How to Pack Lighter | Minimalist Travel Tips

[@joshfenn]

What's your tip for a lighter pack?

[@SamMcDonald83]

luggage cubes are quite handy

[@ronbisti4352]

I don’t pack for every situation, I do wear cotton shirts so I usually pack one shirt for each day but I don’t pack just in case or backups to anything because you can always do laundry in a sink if you have to. I don’t pack books anymore; they take up too much room and I’ll just read on my phone.

[@russellrlf]

Dual+ purpose items. An easy one is a spork over a spoon and a fork. I have travel shoes that are a nice looking leather. They can be used for a dresser occasion or an every day shoe. They also have a part you can fold down and they become a slip on "sandal".

[@RetroDiver]

Strip laundry detergent: it's dry, extremely compact, and depending on which you get, smells great. Easy to measure and as effective as your standard liquid or powder detergent.

[@rhosymedra6628]

sharing stuff with travel companions is my big one too, that and being realistic about the number of books that I will read...that's the one area I'm tempted to overpack😂

[@CaptCanuck4444]

Good video, and lots of good familiar ideas that i've adopted over the years through trial and error. Something to really emphasize I think is the somewhat counterintuitive revelation that packing simply and minimally isn't restrictive and limiting, but in fact the opposite. It's a very liberating feeling to have carefully selected what's in your bag and have everything you'll need and nothing more. I enjoy the challenge of it, and try to further refine and simplify after every trip. I have a lot of merino wool t-shirts, but honestly it's hard to beat the feel of nice cotton t-shirts. I prefer merino and wool generally as a second layer, not a base layer. Merino is of course far superior if you're going to be hiking and sweating and temperature management is a priority. Merino socks are the best. A single pair or two is enough for a week of travel, with the occasional rinse if you're sweating a lot.

[@joshfenn]

Totally agree with you on the sentiment that packing light is less restrictive and more freeing, it can get a bit addictive when you get into it, it’s so satisfying to feel comfortable with less. I’ve noticed a huge range in softness and feel with merino shirts, might be worth exploring some new brands/options, I’ve found a few that are as comfortable as my cotton ones! Everyone’s got different preferences though, I totally get it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this one!

[@danielmankowski922]

Please make this a series, these tips are insightful!

[@joshfenn]

I’ll be sure to make more as I come up with fresh ideas, thanks for letting me know!

[@CaptCanuck4444]

Compression straps and bags/cubes are also handy to minimize the bulk of the bag.

[@joshfenn]

For sure!

[@rhosymedra6628]

I like that you don't tell people to immediately go and buy all new stuff - that's far more sustainable and attainable advice than the usual "go buy these exact things"

[@joshfenn]

Gear is fun and can definitely make traveling go easier or smoother, but getting out is what’s most important! I spent weeks at a time on the road back when I was in a band with no money and no fancy gear. Wasn’t always really pleasant but so much fun and way better than missing out until I could afford nice travel items.

[@vishnu9264]

Watching your videos is very satisfying

[@joshfenn]

Glad to hear that!

[@suzannefortner6065]

Just watched one of your videos last night for the first time. Then this one and I'm watching another one in a minute. I did hear you say you are from MI. So, I wanted to say hello to a fellow Michigander. I've been packing lighter for years now, doing only carry-on. But I'm still working on lighting that up too. Thanks for these reminders. Looking forward to watching more videos.

[@joshfenn]

Thanks so much for reaching out and for the support! Always happy to hear from a Michigander, Oregon has been great and beautiful but I still carry a lot of pride for the mitten. :)

[@heywardfi]

There’s a old saying used in the military. Weight equals pain. So I try not to pack a lot because with the fusion in my joints, my scoliosis and osteoporosis it hurts way to much.

[@joshfenn]

Totally agree! I have scoliosis as well, it’s always top of mind when packing when I know I’ll have to carry it all around with me.

[@lordteabelly]

Great video! I'm from the uk and am planning a trip to the US next year for my 40th birthday, seattle, philly and NYC and am looking at picking up the aer travel pack 3 x-pac to use, ifigure with this I'll be able to do a 1 bag travel and get what I need in the xpac

[@joshfenn]

All great cities! Quite far apart for a single trip but it should be a great time for you. The xpac version has been great for me too, I’d definitely recommend it.

[@lordteabelly]

@@joshfenn Thank you for the response! Yes they are quite spread out for 1 trip, however im a big Twin Peaks fan so that's my reason for going to seattle first to see the filming locations :), then an internal flight to philly then coach or train to NYC..I'm also a big ghostbusters and warriors fan so that's why I want to visit new York:) I found a retailer here in the UK who stock the aer travel pack 3 xpac and are due more instock in September so I'm going to grab one as soon as they get them! Your video was great and helped me make my mind up as I've been undecided about what bag to get so thank you for that!

[@keeganturner8448]

Thanks for this Josh. These videos are very helpful. Since my mom's passing, I've been traveling back and forth to my dad's place and packing smarter has helped tremendously. Stay safe

[@joshfenn]

Glad to hear they helped, sorry for your loss as well. Unfortunately had a similar situation myself last year, anything to pack and travel easier has helped reduce some of the stress involved.

[@safepethaven]

Josh, the matching/mixing garments to create the most outfits are called "coordinates" -- no, not the algebra/geometry ones ;-)) Learned the technique from my mother and grandmother in the 1950s as a child, and from the Sears mailorder catalog as aa teen. Each season sold that year's new color themes in coordinating garments, all interchangeable. But staying with the classics [navy, black, white, tan] new items could still be mixed with previous wardrobe essentials to give dozens of outfits. Just like 'Minimalism', it is not a new concept, as 'nothing is really new under the sun'. Safe travels!

[@joshfenn]

Haven’t heard that term before but it makes sense! Totally agree with you though, the terms come and go but the ideas and principles are old. I grew up frugally and this always seemed like an obvious common sense sort of thing, it wasn’t until recently that I heard the capsule wardrobe term. Thanks for the support on this one!

[@Youssef-bu6lz]

I really love your videos keep up the good work

[@joshfenn]

Thanks so much!

[@krzysztoffolta4823]

Another great video!

[@joshfenn]

Happy to hear that, thanks for the support!

[@erichanson5628]

Thanks for the video Josh!

[@joshfenn]

Happy to share!

[@dominicng8988]

So few likes!!!! This content is golden! Keep it up! 🥳

[@joshfenn]

Thanks so much!

[@Drmikekuna]

Great advice and great vid. However, concerning brushing your teeth with Dr.Bronners... no thanks. I tried that once with Bronners peppermint bar because I thought it would a a cool option to reduce packing. After all, the package said you could. Yuck! It was the same as washing my mouth out with soap. I have tried a lot of toothpaste options from powders to tablets. They work fine. However, in the end a small tube of toothpaste works the best for me. I have plenty of them from dental visits and I can always use just a little less to stretch the tube.

[@joshfenn]

Haha it’s definitely extreme! I usually lucked out and just used toothpaste from other people most of the time. I’ve since switched to toothpaste tabs and have really enjoyed using those in my setup.

[@Imamazing2023]

Your videos are very professional

[@joshfenn]

Thanks!

[@Theolenone19]

Very good video! Thanks 👍

[@joshfenn]

Thanks!

[@dalecarr5445]

I like this series. Good ideas. I love hearing alternatives even if I may not use them right now. However, I’ve found that you are absolutely right about technical clothes. Unfortunately, I’m allergic to wool, even merino wool, so I have to stick with synthetics. On the budget side, the Target ATG synthetic pants work great for me and are only $27. Can’t wait for the next video.

[@joshfenn]

That’s a bummer about the merino! I was actually allergic too when I was young but it seems to have passed with age luckily. Synthetics are great though and can be just as good or better depending the situation. Thanks for the heads up on the pants too!

[@Overthinka]

I have the Anker nano and I Can attest to how fast it charges and it’s so small, get it in black , real sleek

[@joshfenn]

Glad it’s working well for you too!

[@LushLofiBeats]

why do I like packing videos ah well great video again, Josh!

[@joshfenn]

Haha thank you!

[@wondering_mind_]

i like you black bag love it 😀

[@joshfenn]

Glad to hear it!

[@Scarywoody]

Realizing that I could do sink laundry really lightened my load. Towel roll and step on to dry. Hairdryer if you need a quicker dry. I now only ever pack for 2.5 days.

[@joshfenn]

It’s far easier and more effective than a lot of people realize! Appreciate you sharing the drying techniques for everyone too :)

[@michellestanding1410]

Hi Good video 🇬🇧

[@joshfenn]

Thanks!

[@jozzywolf7520]

Would you ever consider showing your all solid toiletry kit?

[@joshfenn]

I have in my last few load out videos! I think I went more in depth with it in the ‘what’s in my travel bag | ultralight edition’ though if you’d like to see it. Might make a separate video at some point in the future!

[@thenealbarrina]

What paint color is your wall?

[@joshfenn]

Not sure actually, it was clearanced out at my local hardware store.

[@stepahead5944]

👍🏽👍🏽