Every time I travel, I take less with me than I did the previous time. Yet every trip, I still think to myself:
“Self, you have too much stuff! Half of it you don’t even use, yet you have been carrying it around for a month / 3 months / 6 months!”
There is a lot of talk on travel blogs these days, about travelling with carry on luggage only. While expert travellers have always highly recommended travelling light, the idea of carry on only travel has really taken off in the last few years. This is largely due to the implementation of checked luggage fees by airlines all over the world. If you’re a budget traveller, carry on only is the way to go!
While I was in Europe last year, the baggage fees were the final straw! I booked a flight from Brussels to Copenhagen for €5 ($7.40AUD), and had to pay extra for my bag.
Guess how much! Go on!
€5?
€10?
€15?
Nope! Wrong!!
I had to pay €25 ($37AUD) to check my 15kg backpack. That’s 5 times the price for the actual seat ticket! OMG!
So, I immediately decided my next trip would be carry on only. After a lot of research, I fell for the Minaal Carry On Bag. It’s certainly not the cheapest – but it was my favourite by a long way. And, I figured it would pay for itself after a few flights where I don’t have to pay checked luggage fees.
I was home in Sydney for a few months over Christmas, for a variety of reasons. While there, I ordered my Minaal Carry On Bag! The first time I have used it is the trip I’m currently on – 3 months in Thailand.
People keep telling me how amazed they are that I’m travelling so light (especially my mum)! Yet, my Minaal Carry On Bag is not actually full – and I reckon I could travel with even less.
So, what do I put in my Minaal Carry On bag?
Well, lucky you – I made a little spreadsheet!
The list REALLY isn’t very short! While putting it together, I was actually surprised at how much stuff is on it. Every time I thought I had it completed, I’d find something else. It actually made me feel quite weighed down!
Now, there are liquids in this list – but all of them are under the 100mL requirement, except the bodywash and Listerine. I bought both of them once I landed in Thailand. All the other liquids went into a clear plastic bag for security screening when I arrived at the airport.
What all that stuff physically looks like:
Wows! So much shit. What else could I possibly need?
See the backpack at the top right? That’s my Minaal Carry On Bag… Everything in this photo fits comfortably into it. Well, except the hiking shoes – I wear them on travel days, or tie them to the outside of the bag.
How Everything Fits into my Minaal Carry On Bag
Well, just for you, I went ahead and packed my bag today. I didn’t have to! I don’t leave for another 3 days, and will have to unpack it all again. But, I figured I’d take some photos of the process to show how it all fits in.
You can thank me later.
Step 1: What I’ll be wearing
Sorry to disappoint, but I won’t be naked…
Here is what I’ll be wearing for my flight home on Wednesday, so obviously won’t be in my bag. My phone will also be in my pocket, but since it’s also my camera, it’s not in the photos!
If you’re struggling with space (or weight limits, which I find more of an issue than space), always wear your most heavy, chunky clothes… For instance, I could change this to long pants, and wear my hoodie too. I won’t, because it’s 40 degrees here – I might get changed once I get to the airport though.
Step 2: Toiletries
All of my toiletries fit into my little toiletries bag, which fits perfectly into my Minaal bag. Winning!
Be careful here – as mentioned earlier – you’ll have to make sure you abide by airport rules with liquids. I usually put all my liquids into a plastic bag, somewhere easy to reach until after I get through security. I can either leave it there if it fits easily, or move it back to the toiletries bag.
Step 3: Other Random Shit
So, all the other shit that doesn’t really have a home or purpose in life, gets chucked into a small packing cube. I bought a set of 3 packing cubes (1 x large & 2 x small) from Minaal, when I bought my bag. They’re designed specifically for this bag, and fit perfectly.
This packing cube has all sorts of things – universal plug, pen, micro USB cable, some medicines… Like I said – all the random shit. Remember to keep stuff you might need quickly in an easier to reach place, like one of the top external pockets. Bandaids, motion sickness tablets, Imodium, and Nurofen should always be quickly accessible – just in case.
The above photo shows my day pack – I use this for day to day use, when I don’t want to take my larger bag with me. It fits things like my eReader, laptop, bandana, water, and all the stuff I just said should always be within reach. It weighs hardly anything, and folds up to nothing. Look in the photo below – that’s it again, all folded up!
After all the random shit, and my folded up day pack – there was still room in this packing cube to put my travel towel.
Step 4: Clothes
Are you getting the hint yet?
Picking up on the pattern?
PACKING CUBES! Everything into packing cubes!
I spent 10 years backpacking without packing cubes, but last year I decided to give them a shot. OMG – what have I been missing out on all my life?!? Even in my big, 65L pack – they make things so much easier! I know what is in each cube, and it keeps it all neat and in place. When I open my pack, things don’t go flying out everywhere.
They also help to compress things, and keep them in the shape of the bag. This is especially important when you are travelling light and want to maximise space, like with the Minaal Carry On Bag. I couldn’t imagine using it without them.
The trick to packing clothes is rolling them. This works especially well for t-shirts but sometimes I find bulky pants are better to fold flat – it depends on the particular item, and the space you have to work with.
This fits all of my t-shirts and singlets – 6 in total, as I’m wearing 1. Plus my bandana, and my board shorts – and there is still room! Check out that space on the end.
Step 5: Getting Serious – things go into the main bag
The Minaal Carry On Bag has two built in sections, that are basically packing cubes. In one, I throw my laptop charger, any other cables and similar things, and the other is where I put all my colourful underwear!
Now, the trick with the Minaal Carry On Bag, is not to load things in on top of this section – pack it into the opposite side – the front of the bag. This may seem counter intuitive, but it makes packing a whole lot easier.
The first things I pack are the softer things – my hoodie and long pants. These will press against the outside of the bag, and as they’re soft, they will easily mould to fit the shape. It will also help to protect other things in the bag.
Then, I chuck the toiletries bag and the packing cubes on top of the hoodie and pants. It looks like there is only 1 small packing cube in this photo… But the other one is empty and hiding under the full one. It will start to fill up throughout the trip, as I put my dirty clothes in it.
Step 6: The Finishing Touches
Ok – the moment of truth… Does it close?
I assure you it does, though it might need a wee bit of convincing. Push it down, and slowly zip around it… And presto! All packed into my little Minaal Carry On Bag!
Well, that’s the majority of the stuff squeezed into my Minaal Carry On Bag – but the most important things are yet to come! How about my laptop and eReader?
There is another section, and it’s perfect for them. A laptop sleeve, and a smaller version for the eReader – they strap in, so they’re not going to come loose, and they don’t go right to the edges – giving extra protection if you’re a bit rough with your bag now and then.
I also tend to chuck my flip flops in here. (Yes, fellow Aussies – I’m a traitor! But if I call them thongs, it means forever explaining I don’t mean underwear!) Make sure they’re clean, or put them in a plastic bag – don’t want dust and dirt getting into laptop keys etc.
And that’s about it…
So there you have it. Everything, quite easily, fits into my Minaal Carry On Bag!!
The only issue? The weight limit for carry on is 7kg, and this weighs nearly 10kg. FFS!
In Europe, I’ve found with most airlines the limit is 10kg, and I’ve heard that in the US there isn’t a weight limit – just the size limit. So, this wouldn’t be an issue travelling within Europe or the US. However, long haul and within Aus / Asia – where I live – it’s 7kg, which kinda sux.
Some airlines are really strict, and if they force you to check the bag at the last minute, the fees can be crazy high. So, for my 3 flights within Thailand, I actually did check it. Though, 2 of them were with Thai Airlines and the checked luggage was included and didn’t cost me any extra. It also had the advantage of allowing me to have liquids of more than the 100mL carry on limit. My bodywash and Listerine went safely in my checked luggage without upsetting security.
My flight from Sydney to Bangkok, I had no issue getting it into the cabin – they didn’t weigh it or anything. Hopefully it will be the same again on my flight back to Sydney, though the checked baggage allowance is included, so it’s not the end of the world.
I guess I still have a bit of work to be totally carry on only!
Do you think you could travel with carry on luggage only? Or do you already? I’d love to hear your thoughts & experiences.
Have any questions about this post, what I take with me, or my Minaal Carry On Bag?
Let me know in the comments, or on social media and I’ll get back to you!
Nick says
Great post, really interesting to see how tightly/easily things fit in. I’m in the process of looking at bags and have decided on Minaal as well. However, I’m torn as to whether I should go all out and try to travel with just the Minaal daily, get the carry on like you, or actually get both (I think there is an additional space in the carry on specifically designed for the daily). I read in Leo Babauta’s book ‘Ultralight’ that he travels purely with the daily. Did you consider getting the daily at all, or were you already concerned about space on the carry on?
Mr Adam says
Hey Nick,
Good choice, picking Minaal – I’ve just used it for a couple of months in Thailand, and loved it! 🙂
I did consider getting the daily as well as the main one, but as I was concerned about weight limits I decided to get an ultra lightweight daypack from Osprey. I may end up getting the Daily in the future – it would be nice to have the set!
The daily would be too small for me I think! Especially for longer trips that require summer & winter clothes. The Minaal Carry On is the perfect size for me – fits a week worth of clothes plus other bits and pieces. If you’re happy to take fewer clothes and wash them more often, then the Daily could work for you though.
The Carry On is a bit too big to use as a day pack though, so I would definitely recommend getting a separate day pack – whether the Daily, or another brand.
Check out the bundles they have, as they give discounts if you get several products. I got the packing cubes, which I think are a must, as well as the hip straps which are good if you’re going to be walking with it on for more than a few minutes – they take the weight off your shoulders.
Ben says
I only travel with a carry on backpack. There’s no way I would pay the crazy checked bag fees these days; the added peace of mind that your luggage won’t get lost is an extra perk.
I do have a little puma side bag- “man purse” some would say- that fits in the backpack, but I can also take it out and wear it with some heavy items inside if I happen to be near any weight limit.
I’ve seen people greatly overpack, only to throw out half of their stuff a week or two into their trip. You need a lot less than you think. I also try not to bring any liquids with me on a flight. I’ll just buy some stuff at a pharmacy wherever I land.
Mr Adam says
Well done for travelling carry on only, Ben! 🙂
I have been guilty of ditching things along my travels, because I didn’t want to carry them anymore! Hopefully those days are behind me now.
Ben says
I remember the first time I traveled with a backpack and stayed in hostels. It was the summer between high school and freshman year at college and I thought I was *so* cool for “roughing it” by foregoing big suitcases and fancy hotel rooms.
Well, the truth is I bought the largest backpack I could find (I had to check it, of course) and lade it down with what must have been every item in my bedroom back home! No matter how many times you hear certain advice, sometimes with an issue like traveling light, you just have to make the mistake yourself and learn from it.
It’s scary going out for a month with only a 25 lbs bag, even though after a few days you will quickly realize that is all you need.
One tip that I read a lot on travel blogs is to never pack your favorite shirts because they could easily get lost or damaged, but I’ve come to very much disagree with this advice. If I’m only going to be traveling with 4-5 T-shirts then they damn well better be ones I like to wear and make me feel good in. If one shirt gets damaged you will probably find an even cooler one on the road.
Mr Adam says
Yes, I’ve always travelled with a backpack – but it’s been 65L plus daypack. A smaller one is MUCH easier – and I didn’t miss anything.
I agree – I take my favourite clothes. If I’m going to be wearing the same couple of tshirts over and over, I want to feel good in them! I also take some old, crappy ones too – for hiking, or travel days where they’re more likely to get damaged.
Kathryn says
The reason I never bother with carry on only is because of the 7kg limit on flights in and out of Australia. I’m never really sure about how strongly it’s enforced because you always see people get on the plane with suitcases that have to weight at least 3kg before they are even packed! But I did get dinged for overweight luggage with Jetstar once and that really hurt!
Mr Adam says
I totally agree, Kathryn!
The 7kg limit is what ruins it – even just 10kg like in Europe would be ok. I think, as long as I can lift it to the overhead compartment myself, for safe stowage, it should be allowed.
Melody says
Swinging by to comment on one of the many blogs I read during my fortnight of deliberation over purchasing the Minaal Carry On 2.0.
Including shipping and hip pads, it cost me over $500AUD. Ouch! I researched all the options but I thought, why scrimp and secretly resent the marginally cheaper option? Okay, fine. Let’s spring for the Minaal.
Turns out that it is now possibly my favourite tangible item I have spent money on. I am the opposite to most, I have been carrying a smaller bag (24L Macpac Rapaki originally purchased as a day pack, front pack for a big trip) and loved this style of travel but packing had become too stressful. Same amount of stuff in the roomier Minaal – perfect. This thing is CAVERNOUS! How people need to take more is beyond me. I still feel there were a few things I could have left behind for my short trip to Malaysia (10 days) but i learn how to streamline each time.
Bonus points to the Minaal for accompanying me on a jungle trek and with hip pads, surprisingly more comfortable than I expected for 2 days walking fully packed through Taman Negara.
I freaking love this bag! Rounding out its maiden voyage and I begin to make my way home but knowing that this fine piece of gear is sitting in my closet unused will spurn me to book another adventure sooner, methinks!
Mr Adam says
Wow! Thanks for your great comment, Melody!
Glad to hear my post helped in your decision making – and even more happy that you’re impressed with your decision to get the Minaal.
I agree – the price did put me off a bit, but now that I’ve had it a while I’m glad I got it! I’ve used it for weekends away, work conferences, 3 months in Thailand, a couple of weeks in Europe… Perfect for all occasions 🙂
Barry says
Just cane across your site while searching for advice. Great info, n I certainly agree with travelling light. I did a month trip to SE Asia visiting 7 countries all with just a carry on bag. Didn’t even use some of the clothes I took! In the tropics you wear so little n it is so easy to wash t-shirts, underwear, etc leave in hotel bathroom n they r dry when u get back. So I took only a few t-shirts, 2 shorts, etc n constantly washed them each day to prevent any build up of dirty clothes, so effectively did not need a laundry bag ! So my canny advice is to make sure you wash clothes quickly each day n you can re-wear the same items so many times. Just remember to take a small concentrated washing liquid under 100ml n you are set. Love your site Mr Adam’s !
Mr Adam says
Thanks Barry!
Definitely agree – especially when travelling in a tropical area, you don’t need much. Handwashing things each day, stops a build up and you can wear it when dry the next day.