My One-Bag (30L) Gear System for Indefinite Four-Season Travel (2025 Edition)
I've been one-bag traveling for years, having gradually whittled down to an everyday-sized 30L from a 55L. Ditching the suitcase has changed how I move: I can actually do things between checkout and late (cheap) flights (specially when Airbnbs won’t store luggage), and I can slip onto public transit from the airport without looking like an obvious tourist. On the plane, having a true everyday-sized backpack as my main bag keeps my leg space free and saves me from spontaneous gate-checks.
This packing list has held up across all kinds of weather, from humid, hot beach days in Hawaii to freezing, wind-shipped nights in the Atacama desert. Below is my current gear list for indefinite, four-season travel.
The interior of my packed main backpack, a Patagonia Refugio 30L.
Packing System
Notes:
My backpack is my suitcase – everything I need for everyday living goes in there. My sling is my always-on-me bag — my travel essentials and important items (passport, wallet, etc) go there.
My clothes live in two packing cubes: M = tops/layers, S = socks/underwear/bras, so I never fully unpack.
All my liquids, which include toiletries and makeup, live in my clear toiletry pouch. I also barely unpack this at my destination.
I now have a way of packing everything into my backpack that works for me, so packing and unpacking take no time (shoe bag goes on bottom, then compressed packing cubes, toiletry pouch goes to the side, etc).
Travel essentials like passport, wallet, portable charger, and AirPods go into my Osprey 2L sling, so they’re always with me when I travel.
Packs (2)
1× Main backpack (everyday 30L size) (currently: Patagonia Refugio 30L) — My ride-or-die for years now. The square shape fits way more than it looks yet it still carries like a true everyday bag, and it’s sturdy with great organizational features.
1× Essentials sling (small, secure) (currently: Osprey Ultralight Collapsible Stuff Waist Pack)
Organization (3)
2× Packing cube (compression, ultralight) (currently: Eagle Creek Pack-It Isolate S & M) — 4 years of use (2 years as my “closet”), still like new. Revolutionary for fitting all my clothes into my pack.
1× Toiletries pouch (transparent, TSA-compliant) (currently: Tom Bihn Clear 3D Organizer Cube) — Ultralight but spacious. The clear design makes airport liquid checks (especially stricter ones like Heathrow) painless.
Separation & Laundry (2–3)
1× Shoe bag (fits 1-2 pairs, non-mesh) (currently: Peak Design Shoe Pouch) — Volume-efficient and sized to sit perfectly at the bottom of my backpack, with a sturdy zipper and solid fabric that keeps dirty shoes fully contained away from the rest of my clean stuff.
1× Laundry bag (breathable or wipeable) (currently: mixed)
Pouches (3)
1× Tech pouch (structured, cable-friendly) (currently: Tropicfeel Fidlock Pouch)
1× Misc pouch (catch-all, zippered) (currently: mixed)
Clothing Capsule
Notes:
All my clothes are of a neutral color palette so everything can mix and match into multiple outfits.
I opt for quick-dry and low-odor materials – so lots of merino wool and lightweight synthetics vs. heavy cotton.
I love multifunctional clothing that can serve as athletics wear, lounge wear, and look good enough for a nice dinner.
I tend to run warm so I don’t have too much gear for cold weather, but if you run cold, you might need to swap for warmer jackets or bring additional mid-layers.
Note: Many of my merino pieces are from Unbound Merino simply because I like the fit and style, and I’ve had good durability. But the overall principle is “lightweight merino basics.”
Bottoms (5)
1× Pants (lightweight, wrinkle-resistant, multifunctional) (currently: Decathlon Running Pants; similar Janji Transit Tech Pant) — Mine is not in stock anymore, but the idea is The only pants I bring because they look put-together but can double as workout / running pants.
1× Leggings (black, high-rise) (currently: Lululemon Align High-Rise 25”)
1× Everyday shorts (merino, stylish) (currently: Unbound Merino Lightweight Travel Shorts)
1× Casual shorts (workouts, lounging) (currently: New Balance Impact 7-inch Run Short)
1× Running shorts (biker style, pockets) (currently: Adidas Own The Run Short Leggings)
Tops (5)
1× Tank (v-neck, layerable) (currently: Unbound Merino V-Neck Tank) — My “wear it 3 ways” top that makes the whole capsule feel less repetitive.
1× Tank (athletic, run-to-casual) (currently: Vuori Energy Long Tank)
1x T-shirt (crew neck) (currently: Unbound Merino Relaxed T-Shirt)
1x Long-sleeve (lightweight, layerable) (currently: Unbound Merino Relaxed Longsleeve)
1x Sweatshirt (warm mid-layer) (currently: Unbound Merino Cropped Quarter ZIp)
One-piece (1)
1x Dress (black tank dress, day-to-night) (currently: Unbound Merino Mini Tank Dress) — My instant “nice outfit” that still feels like loungewear.
Outerwear (2)
1x Insulated jacket (packable, versatile) (currently: Patagonia Nanopuff Hoody) — My favorite puffer for years. Warm, durable, and extremely packable, it fits into the side mesh pocket of my backpack and
1x Windbreaker (extremely packable, lightweight) (currently: Decathlon Kiprun Packable Windbreaker; similar Patagonia Houdini Jacket) — Mine is not in stock anymore, but I love a windbreaker that packs into the size of a phone. Makes it a breeze to bring out on runs or to have a versatile layer for ultralight packing.
Underlayers (14)
3x Socks (merino, athletics) (currently: Icebreaker Merino Run Socks) — Low-odor and comfy enough to run in and walk all day.
3x Bras (comfortable sports bras) (currently: Nike Alate Minimalist Bra) — My absolute favorite, the rare sports bra that is comfy enough to double as my everyday bra.
8x Underwear (quick-dry) (currently: Icebreaker Merino Siren Hipkini & Lululemon UnderEase Midrise Bikini)
Footwear (2)
1x Trail running sneakers (black, low-profile) (currently: Nike Pegasus Trail Running Shoes) — Ultimate do-it-all shoe that I can road-run, hike, and sightsee in.
1x Flip flops (super light, packable) (currently: Havaianas Brazil Logo Flip Flops) — Footwear in hot climates, necessary for the pool, the beach, and the hostel shower.
Optional depending on destination (2)
1x Rain jacket (packable, heavyduty) (currently: REI XeroCloud 3L Rain Jacket) — A 3L (3-layer) rain jacket is the most robust type. I bring this when the destination will be rainy, snowy, or very cold. This one in particular is also stretchy and comfortable.
1x Bikini swimwear (simple, black) (currently: mixed)
Toiletries
Notes:
All of the items below fit into my Tom Bihn toiletries pouch.
For long-term travel, I aim to bring about 2-3 weeks worth of easily replaceable toiletries, like contact solution and toothpaste, to keep the volume down.
For items that are not easily replaceable, like contacts, I always bring a bit more than strictly necessary, just in case.
Basics
1× Toothbrush (with hygienic cap)
1× Toothpaste (travel size)
1x Tiny mirror
Contacts
12× Contacts (6 months worth of monthlies)
1× Contact lens solution (travel size)
Skincare (liquids)
1× Face moisturizer
1× Body moisturizer (travel size)
1× Sunscreen (travel size)
Makeup
1× Brow gel
1× Eyeliner
1× Mascara
1x Concealer
Tech and Miscellaneous
Notes:
My laptop and Kobo e-reader go into my backpack’s laptop sleeve.
All my tech chargers go into my tech pouch packed into my backpack.
With me in my sling to use on the plane, I carry my Airpods, bluetooth connector for earphones, a USB-A to USB-C cable for charging, and my portable charger.
My tech (my portable charging block is missing here).
Tech
Laptop (14-inch Macbook Pro)
Kobo e-reader
Airpods
Tech chargers
Travel adaptor charging block (currently: Epicka Universal Charging Adaptor) — I’ve been using this one for several years now, even as my regular charging block in the US. It’s adaptable to 4 different plug types usable across 200+ countries and compatible with USB-A and USB-C cables.
Charging block for laptop
3x cables (USB-C to USB-C, USB-A to USB-C, Mac cable)
Tech accessories
Portable charger (currently: Nllosa 5000 mAh) — Provides one full charge for my phone, necessary for long travel. Small and not too heavy.
Bluetooth connector for earphones (currently: Avantree SoundJet R1) — Works great for using your bluetooth earphones on the plane rather than the crappy plane ones.
Miscellaneous necessities
Razor
Nailclippers
Tweezers
Feminine hygiene products
Medicine and first-aid (painkillers, antacids, bandaids)
Glasses
A couple of Ziploc bags (separation and protection in a pinch)
Portable Laundry System
Notes:
I bring this if my destination won’t have easy access to laundry.
I actually used this handwashing system for a month in an Airbnb that did not have laundry, and it worked very well.
Hand-washing is gentler on your clothes, saves you money on laundromat, and gives you a good arm workout :)
My 3-item laundry system: laundry sheets, clothesline, and wash bag.
Laundry system
Wash bag (packs small) (currently: Scrubba Untouched Wash Bag) — The bag has bumps on one end to effectively scrub your clothes and is waterproof so you can do it anywhere. Each load takes a few minutes of scrubbing, but loads are pretty small.
Laundry sheets (super portable, non-liquid, no mess) (currently: Journey Breeze Travel Laundry Detergent Sheets) — I use 4-5 sheets per wash. Light floral scent.
Drying clothesline (super portable, dry anywhere) (currently: Sea-to-Summit Lite Line) — Sturdy, adjustable in length, and packs tiny into itself, with beads to hold your clothes in place.
