My Minimalist One Bag Packing List

by Jude Mercer

Updated - July 2025

After years of trial and error and many meticulous revisions, I present my current one bag setup for world travel. It weighs in just under 7kg. Why 7kg, you might ask? Because that's the maximum carry-on weight allowed (without extra fees) on most international and domestic flights, even with the most budget friendly carriers. If you can keep your bag under that limit (which you absolutely can, trust me), you'll unlock a whole new level of travel bliss. I promise. Traveling with everything you own strapped to your back gives you a level of freedom that's hard to describe until you experience it for yourself. Once you go one bag, you never go back. This is my exact packing list for indefinite international travel for months at a time, all over the world. It also works perfectly for short trips too. It includes seven days worth of clothing, after a week, just wash, rinse, repeat. It also contains all the essential tech I use to both live and work from anywhere, assuming your job only requires a laptop.

Note: Some links on this page are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you buy something, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend things I personally use and love.

Packing

• Timbuk2 Spire Backpack 2.0 - After years of trying countless bags I discovered this gem and I'm extremely pleased with it. There is nothing I would really change about it if I could. Open-top bags are handy because you can easily compress things down into them and they expand and contract based on your load. The front organizer is simple yet intuitive and is easily accessible. The laptop compartment can be accessed from the outside which lets me pull out my laptop without having to open my bag and dig through my stuff, plus there is a false bottom so no more damaged laptop when you set your bag down too hard. Also worth noting that all Timbuk2 bags come with a lifetime warranty and punch way above their weight in terms of price. On a personal note, I think it looks quite stylish and I have received quite a few compliments on its aesthetic.
• Matador FlatPak Waterproof Toiletry Case - What it lacks in function it makes up for in weight and waterproof-ness. The Dry-Through technology still blows my mind, somehow the material lets water evaporate through the fabric so toothbrushes and razors dry inside the case. Amazing.
• Amazon Basics Small Packing Cubes - I know, I know, these are dead weight right? True...65g of dead weight, but I can't live without them. They keep everything neat and organized, so I can grab what I need without everything spilling out everywhere. The small size fits like it was made for my Timbuk2 bag and trust me...once you start using them you can never go back.

Tech

• Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 - I've tried to love the Mac, believe me, but I just keep going back to Windows laptops for some reason. This one is super lightweight, has exceptional build quality and charges via usb-c so I can leave it's bulky power brick behind. The touch screen is a very nice feature when I'm in media consumption mode and I don't feel like using the mouse. The 5th version of this just came out but it's essentially the same laptop with just a slightly better processor, not worth the upgrade for me yet.

• Google Pixel 9a - Had an iPhone Pro model for many years, switched to the Pixel 9a and never looked back. For now, Google's AI is vastly superior to Apple's, as is Gboard. It has a physical sim card, but even better, it uses eSim - which I can't live without when I travel now. It's super snappy, buttery smooth, charges super quick and just works. As a bonus, it's only about half the price of an iPhone.
• EarFun Air Pro 4 - I really do love these earbuds. Keep in mind, I'm coming from Apple AirPods Pro 2's. These are way cheaper and honestly just better in every single way. Sound quality and battery life are better and the active noise canceling is much better. They support pairing with multiple devices, so I can stay connected to both my laptop and phone at the same time, and they switch between them automatically. I also found they're much more comfortable for prolonged use.
• Anker Nano II 65w Usb-C Charger - Super compact, legendary Anker quality and enough watts to charge my Surface Laptop 3 at max speed (0 to 100 in about an hour) I didn't opt for one with multiple ports as you can't usually charge at full speed if multiple devices are connected. Also things charge so fast these days I rarely ever need to charge things simultaneously.
• Anker Flow 6ft Usb-C Cable - Devices these days always come with a wimpy 3ft cable. I was laying in bed trying to use my phone that was charging at the time and the cord wouldn't reach. Dont let this happen to you. Do yourself a favor and get a good quality 6ft cable to charge your stuff. I love the Anker flow cables because they are made of silicone and never tangle and are super durable.
• Road Warrior Universal Travel Plug - This small plug adapter is cheap, intuitive, lightweight, built like a tank and made in Japan. I love its thin shape for easy storage vs the typical big bulky cubes. It covers every type of plug all across the globe. One plug adapter to rule them all.
• SanDisk 256GB Ultra Dual Drive - I used to carry a portable SSD but thumb drives are so cheap and hold so much now that I find it unnecessary. I like this one from SanDisk because it's about as reliable as it gets for thumb drives and it has both Usb-C and Usb-A so it just works with everything.

Clothing

• Express Slim SuperSoft T-Shirts - I'm quite tall (6'7") so it's hard for me to find normal clothes that fit well. I've fallen in love with these Express t-shirts as they are comfy, stretchy, slim fit, come in tall sizes and hold up extremely well. I bring 7 black ones because black doesn't stain and I goes with everything else I bring, I wear a fresh one each day and wash at the end of the week with my other laundry.
• 7Diamonds Infinity 7" Chino Shorts - I've finally found the perfect pair of shorts. These are the most comfy shorts I've ever used, they are super stretchy, silky smooth but at the same time, look like normal cotton chinos (none of that shiny "performace" look). You can swim in these and they dry very quickly. I bring 3 pairs, sand, khaki and navy.
• ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0 Boxer Briefs - I picked up a pair of these as a recommendation from a friend and bought 7 more the next day. You wouldn't believe how much of a difference good quality, comfortable underwear makes in your day. These guys are by far the most comfortable underwear I've ever used. Not the cheapest, buy once, cry once, but they last years longer than any other underwear I've ever tried. I bring 8 pairs.
• AE AirFlex+ Slim Straight Jean - I bring one pair of jeans that I usually wear on the plane to save weight, plus airplanes tend to be on the cooler side. I don't travel to cold climates too often but these are for cooler weather or if I want to "dress up" a bit. You really don't need more than one pair of jeans, washing them once a week is comopletely fine. I love this AirFlex because they are super stretchy and insanely comfortable. Honestly, they feel more like sweatpants than jeans and the flex actually extends their life because the fabric is able to stretch instead of pull. Black of course.
• Eddie Bauer CirrusLite Down Jacket - I just bring one puffer jacket for cold weather and it's all I've ever needed. Keeps me warm in the cold, without overheating when it's mild. It's ultra light and packs down to nothing in the included stuff sack.
• GRIP6 Ninja Belt - I bought this belt over 10 years ago and it's still going strong, no signs of stopping. It's built like a tank and super lightweight. I love its minimliast asthetic and I get quite a few people asking where they can get one. It also has an infinite level of adjustment to get the perfect fit.
• Goodfellow & Co Solid Color Swim Trunks - I use these cheap swim trunks that I got from Target years ago because I love the fit and they dry ridiculously fast. Still haven't found anything better for the money.
• Adidas Stan Smith Shoes - White - I know white shoes seem like a ridiculous idea for travel, but white goes with everything. They have developed a stylish patina over the years and are just so comfortable and durable. I spent so much time looking for a "world shoe" that was comfortable and stylish, settled on these and haven't looked back.
• FlexFit Delta Hat - I always travel with a hat, this one is my new favorite. It's made of this lightweight microfiber material that is super comfy, moisture wicking and has a unique seemless design that just looks plain cool.

Toiletries

• Philips 5000 Series Grooming Kit - I use this for my head (perks of balding) and my beard. I've been using these clippers for close to 10 years now and they are still going strong. They charge fast, you can use them while charging and the blades self sharpen and never pull.
• Gillette Guard Razor - I stumbled upon this razor on a reddit thread and I'm so glad I did. Not only are they dirt cheap but they also work the best out of any razor I've ever tried, and I've tried them all. So much so, that I bought a 100 blade refil pack on eBay because I loved them so much. Now I have enough blades to last for decades. (Note: These are made for the Indian market, so they can be a little hard to get in the west.)
• Shave Secret Shaving Oil - I discovered this stuff a few years back and have been using it ever since. It sounds like it wouldn't work well but it works so much better than any other shaving cream or foam I've ever used. Plus it's ultra lightweight and one bottle lasts forever, you only need a few drops per shave.
• Old Spice Swagger Deodorant - My favorite smelling deodorant. I like that it doesn't contain the anti-perspirant stuff that supposedly causes health problems.
• Philips Sonicare 4100 Toothbrush - I know this is a bit of a luxury item but I can't stand my teeth not feeling super clean. I love this toothbrush so much I've bought it as gifts for people (Note: Do not do this, they will assume you think they have bad teeth). The only thing I dislike is that it has to charge with a bulky charger. If they ever make it charge via usb-c it will be the perfect toothbrush.
• Seki Edge Nail Clippers - I'll never use another nail clipper. Made in Japan. Cuts like a hot knife through butter. Never dulls. Built like a tank.
• Tweezerman Slant Tweezers - Again, I'll never use another tweezer. These are super accurate and precise and they grab like they were made for microsurgery.
• L'Occitane Cocon de Serenite Soap - If you're staying somewhere long term, just buy some soap when you get there are save the space. That being said, this soap is like bathing yourself in liquid silk, a blissful shower experience after a long trip is a great feeling. I also prefer bar soap because it doesn't count as a liquid (some airlines are picky about liquids) and it lasts a very long time. (Note: This bar is huge so I usually end up cutting it in half to save weight.)
• Matador FlatPak Soap Bar Case - One of the best pieces of kit I've purchased. Made of the same stuff as my toiletry bag, It's completely waterproof but yet I can put my L'Occitane bar soap in this soaking wet and it will dry inside the case without leaking. Still not sure how they do this.

Miscellaneous

• MagPul DAKA Minimalist Wallet - I've tried a zillion wallets and this is my favorite. It's super lightweight yet built tough and holds the perfect amount of cards for everyday carry.
• Zero Grid Passport Wallet - I keep my passport and all my wallet stuff in this while I'm traveling. I keep my MagPul wallet empty. When I arrive I take out my debit card and my credit card and put them in my MagPul wallet and carry that one with me daily. I rarely cary my actual passport with me around cities, I keep a small folded paper copy in my wallet and a picture of my ID page and visa stamp on my smartphone.
• Carfia Polarized Sunglasses - I love these sunnies becuase they are cheap, yet built well and the lenses are actually good quality. No distortion at all when wearing them and really good polarization.
• Sofirn SC13 Mini Flashlight - I'll admit I'm a bit of a flashlight nerd. This is my favorite for travel. I carry this for two main reasons. First, sometimes you just need a flashlight and second, for security. Shine this in an attackers face and they will be blinded long enough for you to run away. No weapons, no lawsuits, no hassles at the airport. This this in ultra bright, super tiny, recharges via Usb-C and has a handy hat clip for hands free use.
• Decathalon Nabaiji Mini Towel - I picked up one of these mini towels in Thailand as they are hard to come by here in the USA. This towel has bailed me out so many times. It packs down super small, is super absorbant and dries very fast. Didn't know I needed it, now I can't live without it.