In the latest video by Away Together with Nik and Allie, they explore the fundamental travel gear you shouldn’t leave behind for your 2024 adventures. After six months of full-time travel, they’ve distilled their experiences into 24 essential items, ensuring that your journey is as light and efficient as possible. By showcasing products that have been personally tested and approved, they aim to make your one-bag travel experience smoother and more enjoyable. Trustworthy partners like Unbound Merino support their tips, providing versatile clothing options perfect for any explorer’s wardrobe.
As you prepare for your next trip, this guide offers valuable insights into the right gear—from carry-on bags and travel toiletry essentials to noise-canceling headphones and portable power banks. Nik and Allie’s recommendations are curated to meet various travel needs, ensuring you have multifunctional items that offer convenience and ease. Their advice is designed to empower DIY travelers, offering additional resources like packing tips and strategies for finding affordable flights. With this compact yet comprehensive packing list, you’ll be well-equipped to embark on your next adventure with peace of mind.
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Choosing the Right Carry-on Bag
Opt for the Best: Evaluate options like the Osprey Porter 46 and Monos Carryon Pro for maximum efficiency.
When it comes to travel, especially when you’re trying to stick to just one bag, choosing the right carry-on is one of the most critical decisions you will make. The Osprey Porter 46 and Monos Carryon Pro come highly recommended for their unique blend of function and convenience. The Osprey Porter 46 is perfect for those who prefer a backpack-style carry-on. It’s spacious, versatile, and can fit all your essentials while remaining compact enough to meet airline carry-on requirements. On the other hand, the Monos Carryon Pro offers a sleek, hard-sided design with a front compartment for easy access to laptops and travel documents. This bag is ideal if you prefer a more traditional suitcase approach but with modern advancements in durability and style.
Find Flexibility: Look for features that allow easy access and expansion.
Flexibility in your carry-on bag can make a world of difference when navigating airports and shifting from city to city. Look for carry-ons with multiple compartments that allow you to access your belongings quickly. A bag with expandable sections can offer extra space when needed, allowing for those last-minute purchases or souvenirs. Additionally, features like robust zippers, easy-to-access outer pockets, and comfortable straps or handles contribute significantly to ease of use. Bags that can be both carried as backpacks and handled like suitcases give you the flexibility to adapt to different situations seamlessly.
Clothing Essentials
Trust Merino Wool: Invest in lightweight, moisture-wicking, and wrinkle-resistant apparel from brands like Unbound Merino.
Merino wool is an excellent choice for travelers. Not only is it lightweight and easy to pack, but it also boasts moisture-wicking and wrinkle-resistant properties, making it suitable for a range of environments and activities. Investing in a few core pieces from trusted brands like Unbound Merino can greatly enhance your travel wardrobe. These garments are antibacterial, meaning they resist odors, so they can be worn multiple times before needing a wash. This reduces the amount of clothing you need to bring, thus minimizing your luggage weight and size.
Pack a Packable Jacket: Find jackets that compress easily without sacrificing warmth.
Whether you’re off to a wintry destination or simply preparing for cooler evenings, a packable jacket is an indispensable item for your packing list. These jackets give you the warmth and protection you need against the elements while being lightweight enough to compress into tight spaces, such as a small pouch or into a corner of your bag. Look for options made from materials like down or advanced synthetics, which offer excellent warmth-to-weight ratios, ensuring that you stay comfortable without burdening your travel load.
Choose Versatile Walking Shoes: Prioritize comfort and neutrality so they match any outfit.
When traveling, versatile walking shoes can be your best friend. They should prioritize comfort to ensure that long days on your feet don’t end in pain. Neutral color palettes such as black, white, or gray can allow your shoes to blend seamlessly with any outfit, from casual jeans to evening wear. This versatility means you won’t need to pack multiple pairs, saving space and reducing luggage weight. Choose shoes with good arch support and breathability to keep your feet comfortable and dry, regardless of the weather or terrain.
Efficient Packing Techniques
Master the Art with Packing Cubes: Use compression cubes to optimize space and organization.
Packing cubes are a traveler’s secret weapon for maintaining an organized suitcase or backpack. By compartmentalizing your belongings, you can easily access what you need when you need it. Compression cubes go a step further by enabling you to reduce the volume of your clothes, offering more space for other essentials or souvenirs. They’re particularly useful for longer trips where space is at a premium. With a variety of sizes available, they can be used to pack everything from jeans to toiletries while keeping your setup neat and efficient.
Implement Layered Packing: Organize by usage frequency for easy accessibility.
Layered packing is about strategically placing items in your bag according to their frequency of use. Pack items you regularly need, such as toiletries and a fresh change of clothes, at the top. Things you’ll only access at your destination, like formal attire, can be stowed deeper. This method prevents you from needing to unpack your entire bag at every stop, saving time and keeping your packing system intact throughout your journey.
Toiletry Essentials Without the Bulk
Select Compact Toiletry Bags: Go for bags with hooks and separate pockets to save space.
A compact toiletry bag is a must-have for efficient packing. Look for options featuring hooks, allowing you to hang them in small spaces and keep your toiletries within easy reach. The inclusion of separate pockets helps organize your items, ensuring you can quickly find what you need without rummaging. This organization is particularly useful for preventing accidental spills or leaks. A durable, water-resistant material is also beneficial to withstand the rigors of travel.
Employ Silicone Liquid Containers: Prevent leaks and comply with security regulations.
Silicone liquid containers are game-changers for carrying your liquids. They are durable, flexible, and designed to prevent leaks, minimizing the risk of having shampoo or sunscreen spill over your clothes. Additionally, their customizable volume often complies with airline security regulations concerning liquids, which makes them an ideal choice for carry-on luggage. With color-coded designs, you can easily identify the contents without opening each bottle.
Stay Powered On the Go
Pack a Portable Power Bank: Keep devices charged without hunting for outlets.
A portable power bank ensures that your devices stay charged on the go, so you won’t have to search for outlets at every stop. It’s a reliable backup that provides peace of mind when your phone or tablet runs low, especially during crucial moments like navigating a new city or checking important travel documents. Opt for a power bank with multiple USB ports and a high capacity to charge several devices multiple times.
Utilize a Universal Travel Adapter: Ensure compatibility with outlets globally.
Carrying a universal travel adapter is essential for international travel. This compact device integrates various plug types, ensuring your electronics can be powered regardless of local electrical outlet standards. Some modern adapters also come with USB ports, which can make charging multiple devices simultaneously even easier. By adding this twined capability to your travel gear, you ensure seamless connectivity and reduce the number of items you need to pack.
Tech Accessories Must-Haves
Bring a Long Charging Cable: Reach inconvenient outlets with ease.
Long charging cables provide flexibility to reach power sources that may not be conveniently located. Whether it’s a far-reaching wall plug at a café or a public charging station at the airport, an extended cable ensures your device can comfortably rest in a safe spot while charging. Opt for durable, tangle-resistant materials that can withstand the wear and tear of being plugged and unplugged multiple times.
Organize with a Tech Pouch: Prevent cable and accessory clutter.
Keeping your tech accessories organized is crucial when traveling. A tech pouch helps corral cables, adapters, and small electronic gadgets, ensuring nothing gets tangled or misplaced. With compartments designed to fit various tech essentials, these pouches streamline your packing process and make finding what you need a breeze. Storing all your tech gear in one place also makes security checks smoother and quicker.
Enhance Travel Comfort
Use Noise-Canceling Headphones: Create a bubble of tranquility wherever you go.
Noise-canceling headphones are an invaluable tool for frequent travelers. They can transform noisy environments like airplanes or busy terminals into personal zones of tranquility. By reducing ambient noise, these headphones improve your travel experience considerably, whether you’re looking to rest or enjoy your favorite music or podcasts. Choose models with a comfortable fit and long battery life to ensure they last through lengthy legs of your journey.
Pack a Travel Eye Mask: Ensure deep rest on the plane and at your destination.
A travel eye mask can significantly enhance your comfort when trying to rest in bright or unfamiliar environments. It blocks out unwanted light, helping you achieve deeper, more restful sleep. This can be crucial on long-haul flights or when adjusting to different time zones. Look for masks made from soft, breathable materials that contour to the face without causing discomfort.
Document and Discover
Carry a Small Tripod: Capture all angles of your travel adventures.
A small tripod is essential for those who want to capture steady, professional-looking photos and videos. Compact and lightweight, it fits easily into a bag without adding much weight. This tool is ideal for low-light settings or time-lapse videos, where hand-held shots might falter. It also frees you to be in your photos, capturing memorable moments from all angles without needing a helping hand.
Track with an Apple AirTag: Safeguard your valuables and find lost items easily.
Using an Apple AirTag can provide peace of mind by helping track your valuables. These small devices can easily attach to your luggage or essential items. Linked to your smartphone, they allow for quick location tracking, which is invaluable if anything gets misplaced during transit. This means less worry and more focus on enjoying your travel experience.
Hydration and Convenience
Always Have a Water Bottle: Stay refreshed and avoid costly airport beverages.
Traveling can be parched work, and staying hydrated is key to comfort and health on long journeys. By carrying a reusable water bottle, you can regularly refill it and have access to water without purchasing expensive bottled alternatives. Many bottles now come with purifying filters, providing clean drinking water in locales where tap water might not be safe.
Utilize Carabiners: Attach essentials to your bag for quick access.
Carabiners are handy for keeping essential items easily accessible during your trip. Use them to attach small gear like water bottles, hats, or keys to your bag, ensuring these necessities are always within reach. Lightweight yet strong, carabiners can also help you create extra space by temporarily affixing items outside your bag.
Conclusion
Strategize for Success: Emphasize multipurpose items to streamline the packing process.
Strategically selecting multi-functional items is the secret to successful one-bag travel. By focusing on gear that serves multiple purposes, you free up space, lighten your load, and simplify your travel checklist. This approach allows you to maintain comfort and convenience without the burden of excess baggage.
Ensure Effortless Travel: With these essentials, make every trip smooth, spontaneous, and enjoyable.
Equipped with these packing essentials, you’re set for smooth and enjoyable travel experiences. The smart choices you’ve made—from efficient packing techniques to essential tech accessories—mean you’re ready to embrace spontaneity and adventure without the usual hassles. Enjoy every moment of your journey, confident in your streamlined, strategic packing choices.