Traveling internationally with just one or two bags has never been easier—or more popular. A wave of lightweight gear, versatile clothing, and smart electronics makes minimalist travel more accessible than ever.
But with all these options, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Every year brings a new “must-have” jacket, backpack, or pair of shoes. If you’re just getting started, the research alone can feel like a full-time job.
This guide is here to help you make smart, simple gear decisions. It’s updated regularly and focuses on high-quality, practical gear for one-bag travel.
Ground Rules for This Guide
All products listed here meet these basic requirements:
Available now (no preorders or discontinued gear)
Can be bought online
Reasonably priced (some premium options are included, but nothing absurd)
Most sections include both premium and budget options, along with direct product links where possible. Prices are in USD.
⚠️ This is a curated list of options, not a shopping list. Don’t buy everything here—choose what fits your needs.
Backpacks
Looking for a personal recommendation? Ask the community at Reddit’s /r/onebag—they’re super helpful.
Maximum Carry-On Size (30L+)
Great for replacing a rolling suitcase:
All-purpose: Aer Travel Pack 3 or Minaal Carry-on 3.0
Outdoors/hiking: Osprey Farpoint 40 or Deuter AViANT Carry On Pro 36 — try in-store to ensure fit
Typical Loadouts (20–30L)
Ideal for most one-bag travelers:
All-purpose: Tom Bihn Synik 30 or Nomatic Navigator 30L
Minimal travel: Tortuga Travel Backpack 30L
Outdoors/hiking: Deuter Futura 28 SL/Men’s
Light Loadouts (15–20L)
Perfect for ultra-light packers:
All-purpose: Tom Bihn Synik 22 or Able Carry Daily Plus
Ultralight (<15L)
If you’re traveling this light, you probably know what you’re doing. Try:
Matador Beast18 (ultralight frame)
Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Pack
Even a fanny pack, grocery bag, or dry sack works
Daypacks
These should pack down easily into your main bag.
Best all-rounder: REI Flash 18 or Decathlon Ultra Compact Pack
Lightweight/minimal: Matador Freerain22 or Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Day Pack
Photography: WANDRD Rogue Sling 6L or Peak Design Everyday Sling 3L
Clothing: Tops
Button-Downs
Hot weather (linen): Wool & Prince Linen Shirt or Uniqlo Premium Linen Shirt
Everyday (cotton blend): Proper Cloth Everyday Oxford or Lands’ End Hyde Park Oxford
Merino Tees
Wool & Prince Merino T-Shirt ($85)
Woolly Ultralight Tee ($45)
Cotton Tees
Next Level Fitted Tee ($5–10)
Uniqlo U Crew Neck Tee ($15)
Sweater
Uniqlo Extra Fine Merino or Woolly Merino Sweater ($65)
Blazer
Bluffworks Gramercy Blazer ($295)
Haggar Smart Wash Blazer ($120)
Clothing: Bottoms
Pants
Versatile: Bluffworks Ascender Chinos or Western Rise Evolution Pant 2.0
Active: Prana Brion II or Lululemon ABC Pants
Shorts
Outlier New Way Shorts ($125)
Ten Thousand Set Short or Patagonia Baggies ($69)
Swim/Hybrid
Vuori Banks Short or Columbia PFG Backcast III
Clothing: Outerwear
Packable Down Jackets
Montbell Plasma 1000 Alpine ($379)
Uniqlo Ultra Light Down ($80)
Rab Microlight Alpine ($295)
Rain Jackets
Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket ($180)
Marmot PreCip Eco ($100)
Decathlon Raincut ($30)
Clothing: Basics
Undershirts: Icebreaker Anatomica Crew ($75) or Uniqlo Airism ($10)
Leggings: Woolx Basecamp Merino Leggings or Decathlon Merino 500
Boxers: Saxx Quest or Uniqlo Airism Boxer Briefs
Socks: Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew (still unbeatable)
Travel Footwear
All-Purpose
Vivobarefoot Gobi III or Lems Boulder Boot
Mostly Urban
Allbirds Tree Runners or Nike Free RN (if you already own comfy sneakers, start there)
Trail Running
Altra Lone Peak 8 or Merrell Trail Glove 7
Sandals/Flip-Flops
Xero Shoes Z-Trail EV or Teva Universal Sandal
Havaianas for the beach ($18)
Electronics
Laptops
Apple MacBook Air M3 ($1099)
Tablets / eReaders
iPad Mini 6 or Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (wireless charging, $190)
Smartphones (unlocked, waterproof preferred)
iPhone: iPhone SE 3rd Gen or newer
Android: Pixel 8a, Samsung Galaxy A55, or your current phone (seriously, it’s probably fine)
Accessories
Battery pack: Anker PowerCore 20K or Zendure SuperMini
Earphones: Sony WF-1000XM5 (noise canceling) or Soundcore P3i (budget)
Universal adapter: Epicka Universal Travel Adapter ($23)
Action camera: GoPro HERO12 or Insta360 GO 3
Drone: DJI Mini 4 Pro (under 250g, shoots 4K)
Compact Cameras (if phone isn’t enough)
Sony RX100 VII ($1300)
Fujifilm X100VI ($1600)
For budget, check used models or earlier generations (e.g. Sony RX 100 VA or Fuji X100V).
Popular Travel Accessories
Headlamp: Petzl Tikkina ($25)
Water bottle: Hydro Flask 21 oz or Vapur Eclipse (collapsible)
Locks: Abus 64TI/30 (keyed) or TSA-approved combo lock
Earplugs: Loop Quiet ($25)
Sunglasses: Knockaround Premiums ($30) or Ray-Ban Folding Wayfarers
Towel: PackTowl Personal or Dock & Bay Quick Dry
Everything Else (Nice-to-haves)
Playing cards: Ellusionist Waterproof Cards ($10)
Buff/multifunction headwear: Smartwool Merino 150 Buff ($30)
Multi-tool: Leatherman Style PS (TSA-compliant)
Spork: TOAKS Titanium Spork ($10)
Umbrella: Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella ($28) or buy local and leave it
💬 Got a favorite piece of gear? Think something should be added or replaced? Leave a comment and join the conversation!
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