Drew Binsky

I'm Drew Binsky

I’ve been to
ALL 197 Countries Now I want to help you become a better traveller & save money

YouTube
3.3M

Facebook
4.5M

Instagram
810K

TikTok
525K

Snapchat
573K

LinkedIn
15K

Twitter
71K

How to Pack Your Bag Like a Master

How to Pack Your Bag Like a Master

Contents

Written by Drew Binsky

If you’ve read my article about navigating airports, you know that I rarely (if ever) check a bag. I’ve become a master at maximizing the space in carry-on-sized bags, and I want to share that skill with you. I’m going to lay out everything I carry with me so you can get an idea of how I manage to pack light while traveling the world.

What’s in my Backpack?

My main bag is a big travel backpack that I wear on my back. I went through quite a few bags in the beginning because I couldn’t find one that was quite right, but then I finally found the perfect bag for me. I’ve been using the Osprey 40L Porter Series for about three years now, and I love it! It’s comfortable, I have no problems toting it through airports, and it holds everything I need. What’s inside:

Main Compartment

  • Dopp Kit
    Pro-tip: make sure to get a Dopp kit with a hanger (like this one), so you can open it up and hang it in the bathroom.
    • Toothpaste, toothbrush, and dental floss
    • Nail clippers
    • An electric razor, regular razor, and shaving cream
    • Face lotion
    • Electric hair clippers
      I recently bought these so I can cut my own hair on the go and not have to worry about finding a barber.
  •  Electronics Bag
    • Extra hard drives for all my video footage
    • Backup batteries
    • Earphones
    • Backup cords
    • Extra power converters
  • Clothes
    I’m a minimalist (especially when it comes to clothes!), and I pride myself on it. You don’t need to travel with that much stuff. As I always say, “pack twice the money and half the clothes.” Unless you’re going to a wedding or on a work trip, you don’t need fancy clothes. Also, if you need something on the road, you can always buy it!

    Many people overpack because they worry about having enough clean clothes on a trip. When it comes to laundry, I recommend you go to a laundromat about once a week. You will always be able to find one for $2-$5 in any given place, and it’s super easy. I don’t recommend using the laundry service in hotels because they are always overpriced. Here is my clothing packing list, no matter the length of my trip:
    • Four different colors of “Just Go” shirts.
      You can buy your own “Just Go” shirt HERE!
    • A long-sleeved shirt (in case it gets a little cold.)
    • One pair of khaki multi-purpose pants
    • Two pairs of shorts (one khaki, one dark)
    • Four pairs of underwear
    • Four pairs of socks
    • Hat

The only other things I might pack are longjohns, jackets, etc, if I’m traveling in someplace cold like Siberia, Greenland, or Antarctica. I prefer to stick to warmer climates, so I rarely have to pack those things with me.

Being a minimalist is one of the biggest reasons I’m able to travel light and never check a bag. I challenge you to try it out on your next trip—pack less than you think you need and see what happens!

  • Medicine Pouch
    Going to a foreign doctor is never fun, and I prefer to avoid it if at all possible. This is why I recommend bringing your own medicine pouch—you know what medicines are best for you in a given situation! You just stock it with everything you know you might need and throw it in your bag. Then you don’t have to think about it again unless you get sick. Here’s what I carry in mine:
    • Tape
    • Extra toothpaste
    • Azithromycin
    • Ciprofloxacin
    • Pepto Bismol
    • Dramamine

Side Pockets of My Bag

  • Belt
    I like this one because there’s no metal in it, so you don’t even have to take it off going through security.
  • Headlamp
    Like this one, I keep one on hand in case of blackout, camping, or sleeping outside. It comes in handier than you think!
  • Extra filters for my camera
  • Extra microphones
  • Microfiber towels
    I like the ones that pack down really small and come with their own carrying case, like this one. They’re super great when traveling not only for their small size and weight, but they also dry super quickly, so you’re not carrying around a wet towel in your bag.
  • Sharpies
  • Extra accessories
  • An “emergency” compressed cotton towel

Top Part of the Bag

This is where I keep all of the stuff I want easily accessible, like:

  • Deodorant
  • Golf ball (I’m addicted to golf 😁)
  • Chapstick
  • Mosquito spray
  • Locks
    These are your best friend; you will use them a lot when you travel. I recommend bringing a bunch of locks in multiple sizes! I’ve used them in hostels, when I rent a bike, and for lockers. I also use them to lock the zippers of my bag when I leave a hotel so that I know that no one has been digging around my bag.

    I like these three-number combination locks. They’re super durable, and the codes are easy to remember.

Front Portion of the Bag

  • Collections from around the world: souvenirs (flags, maps, airplane tickets, currencies.)
  • Masks
  • More medicine
  • Extra cash (US dollars)
  • Pens
  • Ziploc bags
    This one is essential! I bring at least 10-15 empty Ziploc bags with me every time I travel. I can’t even tell you how many different ways I’ve used them, from separating food to holding shampoo and other liquids, and they’re also great if I’m in a situation where I’m concerned about my phone getting wet. If I’m hopping on a boat, I just throw my phone in a Ziploc bag so that I know it will stay dry!
  • Backup iPhone

Back Part of the Bag

  • Important documents (visa requirements, flight tickets, insurance, copies of passports, covid tests.)
  • My “Safe.” This is where I keep all the most important stuff safe and secure in a Ziploc bag, like:
    • Yellow Fever card (mostly needed in African countries, showing that you have been vaccinated for yellow fever.)
    • Covid vaccine card
    • All the phone sim cards from around the world
    • Backup credit cards
    • Business cards
    • Passport photos in different sizes
    • Scuba diving license
    • Backup memory cards

Another thing to keep in mind about packing like a master is using packing cubes. (I like these ones.) I use less than I used to, but they’re a great way to keep your bag organized. They come in all different sizes, and you can use them to separate your clothes, I use one as my medicine pouch, etc. They’re super useful!

My Second Bag

The other bag that I carry with me (this Lowepro) usually goes in the front when I’m walking to balance out my body. It’s a unique bag because it’s actually made for carrying cameras. I use it for that, but also to keep all my important and most valuable stuff.

  • Sony A7siii with 2 lenses
  • Macbook Pro 13’’ and charger
  • Phone & camera chargers
  • Batteries
  • Little pouch where I store all my extra wires and cords.
  • A sneaky pouch to stash extra US dollars.
  • Memory cards
  • Other chargers
  • 2 TB external hard drive
    These Sandisk solid state drives are really great because they’re super light and store a ton of data.
  • Memory card wallet
  • Wall charger/converter
  • 1 meter/3ft phone charger cord
    I recommend this because the outlet often won’t be right next to the bed, so a long phone cord will make things a lot more convenient for you.

Use a Packing Checklist to Keep You on Track

I recommend having a packing checklist written so that you know exactly what you want to pack. If you keep it saved on your phone, you can just pull it up when you’re packing your bag and ensure that you’ve got everything you need. Eventually, it will become second nature, but it’s always good to use your list just to double-check that you haven’t forgotten anything.

Also, make sure you take photocopies of all your important documents. More often than not, you’ll need extra copies of your passport, your yellow fever vaccine card, or your flight tickets, etc. You want to make sure to have it all printed and organized ahead of time so you don’t get stuck!

Try It Out on Your Next Trip!

I want to challenge you to try to be more minimalist the next time you’re packing for a trip. Do you really need 4 pairs of shoes, or could you get away with just the ones you wear to the airport? Do you need to bring two weeks of clothes on a two-week trip, or could you bring a few days’ worth and just do laundry? Maybe challenge yourself to only pack in a carry-on next trip, and see just how much you can fit! (Plus, you’ll save the money you would’ve spent checking a bag, which will give you just that much more spending money for your destination. That’s one of many ways you can travel on a budget!)

Make sure you come back and let me know how it worked for you! I love hearing how what I’ve shared affects your travel experiences.

Happy travels!

Top offers

Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

card_name

bonus_miles

AMEX Platinum Credit Card

card_name

bonus_miles

Chase Ink Cash Credit Card

card_name

bonus_miles

Capital One Venture X Credit Card

card_name

bonus_miles

card_name

bonus_miles

Top Offers

card_name

bonus_miles

AMEX Platinum Credit Card

card_name
bonus_miles

card_name
bonus_miles

card_name
bonus_miles

card_name
bonus_miles

Get Access To Exclusive Travel Tips &
My Travel Secrets In Your Inbox

Get Access To Exclusive Travel Tips &
My Travel Secrets In Your Inbox

Everything I Recommended

Sony a7R III A Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Camera with FE 20mm f/1.8 G Full-Frame Lens and Accessory Bundle (6 Items)

Sony Alpha a7 III - 24MP UHD 4K Mirrorless Digital Camera (Body Only) - AC-UUD12 AC Adapter - ALC-B1EM Body Cap - Accessory Shoe Cap - Eyepiece Cup - Micro-USB Cable - NP-FZ100 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery (2280mAh) - Shoulder Strap - Sony 1 Year Limited Warranty - Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS E-Mount Lens
Newly Developed - Full-frame 24.2MP Back-Illuminated Exmor R CMOS Image Sensor with Evolved Image Processing
Wide ISO range - of 100 - 51200 (expandable to ISO 50 - 204800 for still images) and 15-Stop Dynamic Range at low sensitivities
World Class AF system - featuring 693 phase-detection AF points covering 93% of image area, 425 contrast AF points and fast and reliable Eye AF
Continuous Shooting - at up to 10 fps with either Mechanical Shutter or Silent Shooting and full Auto Focus/Auto Exposure tracking
Details

2021 Apple MacBook Pro (14-inch, Apple M1 Max chip with 10‑core CPU and 32‑core GPU, 64GB RAM, 1TB SSD) - Space Gray - Z15H00109

10-core - CPU, 32-core GPU
64GB - Memory
1TB - Storage
Details

TEVA Men's Hurricane Xlt2 Sandals with EVA Foam Midsole and Rugged Durabrasion Rubber Outsole

Quick-dry webbing - made from recycled plastic using traceable, verifiable REPREVE polyester yarn by Unifi supports your foot and stands up to abuse
Injection-molded strap - ends for quick and easy grip and adjustability, Easy hook-and-loop closure comes on and off quickly and gets the fit just right
Robust EVA footbed - for enhanced comfort built for all-day wear
Nylon shank - stabilizes and supports your foot on uneven terrain
Best for - day hikes, light hikes
Details

Sea to Summit Ultra-SIL Stuff Sack 3-Piece Set (2.5L, 4L, and 6.5L Ultralight Stuff Sacks)

Set of three ultralight - water-resistant stuff sacks for organizing gear and clothing in a backpack or bag, for any outdoor or travel adventure
Manufactured - from lightweight 30D Ultra-Sil Cordura nylon; slippery finish makes it easy to slide bags into tight spaces for better packing
Drawcord top opening - with durable pull tab for quick and easy access to bag contents
Round base - has a reinforced webbing pull handle for easy carry; stress points are bartacked and seams are double stitched for durability
Includes three stuff sacks - 2.5 liter (open dimensions: 4 x 10 inches, weight: 0.5 ounces), 4 liter (open dimensions: 5 x 12 inches, weight: 0.5 ounces), 6.5 liter (open dimensions: 6.5 x 13 inches, weight: 0.6 ounces)
Details

LaCie Rugged USB-C 4TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD, Drop Shock Dust Rain Resistant Shuttle Drive

Compatible with PC & Mac Quickly and easily connect to the latest Windows and Mac computers with Rugged’s reversible USB-C cable, or legacy computers using the included USB 3.0 adapter
Fast USB-C Enjoy fast USB-C 5Gb/s file transfers, backups, and image browsing
Protection Confidently tackle any terrain with drop, crush, and rain resistance
All-terrain use Shock, drops up to 4 feet, dust and water resistant for all-terrain use
Privacy Password protection built in
Details

OlimpiaFit Quick Dry Towel - 3 Size Pack of Lightweight Microfiber Travel Towels w/ Bag - Fast Drying Towel Set for Camping, Beach, Gym, Backpacking, Sports, Yoga & Swim Use

COMPACT DESIGN - This sports towel set is packable for the gym, beach, and anywhere else you need them. They can easily be condensed in size 4x smaller than a camping towel of the same size.
FAST DRYING - Made with fibers that are much thinner than a standard microfiber towel, our quick dry towels have 4x as much surface area, allowing them to absorb more water and dry up to 3x as fast.
MULTIPURPOSE - Each set includes 3 lightweight travel towels in the sizes 50"x30", 30"x15", and 15"x15". Use them as swim towels to dry off, gym towels during a workout, or small beach towels on vacation.
HIGH QUALITY - Every microfiber travel towel is made with premium material that shares the same smooth qualities as satin. They're also super absorbent, odor-resistant, and won't smell after drying.
SOFT - If you're looking for a packable beach towel or swim towel, give this one a go! It has a slip-resistant surface and extra plush microfiber that is oh-so-gentle on your face, body, and skin.
Details

GoPro HERO10 Black

More Power. More Clarity - More Stability. Revolutionary Processor: Faster. Smoother. Better. The powerful new GP2 engine changes the game—snappy performance, responsive touch controls and double the frame rate for amazingly smooth footage. Designed specifically for the demanding nature of the GoPro, the GP2 “system on a chip” is by far our fastest ever.
MORE STABILITY - Groundbreaking HyperSmooth 4.0 is our most advanced stabilization ever. 8X SLO-MO. - HERO10 Black captures up to 240 frames per second for astonishing 8x slo-mo. MORE ACCELERATION. - Record mesmerizing time-lapse videos with LIVEBURST - Record 1.5 seconds before and after your shot. Find the best pic or share it as a short video.
KEY SPECIFICATIONS - SCREEN SIZE - 23MP GP2 Chip with Improved Performance - 5.3K60/4K120/2.7K240 Video, 23MP Photos - New Front Display/Rear Touchscreen - Cloud Connected, 1080p Live Streaming - Enhanced Low-Light Performance - HyperSmooth 4.0 Image Stabilization - 33' Waterproof without a Housing - Time-Lapse & Night-Lapse, 8x Slo-Mo - Built-In Flip-Out 2-Prong Mount - 1720mAh Capacity Battery
Night-Lapse Video - In-Camera Horizon Leveling; Live View Front Display & Intuitive Rear Touchscreen; Webcam Mode & 1080p HD Live Streaming. Standard, Activity, Cinematic, Slo-Mo & Custom Presets; Voice Control; Portrait Orientation; RAW Photo Mode; Built-In Mounting
Bundle Includes – 1 x GoPro HERO10 Black - Waterproof Action Camera with Front LCD and Touch Rear Screens, 5.3K HD Video, 23MP Photos, 1080p Live Streaming, Stabilization | 1 x Compatible Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery | 1 x Extreme Pro 64gb microSDXC Card | 1 x 6AVE Electronics TM Microfiber Cloth
Details

Osprey Porter 46 Travel Backpack

Meets carry-on size - restrictions for most domestic airlines - Dimensions 21.5h x 14w x 9d IN.
U-zip - zip access to main compartment with lockable zippers on main and laptop compartments - 46L total volume
Shoulder straps - and hipbelt can be tucked away when the bag is checked
Protected rear - panel zip laptop sleeve and front panel vertical zippered pocket for books or other documents
Tuckaway web loops - to attach a shoulder strap (sold separately)
StraightJacket compression - straps compress the bag to a smaller size when it isn’t full
Dual internal zippered - organization side pockets and front panel organization with zippered pocket and key clip
Reinforced cord loops - to attach an Osprey Daylite daypack (sold separately)
Details

Bose QuietComfort 25 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones for Apple devices - Black (Wired 3.5mm)

Apple compatible devices - Applies to: QC 25 noise cancelling headphones Apple devices The remote and mic are compatible with the following Apple devices: iPhone 3GS or later iPad iPod touch 2nd generation or later iPod classic 120GB, 160GB iPod nano 4th generation or later
Deep, powerful sound - for the music you love
Lightweight, comfortable around - ear fit you can wear all day long
Control your music - and calls on Apple devices with inline mic/remote
Details

Explore More Travel Tips

Hacks & Points, Travel Tips

Advertiser Disclosure

Drew Binsky has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Drew Binsky and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

Editorial Disclosure

Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.

Editorial Disclosure

Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.