Recently, I planned a trip to visit friends and explore a national park. The entire trip spanned for about 17 days, and I had packed my stuff into a single backpack. My friends were shocked and asked me if this was everything that I had brought. Some even thought I was pranking them by hiding another bag.
What’s amusing is that I’ve previously traveled to countries like Singapore and Dubai for less than half this duration, and packed a more than three times the luggage. This experience inspired me to write this blog about my approach to backpacking and why I believe everyone should give it a try.
My First Experience
The first time I tried backpacking was as a student in the US when I took a domestic flight to visit family for 8 days. Most airlines have a baggage policy allowing only one free personal item, with any additional luggage incurring a fee. Being a student and having a tight budget, I decided to experiment with “backpacking”—carrying everything I needed in a single backpack. My backpack has a 30-liter capacity (much smaller than typical trekking bags). Initially, I was unsure if I could fit everything I wanted for the 8 day trip in a single bag. But having realized that I didn’t need to fit everything I wanted, just what I needed, made packing much easier. Having successfully completed the week long trip, I felt ready to tackle even longer adventures.
What Did I Learn and Why Should You Try It?
Decide First, Pack Later
We often overpack and end up using only a fraction of what we brought. You don’t need as much as you think. Planning ahead and packing only what you need—rather than packing first and deciding later can reduce the amount of baggage.
There were times when I wondered whether I should have packed a different shirt or another pair of pants, especially during my first backpacking trip. However, taking these experiences as lessons and planning ahead will make future packing easier.
Pack Less, Save More
As a student, one of the goals is to save money wherever possible. When it comes to travel, choosing more affordable options can make a significant difference. Saving on luggage fees was one of the easiest ways to cut costs. Even if you have a steady income, saving on luggage fees can add up over time. For instance, if you fly domestically four times a year, the money saved on luggage could fund another trip.
Carry Light, Live Right
There will always be items you might want to add to your bag, but some sacrifices are necessary. You can’t expect to wear a new outfit every day. Embracing a minimalist approach to packing will enhance your travel experience. Carrying a single bag instead of dragging multiple bags around brings a unique sense of ease and convenience.
First Time?
If it’s your first time backpacking, start by making a list of the days of your vacation and the outfits you plan to wear each day. Reusing clothes is perfectly fine, and if your destination has laundry facilities, you might need even fewer clothes. Stick to packing only the items on your list. Often, you won’t get a chance to wear all the outfits you planned, so avoid overpacking.
Choose a bag of moderate size. You don’t want it too small or too large. From my experience, a 30-liter bag is usually sufficient for a week or two. To maximize space, roll up your clothes when packing. Rolling can often double the amount of clothing you can fit.
Most importantly, have fun with it. One of the greatest benefits of backpacking is the enjoyment of the process. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how much you can fit into a small bag and the satisfaction you’ll feel traveling with such light luggage.
Soham Bhure 
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