From 70 to 30 Liters - My Travel Bag Evolution | Minimalist Travel Packing
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- Опубликовано: 31 июл 2024
- Do you believe that minimalist travel is not for you? Then watch this! :)
Twenty years ago, I bought my first travel backpack. It was a behemoth of 70 liters that weighed more than three kilos. But over the years I wanted to stop overpacking, save weight and bulk and travel with less. Today, I am a happy minimalist traveler with only a 30-liter carry-on. But I did not become a minimalist overnight. It took a few years.
In this video, I talk about my progress, from the time when I was barely able to travel for two weeks with a 70-liter bag, to the point where I am a digital nomad traveling full time with just a carry-on size bag.
🤓 Products shown in this video:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
*Amazon Affiliate Links.
Lowe Alpine Torre Cerra 70l backpack - Superold version, so no link available ;-)
Dakine Split Roller (I have the 65l version, but it seems it’s not available anymore): amzn.to/3S79lW4 *
My gigantic, pre-minimalist travel toiletry bag: amzn.to/3Q46awj *
Dakine Split Adventure (38l backpack): amzn.to/3oGukBm *
Nitro Weekender (42l) - Looks like it’s only available in Germany?
Osprey Arcane duffel bag (30l - my current favorite: amzn.to/3JeCNoQ *
Eagle Creek toiletries bag (the “bucket” one): amzn.to/3Jf8MWk *
Video outline:
00:00 Travel Bag Evolution
01:23 First Backpack: Lowe Alpine (70 liter)
03:01 Work Trips: Dakine Split Roller (65 liter)
06:23 First Minimalist Travel Backpack: Dakine Split Adventure (38 liter)
08:38 First Upgrade: Nitro Weekender (42 liter)
10:51 Current Model: Osprey Arcane Duffel (30 liter)
13:21 Tips for a minimalist travel bag
Subtitles and Translations, Subtítulos y Traducciones Legendas e Traduções Untertitel und Übersetzungen by (Fiverr Affiliate Link):www.fiverr.com/share/4Y0e1k
#minimalisttravel #minimalism #travelbag
** My new toiletry bag** Since so many of you have been asking where I got my new toiletries bag from, it is one of the new ones from Eagle Creek: amzn.to/3Jf8MWk (Amazon Affiliate Link)
I did some DIY because I did not like that inside separation, so cut that inside compartment that stretched out over half of the bag. :) I cut it at the sides and the bottom and then glued it to the side of the toiletry bag, so I have two side pockets now.
Currently not available, at least to me here in Greece
You should team up with a luggage maker and create / design the Maggie line of bags, backpacks, pouches etc . Will be more practical. I'd buy. 😊
@@zamar2158 Haha, I would love to, but they would probably be very unhappy with me removing all their fancy features that are useless in real life and way too heavy… 😂
Just love your accent…I could sit and listen to you speaking all day long. You have a very soothing effect. Thanks for your time in making this video
E readers were the game changer for me. 4 kg of books on my first back packing trip, worried I would be somewhere without a book.
I know exactly what you mean, Drew! On my first long-distance hike, I decided to bring a book with 800 pages, because I thought I would have so much time to read in the afternoons. I did not read a single page, but I had to carry it up and down the mountains for a few days. 😂 Nowadays, I read on my iPad Mini. :)
I agree with you about all of the pockets vs. one large bucket. It is so hard for me to find a purse that doesn't have 20 little pockets in it. I lose things very quickly & I hate having to constantly dig through the little pockets & spaces just to find what I'm looking for. I like a big hobo bag where everything can just live together & I can find it by touch. I've been searching for a backpack for months & really like the Osprey you you're using now. I live in the USA & doubt that I will ever get the chance to travel abroad but have decided that the next time I move apartments, I want to be a hardcore minimalist & get everything I own down to a backpack & a carry on just for convenience. I love watching your videos. You really do a great job with them & your voice is so soothing. Safe travels for you & your husband.
Thanks for a great video❤ I had the Eagle Creek toiletry bag that was the same size as your one 😅 I loved it - so roomy with lots of compartments, but, so big and heavy!! I gave it away after a couple of years and now use an Osprey hanging bag in rip nylon which I love (and it is much smaller.
I love Osprey bags. I am experimenting with using the Osprey Ozone convertible 36 litre wheeled suitcase as my carryon. I use my 9litre Osprey Tempest as my personal item. As you said, with weight restrictions getting worse I may have to review my luggage OR wear more of my clothes getting on the plane!!
I remember carrying a big rucksack all round Europe - it was a struggle to even get it on my back and if someone pushed me and I lost my balance I wouldn’t be able to get up - a bit like a tortoise on its back with its legs kicking in the air!!! 😂❤
Great advices and it is great to see the how female view on travel carry brings up new perspectives!
Love your videos! Especially all the links and chapters in the description!
Thanks for the update. I enjoy listening to your reasons why for everything. I'll be looking into the arcane duffle soon.
Thanks Marcey! Happy to hear that you enjoyed my video. :)
Very interesting video. It helped me again! Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work!☺
Thanks, glad that I could help. :)
Very cool topic! The first I traveled to EU I used a Deuter 65+10 (?) hiking backpack which evolved over time down to Farpoint 40L and now to my current favourite, a 38L Aer Travel Pack. This is a perfect size since it's not too big and not too small. Looking back at old pics, I can believe I traveled with such a behemoth that contained heavy doc marten shoes, a big toiletry bag and way too much clothes. Wish I had discovered the whole packing light mentality much sooner.
I loved reading your comment, it’s amazing how similar our “evolutions” were. 😂 I heard lots of good things about the Aer Travel Pack, but unfortunately it’s almost impossible to get a hold of one in Europe.
@@MaggiFuchs I didn't even mention the worst part: front pack! Found a pic when we traveled to Zurich and were walking to our hotel. My wife and I both had the big monster backpack + a smaller daypack which was our carryon/personal item on the plane. I can't believe we traveled like that. I remember being so tired, sweaty and uncomfortable.
As for the Aer, it's the opposite of your current bag. Even empty, it's 1.9 kg and the designers went a wee bit overboard with the organization (more pockets than I know what to do with). Although it's a bit pricey, it seems well-constructed and I expect to use it for a long time.
BTW, I really enjoy your travel vids. They are so refreshing, fun, and unpretentious! We also picked up a couple of great tips, including using bar soap, matador case, and a shower bag for soap.
@@jackolantern7342 Haha, I also did the front pack thing. Then I switched to a big backpack plus a messenger bag, which was equally uncomfortable. 😂
Ladies, I ordered the pakt backpack some three years ago, it’s 30 lt and since then I traveled to Athens and Rome using only that and a tiny crossbody bag that was always always on my lap, I believe I’ve never travelled better and lighter in my life. Thanx for your videos, minimalism is a journey and it’s nice to see how many people are happy to use less things in a better way. My very best from Rhodes in the Aegean!
My first travel bag is the Osprey Fairview 40L. I am in the process of making a rain cover for it. I got grossed out having to set the bag down in bathroom floor in the airport. The bag can't really be laundered as there's a wire in it. So trying to keep it as clean as possible is so important to me. I figure I can just throw a dirty cover into the laundry.
I totally agree about the floors and other dodgy places & that it is so hard to wash backpacks… So I really like your idea with the washable cover. Maybe also something like a heroclip would be a solution for you? They are strong enough to hook backpacks for example on the bathroom door.
Thank you for your sharing. More than agreed it's an evolution.
Great tips as always. Thanks
I would love to see a video on how/ what you pack in the 30L bag along with your outfits each day for long traveling. I am trying to minimize my current travel bags down to this 30L bag!😊
Hi! I am leaving for a few months in Brazil in the next few days, so I will make a video like this! 🤗
Oooh what a great video idea!
I've benefited from people like you who tried all of those different types of bags. While I have one really big backpack for long backpacking trips that can handle a tent and sleeping bag and such, I also have a smaller backpack for weekend trips that can handle my laptop and camera gear if needed and now that im doing more 1 or 2 week trips to other countries, I have been researching a better bag for that type of travel. I managed to skip a lot of the trial and error thanks to your video and others and settled on 25-35L bags that are clamshell and open enough to use packing cubes but still have a few pockets. The bag I just bought Also has the hide away straps and good handles all over to carry it however I want! So thank you for helping me learn and make a decision
Loving the 30 L and great choice of bag! ❤️ Now I'm on a search. Thank you again for sharing!
Thanks Jennifer! Searching is one of the best parts of the process. :) Have fun! 🤗
@@MaggiFuchs 🤗
@@MaggiFuchs just a thought ...I've been watching your videos(you are truly inspiring), do you have your whole wardrobe with you now that you are living nomadically? If so, I'd love to see what your complete wardrobe entails. I've been trying to purge through my things and looking to get a 30 L travel bag eventually. Pairing down to get into the travel mode is not easy. 🙄
@@JenHaycock No, not everything. I keep a set of clothes for colder weather / winter in my moms place so I have it available when I visit home. In the last few months, I mainly traveled to hot countries, and there I brought all the rest. And thanks for the idea! :)
Hello Maggi, thank you very much for this video. I had Osprey Farpoint 40, happy for it...but too much heavy. After your video I bought secondhand (new one) this Arcane duffelbag and it is the best one. So, thanks a lot.
Hi Martina! Happy to hear that you like the bag as much as I do and I hope you get to enjoy lots of great trips with it.
I very much enjoyed your video. Thank you!
You are such a delight! You should have seen my face when you showed your big ol' toiletry bag 🤣 I'm going to try the peak design small cube with the konmari method of packing. Thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks for watching! Yeah ... that toiletry bag was … special. But back then, it did it’s job very well. 😅
I just bought the Dakine 32L Verge backpack after debating between this and the split adventure and it's fantastic! I had the cotopaxi allpa that functions similarly to the split adventure and I wasn't a fan of opening the whole bag to get what I needed either. Also the sleek outside meant no pockets for water or anything else! Thanks for the video :)
Thanks Erika! I have not heard of that Verge backpack yet, I will have a look. :)
I’m from Brazil but live in Sweden. I just love how much you travel to Brazil! 😀 It is a great place to visit, right?
I love Brazil - the people, the food, the nature, the language, that it’s summer while Austrian winter… 😂 I love it so much, I even ended up marrying a Brazilian. 🥰
So interesting to see your progression! My first backpack was a purple Lowe Alpine and I interrailed with it! 😂👍🏻 And scary to say, but more than 30 years ago! 🙈😳 I really really like your new bag and toiletry kit. Very tempting to change mine. But we do not travel that often and we will be staying with family, so space and unpacking are not an issue. (and I love how mine fits on my back). However, if we were to do a longer trip or stay in hotels and be moving around a lot, I think I would really like to switch to your current setup. I honestly have to admit, I love your packing videos and organization ideas. (and yes, I would love another packing video 🙈😂🥰 But no pressure! ) Enjoy Spain! Best, Lynne
Thanks Lynne. My Lowe Alpine also interrailed, but unfortunately with not with me but with one of my cousins. 😂 Happy to hear that you would like another packing video - I feel the pressure. 😂 I always think it will get very boring because I basically always pack the same things. But I was thinking of maybe doing a video about my gear updates that I did bought I was at home for a few weeks, and maybe one that shows what we brought with us on our trip to Spain. We are here with our car and have a little bit more slack, so we brought our travel kitchen gear and our extended laundry kit. Would you be interested in something like this as well?
@@MaggiFuchs Yes, of course! (we are visiting my parents in Alaska, and the Arcane duffels are on sale, so I have bought two. We have had to unpack our toploading bags each night when we stay other places and it has gotten frustrating. So, I showed my husband your video and he really liked how you pack! woohoo!! So thank you.)
Thanks for sharing ❤️
Glad you picked Osprey. Their warranty is called “The All Mighty Warranty” because they take care of their bags. I have a Farpoint 40 for 10 years and it’s been through a lot but still looks close to new
So far, I have no complaint with my Osprey bag either, even after living out of it since one year. :) It looks a little dirtier, but still close to new.
I hope I never need the guarantee though. I find that many US brands claim that but then let down their European customers, saying it is only valid in the US. We had that with the Dakine backpack and their „lifetime“ guarantee recently when the zipper pull broke off. Suddenly their guarantee was no so lifetime for Europeans anymore… 😅 But at least they sent us a free zipper pull and we found a shoemaker who was able to repair it. 😅
I dont like compartments, except on the outside. I stayed at a hostel with a vertical locker and an extremely small shelf. I couldnt keep my bag open at all. The locker made for a lot of difficulties changing clothes and keeping organized.
I have so many carry on bags, and some expensive ones too, but I keep coming back to the cheap Cabin Max Lyon Wheeled backpack for €50. Simple, light, and convertible. Not sure its super durable, but at this price thats fine....
Awesome video! Thank you for sharing! :D do you know if there are any 40l bags that fit the criterias of the last bag that toy showed? My clothes are quite big and I'm not experienced enough to quite downsize to 30l. At least for now maybe :P
No, unfortunately not. But to be honest, I think those liter specifications are very random - I am almost able to fit everything inside this 30l bag that I carried in the 42l bag I had before… But I also wish there was a version a little bit bigger, especially now that winter is coming. So if you find a suitable candidate, please let me know. :)
loved the video! Would you share the new toiletry bag?
Hi! So many have been asking about the toiletry bag, so I pinned the exact model in the first comment. :)
Thanks - I always get great ideas from your videos. How often do you do laundry? Do you do it in a machine, or by hand? Thanks!
Thanks Jenny! :) I usually do it by hand, most of the time every day or every other day (because then I find it easier to find a place to hang them to dry). I already did a video about how I do laundry:
ruclips.net/video/LvKo5_utlYw/видео.html
But when I am in a place where they have a washing machine, I use it. :) Nowadays I like to travel with laundry detergent sheets that I can use in a machine and for hand washing, so I am prepared. :)
I was thinking of your nightstand pouch. There is a Tom Bihn pouch that acts like a tray that you can keep the things in there and then close it, put it your backpack, so it keeps rings, creams etc in it. I am going to pick up one in the states when I am there this fall. If you know someone in the states maybe you can get them to send you one. I learned of it either from Chase Reeves or Pack Hacker.
I think I know which one you mean - it’s the round one, no?. If it’s the one I am thinking of, then I have been eyeing it too. And I totally get it… everytime I get to go to the US, I have a whole shopping list… 😅 This time, I’d be dying to buy the Philips Sonicare One toothbrushes that charge with USB. Since I gave up my apartment and travel all the time, I am bringing along my electric toothbrush, but it’s just sooo bulky… 🙃
@@MaggiFuchs It's the Tom Bihn Travel Tray. I have one and love it, but I don't think there were two sizes when I bought mine. I also have a number of their bags, including the Aeronaut 45 which is like your current Osprey bag.
Sou do Brasil, Rio de Janeiro. Amo seus vídeos.
Muito obrigada Janaina! :)
I have recently returned from a 3 weel trip to Japan. My first and probably last solo trip...I used a Karrimor Transit 40L Roller backpack...It was a special price of just £35...reduced from £75..I'd hate to think how much it weighted when I came back..Way way way! beyong the carry-on allowance...with all the goodies I brought....So much so I had to buy another carry-on size luggage to carry my clothes so I could used the Karrimor for all the goodies I brought..I did manage to put a small hole in the inside pocket which sits at the top of the main opening...Keys dug into the corner and tore it...But for the price I payed.....It was just perfect for what I needed...I could carry as a backpack or roll it!...I rolled it as I had another backpack as personal..For carrying my essentails like electronics and paperwork etc.....But it wasn't the best...As it was compartmented for laptops and tablets which I did not take....So having those was a little annoying..I wish it had more open space...But I feel those kinds of backpacks are becoming harder to find as it seem makers think everyone uses and takes laptops etc..which we dont..At least I don't.
Thanks for that lovely comment. That sounds like a fun trip - with a lot of luggage! 😉 I am also always annoyed when there are too many compartments in bags. I don’t need them and they just add on a lot of weight. That’s why I was so happy that I found my little “bucket” backpack without any compartments. :)
@@MaggiFuchs If I am lucky enough to return to Japan..I will certainly change a few things now I have experience of the kind of journey I made...Certainly take less...So much I took I did not use and was just extra weight to carry and space hogs which could have been used for more goodies!..hehe.
♥️
So many ♥️ for my videos… Thank you FABI! :)
Olá Maggi! Tudo bem? How are you finding the straps on your new 30L bag? Are they comfortable enough? Does the bag have a good back ventilation system? Obrigada 🤗
Even though they are not very fancy, I find the straps extremely comfortable, also when I have to carry it for a longer time. But my bag is also not very heavy, so that also helps. And I really enjoy it that I can always switch to the duffle mode. There is no back ventilation on this bag, it‘s just a „flat“ fabric, but that‘s okay for me, because I prefer it being light-weight. :)
@@MaggiFuchs Thank you so much for the feedback. Yes, the bag is quite minimal compared to the Nitro and is very good looking and seems to have tons of space and storage. I loved to see your progress towards minimalism in terms of bags and also your mental journey and personal growth. Abraço 🤗
I would love to know where you got your toiletry bag and what mode it is!
It’s called the Eagle Creek Pack-It Quick Trip, but I modified it a little bit by cutting out that inside compartment. :)
Would you share about the brand of the toiletry bag you are using? I really like the way opens and stays open. Thanks
Its one of the newer ones of Eagle Creek, I think its called Pack It Gear Quick Trip. I really like it, but to create the bucket I cut out that triangle shaped internal zipper compartment and glued it to the side. :)
@@MaggiFuchs Added DIY? Very creative. I might try it myself. 👍Thanks!
@@keumgold70 😂 Well, if something annoys me, I usually end up just cutiting it out. That’s why I always travel with small scissors… 🙃
Can this Osprey bag be used as personal item that fits under the seat on the airplane?
Well, for European standards, I think it‘s too big for a personal item, but honestly, I have never tried to put it under the seat in front of me.
What airlines have you carried on? The dimensions aren’t compliant with 22x14x9 carry on standard. ???
The first few bags are not carry-on, just the last three. I did not start as minimal as I am traveling now. 😂
How is the Osprey in the rain?
I never had issues with light rain, but I never had it in the pouring rain. However, I would guess it‘s not waterproof, I would probably bring a rain cover if I knew I would be exposed to a lot of rain.
Me from 33L to 28L minimalist backpack travel 😅
I never buy 70L because i can't lift it. I buy 40L and it's max. More than that i have to use a rolling bag
Absolutely agree… 😅 Looking back at things, I am also amazed how I was able to drag around that heavy beast of a backpack… 😅