I got no bags and baggage to slow me down.
Well, I’m travelling so fast my feet ain’t touching the ground.
Travellin’ light. Travellin’ light.
Well, I just can’t wait to be with my baby tonight.

Cliff Richards and the Shadows

To maximize my mobility, I plan to travel with two bags only, both carry-on. Keeping everything within my reach will, hopefully, reduce the possibility of theft or lost baggage. Fully loaded, the rolling backpack weighs around twenty-three pounds and the zip-off daypack thirteen, for a combined thirty-six pounds.

Here’s my packing list:

Luggage and locks

I use the Eagle Creek Switchback Max 22 backpack. It’s actually two backpacks that zip together. The larger one has wheels for rolling through airports; the smaller one zips off for use as a daypack. Zipped together or used separately, they provide a lot of flexibility.

Additionally, I stow a rolled-up lightweight Marmot Kompressor daypack. Once I have arrived at a destination, it is the better, smaller choice for day trips and shopping.

For those times when I need to leave my luggage unattended, I use TSA-approved locks and a Pacsafe Retractasafe cable lock. It’s a slash-proof, stainless-steel wire for securing luggage to permanent fixtures, such as a bed frame in a hotel room.

To keep things organized, I use Eagle Creek’s packing cubes and some plastic storage bags.

• rolling backpack
• zip-off daypack
• small, compressible daypack
• packing cubes
• plastic storage bags
• TSA locks and keys
• cable lock

Clothing

• 3 long-sleeved shirts
• short-sleeved shirt
• trousers with zip-off legs
• 2 trousers or jeans
• running shorts
• 4 pr. socks
• 2 pr. running socks
• 5 boxers
• 3 T-shirts
• long-sleeved T-shirt
• jacket
• down vest
• rain jacket
• windbreaker
• knit cap
• gloves
• bandana
• belt
• long-underwear bottoms
• gaiters for hiking
• walking/hiking shoes
• lightweight running shoes
• laundry soap
• clothesline
• sink plug
• trash bag for wet clothes

Note: All of my travel clothes are lightweight, wrinkle-resistant, and durable. Most can be washed in a hotel-room sink and air-dried overnight. ExOfficio, Kühl, Columbia, North Face, Royal Robbins, and Patagonia are good sources for travel clothing.

Sleeping

• mask
• earplugs
• alarm clock
• LED flashlight
• mosquito net for head
• doorstop
• space blanket

Toiletries

• hanging dop kit, including toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, razor, shaving cream, shampoo, brush, mirror, deodorant, nail clippers, cotton swabs
• microfiber towel

Medical kit

• analgesic tablets (ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin)
• anti-inflammatory tablets (NSAID)
• anti-diarrhea tablets (Imodium)
• antacid tablets
• antihistamine tablets (diphenhydramine)
• decongestant tablets (pseudoephedrine)
• anti-motion sickness tablets (Dramamine)
• disposable gloves
• antiseptic towelettes
• adhesive bandages
• adhesive tape
• elastic bandage wrap
• tweezers
• 1% hydrocortisone cream
• antibiotic ointment
• aloe gel

Documents

• passport
• vaccination certificate
• driver’s licenses, domestic and international
• proof of insurance
• health card
• airline and train tickets
• itinerary
• documents backed-up online
• plastic envelopes for storage

Money

• cash
• 2 credit cards, 2 debit cards
• money pouch
• RFID protection sleeves

Travel and sightseeing

• 2 pr. reading glasses
• sunglasses
• magnifying glass
• tissues
• camera
• pocket notebook
• pens, marker, and highlighter
• guidebooks and maps
• navigation apps
• family photos
• compass
• whistle
• energy bars
• water bottle
• coffee pouches
• insect repellant
• sunscreen
• anti-bacterial gel
• lip balm
• small umbrella
• printed cards with contact information

Repair kit

• needle and thread
• safety pins
• duct tape
• rubber bands
• paper clips
• multi-tool
• carabiners
• scissors
• extra batteries for flashlight

Eating utensils

• spork
• bowl
• can opener

Electronics and communications

• tablet and charging cable
• keyboard folio
• tablet USB cable
• mobile phone and charging cable
• SIM cards for mobile phone and tablet
• earbuds for mobile phone and tablet
• camera charging cable
• SD card reader cable
• spare SD memory card for camera
• 2 USB plug adaptors
• plug adaptors
• SIM tool
• car charging cable and adaptor
• backup battery and cable
• USB flash drive
• cleaning cloth
• cable wraps