10 Ultimate Backpacker Tips To Avoid Overpacking

Traveling is great, and I wouldn’t change it for the world (pun not intended) but wow, can't planning be hard?! It can feel like a full-time job; planning your trip, booking flights, and hours scrolling through Airbnb. It seems like the ‘to-do’ list sometimes never ends. The last thing you want to worry about is overpacking, exceeding your weight allowance, or straining your back. So I am going to share with you, as an experienced traveler, 10 ways to save space in your bag and avoid overpacking. Trust me, I wish I had this list!

Compression Cubes

To start with, purchase some compression packing cubes for yourself. They will save you so much space allowing for a few extra bikinis or allowing more room for essential items. I would recommend purchasing more “expensive” ones as the zips are much better quality. You won’t believe how small these go down to with all your clothes in. 

Buy a Universal Travel Plug

Ditch the iPhone / MacBook charger power adapters and purchase a universal travel plug. Power adapters are bulky and take up unnecessary room, and with a universal travel port you can just plug your USB-C cable straight into the universal plug. They are great because you only need one for anywhere in the world. I use one with 120W, and this charges my laptop, iPhone and headphones, but if you only want to use it for phone charging you can definitely use one with just 35W.

Use a Practical Bag

Having a practicable bag that has all the compartments and back support is essential. I use the Osprey Fairview 40L (Farpoint for men), paired with the 15L Fairview daypack and it is everything I need. It's unbelievable how much you can fit into these two bags and when you tighten the compression straps on the 40L bag it tucks everything away nicely (Also I swear the zip is made of vibranium). This bag is very common among backpackers, as the size is often small enough to be used as a cabin bag, therefore you don't have to pay for checked in baggage (I would advise to still check with your airline size requirements).

Download My Packing List (See at bottom of the page)

I wish I had a packing list like that when I was traveling. I spend hours watching TikTok videos and doing Google searches on what to pack. I created this packing list to help anyone who doesn’t want to spend the time I did because I know time is precious. It has everything I use on there, along with optional extras which you can remove as you wish, as I know everyone is different! 

Buy Your Toiletries in Your Location! 

All I packed was my toothbrush, toothpaste, and a bottle of sun lotion when I left for my travels. Buying toiletries in your location is a great way to save space in your bag as these items are usually the largest, non-flexible items that take up so much room. And compared to the country I came from (UK), toiletries were a third of the price! 

Use Your Bag As a Laptop Case

This one may sound risky, but I have been doing it for months and my laptop is fine! Buy a bag with a laptop compartment, instead of using a big bulky laptop bag. The bag I use is the Osprey 15L, but the Osprey 40L also has a laptop compartment. The only thing I recommend with this is ensuring the bag with your laptop in stays with you, so you know it's being handled with care. We've all seen how the airport treat our bags!

Inflatable Neck Pillow

A neck pillow is a must while travelling, it can make some of the most uncomfortable journeys that bit more bearable. That being said, what is unbearable is lugging it around when you’re not using it. Get yourself in inflatable neck pillow that you can just slide/clip onto your bag when your not using it!

Roll Your Clothes/Pack Neatly

When you pack your bag, you need a system. This enables you to fit all of your stuff in. Pack neatly, roll your clothes nicely, and find a system that works for you, and repeat that! 

Buy a Digital Scale

When you’re packing your bag, no matter how much you try to guess it’s impossible to know the weight of it, and no one wants to pay the hefty airport charges. Get yourself a digital scale that is small and lightweight and will probably save you a ton of money in the long run! 

Be Stingy!!!

This last one is what I found the hardest. I was a chronic overpacker before I went backpacking. But you just really can’t do that. You need to be strict on what is essential and what you can go without. Your back will thank you for it when you’re walking 40 minutes to your hotel.

These are all things I have done to save space and weight while backpacking. I don’t have any problems at airports, I don't have uncomfortable walks with my backpack on and I have all the stuff I need, plus room to buy cute little souvenirs to take home for my family.