Backpacker friend, this is for you: recommendations and tips for traveling light

I have always been a fan of ‘traveling light’. In my twenties and thirties, it was known as ‘backpacking’, although it was rarely hiking in the wild. Carrying a backpack over your shoulders was often the only way to get on a flight with a stopover or walk around a city in search of an air-conditioned hostel.

I briefly abandoned minimalist travel when my partner and I had young children. But now that they are older, I am introducing them to their joys. Buying plane tickets is more expensive than ever, low-cost airlines always charge more for carrying hand luggage, but now even luxury airlines have started charging fees for carrying hand luggage on the cheapest tickets. Now is a better time than ever to learn to travel with just one personal item.

If you think it’s hard, let me tell you the minimalist packer’s mantra: “The less you carry, the less time you will spend making useless decisions and the more time you will spend traveling.” That shirt you thought would be perfect for Italy? You won’t be able to wear it in the Vatican. Those sports sandals you thought you needed for a hike in Hawaii? Everyone wears beach flip-flops. Leave complicated clothes at home. If you really need it, you can get it there. With less things you can explore more places, save some money and energy to do whatever you want in the destination you visit. Let us show you how it’s done.

Check the dimensions

I’m always amazed at how many people don’t do this and encounter unnecessary fuss when getting on a plane. Check the dimensions that each airline allows for personal items and use a tape measure to measure the size of your carry-on suitcase.

For reference, these are the size requirements for several of the major airlines in Mexico, but you can find those for any airline on their website, and it’s best to check the most up-to-date data:

Some airlines tend to be strict when it comes to enforcing size requirements, so exercise caution. First of all, choose a soft suitcase so that you can put it in the compartment indicated by the flight attendants. Second, put a small bag inside yours with the most essential items, this way you will avoid carrying the larger bag everywhere.

Our favorite suitcases or backpacks

Virtually anything that fits these size requirements will work for personal items. I have used several computer backpacks to store my belongings on flights. However, here are some light suitcases that will help you:

WANDRD CARRYALL

WANDRD

A soft suitcase gives you the most room for maneuver. This is my current travel bag and my personal favorite item; I have taken it on three trips since August. Although WANDRD lists its dimensions as 48 x 30 x 23 centimeters, I measured mine once packed and it turned out to be 43 x 30 x 20 cm, small enough to fit on almost all airlines except British Airways.