Packing Tips

We’ve been travelling full-time with just one carry-on-sized backpack each for eight years and believe that packing light is the secret to stress-free travel.

My book The Carry-On Traveller (available on Amazon) features practical tips to help you pack light and never check luggage again. By travelling carry-on only, you’ll save time at airports, save money on checked luggage fees, and reduce the stress of hauling bulky bags.

To get started read our latest carry-on only packing list, our carry-on backpacks review, and how to use packing cubes to save space. 

See below for more packing tips, gear reviews, and packing lists. 

The best travel pants for women - detailed reviews of stylish but comfortable and lightweight travel jeans, pants and leggings.

The Best Travel Pants for Women: Stylish and Functional
My new favourite travel pants and jeans are comfortable, stylish and lightweight.

Read More

Hiking up sand dunes in Namibia with the Gonex ultralight backpack, one of the best packable daypacks

The Best Packable Daypack for Travel 2019
These tiny backpacks pack up small to fit inside your luggage on travel days.

Read More

A detailed Tieks review, the most comfortable ballet flats for travel.

A Detailed Tieks Review After 5 Years of Travel
Are Tieks the perfect travel ballet flats? Read our honest review.

Read More

Iceland packing list for men and women including what to wear in Iceland at any time of year and how to pack carry on only

The Ultimate Iceland Packing List for Men and Women (Carry-On Only)
What we packed for Iceland in just one carry on bag each.

Read More

The best gifts for travelers with ideas for every budget including AirPods, Bluffworks jackets, The Carry On Traveller book, an iPad Pro, Field Notes, Tieks, Aeropress, Trunki kids suitcases, Gonex packable daybacks and Smartwool socks

50 Best Gifts for Travelers: Ideas for Every Budget
Are you looking for gift ideas for travel lovers? These are ideal for anyone who'd like to pack light.

Read More

Dales Way packing list - what we wore on the Dales Way hike in northern England

Dales Way Packing List for Men and Women
What we took on our 83-mile, 6-day hike in northern England.

Read More

A carry on travel packing list

The Ultimate Carry On Travel Packing List After 8 Years of Travel
Find out what we pack for long term travel in a carry-on backpack.

Read More

A Bluffworks Blazer review - the best mens travel blazer

The Best Men’s Travel Blazer: Bluffworks Blazer Review
Simon goes all grown up with his new wrinkle-free travel blazer.

Read More

Tortuga Setout review - one of the best carry-on travel backpacks including a comparison of the Setout vs Outbreaker

Tortuga Setout Backpack Review: Everything You Need to Know
Tortuga released a new carry-on backpack and it's even better than previous versions.

Read More

Horse riding on Noordhoek Beach and a True Traveller insurance review

Why True Traveller Insurance is the Best Backpacker Insurance
The most affordable and comprehensive travel insurance we've found.

Read More

Three screenshots of Trail Wallet showing the new daily summary screen, the photos screen, and the History screen.

A New Update of Our Trail Wallet Travel Budget App!
Learn about the new features of our travel expense tracking app.

Read More

Practising with my Yoga Paws in Wilderness, South Africa

Yoga Paws Review: The Best Travel Yoga Mat
There's no need to pack a heavy yoga mat. Take these brilliant, tiny yoga paws instead.

Read More