I’ve been living out of the same 40L backpack since 2018, carry-on only, no matter if I’m gone ten days or ten weeks. Gate agents never weigh it (yet), and I still have clean socks on day 37. Here’s the system that actually works plus the weird stuff I refuse to fly without.

The backpack: one 35-40L clamshell that qualifies as carry-on everywhere (I measure it obsessed before buying). Front-loader, not top-loader, because digging for underwear at security is death.

Clothes formula that never changes
- 5 merino T-shirts (wash one every night, they dry fast and never stink)
- 2 merino long-sleeves
- 1 fleece that works as a pillow on planes
- 2 pants that zip into shorts
- 1 pair lightweight water-resistant trousers for cold planes and fancy places
- 7 underwear, 5 socks (all merino or synthetic)
- 1 packable rain jacket
- 1 pair flip-flops, 1 pair trail shoes I’m wearing

Everything rolls into tight burritos or goes in packing cubes so I can pull one cube without exploding the bag.

The magic gadget: a tiny 30W GaN charger with foldable plugs for EU, UK, US, AUS. One brick charges phone, earbuds, watch, power bank, and even my laptop if I’m carrying it. I lost three days in Uzbekistan once because I forgot the UK adapter, never again.

Why the sarong is my MVP
- towel on beaches
- blanket on freezing buses
- scarf when it gets cold
- curtain for hostel windows with no blinds
- picnic blanket
- emergency pillowcase
- sling for a sore arm once in Laos
Takes zero space, dries in two hours, costs two dollars in any market.

Other weird winners
- collapsible silicone coffee dripper + two plastic filters (hotel coffee is a crime)
- two clothespins and 2 meters of paracord = instant drying line anywhere
- tiny bottle of concentrated camp soap, washes body, hair, clothes in a sink
- one microfiber towel the size of a handkerchief that actually works
- earplugs + eye mask in a hard case (non-negotiable)
- one lighter even if I don’t smoke (fire solves many problems)
- three zip-lock bags in different sizes (leaky shampoo disasters = PTSD)

Liquids game: everything under 100ml goes into a clear 1-liter bag I bought in 2015 and still use. Refill shampoo and sunscreen from big bottles once I’m there.

Tech: phone, power bank, one universal cable, wireless earbuds, done. No laptop unless I have to work, life’s too short.

Last hack: I lay everything on the bed two days before, take a photo, then remove 30%. Every single time I never miss the stuff I left.

Pack like this and you’ll board smiling while everyone else is paying overweight fees and crying at the check-in counter.

Safe travels and light bags,
Kohl