How to Become a Backpack Traveler

In 2016, I said good riddance to my suitcase and became a backpack traveler. And I have never, ever regretted it. Since then I’ve learned a lot about how to best utilize a travel backpack to get the most of your traveling experience. Oftentimes people assume they couldn’t travel carrying all their belongings. But you’d be really surprised how easy it is. My backpack carries close to the same amount as my small carry-on did. The difference is that with a travel backpack, I can walk to my hotel on cobblestone streets, board an airplane with ease and save space in my hotel room. Here’s a quick guide on how to backpack travel:

Purchase a quality backpack

Travel backpacks are not all created equal. Choose a quality backpack with rave reviews from people who use the backpacks for a variety of trip types. Backpacks come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are top loading while others have a full-front zipper, similar to a suitcase. Backpacks can also have many helpful features depending on their size and make, such as water resistance, internal frame, compartments, etc. Think about the features that are important to you to help choose your backpack.

(Currently, I use the Cotopaxi 35L Allpa backpack and it’s absolutely incredible.)

Think size, shape and purpose of items

One of the biggest criticisms of backpack traveling is that you can’t bring as many items as you can with a suitcase. When packed efficiently, a backpack can carry a surprising amount of items. However, no matter how much room your bag can handle it’s important to think about how everything works together. In a cold climate, for example, you still might only bring two sweaters for the week and add smaller, lighter long sleeve shirts that you could layer in different combinations for the week.

Only bring the essential toiletries

Generally, toiletries take up unnecessary room and weight in your luggage with items that can easily be purchased or available for free at your destination. When packing your travel backpack, only bring toiletries that would be unavailable or too burdensome to get at your destination. This might include face cleansers or specialized hair products. Otherwise, wait to use the free hotel bottles and save yourself some space.

Fold your clothes strategically

Items need to be folded or even rolled strategically to help save space. This video from Buzzfeed’s Bring Me has some great tips on folding your travel items. Personally, I bring a couple more tops than bottoms so I can change out outfits throughout a trip, but packing by outfit is another method many travelers use.

Purchase multifunctional and compact gear

There are always items you’d like to bring that might be too cumbersome to add to your travel bag. Things like a daypack or brush might seem too big to add to a backpack. Many companies have come up with products to help travelers carry more in small spaces. Often the items are created to fold into themselves and become much smaller than the normal size or they are mini-versions of the same product. It might take time and some money to accumulate these items but they can be worth the expense for the space saved.

A couple of my favorite multifunction and compact gear I bring with me on every trip:
Eddie Bauer Stowaway Daypack that collapses into the front zipper
Eddie Bauer Rainfoil Packable Jacket that folds into its front pocket
USA Gear FlexARMOR DSLR camera cover that fits easily into your travel backpack
Anker PowerCore Portable Charger that is a small beast that can charge my iPhone 3.5 times on a single charge
Amazon Basics Packing Cubes that are perfect to easily organize your travel items

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