THE Essential All-Weather Minimalist Packing List: How to Pack Carry-On Only

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Welcome to my essential packing list for a carry-on bag.

I put this blog post together with help from my sister, Lucia Parker.

Honed over seven years of international travel in dozens of countries and climates, this list distills everything I’ve learned about what to pack to be minimalist, comfortable, and fashionable, in any location - especially for a trip that includes weather extremes. I’ve taken the advice of my fashion icon sister to make sure each piece listed is not only adventure-friendly, but has a timeless elegance. In other words, this list is road-tested for practicality AND is stylish-sister approved.

Whether you’re planning a trip or just dreaming of travel, I hope this list is useful. No matter how cold it is where you land, you’ll be able to feel comfy and look presentable, and even glam, as my sister proves in this photo of her on a trip (Asia winter high desert climate - mild days and cold nights) wearing only items from this minimalist packing list:

Ready for anything and looking fabulous.

Ready for anything and such a VIBE. ✨

Packing light is a challenge, especially for the inexperienced traveler, or the traveler who simply doesn’t have time to plan and think through packing in great detail. Did you know that a really good pack usually requires re-packing several time before your trip? Otherwise, we all tend to over pack. It’s human nature.

With this list, you won’t have to go through the effort to pack and re-pack.

This list will fast-track you to a thoughtfully-packed lightweight carry-on bag that contains enough of the right layers to keep you warm and cozy in cold, wet climates as well as cool and comfy when your location gets a bit of sunshine.

Other minimalist packs may contain less, but in my experience, truly tiny packs only work for hot climates. If you’re traveling to someplace with a variable climate (which is a lot of places, a lot of the year) you’ll need to pack a little more. But you can still fit it all in a carry-on suitcase that fits in the plane’s overhead bin.

In addition to clothes, I’ll also list the other necessities I find essential for any trip. I pretty much pack this way for all my trips, and if I don’t, I usually regret it.

This list will also provide for any length trip, from one week to one year, provided you are willing to do some sink laundry or find a laundromat or laundry service on your trip.

My goal is for this one blog post to serve as the last packing post you’ll ever need to consult to pack a minimalist carry-on bag. With this packing list, you can stop worrying about how heavy your bag is and focus on enjoying your travels!

Of course, you’ll want to make small changes to this list to make it work for your unique needs. But this is a great place to start to give you some structure. When thinking “do I need this?” you can reference this list. If it’s not on the list, you probably don’t need it.

Who it’s for: the list is designed for women planning any kind of travel except camping (which understandably requires different gear.) It’s not for family travel. (I have kids, and have to pack differently when we travel with the kids, and that kind of packing is more unique to each family situation.)

For some list items, I provide links to examples of the item or suggested items for your convenience. Some of these links may be affiliate links allowing me to earn a small fee through the link at no cost to you. This post is not sponsored. As always, all opinions are my own and are not for sale.

The List

Here it is: the last minimalist packing list you’ll ever need.

The Bags

The main carry-on bag you choose is important.

The main carry-on bag you choose is important.

  • 1 Main carry-on bag. All other bags listed will be able to fit inside, should you need to deem this as your “personal item” for some particularly strict airlines. My sister recommends a leather or vegan leather backpack with a patterned lining (for fun and good visibility). While the exact bag my sister recommends is no longer available, you may want to check out this canvas option. Another option (and the one I prefer) is rolling carry-on luggage. I find rolling luggage generally better for my back and shoulder health, but it can be annoying to traverse a lot of cobblestone with a rolling bag. Either way you go, make sure your bag’s measurements fit your airline’s carry-on bag size specifications.

  • 1 Slim cross body bag. A small bag to carry essentials like phone, wallet, and passport. Something that can leave your hands free.

  • 1 Small press-closure clear quart size bag for liquids and toiletries that may leak. A Ziploc bag will do, with various airlines and aviation rules giving their own guidelines (check before you travel). I’ve been testing these Full Circle reusable plastic bags for about a year for snacks, and they have done well as a more sustainable option than disposable plastic bags. I used them to pack liquids and toiletries on an international trip and they did well.

  • 2 Packing cubes. Too much bag organization is a waste of time, but a little is just right. I like to put my pajamas and other bedtime essentials, usually the first things I reach for when arriving, tired, at a new location, in one packing cube. You can choose what you put in the second packing cube, but I don’t recommend using more than two for the sake of saving time spent packing and unpacking.

necessities

These are the absolute essentials for travel: ID and money. You won’t get far without them. In fact, arguably a passport and money are the only things you really need to travel internationally, as anything else you forget can be purchased easily. My necessities list includes a few more things as well.

  • 1 passport,

  • 1 alternate ID,

  • 1 debit card/atm card

  • 2 Credit Cards

  • 100 USD, euro or local currency in cash

  • 1 smart phone and charger

  • 1 international plug adapter

  • 1 small journal or sketch book and pen or pencil

  • 1 mask if traveling with a cough or respiratory infection

Tops and dresses

Let’s move on to clothing. We’ve recommended colors below, but of course you can choose your own colors, as long as everything goes together.

Bottoms

  • 1 pair of blue jeans

  • 1 pair of black jeans

  • 1 pair of athletic /technical black leggings or yoga pants (I’ve been wearing these, hemmed for my shorter legs, for years. The Polygiene odor® control really works, so you can get away with laundering them less frequently than other leggings.)

  • 1 pair of soft / lounge black leggings or sweatpants (You could go for a fleece-lined legging, or anything soft that doesn’t have a polyester or technical feel. You want a pair so comfortable you could lounge and sleep in them if need be. Here’s a highly rated pair.)

Shoes

Outerwear & Accessories

  • 1 black thin synthetic down jacket

  • 1 black snow coat or parka (if going to a cold or snowy climate)

  • 1 scarf

You could go with something like the charcoal infinity scarf my sister is wearing in the photo or substitute the more versatile peshtemal, or Turkish towel. Have you ever used a Turkish towel? It’s a pile less (no terry cloth loops) quick-drying, absorbent towel that gets softer with each wash. I’ve been using them for years since my sister introduced me to them. I love how soft they feel and how they treat my hair - fewer breakages than when drying with terry cloth. On trips I’ve discovered that they double or triple as scarves, sarongs, beach towels, and light blankets. I love to tie one on as a beach or pool cover up, or roll them up to make a scarf.

  • 1 knit hat (bright color)

  • 1 pair sunglasses

  • 1 silver bangle, or other preferred jewelry

  • 3 silver rings, or other preferred jewelry

Intimates & swimwear

  • 1 set of flannel pj's

  • 3 pairs of wool socks (recommended)

  • 3 pairs of cotton socks

  • 8 pairs of undies (recommended)

  • 3 bras (1 black, 1 nude, 1 sport)

  • 1 swimsuit

Toiletries (health & grooming)

Toilet article kits are highly individual, but here are some suggestions.

  • tooth brush

  • toothpaste (to try: solid toothpaste tablets)

  • dental floss

  • refillable water bottle

  • solid shampoo - doubles as bar soap

  • solid conditioner - some find conditioner doubles as a shaving cream

  • deodorant

  • moisturizer (any liquids must comply with airport security regulations)

  • SPF 30 stick or cream (any liquids must comply with airport security regulations)

  • any medications, vitamins, or supplements you need

  • menstrual cup - I’m a fan of the saalt soft

  • menstrual pads (see my blog post on sustainable period products, or go with disposables)

  • nail clippers

  • disposable razor (if you want to shave)

  • a bit of makeup if you like (any liquids must comply with airport security regulations)

  • small hair brush or comb and hair elastics (my favorite type).

Your Turn!

Use this list to pack for your next trip. Now, go get packing, and have a great trip!

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