sure to research what carry-on size is for the airlines you frequently travel on.

If you’re traveling for work, you want something sleek — maybe with a stackable briefcase for easy access to work documents. If you’re visiting family and friends, you want something that can expand or collapse but still stay carry-on size. That way once you offload your gifts or take home some home-cooked meals, you’ll still have room in your suitcase.

Traveling for pleasure depends on your style. Backpacking? Duh, bring a giant backpack. Taking a stylish trip to a dream destination? Go for something sleek. Make sure to choose a waterproof and lockable bag just in case you’re trapped in the elements or forced to gate-check your bag.

What to carry in a backpack when traveling

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For my personal item, I bring either my trusty fanny pack or a backpack for longer trips. I sometimes bring my weekender to round out my minimalist luggage.

I like the Beis travel bag because it can collapse or expand as needed. As a self-professed luggage minimalist, here are my travel essentials:

Travel-sized skincare. I carry these in my personal item in case I have to gate check. I can’t risk losing my skincare in my luggage — been there, done that.
Travel documents: From copies of your passport to your ID and itineraries, travel insurance information, and any necessary visas in a secure, waterproof bag.
First Aid Kit: Include essentials like band-aids, pain relievers, antiseptic wipes, and any necessary prescription medications. I also pack sunscreen, hand sanitizer, and body wipes — you never know when they’ll come in handy.
Tech Gear: Bring along your smartphone, a portable charger, headphones, and a travel adapter if you’re headed overseas.
Entertainment: I knew someone who always traveled with a deck of cards. Or just download an ebook or a couple episodes of a show you can watch offline.

Tips and tricks for being a luggage minimalist

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It isn’t just what you pack, but how you pack and how you travel. Being a luggage minimalist is a lifestyle. It’s about setting yourself up to breeze through airport security, using versatile products that can give you more bang for your buck, and working smarter not harder.

Lastly, adopt a mindset of intentional packing. Before adding an item to your bag, ask yourself if it’s truly necessary and if you’ll use it frequently during your trip. Remember that you can always purchase items that you need locally if you find yourself missing something essential. By packing light and thoughtfully, you’ll not only enjoy greater freedom and flexibility during your travels but also minimize stress and maximize enjoyment.

Here’s how you master traveling like a luggage minimalist

Pack by color scheme: If you want to make the most out of your clothing, choose a color palette and stick to it so everything goes together and you can mix and match.
Lightweight jackets: Invest in high-quality, lightweight fabrics that are comfortable, durable, and take up less space in your bag. I’ve traveled with a heavy, down Carhartt to the desert. Not my finest moment.
Go digital: Not that anyone is still using a physical map, but take the next step and digitize everything. Download digital books and become a Kindle convert — at least for your beach reads.
Packing cubes: To maximize your space, try using packing cubes. They’re a great source of compression, plus they protect your clothes from potential spillages and the underside of your shoes.
Be discerning: I hate coming back from vacation and realizing I didn’t wear half of what I packed. Be strict with yourself. Adopt the mindset of donating clothes — think of your trip as the last goodbye.

Your luggage minimalist era awaits you. Remember, less is more. And the less you bring, the more space you have for souvenirs.