A Tour of My Backpack

35 Comments

What's Inside. Why I Chose It. What I Use. 

People have been asking me for packing tips since I have started my travel adventures. What to pack? How much to pack? What type of bag to use? How to store it all? These are the typical questions that I get. And with my two week trip coming to a close, I figured I would give you a tour of what a typical packing list includes for me and how I pack it all.



When I was ready for a new travel backpack, I chose the Kelty Redwing 50, which has since changed its model since I bought it. It still offers the same features, but the style is just a bit different. It is less bulky looking. I absolutely love this backpack because of the fact that it almost zips completely open like a suitcase. Yes! That means instead of normal top loading backpacks where you need to take everything out to access something at the bottom, you can just unzip it and get the stuff you need. I also love that you can tighten or loosen it. When my backpack is full, I loosen it so that way it can expand, and vise versa when it doesn't have much in it. And while the backpack comes with a metal rod and plastic back to keep upright, it is removable if you are worried about weight restrictions.

The only thing that I am concerned about is that it is a bit too tall for standard carry on size. But in order to avoid checking it, I always make sure to not completely stuff my bag so that way when the measure the size I can squish it down. But even when I have completely stuffed it, no one has questioned its size since most airlines forget to check backpack sizes and focus mainly on suitcases.



Packing for Two Weeks

For my two week trip in Eastern and Central Europe, I managed to fit all of the following clothing items in my backpack and I still had plenty of room. Because it was summer, I chose light clothing items that didn't take up much space, which left a lot of free room.


Because the items were so light and it was only a two week trip, I brought enough clothes for every day. In the winter I normally don't do this because clothes are bulkier and take up more space. But in the summer, I bring as much as possible since it's hot and I get sweaty.

I then placed all of my clothing items in packing cubes. I like the ones that I bough from Ikea because they're inexpensive and they are different sizes which helps me organize. I always add a few plastic bags as I go to separate the clean and dirty clothes.


After packing my clothes, I look at what supplies I will need. Whenever I stay in a hotel, I use their soaps to save my own, and if I find any extras, I take and use those for future travel. I also have a lot of items that are dedicated for travel only, so those stay in my backpack at all times, making this process quick and easy.



When I travel I always bring the minimum. Of course I bring some basic items that I may need, such as tissues. Otherwise everything else has a purpose. I count out how many makeup remover pads I will need so that way I am not traveling with anything extra. I usually bring my iPad, but since I am currently researching my thesis, I made sure to bring books instead for those long train rides.

I love to keep my items organized in pouches as I go. So after going through all the items that I will need. I place them in pouches to make organization much easier on the road. With this system I never forget anything in hotels or hostels. I either place those items in my purse or in my backpack.


Once done, I just add my shoes last minute which I always keep in plastic bags to not dirty my backpack and keep it smelling fresh as long as possible. I will sometimes add a dryer sheet too just to keep it clean. For this trip I brought two pairs of sandals and one pair so small sneakers since I was going on a hike.

Of course this is my travel style, and I fall partially in the minimalist style since I don't bring anything unnecessary and choose just to put a light amount of makeup on. This varies between traveler and you need to find what works for you. But usually, you only need half of what you think you need. I hope this helps some of you considering the backpack over the suitcase or how to pack for two weeks.

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35 comments:

  1. It is great to have so many pair of clothes in one backpack and that too with other necessary stuff. Looks like a spacious and comfortable for hiking. Nice tips on Packing.

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    1. It is super comfortable, I rarely feel the weight of the backpack.

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  2. Love that backpack! I went to Europe for 30 days in the dead of winter and only took a backpack. Talk about hardly any room. I will say that it makes it a hell of a lot easier to travel this way though. No lost bags or rolling it on cobblestone!

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    1. Winter is always the hardest because our clothes are thicker, I used it for a week trip in winter, I could have fit more but I re-wore a lot of clothes!

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  3. I appreciate the photos showing the actual pile of clothes and that they do fit in the packing cubes. Yes, I am a fan of packing cubes as well! You have shown a good case for using a backpack instead of a suitcase!

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    1. A suitcase can be great for so many situations, but I love my backpack. And the cubes are great to compact and stay organized.

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  4. Some good packing suggestions here although it's a lot more than I'd personally pack for 2 weeks. Did you use everything?

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    1. I usually don't pack that much for two weeks, but since i had no time to wash everything, and my shirts and dresses were light enough, I figured I could pack an outfit for every day. I did not need a pair of jeans!

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  5. A wonderful description of how you do your backpacking. I have never someone so sorted!

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  6. Chocolate barr is something that i never forget!😃

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  7. You are definitely such an organized packer! I need to get on track to become one of those travelers lol! However, reading your blog has really allowed me to begin to do so. Knowing what you use to get organized and stay organized has definitely given me new ideas of how to become one of those travelers!

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    1. Thank you! It always ends up a mess by the end, but everything finds a place!

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  8. Backpack is more comfy and suitable than suitcase. I also that with suitcase, I have to do away with it unlike backpack that seats near me. Besides, it's fun doing backpacking. You need to think critically, because you have many items to few spaces. Thanks for the cube bags trick.

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    1. Yeah I hate checking a bag, I have managed to hide this on a few flights where it was not allowed. And you bring less since you don't want to carry anything. Minimalism!

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  9. Amazing all these fitted into your back pack! I usually cut on dresses and take a spare jeans instead. I like the muilti packing pockets of the bag.

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    1. I usually never bring dresses but I thought I would try it this time and I loved it. Less space and good for the summer heat.

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  10. I think wrinkle free is also key. My favorite are always wrinkle free. Great tips and i am amazed at the amount of supplies you carry. I think the key is to put them in pouches and ziplocs.Packing cubes I need to invest in. One question though - Do the packing cubes hold clothes that wrinkle too well ?

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    1. Yes, wrinkle free is hard. I think with the packing cubes I am mostly wrinkle free since everything stays folded the way I put it in there. Otherwise the backpack would just wrinkle everything!

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  11. There are some useful tips here for packing for 2 weeks. I need a new bag and the Kelty Redwing looks like it's been well designed. The packing cubes from Ikea look very useful for organizing the bag, I must check these out. They must help keeping it clean too as well as being able to separate clean and dirty clothes.

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    1. I love the bag so much. Especially since it opens out making it easier. Yeah it keeps things cleaner and nothing really gets dirty, or wet if it rains.

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  12. I always use wildcraft bags because they are small and compact at the sake time and they fit so much stuff

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    1. Thats great that they can fit so much. I do like a smaller bag.

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  13. What a detailed post about a backpack. I loved the way you put arrows and text on all the pics. Your backpack really stocks lot of stock. I too prefer a backpack over a suitcase as it gives you more freedom to move around anywhere.

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  14. I always find it challenging to pack, particularly in the last moment. You have given a wonderful list here. What I plan is to keep some of these bags always ready for travel.

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    1. Thanks! There are some travel things that I never unpack just so that some things are ready to go and I don't forget them.

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  15. I think you have got it sorted alright. Just the right amount of stuff. I love the way you packed them all together - neat and sorted out. Thanks for sharing these lovely tips.

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  16. How do you cope with a leaking water bottle? If you are carrying soiled clothes, how do you prevent their bad odour affecting your fresh clothes? Are the straps wide enough so that they do not bite into your shoulder?

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    1. The water bottle that I use never leaks luckily, but always have that in my purse, so less of a disaster. And I keep my dirty clothes in a plastic bag which I keep closed tight. So kinda gross by the end of the tip because the smells just stay in there, but the good news is that my bag doesn't smell from this. And the straps are thick enough not to hurt.

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  17. Good read. I too love my back pack for the same reasons, mainly cause it zips down completely, it's not that bulky and it still has loads of pockets around.

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  18. I have been looking for a new bag actually. I keep clicking on the ads on facebook & the bags end up being massively expensive. This bag looks great with all its different pockets & I like your supplies list, makes me feel I should be cutting down on my supply list as well.

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    Essentials Toiletry Bag 3 in 1 by You Look Good | Makeup Bag High Quality Extra Durable Clear Plastic Suitable for Travel: Amazon.co.uk: Luggage

    to get more - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07W5X7F1D?ref=myi_title_dp


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