" You're an idiot,"? was the exact reaction I got from my mom when I told her that I would be packing ultra-light.
What do I mean when I say I'll be packing ultra-light?
Well I'm trading in my 65 liter Eagle Creek Explorer LT for a Futura 28 Day Pack
, and that is the only bag I'll be taking on my 4 month trip to South-East Asia. OK, so now you think I'm an idiot too, don't you?
It's not an original idea and it has been done successfully before.
I first heard of this style of travel through a series of blog posts on Gadling called Life Nomadic.
I was intrigued to the learn of author Tyan, who has been a huge proponent of this style of travel, having traveled this way for years.
I've always traveled light. On my first trip, my backpack weighed in at under 20lbs, fully loaded.
I smirked every time another traveler would walk into my hostel wearing a 90L monster packed to the brim with whatever didn't fit hanging off the side like a traveling salesman.
Scaling down my gear to a 28L pack may seem impossible but really it's not, the golden rule is light, thin clothes and less of them. That coupled with upgrading my gear to the smallest option available will make it possible.
For example, instead of taking a day pack I'll be taking a Kiva Key Chain Pack
, which is a full day pack that will scrunch up into a little zippered package small enough to fit on a key chain.
For my trip to Cuba, I used an even smaller bag as a test.
Though I was staying in one place throughout the entire trip, it wasn't a true test, but it did assure me that my plan was plausible.
But why would I want to put myself through the strain of having to do without?
Besides the obvious advantage of not hauling around the extra weight, I will enjoy several other benefits, mainly that I can take everything I own everywhere.
I probably won't always, but if I ever feel that my room isn't secure then I won't suffer when I take it with me.
I will also be taking my pack on treks with me.
In particular, if there is a trek that follows a point A to point B route, then usually guest houses will arrange for your bags to be sent to your destination.
Maybe it's just my obsession with reading horror stories, but I don't like the idea of parting with my only possessions on the continent for extended periods of time. By packing ultra-light, I won't have to.
Considering I'll be on approximately 11 flights in the next year, across multiple countries and carriers, packing this light will allow me to keep my possessions within arm's reach at all times.
If my bag were to get lost even for a few days it would be a monumental setback. Doesn't skipping the baggage claim after a long flight sound like a little slice of heaven?
The most enticing reason for me to travel ultra-light is the sheer challenge. It will make me a more disciplined, and efficient traveler. Even when I want nothing more then the roomy comfort of my old bag, I will have no choice but to persevere.
Travel is all about pushing yourself and your comfort zones, and what better way is there to do that than by taking the road less traveled?
Below is the video explaining how to pack ultra-light that inspired me to push myself.
Shawnosaurus says
Hey Matt, I bought the same Deuter Futura 28 pack after reading Tyan's posts too! :) It's a fantastic pack - very intelligently built. My only complaint was the frame that lets your back breathe also increases the profile size of the pack. So it doesn't lay down as nicely as it could while trying to cram it into a small space.
I also used a 32L pack for 6 weeks in central america and had no problem whatsoever. Hell, I even had space to spare. I am adding a small laptop to the mix, and going for longer on this upcoming trip, so I think I am going to cave and go with a larger pack. It makes me sad and nervous to have such a large pack though.
Will you be posting more details on your gear choices? Like what you finally end up fitting into the Deuter? Best of luck!
Matthew Kyhnn says
Traveling light is the way to go. Good luck with it! I packed for a year in New Zealand in my Gregory Baltoro 70L - and it's not even packed to the brim! With nothing hanging off the sides ...
safe travels
Dave says
I'm lost when it comes to describing backpacks in Liters, but at 10 kilos/20lbs, I was on the small end of the spectrum for sure.
I'd really like to try going ultra-light.
Matthew says
I'll have a couple more posts on packing before the trip, look for them closer to my departure date. I'll have a full rundown of my gear.
Andy Mesa says
Scaling down is good, but you're gonna find because of the design of the bag you might still have to stow it. That bag won't fit in many compartments. I own an eBags Weekender and an REI Vagabond, both about 40-50L if packed full but I rarely do. With compression straps it's all flat against my back and close to my body for better mobility, and because they're more like carry-on bags they fit luggage compartments and looks smaller than they seem.
65L is definitely too big, carry-on size is best, but you need to pay further attention to dimensions and not just carrying capacity. I have a hard time believing that bag fits the standard 22" x 14" x 9" compartment.
Andy Mesa says
Actually, my mistake, it seems the grey/red bag is not the one you're planning on using.
Andy Mesa says
10 kg is the carry-on limit for most low cost airlines, so it's definitely what you should be aiming for.
ShannonOD says
Looks like the males have weighed in - as a female, I just don't think I could do it in 28 liters. I took 52L on my RTW and I while there is some stuff I wouldn't have taken again...28 flabbergasts me ;-) I like the video..but again, I'd love to see how a woman does it in 28!
rtw_lin says
Ladies, traveling light is NOT just for the guys! I'm currently on a RTW trip and for the past 11 months (5 more to go) I have been perfectly happy--and well stocked!--with my 35 liter pack. I don't use a daybag either, just a small wristlet and sometimes a plastic grocery bag if I carry water/beach blanket/umbrella/etc. As a matter of fact, my next trip will see me carrying even less because you really just don't need much! Happy travels! :)
Dave says
Hey Andy - yes, that was my goal, and my Gregory Chaos pack lets me get away with carry-on when packed right. The problem I ran into with my RTW trip - I was unwilling to throw away all my liquid and gel toiletries and medications before each flight. It was less about the cost of replacing them and had more to do with the difficulty you can sometimes have finding what you want in the pharmacies and markets of foreign countries. Luckily, my pack always arrived at the same time I did!
Dave says
I agree in theory to packing super light, but in practice, I still have trouble letting go of certain items. I think I could better do it if I were going to a specific region, like SE Asia, where it is warm and inexpensive to buy extra items as you go.
On the plus side, it's severely limit my souvenir buying habits!
Dave says
Hi Lindsey - thanks for chiming in! I love what you did with the detailed gear list. A great resource for future travelers.
Vi @ Travel Tips says
Will be interesting to see your final list. Don't see how I could fit all my stuff into 28l
Barbalootz says
Regarding the video: Wow, more electronic chargers than expected. And a LOT of electronics. I am more surprised that its not just a netbook (for business), a camera + a phone charger. I know, they don't make electronics easy to pack because there is no universal cable system, but you get what I mean. Everything is reverting to USB and connecting to hand cranks or solar rechargers in new travel innovations/non-electric ready innovations.
The Kiva backpack, though, is awesome.
Kudos for getting all that in there!
Lieve says
Hi Matthew, great video.
I'm wondering, how do you use the kettlestack? You go to a local gym and use their weights?
Chris says
We are packing for a year on the road: 8 months in Asia and 4 months in Europe. I am taking a 50 liter backpack, and my partner is taking a 65 (mine expands out to 70, but we are not expanding it). Her's is not even close to fully packed. Not too ultra light, but not too shabby either.
I have to admit, the one bulky item I just couldn't live without was my teaset. I have a travel kit that is smaller, but still bulky. Most of our destinations in Asia are tea-oriented, and not having a setup with me that I am familiar with makes it SUPER hard to judge new tea, and I don't want to constantly buy and ditch tea sets. Since this trip is as much about learning the way of tea as it is travel, I had to bring it. Se la vie!!!!
Dave says
If you're super into tea tasting, then by all means, bring the tea set!
mary says
I'm planning on using an 18 L pack to go through SE Asia for approx 6 months. I pre packed it just for fun, and I was able to fit the following items with a little extra room.
2 tank tops, 2 t shirts, 1 light wt long sleeve shirt, 1 shorts, 1 capri pants, 1 pajamas, 4 underwear, 1 bra, 1 microfibre towel, 1 facecloth, 1 bathing suit, 1 sarong, 2 tubes of toothpaste, soap, travel size shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, toothbrush, floss, comb, guide book, calculator, calendar, small camera, sunscreen, and flipflops. I can pick up stuff as I run out for personal use. Clothes are cheap down there so I really don't feel the need to drag my entire closet with me. Am I crazy?
Dave says
Nope! Skimping on clothes is one of the best ways to lighten your load, though if you stop in one town or city for a prolonged period of time, you might start to feel a little self conscious about always wearing the same thing, at least I do.
Chriszzz says
I know this article is from 2009, so a few good years have already passed by, but i have some comments to share.
I've been a strong advocate of travelling light since the late 1990's, when I first went to Italy with a 60L bag ( a Deuter Traveller that weighed almost 3kg EMPTY ), and when fully loaded made every step a remorseful experience.
Since then, I've pared down my luggage, and I pack lighter every trip. In fact just returned from a 2 week trip to Laos with a Jansport Wasabi rucksack that weighed 0.4kg empty, and 3.8Kg fully loaded, a load that is just slightly heavier than my large Deuter empty. Even then, I brought stuff that I didn't use at all, so I'm planning to reduce this to under 3kg in my next trip.
Why the relentless quest for lightness ? 3 words: Peace of Mind. Peace of mind knowing that I can pick up my bag as soon as I get off the bus and go for a stroll without killing myself or having to first hunt for a place to ditch heavy luggage.
Peace of mind knowing my luggage is with me IN the bus, rather than in the luggage compartment where I cannot see it. On my recent trip, the luggage compartment of the bus ( which was not in the best of conditions ) kept opening during the drive, and the driver had to stop the bus to close the door repeatedly. If my bag were in the compartment, I would be pretty worried that it might have fallen off the bus, or someone might have taken it by mistake.
Peace of mind knowing that I can walk or cycle indefinitely with a lightweight bag on my back. That is priceless for a traveller on a "free and easy" travel.
And peace of mind knowing that I can go from fully unpacked to packed and ready to depart in less than 10 minutes. When you travel light (and organized), you don't need much time to repack your bag.
Dave says
Hi Chris,
Thanks for taking the time to share your approach to traveling light.