One-bag travel is exactly what it sounds like: everything you need for indefinite travel fits in a single carry-on backpack. No checked luggage. No extra bags. Just you and one pack.
For digital nomads, this approach offers something powerful: complete freedom. You can change flights last minute. Hop on a bus without worrying about luggage holds. Walk from airport to accommodation without waiting at carousels. Your entire life—including your mobile office—travels on your back.
But one-bag travel demands ruthless prioritization. Every item must earn its space. This guide covers how to actually make it work.
Quick Navigation:
- Why One-Bag Travel
- The Right Bag
- The Packing System
- What to Pack
- What to Leave Behind
- Making It Work Long-Term
- FAQ
Why One-Bag Travel
The benefits compound the longer you travel:
Speed and Freedom
No checked luggage means:
- Walk straight from plane to exit
- Never wait at baggage claim (saving 30-60 minutes per flight)
- No risk of lost luggage (airlines lose millions of bags yearly)
- Easy connections with tight layovers
- Flexibility to change plans instantly
Cost Savings
One bag eliminates:
- Checked bag fees ($30-60 per flight on budget carriers)
- Excess baggage charges
- Luggage storage costs when exploring
- Need for taxis/Ubers when walking is possible
Over a year of travel, these savings add up to hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Mental Clarity
Less stuff means:
- Fewer decisions about what to wear
- Less time organizing and repacking
- Reduced anxiety about losing things
- More focus on experiences over possessions
Many one-baggers report this mental benefit as the most significant.
Physical Comfort
A 35-40L pack weighing 15-20 lbs is genuinely comfortable to carry. You can walk miles with it. Climb stairs easily. Navigate crowded metros without bumping everyone. A heavy suitcase offers none of these advantages.
The Right Bag
Your bag choice matters enormously. The wrong bag makes one-bag travel miserable; the right bag makes it seamless.
Size: 35-45 Liters
This range maximizes what you can carry while meeting carry-on limits:
- Under 35L: Too small for most people; requires extreme minimalism
- 35-40L: Sweet spot for most one-bag travelers
- 40-45L: Maximum capacity; may exceed some budget airline limits
Critical dimensions: Most airlines allow 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm). Measure your bag loaded—soft bags expand beyond their stated dimensions.
Essential Features
Clamshell/panel opening: Opens like a suitcase for easy packing and access. Top-loading hiking packs don't work for frequent access.
Laptop compartment: Padded, suspended from bottom, easy airport access. Non-negotiable for digital nomads.
Comfortable carry system: Padded shoulder straps, hip belt, and sternum strap distribute weight. You'll carry this bag a lot.
Quality materials: 400D+ nylon, quality zippers (YKK or equivalent), reinforced stress points. Your bag takes abuse daily.
Stowable straps: Hide the hip belt and shoulder straps when checking or storing. Makes the bag look cleaner.
Top Recommendations
Osprey Farpoint/Fairview 40: The default choice. Excellent value, proven durability, perfect size. The Fairview is the women's-specific version with adjusted harness.
Peak Design Travel Backpack: Premium option for tech-heavy travelers. Modular, weatherproof, exceptional organization.
Tortuga Outbreaker: Purpose-built for one-bag travel. Excellent organization and protection.
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L: Colorful, well-organized, slightly smaller for lighter packers.
For complete backpack recommendations, see our travel backpack guide.
The Packing System
Organization makes one-bag travel functional. Without systems, you're constantly digging for items.
Packing Cubes Are Non-Negotiable
Packing cubes transform a chaotic bag into an organized system:
- Cube 1 (Medium): T-shirts, base layers
- Cube 2 (Small): Underwear, socks
- Cube 3 (Medium): Pants, shorts
- Compression cube: Bulky items (jacket, hoodie)
When you arrive at accommodation, pull cubes directly into drawers. Repacking takes 5 minutes.
Tech Organization
Your tech needs its own system:
- Tech pouch: Cables, chargers, adapters, small electronics
- Laptop sleeve: If not using bag's built-in compartment
- Power bank pocket: Quick access for charging on the go
See our tech pouch recommendations for specific options.
Toiletry System
A hanging toiletry bag with clear compartments:
- Hangs anywhere for instant access
- Clear sections let you find items quickly
- TSA-compliant bottles for carry-on
The "Accessibility Principle"
Pack items by frequency of access:
- Top/front: Items needed during travel (documents, snacks, headphones)
- Middle: Items needed daily (toiletries, one day's clothes)
- Bottom: Items needed rarely (backup clothes, rarely-used gear)
What to Pack
The complete one-bag packing list for digital nomads:
Tech (Non-Negotiable)
| Item | Weight | |------|--------| | Laptop + charger | 3-4 lbs | | Phone + charger | 0.5 lbs | | Power bank (laptop-capable) | 1.2 lbs | | Universal adapter | 0.3 lbs | | Noise-cancelling headphones | 0.5 lbs | | Cables (USB-C x2) | 0.1 lbs | | Tech Total | ~6 lbs |
Optional tech additions based on work:
- Portable laptop stand (+0.4 lbs)
- External keyboard/mouse (+1 lb)
- External SSD (+0.1 lbs)
Clothing (7-10 Days Rotation)
| Item | Quantity | Weight | |------|----------|--------| | Merino t-shirts | 3 | 0.75 lbs | | Long-sleeve merino | 1 | 0.3 lbs | | Button-down shirt | 1 | 0.4 lbs | | Versatile pants | 2 | 1.2 lbs | | Shorts | 1 | 0.3 lbs | | Underwear (merino) | 4 | 0.4 lbs | | Socks (merino) | 4 | 0.3 lbs | | Packable jacket | 1 | 0.6 lbs | | Clothing Total | | ~4.25 lbs |
Shoes: Wear your heaviest shoes (sneakers). Pack sandals only (0.5 lbs).
For building an effective travel wardrobe, see our capsule wardrobe guide.
Organization
| Item | Weight | |------|--------| | Packing cubes (set) | 0.5 lbs | | Tech pouch | 0.3 lbs | | Toiletry bag + contents | 1.5 lbs | | Organization Total | ~2.3 lbs |
Documents & Security
| Item | Weight | |------|--------| | Passport + wallet | 0.3 lbs | | Document holder | 0.1 lbs | | Small locks (2) | 0.2 lbs | | Documents Total | ~0.6 lbs |
Comfort & Health
| Item | Weight | |------|--------| | First aid kit | 0.3 lbs | | Eye mask + earplugs | 0.1 lbs | | Microfiber towel | 0.3 lbs | | Water bottle (empty) | 0.2 lbs | | Comfort Total | ~0.9 lbs |
Total Pack Weight
| Category | Weight | |----------|--------| | Bag (empty) | 3-4 lbs | | Tech | 6 lbs | | Clothing | 4.25 lbs | | Organization | 2.3 lbs | | Documents | 0.6 lbs | | Comfort | 0.9 lbs | | Total | 17-18 lbs |
This weight meets most airline carry-on limits with margin to spare.
What to Leave Behind
One-bag travel requires saying no to many items that seem essential but aren't:
"Just in Case" Items
If you might need something once in three months, don't pack it. You can buy or borrow almost anything anywhere in the world.
Duplicate Clothing
You don't need a different outfit every day. Merino wool can be worn multiple days. Laundry exists everywhere.
Heavy Books
Physical books are heavy. A Kindle holds thousands. If you must read physical books, trade them at hostels when finished.
Bulky Toiletries
Full-size bottles of anything. Buy travel sizes or decant. Replenish as you travel.
Specialty Items
Hiking boots for one hike. Formal wear for one event. Rent or borrow specialty items locally rather than carrying them permanently.
Excessive Tech
The third power bank. The backup laptop. The camera you rarely use. Each device adds weight and complexity.
Emotional Items
Sentimental objects that don't serve a practical purpose. Take photos of them instead.
Making It Work Long-Term
One-bag travel isn't just a packing strategy—it's a lifestyle adjustment.
Laundry Rhythm
With 7-10 days of clothing:
- Do laundry weekly
- Hand-wash merino items when needed (dries overnight)
- Use laundromats or accommodation laundry facilities
- Budget $5-15/week for laundry in most countries
Buying and Discarding
The one-in-one-out rule: if you buy something, something else goes. This prevents accumulation.
Seasonal Transitions
Moving between climates requires wardrobe adjustment:
- Entering cold weather: Add thermal layer, swap light jacket for warmer one
- Entering hot weather: Mail or donate cold weather items, add lightweight pieces
- Ship items home or to your next destination if needed
When One Bag Isn't Enough
Sometimes you need more:
- Extended stays in extreme climates
- Carrying specialty work equipment
- Personal preference after testing
That's fine. One-bag is a guideline, not a religion. The goal is traveling lighter and freer, not suffering for minimalism points.
FAQ
How long can you travel with one bag?
Indefinitely. I've met one-baggers who've traveled for years. The key is the laundry rhythm and buying/discarding as needed.
What about laptops and tech-heavy setups?
Modern laptops (MacBook Air, XPS 13) weigh under 3 lbs. With efficient packing, you can carry a full work setup in a 40L bag. The Peak Design Travel Backpack is specifically designed for this.
Is one-bag travel cheaper?
Yes. You eliminate checked bag fees ($30-60/flight on budget carriers), reduce taxi needs (walking is easier), and spend less on luggage storage. Over a year, savings can exceed $500-1000.
What if I need formal clothes?
One merino button-down shirt handles most "dressy" situations. For truly formal events, buy locally and donate after, or rent. These situations are rarer than people expect.
Can women one-bag travel?
Absolutely. The approach is identical; bag and clothing choices differ slightly. The Osprey Fairview is the women's-specific version of the Farpoint. Capsule wardrobes work the same way.
What size is best for beginners?
Start with 40L. It's easier to pack too much at first and gradually reduce. Going smaller too soon leads to frustration.
The Verdict
One-bag travel isn't about deprivation—it's about freedom. Freedom to move spontaneously. Freedom from baggage carousels and fees. Freedom from the mental weight of managing too many possessions.
Start with our complete packing list and challenge yourself: can each item justify its weight and space? The items that can't are the first to eliminate.
For most digital nomads, 35-40L is enough for indefinite travel. The Osprey Farpoint 40 remains the best starting point—proven, comfortable, and perfectly sized.
Pack light. Travel far. Work anywhere.
Related guides:
