Decided to travel light and head out for a weekend with just a backpack? Before diving into your backpacking checklist and tossing everything haphazardly into your bag, take a moment to read our tips. These will help you save space and avoid carrying unnecessary items you won’t end up using.
- Invest in a Quality Backpack
What’s more important for backpacking than the backpack itself? That’s right—nothing. Choosing a practical and high-quality backpack is key to ensuring a comfortable trip. But what features should the best bags for traveling light have?
| Feature | Description |
| Ergonomic Design | A good backpack should have padded shoulder straps, a hip belt, and a back panel designed to evenly distribute weight. |
| Suitable Size and Volume | For weekend trips with cabin accommodation, a 30L backpack is ideal. For longer hikes or camping weekends, a 40L backpack will serve you better. |
| Durable Material | Opt for a backpack made from durable, waterproof material or one with a built-in rain cover. |
| Functionality and Organization | Ensure the backpack has enough compartments and pockets for easy organization. Some even come with special sections for laptops, water bottles, or sleeping bags. |
- Plan Your Outfits in Advance
Backpacking comes with its own set of challenges. One of them is giving up the luxury of waking up and choosing an outfit based on your mood that day. If you want to pack everything you need for an entire weekend into one backpack, you’ll have to be strategic and bring only what you’re sure to wear.
That’s why it’s essential to plan your outfits for each day in advance and avoid packing any extra clothes. The best travel clothes for traveling light are versatile, easy to mix and match, and suitable for various activities. The same goes for footwear—choose a comfortable pair of shoes that can handle your entire weekend with ease.
- Limit Electronics
Do you really need to bring your phone, laptop, digital camera, smartwatches, and power bank for a weekend trip? A smartphone can handle most of those functions. If you can manage without a laptop or camera, you’ll save not only weight but also the hassle of protecting and charging them.
Instead of carrying ten different chargers, get a universal adapter that can charge all your devices. Check out other travel hacks that will make your preparations easier and ensure smooth travel.
Instead of carrying ten different chargers, get a universal adapter that can charge all your devices. Check out other travel hacks that will make your preparations easier and ensure smooth travel.
- Get Travel-Sized Cosmetics
Traveling light doesn’t mean packing full-sized bottles of shower gel and other toiletries. Take advantage of miniatures of individual products available at drugstores. Alternatively, buy small travel-sized bottles and transfer your favorite products into them.
Consider how many cosmetic products you truly need. If you have a daily skincare routine with eight steps, think about whether any of them can be skipped to save space and weight in your backpack. You may find that a few products can be replaced with one versatile item.
- Pack Your Clothes in Organizers
Fabric organizers are essential for any backpacking trip. They help keep your backpack organized. Place one type of clothing in each organizer — use one for shirts, another for underwear, and a third for pants. This way, you won’t have to rummage through your entire backpack whenever you’re looking for a specific piece of clothing.
Time to Head Out on Your Next Adventure
Backpacking for a weekend getaway doesn’t have to be complicated. It just takes a bit of planning and consideration. With these simple tips, you’ll be able to pack everything you need without carrying unnecessary weight.