Hostel-hoppers and thru-hikers have ultralight packing lists as well. Hostel-hoppers are unprepared for camping and multi-day hitchhiking trips, however, and thru-hikers are typically just set up for trail life and only concerned with one general climate for a fixed period of time.

Freestyle travelers blend the obsessively clever weight-saving techniques of thru-hikers (who carry their bags all day), along with hostel-hoppers' adaptability to all the transportation, accommodation and social situations that arise during extended travel.

We get around by

We travel indefinitely, throughout a vast scope of climates and seasons, from wilderness to cities; we often

to sustain our lifestyle.

Ultralight Travel Packing List





Just remember: Traveling, or doing whatever the hell you want: that's the key. This lightweight travel packing guide is obsessive and ridiculous, efficient and thorough. At a certain point we're talking about saving ounces or even grams... and sure, there are certain weight class milestones, such as slimming from a checked bag to a carry on bag, or from a carry on bag to a nearly forgettable sized bundle, but regardless of your pack weight - you're seeing the planet in electric fashion! You're a God-damned hero, massaging your soul and pollinating the known universe, inspiring the restless as you blaze on across the globe. So, absorb what makes sense, ignore the rest and keep on moving.



Here we go, this is what I carry, a more optimal list and finally a super ultralight list for the true minimalist.



The following packing lists allow one to travel throughout the world in all the situations I've described.

Last updated: January 23, 2019



My Base Pack Weight: 5 kilograms / 11 pounds

That's the weight of my backpack and it's contents, excluding what I'm wearing as well as consumables like food, water and fuel. (More on "base pack weight" at the very bottom of this post). If I include what I'm wearing (what's not in the pack), head-to-toe, it's closer to 15lbs (~7 kilos).



My current gear list does the trick, but it could always be better. I'll explain everything and point out where I could improve and where I'm just being stubborn or weighing convenience over lightness.



The moment I started traveling, a walking yard sale. When I first started traveling in 2007 I had a monster, easily 60 pounds or more strapped to my back with crap clipped on the back and sides, extra day packs and all kinds of junk hanging off me. I see other travelers like this all the time, I try to guess what they could possibly be hauling around, I try to remember what the hell I was lugging through the world so pointlessly in the beginning. When I first started traveling in 2007 I had a monster, easily 60 pounds or more strapped to my back with crap clipped on the back and sides, extra day packs and all kinds of junk hanging off me. I see other travelers like this all the time, I try to guess what they could possibly be hauling around, I try to remember what the hell I was lugging through the world so pointlessly in the beginning. 5 kilograms / 11 poundsThat's the weight of my backpack and it's contents, excluding what I'm wearing as well as consumables like food, water and fuel. (More on "base pack weight" at the very bottom of this post). If I include what I'm wearing (what's not in the pack), head-to-toe, it's closer to 15lbs (~7 kilos).My current gear list does the trick, but it could always be better. I'll explain everything and point out where I could improve and where I'm just being stubborn or weighing convenience over lightness. Ultralight Travel Gear and Travel Packing Travel Clothes - The waist up

Rolling up shirts is the way to go. Three is the magic number when it comes to t-shirts, for me it's two made from the magical merino wool and one from cotton, but you could get away with just two t-shirts, you'll just have to wash them more often.



Merino shirt from Icebreaker, pretty sweet. Merino wool is an ideal fabric for your t-shirts, it's very resistant to stink which means you can go many days without washing. Most people don't notice or care that you're wearing the same shirt for days at a time (especially if you're frequently on the move), you shouldn't care either. The downside is the price, like $40-$90 for a t-shirt expensive. If you got the cash for it, do it, and anyways traveling light also means you have less things, so you can maybe justify spending more on what you do have.



A justification for a third t-shirt can easily be made and is my preference. Besides my two great merino shirts I have a third cotton shirt which allows me more time between washing, a different look and an easy shirt to burn up. By that I mean it's the shirt I don't mind screwing up when someone offers a hundred bucks to move a wood pile, or a few weeks trimming in harvest season... that smell isn't going away.



This OR Helium II rain jacket only weighs 6.4oz, half the weight of my old one. One long sleeve shirt, also merino, would be ideal, for the colder days. A casual outer layer is also a must, I prefer hooded zip up sweatshirts. Lastly a rain jacket to stay dry in unexpected downpours.



T-shirt + long sleeve + sweatshirt + rain jacket = pretty damn warm. Depending on your sleeping bag or quilt (which I'll get to more in a bit), it can be possible to origami it into a very warm vest without looking overly ridiculous (but maybe just a little), then you'll be real toasty.



I also carry a baseball cap for keeping the sun out of my eyes on long sunny hikes, as well as a warm beanie for the biting cold.



Maybe you're fashionable, maybe you're a girl that needs to have a cute tanktop and several fancy shirts with particular style names I can't pronounce or spell and a dress and this and that. To each their own. All I can do is explain how to travel as light as possible the best I know how. Everyone has exceptions and hobby items. Traveling as light as possible is not the goal, good times and free flowing travel is the goal. Travel light where you can, but don't let it interfere with expressing yourself. Three is the magic number when it comes to t-shirts, for me it's two made from the magical merino wool and one from cotton, but you could get away with just two t-shirts, you'll just have to wash them more often.Merino wool is an ideal fabric for your t-shirts, it's very resistant to stink which means you can go many days without washing. Most people don't notice or care that you're wearing the same shirt for days at a time (especially if you're frequently on the move), you shouldn't care either. The downside is the price, like $40-$90 for a t-shirt expensive. If you got the cash for it, do it, and anyways traveling light also means you have less things, so you can maybe justify spending more on what you do have.A justification for a third t-shirt can easily be made and is my preference. Besides my two great merino shirts I have a third cotton shirt which allows me more time between washing, a different look and an easy shirt to burn up. By that I mean it's the shirt I don't mind screwing up when someone offers a hundred bucks to move a wood pile, or a few weeks trimming in harvest season... that smell isn't going away.One long sleeve shirt, also merino, would be ideal, for the colder days. A casual outer layer is also a must, I prefer hooded zip up sweatshirts. Lastly a rain jacket to stay dry in unexpected downpours.T-shirt + long sleeve + sweatshirt + rain jacket = pretty damn warm. Depending on your sleeping bag or quilt (which I'll get to more in a bit), it can be possible to origami it into a very warm vest without looking overly ridiculous (but maybe just a little), then you'll be real toasty.I also carry a baseball cap for keeping the sun out of my eyes on long sunny hikes, as well as a warm beanie for the biting cold.Maybe you're fashionable, maybe you're a girl that needs to have a cute tanktop and several fancy shirts with particular style names I can't pronounce or spell and a dress and this and that. To each their own. All I can do is explain how to travel as light as possible the best I know how. Everyone has exceptions and hobby items. Traveling as light as possible is not the goal, good times and free flowing travel is the goal. Travel light where you can, but don't let it interfere with expressing yourself.





Super ultralight? You could get away with just one merino t-shirt, the sweatshirt and no rain jacket (use your bivy/shelter as a poncho) and no hats. You'll be doing laundry a bit more frequently and won't be quite as warm when it's cold out, but the sleeping bag as a vest trick should get you by.





Travel Clothes - The Waist Down





These slightly stretchy shorts are actually pretty awesome.



This also means I have a separate pair of shorts. If you're not hooked on having jeans then you will instantly be carrying much less than me, either with performance pants and shorts, or travel pants that zip off into shorts, and that's it. Pants don't begin to stink nearly as quick as shirts will, you can wear them for days and days and days. Zip off into shorts when it's warm, use your shorts as your swimsuit too, life is simple.



Underwear would be the priority over shirts in terms of splurging for high quality no-smell fabrics. I had a Smartwool merino pair once, I loved them, although they did seem to degrade and rip a bit faster than normal underwear. Instead,



ExOfficio boxer brief is the travel underwear champ.



Two pairs should be enough if you have the good stuff, three pairs is a convenient luxury or a good number if you only have "normal" underwear. Any more than three pairs of underwear, no matter what they're made of, is insanity, utterly pointless.



One pair of long underwear is a must if you want to walk around New York City in the dead of winter. It makes a huge difference in cold weather, they're nice to sleep in and it gives you something to wear when you're doing laundry. You can also wear them for many days in a row since you should be wearing your regular underwear underneath. You'll thank me when you're hitchhiking in sub-zero temperatures wondering what the meaning of life is.



Smartwool merino socks. Yes please! I have two pairs of socks, I used to have three, but I think two is enough. Again this is especially true if you get some of that sweet, sweet merino loving (seeing a trend yet?). I've had



Keen Newports, good for everything. Lastly, shoes. Sport sandals are the way to go in my opinion, I prefer Keens, specifically their I like to wear jeans, which some travelers and especially hikers would say makes me a sucker. Jeans are bulky, heavy and take a while to dry - not exactly ultralight travel gear, yes I know. I like them still, you can blend in anywhere in the world with jeans; no article of clothing is more universal. A friend of mine has some so-called " travel jeans " that are trying to bridge the gap using lighter and quicker drying material, so perhaps there is an acceptable compromise.This also means I have a separate pair of shorts. If you're not hooked on having jeans then you will instantly be carrying much less than me, either with performance pants and shorts, or travel pants that zip off into shorts, and that's it. Pants don't begin to stink nearly as quick as shirts will, you can wear them for days and days and days. Zip off into shorts when it's warm, use your shorts as your swimsuit too, life is simple.Underwear would be the priority over shirts in terms of splurging for high quality no-smell fabrics. I had a Smartwool merino pair once, I loved them, although they did seem to degrade and rip a bit faster than normal underwear. Instead, ExOfficio boxer briefs have been mine and so many other's favorite when it comes to travel underwear. They're comfortable and dry quick, I'll often go swimming with them too.Two pairs should be enough if you have the good stuff, three pairs is a convenient luxury or a good number if you only have "normal" underwear. Any more than three pairs of underwear, no matter what they're made of, is insanity, utterly pointless.One pair of long underwear is a must if you want to walk around New York City in the dead of winter. It makes a huge difference in cold weather, they're nice to sleep in and it gives you something to wear when you're doing laundry. You can also wear them for many days in a row since you should be wearing your regular underwear underneath. You'll thank me when you're hitchhiking in sub-zero temperatures wondering what the meaning of life is.I have two pairs of socks, I used to have three, but I think two is enough. Again this is especially true if you get some of that sweet, sweet merino loving (seeing a trend yet?). I've had Smartwool socks before and they are awesome, just keep your toenails clipped and they'll last longer. Socks are quick and easy to wash and merino wool dries fast and doesn't stink as much, so rotating two pairs is no problem. Three pairs should be the max, if they're not all real high quality or if you're doing a lot of colder hiking and reserve one clean pair for sleeping.Lastly, shoes. Sport sandals are the way to go in my opinion, I prefer Keens, specifically their Newports and the variations of these. Other travelers will have many different opinions of course. The reason I like them is because they're great for just about any situation or season, maybe just not very formal events. They dry quickly after a day on the river, you can hike mountain trails without a problem, throw on warm socks during the winter and be breezy in the summer. I've yet to find a better travel shoe, until then I'll keep kicking with these.





Super ultralight? One pair of underwear, one pair of socks, one pair of hiking pants that zip off to shorts, the long underwear and sport sandals. Again, the compromise here is that you will constantly be washing your dirty junk and you'll be naked doing so. You'll probably get annoyed doing this so much and instead wash less frequently, stink more often without knowing it, go to more rainbow gatherings, meet an equally stinky beautiful girl named Butterfly, fall in love, have a "commitment ceremony" to celebrate your love and live happily ever after. So by all means, dedicate yourself to being super ultralight and I'll say congrats to you and Butterfly's first love child, but sorry, I don't have much advice for ultralight diapers.





Travel Toiletries

Not everyone needs a keyboard, but this one is the best for travelers. Get it here. I carry a good Android phone along with a bluetooth keyboard so I can still do a lot of writing comfortably. For many years I've had a laptop, but phones keep getting more powerful, now along with the keyboard I don't really miss hauling the heavier laptop around. The bluetooth keyboard is useful for me, but many people can skip this if you're not doing any extended writing or simply don't mind using your phone's on screen keyboard. (Update: Carrying a laptop again, but constantly debating about it) I carry a good Android phone along with a bluetooth keyboard so I can still do a lot of writing comfortably. For many years I've had a laptop, but phones keep getting more powerful, now along with the keyboard I don't really miss hauling the heavier laptop around. The bluetooth keyboard is useful for me, but many people can skip this if you're not doing any extended writing or simply don't mind using your phone's on screen keyboard. (Update: Carrying a laptop again, but constantly debating about it)





I shouldn't really have to explain why a phone comes in handy, but... it's a camera, GPS maps, communication, a gateway to find hosts and even access to this thing called "Google" where you can figure out just about anything. Yup.



Selecting a phone that's right for you can be pretty personal. A laptop is only needed if that's what you're all about, you're a programmer or into hefty video editing, something like that. I'd say tablets are the worst, they're basically giant phones, plus you'll want a phone anyway to use it as a camera or generally have it on hand for easy wifi poaching. The only place I see for a tablet is if you're an avid reader and you're using it instead of hauling books around.



Generally for a phone I'd say get an Android phone that allows you to swap out the battery, then just shoot for the one with best camera you can get your hands on. Everyone's different, there's no right or wrong answer, unless of course you decide to pay for an iPhone, then you're just a goof (yup).









Best all-in-one I've seen with USB, but still sucks, there's got to be better. Take a look.

Besides my headphones, the rest of my electronics are about power. I have a second battery for my phone so I can go several days or more without looking for an outlet, it fits in my wallet easily. I carried a solar panel charger at one point, as well as those big brick batteries that charge whatever, but a second battery is sufficient and a hell of a lot smaller (unless you're phone has a sealed back and no replaceable battery capability, then it just sucks to be you).



Then of course there's the



I am, however, searching for the perfect all-in-one. It has to be tiny, have the plugs for all countries, but instead of accepting plugs it should only have a USB port to save space, since this is the only type of power I need, ideally of the Quick Charge 2.0 variety. This would eliminate the need for the original wall charger as well, so in the end you'd have just one item, only slightly bigger than a normal charger, and it would work everywhere. Somebody's gotta be making this, but I haven't found it. Might be time to find someone with a soldering iron... Besides my headphones, the rest of my electronics are about power. I have a second battery for my phone so I can go several days or more without looking for an outlet, it fits in my wallet easily. I carried a solar panel charger at one point, as well as those big brick batteries that charge whatever, but a second battery is sufficient and a hell of a lot smaller (unless you're phone has a sealed back and no replaceable battery capability, then it just sucks to be you).Then of course there's the USB C wall charger and USB C cable, also a car charger. At current moment I have an adapter for European plugs and a separate one for the UK as well. They make all-in-one universal adapters that work for just about all countries, but most of them are a big bulky mess.I am, however, searching for the perfect all-in-one. It has to be tiny, have the plugs for all countries, but instead of accepting plugs it should only have a USB port to save space, since this is the only type of power I need, ideally of the Quick Charge 2.0 variety. This would eliminate the need for the original wall charger as well, so in the end you'd have just one item, only slightly bigger than a normal charger, and it would work everywhere. Somebody's gotta be making this, but I haven't found it. Might be time to find someone with a soldering iron...





Super ultralight? Nothing. Take no pictures. Bring paper maps or just study and go, or just wander at will. Use public computers or friend's computers to arrange hosts on hospitality sites and stay in touch with far away friends. Or don't. I bet Butterfly has an iPhone she'll share.

Electronics (including phone + extra battery): 495 grams / 17.5oz

Nothing. Take no pictures. Bring paper maps or just study and go, or just wander at will. Use public computers or friend's computers to arrange hosts on hospitality sites and stay in touch with far away friends. Or don't. I bet Butterfly has an iPhone she'll share.





Travel Packing Odds & Ends

Here's where things can get out of hand. Typically "odds & ends" is stuff you either don't need or are an important part of you, but also just little stuff that doesn't fit in the other categories. A guitar, for example, would fit in this category. While not "ultralight", who cares, if you play the guitar then you have a guitar. All the packing tips are not just for those who want the lightest load possible, but also for those who want a load so light that it's no big deal to add a few of their heavier hobby and luxury items.





Stash a phone or use it discreetly. I have (update, "had") a



I use the pen from the multi tool I mentioned, which also functions as the handle for my toothbrush and spork, has the scissors for cutting my nails, tweezers which I rarely use, and a screwdriver/bottle opener which I just use as the attachment for the toothbrush. I have (update, "had") a custom notebook I made, it has pages to write and draw in and hollowed pages in the back that I can hide my phone or cash in. I also made an envelope style pocket in there to stash any loose paper and metro cards from places I'm not currently near.I use the pen from the multi tool I mentioned, which also functions as the handle for my toothbrush and spork, has the scissors for cutting my nails, tweezers which I rarely use, and a screwdriver/bottle opener which I just use as the attachment for the toothbrush.





Easy and cheap to make, including the marker it's just 46 grams (1.6oz) I made a dry erase whiteboard (working off





You could also not do this and just get a normal marker for making signs with cardboard or whatever you find, or carry nothing at all, I actually only make signs while hitchhiking a small percentage of the time. If you're new to or enthusiastic about hitchhiking, I've got plenty of



The last thing I have is a simple wallet I made for myself out of waterproof polyester and cuben fiber. I stash any cash and cards I have in here, it also has an excess pocket that pulls out where I can put my passport, phone, headphones or anything else I want to contain and keep dry. I made a dry erase whiteboard (working off this simple tutorial ) which folds up to either pocket size or the size of my notebook, I use this for making hitchhiking signs on the fly. I recently stepped it up and made a custom hat where the brim is removable, the brim being a shaped custom whiteboard like this.You could also not do this and just get a normal marker for making signs with cardboard or whatever you find, or carry nothing at all, I actually only make signs while hitchhiking a small percentage of the time. If you're new to or enthusiastic about hitchhiking, I've got plenty of videos and information The last thing I have is a simple wallet I made for myself out of waterproof polyester and cuben fiber. I stash any cash and cards I have in here, it also has an excess pocket that pulls out where I can put my passport, phone, headphones or anything else I want to contain and keep dry.





Ultralight Packing

The Osprey Exos 38 may be the best commercial travel pack available. There are many different backpacks you can get, but I recommend something that's 40 liters or less. If you're not sure what pack to get, I highly recommend the





Once you choose a backpack, the next task is packing all your gear in it.



My There are many different backpacks you can get, but I recommend something that's 40 liters or less. If you're not sure what pack to get, I highly recommend the Osprey Exos 38 . It's widely available, comfortable, and the perfect size.Once you choose a backpack, the next task is packing all your gear in it.My BivyPack backpack has one big top loading opening like most backpacks, it's just one big pocket and has one big external stretchy pocket. Inside there's also a divider on the back where the bivy gets tucked away and separated from the rest of my stuff in case it's wet or dirty.





I tuck my sleeping pad in with the bivy which provides a bit more comfort. In the bottom of my pack I have my sleeping bag in it's stuff sack.



Next I have a 20L Cuben Fiber waterproof bag that has my food, spices and tea, cooking supplies and any loose items I may have like my water filter, foreign currency and metro cards I'm not using.



A 2.5 gallon Hefty slide locking plastic bag with all my travel clothes is usually on top, I have another hefty bag in it to separate clean clothes from dirty. Another Hefty bag has my laptop and electronics, then a tiny one for my toiletries at the ready.





I stuff my rain jacket in the external stretchy pocket for easy access in a downpour.





And that's it. That's what I got, how I pack it, why I suck and could be doing better and how you could be an over-the-top ultralight freestyle traveler if you so desired. Now that you see what I've been doing, here's a few ways to think light and come up with your own weight saving strategies.



