How to PACK for Long Term TRAVEL 2022 | Minimalist Packing Setup

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Instagram : @thefruitmonk / thefruitmonk
In this video I share with you all what I pack in my backpack while traveling longterm. I’ve been traveling for 4 years now and my travel setup has evolved and changed, just as I have.
My backpack - www.tombihn.com/search?q=Synapse

[@danandkiko]

Love your positive attitude and travel philosophy.

[@harunomiya]

Awesome 👍. I like seeing patches on bags it's like a story where you been.

[@highonmike]

Indeed it is. Though, it started feel a bit ego-ish, like bragging or showing off where I’ve been, and I don’t like that vibe. I’ll take off the flag patches when i find something to replace them

[@thisisRiiLife]

Very simple, my kind of style for sure!

[@Juliejules1219]

Loved it! Trying to fit my life in one bag as well. I find having too much mentality messes me up, less is definitely more in my opinion. And so true about applying what jo longer serves into every aspect of life. Love that you aren’t attached to things.

[@highonmike]

You can most definitely fit your life into that 1 bag! And as well you can play around with the size of that bag, and it will probably change overtime with your needs. Are you traveling now or planning to?

[@Juliejules1219]

@@highonmike ahh I’m now seeing this! Thanks for responding back to me. I’m planning on starting anew in a few days and want to really travel as light as possible. Wish me luck 😉

[@damasovi_travels1244]

"things change" love the attitute! like your video! and thank you!

[@n3ils3n]

Uber useful tips!

[@highonmike]

Glad you think so 🤟🏽

[@izironman7648]

Happy to see you living life your way man. Still remember 2013 with yall

[@highonmike]

Great to hear from you Izzy ! It’s been a minute man ! How’ve you been?

[@stelakusar5059]

That was really inspirational, thanks!

[@highonmike]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@eprohoda]

icnredible sharing,take care~ 👐

[@highonmike]

🙏

[@TheCrooksandCastle]

Look into a usb razor. Super light weight and about 20-30 mins of cutting time. Since you’re shaving it be a breeze. And the usb can double to charge other electronics

[@rashisingh8225]

I saw your videos and i can say u r one who doesnt murder animals for food also u live only with necessary things which is also very good

[@atulaghorpade]

Thank you for the detail video, Mike. Btw I have some questions? 1. Do you keep shoes/sleepers/sandals in that backpack? 2. You make videos. So how you edit videos? 3. How do you shoot? 4. Can you keep laptop in that backpack if you need? That's all for now.

[@highonmike]

Thank you for the questions 🙏, I’ll respond in order: 1. I sometimes travel with a pair of Xero Sandals, which are lightweight barefoot sandals, ( I only have them for airports or other places that sometimes tell me I need shoes) but I essentially travel and live 99.9% barefoot in any city / village / area of the world. 2. I edit on my phone 3. I used to shoot with a canon m50 about a year ago but at the moment just using my phone 4. I can definitely fit a laptop in my bag if I need to Much love Atul ✌🏼💜

[@atulaghorpade]

@@highonmike These answers are really helpful. Thank you so much, Mike. And I have huge respect for minimalistic travellers like you. 👏 Keep travelling. 😇✨

[@key39762]

thanks for the video . looking to downsize my travel also. with your help I should achieve it some day. lol. wil be traviling with 1 carryon bag for 2 months trips so thanks again for your tips.also what kind of card games do you play? what game is easy to learn. I was thinkg of pitty pat which is fun and you can play for small change. rummy 500 , bid whist, hearts or spades.

[@BlaineD]

You should look at the Wahl Peanut. Half the size, just as good....

[@THEEnfantTerrible]

Currencies is what I’m planning to keep as souvenirs as well. Can stack a lot in a tiny space as a reminder

[@highonmike]

Yea its pretty cool ! Plus, with the possibilities of digital currencies taking over in the future, it could be harder to get paper currency one day, so that will give it even more meaning

[@moonlitspud]

Nice list - great to see a minimal packer actually live up to it for once. I also have the Synapse 25 (Guide's edition) and I love it for when I need to pack a few extra things (for SE Asia/tropics I tend to pack even lighter - less than half the amount of clothes). I'd definitely recommend finding a lighter hair trimmer. I have one that charges with USB - get one like that and you'll save lots of space and weight!

[@highonmike]

Aw the guides edition has always looked sweet to me! Unfortunately I think I got my synapse before they released that version, rip. Your load out sounds hardcore! Would love to see it haha, and what trimmer do you use?

[@moonlitspud]

@@highonmike The guide’s edition does look a little nicer I think, but practically I don’t use any of its other features, so I think either is good! As for my loadout it’s not hugely dissimilar to yours, but as I say for tropical climates it’s just less clothes. I get by on a single t-shirt (normally synthetic for working out) plus a polo (preferably merino or a blend). One is normally being worn as the other is drying. Also usually just one pair of shorts that double as swim shorts, and a single pair of pants for evenings or for when the mosquitos are feeling extra hungry. You do mention you’ve been wearing the same ones a lot, which means the others aren’t really necessary. The cutdown on clothes means I can usually fit into something as small as 12-13 litres. I can even fit a pair of Xero sandals in there as well (not brave enough to go total barefoot on the crazy streets of Bangkok!) I love the extra space in the Tom Bihn for places like Japan where the climate might vary more or I might want a few nicer bits as well - a button up shirt, and maybe a light sweater and a pair of wool socks. For my shaver, I use a Hatteker one I got from Amazon. It’s not incredible, but it does the job and charges via USB, and looks about half the size/weight as yours.

[@highonmike]

@@moonlitspud you are an inspiration ! One or 2 shirts and 1 pair of shorts would be incredible! And you’re right, some of my stuff isn’t getting much use so might be making some changes 🔜. I like how the guides pack has the loops on the bottom, good for strapping a tent or something, for backpacking and hiking trips. Been thinking about sewing some straps onto mine. I’ll check out that razor. I like mine a lot but yea its heavy, I’ll also see if I can at least find a smaller charger, that thing is a brick as well.

[@kevinkaiser2064]

Thank you for this helpful and inspiring video! May I ask you how you can afford to travel for such a long time? I would be really thankful for an answer :) Greetings from Austria

[@MsMotherof7]

Instant "like" for the Tom Bihn!!!

[@OnePakkuMan]

Great video man! Love the pack. How did you adhere the patches to it?

[@highonmike]

Sewed them

[@highonmike]

Thank you 🙏🏽!

[@qiuhongyu1274]

great vid!! what about winter clothes? do you think you can still fit everything in the same bag? I did the same packing as yours during summer but have no idea for winter

[@highonmike]

So I usually avoid winter weather - I am always moving towards the warmth 🌞 🏃🏽‍♂️ ❄️ The last few years I’ve spent most of my time in Southeast Asia, as well as Mexico and Africa a bit. If I do want to travel some place that’s colder, I would probably just buy a decent jacket, which I could easily stuff into my backpack with my current setup.

[@robertwilliamson922]

He said he prefers the hot countries. (So do I) 🙂🌴🌴🌴

[@nitsan]

Remington have a great curved electric razor. Quick and lightweight and can do the head and body too. 🌱

[@highonmike]

I’ll check that out bro, thank you 🙏!

[@denismoreau3646]

I like that wooden utensils set. Where did you get it.

[@highonmike]

I got it in some small shop in Ashland, Oregon. Honestly you can probably find it at REI if you have one near you, or online like Amazon or something

[@denismoreau3646]

@@highonmike I already tried Amazon no luck but will keep looking thanks

[@blakew5672]

Bamboo utensil sets are all over Amazon. Was actually looking at some a few hours ago before seeing this video.

[@AlexSaurel]

water bottle?

[@vimgolfhandicap]

Get a Gillette Styler. Works like a charm for razing (from 0 mm up to 4.2 mm) and shaving, and is lightweight. Thanks for the video! Peace

[@highonmike]

I’ll check it out, thanks 🙏. Actually I lost the charger I had to this razor on the road, and tried using another charger and it almost blew up ! 😂 so i got rid of it. Now I basically have a the same one i had before but it’s fake, I payed 1/10 the price too. A bit heavy but its ok for now.

[@GC12345]

+1 on the Gillette styler recommendation. I keep one in my Synapse with all of its trimming attachments and the battery in a small Tom Bihn ghost whale pouch.

[@jeffdur1330]

Soap!

[@highonmike]

I just eat fruit so I never had body odor, no need for soap.. I like to cleanse myself in natural rivers, lakes and waterfalls, I don’t use any chemical products

[@maxlockwood5831]

Great video! 👍What about footwear?

[@highonmike]

I always go barefoot 🦶🏼! I mostly stopped wearing shoes in late 2020 and now I essentially never them.

[@maxlockwood5831]

@@highonmike That's interesting! I guess you can get away with it in Asia. Probably not as fun if you want to go hiking in the mountains 😆

[@highonmike]

@@maxlockwood5831 actually I’ve been hiking occasionally here in Spain, usually on pretty rocky paths. I’ve built up some decent calluses in my feet over the last year so I can usually walk on tough terrains for a few hours

[@maxlockwood5831]

@@highonmike Fair play to you 👏 I don't think I could do that

[@highonmike]

@@maxlockwood5831 don’t underestimate yourself 🦶🏼🦶🏼 we were all born without shoes weren’t we? 😉😎

[@tresbien.617]

I’m a stickerhead myself.

[@mat8650]

Did you took the removable frame out?

[@highonmike]

I never bought the frame. The bag does not come with it. I just put my clothes in the back of the bag so that it feels soft on my back :)

[@mat8650]

@@highonmike cool! I think it looks perfectly adapted to your body and looks amazing. I own a synik 22 (frame included) by myself but it looks very different on me!

[@highonmike]

@@mat8650 yeah, the synik is intriguing to me because it opens clamshell right, and it has the laptop compartment.. but it also has a more circle shape, where the synapse has a more classic backpack look that i like

[@Md-gr7we]

What about cold winter bro

[@highonmike]

I usually prefer to live in places that have a tropical climate. On the more rare chance that I go somewhere that's cold, I can buy the necessary gear and then get rid of it once I leave :)

[@Md-gr7we]

@@highonmike awesome

[@Md-gr7we]

@@highonmike less is more

[@pio7763]

What is missing in my opinion: Rain jacket - even in warm climate you have rains and colder windy days in some regions. Underware ? Edit. I read that you're barefoot and don't use cosmetics so i delete part of my questions, but also no sunscreen?

[@highonmike]

I’ve had a rainjacket before, and although I tend to avoid rainy seasons in places by moving somewhere else, rain does happen. If its a light rain then I just embrace it with whatever I’m wearing, the rain feels good 🌧️ 💙. If I’m some place with heavy rain consistently then maybe better to just get a reusable poncho - they’re pretty cheap and I can just give it away when I’m done with it. I stopped wearing underwear in 2019 :) Honestly I feel like sunscreen is kinda bullshit (for my skin at least). Maybe it works to a certain extent but not all day, even if you reapply (from my own experience) plus i hate the smell, the texture and the chemicals. I embrace the sun 🌞, and if I’m outside in the midday then I’ll wear a long sleeve shirt and a hat or be in the shade 🌲.

[@darkblaze373]

@@highonmike WAIT WHAT. how do do it without underwear? I feel so naked without it on, plus cant people see the outline of your schlong easier?

[@ralphblankenship3462]

Hopefully you try to make your KZbin channel bigger like your videos

[@highonmike]

I'm a bit confused 😅 Not sure if your comment means that you like my videos or you are saying my videos are long... can you clarify? Lol

[@ralphblankenship3462]

Both you have good information but you don’t have a lot of videos 😂

[@highonmike]

@@ralphblankenship3462 Right haha. I have been traveling in Africa for the past month and I've just been immersed in that as well as sorting some things out. Do you really enjoy the videos? That means a lot for me to hear and definitely motivates me to keep creating them! I certainly have some content I would like to share soon

[@corrinevictoria6581]

what about toothpaste, deodorant, or soap to wash your body? 🤔

[@highonmike]

All I eat is fruit. My body doesn’t smell :) 🍏🍉🍇🍓🍅🍐🥥

[@highonmike]

I do use toothpaste though, but of course its a temporary item - so I just get a new one when I need

[@corrinevictoria6581]

@@highonmike fair enough lol that makes sense

[@robertwilliamson922]

No phone? No tablet? No laptop? What about footwear?

[@highonmike]

I was actually recording with my phone so i guess i forgot to mention it. No tablet , and i have gotten a small laptop since then. I walk barefoot 99% of the time and have very thin barefoot sandals from xero shoes

[@marting5130]

you dont need that big travel converter. unless maybe you go to Australia. just get a small europlug and it also works with british plugs, if you open the top part with a pen.

[@highonmike]

Well it died so i don’t have it now 😂 👏