A field guide to packing light

I used to pack for every possible version of a trip. What if it rained every day? What if there was a fancy dinner? What if I suddenly took up hiking? I’d arrive at the airport with a suitcase full of maybes and come home having worn half of it.

These days, I travel with a single carry-on bag, whether I’m going away for a weekend or a month. It’s one of the best travel decisions I’ve ever made.

Why travel light

The benefits go far beyond skipping baggage claim:

• You move freely. Stairs, cobblestones, crowded trains, and last-minute changes of plan stop being obstacles.
• You decide less. With fewer options, getting dressed takes seconds.
• You worry less. There’s less to lose, less to track, and less to repack every few days.

Every item you bring is something you’ll have to carry, look after, and decide about.

The core rules

Pack for one week, no matter how long the trip. Laundry exists almost everywhere. A sink and a bar of soap go a long way.

Choose one color palette. I stick to neutrals with one accent color, so everything works with everything else.

Wear your bulkiest items in transit. Boots and a jacket take up a lot of room in a bag and none at all on your body.

Favor fabrics that forgive. Merino wool and lightweight synthetics resist wrinkles and odors, and dry overnight.

My basic list

For most trips, I pack roughly the following:

1. Four tops and two pairs of trousers
2. One warm layer and one light waterproof jacket
3. Five sets of underwear and socks
4. One pair of comfortable walking shoes, plus the pair I’m wearing
5. A small toiletry bag with travel-size essentials
6. A notebook, a book, and a charger

Everything else, I’ve learned, can be bought, borrowed, or done without.

The freedom of less

The first time I traveled light, I was nervous I’d forgotten something important. By the second day, I’d stopped thinking about my bag entirely. That’s the real gift of packing light: your attention goes to the place you’re visiting instead of the things you brought with you.