Packing light is not my forte. As a solo traveller, I usually paid for a larger bag as cabin luggage and used my Cabin Zero bag as my main bag, carrying a smaller day bag as my second bag. I would drag these two bags around the world, ruining my shoulders and causing myself so much pain, and it was grim. But I’d convinced myself I needed the bag space (and then because I HAD the space, I filled it) and I’d carry things like a chunky book, jewellery and a full makeup bag with me. Totally unnecessary for my trips when I rarely even wear makeup.
Now, when I travel with J, we take a bag each. Things like toiletries can be split between both bags, which is useful. We do still seem to end up with much larger, heavier bags than planned, and I still have to carry mine, and it still hurts. Something’s got to give with my packing.
For our most recent trip, to Szczechin, Poland, I decided to challenge myself to fit everything I needed into our usual day bag, my beloved Fjallraven Kanken. If you’re reading this post, I suspect you have a similar packing strategy to me usually, and that you’re curious about how I got on with this challenge. Read on, because I’ve documented the whole thing for your reading pleasure.
The important information; my bag is 38 cm high, 27 cm wide, 13 cm deep, and has a 16 litre capacity. That’s less than half of my small Cabin Zero bag, and that makes me VERY nervous about this challenge. I would class my Kanken as a small backpack, so this really will be tricky.
The essentials
For two nights, I obviously need enough underwear, so I’ve packed four pairs of pants, one bra and two pairs of socks. I will, of course, be wearing a second bra! I’ll put all of this into a checked pouch so that if my bag needs to be searched, it’s at least contained.
To save space, I’ve not packed my usual full pouch of medicines, instead putting some plasters, ibuprofen, paracetamol, and my stronger painkillers (travelling with fibromyalgia is no joke) into a mini pouch. I’ll carry this pouch around with me during the day so that the medication is accessible when I need it. Last but not least, my face wipes (only ever used for a trip when I need to travel light) have been squished in too. A fantastic start to the packing challenge.
The clothes
Usually, my clothes go straight into packing cubes, and I did want to do that for this trip, but in the interest of saving space I needed to be able to roll things. For this trip the temperatures are going to be around 19 degrees so I can wear my beloved summer trousers with the comfiest elasticated waist, which means a large lunch or aeroplane bloating won’t make me feel uncomfortable. I’ll be wearing leggings for the plane, one pair on Sunday and a different pair on Monday,so my leopard print and striped trousers have gone into the bag.
In Porto, the forecast was also for 19 degrees and it was much hotter, and I got burnt. As a result, I didn’t want to pack vest tops, although they’re more practical when travelling light, so I’ve gone for two t-shirts instead. I know I’ll kick myself if it’s really hot, but I will still be comfortable in t-shirts.
As much as I’d love to take multiple cardigans, I really only need one, and I’ll wear my red New Look one for the flight.
In terms of shoes, I’ll be packing my gorgeous Marrakech leather sandals. I am a little bit concerned about rain so I’m wearing my running shoes, but that does mean I’ll be re-wearing leggings with the running shoes if the weather is bad, so lets hope it isn’t!
I tend to sleep in leggings and a comfy oversized t-shirt so they’re the last clothing items to go into the bag, and at this point we still have a little space….
The tech
I’ve go two phone charging wires, a european USB plug, and two charging banks in my little red Moroccan pouch. We like to have one charging bank with us and another in our room charging, as both of us use our phones a lot when we’re away. Charging banks may not be essential for some people but they really are for us.
I usually take my Olympus Pen to shoot with, but I can take really decent photos on my Google Pixel phone. I do prefer shooting with the Pen but for this trip I left it at home to save space. I couldn’t leave my kindle, I can’t lose out on two flights worth of reading a new book. I’ve also packed my in ear headphones so I can listen to music. I don’t always use them, but they’re small enough to take them anyway.
The toiletries
As much as I want to carry all of my skincare, I know that to travel light I need to be choosy. My usual micellar water has been replaced with micellar wipes which are already packed and so this small bag of toiletries has the bare essentials-deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrush, perfume samples I’ll use and then throw away, lipbalm and moisturiser. For two days, my skin will be okay. For a longer trip, I would have struggled here.
Anything else?
My prescription sunglasses are a must, so they’ve gone in the front pocket of the bag. I like to have some snacks in case of a flight delay or for when I decide I’m absolutely starving, so I have an individually wrapped croissant, some boiled sweets, some mints, and a flapjack. I’m also a bit worried we may get rain so an umbrella has gone into the bag. Fun fact, I own so many umbrellas because I never used to take them on trips, and then I had to spend at least £10 a time on a new one-I’ve learnt that lesson! I never drink enough water so my b.box insulated water bottle will be with me, but there’s no way that’ll fit inside the Kanken so I’ll be carrying it. (I was sent the bottle as a sample to review it and after trying it for a few weeks, it’s become a firm favourite, I use it every day. It keeps drinks cool for most of the day, ideal for trips!
Finally, in case I’m struggling to fit everything into one bag coming home (those Polish snacks will be coming home with me for sure) I’ve popped a tote bag into my bag. My favourite travel hack is buying a bottle of water and a snack at the airport so you’re given a duty free bag, and then the overflow from your bag can go into it and still be allowed on the plane. I’m not sure you’d get away with putting clothes and shoes into the overflow bag but when it’s just food you’re bought in that country, I’ve never had a problem if my bag is checked at the gate. Phew.
I’ve also popped a notebook and pen in there so I can jot down blog post notes on the go-I used to do this, I’ve stopped, and it makes it harder to write content without it. So I’m going back to what works for me and using handwritten notes.
Can you ACTUALLY fit everything you need into a Kanken?
It turns out, as long as you’re smart about packing, yes you can! I’ll admit I didn’t think this was going to work (and I have had to put my sandals into J’s bag!) I’m posting this after returning from the trip and can confirm that I didn’t miss out anything I later missed, so it turns out travelling light is ACTUALLY achievable for me, if I’m smart. That’s pretty awesome.
I love the idea of travelling light, especially when it’s for a shorter stay somewhere. I think it just makes the whole experience much easier and less hassle. Packing is also not my forte, but you have shared some really useful advice and tips—thanks!