How to Pack Lighter | One Bag Travel Tips & Tricks

Huge thanks to Airalo for sponsoring this week's video, head over to go.airalo.com/joshfenn and use code "JOSH3" for $3 off your next eSIM purchase.
In this week's video I'm sharing some tips and advice for how to pack lighter and embrace a more minimalist, one bag travel style for your next trip in 2024.
Items Mentioned:
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Clothes -
Woolly Merino T-Shirt: alnk.to/6Tzqkuq
PROOF 72 Hour Merino T-Shirt: prf.hn/l/RlbzZkp
Unbound Merino T-Shirt: shrsl.com/4h97j
Unbound Merino Compact Travel Hoodie: shrsl.com/4h97w
PAKA Apparel Alpaka Wool Hoodie: alnk.to/apSzWSH
Laundry -
Laundry Detergent Dry Strips: amzn.to/4aI5VSf
Scrubba Travel Wash Bag (Small): amzn.to/4ak4vxo
Scrubba Travel Wash Bag (Regular): amzn.to/3TJCFU7
Luggage Trackers -
AirTag: amzn.to/3J79AND
Tile: amzn.to/3xiLlcB
Chipolo: amzn.to/3VJvxcT
Tech -
Anker Prime 67w Charger: amzn.to/3U23e8r
Anker Prime 150w Charger: amzn.to/4cFZcKi
UGREEN Nexode Pro 65w Charger: amzn.to/3TKYXF3
UGREEN Nexode Pro 100w Charger: amzn.to/3VK6jLD
AOHI Magcube 140w Charger: amzn.to/3J2EAyc
InCharge X 6 in 1 Cable (Small): amzn.to/3TMldys
InCharge XL 6 in 1 Cable (Large): amzn.to/3vBKJ1i
ESR Kickstand MagSafe Charger: amzn.to/3vuyV0T
Toiletries -
Toothpaste Tabs: amzn.to/4aCsbwI
Beardbrand Utility Soap/Shampoo Bar: alnk.to/6IEFmes
Matador FlatPak Soap Bar Case:
• Huckberry - prf.hn/l/9OPjYAx
• Amazon - amzn.to/49hyuoo
Matador FlatPak Travel Toiletry Bottle:
• Huckberry - prf.hn/l/lQBvwYd
• Amazon - amzn.to/3vzSMvB
GRAVEL 3oz Travel Bottles:
• Direct - shrsl.com/4h99k
• Amazon - amzn.to/3J5L7Iu
GRAVEL Clear TSA Liquids Bag:
• Direct - shrsl.com/4h99l
• Amazon - amzn.to/3UdfenT
Travel Coffee Gear -
PAKT Travel Coffee Kit: shrsl.com/4h99q
AeroPress Go: amzn.to/4cFte0J
VSSL Coffee Grinder: amzn.to/4altFvp
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0:00 Intro
0:16 Choose the Right Fabrics
1:28 HOW TO: Travel Laundry
2:30 Embrace A Capsule Wardrobe
3:17 Airalo (SPONSOR)
5:12 Skip Luggage Fees & Ship Items
5:54 Duty Free Bags for Overflow
6:30 Track Your Luggage
7:08 Pack a Day Bag/Sling
7:58 Skip the “Just in Case” items
8:55 Embrace Smaller & Multipurpose Tech
10:07 Liquid Free Toiletries
11:10 Travel-Friendly Liquid Containers
11:51 Don’t Over-Do It
13:19 Travel First, Gear Second
14:52 Final Thoughts
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What I'm Wearing -
• Iron Heart UHF Workshirt: www.ironheartamerica.com/tops...
• Trumbull Vintage Wash T-Shirt: prf.hn/l/Plye9gA
• PROOF Rover Pants: prf.hn/l/ngqjL3e
• Sendero Provisions Armadilla Hat: amzn.to/4ah21zZ
• VAER D5 Tropic 39MM Watch: vaer-watches.sjv.io/ZQ50vz
-------------------------
CONNECT:
• Website: www.joshfenn.com
• TikTok: / jshfenn
• Instagram: / jshfenn
• Twitter: / jshfenn
• Snapchat: / jshfenn
• Monthly Newsletter: www.joshfenn.com/newsletter
MAILING ADDRESS:
Josh Fenn
2017 NW Vaughn St # 29085
Portland, OR 97296
DISCLAIMER: This video description contains affilliate links which may provide a small commission to me after clicking through and completing a purchase.
#onebagtravel #digitalnomad #traveltips #airalo #eSIM #airaloapp

[@hoot7588]

Love the way that you emphasised the danger of going over the top on obsessing ahout the gear and getting it 'right ' - I've definitely stressed myself out over that before.

[@joshfenn]

Glad it resonated with you! I’m definitely guilty of this too, especially with testing gear and coming up with ideas for YT videos. It’s bigger for wilderness backpacking in my case but definitely translates to regular travel

[@elmrkm]

I watch a ton of one bag/minimalist travel videos and I love that you talked about the importance of not being neurotic about your gear as well as giving us “permission” to bring an item or two that will add a lot of joy to the adventure. ☕️

[@joshfenn]

So glad you appreciated it! It gets talked about fairly often for wilderness backpacking but I see so few people discuss it around regular travel and I know we can all be guilty of it around here too.

[@Scarywoody]

Great video. Sink laundry really opened up one bag carry for me. I've tried the Scrubba but it was more of a pain than I expected. A sink laundry tip is to use a hotel towel to roll up the wet laundry into a log and step on it. Takes out 80%ish of the wet and dry time is pretty quick. I only every pack for two days no matter how long the trip.

[@joshfenn]

Great tip with the towel! Took me forever to start on the sink laundry. I dont usually have very long trips so I don’t need to often but it’s so useful for longer trips.

[@slickslabmcknabful]

Burrito roll method!

[@reebeeable]

I tend to spend way too much time and money on travel gear. Merino wool is often too expensive but I found an affordable US made merino wool hoodie (Wintergreen Northern wear) so use that for daily wear and every trip. Next trip I am traveling a budget airline with an under-seat item only. That’s a challenge but instead of buying a tiny backpack I’ll use a tote bag and will use clothes to cushion my ipad. Thanks for the tip on toothpaste tabs.

[@joshfenn]

Hopefully the toothpaste tabs work well for you, they’ve been great for me! Appreciate you sharing your setup and thoughts, I’ll have to take a look at that hoodie as well

[@notl33t]

I totally agree with the not packing the "just in case" stuff, especially with the high cost of overage if you're taking an airplane. If you're taking a train or a car or something with over 100 lbs limit, sure, go crazy with the "just in case" stuff.

[@joshfenn]

For sure! I love road trip travel from time to time, always nice to pack some fun extras. Buying a ‘just in case’ is cheaper in so many cases compared to bag overages.

[@gsierra123]

Great video! A fun, minor deviation from the normal gear stuff. Learning to travel lighter has become a bit of an obsession as an over-packer. Also, kudos on encouraging people to travel regardless of gear/finances. I did the same in my 20s (road trips)

[@joshfenn]

Thanks so much for the support on this one!

[@AtlasPainkiller]

Thanks for the great tips Josh. Actually prepping for a beach trip, and you gave me some ideas. 👍

[@joshfenn]

Glad to hear it, thanks for the support on this one!

[@dainasworldnumbers88]

Yes! A new video! I just got back from Dallas today and took your packing tips with me . I even had a woman look at my backpack at the airport and say that she wished she could pack like me! Thank you for all your tips.

[@joshfenn]

That’s so awesome! Backpack only trips are always so satisfying, especially when moving around the airport.

[@gmgryan]

Thanks Josh, great video, I like the format. It’s always great hearing from different creators as everyone has a different travel style / perspectives. It was also nice hearing more about you personally / history I don’t think I’ve ever heard that before.

[@joshfenn]

So glad to hear it! Always fun to change up the styles and formats from time to time. Nice to revisit some of that old tour footage getting clips for the video too, I was in it for a quick second playing bass on stage! Was behind the camera for the rest though, had some incredible times and fell in love with traveling through my touring years.

[@AppleWraps]

Great video; thank you Josh!!

[@joshfenn]

Happy to share, thanks for the support!

[@anthonyrobinson2545]

Great video. Really enjoyed it. More please

[@joshfenn]

Glad to hear it, thanks so much for the support!

[@zachw9465]

Enjoyed the video! I would like to see more of how you pack all this out in a bag. With summer trips coming up I’m scouring KZbin for packing ideas regarding one bag travel.

[@joshfenn]

Got something coming next week actually, perfect timing! I’ve don’t quite a few loadouts in the past few years as well

[@doubledecker1094]

read title, know I'll love the video, hit like!

[@joshfenn]

Thanks for the support!

[@tidbit19]

Appreciate the tips!

[@joshfenn]

No problem, happy to share!

[@ewdijkstra7627]

Can confirm the Matador soap bar bag and Beard Brand Utility bar is a huge boon and works great. Didn't know that they made those Scrubba bags in smaller sizes, that might be a good pickup in future. I'd also like to provide 2 tips I've learned from my (granted short-distance and on-grid) travels: 1) The STNKY laundry bag is great for when you need to separate dirty laundry in your luggage. It's water and smell resistant and has an internal mesh bag - when you get home, open the other end so the mesh bag and dirty laundry is exposed and just through it into the wash as a single unit. 2) Ranger rolling some of your clothes can save a good bit of packing space if you don't use packing cubes. It's best with T-shirts, as you can take a pair of sock and underwear and include them in the roll both when packing before you travel and after wearing when placing them in a laundry bag like mentioned above.I can easily pack for 4 days, with some spare clothes and still fit my tech, toiletries and even a chess set into a small, weekender-sized duffle bag.

[@joshfenn]

Great tips, thanks for sharing! I’ll have to check out that dirty clothes bag sometime. Rolling is always the way to go for me, even with packing cubes it just makes things so much nicer.

[@hoser7706]

Great final tip! Always amazing to share knowledge and this type of vlog is a great format. Please keep them coming. Love that older footage ❤🤘🏻love the shirt you are wearing in this episode, may I ask what it is and by whom?

[@joshfenn]

Thanks so much for the kind words and support, glad you enjoyed it! The Flannel is from iron heart, I did a video a few weeks back (and a short) if you want to hear more about it but here’s the link: www.ironheartamerica.com/tops/IHSH-334-OD.html?ktk=YjllczNlLWY3MDQzMmUyYTZi Just in case you meant the t-shirt underneath, here’s a link to that as well: prf.hn/l/Plye9gA

[@RubenStormVlog]

You don't have to travel internationally a lot. You live in one of the most beautiful areas. The PNW is very beautiful. I really love and miss the Portland area... Thanks for that video.. I just thought I should travel there again...

[@joshfenn]

Completely agree! That’s why I ended up moving out here, the city is fun but the nature and proximity to so many different ecosystems is incredible. Still always itching to explore more but having Oregon as a home base is amazing.

[@joemzd]

13:19 Travel First, Gear Second - Excellent advice!

[@joshfenn]

New gear is awesome but always good to keep some perspective on things!

[@danelisslow3269]

On the planes I take (southwest) shopping bags do count as personal items.

[@joshfenn]

Your mileage will definitely vary depending on the location and airline. Seems to work for a lot of folks though

[@jackeddemon]

Pretty good vid I must say 👍🏻

[@joshfenn]

Thanks!

[@jimk9892]

Depending on how long the trip, I have been throwing in a bungy-style clothesline Doesn't take much room in the stuff sack I keep it in. It is smaller than a pair of socks. Do you ever take along a clothesline? I find doing a little sink laundry goes easier with it.

[@joshfenn]

I do something like this for my outdoor backpacking to dry out gear, great idea for travel though! Any specific brand/style that’s worked well for you?

[@jimk9892]

@@joshfenn I am not sure of the brand. I know Amazon has several available. Mine came as a 2 pack. I loaned one to my sister for her extended trip to Europe. She loved it and I probably will never see that one again. It is okay...I knew she would really use it. It is a long bungy cord with several rubber-coated clips attached. They totally would work on camping trips. Ultralight backpackers probably would choose one that had loop knots for less weight.

[@karengoodwin3559]

Talk about anything… I find it all interesting and useful

[@joshfenn]

So glad to hear it, thanks for the support!

[@rhosymedra6628]

Really like that you. mentioned using some of that extra space that you create for a few little things that make a trip good for you. For me it's tea, I feel like tea that you get on airplanes specifically is often awful and a week's worth of good tea really doesn't take up much room. Maybe its silly but I always have both my e reader and a paperback...I like having a backup in case one gets damaged or stolen, and as they say two is one and one is none haha

[@joshfenn]

So glad to hear from someone with a similar mindset! Don’t seem to find a lot of nuance out there online haha, folks either pack a ton or hardly anything but the bare minimum most of the time.

[@jooky5]

I also use the scrubba as a compression bag for clean clothes

[@joshfenn]

Great idea!

[@Phrish]

Pro tip... if you pack a bar of soap in your dopp kit, make it Dr. Bronner's pure castile (any scent). Use this to wash your wool clothing as well as your body. Pure castile soap is among the best and safest detergents for merino woolens.

[@joshfenn]

I think I love the beardbrand soap bars too much to change my setup out, but this is a great tip! Always important to take good care of your nicer fabrics and wool, I’ll have to bite the bullet and pick one up sometime to test.

[@BetterNDTravel]

I do the same. Great multi use soap.

[@f1ggyc]

Poential sink washing idea - surely you could buy a big box of cheap generic powder detergent at home, buy some little containers of some sort (pill boxes?) and prefill them with detergent? I've not tried this but those laundry strips are so expensive!

[@joshfenn]

Haven’t tried it but I assume it’d work really well! Should be a solid alternative

[@okashi10]

The idea that you need the best and most perfect gear before traveling feels the same as needing the best camera before starting to make videos, or the most expensive tools before you start to make art, etc. Just do it! You'll get way better through experience than through items.

[@joshfenn]

Totally agree on both fronts!

[@tansk33]

Hi Josh, love your content! Could you let me know what is the olive green backpack you were carrying around the 7:10 mark? Thanks in advance!

[@joshfenn]

It’s the Pakt travel backpack! A bit late to the party but finally getting around to testing it. shrsl.com/4hdac

[@tansk33]

Thanks so much. Looks good!

[@tansk33]

I also want to add that you are the first KZbinr who talks about having luxuries and not getting hung up if we don't have the perfect gear. The journey is the true adventure. Way to go, Josh!

[@JD-um8sq]

Nice vid! Who makes those green cargos at 8:18 ?

[@joshfenn]

Relwen! Really nice heavyweight cargos, didn’t get the chance to make a video about them before they sold out though. prf.hn/l/p3Gyvzq

[@jeannesauvage117]

Thank you for the great tips! I do use solid shampoo, conditioner, and soap. But I use lotion moisturizer--I haven't found a solid I like. That said, TSA Precheck (for domestic travel) is a gamechanger for carryon travel for me. You don't have to remove anything from your bag when you go through TSA--not a liquids bag, not laptops, etc., nd you don't have to take off your shoes or belt. And it is a super good deal--only about $85 for 5 years.

[@joshfenn]

I always think I don’t travel often enough for precheck but seeing your comment reminds me how inexpensive it is, I’ve gotta just get it over with and sign up haha. Totally get the moisturizer problem, I’d do the same if I traveled for longer durations or more frequently.

[@jeannesauvage117]

@@joshfenn Yes! Also, some credit cards will pay for you to sign up. If you have any, check them out to see if you have this perk.

[@joemzd]

@@joshfennIt’s great for reducing my anxiety since lines are shorter and faster to get through.

[@oise08]

What overshirt are you wearing in this video?

[@joshfenn]

It’s the Iron Heart UHF Overdye - got it a few months back and did a video on it in February. Pricey but the quality is insane, here’s a link if you want to check it out: www.ironheartamerica.com/tops/IHSH-334-OD.html?ktk=YjllczNlLWY3MDQzMmUyYTZi

[@fatherotis]

Okay, but what band were you in?!

[@joshfenn]

Our album just got re-uploaded to Spotify recently if you want to hear, definitely needs a remix/remaster but still happy with it: open.spotify.com/album/3li8OEHgeSH9zgGGapY2Eu We were never really popular or anything but has the chance to go on a few small tours, had an amazing time and made some great memories.

[@fatherotis]

@@joshfenn love this, man! Had a very similar experience from 09-12! Good times and wish I’d had your content to learn how to better travel lightly back then! 😂

[@robthewaywardwoodworker9956]

Play us a little of your music!

[@joshfenn]

It’s in dire need of a remix/remaster, but it’s recently back up on Spotify! Heavy influence from post-rock and Midwest emo, we had a pretty good run for a few years but were never able to make enough money to keep touring and playing. open.spotify.com/album/3li8OEHgeSH9zgGGapY2Eu?si=gAfDyVwcQZmJ0MrykWyMmg

[@robthewaywardwoodworker9956]

@@joshfenn Cool. I'll check it out.

[@sdnalyam]

Just checked Airalo costs. Its a rippoff. Can buy much better , cheaper sim in the country.

[@joshfenn]

A few dollars seems worth it to me to avoid the hassle of finding an eSIM for sale somewhere after landing, but prices seemed reasonable to me after checking into it and hearing other travelers’ thoughts on Reddit.

[@Sapoguapo]

Let’s normalize showering while wearing your dirty laundry!

[@joshfenn]

If you run fast enough afterwards your clothes will be dry in no time 🏃

[@Sapoguapo]

@@joshfenn and this my friend, is why I love what you do!!!

[@skipper4114]

I wish I could use merino wool. I tried many brands but for me they stink really bad when it gets wet that no one seems to mention. I also find them to itchy. If your a man with body hair then trust me they are itchy. I wish more KZbinrs would tell the truth rather than just take the sponsorship perks.

[@joshfenn]

I’m extremely hairy and definitely don’t have this issue. Maybe worth trying another brand/style? Just like cotton there’s quite a bit of variety out there in feel/weight/softness. I’ve never been sponsored by a merino wool company either, not sure what you’re talking about.

[@skipper4114]

@@joshfenn I wasn’t referring to you sorry. I have tried 3 of most popular brands. They all stink when they get wet. But for me they all are itchy. I have unboundmerino hoodies which are great but I find the t shirts itchy. Not to mention they have almost doubled in price in 4 years. But some KZbinrs will promote shit if they get a sponsorship. Cheers.

[@theresabu3000]

It's definitely getting really expensive - but everyone has to decide for themselves. I like icebreakers and smartwool underwear- that's not scratchy. And most others I've tried are okay directly on my skin. For my old wool jumpers I definitely need a layer between though. But not sure it's worth it in terms of that these t-shirts are really with me longer. As some merino shirts now cost 80-100€ - and cotton are maybe 20€.

[@marksephton2333]

Great vid! Love the travel first, gear second thought! Definitely worth sharing more tips to help people find ways of cutting costs to get started on their adventures.

[@joshfenn]

Thanks so much for the support! Great to see the interest around here for this style of video, keeping it in mind as I brainstorm for the coming months.